Bourbon Rye Recommendations...?
 

Looking for a good bottle of bourbon rye to give to a friend for his bday...

Budget is $100, and if at all possible - something that can be found somewhat easily. This stuff (whiskey) is all foreign to me, so any help is appreciated! (seriously, I tried some scotch before, and it tasted like I was licking an oak tree!)

I can help with a $20 bottle but the price range you speak of is out of my altitude.;)

What's a good $20 bottle?

If all else fails, I can grab that! :D

I don't think a rye can also qualify as a bourbon, though many bourbon distilleries also make ryes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bourbon_whiskey#Legal_requirements

If your friend likes bourbon, I would assume his taste buds are broken. BTW, $20 bottles of whiskey are seldom if ever good. The cheapest I go is Jameson, which tends to run high 20's in my area.

I was wondering the same thing "bourbon rye" . . . is a cocktail. ;)

Hipsters have entered the spirits market, after snooting up the beer world, so there's all kinds of rye choices these days that didn't exist 10 years ago. At the bottom end, I would recommend that you give Old Overholt a try. It's around $20 for 750ml and it won't strip paint if you spill it. It has a distinctive peppery note. Lately I've been buying Bulleit rye and bourbon and enjoy it. Most people are surprised to learn that the classic Manhattan is a rye based drink, not bourbon.

I've had Bulleit rye. It wasn't bad, but I don't like it as much as Jameson, and it's more expensive. When I want a really good whisky, I get Laphroaig.

I thought that iwrock was investigating the fine authentic American products that are available. Grain spirits are truly American products, but if you're looking for a nice malt whiskey, then I'll have a Glen Rothes, I'm partial to the Speysides. Jamesons is a fine blend.

If I'm drinking whiskey, Jameson is also my choice.

The only problem with Jameson is that I tend to "forget" what happens most of the night. :eek: Not a bad thing, though I'm still trying to find where I left my pants the last time I had Jameson.

Whiskey/scotch isn't my thing - I tried it once, and felt like I was licking oak trees. Apologies if I'm incorrect in my terminology.

Didn't El Chivito once mention Whistle Pig as a good choice? If I recall, we were going to pick up a bottle when next we had need. Hmmm...

MV

Bourbon and rye are fine straight up or in cocktails. It's easy to get acquainted with it in cocktails. Bourbon is also a great cooking flavor ingredient in small amounts.

Whisky comes from countries that don't have an "e" in them. Whiskey comes from countries that do. Whisky is better than whiskey, IMO. Funny you should mention oak. Arizona makes an oak-infused iced tea that I happen to like. It sort of reminds me of some of the things I like about a good whisky.

For a good bourbon, I like Maker's Mark. For a good rye, I like Knob Creek. It's been a few years since I've bought either, but I remember the prices being in the $30-$35 range, if I'm not mistaken

I've heard of, but not tried Whistle Pig. If I'm not mistaken, Dave Pickerill, the former master distiller of Maker's Mark, now makes Whistle Pig...which make me want to try it even more.

I second the Knob Creek rye as well. But for a good all around scotch, Macallan 12. And for a taste of the salty smoky ocean, Laphroaig.

I'm a fan of knob creek, though I'm not a huge bourbon drinker. I've had a few (that I wish I remembered) that were mind blowing in flavor richness and smoothness. Been a few years.


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