This is a great thread, thanks to all who have contributed, and cannot believe it is taken me this long to find it and jump in. This is another reason why I love these boards here at syracusefan.com.
I figure this is a good time to contribute sitting in the Cuse man shed surrounded by my favorite libations with, finally, time to chime in on all this.
Like many it wasn’t until my 40s toward my 50s that I could truly appreciate anything beyond beer and vodka. Finally I listened to some good advice, opened my mind, and started sampling, this well before the bourbon craze and associated price inflation (talking Pappys now).
Little did I realize at the time that I started at the top probably 10 years ago when somebody hooked me up with the opportunity to buy a bottle of Pappy’s.
Really had no idea what I had, and while I certainly enjoyed it, I had no idea the degree that I should have enjoyed it even more.
So as part of the daily regular routine and keeping things affordable Gentlemans Jack is in the daily routine. With guests or just feeling like a treat would be when Blantons or basil Hayden is broken out.
Surprisingly in this category is a locally made bourbon whiskey from the Saint Lawrence distillery up in Clayton on the St. Lawrence River. It is not bad at all and it’s called “captains flask” bourbon whiskey. Like to support all things local when I can and this is a tolerable and decent spirit that I break out once in a while.
For truly special occasions this is where I will tap into Jefferson Ocean (for those who don’t know this is Jefferson bourbon that is aged at sea and I know it sounds crazy but it really feels like as you’re enjoying your bourbon there is a flavor as if you’re tasting the sea). Strange I know but it is legit.
Now I am lucky enough to have a friend who runs a liquor store and he knows my passion for bourbon so I rely on him for things off the beaten track. For example one of my favorite somewhat reasonable Bourbons is called New riff Kentucky straight Bourbon whiskey. It is heavy on the rye and is absolutely incredibly smooth.
New Riff put out an MGP bourbon for a while called OKI, which was aged from 8-12 years, and it was really good. Their own product at 4 years shows a lot of promise as it ages. I’m looking forward to it when it’s 8 years old or older. The distillery is committed to doing things with quality, and...
www.bourbonbanter.com
Since Pappys is essentially unavailable to us regular folk, He told me to try Tennessee bourbon whiskey called “peg leg porker”. It comes in both eight and 12 year, and the eight year old one is as close as I’ve had to Pappys in the last 10 years. Really is fantastic.
Carey Bringle is a longtime Tennessee barbecue maven, and after years of mastering the pit, he took a natural first step, launching his own bourbon brand, %
www.drinkhacker.com
As mentioned It is somewhat reasonable price wise and in my opinion is better than the 12 year old which is harsher going down.
As many of you know already, and as your younger folks will find out, there’s not much better then enhancing life special moments with some of these delightful spirits. From reading here my eyes have been open to other Bourbons that I’ve never tried but will plan to soon, like buffalo trace and Eagles rare.
This is a Great thread let’s keep it going!