The Bourbon - and other spirits - Thread (was: @ Myronwemissyinz)

Re: @ Myronwemissyinz

You have to go to what they call specialty stores for the Trace. Not all stores carry it. Woodford is good in my top 5. A little more pricey than Trace and I think Trace taste better. But thats just me.

Another one I heard was really good but have yet to try is Blantons but cant get myself to pay about $50 a fifth. I might be alittle high on that but is about twice the cost of Trace.

You will like the Rare!! Happy Holidays!!

 

Re: @ Myronwemissyinz

Rare is good! Glad you liked it. #2 on my list. Try the Trace....Best tasting that I have had. JMHO

 

Re: @ Myronwemissyinz

Buffalo Trace? I will have to keep an eye out for that. A buddy of mine turned me towards Makers and that was considerably smoother than others I have tried. Next time the mood strikes me for a drink I will have to give that a shot.

 

Re: @ Myronwemissyinz

D had a bottle of this in my hand yesterday at the store. $49.95. :gasp: Not that I cant afford that for one bottle. I just cant afford to like it!! If you know what I mean.

 

Re: @ Myronwemissyinz

Wow! A bourbon thread. Whoda thunk it!

Wife and I did the Bourbon Trail last summer. Went to 7 Distilleries. The Best tours were: Buffalo Trace (the guy who gave it really knew his stuff, he worked there for 30+ years, and his dad even longer before him). Woodsford Reserve (very small distillers, only 1-200 barrels/day, housed in a great old stone structure) Makers Mark's (beautiful local).
The big high volume guys Jim Beam, Wild Turkey were interesting, but not as much personal touch, and their factories look, well, like factories. Will probably go back and do it again.

Regarding the recommendations here, I pretty much agree with them all.

Blanton's is great. It's pricey but it's extemely smooth. It's probably the best bourbon I've ever had. There apparently can be a lot of variability from bottle to bottle as it's single barrel and not blended. But I've had 3 bottles and they were excellent. Blanton's is a Buffalo Trace distilery product.

Buffalo Trace is probably my favorite bourbon. Great quality at a reasonable price. Took a bottle of it for my old boss who live outside the US, and is a big bourbon fan.

Woodsford Reserve is also very good.

Ridgemont Reserve 1792 by Bardstown Distiling is one that I just tried, it's very smooth as well. Liked it a lot. The Bardstown Distiller is the only one of the Big 8, that we didn't tour.

Makers Mark is the wife's favorite. It's ok, but there are other's I like better. It's made with Winter Wheat and not Rye so it tends to have a different, sweeter taste than the others. Makers Mark 46 is also nice, a little bit smoother.

I haven't had Eagle Rare, but have heard good things,

 

Re: @ Myronwemissyinz

Well lets keep "THE BOURBON THREAD" going......In my opinion Blantons was BLAH.....Very smooth (as silk)... but really had no taste... way over priced...Was not any where near Trace flavor...Trace is the best tasting bourbon out there!!....Eagle Rare is second..1792 is very good as well...Really liked it.Ya all can keep your Beam and Turkey..(second shelf)JMO

 

Re: @ Myronwemissyinz

Jack isn't bourbon, its Tennessee whiskey. Years ago, I was told that in order to be called bourbon, it has to be made in Kentucky. Anyone know if that is true?

 

Re: @ Myronwemissyinz

TTF...Have not tried E&W...actually never heard of it....Will look for it and give it a taste and let you know what I think(for as much as that matters)We all have our own taste!!

 

Re: @ Myronwemissyinz

Very similar. I've certainly consumed more than my fair share of JD. Compared to the bourbons discussed here, JD is rot gut.

 

Re: @ Myronwemissyinz

Try it you will like it!!!

 

Re: The Bourbon Thread (was: @ Myronwemissyinz)

Just gotta LOL!!!......Really???

 

Re: The Bourbon Thread (was: @ Myronwemissyinz)

According to NAFTA and International trade agreements, "Tennessee whiskey" is considered bourbon, even though Jack Daniels, et al claim to be a different class.
I think you are exactly right about that. The legal definition of bourbon is extremely loose and extremly wide.

Copying from anothe post and adding comment from my Bourbon Trail learnings:

Bourbon is defined as:

made from a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn (But most makers are well above this 60-70% corn)
aged in new, charred-oak barrels
distilled to no more than 160 (U.S.) proof (80% alcohol by volume) (Nearly every maker is way below this distilation proof in order to preserve the flavors from the yeast).
entered into the barrel for aging at no more than 125 proof (62.5% alcohol by volume) (Nearly all are barreled below this proof)
and be bottled (like other whiskeys) at 80 proof or more (40% alcohol by volume)

Bourbon has no minimum specified duration for its aging period, but it must be aged at least briefly. (I thought I was told that bourbon had to be barrel aged for a min of 2yrs, but I could be wrong, In any case even the minimally passable brands age 4 yrs, and I'm finding that I ain't interested in anything aged less than 6, preferable 8+).

I was told during the tours that about 90% of the worlds bourbons are distilled and aged in Kentucky (though many are bottled elsewhere). This is done for two reasons. First, Kentucky's limestone caverns take all the iron out of the water. Bourbons made in other places with iron in the water turn black in color when they age. Two, climate for aging. Not too hot in the summer, not too cold in the winter. Temperature extremes are undesirable during the aging process.

 

Re: @ Myronwemissyinz

One of the things that I find really ironic is that arguably the most recognizable whiskey in the world is distilled in a dry county in Lynchburg, TN. It is truly amazing to me that Moore County remains dry, when they make a pot of money from Jack Daniels in terms of tax revenue, community involvement from the company, revenue coming in to the community from tourists, etc. Seems a bit hypocritical to me.