Things to sip while attired in fine suits

[Ben]

American Whiskey is something I'm just learning about.

The number of great American whiskeys out there has exploded in the last 10 years or so -- most of them from about a 100-mile radius in Kentucky -- but Woodford is the standard that I keep coming back to. At 90+ proof, it is impossibly smooth, and has a ginger thing going on that's unmistakable but not overpowering. And it's not unreasonably priced at all.

Nathan, that cocktail sounds terrific.

[Nathanrtaylor]

Nathan, that cocktail sounds terrific.

It is terrific. Served in a highball glass with a perfect sphere of Kold-draft ice.

Woodford is one of my favorites as well, and the distillery is a serious landmark. Also Blanton's single barrel.

[chasea]

The number of great American whiskeys out there has exploded in the last 10 years or so -- most of them from about a 100-mile radius in Kentucky -- but Woodford is the standard that I keep coming back to. At 90+ proof, it is impossibly smooth, and has a ginger thing going on that's unmistakable but not overpowering. And it's not unreasonably priced at all.

Nathan, that cocktail sounds terrific.

I agree. Woodford is my standard. I keep a bottle at home and, when I had an office, one in the bar there (you guys have bars in your offices, right?).

This past Christmas, my girlfriend and her roommates had a tree in their apartment. I noticed a bottle wrapped in silver. It was the shape of a Woodford bottle. I took a quick glimpse at the tag and noticed it was for "Jeff." All week I was pissed. Who the fuck was Jeff and why would they get him a bottle of my favorite booze without getting one for me? When the holiday party rolled around, they handed me the gift and I looked more closely at the tag. It read "To: Jew." I was psyched.

If a bar doesn't have Woodford, they'll often have Knob Creek, which is an acceptable substitute.

[caleb]

Its best to find out how a bar serves your favorite drink. If you don't like it, don't go back.

I stay away from bars that require bartenders to do the measured pour. Liquor is such a big money maker. Nothing says "we just want to take your money" more than the measured pour.

Yeah, I hear you. The problem is that the bars that screw it up are the stuffy downtown lawyer bars I have to go to for social events with my wife. Fortunately the bar is usually open, so at least I'm not spending money on a bad drink.

[lavi]

I wouldn't drink and old fashioned with "good" bourbon like Blantons or Woodford...that's for drinking neat or a drop of water.

JD is the only American whiskey for me.

[chasea]

JD is for shootin' or swiggin'. As a musician who often gets free booze, I will not turn my nose up at a free shot of the house whiskey or a free can of PBR or bottle of Bud. No, its not great, but I'm getting my money's worth.

[gt6267a]

a friend from kentucky turned me onto this stuff. amazing.

Blanton's The Original Single-Barrel Bourbon

[chasea]

a friend from kentucky turned me onto this stuff. amazing.

Blanton's The Original Single-Barrel Bourbon

Yeah, that is good stuff.

[Blue Jays]

I'll have to try this to see what all the hubbub is about. It has literally been decades since I've had whiskey.
I guess that means that I should order this Woodford mentioned above on the rocks...to take the edge off?

[chasea]

I'll have to try this to see what all the hubbub is about. It has literally been decades since I've had whiskey.
I guess that means that I should order this Woodford mentioned above on the rocks...to take the edge off?

One or two cubes. My thoughts on watering down a good drink are akin to women wearing Uggs. Shouldn't be done.

But seriously, whatever makes it suitable to your palette.

And if you don't like it, I'll PM you my address so you can drop the bottle off.

If whiskey is too strong straight or on the rocks, try making a Manhattan or an Old Fashioned.

There's a restaurant here in NYC called Freemans Alley that makes an interesting drink called the Freeman's Cocktail. Its a rye with lemon juice, and pomegranate molasses with bitters, served chilled.

[chasea]

Whoa. Moderator's can accidentally edit other peoples' posts?!?!

Sorry, Blue Jays. Tried to put it back the way I found it.

[Blue Jays]

The ginger-like aspect of the Woodford sounded interesting.
I'll take your advice and just try it with a couple ice cubes to slightly chill it...since it has been forever and a day.
At that quality level, it should be pretty smooth with minimal additions, huh?

[chasea]

Just use ice, because I find these things silly.
ThinkGeek :: Whiskey Stones

Woodford is pretty smooth, but ginger has a bit of a kick as well.

Some other good whiskeys mentioned here:
Best Bourbon - Reviews of Classic American Whiskeys - Esquire

[dhoff]

+1 for the woodford reserve,

also, found Monkeys Shoulder in london recently. Havent seen it in the US, but was pleased that I brought a bottle home, nice, simple.

I will be looking for the others mentioned here in

-D

[boundgear]

So no water. Even in a cask strength single malt?
I disagree when you are talking about 60% hooch. It opens and develops the flavors.
A gentleman knows when it's appropriate.

40% blended booze and under though, I'm with you.

[dhoff]

just introduced to Basil Hayden's. on the light side, from the Beam family of "small batch"whiskey. Not for those looking for big flavor or a lit of bite. This is delicate and fine.

[Archibald]

The best Rye for the money is what we served all weekend at NAHBS: Michters USA1 Straight Rye. Peppery but smooth like you imagine Penelope Cruz's ass to be. Available at your finer liquor stores for about $45-50 a bottle. Bitches.

[lavi]

The best Rye for the money is what we served all weekend at NAHBS: Michters USA1 Straight Rye. Peppery but smooth like you imagine Penelope Cruz's ass to be. Available at your finer liquor stores for about $45-50 a bottle. Bitches.

Archi, agreed.

At most maybe a drop of water or 1 to 2 cubes in Blantons or other great stuff (Eagle Rare, etc...). The Basil Hayden is a great mellow drink that requires zero watering down. It's only 80 proof.

[C.Dyer]

The best Rye for the money is what we served all weekend at NAHBS: Michters USA1 Straight Rye. Peppery but smooth like you imagine Penelope Cruz's ass to be. Available at your finer liquor stores for about $45-50 a bottle. Bitches.

Will you start a thread about Penelope Cruz's ass? Please?

[gt6267a]

So no water. Even in a cask strength single malt?
I disagree when you are talking about 60% hooch. It opens and develops the flavors.
A gentleman knows when it's appropriate.

40% blended booze and under though, I'm with you.

i like it with one ice cube. maybe two if they are small. this sets the temp and water level perfecto.