Hello! Do we have any BOURBON aficionados in our midst? (I had THREE spelling errors in my first attempt at spelling the word “aficionado” AND had to look up the definition to make sure I was using it right. I was using it right: it means KNOWLEDGEABLE AND ENTHUSIASTIC about something.)
My brother had a fun idea for his birthday this year—oh, but first I should tell you that we are a WISH LIST family. I think that’s important to know, since otherwise you might be thinking, “Wait, your brother is TELLING YOU what to give him for his birthday??”—and no, he would never, this is an idea on his wish list, and wish lists are only for family members who WANT to use wish lists: that is, there is no feeling that anyone MUST or SHOULD choose from the wish list, and plenty of feeling that it is EVEN BETTER to go off-list; but SOME members of our extended family (NOT ME, it may surprise you to learn) are TOO ANXIOUS to buy anything that isn’t explicitly listed and linked to. Plus, most of us find wish lists fun, and a good way to get an idea of what SORTS of things the person might be interested in this year: some years someone might have a lot of novelty t-shirts and jewelry; other years they might have a bunch of books and mugs and treats; other years they might have mostly postcards and Etsy art. (Those are all me.)
Back to where I was. My brother had a fun idea for his birthday this year, because his wish list is very sparse right now, and he knows this will lead to some hand-wringing. He suggested that, since bourbon is perpetually on his list and he loves to try new kinds, anyone who wanted a wish list idea should choose a bottle of bourbon and then he’d have a bouquet of birthday bourbons to try, which he would find very fun.
I am NOT a bourbon aficionado (one misspelling this time, and that was WHILE LOOKING AT THE CORRECT SPELLING), but I AM an aficionado of OTHER things, so I know how sometimes an aficionado can look at someone’s likes/dislikes in their aficionado category and immediately get excited and start making suggestions. So I am hoping some of you are bourbon aficionados or perhaps you have a sibling/spouse/friend/co-worker who is a bourbon aficionado, and that you/they would find it fun to look at my brother’s list/chart and make some suggestions:
I could, of course, just buy a bottle from Old Favorites, or from Liked and Want More (ignore Looking For: it’s a standing category that happens to be empty this year), but it would be more fun to buy something he hasn’t tried yet, so what I am hoping is that someone is looking at that list right now and saying “OOOOOoooooo you know what I think he’d like??” and then going to the comments section to answer their own question.
Ignore PRICE: not only am I INTERESTED in hearing even about bourbons outside whatever my price range might be, but also there are other people buying gifts for my brother who might have different price ranges, and also-also I might want to buy a more expensive bourbon for a milestone birthday later on.
Oh, and I am familiar with the idea of a gift box / advent calendar of small bottles of various bourbons, but he’s had that gift at least once, and I think at least twice, so I am less inclined to go that route unless you are thinking “Well okay but THIS PARTICULAR GIFT BOX is especially great!”
My husband is a major bourbon/whiskey fan and our go-to treat for him is Uncle Nearest! (It is delicious and smooth, plus we love supporting a Black-owned brand.)
I was going to suggest Uncle Nearest also! My step-cousin is one of their brand ambassadors and it seems like a seriously great company to work for, with an amazing history.
Also, as a non-bourbon drinker, I also found it to be delicious and smooth!
Oh! I love this idea.
I really enjoy Rowan’s Creek, which is a small-batch producer from Kentucky. Price is generally around $40-45 (here’s the link to Total Wine: https://www.totalwine.com/spirits/bourbon/small-batch-bourbon/rowans-creek-bourbon/p/103822750)
Oh, something I can help with:
Wigle, a Pennsylvania brand has several options
Old Line Spirits (Maryland)
Copper Fox (Virginia; if he likes rye, theirs is splendid and they are my personal favorite)
Based on his list and my own family’s favorites, I suggest Whistle Pig 10-year (which is rye whiskey but I think so are some others on his list), and Woodinville (bourbon).
In our area, popular favorites are Dry Fly, OOLA, Waitsburg, and Woodinville bourbons. Happy hunting!
Here is a local place to us that has popular rye, https://catoctincreekdistilling.com/products
And second the WhistlePig suggestion.
What a fun idea!
Monkey Shoulder is a great value bouton. Tastes, awesome and runs about 30 a bottle.
My husband enjoys Woodford Reserve and Four Roses.
We lived in Kentucky for many years because of military assignments, and because of this I have done at least a dozen Bourbon distillery tours and many bourbon-related activities. I’ve learned to like bourbon, and done a lot of bourbon shopping and hunting for good bottles (like you, I love a quest). I drink it maybe 3x a month, but I do like the taste. Anyway, all this to say that IMO your brother has great taste in bourbon. If I were you and I saw any of these bottles in a regular store for list price, I would buy them because they are hard to find: Blantons, Henry McKenna, Eagle Rare, and maybe Weller Special Reserve. If you could ever find a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle for the list price, buy it (they are super rare…usually you buy a chance to win the opportunity to buy a bottle). If you want something new, I’d tried something from Four Roses (Maybe their single barrel/small batch) or I think Woodford is coming out with a new “select” bourbon. Or Peerless out of Louisville is also a good bourbon.
I just came here to say that if you have a connection in the liquor shop industry, seeing if you can get a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle would be an awesome gift. But it’s hard to do, as mentioned.
Our local distillery makes bourbon, and it might be worth seeing if there’s a local one to him or you that he could try, if he hasn’t. Or purchasing a tasting for him might be a fun alternative.
Would recommend Hillrock Bourbon – tasty, and not on his list, so a fun surprise! From his list, I quite like Widow Jane.
Im not a bourbon drinker but I found a new distillery while at a festival this summer. Saint Lawrence Spirits – their vodka is the best I’ve ever tried and I even bought a bottle of their Empire Cream (think Baileys but better). They have a bourbon he might want to try if he/you live in a state they deliver to.
My husband used to work for the bourbon company that makes Woodford. They also make Old Forester which is very similar but at a lower price point. They have speciality higher end of Old Forestor – Birthday Bourbon which was his fave.
I second Uncle Nearest and would add Breckenridge Bourbon as well.
My husband is a bourbon drinker. His newest favorite it Castle & Key rye whiskey.
When we travel, he likes to look for local distilleries just to try something local to the area. Maybe look for a distillery near where he lives (or where you live) for a small batch, local whiskey.
I like a lot of the “Liked and Wanted More” list, so here’s one I really like that isn’t on any of the lists: Doc Swenson Alter Ego (https://www.docswhiskey.com/library-high-proof-triple-cask). It’s become a staple for my spouse, who is big into bourbon.
Widow Jane Decadence is also AMAZING – we usually have the 10 year on hand, but Decadence is a real treat. It can be hard to find, though, and is expensive.
The bourbon drinkers in my life love Weller.
I will concur that your brother has great taste. I didn’t enjoy bourbon until I received a bottle of Knob Creek that was bigger than my head for my 38th birthday. I received it from my bourbon-loving Auntie, who I gifted in return with a bottle of Widow Jane.
I can’t drink bourbon anymore but I liked Bulleit Bourbon – which I see is already on the list. It is tasty! My auntie prefers JD.
This list is making me have a George Thorogood moment. Has your brother ever tried Old Grand Dad? There’s a 100 proof version – Bottled in Bond.
Blanton’s is a solid choice.
If you have a Trader Joe’s in your area, their, uh, Trader Joe’s Bourbon is remarkably good and affordable.
Rowen’s Creek! Or Weller! Or Blantons! All of these are VERY hood and very fancy/interesting.
GOOD! very GOOD
We did a blind taste test with friends (a very fun night!), Walking Stick bourbon ranked very high, even against much more expensive brands. We’ve also enjoyed a couple of the Basil Hayden varieties (I think my favorite was Toast!)…
Knob Creek
Four Roses
$$$ Pappy Van Winkel (I’ve only ever read about it)
My husband who is usually good at this kind of thing (but has followed me into another room to continue explaining to me that bourbon is not his area of expertise) says that your brother already likes all the good kinds of bourbon.
I chuckled. Thanks for that
When we lived in Indiana, we tried and liked Backbone (both their bourbon and rye)
I have actually managed to try Pappy Van Winkle – it is GOOD but I am not sure it is worth the cost.
I’d suggest George Dickle Bourbon.
3 of my husband’s 4 regular drinks are on the ‘do not like’ list so I suggest your brother will also not like ‘american honey’, which is his fourth.
The only one not on his list that I love is Michter’s, which is a Kentucky rye whiskey and not a bourbon, but it seems like he likes both! Your brother has excellent taste in bourbon, and I’m bookmarking this post and the responses!
I live in Kentucky. If it’s available where you live, your brother might enjoy trying Brough Brothers Bourbon. My husband, whose favorite is Elijah Craig, likes it. It’s one of the first black-owned distilleries in KY.
Second Blanton’s, Uncle Nearest, and I’ll add Pinhook to the list — have only tried their five year aged but it is quite good!
I love a good wish list, especially when you are expected to use it as more of a guide than as a list of only-these-will-suffice.
My dad is more of a Scotch guy, but sometimes he dabbles in bourbon and he does really love George Dickel.
My husband loves Willett Pot Still Reserve Bourbon and it comes in a really cool bottle!
If he likes Angel’s Envy, he might like Noah’s Mill. That was the first bourbon I ever liked on the rocks (vs with cola), but it can be hard to find. It comes in a wine type bottle. I didn’t like Bib and Tucker either.
I like Noah’s Mill, but I also like Maker’s Mark, so I may be the Do the Opposite landmark here for Swistle’s brother.
Our usual is Four Roses single barrel.
Another vote for Woodinville—definitely my favorite!
https://www.woodinvillewhiskeyco.com/products/straight-bourbon-whiskey/
Same! Woodinville is my favorite. I agree with your brother’s picks (at least the ones I’ve tried, so now I have new ones to look for). If anyone is in the Seattle area, the tasting room lets you try the bourbon and also the barrel-aged maple syrup!
I seem to have a similar taste in bourbons as your brother, so hopefully this is helpful:
If you are within driving distance of Wisconsin, Great Lakes Distillery in Milwaukee has fantastic bourbons (and fantastic other spirits, as well), but I don’t believe they ship out of state. They have a search function on their website to find retailers within the state.
I’ve also had several people recommend Blaum Bros. Distilling Company in Galena, IL to me, but I haven’t made the drive to try it myself. Looking at their distribution map, they are available in Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Georgia.
Some people have suggested Ryes – that’s not a Bourbon. You brother does have bourbons on his list that have high rye content but are not Ryes.
Highly recommend Pinhook Bourbon. It’s hard to find though. Basil Hayden’s is good, especially their Toast batches and you can find at Costco.
Another gift idea might be a bourbon tour in Lexington. It’s a cheap place to visit, with the races at Keenland, stud farm tours and Bourbon trail lots to do. We go frequently.
I am echoing several things that have already been said here, but:
I did a Bourbon Trail trip a few years ago and tasted dozens of bourbons over two days and Four Roses single barrel was my favorite of them all.
And if he’s up for rye, Catoctin Creek is also local to me, and they have a GWAR-branded rye that I find sort of hilarious.
Bookmarking Ragnarök Rye for the hilarity factor. Never thought I’d see a GWAR mention in a Swistle thread but I AM HERE FOR IT.
Coming back here to say that “single barrel” of any type is typically going to be the fanciest/best. Often they blend a few barrels together, but single barrel means “this barrel was SO GOOD we didn’t have to blend it at all.” Four Roses Single Barrel is a great go to that can be found most places.
I used to be a Jack and Coke girl so I’m of little help. (also: my redneck roots are showing, lol)
How about a great glass to go with whichever bottle you choose? You mentioned Etsy and my brain went “I bet they have great glasses!!” and they totally do: https://www.etsy.com/search?q=liquor%20glasses
I also recommend Old Foerster for a good price point to quality choice. Spendy option – Middleton Very Rare. I believe it’s pushing $200. My husband is the bourbon drinker and I generally am not, but I thoroughly enjoy it myself for a special occasion glass.
This was a fun question to think about in our house. My husband is a bourbon drinker and his tastes overlaps some with your brother’s. If you can find Blantons, definitely get it!. But here are some ideas he gave me of bourbons you might be able to find more easily: Woodford reserve double oak, Four Roses Small Batch Reserve, Four Roses Single Barrell, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, Thomas S. Moore Port Cask finish, Old Forrester 1920 Prohibition style. Good luck! Please report back!
I also live in the Bluegrass State, and my husband is indeed an aficionado.
Any of the bourbons starting with a “B” on your brother’s list are solid choices.
My spouse’s favorite is probably Woodford Reserve Double Oaked. My other favorite that has not been mentioned – and the website says sorry, they don’t know when or where there will be more – is Old Pogue out of Maysville, Kentucky.
I am not a bourbon drinker! But it was so much fun reading all these comments!!
Also, we were a “list family” growing up and it was great. You could put ANYTHING. On your list, from socks to a new car. In fact, the more stuff at different price points you added, the more choices the other family members had.
Good luck!
Local is a tiny distillery in chicago. Female owned and some of the very best whiskey and bourbon around. Highly recommend. They also sell small bottles of various other kinds of things if you’d like him to try the bourbon plus others.
https://www.koval-distillery.com/newsite/whiskey/bourbon
https://bourbonpaddy.com/2020/04/29/koval-bourbon-review/
I love koval! I had no idea it was woman-owned, awesome. They make this oat bourbon that is so good.
I’m gonna go a weird direction and suggest a couple of Japanese bourbons that might be fun for your brother to try sometime. We have the same taste he does and have enjoyed Yamazaki 12 Year Old, Nikka Coffey Grain, and Suntory Toki. They are on the pricey side but for a present I think they are very good bourbon.
Four roses small batch!
I was surprised/not surprised that Pappy Van Winkle wasn’t on the list. Sometimes you can get entered into a raffle for the “opportunity” to buy it at list price. Seriously.
I’m from KY but much to the chagrin of my family, not a bourbon fan. However, I do always keep a bottle of Woodford Reserve in my cabinet for when folks visit. If you need bourbon related items but not bourbon might I suggest quality “rocks” glasses or a bourbon “ice ball” or “whiskey ball” tray/ice maker. All of my family love the big round ball of ice in their glass of bourbon and so that would be a cool gift for a bourbon lover.
Funny story, at my SIL’s wedding shower she received rocks glasses. Her very conservative non-drinking grandmother was there so we kept having to refer to the rocks glasses as her “juice” glassware. Still makes me laugh 20+ years later.
My husband is a bourbon guy and likes a lot of those favorites, too. He recently tried some called Yellowstone he liked, maybe kinda for the cool name;)
I don’t drink bourbon so I am of no help there, but I came to say that I would have staked my life on “aficionado” having 2 f’s, and, frankly, am still not convinced it has only 1 despite the incontrovertible evidence to the contrary.
Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey! It’s technically not a bourbon, but it’s my favorite bourbon in everything but name. I will also vouch for Breckenridge Bourbon (which is also made in Colorado.