Smoothest / Most Drinkable Bourbons

[fogfrog]

I have been trying to drink my Evan Williams 7YO on the rocks but don't really like it. Before I go out and buy something else I don't like, I am curious what Bourbons are the easiest to drink?

I found I liked the 7YO beBm maybe because it was sweet and easy to drink on the rocks. In my history, I used to like Scotch on the Rocks.

I am curious which are the most drinkable Bourbons either straight or on the rocks?

[jburlowski]

Basil Hayden (much maligned on this board) is very easy on the palette... it is what I typically use to "introduce" bourbons to the uninitiated. Elmer T. Lee (if available in your area) is also easy-going because of its "sweeter" profile. These are both "premium" bourbons.

At a lower price, I'd suggest Buffalo Trace, Maker's Mark, or one of the Weller products.

[barturtle]

Maker's Mark(also much maligned on this board) is also quite smooth. Elijah Craig 18yo I also find quite smooth.

[Wade]

I'm with you on the Evan Williams Black. I usually drink my bourbon neat but this is one that I just can't stand straight up. It even made the Beam Black I drank after it taste bad. I was going to try it on ice to see if it made it any better. Fortunately, I only spent 6 bucks on it so I have no problem relegating this one to coke mixing.

To me Beam Black is pretty darn smooth and is one of my everyday bourbons. I referred to it as liquid candy when I first started drinking it. I'll usually buy the 1.75L of this one when I see it on sale.

Wade

[Vange]

I am a relative newbie to the world of bourbon, but I ramp up fast!

I recently went to a wedding and didn't like their choice of vodka, all they had was absolut. I ended up going with a Maker's Mark neat. Wow, what a bite! I could not drink it neat so I switched to it on the rocks. It went down much smoother, but still had a bite.

I really like to drink most of my spirits neat. I even drink my bookers 8 yo (120+ proof) neat and it doesn't have the bite that the MM had.

As for smooth and in a good price range go for the VW SR 12 yo Lot B. Great stuff!

Just my 2 cents from a newbie.

[BobA]

Well, the first two that came to my mind were Basil Hayden and Maker's Mark. I prefer the taste of the BH (but not its price), but since you seem to like sweetness, I'd say try the MM. At a lower price, you might give Old Charter 8 yr. old a chance. I'm pretty sure I've seen reference to it in KS, and many describe it as sweet (not the first description that comes to my mind, but I see what they mean). You should be able to get the OC 10 yr., or even the 12 yr., at less than the MM. The OC 12 is a particular favorite of mine.

Bob

P.s. Another budget try is Rebel Yell. I would call it "soft" rather than "smooth," because there can be some harshness, but it is sweet, at it's best over ice, and at 80 proof, just can't kick too hard anyway.

[TNbourbon]

Basil Hayden (much maligned on this board)...

I think the biggest problem most of us have regarding Basil Hayden's is the price -- $35-$40 for an 80-proofer is just asking too much. I can't think of an 80-proof bourbon within $10 of it for a 750ml. As for the whiskey itself, I like it a lot, and would buy it at, say, $20-$25.

Weller 12yo is very mellow and sweet, and Jim Beam Black and Buffalo Trace are easy-drinking on the rye-recipe side. Among lower-end premiums, try Eagle Rare 10yo Single Barrel.

[Chaz7]

Like so much on this site, it's subjective. Since you mentioned Even 7yo, I thought you were only into price. As a scotch drinker, you will find the Basil Hayden's a bargain. I like Weller Antique. At 107 proof, it's very smooth. I always add a drop of water to my single malts, yet with bourbon, it's always neat. Most scotch clocks in around the 80-90 proof. So it's all going to be relative. Old Rip Van Winkle 10 year is wonderful, as is Buffalo Trace. And both of these are at 90 proof. But, sometimes proof has nothing to do with smoothness; there are some 90 proofers that burn, and some high proofers (Old Grand Dad 100, Old Rip Van Winkle 107, and the aforementioned Weller Antique) that are incredibly smooth.

[fogfrog]

Yeah Tim thanks. Do you have a brother named Larry in Kansas City? I guess it takes some tasting to figure out what you like. I do like the Jim Beam black label and at 16.30 a fifth I figure its a good deal. I don't know if there are any other smooth bourbons in this price range. I like this stuff. It seems like sometime in my life I tried bourbon and this is what I remembered it should taste like. JB Black is truly excellent IMO. Of course I haven't tasted much thats out there so from a very limited experience and a very new taster, I like it.

Paul C.

[kbuzbee]

I ended up going with a Maker's Mark neat. Wow, what a bite! I could not drink it neat so I switched to it on the rocks. It went down much smoother, but still had a bite.

Evangelos, I don't know anyone whose had that reaction to Maker's. That's interesting. May have just been your taste buds that day. There are days when nothing tastes good to me (few of them, thankfully). There are people who say it needs more zip, more age or whatever. I usually like it well enough.

As to fogfrog's original question, I think you'll find your definitions will change over time. When I first started drinking whiskey (a LONG time ago) I liked Jack Daniels. Mostly because it was smooth. That was my main criteria. Now I go for drinks with a much larger flavor profile (like Kentucky Spirit or Tribute). To me those are amazingly smooth, but I wouldn't have thought so 30 years ago. I've changed. My perceptions have changed. Advice here on Maker's, Weller and Elmer T. Lee (to me the most "smooth") are right on. Will that mean they will be what you want in a few years? Maybe, but probably not. Enjoy the journey!

Ken

[ratcheer]

Ken, MM is the same to me as it is to him and I'm pretty sure I've said it, here, before. Harsh and unenjoyable.

Tim

[barturtle]

Actually thinking back to the last time I had Makers, I didn't like it and it was kinda harsh. I do believe that it has become too young. I don't drink it often-Okay, so I've turned my nose up at it and drank beer (Budweiser, no less!) instead. I'm gonna withdrawn my recommendation and replace it with Old Charter 12yo.

It's hard to change your memory, I'll probably always think of Makers as a light smooth drink, even though my subconscience tells me not to drink it.

[gr8erdane]

Paul,

I'd recommend our December Bourbon of the Month, Elijah Craig 12 yo in that price range. It comes from the same place as EW but has a whole different taste profile IMHO. Not sure where you shop in KC but either Royal or Lukas Superstores should carry it at a good price. Shoot, at my St Louis area Lukas I have bought 1.75s of EC 12 for around 30.00. Some love it, some hate it but I think it's reasonable enough to give a chance.

[camduncan]

I couldn't agree more Dane.

Personally, I think Elijah Craig 12yo and Evan Williams Single Barrel are 2 fantastic examples of different flavour profiles from the same distillery. (My other favourite example is from BT, but that's a different post)

[NYtaster]

I know I'm a "newbie" and all but maybe thats a good thing in this case, I can still remember my early bottles. The one that moved me away from a long term relationship with Old Number 7 was Woodford Reserve. I still get a bottle once in a while and I think this a great bourbon to start on even with its somewhat high price.

Tim

"I'm and optimist, even if the glass is half empty, there's still more in the bottle!!!!!"

[Geo]

Smoothest/Most Drinkable...?

Hands down... Old Rip Van Winkle 15 yr 107.

Most loved: Drank a few ounces tonight... George T Stagg (spring '05) mmmmmmm...

[kbuzbee]

Most loved: Drank a few ounces tonight... George T Stagg (spring '05) mmmmmmm...

Interesting coincidence, I had a nice 5 ounce pour of GTS last night as well. Straight up. What an intense flavor it has. Sweet, smokey, chewy. Just wonderful.

Ken

[kbuzbee]

Actually thinking back to the last time I had Makers, I didn't like it and it was kinda harsh. I do believe that it has become too young. I don't drink it often-Okay, so I've turned my nose up at it and drank beer (Budweiser, no less!) instead. I'm gonna withdrawn my recommendation and replace it with Old Charter 12yo.

It's hard to change your memory, I'll probably always think of Makers as a light smooth drink, even though my subconscience tells me not to drink it.

Maybe it's a candidate for someone's rebarreling project?? I had an interesting experience the other day. Tried a pour of the Jack Daniels 1954 Belgium. Didn't care for it much. Normally I would have gone for KS to clean my palate but for some reason I picked up an open bottle of Maker's. It was the best Maker's had tasted in ages. Maybe Maker's is younger and not as good as it used to be. And maybe we have come to try so many GREAT Bourbons that it just doesn't stand out the way it used to. Probably both. Still don't see it as harsh though and I WILL take a pour if somone offers it.

Ken

[jburlowski]

I think that you are right about MM becoming younger over the past few years. A victim of their marketing success perhaps?

[tmas]

Old Rip 15 yr, I'll second that George, not only supper smooth, but super delicious! Tom V

[NYtaster]

Today I opened a bottle of 10 Yr EW Single Barrel. It is nothing if not smooth, ie. not harsh, but that is all I can say is positive about this pour. I am afraid the smoothness comes at the expense of taste in this case.

I find that the most drinkable bourbons I have tried are any of the VanWinkle bottles, at any price point.

Just the ramblings of a novice!!

Tim (Seems to be a popular name around here)

[BrbnBorderline]

For a bourbon novice, I always recommend Ancient Age. For $10-12, you can't go wrong, and it has a nice vanilla taste.

The discontinued Eagle Rare 101 is very smooth also.

Without a doubt, the smoothest bourbon I've ever had was Weller Antique 107 with 10-15% WT Rye mixed in. It was so smooth, it was dangerous.

[fogfrog]

are you saying that bottom shelf Ancient Ancient Age? I know there are different offerings.

[mshanzz]

EWSB 10 yr olds, from years 1989 to 1995 smooth and enjoyable. You have to agree with that choice.

"Don't give up don't ever give up"

Mike

[smokinjoe]

Right on for the Evan Williams Single Barrel! It's hard to beat the smoothness, taste, and depth of just about any of the iterations of EWSB. The 1995 is very good. My favorite is the 1994, followed by the 1987, but all are terrific. And to top it off, you can get this World Class Whiskey for $20. Amazing!!

JOE