NWR: what's your favorite Bourbon?

[David M. Bueker]

For a reasonable price I am very fond of Eagle Rare 10 Year.

Anyone?

I'm no connoisseur of Bourbon although that was my parents' primary alcohol for cocktail parties. I like Basil Hayden because of the portion of rye that goes into it.

Old Crow. Yes.

Blanton's.

[Robin Garr]

With a nod in Jay's direction - Blanton's is certainly first-rate - this deeply rooted Louisville guy goes for Rowan's Creek or Noah's Mill when you're looking for something artisanal, and good old faithful Old Forester, Louisville's forever favorite, as a fine, well-balanced affordable bottle that's always on our bar.

After a tour of Maker's Mark 4 or 5 years ago, I was talking to the distiller and he told me that for value it's tough to beat Very Old Barton. It's aged in wood longer than others in the price range (6 years, according to a quick Google check) and it drinks like bourbons 2 - 3 times the price. The only downside (at the time anyway, I don't know if it's changed since) is that it's only available regionally.

While I was there I picked up several bottles on his recommendation, and I'm glad I did. It was no Maker's Mark (still my favorite), but it wasn't far off the Mark (sorry). If it were available around here it would be my house tipple.

+1 for Old Forester when you can find it.

Military package store house brand.

[Robin Garr]

+1 for Old Forester when you can find it.

Come on down to Louisville, Dick! You can buy it here in every corner liquor store, including Walgreen's. I think it's like those fabled local wines that are easiest to find close to the source, because the locals drink 'em all up.

... this deeply rooted Louisville guy...

Yeah, Bourbon's kind of a Big Thing in these parts. I have also found that non-snob Bourbon lovers who are not always searching for the not-to-be-found Pappy Van Winkle tend toward W. L. Weller products. I hear that has now become more difficult to find and the price point has drifted up, though.