by 393foureyedfox » Mon Nov 04, 2013 2:05 pm
as far as recommendations, a lot of that is going to depend on where you live, as availability varies greatly from state to state.
I can understand your confusion. When I first got into this, maybe a year ago, all I knew were some of the basic names. Jim Beam, Heaven Hill, Wild Turkey, etc. Your best bet is to just try various bourbons, or whiskies, and see which ones appeal more than others, then research them on here or elsewhere, to figure out what it is about them that grabs you. For example, maybe you prefer the 'wheater' taste (more wheat than corn in the recipe), or the ryes (more rye than the standard recipe, or all rye), etc. when you figure that out, you can kind of just figure out which ones are similar recipes and experiment in that range. So, for example, lets say you figure out you like regular-recipe bourbons (the majority of them out there).....then you get to experiment and find what proof ranges you like (80 up to about 150 in rare cases), as well as age ranges (if its bourbons, it can be from 4 years until whatever.....younger ones tend to be 'harsher', while old ones tend to be 'woody'). Likely though, youll figure out a recipe style you like, and play around in that range in the cheaper categories....dont follow the sheep mentality and chase down what everyone else calls the 'best'....everyone is different. I came into this having practically zero experience with alcohol at all, yet surprised everyone that i tend to prefer regular recipes and high rye (but not straight ryes) bourbon, but that I preferred things in the 120 proof range. Most people tend to like the typical 80-100 proof stuff.
Plus, every distillery has its own distinctive taste. Some people pick up on that, others dont. For example, a lot of people on here will talk about the Jim Beam funk taste, or a HH eucalyptus/minty taste.....dont dismiss JB/HH just because you read this; you may not even notice it, or that 'funk'/mintiness' may be an appealing attribute to you.Try examples from each one. Youve already noticed that you thought Evan Williams was better than Jim Beam....EW is a Heaven Hill brand, so maybe try other HH stuff. If youre in areas that offer it, HH puts out a variety of stuff at prices far better than everyone else. But, dont rule Beam out because of that either. I dont like Jim Beam bourbon itself, but I love the upper level stuff FROM Beam, like 120 proof Knob Creek, 114 proof Old Grand Dad, and 125-130 proof Booker's.
Theres a LOT to learn, but for now, start with various cheaper stuff from different brands, and work your way through them. Youll quickly learn what stuff you like, as far as recipes, age, proof, and price.
Its not surprising you like Evan Williams, its one of the two best selling bourbons available. Its one of my friends' favorites, but does nothing for me...its proof is too low at 86. They do offer it in a white label 100 proof if youd like it with a bit more punch, and that one I dont mind.
Try some of the cheaper offerings such as these (that do offer upper level stuff should you decide that that style suits your tastes) to get a baseline:
Very Old Barton, available in 80, 90, and 100 proof.
Evan Williams, as 80, 86, and 100 proof (Heaven Hill is pretty much identical stuff at the same basic proofs)
Jim Beam white, or black
Ood Forester in 86 or 100 proof
Buffalo Trace in 90 proof
Four Roses in 80 or various 100 proofs
Wild Turkey 81 or 101
Makers Mark in 86 or 90 ( i think )
those are entry levels of several prominent distilleries. have fun!