NFT: Bourbon / scotch for the holiday weekend

I just read an article that it helps prevent brain disease like dementia and Alzheimer's

go-to is Jefferson Reserve. They also have a small batch called Jefferson Ocean which they loaded up barrels of Jefferson and sailed around the world a few times, causing the bourbon to slosh around a lot of opening it up. I also thought it had a slight briny aroma (whether that was confirmation bias or not is another story).

If you come across Weller's, get it. It's essentially Pappy just not aged as long.

up a bottle of 1792 small batch (Ridgemont Reserve). $ for $ one of the better bourbons IMO.

I had a Memorial Day party and one of the guests brought me a bottle of Glenlivet 15 year, I plan on drinking it this weekend.

never tried the Glenlivet yet.

In comment 13014258 gidiefor said:

Quote:

I just read an article that it helps prevent brain disease like dementia and Alzheimer's

Maybe you should've started drinking that about 10 years ago for it to be effective. 😏

I picked up a Laphroaig 15 year limited edition, 200th anniversary bottle.

All the excellence you come to expect with Laphroaig

go to for me is the Oban 14 or the 18 (if you can find it). As for a new bourbon, try Michter's

And as for scotch - I'll drink peaty stuff but it's not my fave

In comment 13014279 chopperhatch said:

Quote:

Maybe you should've started drinking that about 10 years ago for it to be effective. 😏

haha -- but I'm very happy now 😏

Scotch is my winter drink (Labor day to Memorial Day)

Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey? I'd like to get some opinions on it before purchasing. I've seen it for around $70.00

In comment 13014292 mattlawson said:

Quote:

And as for scotch - I'll drink peaty stuff but it's not my fave

I find the Reserve much better than the regular (if you haven't tried it).

Also, I like Blanton's single barrel and Eagle Rare single barrel.

I am going to pick up a bottle of Jefferson's. Seems very fitting for the holiday, after all.

My go to lately has been Whistle Pig, and I have a bottle of Breckenridge Bourbon i've been working through.

Good call on the Whistle Pig

with either of those. I'll have to give them a try next time I see them on the shelf

For $17.00 it's quite smooth. I was surprised.

The exception is when it get ultra hot, like mid-summer. Then, I go to a lighter scotch, and add perhaps one ice cube. And given that, it isn't worth going particularly expensive.

2 1/2 ounces or so of Monkey Shoulder with one iced cube goes fine in hot weather.

Is my go to mid priced Bourbon. Priced about the same as Bulleit. But much smoother in my opinion.



Also , if you can ever find it, the

If you can ever find it, this EH Taylor small batch is the best Bourbon I have ever had. So smooth. Great warming flavor. It usually comes out in the fall. But you really have to call your local boutique liquor store and ask them when they are getting it. It flies off the shelves. I got laughed at when I called one store last year, but luckily I have a friend who owns a spot and hangs on to special items like that. Get two!

Angel's Envy bourbon, and Craigelachhie 13 year old scotch. Angel's Envy makes a nice rye too. Also like Corzo tequila. Nice summer sipping.

The Double Rye is affordable and delicious. Whiskey Advocate gives it a 90. Other reviews are also effusive.


Their Campfire whiskey gets great reviews, but I haven't tried it yet.
Double Rye review in Breaking Bourbon - ( New Window )

whistle pig, high west, belle meade basil haden are all my fav's. if you can find Hill Rock, get it. its the tits.

Bullit, woodford reserve, Lexington and Henry McKenna are all pretty good options that are on the cheaper side ($30 or less).

I don't drink scotch. I find that it tastes like ass with a couple of wet, old ball sacks floating in there.

single barrel if I'm feeling like a treat.

In comment 13014455 sb from NYT Forum said:

Quote:

The Double Rye is affordable and delicious. Whiskey Advocate gives it a 90. Other reviews are also effusive. Their Campfire whiskey gets great reviews, but I haven't tried it yet. Double Rye review in Breaking Bourbon - ( New Window )

I love high west, but didn't particularly like the camp fire whiskey. its tastes more like scotch to me. the double rye is great though.

In comment 13014272 PaulBlakeTSU said:

Quote:

go-to is Jefferson Reserve. They also have a small batch called Jefferson Ocean which they loaded up barrels of Jefferson and sailed around the world a few times, causing the bourbon to slosh around a lot of opening it up. I also thought it had a slight briny aroma (whether that was confirmation bias or not is another story). If you come across Weller's, get it. It's essentially Pappy just not aged as long.

I thought the Jefferson's Ocean had a little briny-ness to it as well.
I recently picked up a bottle of I.W. Harper, and don't really like it. Also picked up a bottle of Stagg Jr., at 129 proof, it's a bit strong for sipping neat.

That High West whiskey mentioned above is also primo IMO.

In comment 13014460 26.2 said:

Quote:

I don't drink scotch. I find that it tastes like ass with a couple of wet, old ball sacks floating in there.

I hear that taste can't be acquired... you're either born liking it or it just doesn't happen. 😉

is delicious and getting hard to find but being a retailer I do have some stashed.

That's now a standard gift for me for my birthday from the lovely bride, and I drink it sparingly.

I enjoy a couple of fingers of a cordial occasionally at night (for medicinal purposes only, of course). My favorite is Lochan Ora, much better than Drambuie (the latter only suited for a Rusty Nail).

have two favorites, Crown Royal and Wild Turkey Rye 101. The Wild Turkey Rye is not stocked but a local will order it for me when available

had it a couple times. Enjoyed it.

The bulleit bourbon I once had straight burned like hell going down. Not sure the age, though.

In comment 13014585 Giants61 said:

Quote:

have two favorites, Crown Royal and Wild Turkey Rye 101. The Wild Turkey Rye is not stocked but a local will order it for me when available

Bulleit makes a nice rye. However if you want a big boy rye, get Michtner's. For something better than Turkey that won't break the bank, go with Old Overholt or Rittenhouse. It may surprise you that many of the best mainstream rye whiskies come out of PA.

Also, I don't know if I would group Crown in with ryes. While it's made with the grain (sometimes), it's a Canadian whisky and those slippery Canucks distill the rye to shit and then mix it with a higher proof whiskey.

Just a little food for thought from your friendly neighborhood Bartender. 😉

In comment 13014588 PaulBlakeTSU said:

Quote:

had it a couple times. Enjoyed it. The bulleit bourbon I once had straight burned like hell going down. Not sure the age, though.

Angel Envy's rye is pretty good too

definitely a bourbon neophyte. Hell, I'm probably a scotch neophyte too! Two scotches mentioned above that I love are the Macallan 15 and Glenlivet 15. Both are terrific, the Mac slightly better, but also more expensive. One peatier scotch I really love is the Bowmore 18. It's hard to find, but a beautiful, smokey flavor that isn't overpowering like some of the Islay single malts. Also love the Dalmore 15.

Some bourbons I do like are the Hudson small batch, and Widow Jane, distilled in Red Hook Brooklyn.

One scotch...
And one beer..... - ( New Window )

In comment 13014305 Dirt1 said:

Quote:

Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey? I'd like to get some opinions on it before purchasing. I've seen it for around $70.00

not a huge fan. Very much like i imagine the whiskey in the old west. Very much like gasoline.

And I'm a big scotch/single malt guy who doesn't mind peaty whisky

Can't man up and get it down (scotch, whiskey, etc).

but in truth, I've switched almost exclusively to Tito's vodka.

just on ice.

nothing like sitting on the deck and drinking a vodka on the rocks.

I drink way too much vodka.

Bourbon Casked Scotch

I'm excited for the weekend.

Glenorangie and Drambuie in the winter.

Love a martini (Bombay Dry Gin, Dolin White Vermouth. 3/1 mix). Follow the boobs rule: 1 not enough, 3 too many)

Also been drinking vodka rocks more often. Belvedere rocks with a lemon wedge.
A few icy cold Pabst Blue Ribbons never hurt anyone either.

Some Bourbons I've enjoyed recently...

-Knob Creek Small Batch 100 proof - my go to daily right now.
-Elmer T. Lee Sour Mash, if you can find it.
-Jefferson's Reserve...I loved Jeff Ocean first time I had it, but I don't think the following releases (voyages) have been as good. I had voyage three.
- Four Roses small batch or single barrel
- Oola Waitsburg, gets mediocre reviews but I absolutely love it.
- Eagle Rare
- Rittenhouse BiB
- Buffalo Trace
- Angel's Envy

On second look, it appears I'll drink anything. Happy sippin'

In comment 13015072 Aquasax said:

Quote:

Some Bourbons I've enjoyed recently... -Knob Creek Small Batch 100 proof - my go to daily right now. -Elmer T. Lee Sour Mash, if you can find it. -Jefferson's Reserve...I loved Jeff Ocean first time I had it, but I don't think the following releases (voyages) have been as good. I had voyage three. - Four Roses small batch or single barrel - Oola Waitsburg, gets mediocre reviews but I absolutely love it. - Eagle Rare - Rittenhouse BiB - Buffalo Trace - Angel's Envy On second look, it appears I'll drink anything. Happy sippin'

Try Basil Hayden? A friend suggested to me. Very enjoyable

In comment 13015106 Victor in CT said:

Quote:

In comment 13015072 Aquasax said: Quote: Some Bourbons I've enjoyed recently... -Knob Creek Small Batch 100 proof - my go to daily right now. -Elmer T. Lee Sour Mash, if you can find it. -Jefferson's Reserve...I loved Jeff Ocean first time I had it, but I don't think the following releases (voyages) have been as good. I had voyage three. - Four Roses small batch or single barrel - Oola Waitsburg, gets mediocre reviews but I absolutely love it. - Eagle Rare - Rittenhouse BiB - Buffalo Trace - Angel's Envy On second look, it appears I'll drink anything. Happy sippin' Try Basil Hayden? A friend suggested to me. Very enjoyable

BH is very good. I'm seeing a lot of angles envy mentioned on here. very weird and random, but there is this mexican restaurant that I can walk to that has angles envy night every Wed. like $5 a shot or something. I'll have to check it out.

Sazerac Rye is very good. Buffalo Trace makes it.

I'll probably move to finish off the Redbreast 12 after that. But summer time i'm not big on it, pretty much drink beer/win until the fall.

I think it is the best of the "affordable" whiskeys. Right now I have been enjoying a bottle of Japanese whiskey, Taketsuru 12. IT's very smooth. I've also enjoyed some Irish whiskeys lately. Bushmills was good, but they also have a better reserve, I think with honey.

Single Barrel

In comment 13015106 Victor in CT said:

Quote:

In comment 13015072 Aquasax said: Quote: Some Bourbons I've enjoyed recently... -Knob Creek Small Batch 100 proof - my go to daily right now. -Elmer T. Lee Sour Mash, if you can find it. -Jefferson's Reserve...I loved Jeff Ocean first time I had it, but I don't think the following releases (voyages) have been as good. I had voyage three. - Four Roses small batch or single barrel - Oola Waitsburg, gets mediocre reviews but I absolutely love it. - Eagle Rare - Rittenhouse BiB - Buffalo Trace - Angel's Envy On second look, it appears I'll drink anything. Happy sippin' Try Basil Hayden? A friend suggested to me. Very enjoyable

A few others that are up on my list (Basil Hayden was my favorite when i first started drinking bourbon):

Calumet Farms - bought this for my groomsmen before my wedding a few months ago. My dad who drinks scotch and hates bourbon loved the stuff. Rated something like a 97 and is $50
Noah�s Mill - suggested to me by a bartender at a local bar that serves a lot of awesome beer (one bartender once described an IPA as �dank�) and bourbons, very well priced and exceptional
Booker�s - randomly got this at duty free once, it will knock you on your ass, but for the proof, has a nice bite to it, not too overpowering
and a few others I�ve gotten along the way that have all been excellent:

Blanton�s
Hudson�s
Baker�s
Hancock�s
Michter's