You have $40 for a sipping scotch/whiskey/bourbon...what do you buy?

[vi edit]

Looking to expand my whiskey horizons a bit. Jameson is usually my "go to" whiskey for pouring over ice, but I want to try some other things.

I lean more towards the smoothness of Irish and less smoky bite than Jack.

Some buds are coming over next weekend for some cards and gaming and need something different to pour.

What say you oh boozehounds of ATOT?

 

[bfdd]

Well I would probably get a bottle of Russian Standard seeing as it is my favorite vodka.

 

[LumbergTech]

4 bottles of early times

http://www.bevmo.com/Shop/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=1989

 

[GagHalfrunt]

If you find Jack smokey go for a real bourbon rather than a Tennessee sour mash whiskey. Maker's Mark is fairly mild.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Wild Turkey Rare Breed is my spirit of choice in that price range. I make sure our firm's liquor cabinet is always stocked with Rare Breed so I can tip one back after work.

 

[vi edit]

If you find Jack smokey go for a real bourbon rather than a Tennessee sour mash whiskey. Maker's Mark is fairly mild.

Any comments on the "regular" Makers vs. the "46" stuff they have? I've seen the "46" bottles at Sams for around $30. A normal bottle is around $20.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Any comments on the "regular" Makers vs. the "46" stuff they have? I've seen the "46" bottles at Sams for around $30. A normal bottle is around $20.

If memory serves the 46 is aged longer in barrels containing free-floating seared oak staves. It's a little more complex than standard Maker's and I think it's somewhat higher proof. I still think the Wild Turkey family is more satisfying in overall flavor and scent, and vastly prefer Rare Breed to 46, but Maker's is my go-to if a bar doesn't have Wild Turkey. As a side point, I personally think standard Wild Turkey 101 is superior not only to Jack Daniels but also to Maker's, which is considerably more expensive.

 

[vi edit]

Thanks Don. I'll grab a bottle of the 101 variety of WT and give that a shot.

I've got a bottle of a local cult favorite coming to me from one of my friends so that will see some glass time...but I'll want to save most of that for the rest of the winter.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Templeton_Rye

 

[DingDingDao]

Balvenie Doublewood in that price range.

 

[Nobuo]

Skip all of that, and get some good, strong (60 proof or better) limoncello. There is no better sipping drink!

 

[child of wonder]

Highland Park 12 year
Johnnie Walker Black
Glenmorangie 10 year (old style if you can find it, the new isn't as good)

 

[Turin39789]

blantons is a smooth bourbon, and obligatory give woodford a try.

 

[vi edit]

Skip all of that, and get some good, strong (60 proof or better) limoncello. There is no better sipping drink!

While I'm certain it's quite refreshing...it's not what I'm interested in when it's 0 degrees F outsite. A lemony drink would be more of a warmer weather flavor to me.

 

[Madwand1]

Redbreast?

 

[SaDiZTiKStyLeZ]

Fuck those.
There's bottles of sake & beer that are just shy of $40 at this local liquor store. Would like to try them, one day.

 

[dainthomas]

http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=620111&cid=TPV-Googlebase

This made for a fantastic after ski beverage on New Years Eve down in Sunriver.

 

[gophins72]

are you near a costco that sells liquor? they have some decent selection at good prices

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Big fan of:

Woodford Reserve
Knob Creek
Wild Turkey: Rare Breed
Russels Reserve
Bulleit Bourbon

 

[lxskllr]

A bunch of good suggestions so far. I'll add Black Bush, and 1800 Anejo tequila for something different. Do yourself a favor and quit the Jamesons. Almost every Irish at every price range is better than standard Jamesons. Some of their high end products are drinkable, but poor value for what you get.

 

[Spikesoldier]

at $40 i would probably grab the johnny black.

 

[PrinceofWands]

I like some kick to what I drink, so I'd pick up a bottle of Knob Creek. Love that stuff.

 

[Squisher]

If memory serves the 46 is aged longer in barrels containing free-floating seared oak staves. It's a little more complex than standard Maker's and I think it's somewhat higher proof. I still think the Wild Turkey family is more satisfying in overall flavor and scent, and vastly prefer Rare Breed to 46, but Maker's is my go-to if a bar doesn't have Wild Turkey. As a side point, I personally think standard Wild Turkey 101 is superior not only to Jack Daniels but also to Maker's, which is considerably more expensive.

Jack Daniels is not a bourbon, it is a sour mash whiskey. It tastes nothing like normal whiskeys or bourbons. I am not a fan.

It has been so long since I've drank Wild Turkey (30 years?) I'd be willing to revisit it. Maker's 46 or Jameson is my normal whiskey drink. The 46 has a little more bite to it than regular Maker's, but I like that.

 

[angminas]

Old Forester is the best bourbon I've ever tried, and for only $17 a bottle. I find it notably better than Wild Turkey 101, Maker's Mark, Knob Creek, Jim Beam Black, H.L. Weller, Bulleit, Elijah Craig, Jeremiah Weed, Old Charter 12...but I have not yet tried Woodford.

In Scotch, Glenlivet is a crowd-pleaser. Very smooth and mild.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Jack Daniels is not a bourbon, it is a sour mash whiskey. It tastes nothing like normal whiskeys or bourbons. I am not a fan.

It has been so long since I've drank Wild Turkey (30 years?) I'd be willing to revisit it. Maker's 46 or Jameson is my normal whiskey drink. The 46 has a little more bite to it than regular Maker's, but I like that.

You're mistaken. Maker's Mark, Wild Turkey, Jim Beam, and most other mainstream bourbons are sour mash whiskys, as is Jack Daniels. The only reason Jack Daniels can't call itself a bourbon is that it is charcoal-mellowed. It absolutely tastes like bourbon because it is, for all intents and purposes, bourbon. Personally I don't care for it - the only reason I used it as a point of comparison to WT is that it's the most popular bourbon-style whisky and most people are familiar with it.

 

[lxskllr]

You're mistaken. Maker's Mark, Wild Turkey, Jim Beam, and most other mainstream bourbons are sour mash whiskys, as is Jack Daniels. The only reason Jack Daniels can't call itself a bourbon is that it is charcoal-mellowed. It absolutely tastes like bourbon because it is, for all intents and purposes, bourbon. Personally I don't care for it - the only reason I used it as a point of comparison to WT is that it's the most popular bourbon-style whisky and most people are familiar with it.

JD is Tennessee whiskey. That's a specific designation, and shared only with Dickel.