Trying to make my way into the bourbon world of tasting/collecting and figured this would be a good place to start. Do you guys have a list of "must pick ups" when seeing them at retail? Have always enjoyed bourbons from Buffalo Trace but still new enough to not know which are more "premier" bottles. Also trying to expand my palette so any suggestions are appreciated!
******************* BOURBON *******************
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Just stop now before it's too late. Your life is better without going down the rabbit hole...PETE2019 said:
Trying to make my way into the bourbon world of tasting/collecting and figured this would be a good place to start. Do you guys have a list of "must pick ups" when seeing them at retail? Have always enjoyed bourbons from Buffalo Trace but still new enough to not know which are more "premier" bottles. Also trying to expand my palette so any suggestions are appreciated!
Picked up a bottle of Old Forester King Ranch and OKI Reserve yesterday at the recommendation of a friend so I'm afraid it may already be too late
Try everything you can. Bar/restaurant offerings per pour, tastings (locally Casa Do Brazil and Downtown Uncorked have been hosting tastings about once a month), Total Wine always has things to taste in their store (just be wary of their recommendations until you find a salesperson you can trust), friends, etc. Figure out what you like to narrow down distillery choices. Follow those distilleries on socials to hear about the stuff you'll never find. Then, visit the trading forum to look for allocated items you really want.
Oh, and don't be shy about proof. When first starting I thought I'd never be able to drink higher proof whisky, but a great whisky at high proof drinks much easier that a low proof drain pour.
Good luck and happy hunting!
Oh, and don't be shy about proof. When first starting I thought I'd never be able to drink higher proof whisky, but a great whisky at high proof drinks much easier that a low proof drain pour.
Good luck and happy hunting!
If you are in BCS, we'd love to have you join us for monthly tastings with the Brazos Valley Bourbon Society. Our next public meeting is in January.
Most of the "must pick ups" I personally never see, but on occasion you can get lucky. I generally will always pickup Eagle Rare, any EH Taylor, Larceny or Elijah Craig barrel proof, John J Bowman Single Barrel, Stagg, Weller 12, Weller Antique 107, Russell's Reserve 13 etc. Those last four I have only come across a time or two in the last few years. As for decent pours that are generally always available for a good price, I enjoy Old Grand Dad 114, Benchmark Full Proof, Early Times BIB, Wild Turkey 101, Old Forester 1910 and 1920, SmokeWagon The Younger. I will warn you, once you start hunting and collecting, it can really get into your blood! Good luck and happy hunting!
Ehhhh. I have had Rabbit Hole. I was not impressed.William Larue Weller said:Just stop now before it's too late. Your life is better without going down the rabbit hole...PETE2019 said:
Trying to make my way into the bourbon world of tasting/collecting and figured this would be a good place to start. Do you guys have a list of "must pick ups" when seeing them at retail? Have always enjoyed bourbons from Buffalo Trace but still new enough to not know which are more "premier" bottles. Also trying to expand my palette so any suggestions are appreciated!
Tony Watson
Watsonmonumentco.com
Got a redwood empire 14 year haystack. Anyone tried it before?
I'm a big fan of Michter's Bourbon , Rye and American. Outstanding, available and less than $50 a bottle
I'd recommend starting early with blind tastings of various bourbons with friends. It will help you figure out what you like. You can start with mid shelf stuff like four roses single barrel, EC toasted barrel, makers mark cask strength, and OF 1920 and see what you think.
I am a big fan of OF single barrel barrel proof but some might not like it so not worth the hunt. However, part of the fun is just finding a bottle
I remember when I found Weller 12 for close to retail and was ecstatic. I then tried it and was quite disappointed. But still fun to find.
I am a big fan of OF single barrel barrel proof but some might not like it so not worth the hunt. However, part of the fun is just finding a bottle
I remember when I found Weller 12 for close to retail and was ecstatic. I then tried it and was quite disappointed. But still fun to find.
AugustusGloop said:
It will help you figure out what you like. You can start with mid shelf stuff like four roses single barrel, EC toasted barrel, makers mark cask strength, and OF 1920 and see what you think.
I would try to stick with stuff around 100-110 proof range like most of what you have above. High enough that you'll get some flavors but not too hot for someone with who is new.
100% agree
Has anybody tried this?
PETE2019 said:
Trying to make my way into the bourbon world of tasting/collecting and figured this would be a good place to start. Do you guys have a list of "must pick ups" when seeing them at retail? Have always enjoyed bourbons from Buffalo Trace but still new enough to not know which are more "premier" bottles. Also trying to expand my palette so any suggestions are appreciated!
First, welcome! Next, I would recommend some stuff you can regularly by on the shelf. Try the Four Roses bottles. Try Elijag Craig. Those are great places to start. Anybody telling you to start with allocated bottles is not helping you.
There's so much drinkable non-tater berbs out there right now, don't go chasing whales. It's a serious waste of your time unless you just stumble into one.
Drink and try lots of stuff under 50. Think, "Is this for neat, or for mixing in cocktails" really big difference and you can buy under $25 for mixing with easily.
You also need to figure out what you enjoy. So just buy stuff from the major producers. If you don't like it neat, then into a cocktail it goes. Nothing goes to waste.
Drink and try lots of stuff under 50. Think, "Is this for neat, or for mixing in cocktails" really big difference and you can buy under $25 for mixing with easily.
You also need to figure out what you enjoy. So just buy stuff from the major producers. If you don't like it neat, then into a cocktail it goes. Nothing goes to waste.
austinag1997 said:PETE2019 said:
Trying to make my way into the bourbon world of tasting/collecting and figured this would be a good place to start. Do you guys have a list of "must pick ups" when seeing them at retail? Have always enjoyed bourbons from Buffalo Trace but still new enough to not know which are more "premier" bottles. Also trying to expand my palette so any suggestions are appreciated!
First, welcome! Next, I would recommend some stuff you can regularly by on the shelf. Try the Four Roses bottles. Try Elijag Craig. Those are great places to start. Anybody telling you to start with allocated bottles is not helping you.
Add to this Knob Creek Single Barrel 120, Rare Breed by Wild Turkey, Old Grandad 114, Benchmark Full Proof and Old Forester Prohibition.
HummingbirdSaltalamacchia
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PETE2019 said:
Trying to make my way into the bourbon world of tasting/collecting and figured this would be a good place to start. Do you guys have a list of "must pick ups" when seeing them at retail? Have always enjoyed bourbons from Buffalo Trace but still new enough to not know which are more "premier" bottles. Also trying to expand my palette so any suggestions are appreciated!
I'll echo a lot of what's already been said. Just try a bunch of stuff at various price points and don't be the guy that only looks for Buffalo Trace stuff. Admittedly, that's where I started too however many years ago, but now, outside of keeping an eye out for EHT BP or Weller CYPB or something similar, I usually avoid it. It's fine but there is So much great juice out there that is actually readily available.
Also, really learn what goes into making bourbon, the stories behind the history, what is bottled in bond, etc. There are some cool documentaries out there on Netflix or Prime. Maybe I'm just a huge nerd at heart, but how it's made allows me to really appreciate what goes into the bottle. So I really Pay attention to the age, mash bill, where is was distilled/barreled.
But finally, and IMO most importantly, ENJOY THE BOURBON. Especially with friends and family. Don't think of any bottle as too important to crack open and enjoy it with the right crowd/occasion. It's made to be drank. Sitting around a fire, watching the Aggies, smoking meats, just shooting the **** with some buddies. There is something special about having a good bottle, and it becomes memorable in a particular context. To this day and forever, will I remember holding my not even 1 mo old first born son, watching the Aggies beat LSU in 7 OTs with my old man and celebrating the win with EHT small batch. It might as well of been pappy it tasted so good.
Regardless, you do you. Find and drink what you like. Listen to people but don't take what they say as gospel. Welcome to the obsession!
Great advice.HummingbirdSaltalamacchia said:
But finally, and IMO most importantly, ENJOY THE BOURBON. Especially with friends and family. Don't think of any bottle as too important to crack open and enjoy it with the right crowd/occasion. It's made to be drank.
You absolutely nailed it! It's all about the experience of trying something new or having one of your favorites with family and friends.
Several months ago some buddies came over and we tried six different offerings from Smoke Wagon. We had a great time, so I'm thinking about hosting another tasting. Does anyone have suggestions on a lineup of accessible bottles they would recommend, either from Whiskeytube videos or personal experience? I may do another brand/distiller's offerings (likely Bardstown, Wild Turkey, Heaven Hill, or Buffalo Trace), but I'd like to try something a little different.
There's nothing in my collection I wouldn't open and drink but I am selective with whom I share it. Anyone who reaches for a mixer doesn't get handed anything from me. Lol.
easily available - Old Forester Whiskey Row series?
OF is a good one. I may save that one for a comparison between their inexpensive versus higher end offerings.
FYI, I got an email this morning for their Brown Foreman 150 Decanter. It's $2500. No thanks.
FYI, I got an email this morning for their Brown Foreman 150 Decanter. It's $2500. No thanks.
I did a blind with my wife this past weekend using bottles with similar proofs. We did OF1920, ECBP B521, and The Fiddler Cask strength store pick. It was a really nice experience although we both felt it after the initial pours (we can only guess it was due to the rate of consumption lol). Fiddler, ECBP and 1920 was my first to last rank. My wife's was the opposite order. I thought for sure the 1920 was what I was enjoying the most during the blind, but I was so wrong.
Mr. Freddie has an amazing story about enjoying favorites with familyPac1698 said:
You absolutely nailed it! It's all about the experience of trying something new or having one of your favorites with family and friends.
Mr. Freddie from Buffalo Trace
Great idea. To play off that, battle of the barrel proofs sounds interesting.
Appreciate the advice from all! Looking forward to hanging around this thread for years to come
You can do all sorts of things, I did one recently of a few Old Forester options. I did another one of toasted barrel options. I'm far from an expert, but it's fun and a good way to try different offerings.
hanging around this thread is a great move. i've learned a ton and met some genuinely awesome people.PETE2019 said:
Appreciate the advice from all! Looking forward to hanging around this thread for years to come
i would fight the urge to just start accumulating bottles. as others have said, start off by sampling/trying a bunch of stuff. there will always be time to hunt or chase rare bottles, but it will mean much more if that bottle is something you actually love drinking.
depending on where you are, i'm sure we could round you up some samples of stuff to try before you buy.
First stop was a success.
Third stop was a success as well.
howdyags12! said:
Third stop was a success as well.
Where did you find the Bookers? I have been looking forever.
Tony Watson
Watsonmonumentco.com
I passed it up earlier this week at Chris's Liquor on West Gate in South Austin . Didn't know how desirable it was (see my previous posts in this thread).
I have been looking in CSTAT. Can't find it. Can only find things like this when I go on business trips out of state.
Tony Watson
Watsonmonumentco.com
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