I’ve got a mate whos a big fan of Bourbon. He’s tried all the standard brands like Buffalo Trace, JD, Jim Beam and Wild Turkey.
I want to get him a bottle for Xmas of something he might not have tried before, something I can say was recommended by Americans as a good bourbon. Doesn’t need to be some weird flavour like Red Stag, just old fashioned American bourbon that maybe flies under the radar in other countries.
A +1 for Woodford Reserve and Knob Creek, especially Woodford’s nicer offerings. Those are great choices.
I’m going to disagree on the Basil Hayden and the Bulleit. I wouldn’t recommend them to a bourbon enthusiast (or to anyone really). Bulleit in particular I think doesn’t really offer a lot of the classic bourbon experience that someone who is into bourbon might get excited about. To me, it drinks quite hot and is pretty thin.
Crazy that no one has recommended Costco’s in-house Bourbon. It’s very hard to get unless you know when it’s in stock, because it sells out in like a week, but at some places (DC for example) you don’t even need a membership to buy liquor. It’s a REALLY good Bourbon for the price. It’s a little stronger and sweeter than many bourbons in my estimation, without much bite.
My buddy is a huge Bourbon snob, we did the trail for his bachelor party, and he had a few bourbon bars set up at his wedding. It was one of the five he chose to have at his wedding, and the decision was not made on cost. He’s the one that introduced me to it, and it’s basically all I buy now, unless I’m getting something cheap for bourbon and gingers or some other mixed drink.
What's your budget? If your friend is into bourbon then most everything here he's probably tried. To get a unique gift bottle will cost a bit more, depending where you are.
Have you thought about giving him a rye whisky? It is still a very American style of whisky. It might be a neat treat to have something just a little different.
Add comment