by Mike » Sat Apr 15, 2006 6:19 pm
Well, my opinion is that Maker's Mark is a good introductory sweet bourbon. You can get it in the 100 ml bottles so as to sample it on the cheap. It is 90 proof so not overpowering for someone not accustomed to the straight stuff.
But now, my real advice is that you should find yourself a bottle of Eagle Rare 10 YO, either in the regular version or the Single Barrel version (the older version is 101 proof so that may put you off). They are both in the $20 range and are first rate sweeter bourbons.
Let the Eagel Rare breath in the glass a bit before nosing, then don't put your nose in the glass too far. If you ain't used to it, all you will experience is the alcohol. Then sip slowly, don't take much at a time, and let it move smoothly to the middle and back of your mouth.
In my experience the sweetness will be picked up quickly at the front of the mouth. Look for a slight change in taste in the middle toward the creamy and spicy and away from the sweet. Then toward the back you will notice the spice and maybe some peppery alcohol burn (the real reason for sipping small amounts).
A good bourbon will leave your mouth with a combination of sweetness and spice in the mid-palate area and the tastes will linger a bit (these are my opinions, others will experience it differently)
Now, relax and prepare yourself for the next sip. If you found no enjoyment in that first little sip, go play checkers or something and make yourself an Old Fashioned............bourbon straight out of the bottle don't suit you. And, if it don't, so what?
For me, drinking bourbon is a wonderful experience, whether with friends or by my own self. It adds pleasure to my life. But my lovely wife and most other people ain't going to go near it. If you like it straight, as do many BE members, consider yourself among friends here. If you don't, still consider yourself among friends and tell us about the pleasures of Old Fashioneds...........I haven't had one in years.
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rage at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light. - Dylan Thomas