Where do I go from here?

[jkiiha]

Gentlemen,

Here is my dilemma. I've been drinking Bourbon for roughly five years. It's been my drink of choice for the last year or so. At the beginning, I switched from Scotch with the idea (correct, I believe) that I would find a better quality/value ratio in American whiskey. At first, I really enjoyed Marker's Mark. I think the reason for my initial attachment to MM had something to do with the bland character of the whiskey. It served as an intermediary between what I like now and the cheap, blended scotch I had been drinking. That is to say, to my taste, the more Bourbon I drink, the less I like MM.

With time, I like to think that my palate has improved. Nowadays, I've switched to fuller bodied Bourbons (Turkey 101, Rare Breed and Jim Beam Black, 7 y.o). I really like the Jim Beam Black. For whatever reason, it has sort of a candy/cinnamon-type flavor that hits home.

The question is, where do I go from here? Judging from what I like, what does the forum think that I try in the way of single barrel/small batch Bourbons? I've been reluctant to delve too far into the wheaties as a result of my general dislike for MM. At some point, I tried Old Rip 10 y.o. and was not particularly crazy about it. I think, however, my relative inexperience may have caused me to unfairly misjudge it.

Regards,

Jay

[cowdery]

If you like the Jim Beam Black (as do I) your next steps in that family would be Knob Creek and Booker's. Baker's is optional.

You probably should try Old Grand-Dad, the bottled in bond or 113 if you can find them. You also might want to try some rye. If you want to try a good wheater at a reasonable price, see if you can find some Old Fitzgerald bottled in bond (green label). That should hold you for a while.

--Chuck Cowdery

[Guest **DONOTDELETE**]

Well Jay I can see that you like many of the same bourbons that I do. I harbor a true hatred of Maker's Mark and therefore will not bore the older forum members by once again calling it "The Worst Bourbon on the Planet".

I think you would really like the subject of my latest tasting - Old Forester. You would also want to try these: Knob Creek, Woodford Reserve, and Russell's Reserve. Also I don't believe that there is anybody that dosen't adore Blanton's. Pricey at $45-$50 but damn well worth it.

Linn Spencer

Have Shotglass. Will Travel.

[Creggor]

Hello, Jay. Welcome. I must agree with the previous post. You have picked up on the difference of wheaters ie makers mark and 10yr Vanwinkle and have seemed to have shifted gears towards rye flavored bourbons. Knob Creek, Russells Reserve. and Evan Williams Single Barrel make a real fine entry point. Where you go from there is up tp you. Than reminds me Linn I have a sealed bottle of Blantons Single Barrel on hand. I bought it on sale a couple months ago and have not tried it yet. Well guess what in the next ten minutes it's going to comfort me better yet it might get me to thinking about Cindy Crawford. Jay I am not sure where you live but do try some Buffalo Trace if you get the chance. Currently it's available only in KY. Welcome Jay. and thanks Linn for making me crack open the Blantons. Creggor.

[cowdery]

For the record, Buffalo Trace is now available here in Chicago and, I think, in some other non-Kentucky markets as well. It is a very worthy bourbon and should be on everyone's "must try" list.

--Chuck Cowdery

[RyanStotz]

Chuck:

"For the record, Buffalo Trace is now available here in Chicago and, I think, in some other non-Kentucky markets as well."

Stores in Rhode Island and southern Illinois both it, just as a couple data points. Curiously, it's been denied to New Orleans, the home of the whiskey's parent company, Sazerac.

> It is a very worthy bourbon and should be on everyone's "must try" list.

Couldn't agree more. While generally speaking I'm not at all averse to having more bourbons on the market, a lot of the newer ones simply seem like a lighter/heavier, sweeter/drier, oakier/less-woody version of some other bourbon. Buffalo Trace is the only one that genuinely tastes unlike other bourbons out there, and thus is a valued addition to liquor store shelves (well, at least some shelves), especially at its reasonable price.

Good to be back on the board after my grueling, longer than anticipated move to New Orleans. Won't bore you with the gory details, but suffice to say if any of you have yet to have the experience of unexpectedly having to spend $7,000 in a week, don't bother. It's not all it's cracked up to be.

Stotz

[Guest **DONOTDELETE**]

Hi Ryan! Good to hear from you again!

Yeah, I know what you mean about the joys of relocation. At least in my case it was my employer's money being spent, but it's still traumatic how fast it all goes. I don't want to do it again, thank you.

Jkiiha, you can add me to your list of folks who suggest Buffalo Trace, and for all the same reasons Creggor and Ryan brought up. If you're going to have a selection of different bourbon styles, you really must include this one. Some will like it; some won't. Heck, some days YOU'll like it and some you won't.

=John=

http://w3.one.net/~jeffelle/whiskey