William Larue Weller and George T. Stagg from the BT Antique Collection.
The Thomas H. Handy if you like ryes from the same collection
Parker's Heritage 27
PVW 15/21/23
For a less expensive one try the Noah's Mill Creek

Of that list the WLW or PH 27 are my favorites.
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Knob creek is my go to for bourbon.
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I know this thread has more of a purist tone to it, but when mixing bourbon, which do you reach for?

The reason I ask is with the Derby coming up, I will be making some mint julep's. Right now I only have a few sipping bourbon's and not sure I want to use them for the juleps. However, cheap bourbon usually means a cheap tasting mix drink as well. What are your thoughts?
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For juleps, I like Bulleit!
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As with any cocktail, a higher quality liquor produces a better drink, IMO.
Would you use a $200+ bottle for cocktails? Of course not. But any high-end bottle, say < $50, wll make a much better drink than the standard well booze. :-)
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I agree.

I have been reading some on the subject and it seems the better Bourbon's to use are the more woody, spicey ones than the sweeter ones to account for the sugar added in the julep. That sounds good to me, and gives me another reason to go buy some woodier bourbon's. :-)
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My rule of thumb is that I won't use a liqour to mix with that I wouldn't drink straight (I rarely drink a mixed drink though). That being said, I would probably use Bulleit or Jim Beam to mix with.
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Just picked up a bottle of Elmer T. Lee. Usually go with Bulleit. I am the type who won't pay over 40 bucks for a bottle unless the occasion calls for it. Hope I chose well.
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I have a bottle of this. It is on the sweeter end of the spectrum, but somehow it's also on the harsher end as well. The balance of sweet and smooth is not there.

BTW, this is the exact bourbon I am thinking of using in the mint julep.
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Picked this up yesterday:

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Knob Creek and ginger ale is my go to drink of choice.
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If you like rye or 'wheatier' / sweeter bourbon's, do try Bulliet. It is moderatley priced, and outstanding.:-)
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Just found the tread and I gotta say, I am all in. I love Bourbon. A few of my staples in my cabinet are:
Elijah Craig 12 yr
Buffalo Trace
Eagle Rare 10yr
Ezra B 12yr
Old Weller 107
Evan Williams 1999
Bullit

I tell you now, my absolute cigar/whiskey combo: Elijah Craig 12 year and a Joya de Nicaragua Antano Gran Consul.
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Today's goodness:

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For the weekend :-)

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I was visiting my parents in Kentucky and visited Makers Mark on the Bourbon Trail. It was my first time tasting it and I really liked it. Now I'm ready to sample a few others. Any suggestions for a newb?

I also got to dip my own bottle while I was there. It was kind of a cool experience being able to dip and take the bottle home.
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I hope this hasn't already been posted, but it didn't appear in a search.

A new bourbon created by Maker's Mark: Maker's 46. I'm going to look for it.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...neN2QD9G6K51G0
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Getting one tomorrow! :-) Love this stuff.
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You should try 1492, Woodford's Reserve, Blanton's, and Booker's, to name a few. There are so many good ones out there...
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One of the recommendations that I received (many times) was the Evan Williams Single barrel and I highly recommend it too.
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