Favorite cocktail whiskeys?

[CrispyCritter]

As much as I love a Glencairn of PVW 15 or Stagg, I've become quite fond of cocktails, too. A Manhattan, Sazerac, Red Hook, or other such drink can be quite a treat, and they aren't too hard to make.

In general, I tend to prefer "bang-for-the-buck" whiskeys when I mix. While I sometimes venture into premium territory (I even tried a Red Hook with Fall '05 Stagg! :falling:), for everyday use it's better to stick with something that's good and inexpensive.

My favorites:

• Rittenhouse BIB rye. This is just an unbeatable value, neat or mixed.
  
• Bonded OGD. Great Manhattans!
  
• Old Overholt. While it isn't my favorite neat, it does make good cocktails. I tend to use it when I don't want quite as much alcohol (since it's 80 proof).
  
• Wild Turkey 101, either bourbon or rye. Always reliable!
  
• Sazerac Jr. - great in its namesake cocktail, or anything else I've mixed with it.
  
• Old Fitzgerald BIB. Mellower, sweeter, but it packs a wallop.
  
• Cluny Scotch. Makes a superb Rob Roy.

Venturing into the premium world, I'll always mix a couple of Sazerac cocktails on those rare instances when I have a bottle of Saz 18 open. They are out of this world - but a bit expensive and rare to mix often!

The GTS-based Red Hook was great fun - almost no burn, but even though maraschino and Punt e Mes are rather strongly flavored, it was quite obvious to my palate that the Stagg would not be denied.

[BobA]

I don't know why I'm bothering to post here, your comments about OGD, WT, and OO said all I could.

Bob