Best intro Bourbon

[Jono]

If you are faced with picking a bourbon for a novice to taste (assume the person is a light beer, vodka and tonic drinker) what would you pour?

Of my collection...several stand out as light/medium body, smoother choices:

EWSB

MM

4 Roses Yellow Label

Weller Special Reserve

I think I would pour the EWSB.

[spun_cookie]

I would go with the weller...

[HipFlask]

I would go with the Weller as well.

[birdman1099]

The weller is a good choice, but I have used the EWSB in the past with some luck !!!

[fishnbowljoe]

Start with MM. See how that person likes it. Then, depending on the outcome, try the Weller. Both are good bourbons. The EWSB is good, but I don't think appropriate for a novice, and I haven't tried the Four Roses. Besides, many people cut their teeth on MM. I know I did. It was a very good starter for me on my bourbon journey. I'll always have a bottle or two on hand. Joe

[ILLfarmboy]

Weller or MM. If I used Makers I'd probably belabor the point it isn't the be all end all. There's already too many of those types running around.:cool:

[mgilbertva]

It depends on the individual being introduced. If they are a scotch drinker, a good rye like Handy is something I've had great luck with. If they're a wine drinker, better go a lot softer: EWSB. If they drink cognacs or milder liquors like vodka, Weller. Never been a drinker, MM I suppose.

[ILLfarmboy]

.. Never been a drinker, MM I suppose.

Damn, Mark. I thought I could be harsh.

[Jono]

Just to clarify...I am curious what all of you would you pull out of "your" cabinet in such a situation?

I think a novice who enjoys full bodied beer/ale/stout is much more likely to enjoy a more bodied and higher proof whiskey than the aforementioned light drinker....same would apply to a lover of full bodied red wines vs white zinfandel drinkers....as Mark noted above.

[spun_cookie]

Well, I have those 5, but I might add the bernheim, the WL Weller centennial and a few more to the list, but in the end I would give them the Centennial. It has been a hit for first time whiskey drinkers and first time bourbon drinkers. My scotch buddies, even the heavy peat scothers like the lighter bourbons. The Staggs, William Wellers, etc usually are to robust for them....

What I usually do is pour out 6 samples of different bourbons (1/4-1/2 ounce) and let them taste each... I try to go diverse so the can taste some variation

[gothbat]

I've almost always gone for a wheater. In the past it's been ORVW 10 90 proof, VWSR12, Weller Centennial, and 1792. They all seem to have been good choices since my results have always seemed positive, even among those who say they don't like the "dark liquor". In the future I'll likely go with FR Single Barrel, assuming I have one.

[bigtoys]

Went to a wine sale a few weeks ago with two friends, one a Pappy fan and the other just into wine or whatever. We started talking about bourbon on the way home and I "dragged" them in (not too much arm twisting, as the wine sale included tastes) so #3 could try some bourbon. We just went straight to Pappy 20; he liked it.

[CorvallisCracker]

Just to clarify...I am curious what all of you would you pull out of "your" cabinet in such a situation?

Normally, Buffalo Trace, but I'm out at the moment.

If this happened before I got some more, probably WT RB.

[Chupacabras]

I almost always start people off on a bottle of EC12; actually quite surprised, considering the quality and price point, that its been left out of everyones intro lists.

[Tennessee Dave]

Weller Special reserve would be my recommedation. May become a favorite.

[Stones]

Here in Oz Jim Beam, McKenna and Slate are the standard bar bourbons which i'd indulged in many a time until i decided to try Woodford reserve. From then on i was hooked on 'better ' bottlings. My next major purchase into the higher quality burbs was a bottle of 2004 Van Winkle 10yo in Melbourne. Probably still my best memory of tasting really special bourbon for the first time. :cool:

[hjminard]

I almost always start people off on a bottle of EC12

That's the one I've started using ...

[billthewoodguy]

well when I was being introduced the pour that caught my attention was stag, it changed my world!

[nor02lei]

For a single malt drinker I think the best introduction to bourbon isn’t bourbon at all. A straight rye or a G. Dickel Tennessee whiskey would be better at first.

Leif

[Sijan]

I think Van Winkle 10 year old 90 proof is the perfect intro bourbon. Smooth, sweet, and relatively low-proof but still complex, top quality bourbon. Weller Special Reserve would be along the same line of thinking, just with a step down in quality.

I would avoid using the EC12 or EWSB as they may be turned off by the strong eucalyptus notes common to HH bourbons.

I would avoid anything high-proof, even BIB is likely too much. Most people haven't ever had anything at that proof these days.

[troyce]

When I was introduced to bourbon about 4 1/2 yrs ago, I'd been into wine for several years. My first real taste, neat ,was EC 12 and I thought I was drinking gas, but after a couple of days I was hooked.

In spite of this , I agree with Dan, the eucalyptus and burn may turn off many.

I'd go with BT,MM or ETL.

[OldJack]

I sort of had 3 intro over a year period which lead me into serious bourbon driniking- Weller Antique, MM, and BT. Now that I'm the one sharing bourbon w/ noobs, I have found MM to be highly effective. Brand familiarity seems to help relax folks. YMMV.

[Scoots]

As a newb bourbon drinker (as of last April :woohoo:) and having sampled a number of labels recommended on this forum (not all of them, no Van Winkle labels are on Oregon's regular order list), I would have to say that Weller Special Reserve @ 90 proof is an excellent introduction to bourbon. From there I would recommend Weller Antique @ 107 proof - this has been my favorite, but I'm still trying to find an Old Rip Van Winkle @ 107 proof to compare to the Weller Antique. :searching:

[callmeox]

The most recent issue of Malt Advocate includes 4 bourbon reviews in the Buyers Guide section. The Binny's bottling of Weller 12 is given good marks and a very positive score of 89. The reviewer commented that if they were going to ease a new bourbon drinker in to the category, they would consider this one and I have to agree.

I've had nothing but positive reactions when I break a non-bourbon drinker in with the Weller 12, including one this past week.

[Scoots]

The most recent issue of Malt Advocate includes 4 bourbon reviews in the Buyers Guide section. The Binny's bottling of Weller 12 is given good marks and a very positive score of 89. The reviewer commented that if they were going to ease a new bourbon drinker in to the category, they would consider this one and I have to agree.

I've had nothing but positive reactions when I break a non-bourbon drinker in with the Weller 12, including one this past week.

I've read a LOT of favorable reviews on Weller 12, but would you believe this is also another "special order only" in Oregon????? I'm going to have to have a little chat with the Oregon Liquor Control Commission!!!!!