Any Bourbon Enthusiasts?

Last year I became aware that a craft distillery movement was underway in Texas. Tito's started distilling vodka many years ago. In recent years 30 or so other folks have begun distilling gin, vodka, white dog, corn whiskey, rum, single malt whiskey, bourbon and other stuff.

I did a little research and in the process decided to build a collection of these spirits in order to have a bar which contained nothing but Texas distilled products. While doing my research I became interested in bourbon. The goal of having a bar stocked with only Texas distilled booze waned. I began buying bourbons regularly.

America has been in a Bourbon Craze for more than a decade. Kentucky bourbon and craft distilleries from around the country are very popular. The result of this popularity has lead to higher and ever increasing prices. In some cases particular brands become hard to find in local liquor stores.

I am pretty new to bourbon or any liquor collecting. Never had a stocked bar at home. We generally have some decent wines on hand and a bottle of booze or two which were gifted to us. My wife thinks this new hobby is a bit ridiculous 'cause I rarely drink booze. But, I'm having fun researching, scouting and tasting different types of America's spirit - Bourbon!

My goal is to have a significant collection of bourbon with the majority of the 750ml bottles costing between $20 - $35. In my opinion there are many great bourbons in that price range.

Do some of you have an appetite for bourbon? If so, what do you like? Do you enjoy bourbon based cocktails? Any particular recipes you fancy?

If you enjoy bourbon neat, with water or ice or in a cocktail I'd like to read your bourbon story.

Below I've created a list of what is in my collection. The list includes - price I paid, year purchased, the retailer and the distillery. What's in yours collection?

later, GVJ


Elijah Craig 12 year $33.99 (Holiday) 2016 Heaven Hill

Larceny $25.10 (Feldman’s) 2016 Heaven Hill

Old Weller 12 year $29.99 (Holiday) 2016 Buffalo Trace

Old Weller Antique 107 $24.89 (Feldman’s) 2016 Buffalo Trace

Four Roses Yellow Label $19.79 (Spec’s) 2016 Four Roses

Four Roses Small Batch $27.89 (Feldman’s) 2106 Four Roses

Evan William’s Single Barrel $29.89 (Feldman’s) 2015 Haven Hill

Maker’s Mark $24.99 (Costco-WB) 2015 Maker’s Mark

1835 $21.99 (Spec’s) 2015 North Texas Distillers

Old Hoverholt Rye $19.99 (WB) 2016 Jim Beam

Rittenhouse Rye $26.49(Feldman’s) 2016 Haven Hill

Booker’s $49.99 (Costco-WB) 2016 Jim Beam

Eagle Rare $26.97 (Costco-WB) 2016 Buffalo Trace

Knob Creek Rye $25+ (Costco-WB) 2016 Jim Beam

Garrison Bros $99.00 (Gift Shop) 2016 Garrison Bros

Garrison Bros Single Barrel $109.00 (Gift Shop) 2016 Garrison Bros

Henry McKenna 10 year $27.99 (Morrison CO) 2016 Heaven Hill

Rowans’s Creek $32.99 (Spec’s) 2016 KBD

 

My collection, for the most part, has already been consumed by me. I really like Old Weller 107. It's hard to find here, but when I see it I grab it. At present I have Knob Creek 100 proof and Maker's Mark on hand. Woodford Reserve is another favorite.
Have fun collecting and consuming!
Good luck.

 

That is a good list you have started. I would add Bulleit Bourbon to that list. Should be around $27-$29 give or take for a 1/5th.

But I primarily drink Makers and Woodford, and when I feel cheap, then Beam. Usually drink overtop 2 icecubes, however if I'm stuck with horrible bourbon- then I'll mix with some coke.

 

Nope not at all

 

not since I drank a bottle of Old Grand Dad one day/night....

 

Blanton's, Basil Hayden, and Pappy Van Winkle

 

I'll add Knob Creek 100 soon. It won the Gold Medal at the San Francisco Wine and Spirits competition a couple of years ago. Prior to getting the bourbon collecting bug I usually drank Maker's on a cube wile playing VP in Vegas. Woodford Reserve is also one of my go to bourbons if I'm having a drink out for diner with my wife. Weller 107 and 12 are very good.

 

Beer drinker here but I tried angels envy in Las Vegas and thought it was very good!

 

I like Buffalo Trace Bourbon, should be about $25, a good value.

Gotta love Old Overholt just for the label. The story goes that rye whiskey was original produced in Pennsylvania and Maryland, but the hard core farmers/distillers who rebelled against the tax on spirits fled to Kentucky. There is a Maryland style rye called Pikesville Rye, but its made in KY.

Good Luck with the collection!

 

I didn't drink bourbon for several years after pounding 12 - 15 Jim Beam shots at Casino Royale while playing Spanish 21 December 29, 2003. Yeah, I remember precisely. Worst hangover ever. A bottle of Old Grand Dad in one session would do the trick, too.

 

You've got a nice stash. I'm looking to score a bottle of Blanton's this Christmas. I've never even seen a bottle of Pappy in the flesh.

 

Yep to the Old Overholdt label props. You know your rye in Pennsylvania history. The history and rich stories about American whiskey is part of my fascination with bourbon. Interesting stuff.

The Costco near me has Buffalo Trace sometimes. Usually $22 - $25. One of these days I'll wrap it up. BT is definitely a bottle I want in my collection.

 

Angel's Envy gets lots of props. I haven't tried it yet. Someday.

 

Bubbavegas - like your taste. Expensive taste. Enjoy.

 

Damn. I'm envious.

 

I was in Lexington, Kentucky about 15 years ago visiting some friends who live there. They took me to a cool bar by UK. We sat at a long bar and right as the bartender asked what I'd like, we hit one of those "quiet spots" where everyone kinda stops talking at the same time. I said, "I'll have a Jack and Coke" and it was like one of those commercials where the record scratches and everything stops!" It seemed like everyone in the place heard me and was looking at me! Half of them were shaking their heads. My friend quickly said, he meant he'll have a Makers and Coke. I looked at her and she says, "Rule #1, you don't order Tennessee Whiskey in a Kentucky bar!... you just don't." I then proceed to try Woodford's Reserve, Blanton's, Old Taylor and some others I don't recall. I learned when you move up in quality, you ditch the mixer.

Several years later, I was with the same friends in Louisville and did kind of a cool bar-hopping thing down by the Ohio River where you got a stamp for each bourbon you tried. I still have my mostly completed book, but little memory of the bourbons I drank to get the stamps!

 

I'm in sales for a distributor in the wine and spirits industry, and you've got a nice start to your collection. A couple more suggestions that I enjoy that won't break the bank:

1792
Four Roses Single Barrel
Anything from Jefferson's (very wide range in price)
Michter's bourbon and rye
Bowman small batch and single barrel (from Virginia but very good)
Pikesville Rye (closer to $50-$60)

 

Having a taste of Buffalo Trace right now, all this whiskey talk made me thirsty. Neat, in a Glencairn glass.

If you google Abraham Overholt you will find some interesting background, he was a Mennonite and quickly realized that it was easier to distill his grain and sell it as whiskey instead of hauling bushels of grain from Western Pennsylvania to market. Old Overholt is probably best as a mixer, especially in a Manhattan or with Ginger Ale for a highball.



Abraham Overholt

VegasDawg, good call on with Michters and Four Roses Single Barrel.

I was not impressed with Woodford Reserve Bourbon. Also, Whistle Pig Rye is actually distilled in Canada and bottled in Vermont, it's expensive and more sizzle than steak. But if you are considering something from The Great White North, I believe Alberta Premium Dark Horse Rye is now making its way to the states.

 

Currently in my bar I have Knob Creek, Blaytons, Four Roses and Makers Mark-with Makers being my preferred. I was fortunate enough to share a shot of Pappy Van Winkle 23yr old and 96.5 proof last Thanksgiving with a friend. Really enjoyed it but way way over my price range. Think he paid $250.00 for it. My wife has a Regional office in Louisville. We make it a weekend and go on what they call "The Bourbon Trail'. You can visit each Distillery, get a tour of the facility, and taste usually a flight of 5 Bourbons at each stop. If you ever are in the Louisville area, try it.