Bourbon, What to buy?

[pocket aces]

One of my best friends is turning 60 this weekend. Looking to buy him a nice bottle of Bourbon. Looking to spend up to/around $100. What do you suggest?

[Serk]

A lot will depend on what his tastes are, and what's available in your area....

Do you know any specific Bourbons he's really fond of, or even more importantly, any he's NOT a fan of?

[Foozle]

Per Serk's comment:  If you were nearer to me here in central Kentucky, my response would be much more detailed.  

However, in most locales, Woodford Reserve is available and, by most any measure, is a terrific bourbon.

Terry

[carolinarider09]

As Serk said, there are many choices (well at least more than three) and what is considered good for some is just OK for others.  

I routinely use/drink Makers Mark.   Its about $38 for a 1.75 L

The next one up on my list is Woodford Reserve.  Its about $60 for 1.75L

There is price and there is quality of taste.   If it did not cost twice as much as Makers Mark, I'd probably use Woodford Reserve more often.

On the other hand, we did a Kentucky Bourbon tour a few years ago.  The most impressive distillery was the Maker's Mark facility.  Basically a farm that is also a distillery.  Well maintained and well done.  

Not that it means its a "great" bourbon but just that they do pay attention to detail.  

[Jess from VA]

Since he's 60.....

A few years ago, the rare whiskey market — and especially the rare Scotch market — went through the roof, peaking at the most expensive bottle ever sold: a famed Macallan 1926 60-Year-Old Scotch selling for just shy of $2 million in 2019.

[pocket aces]

He will be very happy with whatever I will buy for him. Thanks for your input.
Saw these 2 yesterday.

[Serk]

Both good choices.  I've also enjoyed the Four Roses Single Barrel... Another if you can find it that's really good and a little off the beaten path is Ironroot Harbinger. (It's a Texas bourbon that's won a lot of "Best Bourbon" awards.)

(Imagine that, a Proud Texan) another slightly off the beaten path to give a try is Balcones Texas Bourbon.

If it doesn't have to be specifically bourbon, the Balcones Baby Blue blue corn whisky is a nice, but slightly different sip.

[Patrick]

What does he normally drink ? A lot of guys are fussy about that.

[Jersey mike]

I like the Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel but they just had a new release.

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/jack-daniel-whiskey-high-proof-203000679.html

[Wizzard]

I always thought to be labeled Bourbon it had to come from  Kentucky

[RP#62]

I always thought to be labeled Bourbon it had to come from  Kentucky

Nope.  From wiki: "Bourbon was recognized in 1964 by the United States Congress as a "distinctive product of the United States". Bourbon sold in the United States must be produced in the U.S. from at least 51% corn and stored in a new container of charred oak"

Technically, Jack Daniels would meet this requirement but they elected to call their product Tennessee Whiskey due to their filtration process to distinguish theirs from bourbons produced elsewhere.

-RP

[Jersey mike]

I always thought to be labeled Bourbon it had to come from  Kentucky

That I don’t know. I’ve heard JD referred to as a bourbon for as long as I can remember.

Also, recently I read another article about a black man who taught Jack Daniel how to make whiskey and later went on to have his own company and now his ancestors are running the company…or something along those lines but it’s suppose to be an excellent (award winning) liquor.


Found the link and apparently there are other sources out there as well.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/formerly-enslaved-black-man-nearest-120007157.html

[carolinarider09]

Just in case you are interested, the once only used barrels are then shipped (some of them I was told anyway) elsewhere to be used to make Scotch Whiskey. 

[The Walrus]

Another interesting selection is Buffalo Trace.

It's got a more clove like highlight in the after taste that I like. 

[Psychotic Bovine]

Not to derail a thread, but this reminded me of an actual heated argument I had with a co-worker.

He was going on and on about Crown Royal (yes, I know, it's a whiskey).  I told him I never really liked it, as it just didn't have the aged/smoky flavor I preferred. And I thought that was it.
Holy crap, you would have thought I urinated on a picture of his mother.  Dude went totally nuts, telling me I had no taste at all, and experts said it was one of the best whiskeys out there. 
I then elaborated on the fact it tastes like rubbing alcohol to me. 
I imagine it's probably only good for sterilizing rectal thermometers, since butts don't have taste buds.

Anyway, just a funny story about how people get so defensive on things other than oil and tires.

[Jess from VA]

Crown Royal..... it tastes like rubbing alcohol to me.

More like furniture polish and turpentine to me.... not that I drank a lot of that.   

I'm not a fan of any alcohol that's principal taste is burning your mouth. 

And I've about given up all alcohol, except a small libation on rare occasions.

Jagermeister is another particularly foul brew.    Ptooeuy

[Psychotic Bovine]

Crown Royal..... it tastes like rubbing alcohol to me.

More like furniture polish and turpentine to me.... not that I drank a lot of that.   

I'm not a fan of any alcohol that's principal taste is burning your mouth. 

And I've about given up all alcohol, except a small libation on rare occasions.

Jagermeister is another particularly foul brew.    Ptooeuy

I don't drink much at all, either.
I prefer quality over quantity.  I do like good scotch and the occasional beer.

[vanavyman]

Double Oak Woodford Reserve or Makers Mark are my favorites.  I find regular Woodford Reserve a little too smooth.  Doing the Kentucky Bourbon tour through Lexington and Louisville gives you a lot of choices.

[..]

Angels Envy

Clyde Mayes

Everyone's taste differs

https://www.liquor.com/best-bourbons-4847374

[carolinarider09]

Angles Envy, had to look it up.  We did our own Kentucky Bourbon Tour and it included Angles Envy.   The distiller is located just across for from what I think was a baseball stadium in Louisville.  As I remember it was a small distiller (well compared to Makers Mark).  But very clean on the inside.  

Was reminded, when I looked it up, the Angles Envy is cured in Port Wine "barrels".   Gives it a different taste.  

[LTD]

jack daniels green label

[Jess from VA]

I do like good scotch and the occasional beer.

Those are my choices too.  And Jameson Irish Whiskey.

Though I've always enjoyed a tart vodka gimlet (with lots of Roses lime juice) over a glass of ice.   

[lee]

Breckenridge

[h13man]

Woodford Reserve would be a good choice but I'd say Gentleman Jack Tennessee whiskey is the smoothest sippin' whiskey. The single barrel Jack was "panther piss" much like Wild Turkey. Older doesn't necessarily mean better as far sipping smoothness.

[Jersey mike]

I do like good scotch and the occasional beer.

Those are my choices too.  And Jameson Irish Whiskey.

Though I've always enjoyed a tart vodka gimlet (with lots of Roses lime juice) over a glass of ice.   

Jameson…great price and great flavor 

[Jess from VA]

I think so.   

[pocket aces]

Well here’s what I bought him.



For $110 a bottle it better be Damm Fantastic 
He has never had it but has heard of it before. Didn’t crack it open this weekend. Wait till next time we get together.
Went to Total Wine n Spirits had knowledgeable employee help me.

[Serk]

I've had Garrison Brothers more run of the mill stuff and found it quite yummy.... I'll be interested to hear what the verdict is on this one!

[t-man403]

Don’t need to spend $100 to get a great bourbon unless…….you buy two bottles and keep one for yourself! Some good suggestions already given but if I’m going to spend a little extra, for me, I’d pick me up a Michters!