Cheap v. Cheaper: In Search of a Buzz

I usually have a bottle of JB in the house.  It's the most palatable of all the cheap bourbons.  And hey, I'm no snob.  I'll do some Canadian Hunter or even Black Velvet and be happy.  But JB's price tag sure beats the top bottles here for price.  I recently scored a 1.75L for $23.  Not too shabby, and should last me a good long time.

In the course of the past few months, I have picked up a bottle of Old Grandad 100 and Wild Turkey 101.  I was in search of a value.  And yes, okay, a buzz.  Life is hard, and booze takes the edge off.

Here's the thing, though.  I didn't notice any difference between the allegedly 100 or 101 proof booze and the 80 proof JB I usually have between nicer bottles.  I could have two glasses of any of the three and have the exact same buzz.  The whole point of a higher proof is to achieve relaxation with fewer doses.  However, no dice.

Then, last week, my wife buys me a 1L of Maker's Mark, because she is the best wife in the history of wives.  It's been a while since I splurged on a $25-$30 bottle, so long I had almost forgotten what it was like.  One sip, and it was like meeting an old friend.  A good friend.  And even with slow, savoring sipping, I was buzzed before I finished my first glass.

Maker's Mark is 90 proof.

Lower that WT101, lower than OG100.  But it packed a punch that neither one of the cheaper brands did.

So, besides buying you flavor like heaven itself, the extra $10 you spend for a quality bottle really goes somewhere.

#6 Elijah Craig 12 Year

This gets on a lot of these lists, and it's good.  It's really flavorful, but it's got this burnt aspect, like licking charcoal, that keeps it from being a real favorite.  Some people enjoy the tarry flavor (scotch drinkers, I'm looking at you), but I don't.  Part of why I love bourbon is it's characteristic lack of smokiness.  Maybe my palette isn't really refined, but oh well.  The burnt flavor isn't too pronounced, just a little in the back of the throat.  Other than that, it's what I would call "spicy,"

#4 Buffalo Trace

Before I tried this, I really liked Jack Daniels.  Well, that's not true, but Jack was something I would order when I was out, and sometimes had at home.  It was pleasant enough.  Buffalo Trace was the first bourbon I had that I really enjoyed, the one that got me trying better bottles.  It's the easier-drinking of the bunch.  Not much burn, not much edge, just really pleasant.  It's lack of personality (and slightly lower proof) keeps it out of the top three, but it's still a really, really nice bourbon.  If you're not into whiskey, this is your gateway drug.

#3 Maker's Mark

It's the bourbon I get when I'm out at a restaurant or bar, because it's usually the only one on this list they have.  This one is not as easy-drinking as #1 and #2, making it one of the few on this list I'd ever pour over rocks.  It really packs a punch, flavor-wise, but it's nice.  It still feels nice and syrupy in the mouth, and spreads that wonderful bourbon warmth.  It just has a little bit too much of an edge to it for me, keeping it out of the top two.

#2 Evan Williams Single Barrel

Don't blanch at the name Evan Williams, which appears on the label of some pretty crappy whiskey.  This stuff is rich, thick, and smooth as san be, with plenty of that nice slow burn I crave.  This bottle is a little sweeter than the others on this list, so it might not be for you.  It IS for me.

NUMBER ONE

#1) Eagle Rare 10 Year

Wow.  This one seems smooth and easy-drinking, but then it smacks you in the mouth with flavor.  The warmth blossoms in your chest and palette, exploding with sweet, spicy, savory goodness.  It's like maple syrup and lava had a baby and named it bourbon.

#10 Old Grandad 114

At 114 proof, I couldn't believe how smooth this one was. Until I swallowed it, at which point a taste like burnt mulch bloomed in my sinuses. I can't tell if that's good or not. I do enjoy standing in front of the grill all day smoking meat with what basically amounts to smoldering mulch. I don't know. I enjoyed buzzing off only one glass, but I also had a mild, unpleasant burning sensation in the back of my throat.

I really want to like this one, since at 114 proof it's like getting a 1L for the price of 750ml. But I have to be honest, it doesn't taste anywhere near as nice as the others on this list. Maybe that smoke flavor is sought after by more discerning palates.

The longer you let the ice sit in it, the more tolerable it gets. It really doesn't belong on this list as something that is pleasing to drink, but at 114, it's just too economical.

update: I just wanted to like this too much because of the "114." The aftertaste isn't smoke, it's bile. It tastes like you just vomited. With every sip, I feel I'm tasting Old Gran Dad's balls. So, if your goal is to slip into oblivion for awhile, the "114" factor will do that for you. Just use lots of ice and drink it fast. Chase with water. Or beer.