american whiskey

Drink it how you like it. I'm enjoying a nice Knob Creek right now (mid/low end for my tastes) with a bit of water to cut the harshness. If someone wants to look down at their nose at me for doing so, they're free to do so, and I'm free to consider them a pompous ass.

So have you found anything interesting lately? What is _your_ "everyday" American Whisky, if I may ask?

My "everyday" American Whisky is Old Forester, which I cut my teeth on some

53 years ago. I like it with Tokaji back. My special occasion American Whisky is Elijah Craig, with water back. If someone wants to look down their nose at me for doing so, they're free to do so.

i've been on a month long search. i'm liking what i've found so far. it's intersting that the first bottle i tried was knob creek. i thought that it was light years better than the usual jd and jb's of the world. and--it was; but i'm finding many others that are more refined than kc.

i like this one called "eagle rare". it comes in a real womanly looking (looks like one of those flavored vodka containers) bottle, but it is a very smooth and mellow brew. it is easy to drink straight, and dosn't get too heavy.

i also had a bottle of some stuff called "1792". it was only good mixed with coke...I know...heresy; but my first bourbon drin was a jack and coke. it's tough to break myself of that bourbon and sweet drink! that's why the eagle rare was good on its own.

hmmm, what else...oh, this weekend, i go a bottle of woodford reserve. it is fairly strong, and stays with you for a while. that's the one i'd need to cut with some water. it is very flavorful, but very stong. th book in the local store had said it was full bodied, and it certainly was!

i might tray maker's mark next. i am trying to stay with the kentucky stuff first. the elijah craig stuff sounds good too. and then there's the elmer t lee, pappy van winkle, and on and on.

i know that scotch is very strong, in most cases. i used to enjoy blended crap years ago, but have never really taken to the single malts. they are very complex and potent. i'd need to get recommendations as to where to begin. they definitely seem to be the most diverse, and flavorful spirits though. i've never tried canadian, and only bushmill's in a coffee years ago.

I have even been known to drink George Dickel. Especially in summer.

Peace,

Jock

The Step-We-Ceilidh Band.

Most regular SM drinkers probably find Woodford Reserve a bit mild and sweet, like most bourbons. Maker's Mark is a bit less complex than WR.

Since your taste definitely tends to the sweeter end of the spectrum, you might try the Irish malts first. Black Bush is good, but not top drawer -- Red Breast is about as good as they get; Green Spot is as good, but much harder to find; and, IMO, Midleton is very smooth but less complex, more muted, and overpriced.

-- Larry

As a single malt fan, I'd recommend starting with some of the sweeter malts. Glenlivet 12 yr. is a great malt and quite soft, fruity and flavorful. The Balvenie 10 yr. is also a good malt with some citrus (orange peel) character.

That Elijah Craig - my number one bourbon. I love that stuff. And to think it's only around $14.00 a bottle too.

Dickel isn't horrible. I'd rather drink that than JD.

Try the Balvenie Doublewood for a sweeter dram.

Its quite hard to come by here in The Netherlands. When I was in Tennessee last year I got to like it. When in Rome etc....

Peace,

Jock

The Step-We-Ceilidh Band.

SNIP>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

On the other end of the price sclae I have a bottle of Old Potrero cask strength here at home. I got it from an American friend who was visiting. From Anchor Steam in San Fransisco, it is the best rye whiskey I have ever tasted.

Peace,

Jock

The Step-We-Ceilidh Band.

Yes, the 12 yr. Balvenie Doublewood is nice. Another great dram for the price is the Dalmore 12 yr.

I've never been unhappy with anything from Balvenie.

The Balvenie whisky is uniformly very good. I stumbled across a bottle of the 21 yr. Portwood a couple of months ago at about half-price. I went to the counter and asked the guy if he was sure the price was correct. He told me that he had priced it himself and his stock was priced to sell. I replied that I would gladly buy the 21 yr. Portwood for $69 before he went back to double check his prices! Should have bought two!! None of his other bottles were half-price. Wish I could have seen the look on his face when he found out, despite my warnings!

But I digress. Most Balvenie whisky is a nice fruity (usually citrus) character. The 15 yr. Single Barrel has a slight touch of smoke but is an excellent dram. Pricewise, the 10 yr. is hard to beat and would be a good entry to American whiskey drinkers into the whisky world.

Most whiskey should be cut with a bit of water. it brings out the flavors. one of my classmates is a master distiller. I drink Buffalo Trace. It is very light,full of flavor,and excellent by itself,a drop or two of water..or even with a touch of Dr. Pepper....1792 was trying to match Woodford Reserve...which happens to be my buddy's baby..he is their master distiller.

I like the Doublewood for a rather simple whisky...I know what's coming, and I can drink it without concentrating too hard. Always very good, Glenfarclas 15 is what I like when I feel like some complexity. It is different on different days and it requires real tasting. The Glenfarclas 105 is what I have when I'm in the mood for something transcendent....like drinking velvet. I had a Macallen CS (USA) not too long ago, but it was nothing special and maybe even a little harsh for the price

The Doublewood 12 yr is a very sound dram, I agree. Unfortunately, I cannot find Glenfarclas anywhere near me, and I even tried to have the order the "105" and the 17 yr. but they couldn't get it for me.

The Macallan CS is nice, but I don't think it's better than the 12 yr. I had some of the 18 yr as well and don't think it's worth the price. In fact, a December interview on Whiskycask podcast had the Macallan 18 yr as a contender for the "most over rated" whisky. Johnny Walker Blue won by a hair.

I tried the 10yo last night, and had to donate the bottle to a scotch drinking female i know this morning. she laughed at me for thinking it was too harsh, but then again, i don't live where my core temp has to be raised

5 degrees daily!

it's the americans for me. i know you snobs think we are bastardizing the art of distilling, but i like a little more grain in my soup than just barley...and PEAT!!!

it's all good though. no harm intended to the snobs ;=)

come on over and try a few of our better "E"s.

i can't find the buffalo trace, but i've heard great things about it. have yo ever tried the elijah craig 18yo? i may try that one next. or maybe the elmer t lee.