Man, I’m basic as hell. A little Elijah Craig, and I’m happy.
Edit: oh wait!
There’s a gentleman I am able to get home made bourbon from on very rare occasions, at a steep price, and in small quantities. But it’s one of those things you can’t even just know the guy and get any, you have to be friends, or have done something really valuable to him, ideally both.
Dude won’t say where he gets the barrels, and he only ever has one or two a year put back.
He started doing them back at the end of the nineties, as a personal stash on the side of his usual distilling “hobby”. No two batches are the same, but they’re consistently good. As good or better than anything reachable by my budget that’s available legally.
His first batch was kinda mid, but he was proud as hell of it just from having made a batch that was distinctly bourbon rather than just shine of some variety.
Like I said, it isn’t consistent, but that’s part of why it’s worth the extra hassle and cash. You don’t know what you’re going to get exactly, beyond it being unique and good. The last little sips I have right now, the batch was sweet, vanilla, and had hints of tobacco to it. The one I had a pint of a few years back was more or less a wild turkey clone iirc, the one I had before that was less enjoyable, it ran hot and smoky, which isn’t really my thing.
I agree with others who mention Eagle Rare. I also like Angel’s Envy even though it’s overpriced for what it is.
I had a glass of something called Bomberger’s that I really enjoyed.
Anyone know of any bourbons that have a smoky flavor like you might find in scotch? I like Ardbeg, Lagavulin (probably spelled that wrong), Highland Park, etc.
Not crazy about Woodford Reserve or Knob Creek, but for cheaper bourbons I do like Jim Beam and Wild Turkey.
Favorite: Basil Hayden Toasted
Runner up: New Holland Origin
Frequent Buys: Buffalo Trace, Bulleit, and Woodford.
I really like the New Holland Orign, if you can find it I highly reccomend trying it. They do have a cheaper bottle called beer barrel bourbon which is similar but the Orign has a unique smokey taste to it that adds another layer to each sip.
Eagle Rare
- Nice midrange - 1792 full proof
- Freezer bourbon - Very Old Barton
- Honorable mention cheap bourbon - Benchmark Full Proof.
Never had the first two! How much is 1792? Might give it a try
You’re missing out for sure then! It runs around 50 bucks depending on where you’re getting it. Very Old Barton is around 15 and comes from the same distillery but you’d never guess from the difference in packaging.
I see we both have our fav distilleries lol. I will try it out! Which 1792?
Full Proof is my favorite for sure but depending on what kind of mash bill you like (I prefer a high rye which is what most of their juice is,) they have a sweet wheat that is pretty great too.
- My favorite is Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
- Fav mid/low end is Wild Turkey 101
- Old fav was Woodford Reserve
