Recommend a cheaper bourbon

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lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
59,608
10,113
126
What's the rye difference? Bourbon does use a good amount of rye but the mash has to be greater than 50% corn.

It has a very unique flavor. I can't detail it, as I'm not the biggest fan, but it's pretty different from bourbon. It's more strongly flavored, grainier, and a bit more oily. Rye is to bourbon, as Islay scotch is to highland scotch if you have any familiarity. Years ago, rye was very big in MD and PA. That's where Pikesville rye came from. It used to be a MD spirit, but I believe it's distilled in VA now.
 

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
59,608
10,113
126
Hm, maybe that's what I don't like about Canadian whiskey.

I don't like Canadian whiskey. It may have a high rye content, but I wouldn't call it rye. Canadian whiskey's too sweet for my taste, and it strikes me as kind of thin. I haven't had one yet I really liked. Everybody should try a pure American rye though. It's a classic style, and even if you don't end up liking it, it should be tried for the experience.
 

Turin39789

Lifer
Nov 21, 2000
12,218
8
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Old Forester. It's one of my favorite bourbons regardless of price.

Another Kentuckian chiming and in and agreeing with this. Old Forester is my budget/mixing bourbon. If you're going to throw coke or anything other than water or ice in with your bourbon you aren't (imho) going to taste much of a difference between the cheaper ones and the top shelf.

Woodford is good for a try but thats not much of a step from knob(but iirc basil is priced higher than both but I haven't bought it in some time). The Buffalo Trace people are also doing a lot of interesting things with their product under different labels.

What's a good rye?

Van Winkle makes a decent rye, its actually their only "affordable" product that I have found. Jim Beam makes a yellow label, those are the two I remember from a few years ago when I was trying every rye on the shelf(not too many to choose from). There are several newer ones out now, though they are hitting a bit of a trendy wave and some are demanding a real price premium.
 

Turin39789

Lifer
Nov 21, 2000
12,218
8
81
Old grandad was my other cheap bourbon back in the day. I really didn't mind it/liked it some but it was also one my roomates wouldn't get into. Especially the bonded 100 proof. I think they have some new higher priced offerings but I haven't been there in years.
 

Jadow

Diamond Member
Feb 12, 2003
5,962
2
0
Don't buy Evan Williams! I switched from Jack to EW thinking I could handle it.

Well, I drank my normal amount for a Monday night, and the EW had me with a massive headache and puking my guts up.
 

nakedfrog

No Lifer
Apr 3, 2001
62,129
17,932
136
I don't like Canadian whiskey. It may have a high rye content, but I wouldn't call it rye. Canadian whiskey's too sweet for my taste, and it strikes me as kind of thin. I haven't had one yet I really liked. Everybody should try a pure American rye though. It's a classic style, and even if you don't end up liking it, it should be tried for the experience.

I've had rye vodka (Sobieski) and liked that. I'd be open to trying an American rye.
 

nakedfrog

No Lifer
Apr 3, 2001
62,129
17,932
136
Don't buy Evan Williams! I switched from Jack to EW thinking I could handle it.

Well, I drank my normal amount for a Monday night, and the EW had me with a massive headache and puking my guts up.

I've never had that problem with Evan.
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
66,037
14,444
146
Bourbon Supreme...

IIRC, it's about $4,95 for a 5 gallon bucket...




I haven't drank ANY bourbon since I tried to drink 2 fifths of Bourbon Supreme when I was MUCH younger. Dammed near killed me, and just the smell of bourbon makes me want to vomit.


"Rye whiskey, rye whiskey, rye whiskey I cried,

If I don't get rye whiskey, I surely will die."