Whisky/Bourbon: Any taste good on the rocks?

[JEDI]

Jim Beam/Jack Daniels/Maker's Mark/Woodford Reserve/Bulleit- All taste harsh to me on the rocks.
I need to mix it with something, usually a version of Coke (coke/diet/zero).

What Whisky/Bourbon have you tried that doesnt taste harsh when drank straight?

 

[lxskllr]

Cold kills the taste. I'm more into scotch and Irish, but I like Knob Creek a lot. Michter's rye is good too.

 

[MrSquished]

Basil Hayden makes a pretty good sipping bourbon. There are plenty of choices, really depends on your price point.

 

[shortylickens]

I prefer it straight, with a coke chaser.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

Beam Apple is killer stuff. They have a Peach and Cherry too, but Apple is best. The flavor takes the edge off. No need for brown sugary fizzy paint thinner.

 

[K1052]

I would not drink any of those neat or even on the rocks. Might use Woodford or Makers in a cocktail but that's it.

My minimum for neat is probably Four Roses small batch and similar but I really prefer good cask strength whiskey which is probably too stout for most here.

 

[BoomerD]

I can't drink bourbon...or Jack. I almost killed myself with two fifths of Bourbon Supreme when I was a teenager. Even now, just the smell makes me want to puke.

Scotch, Irish, even Canadian whiskies...fine. I like Crown Royal....neat, on the rocks, in a cup of coffee...

 

[shortylickens]

Gentleman Jack is a lot smoother than regular Jack. But still not easy to sip or chug.
I've had very expensive smooth whisky and while I appreciate the difference I just dont care enough to spend the extra money. Johnnie Walker Blue is a good example.
It aint bad, but you need to be very wealthy to enjoy it more than once or twice a year.

 

[lxskllr]

Johnnie Walker Black is more affordable, and still good. Even better, checkout some of Compass Box's offerings. They have a couple blended whiskies that are priced slightly higher than JW Black(~$35), but are a big step up in flavor.

 

[Fenixgoon]

I just got a Suntory Toki japanese whiskey and really enjoyed it on the rocks.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Maker's is my go-to and I like it on the rocks. Sounds like you're doing it wrong (no offense). The thing is, the ice melts and if you balance your sips with the water coming off the ice, you can make it easier to sip of you aren't into 45% abv coming across the tongue. If you need to start by mixing with coke, then go to rocks after you loosen up.

A lot of people prefer Blanton's neat.... mainly because it's about $60 for a 375ml bottle. It's made by Buffalo Trace and Ancient Age from BT is the same grain bill as Blanton's....only aged 6 years, so it's not nearly as mature....but decent for mixing. $22 per 1.75L bottle here. If you find Ancient Age 10 year, buy it. I've heard it's pretty close.

I like bourbon more in the winter months and can go through a lot of it. I need to stock up again.

 

[pete6032]

Eagle Rare

 

[uclaLabrat]

Woodford only good for cocktails? Dafuq?

I drink all those neat. Bookers is great neat as well but it'll put hair on your chest.

 

[BurnItDwn]

The most drinkable bourbon I have ever tried is the regular 80 proof Four Roses
Its relatively inexpensive, and i think much more "newbie friendly" than most other Bourbons.

If Bourbon has too much burn or is like fire, you may want to avoid Rye as they tend to be more spicy/robust.
I never really developed a taste for Irish or Canadian Whiskey, so can't recommend anything there. My brother in law loves his Jameson.
I LOVE super peaty Smokey scotches like Laphroaig, But, they are not for everyone. I tried one on a whim, and immediately loved it.

 

[PianoMan]

Woodford’s my go-to neat glass of bourbon if I’m at a non-whiskey bar with a limited selection - it’s an easy find and most bars usually have it.

If u can find it though, Blanton’s my sought after sip.

Currently working through a WhistlePig Small Batch bottle at home in my rotation (good!). Before that was Bulleit Cask Strength (drinkable, but not my fave), and before that was Maker’s straight.

Have u tried Screwball? Whiskey buffs probably scorn it, but I keep a bottle handy to break from the straight stuff. It’s enjoyable - pre-made cocktail.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

^^^ Dude, nobody cares about your TappyToes obsession.

 

[stargazr]

+1 for Four Roses

 

[KB]

You should be able to drink all of those neat, except maybe Jim Beam 4 years old. Maybe whiskey isn't your thing? Branch out into aged Rum for a sweeter, softer finish.

 

[K1052]

Woodford only good for cocktails? Dafuq?

You heard me.

I drink all those neat.

Gah.

Bookers is great neat as well but it'll put hair on your chest.

Anybody mixing Bookers should get their pinky finger chopped off.

 

[PianoMan]

^^^ Dude, nobody cares about your TappyToes obsession.

Crap - new iPad. Post fixed.

 

[dullard]

The first sip of anything is probably going to taste harsh--even the quality stuff. You need to get past that. The second sip should ideally be as smooth as possible. If the second sip isn't smooth, then you need to upgrade your whisky. A splash of water can help open up flavors and also remove the harshness.

I tend to drift from brand to brand and don't really have a favorite. Makers 46 and Four Roses tend to come up frequently in my rotation of things that can be purchased just about anywhere. There are some nice scotches and bourbons to recommend but right now the bourbon market is just ridiculous, just about anything good requires a raffle and a prayer.

 

[BudAshes]

I just got a Suntory Toki japanese whiskey and really enjoyed it on the rocks.

I agree on the Japanese whisky being good on ice.

Scotch doesn't work well with ice very well. Add a tiny bit of water and that's it.

 

[PianoMan]

just about anything good requires a raffle and a prayer

Truth spoken.

Ah, and I forgot in my original post (with TappyToes! no longer): +1 for Four Roses; consistently good stuff.

 

[nakedfrog]

Maybe try some Irish whiskey? Jameson isn't too pricey, and is smooth.

Basil Hayden makes a pretty good sipping bourbon. There are plenty of choices, really depends on your price point.

That was the first one I thought of too.

 

[biostud]

I only drink liquor neat or some whiskeys with a few drops of water.

I haven't explored American whisky that much, but generally you have to go above a certain budget if you actually want something that tastes good neat. If you use ice it is generally to water it down or cool it down so it doesn't taste as bad.

But as some has already suggested try buying a good rum (not a drink mixer} instead, it is a lot smoother and might be more to your liking.