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Whisky Appreciation Thread

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Whatever happened to cleveland whiskey? I feel like every flamed out.
 
Their whiskey was shit. No idea if they shut down but they should their stuff is gross.
Their flavored stuff was actually good, from an enjoyable standpoint. Their Christmas Bourbon used to be pretty cool, but last year's was really bad. I still have like a third of my bottle from a few years back, and tasting them next to each other it's obvious that they changed.

I also liked their rising star collaboration bourbon, but that's just because I love supporting Rising Star.

They definitely don't make good whisky, but I appreciate what they do. They had free tours in the past, where you'd come in and get free snacks and tickets for cocktails, just open to the public to let you see what they were doing. Kinda neat. I'm not a fan of the whole "we put wood chips into the juice, and rapid-age it without using barrels" thing, but at least they're honest about it.
 
Their flavored stuff was actually good, from an enjoyable standpoint. Their Christmas Bourbon used to be pretty cool, but last year's was really bad. I still have like a third of my bottle from a few years back, and tasting them next to each other it's obvious that they changed.

I also liked their rising star collaboration bourbon, but that's just because I love supporting Rising Star.

They definitely don't make good whisky, but I appreciate what they do. They had free tours in the past, where you'd come in and get free snacks and tickets for cocktails, just open to the public to let you see what they were doing. Kinda neat. I'm not a fan of the whole "we put wood chips into the juice, and rapid-age it without using barrels" thing, but at least they're honest about it.
my local liquor store here in maryland had like 6(maybe more) of their products, then just as quickly as it showed up it disappeared. I got one of the last bottles they had (it was on clearance) for like 25 bucks.

I think their final products needed some work, but for what they did its a great idea. Ultimately very few people care if a liquor is 1, 5, 10, 15 years old. The question is, does it takes good
 
my local liquor store here in maryland had like 6(maybe more) of their products, then just as quickly as it showed up it disappeared. I got one of the last bottles they had (it was on clearance) for like 25 bucks.

I think their final products needed some work, but for what they did its a great idea. Ultimately very few people care if a liquor is 1, 5, 10, 15 years old. The question is, does it takes good

I think the issue is that there's just no substitute for time in a barrel. You can't speed it up. Their whiskey was trash because they tried to.
 
Went down to South Carolina earlier to see if they had any allocated bourbon in stock. They didn't, but I perhaps found something even better. This particular store just recently started carrying Springbank products. They've got 18 and 19 year versions behind the counter, but those are a bit more than I'm willing to pay at $260 and $300.

However, when I swung by the Scotch aisle, they also had Springbank 12, which is a cask strength limited release. I'm not sure if they do multiple yearly releases or just one per year, but this one was bottled on 08/10/2020 at 56.1%. It was a more palatable $130, so I pulled the trigger after Springbank 10 blew my mind a month or so ago.

Really looking forward to digging into this one later tonight.
 
Similar to DJTJ's posts about trying beer, I'm lost when it comes to trying and appreciating whiskey. I've never been a big fan, but I chalk a lot of that up to drinking cheap garbage in college. The strong whiskey taste just brings back rough memories.

Where would you guys recommend starting out for somebody looking to spend $35-$50 bottle, or something to try at a place like Lizardville? I have a bottle of Maker's Mark that I've slowly depleted over like 4 years. Whenever I rarely do try it I usually drink it neat, or on the rocks.
 
Similar to DJTJ's posts about trying beer, I'm lost when it comes to trying and appreciating whiskey. I've never been a big fan, but I chalk a lot of that up to drinking cheap garbage in college. The strong whiskey taste just brings back rough memories.

Where would you guys recommend starting out for somebody looking to spend $35-$50 bottle, or something to try at a place like Lizardville? I have a bottle of Maker's Mark that I've slowly depleted over like 4 years. Whenever I rarely do try it I usually drink it neat, or on the rocks.
I would've said just starting with something like Makers is a good place. It's an easy, approachable bourbon that presents more on the sweeter side of those classic bourbon flavors.

From there, you can branch out while still staying in bourbon territory. Try a couple different pours side-by-side (either at a bar or a friend's house) and see if you notice differences between the two, and figure out what you like.

For something under 50 bucks a bottle, how about Wild Turkey Rare Breed? It should be $40 in Ohio.

For Lizardville, they have such a great selection, it's just a playground. That's like asking a kid what toys you should try from Toys-R-Us. You go in and pick whatever looks good based on your mood. For someone just starting out, just talk to the bartender. They'll steer you well.
 
Similar to DJTJ's posts about trying beer, I'm lost when it comes to trying and appreciating whiskey. I've never been a big fan, but I chalk a lot of that up to drinking cheap garbage in college. The strong whiskey taste just brings back rough memories.

Where would you guys recommend starting out for somebody looking to spend $35-$50 bottle, or something to try at a place like Lizardville? I have a bottle of Maker's Mark that I've slowly depleted over like 4 years. Whenever I rarely do try it I usually drink it neat, or on the rocks.

Wife got this for me for my birthday last year. It was my first woodford reserve, because I usually just use bourbon as a mixer, but I really did enjoy sipping it.

But I am a novice compared to a few folks who have a nice well-rounded personal stock.
 

Wife got this for me for my birthday last year. It was my first woodford reserve, because I usually just use bourbon as a mixer, but I really did enjoy sipping it.

But I am a novice compared to a few folks who have a nice well-rounded personal stock.
I'll speak for all the whisky nerds on here. Woodford Double Oaked is a staple that we all either have on hand, or have had on hand in the past. It's a very good bourbon and something that a lot of novice whisky drinkers enjoy.

If I remember correctly, it's $60 a bottle in Ohio.

Btw, all prices can be checked any time in Ohio at ohlq.com/products
 
I'll speak for all the whisky nerds on here. Woodford Double Oaked is a staple that we all either have on hand, or have had on hand in the past. It's a very good bourbon and something that a lot of novice whisky drinkers enjoy.

If I remember correctly, it's $60 a bottle in Ohio.

Btw, all prices can be checked any time in Ohio at ohlq.com/products
$54.95, so just over that $50 spot. So close....worth the extra few $$

I also enjoyed Bulleit before I found out about the issues that the owner's had with their gay daughter. Haven't bought a bottle of it since. Old forester has become my mixer of choice, but have used maker's in the past as well.
 
By the way, you should never feel fear or embarrassment for being novice or not knowing everything there is to know about whisky.

If you go to any good bar, I've never seen a bartender who didn't love to talk about the selections on hand and make suggestions for someone who's interested in learning and exploring.
 
$54.95, so just over that $50 spot. So close....worth the extra few $$

I also enjoyed Bulleit before I found out about the issues that the owner's had with their gay daughter. Haven't bought a bottle of it since. Old forester has become my mixer of choice, but have used maker's in the past as well.
I love Old Forester. It's what I've had on hand for years for cocktails. It has a sweet note that shines in cocktails that I don't pick up as easily with other bourbons. It pairs especially well with orange.

Borange: Bourbon 1.5oz Orange Simple Syrup 1oz Orange Juice 1oz Shake Coupe Soda, Orange Twist

Old Forester also has an awesome backstory. They're the only whisky distillery that has been continually open and making whisky in this country since before prohibition. During prohibition they had an exemption to make whisky for medicinal purposes.

I haven't had anything from bulleit in a long time, and I don't even really recommend it to anyone. Do they still source everything?
 
By the way, you should never feel fear or embarrassment for being novice or not knowing everything there is to know about whisky.

If you go to any good bar, I've never seen a bartender who didn't love to talk about the selections on hand and make suggestions for someone who's interested in learning and exploring.
I'm not too big on the bar scene any more. So having a thread like this and the other in EAYOR is pleasant to hear from those who happen to be more knowledgeable and adventurous.
 
Similar to DJTJ's posts about trying beer, I'm lost when it comes to trying and appreciating whiskey. I've never been a big fan, but I chalk a lot of that up to drinking cheap garbage in college. The strong whiskey taste just brings back rough memories.

Where would you guys recommend starting out for somebody looking to spend $35-$50 bottle, or something to try at a place like Lizardville? I have a bottle of Maker's Mark that I've slowly depleted over like 4 years. Whenever I rarely do try it I usually drink it neat, or on the rocks.
I'll cosign all the suggestions made previously.

I'd also say that if you're into regular Maker's Mark, I'd definitely give Maker's 46 ($35) and Maker's Cask Strength ($50) a try. Maker's 46 adds toasted finishing staves to barrels of regular MM to give some extra depth of flavors and while a suggestion of a cask strength bourbon may give you pause, the MM cask strength usually only runs about 108 to 109 proof. Same mash bill as regular MM, but the higher proof punches up the flavor profile a bit. Pour either style over a fat rock and you're good to go.
 

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