Stole the idea of this sub-forum from another place

https://gearpatrol.com/2019/03/22/best-bourbon-whiskey/


The Short List
Best All-Around Bourbon: Buffalo Trace
Best Value Bourbon: Evan Williams Black Label

Best Value Bourbon: Evan Williams Black Label
Best Bourbon for Cocktails: Four Roses Yellow Label
Best Kept Secret: Heaven Hill 6-Year-Old Green Label
Best Budget Sipper: Larceny Bourbon


Best Gateway Bourbon: Four Roses Small Batch
Best Bourbon to Drink Neat: Four Roses Single Barrel
Best Bourbon to Pair with Food: Maker’s Mark
Best Rye Substitute: Knob Creek
The Smoothest Bourbon: Elijah Craig Small Batch
Best All-Around Bourbon: Buffalo Trace
Best Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon: Henry McKenna Single Barrel
Best Craft Bourbon: New Riff Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Best High-Proof Bourbon: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Most Nuanced Bourbon: Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style
Best Blended Bourbon: Barrell Craft Spirits 15-Year-Old Bourbon
Best Wheated Bourbon: Buffalo Trace William Larue Weller
Most Complex Bourbon: Four Roses Al Young Limited Edition

I'm no expert by any means but am willing to learn. Surprisingly, with all that is available, I have already sampled about half a dozen of those listed. Will give one of the others a try on next junket to the liquor store. Jim Beam extra aged black is not on the list but better than you'd expect.

I’ve tried about half on the list. In my opinion, Maker’s Mark SUCKS. I had a drink, thought it was awful, waited a week and tried another drink and it still sucked. When people came over and were like oh, you have Maker’s Mark, I was like help yourself. It was easy to get rid of, but I sure didn’t like it.

There is a nice grocery store, Hy-Vee, it has an awesome liquor area. The liquors that sell well get selected to produce something special and different for Hy-Vee. I like buying those, it’s a way to try something different that won’t be around long and sometimes you can get a great tasting bottle for not much money.
I think Costco does something like that too, but I don’t have a Costco card so I can’t be certain.

I've been a Jim Beam man for years.. currently Jim Beam Honey... thinking about Evan Williams next

JAS1125 wrote:I've been a Jim Beam man for years.. currently Jim Beam Honey... thinking about Evan Williams next

Picked up a bottle of Evan Williams Honey...will be giving that a try

I just saw this in the opening post

Most Nuanced Bourbon: Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style

Anyone here tried it? Any comparisons?

This may be next on my list to try

I’m usually an Irish whiskey drinker, but I’m open to all options except wine.

Stopped into my local liquor store today. I had made a list from the OP list but forgot it at home. Buffalo Trace rang a bell so I bought a fifth of that. May sample a nip or two this weekend.

svaglic wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 28, 2019 3:30 pm

I’ve tried about half on the list. In my opinion, Maker’s Mark SUCKS. I had a drink, thought it was awful, waited a week and tried another drink and it still sucked. When people came over and were like oh, you have Maker’s Mark, I was like help yourself. It was easy to get rid of, but I sure didn’t like it.

There is a nice grocery store, Hy-Vee, it has an awesome liquor area. The liquors that sell well get selected to produce something special and different for Hy-Vee. I like buying those, it’s a way to try something different that won’t be around long and sometimes you can get a great tasting bottle for not much money.
I think Costco does something like that too, but I don’t have a Costco card so I can’t be certain.

Trying Makers Mark as I type this..... Meh....didn't know this was a wheated bournon
It's OK, but not great....also finishing 4 Roses Small Batch, which is better.

Going to try Elijah Craig next....I prefer smooth and sweet bourbon

I prefer wheated whiskeys. Softer and less bite.

3 years later, and my top favorites so far:

1. Bulleit
2. Woodford Double Oak
3. Michters
4. Makers
5. Jim Beam Double Oak and Black

Haven't tried Elijah Craig or Larceny yet.

JAS1125 wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 13, 2022 5:04 pm

3 years later, and my top favorites so far:

1. Bulleit
2. Woodford Double Oak
3. Michters
4. Makers
5. Jim Beam Double Oak and Black

Haven't tried Elijah Craig or Larceny yet.

If you’re looking to try a good one that doesn’t break the bank, I recommend you try Buffalo Trace. I put it right behind Bulleit.

Now higher end Bourbon

I recommend
Blantons
Pappy Van Winkles

A couple that I have had one drink of.

Mitchers 25yr about 6k a bottle
Willett my uncle wouldn’t disclose what this one cost but knowing his wine collection I’m guessing over 5k
The last of the ultra expensive was Colonel Taylor’s I know what this bottle costs about the same as a Rolex GMT or 22 and change out the door. This was in Hyannis a couple of years ago.

Ocean wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 14, 2022 11:56 am

JAS1125 wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 13, 2022 5:04 pm

3 years later, and my top favorites so far:

1. Bulleit
2. Woodford Double Oak
3. Michters
4. Makers
5. Jim Beam Double Oak and Black

Haven't tried Elijah Craig or Larceny yet.

If you’re looking to try a good one that doesn’t break the bank, I recommend you try Buffalo Trace. I put it right behind Bulleit.

Now higher end Bourbon

I recommend
Blantons
Pappy Van Winkles

A couple that I have had one drink of.

Mitchers 25yr about 6k a bottle
Willett my uncle wouldn’t disclose what this one cost but knowing his wine collection I’m guessing over 5k
The last of the ultra expensive was Colonel Taylor’s I know what this bottle costs about the same as a Rolex GMT or 22 and change out the door. This was in Hyannis a couple of years ago.

Thanks!
Been looking for Buffalo Trace, but no sightings in my area. Same with Blantons (which friends say is overrated for the price?)

I joined a local bourbon group in my state on Facebook which has expanded my horizons, and upped my consumption. 1 of the more useful groups on Facebook

Blanton’s is more about the packaging and the horses on the top of the bottle each has its own letter. So you’re stuck buying them if you’re trying to get the collection.

I liked Blanton's... when I could find it, and it cost about $40. Buffalo Trace has also been really hard to find. But I can get Four Roses small batch and single barrel, both of which make me happy. I can always find Cedar Ridge (because Iowa is known for their bourbon?) and High West- I like the Double Rye. I don't need to be drinking it anyway...

My short list :
1- Smooth Ambler Contradiction
2- Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight
3- Elijah Craig

Cheers

Pritchard's, if you can find it. Luckily, the distillery is just up the road from me. They also make a very fine rum.

Woodford Reserve, Maker's Mark, Clyde May's. I've got some Heaven's Door that is surprisingly smooth despite the 125 proof. I do water it down a tad; I normally drink whisky neat.

Michters, Bulleit, Blanton's, 4 Roses, Knob Creek are some others on that list that I've tried. They were fine. Bulleit makes a good rye, too.

A friend of mine hosted a bourbon tasting and pairing Saturday night. He's been collecting bourbon for a couple of years, but he dove in headfirst. I don't even know how many bottles he has (150?). Anyway, I brought a bottle of Pinhook Bourbon Heist (not the high-proof version). I really liked it. About $40 and good value for that.