Bourbon, Anyone?

[spenfolder]

First off, I admit to being a bourbon newbie. So, these suggestion are great. Thanks everyone. Love this thread.

Second, I will put in a plug for High West Bourbon. A great local distillery for me, and yes, right here in Utah. Their American Prairie Bourbon is nice, their Rendezvous Rye is amazing, and I always have a bottle of their Campfire Whiskey in my Airstream because... you know... a campfire.

[Norrin Radd]

Knob Creek Rye...100 proof, I do like a cube in it.
Made that dent during recent Oregon Coast outing
Then a local Oregon Whiskey that comes out every St. Patrick's Day...
This years version...

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Steamguy

Lots of great advice here, and places to spend my money...

But nobody has yet posted about a 'right and proper glass' to enjoy these fine spirits. May I present two possibilities. First one here is for those who prefer their libation 'neat'; the Glencairn glass:



And for those who prefer a bit of ice along with the spirits, there's a really nice 'Bourbon Trail' glass, by Libby - who woulda thought...
Affordable and easy to hold for my arthritic fingers.



May I suggest that both of these add nicely to the experience.

Ok..Now I'm em-bare-assed. 🥴

Bob
🇺🇸

[LNBright]

Originally Posted by Steamguy

Lots of great advice here, and places to spend my money...

But nobody has yet posted about a 'right and proper glass' to enjoy these fine spirits. May I present two possibilities. First one here is for those who prefer their libation 'neat'; the Glencairn glass:


.

My wife got me a set of Glencairns a few years ago, really like them for both scotch and bourbon. I like rye, but don’t think it cares as much about the glass, any ol’ lowball will do.

Actually, my wife got me a set of Golden Rabbit fly fishing plates and a set of acrylic lowball glasses for the camper for my birthday...

[WP53]

I have a Glencairn glass that my daughter bought for me in Scotland. And yes, it is particularly good when drinking bourbon or Scotch neat - which I probably do about a third of the time. On the rocks the rest of the time, and I don't have a Bourbon Trail glass. Thanks for the suggestion. Although sometimes while camping, on the rocks in a plastic cup works, also!

[AKNate]

Originally Posted by truckasaurus

Equal parts:

Squeezed lemon juice

Amaro

Aperol

Bourbon



Shaken with ice for 20 then poured into glass. Garnish with a tiny paper plane but who has the inclination to do that.

To clarify, a proper Paper Plane is made with Amaro Nonino. Other amaros tend to be much stronger in flavor and will throw the flavor profile off. You can overcome that to a degree by cutting back on the amaro. If I don’t have Nonino, I usually cut the amaro back to a half part. Something like Averna you might want to cut back even more to keep it in balance. If you’ve never had a Paper Plane, be sure to use Nonino to experience what it should really taste like. After that I recommend Cynar in a reduced portion as a good substitute if you want to save $25/bottle. It’s not as good as a paper plane made with Nonino, but it’s still a very good cocktail. Also, I like an orange peel for garnish.
Speaking of Averna, a Black Manhattan is another tasty cocktail.

[Northsite]

Wow! 4 pages of bourbon notes. This is now my favorite RV Forum.

[aa9zz]

Following...

[Markko]

Love Widow Jane, was gifted a bottle by my brother and it was a solid one. I really enjoy Balconies Baby Blue, which is very different since it's sweet blue corn. Worth a try.

[dsoko5]

Willett and Basil Hayden.

[John & Roberta]

When my beloved grandmother became incapacitated and could no longer drive or get about in the hills of Oakland, CA, when I would visit she would put in a “sneak” request, that I go down to the local liquor store, obtain a bottle of “plain” Jim Beam, pour her a drink—NO ICE . . .this much bourbon (to the middle knuckle) and ONLY this much water (fingertip).

That simple drink would always put a smile on Grandma’s face. Guaranteed.

[davidbrandon]

I got tired of buying bourbon that didn't stand up to Woodford. How does the Weller compare?

Originally Posted by Jim & Susan

Ah yes, that sweet, smokey taste. Smoooth as silk. Just a sip, please. I'll have mine neat. No ice, don't want to bruise it.

A new friend of mine from Kentucky. Made any new friends lately?

Colonel Jim.

[Bourbonshot]

In the current rotation:
Early Times bottled in bond; Weller Special Reserve; store picks of Knob Creek, Buffalo Trace, Elijah Craig, Russell’s Reserve, Wilderness Trail high rye mash bill, Old Forester 100, and New Riff. For standard (not store picks) higher proof, Old Forester 120, Rare Breed, Chattanooga 111, Booker’s, and Elijah Craig barrel proof. For ryes, Old Forester, Willett 4YR, Rare Breed, New Riff, and Wilderness Trail.

[Atwebs]

Did Kentucky two years ago, so much fun. Now, the secret to tame the burn inhale, swallow down a sip of the bourbon and then exhale to taste the flavors. The alcohol doesn't get a chance to go up your nose or burn its way down.

That tip came from a local distillery and works with anything that causes a burn. Not that most folks would come to Napa to taste bourbon though...

[John & Roberta]

Roberta insists I tell OUR bourbon story. OK, OK.

Everybody’s heard of the Santa Barbara fires and floods of a few years back. Well, three, four years ago the annual drink contest winner, Santa Barbara Biltmore’s bartender, celebrated victory over the double attack with a concoction he named “Fuerte”—STRONG.

Making the news at the time was a local bee-keepers success in pulling his many bee hives out of the Montecito hills before the advancing fire took them. His honey had a unique wildflower flavor that added something special to the final drink, one earmarked with a sprig of lavender. Of course, this drink called for a special bourbon, a local craft bourbon difficult to obtain for out-of-towners—Cutler’s 33. And the “Wildfire Honey,” where you gonna get that?

This is Roberta’s and my drink, the one we shared when first coming together. I’ve been ordered NOT to give up the recipe. OK, OK.

[JBBeaubeaux]

We loved our trip to the Kentucky Bourdon Trail. Here is our review:

https://livinginbeauty.net/2017/01/1...bourbon-trail/

[Gintory]

Don't forget Barton's 1792 - very good profile. Also, Elijah is good, Jefferson Very Small Batch is real good at a good price, Larceny is good. Tried Blanton's, was OK but not worth the price; Buffalo Trace and Eagle Rare are good, if you can find them.
As for distillery tours, after 3 you pretty much know what's going on. So you look forward to the rack house (nothing beats that aroma) and the tasting room (tour with a non-drinker so you can double your sampling.)
If you're not a bourbon purist, Jack Daniels Single Barrel Select has a good taste profile.

[John & Roberta]

Roberta says I can/should post a picture of our first “Fuerte” drinks. OK, OK.

[AKNate]

Originally Posted by John & Roberta

Roberta says I can/should post a picture of our first “Fuerte” drinks. OK, OK.

Ok, I was going to let it slide, but since you’re taunting us with pictures, I have to post this link to the recipe that you’re not sharing.

https://www.elitetraveler.com/finest...-santa-barbara

[MSL]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Ok..Now I'm em-bare-assed. 🥴

Bob
🇺🇸

Like the glass, Bob; I know things like that can have an affect on the taste, but I like departing from some norms.

A friend from work gave me a Woodford; liked it a lot, it didn't last long. Also like Basil Hayden's, but I'll drink pretty much anything I happen to have or have offered to me.