What bourbon is better/sweeter than Makers Mark?

[pmclaine]

You haven't met My Lady yet, or any others like her. (there aren't many, believe me she's RARE) My Lady drinks hers straight, and we enjoy our Bourbon selection. Once in a while I'll have some Dark Rum, or a good Vodka,,,, but she just enjoys the Bourbon's.

They're out there.... just gotta look real hard to find 'em.

And Crown Royal is made locally to us, and neither of us like that shit. Too sweet. Too mild. Too 'blah'....

Well she is Canadian......

I had my share of aunts visit from "Down east" that would drink tall glasses of Seagrams 7 with just enough ginger ale (Canada Dry) splashed in to prevent some sort of spontaneous combustion.

Should of appreciated those times more, it was like hanging out in a room full of "Queen Mums" yet I remember it like getting kissed by "The Joker".

 

[strat81]

Funny thing, I find devil's cut quite enjoyable.

Your taste buds are broken and your opinion is wrong.

 

[goosed]

Water? In my fucking likker?
GTFO of here.

If I try something new that is absolute shit, I will mix it with Ginger ale.
If I purchased well, it's good to go, room temp in a glass.

If you chill it, or ice it, or stone it, or water it, you might as well be drinking the shit that's so cheap, they wouldn't even burn it in a wharehouse insurance fire.

To those who would adulterate their glass I say:
Maybe you don't like bourbon, maybe you should be drinking Pepe Lopez tequila.

I don't chill whiskey in any form, but I do find that adding a few drops of water can be the key to finding your way past the alcohol taste and through the different layers of flavor. As do most whiskey judges, but if you prefer to just taste alcohol keep on keeping on

After all whiskey is meant to be enjoyed. Everyone should drink it in whatever manner that they most enjoy it.

 

[pmclaine]

Making Bourbon great again........

US hits Scotch whisky, Italian cheese, French wine with 25% tariffs

The U.S. Trade Representative's Office released a list of hundreds of European products that will get new tariffs, including cookies, salami, butter and yogurt

www.dailymail.co.uk

Screw the Scotch

although Balvenie Carribean Cask would be a candidate for what the OP seeks.

 

[Srgt. Hulka]

Ok, I spent my whole lunch hour reading through this thread, pulling up websites, doing a little bit of studying, and LMAO. For the last couple weeks, I have been wanting to start a thread similar to this. Looks like The German saved me the bandwidth.
I'm 57 years old, and have never bought a bottle of whiskey in my entire life. I was raised in a bar for several years, and as a kid, i saw what a bunch of drunks were like, and I decided early that I didn't want to be that.
But, here lately, the last 6-9 months, I've been thinking, that I'm getting closer to retirement, and I thinking that I just want a nice adult beverage to enjoy by myself, on a quiet Friday or Saturday night, after everyone else has gone to bed. Just me, the porch, (or the fire in the winter), and a nice easy drink. It's a lot less fattening than midnight snacks too.
But, I've had no idea where to start, or what to get for a first bottle. (I know it's not going to be EH Taylor, cause I ain't sucking no dick. )
You guys in this thread have made, what seems to be, a lot of good suggestions to think about. I will probably read through this thread again, narrow down the choices, compare costs, and head to the likker store.
Thanks guys.
Thanks The German.

 

[Soulezoo]

As a suggestion, since "new" to the game. A lot of bourbons or whiskey as a whole can be a little overwhelming for those who have had no previous experience with hard liquor.

A good smooth cognac like Remy 1738 or a nice sipping rum such as Diplimatico may condition the palate a little before going off the deep end. If nothing else, avoid high octane whiskey. Say over 100 proof. In fact stick to the 90 range where you are able.

Jack Daniels of all things is 80 proof. I'm not recommending that per se, but you get the point.

I think that you would be surprised at just how good a snifter of Diplimatico is in front of that fireplace. (There are many good sipping rums, that is just a primary example)

Ok, I spent my whole lunch hour reading through this thread, pulling up websites, doing a little bit of studying, and LMAO. For the last couple weeks, I have been wanting to start a thread similar to this. Looks like The German saved me the bandwidth.
I'm 57 years old, and have never bought a bottle of whiskey in my entire life. I was raised in a bar for several years, and as a kid, i saw what a bunch of drunks were like, and I decided early that I didn't want to be that.
But, here lately, the last 6-9 months, I've been thinking, that I'm getting closer to retirement, and I thinking that I just want a nice adult beverage to enjoy by myself, on a quiet Friday or Saturday night, after everyone else has gone to bed. Just me, the porch, (or the fire in the winter), and a nice easy drink. It's a lot less fattening than midnight snacks too.
But, I've had no idea where to start, or what to get for a first bottle. (I know it's not going to be EH Taylor, cause I ain't sucking no dick. )
You guys in this thread have made, what seems to be, a lot of good suggestions to think about. I will probably read through this thread again, narrow down the choices, compare costs, and head to the likker store.
Thanks guys.
Thanks The German.

 

[pmclaine]

Ok, I spent my whole lunch hour reading through this thread, pulling up websites, doing a little bit of studying, and LMAO. For the last couple weeks, I have been wanting to start a thread similar to this. Looks like The German saved me the bandwidth.
I'm 57 years old, and have never bought a bottle of whiskey in my entire life. I was raised in a bar for several years, and as a kid, i saw what a bunch of drunks were like, and I decided early that I didn't want to be that.
But, here lately, the last 6-9 months, I've been thinking, that I'm getting closer to retirement, and I thinking that I just want a nice adult beverage to enjoy by myself, on a quiet Friday or Saturday night, after everyone else has gone to bed. Just me, the porch, (or the fire in the winter), and a nice easy drink. It's a lot less fattening than midnight snacks too.
But, I've had no idea where to start, or what to get for a first bottle. (I know it's not going to be EH Taylor, cause I ain't sucking no dick. )
You guys in this thread have made, what seems to be, a lot of good suggestions to think about. I will probably read through this thread again, narrow down the choices, compare costs, and head to the likker store.
Thanks guys.
Thanks The German.

Try the EH Taylor. Its good stuff and "might" only cause dick sucking if you have too much of it.

Had some last night and it is starting to be tasty again.

I think I beat off the ghey.......I mean....never mind.

 

[pmclaine]

As a suggestion, since "new" to the game. A lot of bourbons or whiskey as a whole can be a little overwhelming for those who have had no previous experience with hard liquor.

A good smooth cognac like Remy 1738 or a nice sipping rum such as Diplimatico may condition the palate a little before going off the deep end. If nothing else, avoid high octane whiskey. Say over 100 proof. In fact stick to the 90 range where you are able.

Jack Daniels of all things is 80 proof. I'm not recommending that per se, but you get the point.

I think that you would be surprised at just how good a snifter of Diplimatico is in front of that fireplace. (There are many good sipping rums, that is just a primary example)

Loved me some grand marnier mixed with an Italian black coffee after a great dinner.

 

[Soulezoo]

Loved me some grand marnier mixed with an Italian black coffee after a great dinner.

You know, I enjoy Grand Marnier neat in a snifter. It doesn't have to be "just a liqueur".

 

[TheBigCountry]

Eagle Rare is quite good, though i hit the buffalo trace as my nightly.....I do love me some crown vanilla with diet ginger ale.......

Finding either in my neck of the woods now is a pain in the royal ass. I’ve been sticking to my Elijah until I can acquire some more Buffalo or Eagle.

 

[armorpl8chikn]

Loved me some grand marnier mixed with an Italian black coffee after a great dinner.

Jeee...zuss! Next you'll be telling us you puffed your turbo vape while drinking that Fru Fru shit.






?????


Marnier is damn good cold meddersin.

 

[armorpl8chikn]

Just sayin.
??

 

[Srgt. Hulka]

OK, well, that's two off my list. EH Taylor and Grand Marnier.

 

[pmclaine]

OK, well, that's two off my list. EH Taylor and Grand Marnier.

 

[leftyk82]

I think we are learning to buy our wives some E.H. Taylor.

 

[TACC]

Not sure how I missed this. Am glad I went through the posts.

Ill take you up on the offer if theres no Widow Jane in Vegas; currently it says 'limited availability' which means they have a bottle or two as they are good with their inventory and correctly list things as OOS.

The tasting notes including things like olive oil would probably not have me try it otherwise lol

Either way, thanks for the offer. Will let you know.

I have some Widow Jane getting cracked open this weekend, will see how it works out.

 

[lash]

Making Bourbon great again........

US hits Scotch whisky, Italian cheese, French wine with 25% tariffs

The U.S. Trade Representative's Office released a list of hundreds of European products that will get new tariffs, including cookies, salami, butter and yogurt

www.dailymail.co.uk

Screw the Scotch

although Balvenie Carribean Cask would be a candidate for what the OP seeks.

That’s going to bite into my scotch habit. I do like some bourbon, so may have to start depleting your supplies in favor of myself.

 

[RancherJD]

To add something different, Breckenridge Bourbon is very good.

 

[SilentStalkr]

Agreed. Noted it already, I think!

To add something different, Breckenridge Bourbon is very good.

 

[Soulezoo]

That’s going to bite into my scotch habit. I do like some bourbon, so may have to start depleting your supplies in favor of myself.

I've got a bottle of The Glenlivet 13 yo on it's way from Scotland as we speak. It's a bottle that can only be had at the distillery itself or in Taiwan.

 

[TheGerman]

So today's haul consisted of:

Four Roses Small Batch
Four Roses Single Barrel
Old Forrester Statesmen
Elijah Craig
Buffalo Trace
Basil Hayden
Wild Turkey Longbranch

and because my wife said to get some rum, I bought some Kraken.

Whoever said Longbranch may be onto something; tried some with a splash and I think I can acquire a taste for this. It's sweet with smoke, melon and smoke, will take a few but I can really like this.

On another note, a member here is sending me some Weller and Angel's Envy

 

[goosed]

So today's haul consisted of:

Four Roses Small Batch
Four Roses Single Barrel
Old Forrester Statesmen
Elijah Craig
Buffalo Trace
Basil Hayden
Wild Turkey Longbranch

and because my wife said to get some rum, I bought some Kraken.

Whoever said Longbranch may be onto something; tried some with a splash and I think I can acquire a taste for this. It's sweet with smoke, melon and smoke, will take a few but I can really like this.

On another note, a member here is sending me some Weller and Angel's Envy

Bump for updates.

Have we converted/corrupted you into a whiskey drinker yet???

 

[nikonNUT]

I'm an Islay guy but Blanton's might trip your trigger! And not a bourbon but you might try a wee dram of Lagavulin 16 y/o. Kind of sweet, smokey, and nice peat. Not strait up band aid like it's younger brethren...

 

[308pirate]

I think that you would be surprised at just how good a snifter of Diplimatico is in front of that fireplace. (There are many good sipping rums, that is just a primary example)

A rum aficionado.....................

Despite growing up in Puerto Rico I never did acquire a taste in rum until about 10 years ago (I'm 53). Took the family on a bareboat sail charter through the BVI back then. When we got to the boat and went below, they had a welcome gift waiting for us:

Ever since then I care not for bourbon instead choosing to try every rum I can think of. So far my favorites are that one, Goslings, and Bacardi Anejo.

Hit me with ideas of where to go next

 

[rhsc]

Hit me with ideas of where to go next

Never tried Pusser's, but Angostura 1824 and Ron Zacapa Edicion Negra are two pretty damn good sipping rums. In my neck of the woods they both run @ $60.00 a bottle but they're worth the toll.

 

[pmclaine]

A rum aficionado.....................

Despite growing up in Puerto Rico I never did acquire a taste in rum until about 10 years ago (I'm 53). Took the family on a bareboat sail charter through the BVI back then. When we got to the boat and went below, they had a welcome gift waiting for us:

View attachment 7172207

Ever since then I care not for bourbon instead choosing to try every rum I can think of. So far my favorites are that one, Goslings, and Bacardi Anejo.

Hit me with ideas of where to go next

Going to have to give that stuff a try if for no other reason than neat history.

 

[308pirate]

Going to have to give that stuff a try if for no other reason than neat history.

See if you can find the black label Gunpowder Proof. The blue label is 80 proof. The black label is the original RN issue 108 proof.

 

[johnnycat]

Hit me with ideas of where to go next

I took my son to Universal Orlando - at one of the hotels there is a Caribbean themed restaurants that serves "rum flights" - so we ate there two nights in a row! They have a great array of rums.

Two that stuck out are Mount Gay XO and Tres Madieras 5+5 px

 

[pmclaine]

See if you can find the black label Gunpowder Proof. The blue label is 80 proof. The black label is the original RN issue 108 proof.

Read a bunch on their site.

Sad to read of the end of long tradition on the rum issue but I can see it would make sense when ships went from running on muscle to running on electronics.

It will be getting cold in the NE soon maybe hot buttered rum will be my after shoveling drink.

 

[Sean the Nailer]

A rum aficionado.....................

Hit me with ideas of where to go next

I don't know about 'going there', but the Dominican Republic has the Brugal rum production. I don't care so much for the 'white' but I sure like the 'dark' and the 'amber' ain't bad either. The bottle is covered in a net.

 

[IronmanDaremo]

Being a "Grand Reserve" member with Total Wine, I got a bottle of 10 year Old Rip Van Winkle last year when they offered the Pappy line to that level member through their concierge sales. I realized too late that the sale had opened (I was sitting with my kid at the MVA to get his learner's permit), so I missed out on the higher end stuff as it had already sold out. Only cost me $90 or so. I realized after I had opened it to sip a month or two later, that sh-t sells for Over $600 on the open market!! I knew it was pricey, but jeezus!

So this year, they are not doing the first come, first served thing. They are sort of "raffling" it based on the points you've earned for the year. And then you provide a rank order of what you would like for a bottle if you make the cut. I'm hoping to get a Pappy 15 or 20 (between $150 - $200 for my cost) if I make the cut. I won't open it this time, but turn it around and sell that sh-t for a huge profit!

I prefer single malt scotches, but my go-to for bourbons would have to be Knob Creek or Maker's 46. They are a bit on the sweeter/smoother side, which is also my preference.

 

[Soulezoo]

A rum aficionado.....................

Despite growing up in Puerto Rico I never did acquire a taste in rum until about 10 years ago (I'm 53). Took the family on a bareboat sail charter through the BVI back then. When we got to the boat and went below, they had a welcome gift waiting for us:

View attachment 7172207

Ever since then I care not for bourbon instead choosing to try every rum I can think of. So far my favorites are that one, Goslings, and Bacardi Anejo.

Hit me with ideas of where to go next

The aforementioned Diplimatico is #1. Can't beat it for the price point. Plantation Barbados is number 2- younger and lighter. Ron Abuelo 12 year and Kirk and Sweeney 12 year as well. Best overall is Zacapa XO. But it's pricey.
Avoid Centenario and Flor de Cana. Not worth the time.

There are many good rums to choose from. The ones I listed are good starting points.

 

[Soulezoo]

With rum, different countries/islands will have their own unique profile. Distilling methods vary. Barreling methods vary. Sugar cane vs molasses... all these produce different nuances to appreciate. Enjoy the search for finding exactly what you like.

(Hint: I will bet you a shot of my 20 year old Pappy that it will NOT be Pusser's) ?

 

[pmclaine]

@TheGerman

Really liking Bulleit, green label, rye these days.

Lots of sweet to fulfill my carb free cravings.

Not bad at $35/750ml.

Pretty cool bottle with cork top to make you think you are John Wayne at the old west bar.

 

[bnanaphone]

The aforementioned Diplimatico is #1. Can't beat it for the price point. Plantation Barbados is number 2- younger and lighter. Ron Abuelo 12 year and Kirk and Sweeney 12 year as well. Best overall is Zacapa XO. But it's pricey.
Avoid Centenario and Flor de Cana. Not worth the time.

There are many good rums to choose from. The ones I listed are good starting points.

I have found the El Dorado 12 and 15 year rums to be extremely smooth with a lot of brown sugar, caramel and sweet notes. They are my favorites, but I have yet to try the Zacapa XO.

 

[Soulezoo]

I currently have the 15, the 12 is already gone and I have the 5 for mixing.

All good expressions.

 

[Nik H]

Rum??? Did we say Rum?

Havana Club 7 year - cheaper
Havana Club 15 year - Fucking awesome

Buy it whenever I travel outside the US

 

[Soulezoo]

@TheGerman

So after some years since your post, where has your journey taken you?

Sincerely curious. Many of the replies simply parroted their own preferences without taking into account what you identified as a flavor profile and completely ignorant as to how their recommendations (and how the mash bill of their recommendations affects flavor) were contradictory (not to mention not even in the same universe... Irish whiskeys or rum when you asked about bourbon... self absorbed idiots).

So, what have you found?

 

[nksmfamjp]

Makers basic is an amazing smooth drinking bourbon. Those people asking you to drink rye are nuts. Woodland…wow! Way off your flavor request. You want a wheated bourbon. You want one aged in a way that will Sweeten the flavor.
Try the Makers 46. Try it in the cask strength. Those extra 5 weeks with new staves add good flavor.
Then, step up….try Elijah Craig 18 yr or 23 yr. That will drive the “sweetness” scale up.

 

[Twins82]

Flat Boat at $24 a bottle is a great drink

 

[Lawless]

I normally keep Wild Turkey 101 but would like a sweeter bourbon to try. I am going to look for a bottle of the Larceny and the Old Forester Statesman. One thing I know is that my brother @armorpl8chikn knows likker. He sent me some secret squirrel rum one time that is unobtanium in the states.

 

[Major Wader]

Wathen's is smoother and slightly sweeter than Maker's.

Knob Creek Smoked Maple is even smoother and sweeter.

 

[HousePlant]

Casey Jones

 

[armorpl8chikn]

I normally keep Wild Turkey 101 but would like a sweeter bourbon to try. I am going to look for a bottle of the Larceny and the Old Forester Statesman. One thing I know is that my brother @armorpl8chikn knows likker. He sent me some secret squirrel rum one time that is unobtanium in the states.

Get some wild turkey Rare Breed....if you can find it.
Very nice.
Plain WT...meh.
OF 1897 (BIB)
OF 1920 (Prohibition)

All very good bourbon.
I can get all those down here for you pretty easy.

 

[thejeep]

Ten high

 

[n2ishun]

If only they made Makers Mark like they did when it first came out.
It was really good stuff those 2-3 first years.
Now, not so much, tastes about the same as Jim Beam regular or Seagrams VO.
Jim Beam black isn't bad....it's not anything exceptional, but it's not bad.

For Rum.
Anything made by Plantation is the shit.
The best they have is not expensive in relation to some overpriced fluff out there.
Look for the Xaymaca (different spelling for Jamaica).
It is without a doubt the best rum I have ever tasted....and I've tasted a bunch.

OUR RUMS — Plantation Rum

www.plantationrum.com

 

[vh20]

If only they made Makers Mark like they did when it first came out.
It was really good stuff those 2-3 first years.
Now, not so much, tastes about the same as Jim Beam regular or Seagrams VO.
Jim Beam black isn't bad....it's not anything exceptional, but it's not bad.

Um, if you can’t taste a HUGE difference between Maker’s and regular JB, you probably couldn’t tell the difference between either of those and kerosene either.

 

[JbBooks]

Fireweed
It’s a bourbon made by glacier distillery in coram Montana, best bourbon you’ll ever drink.

 

[Baron23]

bulleit bourbon has a sweet finish to my palette....but I'm not a sophisticated bourbon drinker.

 

[6.5SH]

Fireweed
It’s a bourbon made by glacier distillery in coram Montana, best bourbon you’ll ever drink.

Really surprised they got approval for that label. It is not Bourbon, it is Bourbon mixed with cherry brandy.