Bourbon Recommendations
Pulled from GLP emails
This is a condensed summary of the GLP emails pertaining to groupe member preferences in whisky/whiskey. Also see Is it whisky or whiskey and why it matters
The emails are organized chronologically by YYMMDD: Author.
Summary of Recommended Whisky/Whiskey Brands
The list is in no particular order. It is SOLELY based on the emailed opinions to date. A brand marked in bold is recommended by multiple tasters.
- High West American Prairie Bourbon
- Four Roses Single Barrel
- Evan Willams
- Knob Creek
- Bulleit
- Woodford Reserve
- Basil Haydens' Dark Rye
- Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style
- Old Grand Dad 100
- Old Forester 100
- Old Overholt Rye
Summary of Lower-than-recommended Whisky/Whiskey Brands
The list is in no particular order. It is SOLELY based on the emailed opinions to date. A brand marked in shadow-background has differing opinions. A brand marked in bold is discouraged by multiple tasters.
- Makers Mark
- Four Roses Basic
- Jack Daniels
- Elija Craig
- Coopers Craft
- Wild Turkey 101
- Jim Beam
- John Bowman Single Barrel
200119: Ron
Might I suggests High West American Prairie Bourbon and also their Bourye bourbon rye mix.
200119: Murray
Makers Mark is good for Mint Juliep cocktails, or maybe as a bourbon rather than a rye Manhattan. But I won’t drink it otherwise.
200119: Jay
I would also mix in some cheaper bourbons. Evan Williams beat out many of the way more expensive ones in a blind taste test that the WSJ or NYT or someone ran like 15 years ago. It also won a private blind tasting I did with like 6 people. Jack Daniels and Four Roses should also be part of the mix as some people like them best. It's a very personal decision and not nec related to price, so if you find your favorite is inexpensive, that's a score! Ironically I found I like sipping Evan Williams more than many others, but I use Buillet for cocktails I find it better for that. I would do any comparisons between cheap and expensive bourbons on a blind basis though, because the power of suggestion is strong.
200119: Eric
I did a blind taste test last night on the basic (~$16) and single barrel (~$42) versions of 4 roses. Both get good reviews, including the basic one that is rated similarly to Evan Williams basic. But I found there to be a huge difference. The basic one smelled like alcohol and had no lasting taste. The single barrel stuff was much better.
200119: Phil
Several postings in order of receipt:
Weekly tasting
Jim Beam: I liked it more than I did the first time, perhaps because I tasted it first rather than after some of others I liked better. I have to say, I think I like this best of the three, which gives credence to Sean’s suggestion that I try rye because this has the highest rye content of the three. Jack Daniels: I liked the flavor but its very smooth in a way that I did care for. It has none of the heat I like. Very low rye content Evan Williams: There is a smooth quality similar to the Jack Daniels, perhaps because this is also charcoal filtered and a low rye content. But it has some of the heat and sharpness that I find I like as well. I can see why this does well in blind taste tests. It is smooth and has a lot of flavor. It also has the most pleasant aroma.
Notes from Christmas tasting
Makers Mark: A nice sweetness and mild. I can see why this is often recommended as a good starter bourbon. Knob Creek: The spiciest (heat) of the lot. I enjoyed the burn in the back of my throat. Among my favorites. Elijah Craig: Very intense vanilla notes but the most mild flavor of the bunch. Bulleit: Kind of a cross between Makers Mark and Knob Creek, with a pleasant sweetness followed by a nice burn, although not as spicey as KC. Among my favorites. Coopers Craft: I like that they make their own barrels, but flavor-wise, unremarkable. Tastes like whiskey. Woodford Reserve: The most oak forward of the bunch, with a nice smokiness. Also, the spiciest from standpoint of flavor rather than heat, with the most notes of fall spices. One of my favorites. Jim Beam: Good for sauces,and I like their commercials, but otherwise unremarkable.
Phil's methodology and preferences
So, as we were briefly discussing bourbon on the ride this morning, here are the results of my initial very preliminary testing involving the sample size bourbons Santa left me Since Christmas, I have resolved the following: — I don’t like rocks, dilutes the flavor too much — I seem to prefer bourbons with more heat — I read that a splash of water can help bring out subtle flavors. I find that to be true, but I also enjoy it neat. Based on consuming one drink (50ml) of each of the following (selection based on availability at ABC store in 50ml bottles)... Bourbons I liked best Bulleit Knob Creek Woodford Reserve Bourbons I liked ok (both wheated) Makers Larceny Bourbons that didn’t do much for me Elijah Craig Coopers Craft (although it has a very pleasant vanilla aroma) Wild Turkey 101 Jim Beam (which we happened to have in the house for making sauces that call for bourbon).
200119: Steve
Commenting on a picture of Basil Hayden's Dark Rye
Love this thread. Here, without doubt, is the best. Try it at your peril...
200121: Phil
Walthens Single Barrel. Good, lots of vanilla, smooth but limited heat Old Foerster 1920 Prohibition Style: My favorite. Pleasant bite. Subsequent googling revealed it to have highest rye.Also 115 proof, highest abv of any bourbon I have tried so far John Bowman Single Barrel (Virginia). Meh. Pleasant enough, no heat, kinda boring. Very pretty bottle
200315: Phil
GLP Whisky Tasting/Miller Party:
Old Grand Dad 100 brought by Thom Banks. We didn’t vote but this is the one I liked the best, and I was the host. 2nd place, based on at least three people agreeing that they liked it “ok”, goes to Old Forester 100. So I guess we like 100 proof bourbon.
200322: Phil
FYI, Old Overholt Bonded Rye is really good, as far as my novice palate is concerned.
