Okay, I'm wanting to splurge a little on a bottle of bourbon. Any suggestions? I'm thinking maybe one of Jim Beams small batches like Bookers or maybe some Blantons because the bottle looks fancy. What say you BGP?

Okay, I'm wanting to splurge a little on a bottle of bourbon. Any suggestions? I'm thinking maybe one of Jim Beams small batches like Bookers or maybe some Blantons because the bottle looks fancy. What say you BGP?

 

What is your price range? A great bourbon in Buffalo Trace and it is only $twenty something a bottle.

 

If you are willing to spend into the Forties, Eagle Rare is a very good bourbon.

 

If you are willing to spend into the Fifties, Jefferson Reserve is soooooooo good. I bet some Pappy van Winkle drinkers would have to admit it is a pretty good bourbon.

 

You mentioned the Beam Small Batch family those being Basil Hayden, Knob Creek, Bookers and Bakers. Basil and Bakers are both very good. I like Bookers even better but for beginner bourbon drinkers, it may be a little too strong. It has some bite like Blanton's does. But it is a good bite not the type of bite you may associate with cheap bourbon.

I'd suggest Basil Hayden for a beginner. Very smooth and easy to drink.

Lower end price, try Buffalo Trace or 1792. Mid range, try Maker's or Woodford. Higher end, Jefferson's or Pogue. Best that's hard to find - Pappy Van Winkle.

Lower end price, try Buffalo Trace or 1792. Mid range, try Maker's or Woodford. Higher end, Jefferson's or Pogue. Best that's hard to find - Pappy Van Winkle.

 

I've been told by a pretty darn reliable source that 1792 and Very Old Barton 100 are actually the same bourbon with a different label on the bottle. Might want to buy the Very Old Barton ($14) instead of the 1792 ($24). Also, I'd suggest for lower end price to definitely try the Weller Antique or the Weller Special Reserve.

 

For mid range price, I'd go with Four Roses Single Barrel ($30), Wild Turkey Rare Breed ($30), or Eagle Rare ($28). I generally keep a bottle of Basil Hayden ($32) around as well - it's probably the most universally palatable of those four, so when you're trying to share a nicer drink with folks that don't always go for bourbon, it's something they can generally appreciate without having to drink down something they're not so hot about. I personally probably drink Eagle Rare the most frequently of those four.

 

Higher end splurging, I almost always go with Blanton's. It's my favorite. It's usually $52 or so per bottle. Make sure to collect the stoppers so you can spell out "Blanton's" and display them behind your home bar some day. Had Old Pogue Master's Select ($41) is pretty good as well. Rock Hill ($50) is a higher end bourbon you'll see around fairly frequently...it was good, but I was kind of underwhelmed by it (particularly considering the pricetag). I've tried Prichard's ($64), and I really enjoyed it, but I found it to be pretty complex, so if smooth/sweet/simple is your taste, I might consider something else. Michter's 10 is another pretty complex high-end I tried...not too long ago, in fact. Again, I really enjoyed it but I don't know that everyone necessarily would. I think it's approching $80 per bottle, too.

I'd suggest Basil Hayden for a beginner. Very smooth and easy to drink.

 

Basil Hayden was my recommendation as well.

1792 is my go to. Its in the price range and its rather mellow.

Thanks for the suggestions! I would like to clarify something just a tad. I'm a beginner in the sense that I don't typically spend more than 15-20 bucks for bourbon, and I'm only 23. It is my favorite liquor by far though. When I drink it, I like it on the rocks with a maybe a splash of water. I'm pretty accustomed to bourbons like Beam, Early Times, Very old Barton and of course KG and KT. I rob my moms stash of Woodford and Makers when I'm home too, and I love it. Also, I think it was a good call suggesting Buffalo Trace. My uncle bought me a bottle for Christmas and it's already gone.

 

Another thing I kind of wanted to do with my adventure was buy a bottle that I'm completely unfamiliar with(ie never tasted it in my life). I should have probably told you all my price range from the get go too. That's a my bad. I'm willing to be flexible, but I would put a bench mark amount at around $50, give or take twenty.

Thanks for the suggestions! I would like to clarify something just a tad. I'm a beginner in the sense that I don't typically spend more than 15-20 bucks for bourbon, and I'm only 23. It is my favorite liquor by far though. When I drink it, I like it on the rocks with a maybe a splash of water. I'm pretty accustomed to bourbons like Beam, Early Times, Very old Barton and of course KG and KT. I rob my moms stash of Woodford and Makers when I'm home too, and I love it. Also, I think it was a good call suggesting Buffalo Trace. My uncle bought me a bottle for Christmas and it's already gone.

 

In UG I could never make myself go cheaper than Beam, but had a good number of friends who had their fair shares of KG. Go with Basil Hayden. Or try Woodford Double Oak, mainly just because I am interested in how it tastes but cannot make myself spend $50-60 on a bottle.

Angel's Envy

Angel's Envy

 

I was only kind of luke-warm on the Angel's Envy when I tried it. It's got one of the nicest noses I've ever experienced on a bourbon (presumably from the port cask aging)...I was kind of let down though when I actually tasted it though.

In UG I could never make myself go cheaper than Beam, but had a good number of friends who had their fair shares of KG. Go with Basil Hayden. Or try Woodford Double Oak, mainly just because I am interested in how it tastes but cannot make myself spend $50-60 on a bottle.

 

If I do I'll let you know.:thumb:

Thanks for the suggestions! I would like to clarify something just a tad. I'm a beginner in the sense that I don't typically spend more than 15-20 bucks for bourbon, and I'm only 23. It is my favorite liquor by far though. When I drink it, I like it on the rocks with a maybe a splash of water. I'm pretty accustomed to bourbons like Beam, Early Times, Very old Barton and of course KG and KT. I rob my moms stash of Woodford and Makers when I'm home too, and I love it. Also, I think it was a good call suggesting Buffalo Trace. My uncle bought me a bottle for Christmas and it's already gone.

 

Another thing I kind of wanted to do with my adventure was buy a bottle that I'm completely unfamiliar with(ie never tasted it in my life). I should have probably told you all my price range from the get go too. That's a my bad. I'm willing to be flexible, but I would put a bench mark amount at around $50, give or take twenty.

In that case you are ready to step up to Basil. You want to graduate from the college level bourbons and on to yuppy standards. Your friends will think you are cool and ultimately they will start buying Basil. By this point you need to be drinking it strictly on the rocks with no awkward grimaces to let them think you are still cool.

 

I would go Basil and keep around the Bookers for "special occasions". In a few more years start investing in some aged Pappy Van Winkle that becomes your "special occasion" bourbon.

Thanks for the suggestions! I would like to clarify something just a tad. I'm a beginner in the sense that I don't typically spend more than 15-20 bucks for bourbon, and I'm only 23. It is my favorite liquor by far though. When I drink it, I like it on the rocks with a maybe a splash of water. I'm pretty accustomed to bourbons like Beam, Early Times, Very old Barton and of course KG and KT. I rob my moms stash of Woodford and Makers when I'm home too, and I love it. Also, I think it was a good call suggesting Buffalo Trace. My uncle bought me a bottle for Christmas and it's already gone.

 

Another thing I kind of wanted to do with my adventure was buy a bottle that I'm completely unfamiliar with(ie never tasted it in my life). I should have probably told you all my price range from the get go too. That's a my bad. I'm willing to be flexible, but I would put a bench mark amount at around $50, give or take twenty.

With that additional info I'd go for a bottle of Blanton's. Also, if you are drinking Beam, ET (not a bourbon btw), or VOB on the rocks then this will taste like paradise.

Pappy Van Winkle