Hard Drinkers, Lets Drink Hard (Spirits, Liquors and Cocktails)
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Also wheated: Makers Mark, Weller (multiple brands), Larceny (almost certainly same juice as Rebel Yell, they are both distilled at heaven hill), Bernheims (actually a wheat whiskey)
Those are off the top of my head
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I didn't say Weller because they're all under Buffalo Trace. Larceny is Heaven Hill,and Rebel Yell is made by Luxco,both wheaters ,but I doubt that it's the same juice.
Hmm the info I had a while back had RY being distilled at HH, although these things are often purposely obfuscated and can change. Also possible the info I had was wrong. True about weller and BT but not all that helpful for someone actually looking for a bottle, given that BT is both the distillery and a bottle you can buy. Liquor store employees vary widely in knowledge (and giving a fuck) and bourbon brands require more folk knowledge than most things you can buy.
I steer clear of “finished bourbons” (which are not legally bourbon any more). It’s usually a way for a label to take someone else’s distillate and “add value” but I’m happier when the bourbon has value because it’s an awesome bourbon. That’s not to say they’re all bad, but not worth it for me. I’m far more likely to take a flier on a straight bourbon I’ve never heard of. But to each his own. If you find a finished bourbon you like then drink away!
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I totally agree with you,as I went through a stage where I was drinking bourbons that were finished and sometimes sourced. I have come back to the point that I mainly want to drink bourbons unfinished and from the source. Smooth Ambler and High West being exceptions to that rule. I also agree that not many liquor store employees are very bourbon knowledgeable.
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Had to check this out before I posted,but Four Roses doesn’t use any Wheat in their bourbon recipes. They’re predominantly 75% corn which is what gives it the sweetness. The main distilleries that use Wheat are, Buffalo Trace,Makers,Luxor(Rebel Yell),and Barton(1792) Pikesville Rye uses corn as it’s secondary grain,which makes it sweeter than most Ryes. It’s my current favorite.
Yeah, not sure where I (mis-)/read that re: Four Roses, though I stand by it being nice and smooth for the money.
I have liked low rye, unwheated mashes for bourbons, and straight rye for rye best, generally speaking. I like for the two spirits to be distinct from one another and value the distinctions.
Not sure if anyone mentioned Tennessee whiskey as another option for smooth "bourbon." The charcoal filtering may/may not do the trick for whomever posted the initial question.
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I totally agree with you,as I went through a stage where I was drinking bourbons that were finished and sometimes sourced. I have come back to the point that I mainly want to drink bourbons unfinished and from the source. Smooth Ambler and High West being exceptions to that rule. I also agree that not many liquor store employees are very bourbon knowledgeable.
I’m a high rye fan and think MGP does a phenomenal high rye bourbon. As you probably know, until very recently MGP didn’t even have a house brand. So, sourced brands were actually the only way to get it. I now seek out their amazing Remus Repeal Reserve, but I don’t have the dim view of sourcing that I once did. As you mentioned High West does a great job. That said, if you eschew sourced bourbons entirely you are left with no shortage of products to choose from. My only wish is that they’d be forced to be more transparent about it, and that they couldn’t label with a fictitious distillery name that has no actual distillation capability.
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At the end of the day,I just, flat out ,love bourbon. I cast a pretty wide net as far as my current bourbon tastes go. I find myself looking for value,and would much rather spend $450 on a pair of jeans,than a bottle of overhyped whiskey. One of my local liquor stores participates in the barrel programs that some of the distilleries offer,where they go down to KY and pick out barrels of bourbon that they like and the distillery bottles it for them. They get a barrel every year from Four Roses,Eagle Rare,Makers,Woodford and Old Forester. They sell them for really reasonable prices. $34.99 for their single barrel Eagle Rare and $49.99 for their bottle of Four Roses.They’re always really good,and sometimes great. Years ago I fell for the Templeton Rye story,and while it was good I felt stupid. Smooth Ambler is transparent about sourcing their whiskey,and I was really excited when they finally had their own product. Unfortunately it wasn’t very good. Been enjoying this thread.
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I'm enjoying reading all of your posts. I don't know much about the technicalities of bourbons (yet). The past few months, as the ipas have been killing my gut, I've switched to bourbons because I prefer them so much more to any other spirit.
I was given this as a gift this past weekend from my brother-in-law, who works for a major distributor in the Boston area.
He said it's 100% organic wheat, distilled by the brand, off the coast of Washington. Definitely on the sweeter side, but nothing crazy like that maple I posted. Definitely enjoyed it this weekend.
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@Yogi217 crazy that you have that bottle! I used to live on Bainbridge island in the mid 90s when I was in middle school. Last Christmas (2017) we visited my in-laws in Seattle and I picked up a bottle of their Douglas Fir gin. Apparently they have to clip the buds directly into the alcohol to preserve the flavor. So it’s clear these guys go the extra mile with their offerings.
I didn’t actually get the opportunity to visit the distillery but I hope to some day. I did get to visit copperworks (in downtown Seattle) and brought back some gin from them as well. I almost always try to visit a distillery or brewery when I go somewhere.
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@tvenuto that is crazy!
I’ll have to try that gin. After whiskey, gin is a good second choice for me.
I have a crazy father-in-law who was a chemist by trade and was the head of various R&D departments for personal care products like shampoo, etc. Well… anyway, now in retirement, he makes his own gin on Cape Cod. I’ll have to get him a bottle for us to share (via my brother-in-law).
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So my brain trust…. I am headed to London next week. I will be staying just outside in Virginia Water (in Surrey). In the US, when I go to the bar, I have my go-to bourbons and whiskies (Bulliet Makers, etc - the standards you can find anywhere as well as my Jamesons).
What should I order when I am abroad? I am guessing more in line with scotches and whiskies of that region....
Or any UK gins I should be looking at?
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Blantons makes 2 bourbons especially for the European market. Straight from the Barrel Blantons,which is 130 proof,and a Gold Top bottle,which is just slightly stronger and richer tasting than it’s comparable American counterpart. The Gold Top might be easier to find,and a bit cheaper. I’ve had them both,and I prefer the Gold Top. Good Luck.
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Smith & Cross daiquiri
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So I’ve discovered that my liquor cabinet grows at a 5:1 ratio to my liquor library.
This is the life I chose…
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From the book Smugglers Cove, which I can highly recommend if you are into tiki drinks. They’re not actually very complicated and he gives you a very good framework behind the recipes. His separation of runs into various categories is especially helpful (also a great excuse to buy lots of rums).
