First Bourbon?

[ErikL]

All-

I watched this thread a bit, as I'm also a bourbon noob as of one month ago. I have procured the following:

Jim Beam Black Label

Elijah Craig 12 Year

Knob Creek

Buffalo Trace

Evan Williams Single Barrel (1996)

Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year (okay I read about this one elsewhere and figured I'd save it for the holidays)

Of these, the JB, EC, and KC have been opened so far (the others are a bit dear here in Washington state, but I tried the BT and EWSB at bars).

You know, the JB is pretty decent in a drinkable no-frills kind of way. I am undecided on the EC as I only had a very small pour. KC seems quite nice, and I'm sipping a bit now.

All of the above have been cut with a tiny splash of distilled water.

[Sijan]

I'd go with Jim Beam Black.

If you want a bit higher proof, Wild Turkey 101 or Old Grand-dad Bottled-in-Bond.

If you want to taste some upscale stuff, a good starter bourbon that's affordable (under $30) is Old Rip Van Winkle 10 year old, 90 proof. Alternatively, Eagle Rare Single Barrel is also very good and in the same price range.

[RedVette]

I have over one hundred OPEN bottles in my collection, and tonight I am sitting here thoroughly enjoying a Jim Beam Black on the rocks. In my opinion Beam White is only suitable for wallpaper removal, they are not the same.

If you want a high quality $20 bourbon, Beam Black fits the bill.

[cowdery]

Jim Beam Black Label

Elijah Craig 12 Year

Knob Creek

Buffalo Trace

Evan Williams Single Barrel (1996)

Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year (okay I read about this one elsewhere and figured I'd save it for the holidays).

It's a good list, but as a self-proclaimed noob you want to experience as much variety as possible. Knob Creek and Jim Beam Black Label are from the same distillery and same recipe, as are the Elijah Craig and Evan Williams. To sample the products of some other distilleries, you should try Maker's Mark, Wild Turkey, Bulleit, Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, Jack Daniel's and George Dickel.

[pabourbongal]

...maybe you guys can help me add another branch to my bourbon tasting tree.

So far, I've tried:

Eagle Rare

Elmer T. Lee

Buffalo Trace

Nob Creek

Maker's Mark

Basil Hayden's

Wild Turkey Rare Breed

I was not a big fan of the Basil Hayden's or Maker's Mark. Loved all the products by Buffalo Trace (ER, BT and ETL), but my favorite pour so far has been WT RB.

I'm thinking Evan Williams SB, Old Granddad BIB and one of the Van Winkle's next? What say the expert tasters?

BTW....for our friend in Eugene, it sounds like the selection at your OLCC store is pretty limited. Try taking a road trip to Portland if you have a chance...better selection up there.

From a former Portlander, now in PA, where it feels like prohibition is alive and well!:grin:

[Sijan]

If you like WT RB, you should really try out the other bourbons in the Wild Turkey line - WT101 and WT RR, plus WT Kentucky Spirit if you're willing to spend $40-50 for a bottle of bourbon.

Old Grand-dad BIB is also a good choice. Although my understanding is that it's the same mashbill as Basil Hayden, they are world's different in taste.

Trying out a Van Winkle is always a good idea. And f you like Buffalo Trace, there are pleny more bourbons from them to try out.

You probably should try Evan Williams SB or Elijah Craig 12 years old to taste some Heaven Hill bourbon.

[barturtle]

Checking the PA bourbon list, I see Old Grand Dad 114, great pour.

You should probably also try Woodford, 1792, and Weller 107. Your choices of EWSB and VW are also good places to visit. I didn't see it, but if Old Forester 100 proof is in your area that'll be a good one to put on your list, as well.

[Sijan]

I second the vote for Old Forester 100 proof, or Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, the latest version of which is soon to be released in September.

[pabourbongal]

It looks like nearly all of these are sold in PA. Luckily, there is a premium collection store about 15 minutes from my house.

Cheers,

[cowdery]

With the idea of trying whiskeys that are substantially different from what you have already tried, i.e., different distilleries or different recipes, I agree with EWSB (a Heaven Hill product), OGD BIB (Jim Beam-made, but a different mash bill) as well as:

Old Forester 100 proof "signature"

Woodford Reserve

Bulleit

Bernheim Original (straight wheat)

Rittenhouse BIB (straight rye)

Old Fitzgerald (Heaven Hill's wheater)

Weller 12 (Buffalo Trace's wheater)

Wild Turkey Russell's Reserve or Kentucky Spirit

Ridgemont Reserve 1792

[Virus_Of_Life]

...as well as:

.............

Wild Turkey Russell's Reserve or Kentucky Spirit

Personally, I'd never suggest RR to anyone, I do not like it at all and am not the only one; however KS seems to strike the right chord with pretty much everyone. There is just something about the RR, of course I am talking 101, that was a big turn off when Mike (Scratchline) and I did a WT tasting. So I'd say avoid it until you've had many other, if not all, WT products and my personal opinion is the best bang for the buck is the older 8 year bottles that can still be found sitting dusty shelves - far superior IMO to the current 101.