Bourbon Pro's - step inside if you will...

[xaugievike]

So, short story made long - Im kinda coming around to Bourbon/Whiskey/even Scotch. Some poor (but awesome) decision making in my youth have long scared me in these areas. But, a persistent friend...along with some understanding that it's ok to add ice and water (and maybe even a lot of both) have me kind of digging these spirits. When it comes to beer I can pretty much drink pure diesel across all styles outside of sours (ironically, my better half has stumbled into, and fallen in love with, Gose's).

so anyway....last night, on aforementioned friends recommendation, I cracked a Johnny Walker Green and was positively blown away by how smooth it was. Im pretty sensitive to the "burn" of most booze - including wine - so when that JW Green went down without a fuss (and the ice hadn't even melted yet!) I became a believer.

Wondering if anyone can recommend a bourbon that goes down as smooth as that Green Scotch did? I liked the smooth smokieness of that drink. I'd like to find it's Oakey/sweet/vanilla bourbon counterpart.

Looking forward to your recommendations.

[Jhirshon]

Woodford Reserve!

[treesmacker]

Yeah, that is good.

[Jon Liebers]

woodford reserve double oak

[Steve B]

Oh Huskee

[Huskee]

JW Green is by far my favorite cost-to-flavor JW out there, great choice!

It will be rare to find a bourbon as 'smooth' as a Scotch. Bourbon is aged in new oak barrels, which tends to lend a spicy cinnamon kick to most. Scotches are aged in used bourbon barrels, so they're typically less spicy. There are exceptions, but that's kinda standard.

I second Woodford, but I'd add that Woodford's Double Oaked is very special, smooth, caramelly, tastes like a Werther's.

Some other notable (and relatively smooth) bourbons, IMO, are Eagle Rare, Elijah Craig, and E.H. Taylor.

Also, you'd probably really enjoy looking into some Japanese whiskies. They do theirs more like Scotch, but it can't be called Scotch of course. Toki & Hibiki are 2 I have experience with and I think both are excellent. Smoother than bourbon.

Irish whiskey, while not my personal favorites, might be worth a try as well. To me they taste like someone poured vodka into my bourbon. Alcohol burn, but not spicy. Muted flavors compared to a bourbon. Tullimore Phoenix is a notable one, and Jameson Caskmates is better than standard Jameson IMO.

[dahcopilot]

IMO, peat is overrated. A whisper is good, but I don't like my scotch tasting burnt. Mcallan 12, blue or red, have just a hint. Both are very smooth. If you want smooth with complex, single malt is the way to go.

[Huskee]

dahcopilot I'm with you. I like smoke in my food (but not cheese), and not in my glass.

[dahcopilot]

Here's a good rule of thumb, under $10 cigar, bourbon. Over $10 cigar, scotch. Huskee, you are welcome to our next tasting!

[Mr. Bones]

My nightly beddie-bye shot is usually Buffalo Trace, Knob Creek, or Maker's Mark, neat...

I'd haveta imagine that any of them, over some ice, and / or water, would be delightful to ya...

To further confound yer choices, quite often, I mix a wee dram, half n half, of any two of th above...some are more than th sum of th parts, an most delightful, to me...

I also very much like Knob Creek Rye, Jim Beam Black, Extra Aged, Woodford Reserve...

Jameson's, Tullamore Dew, Bushmills, solves my desire fer Irish Whiskey, most usually enjoyed in some weekend Irish Coffee, sometimes accompanied by a liberal glug of Bailey's Irish Cream.

I jus recently bought some Redemption, an some Jim Beam Repeal Batch. Th former seemed kinda immature upon openin, but I been givin it some time to breathe, an likin it better, since I opened it, long boutta month back.
Th latter, I jus got a few days ago, haven't cracked th seal yet...

[klflowers]

+1 for Buffalo Creek.

[texastweeter]

how do you get a bottle to last a week? I have a hard enough time getting it to last more than say 2 days...lol.

[Mr. Bones]

texastweeter Easy, I jus put a nipple on th bottles...

Different story, when I was younger...

[Willy]

I'm gonna put in kudos for tequila--specifically well-aged anejo. I am no expert and I can't recommend brands, but the anejos I've tasted are always very smooth.

[obiQsmoker]

+1 Attjack on Casmigos. Smooth without typical tequila burn.
A relative recently introduced me to this recipe - best Margarita I’ve had/made so far:
In a shaker over ice: - Shake and enjoy:
1.5 Shots Casamigos Resposado
3/4 Shot Fresh Lime Juice
1/4 Shot Fresh Orange Juice
1/2 Shot Agave Nectar

[texastweeter]

Even after my infamous cinco de mayo tequilla video, i cant stand the stuff, lol.

[Mr. Bones]

Please, do be certain to try th Espolón Reposado...

Not a big Tequila guy, but have participated in many lengthy blind tastes of exceptional brands, due entirely to a departed childhood friend/ Roadhouse owner....

Nice to have a Son who doesn't drink, as a DD...
One of th rare times in a decade or two, my Son went neck n neck, at Jesse's kind offerins.

Wowzers!

[SMO]

I am a Wild Turkey guy but do like a bourbon that I would recommend for your requirements; Four Roses blended or single barrel. (not a fan of the standard Four Roses). It is nice neat or on ice with a pleasant after taste.

[klflowers]

Four Roses Single Barrel is surprisingly good, I think.

[texastweeter]

Was it the orignal formulation of green with the cork top that they stopped bottling in 2011, or is it the new screw top run? I kerp the cork top, you can kerp the screw top, lol. As far as the bourbon goes, try Jack Daniels Single Barrell Select. That is my EDH...Every Day Hooch

[lostclusters]

I have tried most of what is mentioned here but I still pay extra for Wild Turkey Rare Breed Barrel Proof. It makes a GREAT Old Fashion. I have Buffalo Trace, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, Bulleit, Gentleman Jack, and Wild Turkey 101. When my Rare Breed runs out I promptly go out and get another, it's that good!

[Santamarina]

I’m a Wild Turkey guy too. Rare Breed is my favorite. Kentucky Spirit is close behind. And there’s always a bottle of 101 in my liquor cabinet (it’s been on sale at my local market for over a year!).

A Rare Breed Old Fashioned is truly a wonderful drink!

[Steve R.]

You want smooth bourbon? Angel's Envy.

[Huskee]

Never been a fan. Wife & I tried it on a couple different occasions and the bottle sat unloved and used for mixers both times...I know, that's heresy for AE fans!

[Steve R.]

Try it again, Huskee. And then send the unused portion to me!

[treesmacker]

While not a bourbon, George Dickel 12, for a rasonable price...
ickle https://www.mensjournal.com/food-dri...hisky-w211653/
Fun to say also

[Huskee]

+1

[aladdin4d]

If you have an inner geek you get to put it in a powder horn bottle and call it Saurian Brandy too!

[texastweeter]

Technically it IS a bourbon. it just goes through one more step, the Luncoln county process where it is charcoal filtered. All Tennessee whiskies are bourbons, but not all bourbons are Tennessee whisky.

[Santamarina]

A couple years ago my wife started buying me a nice bottle of Scotch for Father’s Day (yeah, she’s a keeper!). The first year was The Balvenie 15 year single barrel. This year it was The Glenlivet 18. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy either one again. Can’t wait to see what shows up next year!

[Jon Liebers]

suggest Balvenie caribbian cask

[Huskee]

The Balvenie is special stuff, they don't make a bad bottle!

[Tax Man]

Another vote for Wild Turkey Rare Breed-smooth is the word. Also Maker's Mark 46. I like my bourbon in a lowball glass full of ice. Let it sit for a few minutes after pouring.

[Paladin1953]

You want smooth bourbon? Angel's Envy.

Ditto from Missouri!

[badf00d]

How to drink whiskey like a sir: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVG1U-faqHY

[SMO]

Thanks for the link. I watched a couple of clips and actually learned something!