I stay away from Coke, it tastes medicine-y. I love Pepsi though. You're right about beer, I can't decide whether I like it or not. LOL

But, I still drink it. I tried Shiner Bock and it is good, it's lighter tasting than XX and has a similar taste to me. I bought a small case of Modelo fruity beers and now I'm drinking them because I'm cheap and don't want to throw them out...never again. I'm still curious with the Lime Shiner or whatever it's called. I just don't want to buy a lot and not liking them.

(06-06-2025 10:44 AM)TripleA Wrote:  Just recently, nearing age 80, I find most everything above 90 proof too harsh, and have returned to bourbon and Coke, or rum and Coke. When you mix it half and half, as I do, the quality of the bourbon doesn't make much difference any more.

If you're still craving the taste of straight bourbon with the higher proofs, there's no shame in mixing in some water if the ice itself is not enough. A lot of guys will drink scotch and water. Another alternative is to drink a Manhattan if you like vermouth. I wouldn't drink WT Rare Breed neat, but the beauty of that high powered bourbon is cutting some with water stretches the bottle.

In my early 50s so I know in time I'll change - but if it's 100 proof or less I'll drink it neat (WT101 included). Over this and I'm adding ice or even water depending on how high the proof is. Only exception was the Yellowstone single malt whiskey at 108 proof. Somehow I drink that neat without much issue. I've been excited to start seeing more American distilleries getting into making single malt. IMHO with the better climate I think American single malt can become a superior product vs the non-peated scotches - especially from Speyside.

LOL, in reality I don't drink a lot of whiskeys and bourbons. I sound like a lush but I'll go weeks without drinking any alcohol at all.

(06-06-2025 11:36 AM)miko33 Wrote:  

(06-06-2025 10:44 AM)TripleA Wrote:  Just recently, nearing age 80, I find most everything above 90 proof too harsh, and have returned to bourbon and Coke, or rum and Coke. When you mix it half and half, as I do, the quality of the bourbon doesn't make much difference any more.

If you're still craving the taste of straight bourbon with the higher proofs, there's no shame in mixing in some water if the ice itself is not enough. A lot of guys will drink scotch and water. Another alternative is to drink a Manhattan if you like vermouth. I wouldn't drink WT Rare Breed neat, but the beauty of that high powered bourbon is cutting some with water stretches the bottle.

In my early 50s so I know in time I'll change - but if it's 100 proof or less I'll drink it neat (WT101 included). Over this and I'm adding ice or even water depending on how high the proof is. Only exception was the Yellowstone single malt whiskey at 108 proof. Somehow I drink that neat without much issue. I've been excited to start seeing more American distilleries getting into making single malt. IMHO with the better climate I think American single malt can become a superior product vs the non-peated scotches - especially from Speyside.

LOL, in reality I don't drink a lot of whiskeys and bourbons. I sound like a lush but I'll go weeks without drinking any alcohol at all.

Oh, I went from bourbon on the rocks to bourbon and water long ago, and now to Coke, just recently. Water just seems like I'm diluting the bourbon taste. I don't get that with a real mixer.

And like you, I really don't drink much at all. Never have. I just like to sample on road trips, and at home, I may have 2 drinks a month.

(06-06-2025 09:32 AM)TripleA Wrote:  

(06-06-2025 05:02 AM)CardinalJim Wrote:  Bourbon… you want Bourbon

All Bourbons are whiskey. All whiskies aren’t Bourbon
Pappy if you want the best

My personal favorites : Knob Creek, Wild Turkey

My Family Bourbon: Elijah Craig

Pappy is too expensive. No bourbon or whiskey is worth that. Knob Creek is great. I used to drink WT, but I find it too harsh these days.

I do distillery tastings all over the country on my road trips. My favorites are usually obscure ones that aren't widely available.

For common use, I like Jefferson Reserve Small Batch, and for a little less, 1792 Small Batch.

1792 is amazing…. You’re a real Bourbon aficionado Andy… You sure you ain’t from Kentucky

(06-06-2025 06:24 AM)miko33 Wrote:  

(06-06-2025 05:02 AM)CardinalJim Wrote:  Bourbon… you want Bourbon

All Bourbons are whiskey. All whiskies aren’t Bourbon
Pappy if you want the best

My personal favorites : Knob Creek, Wild Turkey

My Family Bourbon: Elijah Craig

Wasn't sure if JD and Dickel wanted to be known as bourbons or if they preferred to stay "Tennessee style" whiskey.

I like Wild Turkey - probably the best bang for the buck wrt to proof and I believe they age their bourbon for 5 - 7 years IIRC. I have an unopened bottle of Knob Creek that looks enticing - 100 proof and aged 9 years per the bottle. My favorite for the price is probably the Four Roses single barrel offering but haven't had any for awhile.

Currently in addition to the Knob Creek I do have some Highland Park 12 year old scotch. That's solid as well. Recently tried the Yellowstone single malt whiskey that I thought was really good.

Real Bourbon…. America’s Native Spirit….is only bottled in Kentucky.

Don’t get me wrong my Appalachian American brethren make some fine corn whiskey in Tennessee and North Carolina but it ain’t bourbon.

I do love me some Jack Daniels on the occasion.

In 2011 a little distillery in Downtown Louisville started bottling Angel's Envy. It’s not a widely available bourbon but if you can find it, grab yourself a bottle. They use a second finishing process where they transfer the bourbon from the aging barrel to a cask for additional aging. The result is a smooth bourbon.

My son lives in Philly and I send him bottles during the year to share with his friends as he says he can’t find it up there.

(06-06-2025 12:34 PM)CardinalJim Wrote:  

(06-06-2025 09:32 AM)TripleA Wrote:  

(06-06-2025 05:02 AM)CardinalJim Wrote:  Bourbon… you want Bourbon

All Bourbons are whiskey. All whiskies aren’t Bourbon
Pappy if you want the best

My personal favorites : Knob Creek, Wild Turkey

My Family Bourbon: Elijah Craig

Pappy is too expensive. No bourbon or whiskey is worth that. Knob Creek is great. I used to drink WT, but I find it too harsh these days.

I do distillery tastings all over the country on my road trips. My favorites are usually obscure ones that aren't widely available.

For common use, I like Jefferson Reserve Small Batch, and for a little less, 1792 Small Batch.

1792 is amazing…. You’re a real Bourbon aficionado Andy… You sure you ain’t from Kentucky

I lived in KY for a few years. Maybe that's where I earned my chops. :)

Quote:Jack Daniel's maker reveals surprising reason why Americans are drinking less whiskey
Brown-Forman provided a gloomy forecast for coming year

Executives from Jack Daniel's parent company, Brown-Forman Corp., warned that the business is seeing pressure from cannabis, weight-loss drugs and lackluster demand from Generation Z.

Brown-Forman CEO Lawson Whiting told analysts on an earnings call that the "same big three" is the reason that there has been lower demand for liquor.

"We've been saying that for 1.5 years now. And I know on the sell-side that the world seems to be a little bit split on the extent of the pressure that it's putting on our category. We'd be naive if we didn't say that there isn't some pressure coming from those," Whiting told analysts.

The economy is also playing a factor, with Whiting noting that consumers don't have as much dispensable income and are prioritizing vacations and lodging.

"They go to the grocery store, I think in some cases, spirits has fallen out of the basket a little bit. And that isn't obviously great," Whiting said.

Read more here: https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/ja...ss-whiskey