Welcome to the homestretch of the longest year in recent memory.
Hello Everyone!
I hope we all had a spooky Halloween! We’re now in the homestretch to the end of the year. With that in mind, for the next couple weeks I'm going to be putting together holiday buying guides for spirits categories. I hope this’ll help demystify buying for someone special, or simply treating yourself to a nice bottle.
Thank you for your support and please tag me @drinkswithdane on Instagram or #DrinksWithDane so I can raise a glass with you!
Bourbon Buying Guide
Bourbon is an American spirit. It must be made from a majority corn, lending to a sweet and delicate flavor. It must be aged in new charred oak barrels, imparting tannic balance and vanilla sweetness. There is no minimum age requirement, however, ‘Straight’ designation means a minimum of 2 years.
Entry Bourbons
Great entry bottles to sip and mix without breaking the bank.
Four Roses Yellow Label - The bartenders goto for cocktails. Aromas of toasted nuts and dried fruits. Subtle smoke and sweet brown sugar notes. $19
Evan Williams Single Barrel A great introduction in the world of single barrels. Lightly spiced aromas with a taste that is balanced. Great by itself or in a spirit forward cocktail. $29
Old Forester 86 - A very aromatic bourbon, with a complex flavor profile. Rich sugar and candied fruit aromas. Honey and vanilla tones though the taste. $21
Drink Entry Bourbons In: Whiskey Sour, Boulevardier, Mint Julep
Every Day Drinkers
Mid-range bottles to sip and mix.
Wild Turkey Rare Breed - A barrel proof offering from Wild Turkey. Notes of sweet tobacco, hints of orange and mint. Remarkable smoothness for the ABV. $50
1792 Full Proof Bourbon - Often cited as one of the best bottles of bourbon under $50. The Full proof expression has swept the awards in the last year, including the World's Best Whiskey 2020. The Full Proof might be hard to find, but any pick from the 1792 line is a solid choice. $45
Elijah Craig Small Batch -made from batches of 200 barrels or less, aged 8-12 years. This is an excellent offering from Heaven Hill. balanced flavors of caramel, nutmeg and vanilla. $27
Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style - Old Forester was one of six distilleries allowed to operate as Medical Distillery during the Prohibition. This 115 proof bourbon is made homage to the rich flavored bourbons of the era. $62
Drink Every Drinkers In: Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Neat, On the Rocks
Premium Bourbons
Investment bottles to indulge the sipping senses.
Four Roses Barrel Strength Private Selection - This is a great entry into the world of store pick and private barrel selections. Liquor stores, restaurants, and bars are invited to select a personal barrel bottling with a custom label. Each barrel pick is unique, but range from 9 - 11 years old, limited to 150 - 200 bottles and have a range of mash bills. The ABV and age statement vary from each bottling, but they are non chill filtered and bottled at cask strength. Around $75 but will vary.
Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch - named in honor of Colonel E.H. Taylor, jr. a pioneer in the bourbon industry and champion of Bottle in Bond Act of 1897. Bottled in Bond at 100 proof, blended from select barrels aged in Warehouse C, built by E.H. Taylor himself in 1881. Sweet caramel corn into smooth lingering spiced notes. $60
Noah’s Mill - A small batch offering from the Willett’s Distillery, a blend of barrels aged 4 - 20 years. This is an excellent peek into the world of high money bourbon. Aromas of rich nuts and dried fruit with some slight floral tones that carry though onto the palate ending with sweet butterscotch. $62
W. L. Weller Special Reserve - A baby Van Winkle, a high quality wheated bourbon. Fresh fruit notes on the nose, palate is tight and fruity with baking spices. $60
Drink Premium Bourbons - Neat or On the Rocks
Cocktail of the Week: Bog's Old Fashioned
This is a festive twist on an Old Fashioned. Trader Vic’s Macadamia Nut Liqueur has been one of my favorite, little known, secret sippers. Great for the holidays or in tiki drinks to sip on though the summer. The rich macadamia nut liqueur adds depth, roundness and body with a hint of sweet vanilla. The cranberry is a bright and punchy seasonal twist on the traditional (and equally seasonal) citrus. Combine everything with your favorite every day bourbon and it's an autumnal holiday or weeknight respite in a glass.
What You’ll Need:
Entry level Bourbon (I’m using Old Forester 86)
Mixing Glass and stirring spoon
Orange for a twist
Bog's Old Fashioned Cocktail
serves 1
1 ½ oz Old Forester 86
1 oz Trader Vic’s Macadamia Nut Liqueur
4 dashes Cranberry Bitters
Add all ingredients into a mixing glass and fill with a generous amount of ice. Stir until frosty cold and pour into an old fashioned glass with a large ice cube. Garish with an orange twist. Make sure to express all the oils over the cocktail to get that beautiful citrus aroma. Salute!
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