Any Bourbon Connoisseurs

AlabasterBama

3rd Team
Dec 14, 2006
259
0
40
49
Alabaster, Alabama
Over the past year or so I was introduced to bourbon. A friend (Kentuckian) has helped me with my collection and understanding of the spirit. I have a decent collection of my favorites in which are affordable. Are there any fellow tidefans that have a favorite or a brand they enjoy more than others.

Here are the ones I have in my collection
Knob Creek 9 year - favorite
Elijah Craig 12 year - close second
Woodford Reserve 7 year - day to day choice
Four Roses small batch - Very good
Makers Mark 46 - when company comes
Angel's Envy - Newer brand that is good but not aged as long
Van Winkle 20 year - Special Occasions

Any suggestions for $80 or under
 

lazlohollyfeld

1st Team
Jul 20, 2010
828
0
0
Allen, TX
We agree on day to day and company whiskey. Although I have some good friends that are allowed full access to the cabinet. I also make a distinction in what they will be doing with my bourbon. If they drink it neat or with ice and perhaps a splash of water then Makers 46 is the "company whiskey". For those doing anything more there is an ancient bottle of Jack in the back of the cabinet. I would add:

Blanton's -Single barrel made at the Buffalo Trace distillery.
Bulleit - Bourbon out of Four Roses distillery that is higher in rye content. They also make a straight rye that is very good.
Balcones Distillery - If you ever are near Texas try and find it. These are small batch bourbons distilled in Waco and I am not sure if they are distributed far and wide yet. Balcones Baby Blue is made from blue corn and Balcones Brimstone is a blue corn that is smoked with Texas scrub oak. Both are around $50 for a 750ml bottle.
 
Last edited:

AlabasterBama

3rd Team
Dec 14, 2006
259
0
40
49
Alabaster, Alabama
thanks for the suggestions. Another friend has suggested Blanton's as well. I am going to get a bottle today. I have relatives that live in Dallas and have emailed them about providing a bottle of Balcones Baby Blue and Balcones Brimstone. Thanks again.
 
I like your list and agree with the top four. I haven't tried Four Roses but will. For company, I like George Dickel White label (no. 12) or Makers Mark. But if they try to mix anything with it, they only get one drink :cool:. Good bourbon should be sipped neat or with an ice cube or two...IMHO
 

lazlohollyfeld

1st Team
Jul 20, 2010
828
0
0
Allen, TX
I started using big giant ice cubes and kind of like the look and feel. They are 2" square cubes and will stay in good shape for 2-3-4 pours. Company called Tovolo make the trays.
 

TheAccountant

All-SEC
Mar 22, 2011
1,399
0
0
Birmingham
Buffalo Trace is probably my favorite day-to-day bourbon as you can get a bottle for $20-25. It comes the same distillery (its namesake) that produces Van Winkle, Blanton's and Eagle Rare (another good, inexpensive bourbon).
 

lazlohollyfeld

1st Team
Jul 20, 2010
828
0
0
Allen, TX
Have another to add that I just tried this weekend. The wife and I were enjoying a late Valentines dinner at Chamberlains in Addison, near Dallas. I don't usually go for mixed drinks but happened to glance at the cocktail menu where I saw a listing for a Texas Mule. I have had a Moscow Mule before (vodka and ginger beer) and that begat the Kentucky Mule (bourbon and ginger beer) which I like even more as it literally combines two of my favorite things. Obviously the Texas implied something other than the Moscow/Kentucky versions. At first I thought it might be tequila and ginger beer but I dismissed that for obvious reasons. The waitress shared that this particular Mule was made with a Texas whiskey distilled in Fort Worth by Firestone and Robertson. Obviously I had to try one and then, for good measure and tasting purposes, have another. It seemed a good whiskey although it was under heavy ginger and lime, so I am not completely sure, but it certainly wasn't a $9 bottle of McCormick.

I was going to, and should have, tried it my preferred way over ice to get a better idea of the flavor profile. Unfortunately for me as I was finishing my second Mule we were hitting entree time and we got into some wine. Going back to whiskey might have been dangerous. I'm going to try and snag a bottle this week and give it a proper try. Their website leads me to believe they are Texas only as far as distribution.
 
Last edited:

2003TIDE

Hall of Fame
Jul 10, 2007
8,557
4,831
187
ATL
Buffalo Trace is probably my favorite day-to-day bourbon as you can get a bottle for $20-25. It comes the same distillery (its namesake) that produces Van Winkle, Blanton's and Eagle Rare (another good, inexpensive bourbon).
One of my friends turned me on to Buffalo Trace. Before that Bulleit was the go to in my bar.
 

AlabasterBama

3rd Team
Dec 14, 2006
259
0
40
49
Alabaster, Alabama
Picked up a bottle of Eagle's Rare this week. Very good bottle for around 30.00. 10 year aged bourbon at 90 proof very similar to Kobc Creek not as sweet and bit more hot aftertaste. That being said i will keep a bottle in the collection. Also picked up a 16.99 bottle of Fighting ..... 6 year aged and 103 proof. Not for the faint of heart. Robust flavor and HOT. Had to water it down to sip, but made excellent mixed drinks. If you are looking for an alternative mixing bourbon I would recommend. It does pack a punch. Happy sipping

the Fighting ..... is censored by our tidefans leaders. the .... is a four letter word for a rooster that starts with a C and ends with a K What has the world come too lol
 
Last edited:

AlabasterBama

3rd Team
Dec 14, 2006
259
0
40
49
Alabaster, Alabama
Makers 46 is a really good bourbon. In my orginal post I listed Angel's Envy as a bottle in my stock. I must say it is excellent. It is actually better after the bottle is open for a few day and allowed to breath. Not for everybody due to being cast in old port wine barrels but i really enjoy it. Not availiable in Alabama.Ccan pick it up in Georgia and Tennessee. I would recommend it.
 

TheAccountant

All-SEC
Mar 22, 2011
1,399
0
0
Birmingham
Makers 46 is a really good bourbon. In my orginal post I listed Angel's Envy as a bottle in my stock. I must say it is excellent. It is actually better after the bottle is open for a few day and allowed to breath. Not for everybody due to being cast in old port wine barrels but i really enjoy it. Not availiable in Alabama.Ccan pick it up in Georgia and Tennessee. I would recommend it.
Ya, it's very sweet and light. It's an after dinner drink for me and not one for cocktail hour.
 

New Posts

Latest threads

TideFans.shop : 2024 Madness!

TideFans.shop - Get YOUR Bama Gear HERE!”></a>
<br />

<!--/ END TideFans.shop & item link \-->
<p style= Purchases made through our TideFans.shop and Amazon.com links may result in a commission being paid to TideFans.