Bourbon. What are you drinking right now? (1 Viewer)

[ematheson]

Nice haul! Look at all of that E.H. Taylor in the background!

The EH Taylor is definitely a favorite daily sipper for me. So when I can find some I stock up. Everything from the small batch up to the seasonal limited releases is always solid. Still hunting a bottle of the Warehouse C Tornado Surviving. Just need to find a trade I am willing to make for it. I have had a chance to try it a few times and it lives up to the hype!

 

[ematheson]

I had to do some work in Chapel Hill a few years ago and stumbled on to this place. The Crunkleton - Classic Cocktails, Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Fine Dining
I got to try some pretty unique stuff without buying a whole bottle of anything. I was never much of a corn whiskey fan, but since all all bourbon is whiskey I like to follow this thread. I recently tried this Kings County Straight Bourbon Whiskey and was really pleased. I have also become a big fan of single malt American whiskey's recently. Balcone's and Westward are my two favorites.

I think ONSC needs a tasting event where everyone brings a bottle of their everyday drinker, maybe at the meet and greet.

I am all for a tasting event at a meet in greet. Especially since I haven't met anyone yet!

The Crunkleton is an awesome spot. They just opened one up near me in Charlotte. They don't have as impressive a selection yet, but I am hoping it improves with time.

 

[lt1fire]

Newest addition. Taste like an Islay Scotch
View attachment 1866301

My apartment was 1/2 a mile from their distillery. Really good stuff. Best American single malt i've had. They currently make 5 different kinds.

 

[Fort Knox]

I had to do some work in Chapel Hill a few years ago and stumbled on to this place. The Crunkleton - Classic Cocktails, Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Fine Dining
I got to try some pretty unique stuff without buying a whole bottle of anything. I was never much of a corn whiskey fan, but since all all bourbon is whiskey I like to follow this thread. I recently tried this Kings County Straight Bourbon Whiskey and was really pleased. I have also become a big fan of single malt American whiskey's recently. Balcone's and Westward are my two favorites.

I think ONSC needs a tasting event where everyone brings a bottle of their everyday drinker, maybe at the meet and greet.

Crunkleton is a great spot and I agree that it would be a wise move to hit a place with a good selection to try a few different bourbons without buying a whole bottle.

About the American single malts, I doubt that anyone who tried Scotch and didn’t like it would go for an American single malt, but you never know.

I’m definitely in for a tasting event!!

 

[mtweller]

Crunkleton is a great spot and I agree that it would be a wise move to hit a place with a good selection to try a few different bourbons without buying a whole bottle.

About the American single malts, I doubt that anyone who tried Scotch and didn’t like it would go for an American single malt, but you never know.

I’m definitely in for a tasting event!!

Are the American Single Malts distilleries using peat? That's what got in my head after it was pointed out to me with Scotch, and all I could tastes since.

 

[pkniland]

Are the American Single Malts distilleries using peat? That's what got in my head after it was pointed out to me with Scotch, and all I could tastes since.

The most recent one I got, Westland, is peated. Westward, which is one of my favorites is not. A lot of what Ive been drinking is non peated in virgin barrels. IMHO Scotch sometimes gets a bad rap for being too smokey. I am not a fan of the Islay whiskys which all seem to have that heavy peat taste. There are several scotch whiskys that do not heat with peat at all. The highland area's whiskys are my favorite. There are several distilleries that do not use peat, and the ones that do, it seems to be milder. Best thing to do is just drink them all untill you find something you like.

 

[Fort Knox]

Are the American Single Malts distilleries using peat? That's what got in my head after it was pointed out to me with Scotch, and all I could tastes since.

I don’t think so. So the single malts probably don’t taste exactly like Scotch, but they use the same grains, so they will be similar.

 

[lt1fire]

Are the American Single Malts distilleries using peat? That's what got in my head after it was pointed out to me with Scotch, and all I could tastes since.

The most recent one I got, Westland, is peated. Westward, which is one of my favorites is not. A lot of what Ive been drinking is non peated in virgin barrels. IMHO Scotch sometimes gets a bad rap for being too smokey. I am not a fan of the Islay whiskys which all seem to have that heavy peat taste. There are several scotch whiskys that do not heat with peat at all. The highland area's whiskys are my favorite. There are several distilleries that do not use peat, and the ones that do, it seems to be milder. Best thing to do is just drink them all untill you find something you like.

I don’t think so. So the single malts probably don’t taste exactly like Scotch, but they use the same grains, so they will be similar.

Westland uses Peat in one of their main ones and some of their limited batch.

Most American Single Malts don't use Peat as much or at all when compared to some Scotch out there. But then many Scotch's don't also if they are from the Lowlands. Most Highlands do but not to the extend of Islay Scotch. Island Scotch is my current favorite and is a middle ground between the Islay and Highlands.

Just about the most smooth mass produced Highland i've had is Ben Nevis. Their small batch that came was finished in white port barrels is amazing.

The Highlands are the most diverse when it comes to Scotch due to A. the region size and B. the diverse lands that cover that region. Most others, Islay, Islands, Lowlands, Speyside are all very similar within their own region. My favorite overall distillery right now is Highland Park and also one that i've not been to yet.


Ask @shellb and @GarnerFJ40 about our Scottish food and Scotch tasting extravaganza in the Highlands last year. LOL

Of course when I say Scotch in the above i'm talking about single malt but there are other types of whisky from Scotland, Scotch is just a generic term for whisky from Scotland but has become synonymous with single or blended malt. There is also grain whisky and others from the mother land of Whisky.

This isn't super comprehensive but still has good info in it.

The Scotch Whisky Guide — Gentleman's Gazette

 

[weejub]

I like almost everything I have had from Jameson. Being of Welsh background, maybe I should try a Welsh whiskey.

I have never been in the Crunkleton, but it is about 15 mins away so maybe a good date night w/ Wife

 

[lumbee1]

To start out, I would try something from one of the major distilleries, like Maker’s Mark, Elijah Craig, Four Roses Single Barrel, Wild Turkey (I prefer the 101, but they have a lower proof version if you prefer), Eagle Rare, or Old Grand Dad (I like the 114, but the Bottled in Bond 100pf version is good too). I’m not a big fan of most of Jim Beam’s products, other than OGD or Booker’s.

See which of those you like, then seek out similar bourbons to try. If I were picking where to start, it would be either Maker’s Mark (a wheated bourbon that has a little more sweetness and a little less “spice” than the rye bourbons), Elijah Craig, or Eagle Rare. Can’t really go wrong with the 4R Single Barrel either. If you don’t like any of those four, you probably just don’t like bourbon.

Excellent suggestions.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout, Buffalo Trace (you have to ask for it), Jefferson's Reserve, and Woodford Reserve come to mind. I'm not much of a fan of Maker's Mark and I really need to try some more Knob Creek before final verdict.

 

[lt1fire]

I like almost everything I have had from Jameson. Being of Welsh background, maybe I should try a Welsh whiskey.

I have never been in the Crunkleton, but it is about 15 mins away so maybe a good date night w/ Wife

I think ABC stores are able to get one of the Penderyn. One of the best Whiskies in the world by far. I have every version of Penderyn ever made sitting in my stash minus Legend which I fininshed already. I passed some around the camp with Greg, Steven, Allen and Ramon back in 2014 and it was well received.

Pro-tip if your whisky bar has Penderyn on the menu they know their stuff. If they don't look for a better bar LOL

 

[lt1fire]

I like almost everything I have had from Jameson. Being of Welsh background, maybe I should try a Welsh whiskey.

I have never been in the Crunkleton, but it is about 15 mins away so maybe a good date night w/ Wife

The red arrows are all Welsh Whisky. The Purple is the Ben Nevis I talked about earlier and the aqua one is Merlyn basically Baileys made with Penderyn. So much better its amazing. Sad that if I want some I need to fly back to the UK for it.

 

[lt1fire]

would help if I included the picture

 

[ematheson]

Excellent suggestions.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout, Buffalo Trace (you have to ask for it), Jefferson's Reserve, and Woodford Reserve come to mind. I'm not much of a fan of Maker's Mark and I really need to try some more Knob Creek before final verdict.

I am not a huge fan of the standard Maker's Mark myself, however their cask strength is a really nice pour. Especially considering it is typically very easy to find. I would also say if you have never had a chance to try their Private Select bottles, it is well worth tracking some down. Each is different due to the selection of staves used for aging, but I have yet to have one that was not an excellent pour.

 

[Fort Knox]

I am not a huge fan of the standard Maker's Mark myself, however their cask strength is a really nice pour. Especially considering it is typically very easy to find. I would also say if you have never had a chance to try their Private Select bottles, it is well worth tracking some down. Each is different due to the selection of staves used for aging, but I have yet to have one that was not an excellent pour.

I agree on Maker’s, but neither the CS or the Private Select were within the OP’s $50 range. Maybe the CS. Haven’t bought a bottle in a while. I figured at least MM is an easily obtainable wheater for him to try. I guess Larceny could work too.

 

[JToobe]

Don't ask, I've come into a few more bottles of single barrel Buffalo Trace 750 ml.....if the mule @forrest5000 is up to it, who would like a bottle? $33....

 

[lumbee1]

Don't ask, I've come into a few more bottles of single barrel Buffalo Trace 750 ml.....if the mule @forrest5000 is up to it, who would like a bottle? $33....

yes please

 

[custyota]

Bourbon and brisket in my buddies garage, life is good!!

 

[Comet]

I bought a liter of Ancient Ancient Age 10 year. It was covered in dust and there were two more left for about $20 if I remember correctly. Wow. Whoever recommended that as a distant of Blanton's wasn't far off the mark. I'm gonna have to go back and get the other two.

Virginia Gentleman. No, just no. It is wrong in so many ways. If you have a taste for it, I will give it to you the next time I am down visiting.

 

[SeanLX]

Don't ask, I've come into a few more bottles of single barrel Buffalo Trace 750 ml.....if the mule @forrest5000 is up to it, who would like a bottle? $33....

If another one could make it toward Raleigh (or specifically Holly Springs along with Jonathan's) I'd like to try a bottle after all I've heard.