Whisky thread

posted by justincredible

Cracked open the Eight & Sand tonight. Nice bourbon. For a $30 bottle it's a nice value.

I'm gonna have to try that.  $30 is not bad at all for a decent bourbon.

Not exactly sure the difference between Bourbon and Whiskey but i got roped into doing a Bourbon exchange for xmas (50$) bottle.  I have been looking around for some good bourbons that may be less popular or hard to find.  While at the counter at GE liquor store they had some bottles marked for sale and i asked about them. The clerk said actually one of the bottles was really good but it was only 23$ so i cant really use it for my exchange, but i also have been thinking of getting my liquor collection back going at our new house since i got rid of everything before the move. So here is my first bottle.  Every collection starts with the first Bottle!

All bourbon is whiskey but not all whiskey is bourbon. 

Weller Special Reserve is a decent pour at $23. 

As for a $50 bottle, Weller Antique just went up in price to $50 if you can find it. It looks just like that one but with a red label. 
 

I love Russell’s Reserve store picks, but they usually run just outside your price range ($65).

posted by geeblock

Not exactly sure the difference between Bourbon and Whiskey but i got roped into doing a Bourbon exchange for xmas (50$) bottle.  I have been looking around for some good bourbons that may be less popular or hard to find.  While at the counter at GE liquor store they had some bottles marked for sale and i asked about them. The clerk said actually one of the bottles was really good but it was only 23$ so i cant really use it for my exchange, but i also have been thinking of getting my liquor collection back going at our new house since i got rid of everything before the move. So here is my first bottle.  Every collection starts with the first Bottle!

Weller is a good pick. 

Difference between Whiskey and a Bourbon is easy to remember. Bourbon is one type of Whiskey. Scotches, Ryes, and Bourbons are under the umbrella of a whiskey. A bourbon is just a whiskey that is over 50% corn and aged in new oak charred American barrels. 

I've been enjoying some Eagle Rare and a Frederick, MD bourbon from McClintock lately. 

posted by justincredible

As for a $50 bottle, Weller Antique just went up in price to $50 if you can find it. It looks just like that one but with a red label. 
 

I love Russell’s Reserve store picks, but they usually run just outside your price range ($65).

I was planning on going over, def not a situation where I would feel comfortable being under 

posted by geeblock

I was planning on going over, def not a situation where I would feel comfortable being under 

In that case, if you see a Russell's Reserve store pick jump on it. I've never been disappointed.

I'm about to get two small batch whiskeys this weekend from McClintock's in Frederick, Maryland. 

The first is a single malt whisky finished with chocolate malted barley. The second: Straight Wheat Whiskey Finished in Apple Brandy Barrels. 

I've had a small tasting of them a few weeks ago and they were really good. 

posted by justincredible

In that case, if you see a Russell's Reserve store pick jump on it. I've never been disappointed.

I will check for that. The guy at the giant eagle by my house says they put their bourbon out Saturday morning at 10 am first come first serve for the rarer stuff 

Blantons remains ‘un-gettable’

Went to a Whiskey bar a couple weeks ago, tried a few Scotch's.

Lagavulin 16-Always wanted to try it being a Parks and Rec/Ron Swanson fan but never saw it anywhere. Definitely worth the price. Very good 8/10

Highland Park 18-One of the best, if not the best Scotches I have ever had. Very close in taste/smell as the Lagavulin but slightly better (more expensive too). 9/10

Bowmore 18-Good, very good, but not amazing. Had others tell me this is one of the best Scotches in the world. I liked HP and Lagavulin better 7/10

For reference, Macallan 12 is my favorite "cheap" Scotch, and I would rate it a 6/10.

The place had over 140 scotches alone, and easily 500+ total whiskeys to choose from of all styles.

Will definitely go back next time I am in Buffalo.

Lucky Day Whiskey in Buffalo, NY. I highly recommend.

Food was really good too.

I'm actually starting to get into Tequila, for the first time, again....as interesting and complex as wine, without the inferiority complex of your nose not knowing what vine the grapes came from.

To be honest - and I hate to admit it - I might actually enjoy sipping a high-end tequila more than I do a good whiskey.

I've been drinking Buffalo Trace at cigars for 2 reasons. It's cheaper per shot than Woodford and it's hard to find bottles of it. People line up for it where I buy liquor when they know it's coming in. To think 5 years ago it was always on the shelf and a cheaper alternative to my Woodford. Good Bourbon at a good price point.

posted by justincredible

In that case, if you see a Russell's Reserve store pick jump on it. I've never been disappointed.

Saw this on the shelf today. But now the 50$ exchange is down to 20-30$. But I might pull the trigger in my way home from work tomorrow. It is between this and   The wellers bottle with the red label (40$) to keep at my house for myself 

I did purchase the regular Russell’s 10 year for the exchange that was like 34$ so hopefully it’s not to bad 

I’ve never had it, but I’ve been a fan of everything I’ve tried from Wild Turkey so I’m sure it’s decent. 

posted by geeblock

I did purchase the regular Russell’s 10 year for the exchange that was like 34$ so hopefully it’s not to bad 

I like Russell's, but think it is a tad overpriced. But, for $34, I'd take it. 

I was gifted a bottle of Crown Royal XO yesterday. Crown aged in Cognac barrels. I had a taste of it last night last and it was smooth and really good. 

Also, below is the haul I picked up last week from McClintock: their bourbon, rye, single malt and a wheated whiskey aged in applejack barrels. 

posted by gut

I'm actually starting to get into Tequila, for the first time, again....as interesting and complex as wine, without the inferiority complex of your nose not knowing what vine the grapes came from.

 

To be honest - and I hate to admit it - I might actually enjoy sipping a high-end tequila more than I do a good whiskey.

Nothing wrong with that man. If you like high end Tequila, (in a hipster voice here) have you tried Mezcal?

My buddy from LA who is big in mezcal, got me into them. I enjoy a good glass every now and then as it is the perfect mix of a tequila and a whiskey. The problem is, it is hard to figure out and find what is good on the east coast. 

Had some Glenmorangie Original for the first time.  Not bad.  Simple. A little sweeter than I prefer but not so much that I would turn it down if offered it. 

posted by geeblock

Not exactly sure the difference between Bourbon and Whiskey but i got roped into doing a Bourbon exchange for xmas (50$) bottle.  I have been looking around for some good bourbons that may be less popular or hard to find.  While at the counter at GE liquor store they had some bottles marked for sale and i asked about them. The clerk said actually one of the bottles was really good but it was only 23$ so i cant really use it for my exchange, but i also have been thinking of getting my liquor collection back going at our new house since i got rid of everything before the move. So here is my first bottle.  Every collection starts with the first Bottle!

Whiskey breakdown:

As for a decent choice with a $50 cap, I've always been a fan of Basil Hayden's.
https://www.pjwine.com/25616/basil-haydens-8-year-old-small-batch-bourbon-750ml/