what are you drinking right now ?

[macddmac]

[/QUOTE]
I've had the regular marg and the mango- not bad.
Cheers, Mac

 

[Adam]

I've had a couple of Sierra Nevada's 2015 Beer Camp. Not my favorite, but pretty darn good when ice cold. Not sure if I'll have more today, but there is plenty of beer in the fridge, so...probably.

 

[cpd]

If you're interested in trying Scotch, you can get a bottle of The MacAllan 12 year old for about $30.00. A very good and new to Scotch Scotch.

I agree Elijah Craig is an excellent bourbon. One of my favorites so far. I haven't tried the Eagle Rare yet, but it's on my list. So far anything I've had that has come from Buffalo Trace has been very good. I have had Knob Creek rye and liked it. At $30.00 a bottle, it's closer to my budget but I have heard good things about Whistlepig. Whistlepig is a Canadian blended (with U.S. whiskeys) whiskey and bottled in Vermont.

Oh I've tried my hand at scotch. I just don't like it as much as bourbon. And since life is so short I'm going to drink what I like! I will say of all the scotch's I've had I enjoy MacAllan the most. When my brother in law got married I bought a round of JW Blue. He followed with a round of MacAllan 25, which to my pallet was the hands down winner.

As for pappy, I just don't think bourbon is meant to sit in an oak barrel for that long. I have a bottle of last year's 23. Don't get me wrong, it's a cool bottle to own, and a fine bourbon, but after that long in an oak barrel it's hard to taste anything but wood. I like 15 year pappy better (which is also oakey). Now that I've said bourbon blasphemy out loud, I will repent and gladly accept any bottles of pappy you all don't want.

Anyway, my preference is 8-12 years. It depends on the bourbon, but I think that's the sweet spot.

Thanks for the correction on the origins of Whistlepig. I read Vermont on the bottle, opened it, drank, said yum, drank more, and stopped reading.

ImCloud, I will have to spend some time with Irish whiskeys. All I've really had are Jamison and bushmills shots at bars. Any recommendations to start?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Lately I've been drinking scotch, bourbons and whisk(e)ys. I found out I have a taste for these complex, in most cases anyway, type spirits. I started with a $10.00 bottle of Evan Williams 1783 which was very tasty. I moved up to $20.00 and got a bottle of Old Weller from Buffalo Trace. After the Old Weller, I knew my whiskey journey was on. I got a bottle of Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage, also very good, with a bit more complexity than what i had tried so far. Then, I got a bottle of Elijah Craig 12 year old bourbon for $25.00 and finished up, for now, with a $25.00 bottle of Larceny which I'm drinking now. The Elijah Craig is very, very good and so far my favorite.

I have had few scotches in between as well. New Years Eve I had a pour of The Macallan 12 year old. It was complex with smoke and salt flavors, yet a very affable scotch. I couldn't wait to take the next drink. I had a real peat bomb in Bruichladdich that I could hardly finish. A little to advanced for my palate.

For someone new to these brown liquors, I'm happy with all my choices so far. I'm looking forward to trying some Irish whiskeys that go beyond what is offered by the ubiquitous Jameson's. I've ordered a bottle of Red Breast 12 (same distillery as Jameson's) year old from my local liquor store and I'm looking forward to trying that.

Anyone else a brown liquor lover? Any suggestions on what to try? I found Ralfy and have come to trust his reviews.

I love browns. Scotch, bourbon and whiskey.
Maccalan 10 is very economical and good. My most favorite cheap boose is famous grouse. As for fancier stuff my favorite is Glenfidich 15 and 18. But 15 preferred.
On the rock bottom price bourbon my favorite is Bulleit. Its cheap and very good. My least favorite is very pitty and smoky stuff like Laphroaig

 

[psbfan9]

Oh I've tried my hand at scotch. I just don't like it as much as bourbon. And since life is so short I'm going to drink what I like! I will say of all the scotch's I've had I enjoy MacAllan the most. When my brother in law got married I bought a round of JW Blue. He followed with a round of MacAllan 25, which to my pallet was the hands down winner.

As for pappy, I just don't think bourbon is meant to sit in an oak barrel for that long. I have a bottle of last year's 23. Don't get me wrong, it's a cool bottle to own, and a fine bourbon, but after that long in an oak barrel it's hard to taste anything but wood. I like 15 year pappy better (which is also oakey). Now that I've said bourbon blasphemy out loud, I will repent and gladly accept any bottles of pappy you all don't want.

Anyway, my preference is 8-12 years. It depends on the bourbon, but I think that's the sweet spot.

Thanks for the correction on the origins of Whistlepig. I read Vermont on the bottle, opened it, drank, said yum, drank more, and stopped reading.

ImCloud, I will have to spend some time with Irish whiskeys. All I've really had are Jamison and bushmills shots at bars. Any recommendations to start?

I agree 100% with drink what you like. As a wine drinker, I've been told that I have no credibility because I drink a $6.00 bottle of Fetzer. I also had a $59.00 bottle of Bella's Garden Shiraz that I really enjoyed. Alcohol doesn't have to be expensive to be good.

I've heard that the 15 year old is the best bottling of the Pappy as well. I would like to find out for myself some day.
I really enjoyed a bottle of Evan Williams 1783, $10.00 locally, I believe that is 6 years old. Not an oak bomb, not too much heat, nice complexity. A good every day pour. It was very affable bourbon.
Wasn't trying to be a stickler on the Whistlepig but there has some controversy on the origins of some of these 'craft' bourbons.

I know you were asking ImCloud but some here some of the Irish whiskeys I've enjoyed; Powers, Red Breast 12, and Green Spot.

I'm drinking a 3 ounce pour of Larceny now. Hm, not sure why it came up sideways.

 

[Adam]

I agree 100% with drink what you like.

Woed. The tongue doesn't need to impress anyone else.

When you're drinking, dudes. Geesh.

Seriously, though - I absolutely agree. Drink what you like, not what someone else thinks you should like.

 

[cpd]

I agree 100% with drink what you like. As a wine drinker, I've been told that I have no credibility because I drink a $6.00 bottle of Fetzer. I also had a $59.00 bottle of Bella's Garden Shiraz that I really enjoyed. Alcohol doesn't have to be expensive to be good.

I've heard that the 15 year old is the best bottling of the Pappy as well. I would like to find out for myself some day.
I really enjoyed a bottle of Evan Williams 1783, $10.00 locally, I believe that is 6 years old. Not an oak bomb, not too much heat, nice complexity. A good every day pour. It was very affable bourbon.
Wasn't trying to be a stickler on the Whistlepig but there has some controversy on the origins of some of these 'craft' bourbons.

I know you were asking ImCloud but some here some of the Irish whiskeys I've enjoyed; Powers, Red Breast 12, and Green Spot.

I'm drinking a 3 ounce pour of Larceny now. Hm, not sure why it came up sideways.

View attachment 14659

My recommendation...go to Louisville or Lexington Kentucky in December/January. Every bar and restaurant has an amazing selection.

Thanks for the recs on Irish whiskeys.

It's Michters and vinyl for me tonight. I love Saturday!

 

[macddmac]

Good read on Craft Whiskey:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/07/28/your-craft-whiskey-is-probably-from-a-factory-distillery-in-indiana.html
Cheers, Mac

 

[slipperybidness]

Another ho- hum Friday night at my neighbors the wine is from his friends who own the happy hour trademark. Very drinkable Red Blend!
Drinkhappyhour.com
Cheers beotches!!

View attachment 14653

Pappy and Pliny!!!

Nothing ho hum about that!

 

[psbfan9]

A couple of my favorite sites for things related to alcohol;

A side project for Geoff Kleinman when he isn't writing for Whiskey Advocate. He covers all spirits here, not just the brown ones.

http://www.drinkspirits.com/

Whiskey Cast. A great site for all things whisk(e)y, bourbon, and Scotch.

http://whiskycast.com/

 

[lsiberian]

Beer is bad for you drink whiskey, I am right now, I unpacked my dentons and I am setting them up in my dining room drinking a glass of whiskey to help me sleep tonight..

I think you mean Beer is bad for you to drink without whiskey.

 

[Dan]

Lately I've been drinking scotch, bourbons and whisk(e)ys. I found out I have a taste for these complex, in most cases anyway, type spirits. I started with a $10.00 bottle of Evan Williams 1783 which was very tasty. I moved up to $20.00 and got a bottle of Old Weller from Buffalo Trace. After the Old Weller, I knew my whiskey journey was on. I got a bottle of Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage, also very good, with a bit more complexity than what i had tried so far. Then, I got a bottle of Elijah Craig 12 year old bourbon for $25.00 and finished up, for now, with a $25.00 bottle of Larceny which I'm drinking now. The Elijah Craig is very, very good and so far my favorite.

I have had few scotches in between as well. New Years Eve I had a pour of The Macallan 12 year old. It was complex with smoke and salt flavors, yet a very affable scotch. I couldn't wait to take the next drink. I had a real peat bomb in Bruichladdich that I could hardly finish. A little to advanced for my palate.

For someone new to these brown liquors, I'm happy with all my choices so far. I'm looking forward to trying some Irish whiskeys that go beyond what is offered by the ubiquitous Jameson's. I've ordered a bottle of Red Breast 12 (same distillery as Jameson's) year old from my local liquor store and I'm looking forward to trying that.

Anyone else a brown liquor lover? Any suggestions on what to try? I found Ralfy and have come to trust his reviews.

If you like Weller then wheated bourbon is for you. The cream is Pappy of course but now that is like buying 100K speakers. The price is way out of hand. I highly recommend Eagle Rare 10 year which is from the Buffalo Trace line. About $25 a fifth sometimes less. Real smooth not too sweet. There is also a 17 year Eagle Rare comes out in the fall and is not too hard to find but not worth it at double the price. If you like sweeter try Elmer T. Lee which is the same mash as Eagle but aged in the floor of the wharehouse while the Eagle is up on the fourth floor. The result is it is sweeter. Another fine one is the Bowman Bros. and John J. Bowman. If you like Weller, William Larue Weller comes out in the fall and is really good but tough to find. It usually takes a special order like Pappy.

If you have hair on your tongue as well as your chest, I like George T. Stagg which I think is as good as Pappy and is also getting tough to find. Special order in the fall too. Its cask strength at 141+ proof (yes 141.7 for my last fifth). It is actually best uncut. A Stagg night meant one to get used to the burn and a second to enjoy thoroughly. After that it gets pretty hazy... Easier to find is Stagg Jr. which is a little rougher, not aged as long. It is cut to a paltry 131 proof. Same comments as for the GT Stagg but a step down. Around 55 for a fifth but almost doble the alcohol too, Such a deal.

I think you will like all of the above better than any Elijah Craig, at least I do.

 

[Dan]

I have a friend who does a great cocktail blog called the staight up. www.drinkstraightup.com
It's all classic cocktails and lots of variants and history. He also has a tremendous collection of Pappy that he has shared generously. He taught me bourbon and I'm teaching him tequilla.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I have eagle rare 10. It's OK, just not my favorite

 

[psbfan9]

I have a friend who does a great cocktail blog called the staight up. www.drinkstraightup.com
It's all classic cocktails and lots of variants and history. He also has a tremendous collection of Pappy that he has shared generously. He taught me bourbon and I'm teaching him tequilla.

I've been to that blog before. It's informative and well written. Funny you mention classic cocktails. I just ordered Warren Bobrow's Apothecary Cocktails book. He also has a book whiskey cocktails that is supposed be good.
I have seen mixed reviews on the Eagle Rare, but it's on my list of 'to try'. Have you had Elijah Craig? Very good for the price.

As far as tequila, have you tried Camarena? It's good as a mixer and as sipper. Don't let the low price fool you, it's quality tequila. A fifth runs $15 - $17.00 in my area.

Here's a nice site for tequila; http://www.tequilagringo.com/

 

[lsiberian]

I for whiskey I like willet. I prefer cognac and rum to whiskey though. Remy Martin and El Dorado make my favorite liquors.

 

[Dan]

I have tried Willet Pot Still and I thought it was over rated for theprice. Willett Rye is excellent but I'm not a straight rye fan. Rye in cocktails is awesome especially a Manhattan or my new favorite an Albequerque okd fasioned. That's a classic old fashioned except the bitters are one quarter angostura, one quarter habanero and one half orange bitters. Spicy and sweet.

I have had bothe the 12 and 18 year Elijah Craig and while decent they are both rough around the edges with unpleasant bite. None of that for Eagle Rare, Lots of complex flavor.
Jefferson is good too but not as complex as the others I mentioned.

As far as tequila goes I'll need a lot more time for that post. It has replaced bourbon as my favorite now. Maybe in an hour or two if work slows down...

I'll tell Nick of the straight up I've run into a fan...

 

[Dan]

I haven't tried Camareno tequilla but I've tried a lot of others. A trip to San Diego last spring was very educational. One restaurant I went to in old town had a tequilla list of over two thousand including their own house brand. Total heaven.

I don't like blancos or the really dark heavily aged ones like Cuervo Riserva de Familia and Barrueco (?sp). I think thet might appeal more to scotch drinkers. My favorites are Casa Noble reposado and anejo. The single barrel is wonderful but pricey. Herradura is easy to find and a very good upland (drier more crisp than the valley grown). I also like Arette and Cava d Oro. The latter is very sweet like a brandy. Clase Azul reposado is fantastic. Their extra anejo is too astronomically priced for me. It is in Pappy territory.

I also like Don Roberto anejo which is very reasonable. Chinaco anejo and Fortaleza anejo are both excellent as is the Fortaleza reposado. I've yet to have a Patron that I liked and they were all too expensive. For selection although not price the tequilla super store on line is hard to beat.

 

[afterlife2]

Tiny Glass Of This--- Boston Blackberry brandy:

 

[psbfan9]

I've ordered from these guys a few times when I can't find something locally and everything has gone better than expected. Service, packaging, everything has been great. They ship to most states and have an excellent selection.

http://www.hitimewine.net/home.php

http://www.hitimewine.net/Email-Specials.html