What is the best premium bourbon whiskey?

Question

Maker's Mark? Knob Creek? Woodford Reserve? Other?? Calling out all of you real bourbon drinkers!!!

Answer 1

Real bourbon drinkers know there are two types of bourbon: 'Ryed' and 'Wheated.'

Bourbon must be at least 51% corn. Generally 65% - 75% corn is used, together with about 10% barley and the balance will be either:

rye or
wheat

When the balance is rye, the bourbon is known as a 'ryed bourbon.' Ryed bourbons are very bold and spicy.

When the balance is wheat, the bourbon is known as a 'wheated bourbon.' Wheated bourbons are generally sweeter, nuttier and easy to drink. The distillers claim the difference between the two bourbons is like the difference between wheat bread and rye bread.

Wheated bourbons are in the minority but Makers Mark, W.L. Weller, Rip Van Winkle, Old Fitzgerald, Rebel Yell, Cabin Still and David Nicholson 1843 are some of them if not most of them.

IMO, the best wheated bourbon is W.L. Weller’s 12 year old. I don’t usually drink ryed bourbons. And if any of you are devoted to Maker's Mark, buy a bottle of Weller 12 YO and take a blind taste test. If you don't pick Weller over Maker's Mark, I'll buy your next bottle of Maker's Mark. And I may be wrong, but I don't recall ever seeing an age on a bottle of Maker's Mark. It is rushed to market. And Weller 12 YO is about $1 to $2 less than MM.

Answer 2

Like single malt Scotch, Bourbon is never diluted with neutral spirits and is always the product of a single distillery. But Bourbon is made principally from fermented corn, not barley, and the column, not pot, still is universally used in its production. The resulting clear liquid is a high proof, odorless, raw spirit tasting only slightly of corn kernels. Though master distillers put great stock in the purity of their water sources and the often generations-old yeast cultures used in fermenting the mash, Bourbon derives 90 percent of its flavor from the charred oak barrels in which it is aged.

As with Scotch, Bourbon also has undergone great changes in recent years. In 1984, Ancient Age released the first single barrel Bourbon, which, as the name implies, is a bottling of whiskey from one barrel only. By law, Bourbon must age for a minimum of two years in new oak barrels that have been charred. Bourbon aging sheds are huge, barnlike structures holding 20,000 barrels or more each. Master distillers have always known that certain barrels in a given warehouse will age to perfection, and it was these that Ancient Age tapped for its Blanton label, which was the first single barrel. Since then, a dozen or so super-premium brands have been introduced to the market. Some are single barrel and others are small batch (spirits mixed from a selection of 20 or so barrels). All share the rich, toasty, caramel flavors that characterize the best Bourbons.

The word "Bourbon" is often misused to refer to its close cousin, Tennessee whiskey. The name originates from Bourbon County, Kentucky. Though there is some great whiskey produced in Tennessee--notably Jack Daniel's, Jack Daniel's Gentleman Jack and George Dickel--it's not Kentucky Bourbon. Names to look for include Baker's 107, Basil Hayden's, Blanton, Booker, Elijah Craig, Hancock Reserve, Knob Creek, Maker's Mark, Rock Hill Farms and Wild Turkey Rare Breed. Prices for the best Bourbons range from $30 to $50.

With that said I guess it's really a matter of personal choice. I prefer Knob Creek or Maker's myself. Take the time to experience them all and you make the choice according to your own taste. Good luck and enjoy.

Answer 3

Best Wheated Bourbons

Answer 4

For top shelf stuff look into Maker's Mark, Jack Daniels Single Barrel, Crown Royal Special Reserve, Johnnie Walker Green and Blue labels, Glenfiddich, Bushmill's For stuff that's more affordable but still very good look into Jack Daniels Old #7, Crown Royal, Johnnie Walker Black, Wild Turkey

Answer 5

You have one of them on your list, Knob Creek. You want to stay with the small batch bourbons. I prefer Booker's. Basil Hayden's and Bakers are really good.

Answer 6

Knob Creek, Maker's Mark or Bulleit Burbon are all excellent choices IMO.

Answer 7

Big fan of the Knob Creek

Answer 8

I thought knob creek was bland. id suggest top of the line jim beam. elijah craig second best

Answer 9

I would go with Maker's Mark, That's my personal favorite.

Answer 10

Four Roses - small batch.