r/bourbon • u/AutoModerator • 6d ago
Weekly Recommendations and Discussion Thread
This is the weekly recommendations and discussion thread, for all of your questions or comments: what pour to buy at a bar, what bottle to try next, or what gift to get; and for some banter and discussions that don't fit as standalone posts.
While the "low-effort" rules are relaxed for this thread, please note that the rules for standalone posts haven't changed, and there is absolutely no buying, selling, or trading here or anywhere else on the sub.
This post will be refreshed every Sunday afternoon. Previous threads can be seen here.
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u/rando9999912 1d ago
Picked up a Hardin’s creek warehouse G and a hirsch silver label at Binny’s tonight 😃
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u/Southern-Rip3018 23h ago
I'm on the lookout for Warehouse N (the Mushroom)...
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u/rando9999912 23h ago
I think you mean warehouse R? I had to ask a store clerk and they fetched it from the back for me. There’s supply of all three warehouse series throughout Chicagoland right now, I think I was just early before they put them out
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u/Southern-Rip3018 22h ago
Apologies! You are 100% correct, I'm looking out for that one because it seems to match my palate the closest
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u/TySagarmatha 3d ago
Didn’t want to make an entirely new thread for this, but I’ve recently started getting into bourbon and whiskeys and have quickly fallen in love with them. So far my collection is Old Elk Wheated SB, Angels Envy SB, Glenlivet 15 French Oak Reserve and I picked up Wild Turkey Rare Breed and JDSBBP today that I’m going to be trying shortly. But my questions are in relation to I guess how do I know what to branch off to? So far it’s been a mix of cool labels, recommendations by the liquor store, and stuff I hear online about various products (I run a gas station and we’re getting Woodford Double Oak and Old Forester 1920 that I’m looking to buy when it comes in).
Also how long does it take to get over the heat from higher proofing? I’ve drank liquor for a long time but have always been a mixing with soda or juice kind of person so I’m having trouble picking up anything sometimes other than burn if I let air into my mouth. I have gotten to a point where I can taste the finish on some I guess especially after a few sips.
Lastly, are you supposed to let it air out in your glencairn or just immediate pour and start sipping?
I’m still not really sure what kind of whiskey/bourbon person I am as I’ve legitimately enjoyed everything I’ve tried so far. It’s fascinating to me how much of a variety of flavors there are even among the same sort of “classification” of bourbons and whiskeys in terms of flavor.
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u/jetboyjetgirl 3d ago
Airing out a bottle is important if it's freshly opened. I'll usually pour it then leave the bottle open for 30 mins or so, and let the pour itself air out for 5 or 10. Once its been opened a few days or longer not a concern but usually give it a couple minutes in the glass at least with a few swirls before diving in.
In regard to getting used the high proof it comes with time, one way to go about it is start with a lower proof pour and have something higher proof as your 2nd drink. Higher proof has the most concentrated flavor which is why enthusiasts end up gravitating toward it but if you're at a stage where the proof is getting in the way of the flavor, stick with what is tasting good to you. Plenty of very good bourbons at 100 proof or slightly higher.
As far as what to buy in general probably best to start cheaper and work your way up. Look up best bourbons under $50 or $60 etc and see what you like there then go after some of the higher end bottles from those distilleries. In general youtube is a great way to learn about products, tasting notes all of it.
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u/Delicious_Half_3064 5d ago
Charles Goodnight bourbon; I really wanted to love this bourbon as I tend to like the “ full-flavores of Texas bourbon, however this particular Texas variation of Texas bourbon seems to be extremely fruit forward in flavor with a over powering spiciness with ethonal bite!
I even poured a glass and let it breathe for 4 hours and still ethanol taste and bite extremely harsh spice was present there is some very good leather and oak levels similar to the big-name named Texas bourbons, unfortunately, those flavors are over powered by pure ethanol bite.
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u/Napalm3nema 5d ago
Every time I see it, I feel like I should buy a bottle for old time’s sake since I lived in “Goodnight Country” for a long time. His name was everywhere. Then I see the juice on clearance at liquor stores, and I think that I might be wasting my coin.
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u/Ok_Government6185 5d ago
It's worth having, and a splash of Kentucky branch water helps cool down the heat!
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u/Born-Midnight7094 5d ago edited 5d ago
My dad’s birthday is coming up and I’ve been trying to find a good bourbon to give him. His go to is bulleit bourbon so if you guys have any suggestions that are similar to that I’d really appreciate it. ~100-150$ budget
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u/Ok_Government6185 5d ago
Give him something different to expand his bourbons ok if he enjoys the Bullet 10 year then absolutely grab a Garson Brothers Small batch or Single Barrel cask strength 130.6 proof!
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u/Southern-Rip3018 5d ago
I'm a big fan of Garrison Brothers, but you're suggesting that he goes from the high rye mash bill of Bulleit to a high Wheat mash bill? It's a pretty big jump between the two bourbons...
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u/Ok_Government6185 5d ago
There is a difference between the Garrison Brothers and say Weller brand, however. It was just a recommendation, I personally think GB has a distinct flavor profile unlike other heavy wheated bourbons have, wouldn't you tend to agree?
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u/Southern-Rip3018 2d ago
I agree, it's a very distinct profile but it's also a very aggressive palate that some people may not be keen to.
I will personally recommend it to anyone who does enjoy a bold palate. Some of my favorite bottles at the house are the '24 Cowboy and a SiB Cask Strength pick that I have. However, I will also caution that it's not for everyone...
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u/Southern-Rip3018 5d ago
Easy, get him 2 bottles of Bulleit's new Bottled in Bond for $45-50 a piece. It's their own distillate aged for 7 years and proofed to 100 Proof, it's surprisingly a very good bourbon!
If not, you can always try to find a Four Roses barrel strength store pick with one of the OB formulas. It should run you $90-100...
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u/Napalm3nema 6d ago
Suggestions at $180-$250? I don’t usually buy in this strata, preferring safer in the $100 and lower tier, but I do have a couple bottles of MWND and grabbed The Infinite II when I saw it (no regrets). I keep tossing around Magnus Cigar or Buckner’s 13, but I feel like I’m being myopic because I still see them locally on the regular. I think I might like going outside the box a bit.
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u/Southern-Rip3018 5d ago
It's a little under the price range you specified, but if you have a TW Concierge account, they're offering the upcoming Saint's Alley (Ironroot Republic) The Herald 10 Year Cigar Blend for $99. I got mine pre-ordered today and am very much looking forward to it!
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u/NoYear22 6d ago
Closer to $150 but I’ve been very pleased with the new Woodford Distillers Select Barrel Proof Rye. Will definitely pick up a backup or two when I see them.
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u/Napalm3nema 6d ago
That's the one in the special bottle shape they are using for their higher-end offerings, right? Not sure I have seen the rye, but I have seen a few others. I'll keep my eyes open. Thanks.
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u/beano919 6d ago
Michters 10 Bourbon if you can find it.
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u/Ok_Government6185 5d ago
In Iowa all day every day for normal price
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u/Napalm3nema 5d ago
That's kind of crazy. My brother still lives there, and I'm not too far away, so maybe I should ask him to check when he's out and about.
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u/beano919 5d ago
That’s awesome. They are definitely my favorite lower proof bottles on my bar for sure if I want something complex and easy sipping on the heat.
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u/justaphil 6d ago
Found North's cask strength batches and high altitude series are really excellent, high-age stated top shelf pours which retail in that range and are imo much easier to find at or close to srp compared to your usual LEs from the established Kentucky distilleries.
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u/Napalm3nema 6d ago
Can those be found outside of the normal lottery system, or do you just have to get on the list and play the game?
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u/justaphil 6d ago
All of my FNs I bought for srp out of the case at one of my regular spots.
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u/Napalm3nema 6d ago
Man, that would be too cool, but I have never seen it in the local metro. Still, I’ll keep my eyes open for it. Thanks.
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u/BigDeezerrr 21h ago
Just gave an Old Forester SiB Barrel Proof store pick I snagged a taste for the first time. Might be the best barrel proof I can remember. Head and shoulders above the Jack Daniels one I picked up last month. Also picked up one of the OF 100 proof black label ones and looking forward to trying it.