What's the wackiest thing you've heard about bourbon?

[jburlowski]

Recently, in Indianapolis, I ordered a pour of 2002 GTS. While enjoying it (a lot) another bartender approached me. Looking left, then right, to be sure no one was listening, he leaned in and said in a conspiratorial whisper, " Most people don't know that when they buy Stagg they're being ripped off. The distillery takes Booker's that isn't good enough and puts it into these tall bottles and sells it at a premium price."

What is the wackiest thing you’ve heard about our favorite libation?

[Gillman]

Well, it would be hard to beat that one!

Gary

[wadewood]

" Most people don't know that when they buy Stagg they're being ripped off. The distillery takes Booker's that isn't good enough and puts it into these tall bottles and sells it at a premium price."

Only after the Booker's is run through the Dane's Amazing New Age Dogshit Aging Accelerator does the it turn to Stagg.

[luv2hunt]

" Most people don't know that when they buy Stagg they're being ripped off. The distillery takes Booker's that isn't good enough and puts it into these tall bottles and sells it at a premium price."

I can't help but wonder if that bartender had some insider information he's busting out with???? Like maybe they HAD a bottle of 2002 Stagg....made a bunch of money selling it and couldn't get another...so filled it with Bookers?

Are you sure it tasted right? I may have to get Jon and Randy to go check this out!

Dawn

[TimmyBoston]

What bar were you at, I live in Indy and I'd love to talk to that bartender, I bet he's a riot, even if he doesn't know it. That's hilarious.

[Barrel_Proof]

This is probably a bartender that thinks good vodka has qualities, too!

[jeff]

I once had someone tell me that they had actually visited the "Knob Creek Distillery", and by their discription, I knew they weren't talking about Jim Beam.

[jburlowski]

I can't help but wonder if that bartender had some insider information he's busting out with???? Like maybe they HAD a bottle of 2002 Stagg....made a bunch of money selling it and couldn't get another...so filled it with Bookers?

Dawn

I've had all the Staggs (though this was my first with 2002).... it definitely wasn't Booker's. It had all the complexity and richness (and oak) that one would expect from a GTS.

[gr8erdane]

And also after Booker's is run through Dane it turns to Smirnoff Citrus Twist Vodka...

[Nebraska]

I have to tell all of you I am amazed at how many times in a liquor store or a bar when I ask for bourbon, I am immediately directed verbally (and sometimes physically) to the Jack Daniels Display with with 50 bottles sitting on a barrel or shelf. "Yeah we've got bourbon, we've got Jack Daniels".

Ok,Ok...the displays aren't normally in bars...but the comment is.

[clayton]

It's not exactly "wacky," but I wish I could count how many times I've heard people say, "Oh, I like bourbon and whiskey" or "I like scotch and whiskey" as thought whiskey were somehow a separate product. This odd turn of phrase happens even with people who seem to know a little bit about it.

This also crops up on bar menus. One of my local favorites has these two sections: "Single Malt Scotch" (Laphroaig, Balvenie, essentially anything with a gaelic name) and "Bourbon and Whiskey" (for Jim Beam, Crown Royal, Jack Daniel's, and even Johnnie Walker.) And this is a fairly high-tab joint, too.

[FlashPuppy]

So my girlfriend and I went to a bar in downtown San Diego the other night. She ordered a pomegranite cosmo, which was fairly good as far as those things go.

I asked the "bartender", "What do you have for bourbon?", while I was eyeing a bottle of Basil Hayden, WT101, MM and Bookers on the top shelf.

He replies, "Oh, well, we have Jim Beam, WT, Jack Daniels and Crown Royal."

Bartender? How did HE get THAT liscence?

[scopenut]

Worst encounter lately was a hotel in Albuquerque. Asked what bourbons were available and got "Jack Daniels, Crown Royal, and Canadian Club". Not even Beam White. Why is bourbon such a persona non grata at many places? Having to explain an historic genre of whiskey to a bartender or waitress seems surreal.

Kevin

[ratcheer]

Worst encounter lately was a hotel in Albuquerque. Asked what bourbons were available and got "Jack Daniels, Crown Royal, and Canadian Club". Not even Beam White. Why is bourbon such a persona non grata at many places? Having to explain an historic genre of whiskey to a bartender or waitress seems surreal.

Kevin

They are just kids. To them, bourbon is just some strange thing that old people drink.

All they know is vodka, tequila, and spiced rum. And a bunch of weird kiddie coolers.

Tim

[jsgorman]

It's not exactly "wacky," but I wish I could count how many times I've heard people say, "Oh, I like bourbon and whiskey" or "I like scotch and whiskey" as thought whiskey were somehow a separate product. This odd turn of phrase happens even with people who seem to know a little bit about it.

This also crops up on bar menus. One of my local favorites has these two sections: "Single Malt Scotch" (Laphroaig, Balvenie, essentially anything with a gaelic name) and "Bourbon and Whiskey" (for Jim Beam, Crown Royal, Jack Daniel's, and even Johnnie Walker.) And this is a fairly high-tab joint, too.

Clayton,

Separating Single Malt Scotch from Bourbon and Whiskey is both appropriate and accurate. Single Malt Scotch Whisky must be produced be from Scotland (Scotch) and be made from 100% malted barley (fermented with yeast) and distilled in traditional pot stills. No other grain product or fermentable material is allowed and it must not been blended with whisky from any other distillery.

Jim Beam is a Bourbon (Corn), Jack Daniels is a Tennesee Whiskey, Crown Royal is a blend of various grain whiskies and Johnnie Walker is a blend of malted scotch whiskies.

To me, the best examples of Bourbon and Scotch are as different as red and white wines. Sure they are both made from grapes, but in the glass there is absolutely no confusion.

[Ambernecter]

A few years back a Scotch snob berrated me at a party for enjoying whiskey from the USA. He said that there were no strict contols on how they made "that rotgut" and one of them (I forget which brand of Bourbon now) could strip the enamel of sinks.

I told him that maybe he was confusing an old prohibition era story with fact, but he insisted that Bourbon was basically moonshine and I should be careful.

I didn't bother arguing - you have got to be kind to blind people I guess!

I also saw a guy in a bar about 20 years ago order a Jack Daniel's (which was right at the back of the bar and not that popular back then.) The barmaid went straight to the optics and poured him a Johnny Walker Black whilst he watched. He paid for the drink and went and sat down happy. I was confused and amused at the same time.

[jsgorman]

As far as quality control, Bourbon is more heavily regulated than Scotch. The problem you have is that bourbon sells for such a stupid price in the UK. Here, you can pay the same price for a bottle of A'bundah or Bowmore 17 and GTS. I imagine in the UK, the GTS is much more expensive.

Funny extension to your story, I've seen the other way around here. Somone asked for a Johnny Black and got a 'Jack Black' instead.

[FlashPuppy]

They are just kids. To them, bourbon is just some strange thing that old people drink.

All they know is vodka, tequila, and spiced rum. And a bunch of weird kiddie coolers.

Tim

I don't know about that. I am only twenty-one. I just have a serious problem with dumb bartenders.

[ratcheer]

I didn't bother arguing - you have got to be kind to blind people I guess!

Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man,

But any fool will quarrel.

Proverbs 20:3

[Ken Weber]

I was in Dallas and asked the bartender what the best selling bourbons were.

#1. Jack Daniel's

#2. Crown Royal

#3. Southern Comfort

#4. Jim Beam

When I said only one was a bourbon he informed me that I was obviously new to the business and needed to learn a lot more before I lost what little credibility I had. Oh well........

Ken

[FlashPuppy]

When I said only one was a bourbon he informed me that I was obviously new to the business and needed to learn a lot more before I lost what little credibility I had. Oh well........

wow.....

[ThomasH]

Imagine that, a bartender telling a bourbon distillery employee about the whiskey business. You should have asked about his selection of blended scotch. I'll bet the 1st brand to come out of his mouth would be Seagrams 7. Better yet, next time you are in Dallas, schedule a bourbon tasting and send that guy an invitation and then catch the look on his face when he finds out about your credentials.

Thomas

[kbuzbee]

I was in Dallas and asked the bartender what the best selling bourbons were.

#1. Jack Daniel's

#2. Crown Royal

#3. Southern Comfort

#4. Jim Beam

When I said only one was a bourbon he informed me that I was obviously new to the business and needed to learn a lot more before I lost what little credibility I had. Oh well........

Ken

Well, I guess you'd better buckle down, Ken! That's TOO funny.

Ken

[Edward_call_me_Ed]

I was in Dallas and asked the bartender what the best selling bourbons were.

#1. Jack Daniel's

#2. Crown Royal

#3. Southern Comfort

#4. Jim Beam

When I said only one was a bourbon he informed me that I was obviously new to the business and needed to learn a lot more before I lost what little credibility I had. Oh well........

Ken

My first reaction was a belly laugh. Now I am just agog. I don't think you should let him stock any of your products.

Ed

[TimmyBoston]

When I worked in a restaurant, I had a debate with my supervisor over whether Jack Daniels, Crown Royal and many other canadian Whiskeys were bourbon. He insisted they were and no matter what I said to the contrary; I was wrong and stupid.

Another time at a bar, I specifically asked for Single Malt Scotch, the bartender started at the vast selection of bottles for a long moment and finally answered, Johnny Walker Red and Johnny Walker Black, but coincidentally left out the Gold and Blue which were immediately adjecent on the shelf. (I guess he didn't see that insignificant little word, "blended".) And on top of that, the Classic Malt's Collection, which actually are single malts were in plain sight at the center of the top shelf. :hot: