Posted: 3/29/2006 4:48:46 PM EDT
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Ok everyone, this weekend my parents are offering to get me a bottle of anything I want when they make their weekly trip to the liquer store, provided it is the under $40 range. So far I have had the following: x1 Seagrams Seven -Cheap stuff that wasn't "mine" but my parents allowed me to try it out. Of course it isn't used for drinking but mixing drinks. x2 Bottles of Wild Turkey Rarebreed -This is what I started with and when I first began it was disgusting and vile. I jerked when it went down and I couldn't really learn to take in the smell and let the bourbon sit in my mouth. Later, I started drinking it over the rocks and kinda developed a taste x1 Bottle Bookers -Now that my parents knew I had started researching and learning about bourbon they allowed me to have some of the more expensive stuff. This was very strong and I drank it neat or over the rocks. I didn't actually drink it, it was more of a sip. Thats my experience with whiskey and bourbon. This weekend my parents are offering me a bottle of whatever I want provided it is under ~$40. Right now I am torn between Knob Creek and Makers Mark. I have heard excellent things about these two and I must say that the distinctive bottling on the Knob Creek is attractive. Makers Mark seems a little cheaper, and I have read that it isn't strong and doesn't "kick". That would be good for a novice like me. So if you could choose which you could drink, Knob Creek, or Makers Mark which would it be? Thanks for the reviews and opinions! |
I have no experience with blends. Are they still drunk in a similar fashion to straight bourbons? Like I said about $40 is my limit and I want something that is pretty smooth. |
most burbon is between 80 and 90 proof. some TASTE stronger than others, but for the most part the alcohol content is the same. Wild Turkey gets up to 100 proof, but that's about it. Makers IIRC is 80 or 85 proof, so it's not a super strong drink. it's very smooth and flavorful. if you still find it to be too strong, give it a splash of water to smooth it out a bit more. |
See above:) It is very very smooth, not to strong at all...I mean it is alcohol so you will feel it...but it has a good taste and nice aftertaste. Oh yeah, just go straight it has better flavor. Somone mentioned adding ice and water, but I don't prefer it this way, it actually seems to get more bitey, weird I know. Hell you have a whole bottle...try it both ways:) |
I noticed that even though it was over 120 proof it still had an incredible smoothness to it, and it was alot easier to drink than the Rare Breed. Do you think since I have had experience with a higher quality bourbon that it will not be easy to go to a cheaper bourbon? Thanks for the advice everyone. |
Makers Mark.
I stopped right after you posted 2x Rare Breed. You're the man. BTW, Between Makers and Knob, I prefer the Makers but not by much. Everything pales to Rarebreed. Here's a little advice, never take advice on wiskey from folks who mix. They really don't know for they only get part of the taste. Tj |
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i like jim beam,,,,,or jim beam black,,,,,or knob creek, which i believe is an offshot of the beam distelery (iirc) but ive been wrong before i love wild turkey, but it doesn't seem to be for everyone maztter a fact i think i hear it gobbeling at me from the bar now |
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And now for something completely different... Basil Hayden's is the smoothest bourbon of any already mentioned. It's a small batch bourbon like Knob Creek, Woodford Reserve, and Bookers, from the Jim Beam distillery. It runs about $40 a bottle, so it fits your bill. Try it. You'll thank me later. 
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Jim Beam Aged 4 years Jim Beam Black aged 8 years (may personal favorite) Knob Creek aged 12 years IIRC The longer it is aged the higher the alcohol content will be and it will also be more sweet, from expanding and contracting through the caramel layer in the flamed barrels. |
Jim Beam is very good for the money, it has a very pleasant taste. |
Woodford is awesome for the money, but so is Jim Beam black, Bookers, Bakers, and Basil Haydens. I can't see why anybody would drink Knob Creek, that stuff is foul compared to the rest of the "family". 
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+1 somethings not right here. arfcom is to anxious to talk about liqour, and not about the kiddo getting drunk. 
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Not a true bourbon but damn tasty. http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e342/sully026/bushm2100_4.jpg |