Bourbon, what's in your cabinet?

[Grape Ape]

Hope to try one some day. Some say it's worth the retail but not secondary prices. Others say there are just as good options out there for much less.  One thing I've learned is bourbon is as subjective as anything else. Ask a group "What  are your thoughts on _________?" and the responses are all over the page from Nectar of the Gods, to Taste like piss but with a bitter after taste...

This is all 100% true.

If you like a slightly sweeter taste, Pappy will appeal.

I have had it numerous times, and still rank it the best I've had.

However, I would not pay secondary market prices, and didn't routinely buy it when it was readily available at 100 bucks.

[LurkerNoMore]

There are a few times when the price is reflected in the product.  11 years ago I bought a bottle of Gran Centenario azul Gran Reserva from San Miguel de Allende.  I paid $300 there.  I only bought it because I liked the bottle.  After trying it, I have bought it the last two times I went back. Slight increase in price, but nothing like you see for secondary prices here or online.  This is actually a very very smooth and balanced tequila.  This is a beautiful tequila made for sipping.  They have a lower end product for under $30 which tastes nothing like the high end.  Though it is still kind of decent.  Not as good (to me) as Espolon.  But certainly better than Don Julio (which has a nasty heaviness to the after taste) or Patron (which I find sickeningly sweet). 

[CalvinH]

Between bourbon and a few rye's I have 42 bottles

[Grape Ape]

There are a few times when the price is reflected in the product.  11 years ago I bought a bottle of Gran Centenario azul Gran Reserva from San Miguel de Allende.  I paid $300 there.  I only bought it because I liked the bottle.  After trying it, I have bought it the last two times I went back. Slight increase in price, but nothing like you see for secondary prices here or online.  This is actually a very very smooth and balanced tequila.  This is a beautiful tequila made for sipping.  They have a lower end product for under $30 which tastes nothing like the high end.  Though it is still kind of decent.  Not as good (to me) as Espolon.  But certainly better than Don Julio (which has a nasty heaviness to the after taste) or Patron (which I find sickeningly sweet).

Espolon to me is the greatest Tequilia deal.

A friend told me about it saying it was made 15 minutes from where he grew up.  Said it has all the same shit as the expensive brands, but no marketing costs, so the price is low.

So, I use that if I'm going to sip it or mix it with a neutral mixer like soda water.

Other than that, it's Costco's Kirkland brand for mixing.  Haven't found out which name brand makes it for Costco, but haven't looked either.

[Agnostic007]

There are a few times when the price is reflected in the product.  11 years ago I bought a bottle of Gran Centenario azul Gran Reserva from San Miguel de Allende.  I paid $300 there.  I only bought it because I liked the bottle.  After trying it, I have bought it the last two times I went back. Slight increase in price, but nothing like you see for secondary prices here or online.  This is actually a very very smooth and balanced tequila.  This is a beautiful tequila made for sipping.  They have a lower end product for under $30 which tastes nothing like the high end.  Though it is still kind of decent.  Not as good (to me) as Espolon.  But certainly better than Don Julio (which has a nasty heaviness to the after taste) or Patron (which I find sickeningly sweet).

A good example of personal preference. I do buy Espolon for my mixing. It is a great value and a good tasting tequila. I have not likely tried the Centenario Azul but I have had a few like Herredura Sellecion Suprema and Clase Azul as well as a few others in the $200 to $400 range. My in laws love the Suprema, I find it and the Clase too sweet. My 2 favorites are Don Julio 1942 and the Jose Cuerva Famila Reserva. The former is so smooth it's hard to believe it's tequila, and without the sweetness I am not fond of. The JCFR is an oak bomb of flavor with a little more bite. I've grown to appreciate Mescal in that last couple years. I tried Sammy Hagars Santo Mezquila, and combination of both, and I was surprised how smooth is was at the price point. Reminded my of Don Julio 70 but with a little smoke.

[oldtimer1]

Ever see a millennial take expensive booze in a shot glass and shoot it down or worse mix it with soda? I'm not rich so I won't buy expensive booze. I buy $20 dollar bottles of wine and you can find a lot of good ones for that price. I also drink beer and none of the bitter trendy millennial IPA beer.

[LurkerNoMore]

For me, my choice of average tequila is :
Espolon>Mi Campo>1800

This is the last bottle I bought in SM when I was there in 2019.   Haven’t opened it yet.

[BlackMetallic]

I get the humor. 

Only an orangutan, could spell any worse.

It must be just a joke.

Inane signature goes here.....

[IroNat]

Cheap liquor is like ugly wimmen.

After a few drinks you can't tell.

[IroNat]

Ever see a millennial take expensive booze in a shot glass and shoot it down or worse mix it with soda? I'm not rich so I won't buy expensive booze. I buy $20 dollar bottles of wine and you can find a lot of good ones for that price. I also drink beer and none of the bitter trendy millennial IPA beer.

$20 dollar wine?  That's too extravagant.

Hit the $5 bottle wine at Trader Joes.

[BlackMetallic]

$20 dollar wine?  That's too extravagant.

Hit the $5 bottle wine at Trader Joes.

The 3 buck chuck Shiraz isn’t bad

[Humble Narcissist]

Cheap liquor is like ugly wimmen.

After a few drinks you can't tell.

[LurkerNoMore]

A good example of personal preference. I do buy Espolon for my mixing. It is a great value and a good tasting tequila. I have not likely tried the Centenario Azul but I have had a few like Herredura Sellecion Suprema and Clase Azul as well as a few others in the $200 to $400 range. My in laws love the Suprema, I find it and the Clase too sweet. My 2 favorites are Don Julio 1942 and the Jose Cuerva Famila Reserva. The former is so smooth it's hard to believe it's tequila, and without the sweetness I am not fond of. The JCFR is an oak bomb of flavor with a little more bite. I've grown to appreciate Mescal in that last couple years. I tried Sammy Hagars Santo Mezquila, and combination of both, and I was surprised how smooth is was at the price point. Reminded my of Don Julio 70 but with a little smoke.

Are these the two you mentioned?  (Never been a fan of Don Julio.  Just to too heavy)

https://www.oldtowntequila.com/santo-mezquila-by-sammy-hagar/

https://www.instacart.com/landing?product_id=204185&retailer_id=204&region_id=686520644&mrid=2130461073&utm_source=instacart_bing&utm_medium=sem_shopping&utm_campaign=ad_demand
_shopping_food_fl_seflor ida_bing&utm_content=accountid-146005746_campaignid-367693856_adgroupid-1222657374213294_device-c&utm_term=matchtype-e_keyword-_targetid-pla-4580015689007415_locationid-&msclkid=e0f1f7adf1291f916d6b97ece142f5fd

[Agnostic007]

Are these the two you mentioned?  (Never been a fan of Don Julio.  Just to too heavy)

https://www.oldtowntequila.com/santo-mezquila-by-sammy-hagar/

https://www.instacart.com/landing?product_id=204185&retailer_id=204&region_id=686520644&mrid=2130461073&utm_source=instacart_bing&utm_medium=sem_shopping&utm_campaign=ad_demand
_shopping_food_fl_seflor ida_bing&utm_content=accountid-146005746_campaignid-367693856_adgroupid-1222657374213294_device-c&utm_term=matchtype-e_keyword-_targetid-pla-4580015689007415_locationid-&msclkid=e0f1f7adf1291f916d6b97ece142f5fd

Yes... those are it

[The Scott]

Never had alcohol as it's not something that interests me in the least.  I don't mind if others do but there have been alcoholics in my family and that along with medical problems has always kept me from drinking the stuff.  I have friends that brew beer and others that make wine.  Good people all of them.

Besides, I don't need any help failing down  .

[Agnostic007]

Never had alcohol as it's not something that interests me in the least.  I don't mind if others do but there have been alcoholics in my family and that along with medical problems has always kept me from drinking the stuff.  I have friends that brew beer and others that make wine.  Good people all of them.

Besides, I don't need any help failing down  .

perfectly fine. It's not for everyone and it can be a detriment to some people.

[Zillotch]

Alcohol tastes like shit and makes me ill. Cannabis is the opposite.

booze, then weed.. u know... for the hangover.

[LurkerNoMore]

Never had alcohol as it's not something that interests me in the least.  I don't mind if others do but there have been alcoholics in my family and that along with medical problems has always kept me from drinking the stuff.  I have friends that brew beer and others that make wine.  Good people all of them.

Besides, I don't need any help failing down  .

You've never had it, or just don't care for it?  You might be only one drink away from awakening your inner Shizzo.  You will be sucking dick and dying in car crashes every week.  Doesn't that sound like fun?   

[King Shizzo]

You've never had it, or just don't care for it?  You might be only one drink away from awakening your inner Shizzo.  You will be sucking dick and dying in car crashes every week.  Doesn't that sound like fun?   

[Agnostic007]

I'm expanding my bourbon experiences. I've recently bought an Old Forester Statesman that I really liked. I was at a bar on Thursday that had Old Forester, but just the basic. I thought.. "How bad can it be?" and ordered a glass. Night and day. They tell me the OF 1910 and 1920 are even better. The basic really didn't do it for me

[G_Thang]

As far as alcoholics go, Getbig knows what up.  Keep y'all shine wine on.

[El Diablo Blanco]

Alcohol status is a bit of a scam.  Forever the Scott’s said 12 years old is the youngest you want your scotch but then recently they realized they could sell more if they promoted younger ones.  Now they’re changing their tubes saying 8 years is perfect etc.    basically they just want to reduce less waste from evaporation and sell more sooner. 

With technology today they can age scotch in hours that tastes like years went by.

[bLuEeYes]

Alcohol status is a bit of a scam.  Forever the Scott’s said 12 years old is the youngest you want your scotch but then recently they realized they could sell more if they promoted younger ones.  Now they’re changing their tubes saying 8 years is perfect etc.    basically they just want to reduce less waste from evaporation and sell more sooner. 

With technology today they can age scotch in hours that tastes like years went by.

There's a sheep mentality among whisky drinkers. People tend to be ashamed to say that they don't appreciate a certain whisky because they're afraid to be the only one so they're just following the trends.
Whisky is definitely not worth buying by trend, age or high price point. I only keep it under nowdays $50 and find that there's good stuffs there that aren't that different from the +$100.

[IroNat]

The difference between expensive whiskey and moderately priced whiskey is small.

You pay a lot more for that small difference.

Most people can't tell the difference.

Different brands taste different but it's not to say one is better.  You can have a preference for one vs. another.

There is some awful stuff which is very young whiskey that is like drinking lighter fluid.

If you're mixing whiskey in drinks just get cheaper quality brand like Canadian Club.

CC is my go to whiskey for mixed drinks.  It even is decent straight and it's very inexpensive.

$19 for 1.75 litre.

Evan Williams is only $20-$25 for 1.75 litre.  It's decent bourbon grading at 89 out of 100.

[bLuEeYes]

If any of you guys like blended scotch then this is the best one I bought. It beats alot of blended scotch and blended malt from JW and Chivas etc Quality stuff with a good mouthfeel, non chill filtered, not watered down.. flavors are unique.