Posted on 02/21/2021 8:25:18 AM PST by simpson96
Whiskey purists will likely try and demean you if you drink anything on the rocks or with a little water. They want you to sip it straight, unchilled. That’s patently ridiculous. Yes, some whiskeys are crafted to be taken neat. But even the super svelte whiskeys out there will likely bloom in the glass with a few drops of water or a single rock.
Moreover, a good bourbon on ice can actually lead to a whole new set of flavors. Which is some cool chemistry, when you think about it.
What happens is twofold. One, the bourbon materially changes when you add water. Bourbon doesn’t come out of the barrel at 40 or 50 percent ABVs. Blenders add water to find the proof and flavor profile they’re looking for. So when you add more water, you’re proofing the whiskey down even further. The water isn’t adding flavors — it’s just allowing more of the chemical compounds that are already present in the dram to bloom or reveal themselves (while possibly muting others).
Next, you have the cooling effect of ice. Which effects you, not the whiskey. Our senses of taste and smell tend to mute flavors of things that are very hot or very cold. So as the whiskey cools, we’re going to taste less of what’s in there while, at the same time, fixating on certian notes — because our senses have to find something to… sense. In some cases, those notes could be things you didn’t even notice in the room temperature dram, simply because they were hidden by something sweet or woody or anything really, because, as mentioned above, adding water lets other chemical compounds (flavors) come to the surface.
(Excerpt) Read more at uproxx.com ...
George Dickel is my bourbon of choice. The distillery is nestled in Normandy, Tennessee, next to a spring fed creek.
Jack Daniels distills more sour mash in a day than George Dickel does in a month, so Dickel is “ small batch “ compared to it’s more famous neighbor.
It’s very hard to beat George Dickel on the rocks.
A nice list.
Notably absent is one of my old favorites, Jack Daniels. The single barrel or Gentleman Jack certainly fit in the price range and quality.
Buffalo Trace!!!
If you ever want to do a most wonderful trip, do the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
Well worth your time.
NOT true.
Yes the pretentious twats have descended upon the bourbon industry, but then if you spend more than $20-30 on a bottle it better do more than get you buzzed.
I.W.Harper, Elmer T.Lee,Bulliet, 1792.
My palate is not very refined. For me, spirits taste either smooth or harsh. The same with wine, with the addition of too sweet, too sour, or too vinegary.
Have you tried double black? That was quite smooth.
I’ve been to the Buffalo Trace distillery twice.
From what I hear they continue expanding but much of their product goes to Japan where they can command a much higher price for their fine bourbon.
Bulleit
JERRY: (To waiter) I'll have a cranberry juice with two limes.
GEORGE: And, I'll have a club soda with no ice.
BENES: (Gives both Jerry and George a look) I'll have another Scotch with plenty of ice.
GEORGE: You like ice?
ALTON: Huh?
GEORGE: I said, do you like ice?
ALTON: Like it?
GEORGE: Don't you think you get more without it?
ALTON: (Pauses) Where's Elaine?
Anything under 90 proof tends to get washed out to me. Wild Turkey 101 or Makers 101 are great with one large cube of ice.
Eagle Rare is delicious and rare.
If you get back that way, Lockbox in Lexington is the best restaurant in town. Highly recommended. They appear to be curbside only, which I’ll blame on the Dem gov or maybe the Leftist Lexington city council/mayor.
CL, do you know the legal status on inside dining in KY?
I’ve almost finished my first bottle of “Woodford Reserve”.
Wow! The best Whiskey I ever had.
No way with ice or water though.......just pure and neat.
Next for me is “Small Batch 1792”.
I was gifted a huge bottle of the Elijah Craig for my birthday. It IS REALLY GOOD!
I think 1792 is a little better, they also make a Port finished 1792, as well as a 1792 Bonded.
Shame. Though I can now find BT just about anywhere, plus, my daughter works at a liquor store now. But I still can’t find a bottle of Old Forester Birthday Bourbon. I want the bottle!!
She likes to drink Old Grand Dad
and her shoes do shuffle around
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