Calling all connoisseurs of spirits

[Van]

  I often have a new favorite when it comes to what Bourbon to buy when spending $50 or so for sipping.  Lately I like Michter's Small Batch, Woodford Reserve Double Oak is sometimes around $50 and Russell's Reserve 10 year.  Buffalo Trace is a favorite too but hard to find unless you get to the store when the shipment comes in.

[splitbeing]

In New Orleans. Nuff said? [chuckling]

[Ronno6]

Woodford Reserve and Woodford Double Oaked are both
fine sippers......
A bit pricier than BT and EC........

[Blowpipe Sam]

I’ve got quite a collection of bourbon.  Probably because I don’t drink it.  I keep it for quests.  I mainly drink rum, gin, or vodka.  When I do drink whiskey it’s the Irish kind.

Proper Twelve, Bushmills, Busker, or Tullamore Dew.  That’s my idea of “sippen whiskey”.

[splitbeing]

"Bottled in Bond" is the sippin' standard here.

[2A Georgia]

Been a minute since I sipped some Bushnell Black ...hmmm
Tonight with movie was Peanut Butter Porter from Georgia Brewing

[Ronno6]

Bourbon reviews

I have read many reviews about the subtle notes that professionals get from bourbons.
These come in 3 distinctive phases of tasting: nose, palate, and finish.
I have seen notes such as: oak, cedar, coffee, dark chocolate, leather, dark cherry, freshly cut grass, green grapes,
and  host of other flavors or aromas........

Here's what i get from various bourbons:
Angel's Envy:
Nose... bourbon
Palate...bourbon
Finish...bourbon

Woodenville Bourbon:
Nose....bourbon
Palate...bourbon
Finish...bourbon

Horse Soldier Premium:
see above

Buffalo Trace:
Nose....bourbon
Palate..bourbon, but tastier than above
Finish...bourbon

Elija Craig Small Batch:
Same as BT

BT and EC are both fuller flavored than the others....

I do notice differences among the above in the burn when swallowing....not sure if that is palate or finish...

About the ONLY notes I have experienced in any whisky is a buttery flavor of Texas Ranger blended whisky...

I guess I don't possess the sensory sophistication to taste or smell any of the published reviews.
However, NO 2 published reviews of the same bourbon share virtually ANY of the notes from other reviews..

All I know is...... I LIKE BOURBON !!!

[2A Georgia]

All I know is...... I LIKE BOURBON !!!
+1

[Blowpipe Sam]

I know I have no pallet.  Bourbon smells just like bourbon to me.  The flavor is not offensive if the whisky is well aged otherwise it’s too raw.  These are the only distinctions I can identify.  What I hate about bourbon is burps.  Yeah I really hate day old bourbon burps.  And that is where the quality of a smooth mellow bourbon stands out.  On day two.

Now Irish Whiskey does have subtle distinctions in both aroma and flavor to me.  Bushmills and Sexton both have an earthy, peaty aroma and finish.  Proper twelve and Busker are sweeter.  Rum smells of molasses and spices.  Vodka and gin smell oily to me though I do like the sharp Juniper smell of Bombay Saphire.  The oily smell of cheap scotch nauseates me so much that I can’t abide even the smell of good scotch anymore.

[Airspace]

I no longer drink whiskey or any other alcohol  based drink. It's always amazed me how people describe the smell and taste of whiskey in general. Very few people taste any item be it drink or food the same, that accounts for the great variety available. However, to show me someone is a true connoisseur I'd like to see a person who can taste a whiskey without knowing it's brand or place of origin and name it correctly. I believe 20 people would give you 20 different brands. ITS ALL JUST WHISKEY!