What are you drinking, what do you like? Oh, and let me clarify - it doesn’t have to “just” be the legal definition of bourbon, but the style. I’d like to exclude scotch and Irish Whisky - which to me are very different.
My favorites right now:
Basil Hayden (8 yr) $39
Russell’s Reserve (10 yr - made by Wild Turkey) $25
Eagle Rare (10 yr) $29
Gentleman Jack $26
I saw Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel for $39 recently, any thoughts?
Anyone ever try Booker’s? Saw some crazy good reviews, but 120+ proof. YIKES!
These one’s I always drink on the rocks, or am willing to make the occasional Manhattan. But when i want a whiskey/coke, I am never unhappy with Jack Daniel or Jim Beam.
Gents, I really can’t comment now but please keep this thread alive until tomorrow. There are at least a dozen great Bourbons in the $30 range. None are listed above.
Old Fitzgerald
Elmer T. Lee
Buffalo Trace
Four Roses
Hirsch
Jefferson’s
Wellers
Rock Hill Farm
Virginia Gentleman
I’m surprised this thread doesn’t start and end with A.H. Hirsch 16 yr. Reserve. I am eternally pissed at myself for not buying a case of this a decade ago when the price was a fraction of what it is now. As it currently stands, it is waaaay out of my price level, so I just stick with Scotch, which has always been my preference anyways … still, there’s something special about the A.H. … {sigh}
I do have to say, I’ve leardned a lot in the past 2 years on beer and spirits. My wife is finishing up grad school and my wine budget is in the crapper until she gets back to work - so I have been buying and trying a lot of things “other than wine” in that time frame. Lots of great beers have been discovered, and now the bourbons are taking center stage.
As a youngster (college age), I cut my teeth on Jack and Jim, and bourbon has always been my preference.
I am about halfway through my second bottle of Bookers. I use a little more ice in there than I do with others, and give it a little melt time, as it needs it to cut through the heat. But it is a very good.
My more standard bourbons are the Knob Creek, which has a nice sweetness if you like that, and Woodford reserve. But I also like the Jefferson’s Reserve when I can find it for a good price.
I did pick up a case about a decade ago. Also picked up a couple cases of the A.H. Hirsch 20 yr old (I prefer the 20 to the 16). The 16 y.o. ran out a couple years ago. I’m down to the last bottle of the 20 y.o. I’m still kicking myself for not buying every damn bottle in town when I had the chance.
As to what’s out there now, I like the Pappy Van Winkle 18 y.o. (good but pricey, the 23 y.o. isn’t worth the freight) and Four Roses is a recent discovery.