Good "winter" bourbon?

[wrbriggs]

Well, temperatures haven't reached their usual lows for late November here in Vermont, but while slogging through the cold, wet rain today, I started wondering which bourbon would warm me up the best once I got home...

So as a topic of conversation, I was wondering what differences (if any) there are between what bourbons you folks drink in the summertime, and the bourbons you drink in the winter?

I'll say this - Wild Turkey Rare Breed, while not my favorite bourbon so far, is warming me quite nicely... and I'm warming up to it a bit because of that.

[Gillman]

One of the coldest weekends of my life was in a part of Vermont called (if memory serves) Black Mountain where I joined friends who were cross-country skiing.

Bourbons for very cold weather include OG 100 or 114 and Knob Creek. Also, the Rowan's Creek I mentioned made in December 1995 and bottled in August '03 - that has massive flavor, I don't know if it would jar Jupiter but Black Mountain would have a fight on its hands.

Gary

[squire]

Will I don't have any seasonal favorites but the answer that immediately occured to me when first reading your post is Old Grand Dad 114.

Regards,

squire

[bluesbassdad]

I hadn't thought much about it until your post, but here are my criteria for a winter bourbon.

1. Full proof, by which I mean probably 100 or more.

2. Smooth enough that I don't have to sneak up on it with tiny sips. I want the warming effect to set in quickly.

3. Full flavored.

A couple of hours ago after coming in from playing with one of my dogs in 30 degree temps with a wind of 15 mph, gusting to 25, I reached for Russell's Reserve.

Another candidate that comes to mind is EC12 (even though it falls short on the proof criterion), but my only bottle of it is in the kitchen, and I didn't feel like going to get it.

Yours truly,

Dave Morefield

[OneCubeOnly]

In colder weather I tend to shift towards the heartier, richer bourbons. EC12 and Elmer T. Lee fit the bill quite nicely. I also tend to dip into the Pappy more this time of year.

[clayton]

As it's gotten colder, I've found myself going for the rye (the VWFRR, mostly) fairly often. This may be because I've also opened my first bottle of Sazerac, and have rye on the brain.

Also, I have to say that the heavyweight Scotches seem a bit tastier in the winter time, maybe because the smokiness brings woodstoves to mind, filling a psychological need that goes unmet in my city apartment. I suspect this bottle of Ardbeg won't last much longer.

[bluesbassdad]

A good idea, that. Perhaps it's time for me to revisit what I've come to regard as a lifetime supply (a single bottle ) of Laphroaig 10 y/o. With a forecast low of 12 degrees F. tonight, I'd say it's now or never.

Yours truly,

Dave Morefield

[greenbob]

Whatever your winter drink is, try this. Pour some into your drinking glass, and then put the glass into a microwave for 5 to 10 seconds.

I did this last year with Ardbeg 17. I did it last night with Wild Turkey 101.

[greenbob]

put the glass into a microwave for 5 to 10 seconds.

I apologize for my insensitivity to our Australian friends.

[BrbnBorderline]

Weller Antique 107

Baker's 107

Booker's 126.8

WT Rare Breed 108.4

[jace33]

Hello

I find the higher proof bourbons better due to the heat factor,however the barrel proof bourbons and 10 yr+ could

be muted if you live in a very cold place.

such as Georgetown Co. elev 8519ft,I tought that the cold weather would make bourbon real popular here but beer and the other whiskey is more prolific.

[angelshare]

WT Kentucky Spirit is probably my favorite bottling, at least of the bourbons readily available in VA, and I tend to associate it with sipping on winter Sunday afternoons, preferably with a fire going. Hands down my winter bourbon of choice.