Whisk(e)y – The Water of Life
Now, I’m not about to start this by pissing people off. This thread is about whisky, whiskey and bourbon. It covers them all. I love them all. So ignore the title, k?
What whiskey will not cure . . . there is no cure for.
~~ Old Irish Proverb
I’m going to start with a list of our favorite go-to, everyday, sipping whiskies/bourbons. When I hit the hay, I usually take a small dram of tequila or bourbon to sip on while I study in bed. These are my stand-bys and I keep multiples of each around so I never run out.
** I have a number of new Bourbons to add in the coming days. Just waiting for MissionLiquors.com to send them.
Bourbon >>
Maker: Elijah Craig
Description: Small Batch, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Notes: I think this is my #1 go-to sipper. I take into account price, flavor, availability. I will admit that in the past I have not slept well before retirement. I used to keep a small flask by the bed, so that when I woke at 2am, I could take a sip or two. This is what the flask was filled with.
Maker: Woodford’s Reserve
Description: Distiller’s Select, Kentucky Straight Malt Whiskey
Type: Kentucky Straight Malt Whiskey
Notes: I like this just a touch better than the regular bourbon whiskey from Woodford’s. The cost is almost the same, but they’re both worth trying side by side. The difference between this and the bourbon is that this has far more barley content and the bourbon is over 70% corn.
Maker: Woodford’s Reserve
Description: Distiller’s Select, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Notes: This one is probably my third favorite go-to whiskey. It lacks for nothing on the palate. It is mouth filling, ever-so-sweet with light tannins. And for the money, it’s hard to find better.
Maker: Maker’s Mark
Description: Cask Strength, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Notes: I love the fact that Maker’s has such a great range of different offerings out there. So many to choose from and I have four of them. But I like this one the best. I actually think the cask strength includes a lot more flavor as well. And I don’t feel there is more alcohol burn than the standard offering.
Maker: Buffalo Trace
Description: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Notes: I had actually never tried this till two nights ago. I get so stuck in a rut with my Woodfords. Wine is my focus right now, so whiskey and tequila are taking a back seat, infortunately.
Maker: Noble Oak
Description: Bourbon Whiskey Finished With Sherry Oak Staves
Type: Double Oak Bourbon
Notes: Trader Joes is carrying this for about $29 bucks. It is so worth the money. It reminds me of a very clean Speyside single malt. The malt here is very bright and clean, probably young. The oak is big but tempered by caramel and smoke. You can taste the sherry staves in the background wrapped around lovely vanilla. This is one to watch. It’s a lovely, smooth drinking whiskey. And it could stand up to mixing into a lovely old fashioned with a couple Badabing cherries in there.
Single Malt >>
Maker: Glenmorangie
Description: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky. The NECTAR D’OR. Aged in Sauternes casks.
Type: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Notes: The first time I tried this, I think I swooned a bit. It is mildly peated, super smooth with lovely nose and flavor. It’s not inexpensive at $85 bucks but it is worth the money. This stuff isn’t one of my everyday sippers, but I go to it on less than special occasions. It cries in my cabinet if I don’t!!
Irish Whiskey >>
Maker: Jameson
Description: Triple Distilled Irish Whiskey, Black Barrel
Type: Triple Distilled Irish Whiskey
Notes: Got to visit this distillery on one trip to the land of one of my grandparents. Jameson had joined the band wagon in making a ton of different whiskies using different barrel types (pale ale, stout). But this one is just a whiskey matured in charred casks. And it’s perfect. I love it more than the standard Jameson offering.
Maker: Bushmills
Description: Triple Distilled, The Original Irish Whiskey
Type: Irish Whiskey
Notes: Early in the 90s when I became interested in Whisky, I was all over peaty malts. It took me years to start to appreciate non-peat-heavy malts. And I did not like Irish Whiskey. But now I do, and Bushmills is a big favorite for everyday sipping.
Maker: Proper Twelve
Description: Triple Distilled Irish Whiskey
Type: Triple Distilled Irish Whiskey
Notes: Before I retired, I had an Irish friend at work who had spent a few weeks in Ireland. And when she came back to the states she was raving about this drink. She said they drank it every night. And so for $19 bucks I thought I’d try it. It immediately became a favorite. It’s not the best out there, but it sure has a lovely, gentle nature. There’s no burn. It’s just smooth but does not taste cheap.
