Kentucky Bourbons

[Ryszard]

I'm a massive fan of both Lexington's Town Branch Bourbon and Woodford Reserve, they are usually my go-to for an uncomplicated drink. Recently I've had the itch to explore something else though - any other Kentucky bourbons or ryes you fine gents can recommend?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Country Bladesmith]

Knob Creek was always my go-to. Distilled at an honest 100 proof, and aged 9 years, at an affordable price. Their single barrel is also very nice, and still affordable. Maker’s Mark is good, but began to taste watered down once I started drinking Knob Creek and other 100+ proofs. One that flies under the radar, and is very nice, is Elijah Craig Small Batch. Probably the best value in bourbon right now, in my opinion. Very nice.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Wild Turkey 101, you can just stop there. If you can find it Henry McKenna BiB is amazing, but going up in price. Old Forrester Rye is good, so is Rittenhouse BiB.

 

[BarrelProof]

Elijah Craig Small Batch, as noted, is solid. Try any of the Basil Hayden’s expressions, Blanton’s if you can find it, Black Maple Hills, Johnny Drum, anything from Kentucky Owl, Stagg Jr., McKenna 10yr is good, Eagle Rare 10yr is a solid bottle and fairly cheap, Angel’s Envy isn’t a bad buy for something a little different, some of the Knob Creek expressions can be pretty good, I like mostly all of the EH Taylor expressions, and the single barrel Four Roses is a good bottle, too.

 

[BROBS]

I saw rye mentioned so I’ll mention the absolute best: Templeton Rye

 

[Old School 3319]

Bulliet is very nice to

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

We and Poles do have Rye Vodkas ,but for the variety sake, next time I probably will buy some Rye whiskies ,for the first time in my life

 

[alaskanpiper]

Barrelproof's recommendations are solid. I would add Willett, Jefferson's, Elmer T. Lee, and Michter's to it. Not a huge Knob Creek fan (it's good, not great), but their recent 2001 14 year offering (quite pricey at $130 here) is one of the better bourbons I've ever had.

 

[litup]

Barrelproof's recommendations are solid. I would add Willett, Jefferson's, Elmer T. Lee, and Michter's to it. Not a huge Knob Creek fan (it's good, not great), but their recent 2001 14 year offering (quite pricey at $130 here) is one of the better bourbons I've ever had.

I just came here to write "Michter's" as well.

 

[morgansteele]

It's not from Kentucky but my favorite rye is: Dad's Hat.

 

[Ryszard]

We and Poles do have Rye Vodkas ,but for the variety sake, next time I probably will buy some Rye whiskies ,for the first time in my life

Vodka and I have a special but sometimes very troubled relationship - Koskenkorva is among my favourites, good stuff.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, I'll be sure to check some of them out.

 

[musicman]

My daily pour these days is Knob Creek, and I'll have Bulleit Rye if I'm making a cocktail or want something a little spicier. Both of these are available at my local Costco for about 35-40 bucks for a 1.75 L. Others to try that haven't been mentioned include Bookers (pretty spendy these days. Used to be 40-50 bucks, but they took it off the market and re-released at 80-100), Bakers (almost as good as Bookers), Wild Turkey Rare Breed, Russell's Reserve, Evan Williams 10 yr, and Buffalo Trace.

 

[BarrelProof]

Barrelproof's recommendations are solid. I would add Willett, Jefferson's, Elmer T. Lee, and Michter's to it. Not a huge Knob Creek fan (it's good, not great), but their recent 2001 14 year offering (quite pricey at $130 here) is one of the better bourbons I've ever had.

Seconded. And if you find any Willett or Elmer T Lee and you decide against it, I’d gladly work something out with you to get my hands on it!

 

[crawdad]

What? No mention of Evan Williams Black Label? Fer shame...

Now, Elijah Craig Small Batch...one of the best.

 

[Sonorisis]

Yup, Evan Williams. Independent distillery. Don't let the very reasonable price of this whisky chase you away. Hits WAY above its weight. Smooth. Only the very most expensive, top-shelf labels are better and, then, not by much.

 

[mawnansmiff]

Maker's Mark and Bulleit Frontier are excellent bourbons and Jim Beam Pre Prohibition is an excellent rye whiskey.

Woodford Reserve, Jim Beam Devil's Cut, Knob Creek and Wild Turkey 101 are also very good.

I found Four Roses to be just so so.

Regards,

Jay.

 

[agnosticpipe]

Yup, Evan Williams. Independent distillery. Don't let the very reasonable price of this whisky chase you away. Hits WAY above its weight. Smooth. Only the very most expensive, top-shelf labels are better and, then, not by much.

I drink Evan Williams Black Label all the time as I can seldom afford the top shelf stuff, and I find there's not much that will touch it at twice the price. I picked up a bottle of Jim Beam Black Label the other day and was not impressed, but George Dickel 12 year was pretty good.

 

[mawnansmiff]

"I drink Evan Williams Black Label all the time as I can seldom afford the top shelf stuff, "

I tried Evan Williams Black Label for the first time last night and can confirm, it's a cracking bourbon!

Regards,

Jay.

 

[jerseysam]

A lot of good suggestions....adding to the pile, here are some very consistent, shelf-available (in most places) bourbons/ryes:

Old Forester Prohibition 1920 -Ther are four 'date' releases (which are so far normal stoxking items). The 1920 is an excellent high-proof bourbon at a great price. I find this beats the pants off of most high-proofs you find on the shelf in terms of consistency. Can't recomend this enough for high-proof fans/curious.

Old Grandad 114- Similar vein to above, getting hit or miss for availability in some places.

Russells reserve Rye/Russell Reserve Bourbon (Wild Turkey) : Wild Turkey makes great bkurbin and its aged expressions just don't get picked over like other distilleries. 6 year (rye) and 10 year (bourbon) usually available in better-stocked stores. You can sub in Rare Breed here as well.

Maker Mark Cask strength- Great flavor in a higher-proof, if you take on the rocks it mellows naturally with the ice melting.

Bourbon, like pipe tobacco, is a natural product and can vary in taste/quality significantly in many of the "got to chase" big name single barrel releases. The above releases (to me) are consistent season after season with taste to rival 80%+ of the market.

 

[mawnansmiff]

"Wild Turkey makes great bkurbin"

They make great bourbon too. I'll have to keep my eye open for some bkurbin!

Regards,

Jay.?