I just finished my first bottle of Makers 46 and find it much more complex, and flavorful than Makers Mark. If you are unimpressed with Makers Mark, and have little interest in Makers 46 because youve heard that its regular Makers Mark, given a little extra aging with some additional Oak staves (true), dont let that deter you. Its quite an improvement, IMO. FYI: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePKd69z9qOw |
Jim Beam is introducing a bourbon called Devil's Cut - it is a play on the "Angels Share" which is the roughly 30% that evaporates while aging in the barrel. There is bourbon left in the wood after dumping, Beam has found a way to extract that and marry it with 6 year old Jim Beam and bottled at 90 proof. I just tried some - it is spectacular! The wood and tannins from the barrel give it full-bodied flavor with a nice long finish - yummy! |
Pappy's 23 years is best, and can convince even a Scotch snob that Bourbon is a serious drink. Right behind it is Willett 18. Pappy's 20 years is terrific, and almost an entirely different thing from the 23, more rye-like in being spicier. Woodford Reserve, Basil Hayden, Booker's, Blanton's, Maker's 46 all offer distinctly different spins on Bourbon at daily prices, to equally good quality levels. Not a Bourbon, but I have to mention Bernheim Original Wheat Whiskey for being an exceptional medium for ingesting alcohol, and it happens to be quite affordable. Phil |
