Every year, I get tons of emails, texts and calls asking what kind of bourbon to purchase as a gift for a friend. Each year, my favorites change a little and some are hard to find while others are easy to find. If you are looking for the best selection of bourbon I have found, go to the Youngsville ABC Store at the intersection of Capital Boulevard (US 1) and Highway 96. With all that said, here are my rankings for this year:
My favorite daily drinker is Woodford Reserve Double Oaked. The Woodford brand is a classic and is a staple of most bars. However, the double oaked is a little tougher to find. The Youngsville ABC store almost always has it in stock (go on a Tuesday afternoon for best selection) and they have the 350ML size (approximately $35) and the 750ML size (approx. $65). I always have a supply of this on hand and when I am not drinking something high end, this is typically my go to. Since I prefer lower alcohol volume (I like 86-94 proof so it doesn’t burn going down) this allows the cinnamon flavor to mix with the oak of the barrel and create a unique flavor. The “Double Oaked” name comes because it is moved from the older barrel it was initially aged in to a new barrel to finish the aging process giving a smoother finish.
Another one I enjoy on a big rock of ice or a sphere is Jefferson’s Ocean. My favorite is the Voyage 24 (may be a little harder to find a specific voyage but they are all good). Normally, the Jefferson Ocean is aged in barrels on board a ship at sea. Previous to Voyage 24, the bourbon travelled across the equator several times. That altered the taste because of the hot and cold weather in the North Atlantic and South Pacific. Ocean Voyage 24 spent all of its time at sea in the Caribbean where air temps were always hot. It was more like “heat ovens” as they describe it. Temperatures averaged 93 degrees with the max temp of 124 degrees. The constant motion of the water caused the liquid in the barrels to shift constantly for a very even aging. There is a little more caramel and vanilla taste in this bourbon and it is fairly easy to find and around $55-$60 for a 750ML bottle. You can’t go wrong with this one as a gift. This one is 909 proof or 45% alcohol by volume.
The third of the easier to find bourbons is Four Roses Small Batch. Another 90 proof/45% alcohol by volume that can be found for less than $60 is one of many four roses brand bourbons. Make sure you are getting the correct one. This blend is a combination of four recipes that are selected by the Master Distiller to create a perfect balance. It is aged 607 years and is a mellow flavor. This one consistently comes in as a “great value” in recommendations from others. With only being 90 proof, it is very smooth if you drink it neat and also makes a good base with your favorite mixer. Just go easy on the mixer so you can still taste the flavor of the bourbon. My dad would say, “The only thing that should ever be put in bourbon is ice!” LOL
In the harder to find category we start with Buffalo Trace. IF you can find it in North Carolina, and that is a big IF, you should not pass it up. At just under $50 it is a very popular choice and you will thrill the bourbon lover on your list. The Kentucky Rover near the Great Buffalo Trace outside of Frankfort, Kentucky provides the water for this custom bourbon. The combination of limestone and exceptional grains provided by the rich river bottom soils provide a unique taste. It is referred to as “The spirit of legends” and is a throwback to the 1770s when pioneers first settled in the area and started distilling their own spirits. Today, it is one of the oldest distilling sites in the United States. The Buffalo Trace Distillery also provides us with other popular selections including Eagle Rare, George T Stagg (my all time favorite), Blanton’s, EH Taylor and many more. This distillery is a must stop if you ever go on the “Bourbon Trail.” They also have a gift shop online that has everything from tasting boards to t-shirts if you want to do a cool add on for a gift.
Speaking of the Buffalo Trace Distillery, our next choice is Weller Antique 107. This one is going to be hotter going down and feel like heartburn to inexperienced pallets. The 107 means it is 107 proof, coming in a 53.5% alcohol by volume. This is a wheated bourbonthat offers a bold finish. Drinking this neat will create a long sipping drink. It does have some floral notes along with vanilla as it goes down but has a spicy finish capped by vanilla and cinnamon. For those that like a more “alcohol taste,” this is a great choice. It can be difficult to find in North Carolina. Many people that camp at ABC stores on Tuesdays for “delivery day,” are often waiting on this one. This one can be found online at My Bev Store and Nestor Liquors but it will cost you upwards of $150 per bottle. If you can find it in the North Carolina ABC stores, the price is just under $50.
Obviously, there are many others that are good. I have tried to include bourbons that you can actually find in North Carolina this year. Last year, I discussed George T Stagg and Blood Oath Pact 5 which are almost impossible to find in NC. I also included the IW Harper 15 year. Over the last year, the Harper has become harder to find as more people have discovered it. For more spicy flavors, I still recommend the Bowman Brothers brands, Issa Bowman and John J Bowman. Both of these are Virginia bourbons and have a hotter, more cinnamon finish and will be around $75 each.
Finally, for a little different taste, let me introduce you to the Whistle Pig line of Rye Whiskey. There are two main ingredients that set apart bourbon and rye. Bourbon must have at least 51% corn while rye must have 51% rye grain. The other 49% can be a combination of other grains including barley, corn and rye. They are both stored in barrels for aging and the barrels are made of charred new oak.
They are both distilled at no more than 160 proof but they must enter the barrel at no more than 125 proof. The bottling takes place at no less than 80 proof. If the rye is aged in a warehouse for at least 2 years, it becomes a straight rye whiskey or a straight bourbon whiskey.
With that said, Whistle Pig has a line of Ryes that are very good. The top of the line is Boss Hog and it will run $500 per bottle. With that high price tag comes a lot of expectation and it delivers. We served it at our wedding back in June and it was the first bottle gone. The price of the others include an 18 year at $400, a 15 year at $250 and others below the $125 mark for a 12 year, 10 year and 6 year, all in 750ML bottles and checking in below 100 Proof.
My favorite Whistle Pig is the 10 year Rye Whiskey. It has a smooth taste and will cost around $85. It is a great taste with a mild cigar (if you are cigar smoker) but also is a great paring with a steak for dinner. Pour 2 ounces over a big rock or sphere and let it mellow if it is too hot going down. Another “sipping” drink that I love.
I know that is long but I wanted to give my friends some help early on so you can keep your eyes out for your favorite bourbon folks on your holiday shopping list!
BP8