Americans do you prefer Scotch or Bourbon?

Question

Don't allow loyalties to come into it, I want your answer to be based purely on taste.

Answer 1

Depends on the setting and situation.

Sitting in one of the owner's boxes at the Kentucky Derby -- you have to go with bourbon.

Watching the herding demonstrations at the Virginia Highland games -- you have to go with a good single malt scotch laddy.

Answer 2

I love Scotch, but something in certain specific varieties of Scotch gives me a serious headache -- even in fairly small quantities, and within a few minutes, so it's not a hangover. I recall that John Wayne also switched from Scotch to tequila for the same reason, though he admitted (and I can't help but think of him saying this in his characteristic twang), "Course, if ya drink so much that ya fall down and hit yer head, ya'll STILL wake up with a headache."

When I'm willing to risk the side-effects, I prefer single-malt Scotch, especially the smokier Scotches from Islay (Laphroaig is the best-known but there are more). But I tolerate blended Scotch better, and it's good as a mixer -- I'm quite fond of the "Rusty Nail" (1 part Scotch, one part Drambuie, on the rocks) as an after-dinner drink.

I also like bourbon, and have just begun to taste "single-barrel" or "barrel-select" bourbons. They offer some interesting nuances of flavor; I've enjoyed them sipped neat, like a good single-malt Scotch.

Bourbon -- blended bourbon, that is -- is also a great mixer; in the summer I love to make mint juleps by crushing mint leaves with a little sugar, then adding crushed ice and bourbon. Very refreshing on a hot summer day. I'm partial to Rebel Yell brand because of the name; Wild Turkey is the smoothest, most flavorful brand of blended bourbon, but even the inexpensive blends are pretty fair. There's not as much range of flavors in blended bourbons as there is in blended Scotch, let alone single-malt Scotch.

We also just started drinking a new concoction that I call the "Cinnamon Julep:" 1 part bourbon, 1 part Goldschlager (or other cinnamon schnapps), over crushed ice. It's incredible -- the cinnamon tastes hot, the alcohol tastes cold, and it's just smooth and delicious.

And I can't close without the observation that while many people call it bourbon, Jack Daniel's is not really bourbon, per se -- it's Tennessee sour mash whiskey. As a card-carrying member of the Tennessee Squires, I have to confess that loyalty does at least partly enter into the picture when Jack's is concerned, but I'll balance this by saying that I don't really care for mint juleps made with Jack Daniel's. The flavor is darker, with more caramel and more smoke -- which means there's nothing quite like a shot of Jack's in a cup of strong black coffee.

Enjoy it, as they say, responsibly. :-)

Answer 3

Bourbon!! Scotch tastes like old socks.

Answer 4

I prefer bourbon specifically jim beam. i know it's cheap but I feel it's just so smooth and I love the taste it's great over ice or straight or in any grilling marinade. I find scotch's abrasive to the pallett even when over ice.

Answer 5

Single Malt Scotch preferably the Islay malts.

Answer 6

I like them both, but I prefer a smoother, aged small batch bourbons such as Basil Hayden's or Knob Creek to a mass produced whiskey like Jack Daniels or Jim Beam. Also, I like my scotches to be single malts and taste real peaty, like Laphraoig.

Answer 7

I prefer Scotch. Bourbon's too sweet,.

Answer 8

Single Malt Scotch is the way to go. Islay if you have it. Neat please. If you all like bourbons or scotch, check out this bar in Saratoga NY.

www.9mapleavenue.com

Answer 9

Boubon all the way. Mainly Kentucky Bourbon but I'm baised!!

Answer 10

Scotch, a good single malt with a nice smoky flavor.