Originally Posted by
Reddevil
I forgot this topic existed. So bourbon is an interesting dram for interesting people. You can get sucked into a rabbit hole searching for so called holy grails and allocated bourbons like Pappy's and Blanton's. In my opinion they are fine, but there are so many bourbons that take your pallet for a ride in the $60 and under price range (unlike scotch) that if you are not careful one can overspend on wishful thinking. If you are looking for what many refer to as "smooth" which really translates to approachable, or friendly, you are generally looking for wheated offerings like Larceny, Bulleit, and Makers Mark.
My favorites include Knob Creek, Eagle Rare, and Old Forester 1920 - Prohibition Style. Knob is liquid peanut brittle. You may not always be in the mood for that, but when you are Yummmm! Eagle Rare and 1920 have a similar taste profiles to me in that there are some dark fruit notes almost like jam at 100 and 118 proof respectively. Some folks think they taste like cough syrup. I can't completely disagree, but then I have always enjoyed cough syrup. Is that weird? Many bourbons do have a Ludens cough drop profile.
I like some ryes, but not overpowering ones. In other words I like ryes that taste more like bourbons. Alberta Premium is ridiculously good, but beware - it is a soul rocking 132 proof. Have it as your second (and last) dram after getting your pallet warm with a 100 proof offering of your choice. Good old Wild Turkey 101 is a fine option that never disappoints. It is an orange, cherry, cinnamon bomb, so you do have to be in the mood for it. (Like being in the mood for Red Hots) That is why it is nice to have several options on the shelf. Even individually it is hard to have a favorite because what you taste can be affected by what you last ate, or what you are eating. what you smell, or just time of day or mood, etc.
I will end with this. Old Forester Rye is to me the best bang in for the buck (about $25) in the whiskey (not whisky) world. It is a rye, but it is never disappoints with its chocolate, butterscotch, caramel, journey it takes you through from nose, to pallet to long, warm 100 proof finish. Just delicious. It was available everywhere all the time last year. Now it has disappeared. Another allocated whiskey. Great. Oh well, Old Forester Signature bourbon at 100 proof only runs about $25 and it is as good as most. My point is you can enjoy bourbon without spending a fortune. Experiment with some pricier options from time to time, but try to order just a pour at a tavern instead of buying an entire bottle first. Some people are quite disappointed when they get home with there prized bottle of $300 or higher bourbon, find a quiet corner, have a few sips of certain heaven and think to themselves - really?
Okay one more note. All of the hard to find allocated bourbons get released in the fall. Look for them starting in October and lasting through the first half of December. I guess they figure people are buying gifts. Maybe, but some of us love running around town grabbing that one bottle of Henry McKenna which by the way is the perfect Fall/Winter bourbon because it has that hint of fireplace in it. Just a hint of smoke that is not at all unpleasant. Also keep in mind Henry McKenna 10 year was a second shelf dust collector before it was entered into the San Francisco Awards and won best bourbon in the world in I believe 2017 and best whiskey in the world of any type (that's right Scotch drinkers) in 2018. Now it is a special find. You never know. So don't turn you nose up at Evan Williams. Don't be afraid to challenge yourself to higher proofs. Your bourbon journey is unique. Have fun with it...and never be a snob. Everyone gets to play their way. Neat, rocks, mixed - it's all good.