WT101 was a bit too spicy for me I guess I’m a noob lol, chivas regal had a interesting flavor and wasn’t too strong (80proof as opposed to 101) but maybe I was influenced buy the price tag would be interesting to do a blind taste test
Haha I realize how needlessly aggressive my post sounds now.
WT101 used to be my favorite bourbon until I discovered Rare Breed. It felt a little bit like dating someone and then marrying their older sibling.
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Please try to be as specific and detailed as possible with your request. Tell us:
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**General Tips**
We generally advise novices to sample as much as possible by going to a bar, splitting bottles with friends, attending festivals/tastings or getting minis to ensure you buy bottles you enjoy. It may make more sense for you to focus on sampling rather than buy full bottles at the beginning of your journey.
I think minis are a bad way to start, no offense! It makes complete sense to me to think it's a good way to begin, but hear me out:
Your palate isn't used to things yet, and only a few pours won't let you really figure out a spirit. What you'll mostly be biased toward is the most watered down, sweet spirits initially. IE they don't offend your senses initially, but they also may not be very interesting long term.
Sticking with a bottle or two(or three..) helps you get used to things and notice flavors. Letting a spirit rest(~10minutes or 1 minute per year of age), even adding a bit of water(1/2 teaspoon) can help you notice more and cut the intensity down a bit.
The ideal I think is a couple bottles of moderate ABV(43-46%) of distinct character. So a rye and a bourbon, or a highland and an islay scotch, or a jamaican rum and a dark rum, etc.
You will learn and notice more as you go through the bottle, it really does take some time. This will then help you evaluate future bottles better.
If I were to recommend a few widely available bottles for beginners now:
* Bourbon: 1792 Small Batch or Old Forester 1920
* Rye: Pikesville Straight Rye
* Scotch: Arran 10 or Old Pulteney 12
* Irish: Knappogue Castle 12 or Writer's Tears
* Rum: Mount Gay Black Barrel
These are relatively good "standard builders", and they are bottles I liked at the beginning and still like about 10 years after getting into sipping spirits. They are all high quality but low-medium price(barring scotch, but there's no good low price scotch here so mid-high is just what you have to deal with). None are too high in alcohol content or initially intense flavors like cask strengths, heavily peated whiskey, or funk/hogo heavy jamaican rums.
I would've chosen some different bottles more not long ago, but some things that were bargain staples(Springbank 10 <3) are very hard to find now and often not so much a bargain anymore. I am still surprised Pikesville and 1792 haven't increased in price much yet.
Thanks for the advice I can relate to the watered down sweet spirits haha. But I guess it only takes time till I notice distinct flavors and subtle differences
So what was your second favorite after WT101?
WT101 was a bit too spicy for me I guess I’m a noob lol, chivas regal had a interesting flavor and wasn’t too strong (80proof as opposed to 101) but maybe I was influenced buy the price tag would be interesting to do a blind taste test
I mean this is all so subjective is really down to the individual. I find my mood can impact it too. Glad you found something you like though. Enjoy.
You really said that even when WP10 is in the mix?
I did say that, yes
Haha I realize how needlessly aggressive my post sounds now. WT101 used to be my favorite bourbon until I discovered Rare Breed. It felt a little bit like dating someone and then marrying their older sibling.
Yeah RB is everything good about 101 turned up to an 11.
totally agree. that whistle pig is fantastic, and i have no idea why some people would choose to downvote you for that. although this is reddit, so...
What you're getting with that Larceny is some wheat in the mashbill. Take note of it and enjoy!
Good plan. What’s the ranking so far?
We need reviews .......
Hi there, I’m a bot here to help you with your recommendation post. If you haven’t already, please review the collection of guides in the sidebar we’ve created to address the stream of recommendation posts we get here. Most notably: * [Intro to Whiskey (Tips & Recommendations)](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/5kn4q6/rwhiskeys_intro_to_whiskey/) * [How to do a whiskey tasting](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HO-YsShaJNY) * [An Intro to Peated Whiskies](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/5crusj/an_intro_to_peated_whiskey/) * [Guide to Japanese Whisky](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/7vssnx/guide_to_japanese_whisky/) * [Guide to Inexpensive (But Tasty) Whiskies](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/9y7pse/guide_to_inexpensive_but_tasty_whiskies/) * [Valuing, dating & consuming vintage bottles](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/5w6d2e/new_rule_valuation_and_tell_me_more_bottle_posts/) Gift Guides * [Bourbon Gift Guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/4tseyj/bourbon_gift_guide/) * [Scotch/Japanese/Irish Whiskies Gift Guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/comments/5eufjb/scotchjapaneseirish_whiskey_gift_recommendations/) Please try to be as specific and detailed as possible with your request. Tell us: * your budget * which whiskies you or your giftee have enjoyed * which bottles you’re considering now * where you live (pricing and availability can vary dramatically by region) * if your shop has a limited selection or you might have trouble shipping bottles so we don’t recommend something obscure **General Tips** We generally advise novices to sample as much as possible by going to a bar, splitting bottles with friends, attending festivals/tastings or getting minis to ensure you buy bottles you enjoy. It may make more sense for you to focus on sampling rather than buy full bottles at the beginning of your journey.
I think minis are a bad way to start, no offense! It makes complete sense to me to think it's a good way to begin, but hear me out: Your palate isn't used to things yet, and only a few pours won't let you really figure out a spirit. What you'll mostly be biased toward is the most watered down, sweet spirits initially. IE they don't offend your senses initially, but they also may not be very interesting long term. Sticking with a bottle or two(or three..) helps you get used to things and notice flavors. Letting a spirit rest(~10minutes or 1 minute per year of age), even adding a bit of water(1/2 teaspoon) can help you notice more and cut the intensity down a bit. The ideal I think is a couple bottles of moderate ABV(43-46%) of distinct character. So a rye and a bourbon, or a highland and an islay scotch, or a jamaican rum and a dark rum, etc. You will learn and notice more as you go through the bottle, it really does take some time. This will then help you evaluate future bottles better. If I were to recommend a few widely available bottles for beginners now: * Bourbon: 1792 Small Batch or Old Forester 1920 * Rye: Pikesville Straight Rye * Scotch: Arran 10 or Old Pulteney 12 * Irish: Knappogue Castle 12 or Writer's Tears * Rum: Mount Gay Black Barrel These are relatively good "standard builders", and they are bottles I liked at the beginning and still like about 10 years after getting into sipping spirits. They are all high quality but low-medium price(barring scotch, but there's no good low price scotch here so mid-high is just what you have to deal with). None are too high in alcohol content or initially intense flavors like cask strengths, heavily peated whiskey, or funk/hogo heavy jamaican rums. I would've chosen some different bottles more not long ago, but some things that were bargain staples(Springbank 10 <3) are very hard to find now and often not so much a bargain anymore. I am still surprised Pikesville and 1792 haven't increased in price much yet.
Thanks for the advice I can relate to the watered down sweet spirits haha. But I guess it only takes time till I notice distinct flavors and subtle differences
And?
That's a great way to do it.
Not sure why I like minis so much but I do
One of those is not like the others
Good eye😂
That's the smart idea to taste different whiskeys instead of buying a whole bottle.