Bourbon, etc.

It's Derby week, so as an adjunct to YF's cocktail thread, let's talk Kentucky's finest export.

I've been slowly building up a little collection:

Woodford Reserve
Elijah Craig 12
Four Roses Yellow Label
Knob Creek 100
FEW Bourbon
Maker's Mark
Michter's Small Batch
Wild Turkey 101

Others:
Crown Royal
Chivas Regal 12
Jack Daniels
Bulleit Rye
Jim Beam Rye
Jameson
Glenlivet 12

 

My favorite in a Manhattan: Bulleit Rye.

My favorite on the rocks: Knob Creek.

 

I got to try Pappy last weekend at a wedding. It was as good as advertised.

Weller's 12 is my go-to now. Smooth, no bite to it at all.

 

Because I'm poor, I stick with Maker's Mark. If I regularly spent more money on alcohol, it would be for a good bottle of Woodford Reserve.

 

Pappy Van Winkle Power Rankings (of the ones I've tried):

1. 20-year
2. 23-year
3. 12-year

Not had the rye yet.

 

We had the 23. Then shifted to the cheaper Weller and emptied the host's bar.

 

Elijah Craig 12 every day. Blanton's when I get fancier. Bulleit Rye in heavy rotation too.

 

Angel's Envy, the brand Lincoln Henderson started before he died, is a good one.

Those of you who go with Maker's as your affordable, everyday bourbon should try Buffalo Trace.

 

Can't afford the Pappy Van Winkle quite yet, or at least, I have to wait until after the wedding to spring for it. Currently, I've got my Bullet Rye, Jack Daniels and Gentleman's Jack on the bar. However, the bourbons are flanked by a nice collection of Irish whiskeys. I've got Jameson, Bushmill's Irish Honey and my new favorite, Red Breast 12 year. I also have some McCellans? 12 -year scotch.

Surprisingly, one of my favorite whiskeys is one of the cheaper ones on the shelf. I have some Canadian Club 12 year, Canadian Club 18 year reserve and some Canadian Club Sherry Cask (best of the bunch). All are under $20. Also a big fan of Crown Royal Maple.

 

My Mother-in-Law is national sales manager for Four roses. I'm a single barrel guy myself.

 

Not sure if they sell it outside Kentucky, or at least that's the only place I've seen it, but Town Branch from Lexington is a pretty good stand-in for Maker's at roughly the same price point.

 

Posting here only so that it will be somewhat "bookmarked" in my history. So I can easily find it later. Personally not a bourbon drinker, but buy some for someone else often.