Here is my wedding gift idea- thoughts?

Going to buy 4 bottles and have a draft for my groomsmen. I would have at least 1 scotch, 1 irish, & 1 bourbon. I don't think any of the groomsmen are connoisseurs, and 1 or 2 I've never seen drink anything not mixed (leaning towards throwing in something sweeter like zapaca 23 rum for that reason).
-Budget ~$75/per bottle, $300/total.

Initial list:
-Glenlivet 15yo
-Green Spot (or Red Breast 12, I enjoyed this last week)
-Four Roses Single Barrel (I've drank this for a while and have little bourbon knowledge beyond it, was also recommended colonel EH taylor single barrel)
-Zapaca 23yo

Any thoughts?

Cool idea.

Four roses single barrel and Taylor both completely reasonable options in that price range. You might also consider Blanton's or high west rendezvous rye as both are good sippers in your range that are easy for newish whiskey drinkers to enjoy.

Also, re: rum. You may want to check out flor de cana 18 yr.

Foo,

Decided to take your advice and just give the Dickel 9yo hand selected barrel a try for $48.



Interesting. It's 103 proof, but very mellow. Pretty rich flavor, but the sweetness is more toasty malty corn than caramel or fruit. The most interesting flavor is a sort of nutty walnut/hazelnut note. Overall pleasant and enjoyable whiskey, but nothing special IMO. Had it with a few people and everyone else seemed to like it a lot.

Kavalan fans,



I've only tasted Kavalan at whiskey events and haven't been blown away, but I know some of you love it. Any of these something you love at these prices?

Diablo,

Those Kavalan bottles look terribly expensive for not being the cask strength versions. I would pass.

El D,

I have had the sherry one and it was really good and an intense sherry bomb. However, i didnt think it was worth the price and would much rather do a Glendronich 18 or 15 for a reduced price.

Never had the other two.

Can you post about rhum here? That's my new favorite. Had some Captain Morgan Black Spiced, yummy. Sometimes you feel you have to break with your habit.

You know you will anyhow always return to whisky at some point. Probably sooner than later.

@El D
pricey for sure.
the cs sherry casks version are around €110 in Europe(they are great)
me personally i´m not a big fan of the King Jar.

Et, whisky: thx, great reasons for me not to buy!

Play: post away re: other quality spirits. If we need to at some point, we can split out into an other liquors thread, but I bet lots of folks here enjoy other good stuff.

Any thoughts on new Black Maple Hill? I've read unflattering things.

It's horrible.

foo, best DC liquor stores to get decent values on whisky/bourbon iyo?

Glad I checked rather than wasting money based on old reputation. Thanks

@gadarene,

Used to be hands down Cleveland park liquors, but they changed ownership a few years ago and suck now.

The two stores I frequent most often inside the district are:

1) Magruder's on Connecticut near Chevy Chase circle

2) Schneider's in capital hill

That said, I'm actually in Montgomery county just outside DC, so buy a decent amount of stuff from county liquor stores (which generally have surprisingly good prices and selection)

What is the general opinion on Michter's? I see their stuff in the store all the time, but have never pulled the trigger. The liquor store might get some of their limited production stuff soon and I wanted to know if it was worth trying to get a hold of and/or if their regular offerings are good value.

Thanks! I like Schneider's a fair amount but it's a bit out of the way for me (I'm in Mt Pleasant)

I find some reasonable deals if I comparison shop between Irving Wine and Spirits and the two on Columbia (don't remember either name), but it would be good to have a place where I can be pretty comfortable that I won't be ripped off regardless

The bartender at Tail Up Goat just recommended MacArthur Liquor, so I'll have to go up there and check it out sometime

It's fairly well-regarded afaik tho I don't know if it's considered value or not

(On that note, super-annoyed by Elmer T. Lee being caught up in the hype train and switching from $35 retail, which is an excellent value, to $60+ retail, which is decidedly not)

People seem to like the regular michters stuff. I'm a fan of their barrel-proof rye, haven't had enough of their generally available bourbon to have an opinion one way or the other.

Re: limited production options.

Michters 10 yr was one of the first bourbons I fell in love with a million years ago, and the older years (pre 2012ish) are generally considered super good. The newer bottles are also well liked but again, haven't had any of the recent limited releases so can't give you personal opinion.

Regardless, the limited releases vary from somewhat to very collectible. Prolly worth snatching up a couple of 10/20 yr at retail if you can get them. Open and drink one. If you like it great, rinse and repeat. Otherwise, you can sell remaining bottles and recoup total investment (and prolly make a few bucks on top of it)

Hanging on the water for the 4th with a gaggle of kids running around and lifelong friends.



Nothing too crazy in the whiskey department this year, just some of my favorite go-to bottles that I don't mind downing with friends in one night (dark and stormy's did in the flor de caña on night 1)



Drinking with my buddies and watching our kids play - feeling old as dirt, but there ain't no place I'd rather be.

Happy 4th all.

PS - for OOT steak thread followers. Costco prime ribeye cap on tap for tomorrow!

Nice way to celebrate AMERICA.

Got my first bottle of Blanton's today. Feels so baller. Open that box and see the horse stopper protected by the cardboard insert, then pull it out in its velvet bag.

Looking for affordable recommendations based on what I like/don't like:

Like:
- Four roses small batch bourbon
- Redemption Rye
- 1792 (though a little harsh)
- Bulleit Rye (I think if I remember correctly)
- Templetons Rye

Just OK:
- Buffalo Trace
- Knob Creek

Dislike: (Generally, anything that tastes too sweet or syrup-y)

- Crown Royal Northern harvest rye - too sweet
- Four roses (non-small batch) - just kind of bland/watery
- Elijah Craig 12yr - too sweet/syrupy

Mostly looking for non-sweet, high flavor, not too harsh options.

What is your price range?

You might want to try Eagle Rare or Basil Hayden's for similar costs as listed above.

Four Roses Single Barrel is great for a little more than the small batch.
Booker's for something a little stronger or if you can find it pick up Elijah Craig Barrel Proof (going to be tough to find though and it's on the sweet side).

Templeton, Redemption, and Bulleit Rye's are all sourced from the same distillery (MGP) so it's no coincidence that you like them all.
If you want to try a different profile rye go for the Sazerac Rye (baby saz).

z,

If you look at my recs itt, you'll prob like most of the same bourbons/rye I do. Plenty of very good stuff in the $30-40 range and great stuff in the $50-60 range.

My number one rec for you is same as guller - Eagle Rare 10 ($30 at K&L). Russell's Reserve Small Batch ($35?). Four Roses Single Barrel for sure. Rowan's Creek (I think both around $40).

guller,

I always find it hilarious when people tell me how they love certain bourbon/rye brands and hate other brands, and they're naming stuff with basically the same flavor profile.