Whiskey/whisky drinkers...

[Kearnzo]

Hey guys. Getting married this Friday, and one of our trips on our honeymoon will be to the New Hampshire liquor store right outside of Maine (huge selection compared to Maine and low prices).

I've always been a whiskey guy, but only in terms of mixed drinks and such. I always have a bottle of Jack in the house for Jack and Cokes, but i've wanted to find a good sipping whiskey for once. I've read various reviews, and can't make a choice on what to get.

I'm asking you guys what your favorite whiskeys are to get an idea of what to expect taste wise, especially for someone who is a newcomer to drinking straight whiskey. I've compiled a list to look for, including Sazerac Rye 6 year, Woodford Reserve, Knob Creek, Maker's Mark, and Tullamore Dew. Anyone have experience with these, and if so, were they good whiskeys for sipping?

Thanks guys!

[kehlis]

Re: Whiskey/whisky drinkers...

As a sipping wine I would recommend Makers Mark, its great straight or on the rocks...

[SkinsBoYee]

Re: Whiskey/whisky drinkers...

Markers is great...agreed. Very Smooth, neat or on the rocks.

If you are willing to spend some dough though, and I have not had every kind there is, but Blue Label is as close to the nectar of the gods as I have come when it comes to whiskey.

[Kearnzo]

Re: Whiskey/whisky drinkers...

Markers is great...agreed. Very Smooth, neat or on the rocks.

If you are willing to spend some dough though, and I have not had every kind there is, but Blue Label is as close to the nectar of the gods as I have come when it comes to whiskey.

Heh, not going that expensive. I'm talking up to 50 bucks, if that. Not 200. As good as it may be, I couldn't see ever spending that much on booze.

Thanks for the replies guys. Makers was at the top of my list, so this just reaffirms my thoughts.

[Husker_OS]

Re: Whiskey/whisky drinkers...

To be clear, Makers is bourbon whiskey. Meaning its made in Bourbon County, Kentucky.



If you're going Tennessee whiskey, go with George Dickel Ivory Label. Good stuff. I much prefer George Dickel over Jack Daniel's.


But if you're going with bourbon whiskey, can't go wrong with Woodford Reserve or Basil Hayden's.

[Kearnzo]

Re: Whiskey/whisky drinkers...

Hadn't heard of Basil Hayden before. Reading some of the reviews, is it really that smooth? That's what i'm really looking for, is a smooth whiskey to get me started on my whiskey ways, so to speak.

[Husker_OS]

Re: Whiskey/whisky drinkers...

Hadn't heard of Basil Hayden before. Reading some of the reviews, is it really that smooth? That's what i'm really looking for, is a smooth whiskey to get me started on my whiskey ways, so to speak.

Basil Hayden and Woodford are both smooth.

[Kearnzo]

Re: Whiskey/whisky drinkers...

Basil Hayden and Woodford are both smooth.

Good stuff man, I appreciate it.

[ehh]

Re: Whiskey/whisky drinkers...

Can't go wrong with Knob Creek or Maker's Mark. I buy a handle of one or the other each year and typically don't even finish it within 12 months. Still have an inch or so left of the 2009 Maker's Mark bottle.

Guess I'm turning into a wine-o these days, I've really cut down on my whiskey drinking.

[koebner]

Re: Whiskey/whisky drinkers...

The Woodford is actually the smoothest choice of the bourbons listed,but all three are excellent.

Bourbon refers to the corn content and oak barrel aging;by definition,it can be produced anywhere as long as it meets the requirements of type,including Proof.The vast majority of bourbon is made in KY,just not in Bourbon County funnily enough.

I would add Russels Reserve,Elijah Craig,and Blantons to the list.
Buffalo Trace is the best value in terms of price.

[Phobia]

Re: Whiskey/whisky drinkers...

I drank Jack for a long time. but once you go Makers you pretty much can't go back. Makers is the only Whiskey that stays in my house year long.

[Chef Matt]

Re: Whiskey/whisky drinkers...

As a sipping wine I would recommend Makers Mark, its great straight or on the rocks...

Markers is great...agreed. Very Smooth, neat or on the rocks.

Can't go wrong with Knob Creek or Maker's Mark.

I drank Jack for a long time. but once you go Makers you pretty much can't go back. Makers is the only Whiskey that stays in my house year long.

All of this.

Makers Mark is My wife's and my Whisky of choice. Also, every once in a great while, at costco they have the big bottle for cheap.

[Jonesy]

Re: Whiskey/whisky drinkers...

I always thought of Makers Mark as bourbon rather than a whiskey but it's both i guess. Great stuff whatever it is.

I like Canadian Club Classic (aged 12 years) occasionally.

[Burns11]

Re: Whiskey/whisky drinkers...

The Woodford is actually the smoothest choice of the bourbons listed,but all three are excellent.

Bourbon refers to the corn content and oak barrel aging;by definition,it can be produced anywhere as long as it meets the requirements of type,including Proof.The vast majority of bourbon is made in KY,just not in Bourbon County funnily enough.

I would add Russels Reserve,Elijah Craig,and Blantons to the list.
Buffalo Trace is the best value in terms of price.

This. Maker's, BTW, is made in Loretto which is in Marion county.

Anyway, I would add Four Roses to the short list, especially the higher end stuff (Mariage, single barrel, limited) but the new yellow label standard is not shabby either. Eagle Rare is another, as are the Van Winkle bourbons, Ezra B if you can find as well as Old Fitzgerald.

Bernheim is pretty good too, it's not bourbon because it's mostly wheat, but it's made in the same way otherwise by a maker of other bourbons (Heaven Hill).

[Phobia]

Re: Whiskey/whisky drinkers...

My local shop just got in the Rouge hard liquors. I look forward to given their Rouge Whiskey a go come this weekend.