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Bourbon

Nothing wrong with Evan Williams. I know some people can look down at what others drink, but I tend to go with what is said at many of the tastings I've been to: the best bourbon is the one that tastes best to you. Overpriced and/or overly complex doesn't mean it's better.
100% agree, the best one is the one that tastes the best to the person. My neighbors always ask “what should I buy next” and my answer is “whatever you want.” I usually tell them what I have on the shelves and if they want to try it before buying I’ll bring it out. Then they can buy something new that I can try...!

 
The three in my cabinet at the moment are Cooper's Choice 100, Widow Jane 10 year, and Chattanooga 111. That last one is ultra smooth but really heats up after a few swallows. I am really enjoying that one. Another one I like is Clyde's May's Alabama whiskey.  It has a bit of peach in it but definitely not sickly sweet.
I’ve heard good things about the Chat 111 but it’s not in my area. Clyde May rye is good too

 
Nothing wrong with Evan Williams. I know some people can look down at what others drink, but I tend to go with what is said at many of the tastings I've been to: the best bourbon is the one that tastes best to you. Overpriced and/or overly complex doesn't mean it's better.
Absolutely, I am not a huge EW fan but it has nothing to do with price or prestige...I've been drinking cheap whiskey...and consuming it in all the 'wrong' ways...since I was a wee lad. There are certainly real things and attributes required to make a good bourbon...popularity isn't one of them. The heart loves what the heart loves! 

 
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I don't remember what originally turned me onto Evan, but to me it's just smooth and enjoyable. I usually drink it straight up with a glass of water on the side. It's not as sweet as Jack Daniels, but that's a good thing to me. I'm not a huge fan of sweet drinks most of the time. Now the funny thing is I see people make faces when I mention it, but it's consistently rated as one of the best for the price. I mean it's not like we're talking about Military Special here.

 
I just got turned on to a bottle of Cooper's Craft Barrel Reserve...by a super nice African-American man from Durham that was in the ABC store doing exactly what I was doing....searching the bourbon section for lost dogs and inspiration...and I'm really digging it. This has also gotten me curious about some of the other 'oaked' offerings out there...OF 1910, Woodford Double Oaked, etc. 

I also spent part of last weekend trying to drink myself into liking Knob Creek...I had a bottle...people seem to like it...it's almost 10 year old bourbon...maybe I just need to develop my own acquired taste for it...didn't work. IMHO there are a dozen better bourbons out there...most of which at a much better price...so there is just no room for it in my cabinet. I've got a similar relationship with a bottle of Larceny I can't fake either. Just not my deal.

 
I will have to check out Cooper's if I can get it around here...my go to bourbon is Jefferson Reserve for everyday but I absolutely love the Jeffeson Ocean Cask but the price makes it a once every few year extravagance for me

I agree about Knob Creek...it is definitely not my cup of tea and when I have a bottle I use it for old fashioneds

That being said, if you are into old fashioneds, I have started using Proof Syrup for the mixer and it is quite good and makes it so easy (which can be a bad thing in my case) to make

Another good one to consider is Weller...it is described as a poor man's pappy...for the price it is quite good if you like "spicy" bourbon

 
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I will have to check out Cooper's if I can get it around here...my go to bourbon is Jefferson Reserve for everyday but I absolutely love the Jeffeson Ocean Cask but the price makes it a once every few year extravagance for me

I agree about Knob Creek...it is definitely not my cup of tea and when I have a bottle I use it for old fashioneds

That being said, if you are into old fashioneds, I have started using Proof Syrup for the mixer and it is quite good and makes it so easy (which can be a bad thing in my case) to make

Another good one to consider is Weller...it is described as a poor man's pappy...for the price it is quite good if you like "spicy" bourbon
Funny story about Weller. I’ve never seen it around me. I randomly went into a store Friday while waiting for my daughter to finish swim practice and there was one bottle of Weller Full Proof on a table. I had held the door for someone to go into the store and of course he grabbed the bottle. I tried to buy it from him in the store and again in the parking lot but he also knew it was super rare. So I couldn’t talk him into giving it up. Alas the search goes on...

And Knob Creek I don’t like the standard bottle (now labeled at 9 years old) but The 12 is good

 
Funny story about Weller. I’ve never seen it around me. I randomly went into a store Friday while waiting for my daughter to finish swim practice and there was one bottle of Weller Full Proof on a table. I had held the door for someone to go into the store and of course he grabbed the bottle. I tried to buy it from him in the store and again in the parking lot but he also knew it was super rare. So I couldn’t talk him into giving it up. Alas the search goes on...

And Knob Creek I don’t like the standard bottle (now labeled at 9 years old) but The 12 is good
will look for the 12 in knob creek...yeah the full proof weller is tough to find...I see it occasionally but my liquor store that has our best bourbon selection is pretty picky on what they put out.  My best grabs are around christmas...they always put together 4-5 baskets of 10-12 bottles of bourbon that you buy as a set...there is always a gem in there. That is the only way I have been able to get pappy at cost.  I basically get 10-12 bottles that includes a bottle of pappy for what it costs to get pappy aftermarket.  Next time I am in I will ask about the full proof weller and see if I can grab you a bottle if they happen to have any!  

Have you had Jefferson?  

 
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will look for the 12 in knob creek...yeah the full proof weller is tough to find...I see it occasionally but my liquor store that has our best bourbon selection is pretty picky on what they put out.  My best grabs are around christmas...they always put together 4-5 baskets of 10-12 bottles of bourbon that you buy as a set...there is always a gem in there. That is the only way I have been able to get pappy at cost.  I basically get 10-12 bottles that includes a bottle of pappy for what it costs to get pappy aftermarket.  Next time I am in I will ask about the full proof weller and see if I can grab you a bottle if they happen to have any!  

Have you had Jefferson?  
I had one of the original aged at sea cask strength a while back while on the bourbon trail in Ky at a bar in Louisville. It was good but I’m turned off by the price of their entire line. I’ll take WT rare breed ($45) or an Elijah Craig barrel proof (65) or even JD barrel proof ($65) over Jefferson’s. 

 
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I had one of the original aged at sea cask strength a while back while on the bourbon trail in Ky at a bar in Louisville. It was good but I’m turned off by the price of their entire line. I’ll take WT rare breed ($45) or an Elijah Craig barrel proof (65) or even JD barrel proof ($65) over Jefferson’s. 
I get the reserve for about 40 a bottle...of course the ocean cask is up to 110 a bottle and then for the grand reserve 140...of course as a tennessean we don't consider JD bourbon lol

 
I get the reserve for about 40 a bottle...of course the ocean cask is up to 110 a bottle and then for the grand reserve 140...of course as a tennessean we don't consider JD bourbon lol
Your prices are cheaper than mine I’m jealous. For old fashion I prefer a rye to balance the sweetness from the simple syrup with some spice. 
 

but I also aM into whiskey sours with lemon juice and maple syrup. And an egg white. 

 
Your prices are cheaper than mine I’m jealous. For old fashion I prefer a rye to balance the sweetness from the simple syrup with some spice. 
 

but I also aM into whiskey sours with lemon juice and maple syrup. And an egg white. 
I have some willet (sp?) rye...I should try it for old fahioneds...have you tried proof syrup?  It was started in decatur, GA and has some cool products. I have tried the maple bacon and the regular, but I beleive they make some syrups for whiskey sours too!

www.proofsyrup.com

the company had some growing pains during the shutdown but seems to have their act together now

 
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I have some willet (sp?) rye...I should try it for old fahioneds...have you tried proof syrup?  It was started in decatur, GA and has some cool products. I have tried the maple bacon and the regular, but I beleive they make some syrups for whiskey sours too!

www.proofsyrup.com

the company had some growing pains during the shutdown but seems to have their act together now
Ha yes, had a buddy bring some over the other night and we used for old fashions. From what I recall it was tasty.

. I have a bottle of orange peel syrup bitters by Yes Cocktail Company which is good. 

 
[COLOR= rgb( var(--theme-text_color) )]Another good one to consider is Weller...it is described as a poor man's pappy...for the price it is quite good if you like "spicy" bourbon[/COLOR]
Weller is essentially Pappy at a much lower price. Weller and Pappy are both distilled and bottled by Sazerac (Buffalo Trace). They both pretty much use the same mash bill. Of course there are some small differences, most likely due to time spent in the barrel and if they use different chars on the barrels. Julian Van Winkle, president of Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery and Pappy's grandson, even recommends Weller when you can't find Pappy.

 
Just poured the last of Davidson Reserve single barrel rye into an old fashion. Davidson is made by Pendleton in Nashville. Bought a bottle in BNA airport a year half ago definitely overpaid from buying in a liquor store but I didn’t want to check my bag. It’s a good rye, worth supporting local if you are in Nashville or can find in TN. Belle Meade is another good whiskey out of TN. 

 
Just poured the last of Davidson Reserve single barrel rye into an old fashion. Davidson is made by Pendleton in Nashville. Bought a bottle in BNA airport a year half ago definitely overpaid from buying in a liquor store but I didn’t want to check my bag. It’s a good rye, worth supporting local if you are in Nashville or can find in TN. Belle Meade is another good whiskey out of TN. 
Belle Meade I can get!  I will keep an eye out for Davidson Reserve

 
I was finally able to find a bottle of the Woodford Reserve Double Oaked yesterday and...IMHO...it blows the regular WR out of the water! It instantly skyrocketed up my favorites list. The Cooper's Craft...another 'oaked'...kinda...bourbon is really good and at $35...ish...its definitely worth a try. One of my favorite recent finds for sure but the WR Double Oaked is next level! $60 where I'm from but totally worth it!

Next up...Old Forester 1910...I have GOT to stop the constant searching...it is costing me a fortune! 

A friend of mine was just at the Buffalo Trace distiller last weekend and picked me up two bottles of BT so if that doesn't help I may need professional help...

 
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I was finally able to find a bottle of the Woodford Reserve Double Oaked yesterday and...IMHO...it blows the regular WR out of the water! It instantly skyrocketed up my favorites list. The Cooper's Craft...another 'oaked'...kinda...bourbon is really good and at $35...ish...its definitely worth a try. One of my favorite recent finds for sure but the WR Double Oaked is next level! $60 where I'm from but totally worth it!

Next up...Old Forester 1910...I have GOT to stop the constant searching...it is costing me a fortune! 

A friend of mine was just at the Buffalo Trace distiller last weekend and picked me up two bottles of BT so if that doesn't help I may need professional help...
The OF 1910 is the same mash bill as 1920, but lower proof and double barreled, similar to WR Double Oak. I know you said you liked the 1920, so that along with liking a double oaked bourbon leads me to believe you'll like the 1910. I liked both and would happily drink either of them, but if I had to choose one, I'd go with the 1920.

 
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