Comments on: What's your favorite type of liquor?

What's your favorite type of liquor?

rorycberger — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 12:18:21 -0800

What's your favorite type of liquor? After the success of the beer thread, I figured some people might want to talk about their favorite scotches, bourbons, rums, tequilas, vodkas, and gins.

By: Jako

Jako — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 12:26:08 -0800

I'm a really big fan of Dalwhinnie scotch. Admittedly, the list of scotches I enjoy drinking is quite long, but I suspect not many people know about Dalwhinnie. It's good. Unfortunately, my ancestral clan makes crap scotch...

By: nofundy

nofundy — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 12:28:22 -0800

Easy one. Tequila. Chinaco Anejo. Fine sippin'

By: moz

moz — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 12:30:09 -0800

a while back i tried a new mix drink that was red bull and vodka. the caffeine and alcohol mix is no doubt bad, but holy jesus that drink was great. i could not taste the alcohol, and it got me pretty smashed in a hurry. i drink rum and coke, for some reason. i don't know why. i suppose because it has soda in it. and there's a lot worse out there. tequila, i like. i don't even need a chaser for it. and i'm a huge fan of cider. woodchuck, babe.

By: kindall

kindall — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 12:31:57 -0800

What kind of liquor goes best with pancakes? I really like pancakes. A lot.

By: crankydoodle

crankydoodle — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 12:32:25 -0800

It really depends on the weather. On warmer days I prefer the following: 1.5 oz. Finlandia cranberry vodka 1.0 oz. crankberry juice 0.5 oz. Sprite lime wedge However, during the colder times of the year I prefer a Baileys & coffee. *yum* But I rarely have either since I don't drink a lot anymore. Having been a bartender just kills my desire to drink... :)

By: cell divide

cell divide — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 12:32:54 -0800

Tito, give Michael some syrup...

By: crasspastor

crasspastor — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 12:33:00 -0800

KAMCHATKA VODKA!

By: Kafkaesque

Kafkaesque — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 12:33:26 -0800

I'm always happy to jump on the band wagon (or paddy wagon, as the case may be), and talk about booze. Booze! I Love Booze! Is that so wrong? I'm mostly a vodka drinker, and my poison of choice is Krolewska usually, though sometimes Ketel One or Belvedere. I also dig Pernod. The again I like licorice ice cream, so draw your own conclusions. For gin, I usually go for Boodles.

By: transient

transient — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 12:34:30 -0800

Dalwhinnie? eh... no' bad... Lagavulin's my fav, but has lost some of my respect (and sales) for having nearly doubled in price here over the past three years. Edradour's quite a treat, though. Metafilter: weblog as AA meeting.

By: me3dia

me3dia — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 12:34:38 -0800

Damn, if Lagavullin isn't the best scotch I've had. Smokey, earthy, with a hint of hickory...great with a good cigar or pipe, if you smoke. Ohterwise, I'm a gin'n'tonic man. Bombay Sapphire, never Tanqueray.

By: Kafkaesque

Kafkaesque — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 12:35:48 -0800

Oh and anything at all that has Clamato in it. Nothing says libation like the great taste of clam.

By: MrBaliHai

MrBaliHai — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 12:37:41 -0800

My current libation of choice is Havana Club 7-year old Cuban rum (not available legally in US, but easy to find in Europe) mixed with sparkling lemonade. Some other excellent rums include: Lemon Hart Demerara Rum Trader Vic's Spiced Rum and Dark Rum Pusser's Rum (used in english navy grogs) In single-malt Scotches, I prefer that smoked-peat flavah from the Isle of Islay, Laphroaig and Lagavulin are two fine examples of these "difficult" scotches.

By: rorycberger

rorycberger — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 12:40:02 -0800

kindall: I knew the pancakes would be coming, and I apologize, but if I had to guess: I bet you could mix some bailey's into some warm syrup and make some tasty alcoholic pancakes, but that's just a guess.

By: Bernreuther

Bernreuther — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 12:41:28 -0800

This is easy: Jack and Coke, or, if I know they can do it right, a Grateful Dead. There are different recipes for this drink... some ar bad, but some are just right. If I'm going to drink a lot, I stay away from those, cause you're just asking for a killer hangover. I'll drink G+T or Mandrin and tonic. With vodkas, I'm partial to Absolut, just since I always liked the name and use to collect the ads :) I do recognize that brands like Grey Goose and Belvedere taste quite a bit better. I love Scotch, but have been limited in my experience with different kinds. So far I like Glenfiddich the best. I need to get down to carmel to the Hog's Breath sometime... perfect scotch drinking environment :)

By: dagny

dagny — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 12:42:45 -0800

Cognac is the king of liquor.

By: dagny

dagny — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 12:42:50 -0800

Cognac all the way.

By: dagny

dagny — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 12:43:19 -0800

(uh, sorry for the double-post)

By: whuppy

whuppy — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 12:44:45 -0800

Jameson. So smooth it practically drinks itself.

By: mymanb

mymanb — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 12:47:39 -0800

Bushmill's Irish Whiskey. I come for the style, but I stay for the smoothness.

By: chacal

chacal — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 12:47:40 -0800

i'd have to say that my favorite liquor is bombay sapphire gin, at least when made in a martini..and as far as rums go, i'm a big fan of mount gay. that said, i'm a _much_ bigger wine fan that liquor. give me a nice syrah or pinot any day over liquor.

By: conquistador

conquistador — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 12:48:40 -0800

Small-batch bourbon - preferably Woodford Reserve or Maker's Mark. On the rocks with a dash of water. Also, quality margaritas (ie. one that does not involve a large jug of fluorescent green sour mix). Recipe #1, "The Summertime Margarita": - 1 shot reposada tequila - 1 shot dark rum - 1 shot triple sec - 1 dash of Grenadine - juice of one lime (shake with plenty of ice, strain into oversized margarita glass; umbrella optional) Recipe #2, "The Standard": - 1 shot lime juice - 2 shots Cointreau - 3 shots silver tequila (shake with plenty of ice, strain into 4oz salted tallboy glass)

By: FullFrontalNerdity

FullFrontalNerdity — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 12:49:34 -0800

Tequila is my favorite liquor by far. Of all the tequilas I have had over the years, I prefer Porfidio Cactus (2 yrs aged in American white oak casks, each bottle is hand filled/corked/labeled from a single cask) and Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia. Of course, that's what I can usually buy locally in restaurants and bars, when they are not trying to charge $15+/shot. Considering each costs ~$75/bottle, restauraunteurs who charge $15/shot * 20 shots are making approximately $225 profit off a bottle. Bastards. (For reference, there are a number of places in Atlanta offering the same drink for ~$7 - $9/shot. And I'd never shoot it...that's sippin' tequila!)

By: revbrian

revbrian — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 12:50:16 -0800

Vodka - Luksasowa Rum - Stroh Scotch - Glenfield Park(sm), J Walker Black(blend) Bourbon - Jim Beam, black label - No sour mash for me! Brandy - Schlivovitz Other - Jagermeister

By: xochi

xochi — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 12:52:58 -0800

Dewars...Dewars....Dewars....Dewars... so smooth.

By: howa2396

howa2396 — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 12:55:47 -0800

dagney: i think the apology would make it a triple-post :) I'm a big fan of getting drunk, regardless of the poison. With the lone exception of Gold Schlager. Through many nights of drinking Gold Schlager until I puke, I've developed an involuntary hurl response to it. one small drink of it and I'll throw up.

By: Perigee

Perigee — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 12:55:47 -0800

Grand Marnier; the perfect drink for damned near everything and every purpose... ... and, best of all, for Kindall; eat up, kiddo!

By: chrisege

chrisege — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 12:57:15 -0800

I enjoy grey goose vodka. I don't claim to be any sort of connoisseur, but I can definitely taste the difference between it and something cheap like Stoli. I've heard that the Orange Grey Goose is pretty great, too.

By: conquistador

conquistador — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 12:58:19 -0800

ooh - I almost forgot about the Rusty Nail (two parts single malt scotch, one part Drambouie, on the rocks).

By: rorycberger

rorycberger — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 13:01:14 -0800

dagny: what kind of cognac do you recommend? I have never had any, so what would you recommend to a first timer?

By: bjgeiger

bjgeiger — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 13:04:56 -0800

Glenlivet staight up, water back.

By: Vetinari

Vetinari — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 13:06:26 -0800

SoCo, chilled straight, or on the rocks. Also, there's a drink (usually a shooter) I've only seen in midtown Memphis bars called a Walk Me Down Jesus. Basically it's a blue Long Island, I think. Only drink I've ever had that made my face numb. :)

By: mathowie

mathowie — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 13:15:32 -0800

I really hate the taste and feel of hard liquor. What should a wuss like me drink? So far, when I'm at a chic bar in SF, I can only handle Lemon Drops (and yes I get plenty of flack from friends when I order one) or Caipirinhas.

By: starvingartist

starvingartist — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 13:17:54 -0800

Tequila, baby! And Jagermeister, the European mix with the opium in it :) Best shot I ever had? Liquid Cocaine: 1 layer Rumpleminze 1 layer Jager 1 layer Firewater top with a little tequila Mmm, mmm! I could also go for a Screaming Nazi, which is the first half of the Liquid Cocaine.

By: moz

moz — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 13:19:55 -0800

matt: try the red bull & vodka. seriously, i could not taste the alcohol in it. it was like drinking strawberry soda, but so much better.

By: cakeman

cakeman — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 13:20:13 -0800

Benedictine is wonderful, especially now that the nights are getting cooler. Makes me feel all warm and cozy :-) I hosted a cocktail party a while ago and did a bunch of research on different classic cocktails. This is a great site and and an even better book. After I came-to a few weeks later I found that I really liked the Champs Elysées - and so did many of the guests at the party. I give it extra points for using Chartreuse.

By: starvingartist

starvingartist — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 13:20:28 -0800

Matt, how about an Alabama Slammer? SoCo, sloe gin, Sprite (or 7-Up), and pomegranate. Slightly less fru-fru than a Lemon Drop.

By: eyeballkid

eyeballkid — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 13:20:57 -0800

Bushmills + 1 cube of ice.

By: UncleFes

UncleFes — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 13:21:34 -0800

When I'm not drinking beer, it's Finlandia and tonic. Sometimes, no tonic. Plenty of ice either way. On very rare occasions, a Boodles gimlet.

By: starvingartist

starvingartist — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 13:22:10 -0800

Oh, and kindall? I made crepes with rum in the batter once. They're sort of like pancakes.

By: leapfrog

leapfrog — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 13:22:18 -0800

The true bourbon connosieur should consider Old Fitzgerald. Although the bottle and price seem humble at first, it has subtle undertones of vanilla and strawberry under the strong tastes of smoked oak. Certainly not one to be mixed with coke but sipped straight up or with a single ice cube. The 8 year aged is surprisingly good for the price. mmm... bourbon. Maker's mark never did me wrong neither. I enjoy scotch too, but good bourbon is cheaper here than good scotch.

By: Uncle Joe's Brother

Uncle Joe's Brother — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 13:25:46 -0800

Anyone tried Waborita Tequila? It is mmmm mmmm, good. If not that, then Cuervo 1800, usually. Actually, Red Bull and Vodka is great, but man is it expensive (like 10 bucks for a double). Usually I am a beer drinker, but hard alchohol has its good side, too. When I am playing pool, Jack and coke. Anyone know of a good AA group, because this thread is making me feel like an alchoholic!

By: sugarfish

sugarfish — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 13:26:26 -0800

mmm, matt, lemon drops. i heart those. i like slippery (or buttery) nipple shots, too. bailey's irish cream, butterscotch schnapps. i've had versions with milk, too, but it's just as good with the two listed above. if you like sweet liquor, you might try parrot bay rum. it tastes like coconuts, and it isn't too harsh. and am i the only one who likes jungle juice? soak a bunch of fruit (apples, oranges, pineapple, watermelon, mangos, whatever will suck it up) overnight in everclear, add a bunch of off brand hawaiian punch, add more everclear, stir, enjoy. often made in garbage cans. i'm not sixteen, i swear! ps, i agree that the red bull + vodka is delicious. but if you're drinking those, try to start early in the night, else you'll be awake till dawn trying to forget the five you drank. maybe that's just me.

By: cakeman

cakeman — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 13:28:07 -0800

Hey mathowie, next time try a Mojito. The perfect refreshing summer drink. Or if you want to look cool with a cocktail glass in hand, try a Gimlet. Made famous by Raymond Chandler's Detective Philip Marlowe. And if your feeling festive, a French 75 is bubbly and goes down real easy.

By: brand-gnu

brand-gnu — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 13:28:13 -0800

Summer Drink: "Sunshine in a Cup" Absolut Citron 2 lemons 4 packets of sugar Ice Soda Water Fill a pint glass with ice. Juice the two lemons into the glass. Add sugar. Add Citron to within 2 cm of the top of the glass and shake. Top off with soda water. Yum. Lemonade with Kick!

By: starvingartist

starvingartist — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 13:28:26 -0800

you know, sugarfish, even the thought of Everclear frightens me

By: brand-gnu

brand-gnu — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 13:29:59 -0800

Or just kick back with a Glenlivet and soda. :)

By: Newbornstranger

Newbornstranger — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 13:37:21 -0800

The Bumblebee Stinger; 1 oz. Tequila The Juice from one can of Bumblebee Brand Tuna. Serve Warm. Need I say more?

By: skwm

skwm — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 13:38:58 -0800

My introduction to hard liquor was thru Gin & Tonics/Vodka & Tonics. I had a huge aversion to anything with even the slightest taste of alcohol, and these were the only things I could stand to drink. After a few months of drinking these, however, I was soon able to tolerate (and enjoy) stronger drinks... Now, after several years, I'll pretty much drink anything you put in front of me, straight out of the bottle. Last weekend, my friends and I discovered a good drink....Absinthe, tonic & lime juice. A friend went on a trip to the Czeck Republic, and managed to bring back with him a bottle of Absinthe. The A&T was *much* better than any other kind of absinthe drink I've had (which was basically just sweetened absinthe shots)...None of that bitter, burning tatste. It had a nice licorice-ish flavor to it. Of course, after the four of us drank the entire bottle in one night (along with a host of other things...), I had a wicked 2-day long hangover....

By: Jako

Jako — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 13:39:54 -0800

Matt: Caipirinhas are perfectly respectable. Cachaça is cool stuff! Also try a Mojito if you can find one.

By: fusinski

fusinski — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 13:43:29 -0800

I like Ouzo. I like Ouzo a LOT.

By: moz

moz — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 13:47:45 -0800

you're drinking this stuff and you're 16 sugarfish? man, i'm lame. i didn't begin to drink till i was 21 (22 now), and even now i still hardly go out drinking.

By: spork

spork — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 13:49:21 -0800

I hope varnish is considered a liquor, because I do enjoy the occasional Thompson's Deck Protection. One word, Smooth.

By: cell divide

cell divide — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 13:50:42 -0800

Matt: try a sidecar. It's the Italian martini, but I think even non-hard-alcohol drinkers could like it. Especially recommended at North Beach places.

By: mayalucia

mayalucia — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 13:51:57 -0800

I love mi Patron. You don't swig this stuff either, so no chaser is necessary.

By: th3ph17

th3ph17 — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 13:52:08 -0800

Ouzo, Jaeger...are good...but Lemon Drops are my favorite. Citron shot, wedge of lemon dipped in sugar...its a rush. but...i have to admit, my fiance digs that foofy wild-vines stuff, you know, Blackberry Merlot, Strawberry Zinfindel...stuff like that--its pretty tasty.

By: conquistador

conquistador — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 13:56:37 -0800

More "wuss drinks" (ie. pleasant tasting, even to those who do not like liquor): - Stoli Vanilla (or any vanilla-flavored vodka) and Coke - White Russian (mmm......creamy) - Fuzzy Navel (peach schnapps and OJ; but if you thought ordering a Lemon Drop was embarrassing...)

By: starvingartist

starvingartist — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 13:56:38 -0800

skwm - you sure it was real absinthe? Isn't that illegal most everywhere now? I remember we talked about this during the last "Buy Me Something Cool" contest, but I'm too lazy to look for the link right now.

By: jefenort

jefenort — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 13:56:57 -0800

I concur -- Bushmills, 1 ice cube Others: Tanquerey Malaca martini, Bombay Sapphire GnT, Oban Single Highland Malt, Nevada and Eldorado County (CA) Foothill wines, and lastly, home-distilled absinthe.

By: fusinski

fusinski — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 13:58:17 -0800

White Russians are great. I love a well mixed Caucasian... plus they'll knock you on your ass. All my friends and I started drinking White Russians after watching the Big Lebowski several dozen times.

By: Benway

Benway — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 13:59:00 -0800

In the winter (or fall) I am more partial to sipping on a White Russian with real cream, none of that watery milk in my drinks. In the summertime, it's Seven and Seven. Them's some refreshing spirits, baby. But my normal drink at bars is the Cuba Libre...Rum, Coke, and a shot of lime. A good all purpose drink.

By: euphorb

euphorb — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 14:00:03 -0800

Liquor in the front (Monopolwa from Trader Joe's) and poker in the rear (7 stud hi-lo)

By: UncleFes

UncleFes — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 14:01:10 -0800

after watching the Big Lebowski Hey! I have a beverage here! :)

By: BT

BT — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 14:04:23 -0800

Absolutely, Jako, the mojito is good stuff...and perfectly suitable for those of us who like a sweet and aromatic libation...but now that Fall has come (and because I'm feeling sentimental these days, I'll take Manhattan(s): With rye, please, or Canadian Club.

By: ed

ed — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 14:09:47 -0800

I sometimes wonder how many White Russians that The Big Lebowski have unintentionally sold. Kahlua should grant the Coen brothers a huge check, or at the very least thank them. Everyone I know who has seen the movie has imbibed at least five White Russians. But there's one question I have: why are the alcohol-related threads so popular? Are more people drinking right now as a result of 9/11?

By: Uncle Joe's Brother

Uncle Joe's Brother — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 14:13:40 -0800

But there's one question I have: why are the alcohol-related threads so popular? Are more people drinking right now as a result of 9/11 No, I drink before nine or eleven, but only for special occasions.

By: fusinski

fusinski — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 14:15:08 -0800

I don't know, ed... I'm thinking they should have cut John Candy a check for Orange Whips too. If one of my friends comes to a bar late, it's always "Orange Whip? Orange Whip? Three Orange Whips!"
I can't speak for anyone else, but I drink a LOT. Kinda sad, really. I find myself detoxing for 3-4 days sometimes just to make sure i'm not addicted. LOL

By: UncleFes

UncleFes — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 14:18:32 -0800

why are the alcohol-related threads so popular? I think most of us are glad to have the excuse to talk about ANYTHING other than 9/11. I know I am.

By: Jako

Jako — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 14:20:36 -0800

I'm with UncleFes. Besides, cocktails make perfect conversation fodder - almost everyone has an opinion or is curious....

By: roboto

roboto — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 14:24:11 -0800

I was suckled on Jim Beam, but now Basil Hayden's is my regular bourbon. Courvoisier has been the best cognac since Napoleon. Don Julio Silver goes down a little too easily, which is bad since tequila makes me crazy-whoo hoo!

By: youhas

youhas — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 14:25:09 -0800

Chambord is wonderful stuff - all the goodness of black raspberries in smooth, sweet alcohol form. Also works great as an adult "syrup substitute" in coffee and on ice cream. (Pancakes too, I'd suppose, though I can't say that I've tried.) 'Course, I'm also a sucker for store-brand sour apple schnapps, too, so I dunno what that says about my taste or lack thereof. And I'd imagine that the alcohol threads (and related "what is your favorite X?" threads of the past) are popular because they're easy for many people to connect with and comment on. I may not want to wade into a pitched battle against the well-honed arguments of my fellow MeFi-er for fear of being shredded, but I feel far less likely to botch up something as simple as "what drinks do I like?"

By: brittney

brittney — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 14:32:08 -0800

1.5 oz. Finlandia cranberry vodka 1.0 oz. crankberry juice 0.5 oz. Sprite lime wedge Crankberry? :) Perhaps I should start the favorite illicit substance thread.

By: Dreama

Dreama — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 14:32:44 -0800

I feel sufficiently outclassed, as one glass of generic merlot per annum is about the limit of my alcohol consumption. Then I read a thread like this and wonder if I should be drinking more.

By: liam

liam — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 14:35:51 -0800

Not for everyday quaffing, but absinthe, the real 70% proof stuff with the whole burnt soaked sugar routine, can feel very, um, medicinal. Still illegal in the US, so take care when bringing it here. Otherwise, Johnny Black.

By: liam

liam — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 14:38:33 -0800

Dreama, welcome to the top of the slippery slope...

By: johnny novak

johnny novak — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 14:44:33 -0800

To the top of this thread - Dalwhinnie is the highest (altitude) town in Scotland and one of the more remote - my flatmate worked as a guide in the distillery whilst a student and drank a good deal of their very nice malt. However, the best thing about DW is not the malt but the fact that there is family who boast of two full brothers called John MacDonald - same mother, same father - they just liked the name John - they are commonly known as "Big John" and "Wee John". p.s. if you like your malt, check out Cragganmore, Oban, Highland Park, Glenmorangie, Macallan 10 year old and Springbank.

By: liam

liam — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 14:45:03 -0800

Dreama, welcome to the top of the slippery slope...

By: liam

liam — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 14:46:09 -0800

Whoops, sorry. Everyone seeing double now.

By: crankydoodle

crankydoodle — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 14:48:59 -0800

Crankberry? :) *oops* And here I thought I did a good job of previewing my post. I guess I should begin some experimental berry growing to actually create a "crankberry". I just need to find some cranky berries and plant them in our yard. :)

By: Uncle Joe's Brother

Uncle Joe's Brother — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 14:51:55 -0800

How about 180 and vodka? Actually, I like 180 more than Redbull, but man, I am seriously strung out for the next couple of days if I drink too many of these!

By: dagny

dagny — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 14:59:13 -0800

rorycberger wrote: what kind of cognac do you recommend? I have never had any, so what would you recommend to a first timer? I'd recommend Jon Bertelsen's Symphonie XO, but I doubt you'll find that outside of Norway, so try the mainstream brands, like Hennessy or Rémy Martin. From there, work your way through the classics ;-) PS: There's a lot of Cognac-related info on the web...

By: UncleFes

UncleFes — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 15:03:26 -0800

The bar in my office building has a bottle of Louis III: an even $100 a jigger. Woof.

By: bragadocchio

bragadocchio — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 15:07:16 -0800

You can keep your sweet drinks away, and the redbull and vodka is too much like swilling jolt cola's. Southern Comfort never relaxed me, and I've always found Johnny Walker (black or red) to be bad company. (and pancakes - them's a breakfast food - not a libation.) Don't drink much these days, but when I do, it's hard to beat an elixer like Glenlivet or Glenfiddich. There are times though when nothing's better for living large and celebrating life than satisfying a hankerin' for ouzo.

By: johnny novak

johnny novak — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 15:11:40 -0800

and if you want a dram which will blow you into next week try Talisker - a Skye malt which is admittedly an acquired taste, but often the best things life are not easily come by.

By: juv3nal

juv3nal — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 15:12:26 -0800

cardhu and oban

By: shinyj

shinyj — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 15:15:17 -0800

Tanqueray Malacca and Anchor's Juniper gins for g&t's. As a serious gin-drinking friend says, you commit a crime when using Bombay Sapphire for a g&t ;). Otherwise, not much other alcohol appeals except wine. Despite the same friend mentioned above brewing excellent beer.

By: sugarfish

sugarfish — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 15:17:17 -0800

moz: you're drinking this stuff and you're 16 sugarfish? actually, i'm 21. when i was sixteen i was drinking sex on the beach out of a bottle, in parties held in caliche pits. (well, at least until someone was murdered there. no, i'm not kidding. this is jack's sad life.) and i've found that i go out drinking less now that i'm "legal" than before. fewer drunken smooching sessions, too, but the jury is still out on whether or not that is a good thing.

By: RevGreg

RevGreg — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 15:18:32 -0800

Vodka - Luksasowa Rum - Stroh Scotch - Glenfield Park(sm), J Walker Black(blend) Bourbon - Jim Beam, black label - No sour mash for me! Brandy - Schlivovitz Other - Jagermeister Nice list RevBrian, but you forgot the Bombay Sapphire for Gin and I prefer Pinch as my blended Scotch. Otherwise, right on!

By: raki

raki — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 15:18:35 -0800

AH a post that speaks to me! Fusinski (and anyone else with the same taste) If you really like ouzo, you should really love raki. It's like ouzo with the strength of sake. I haven't seen it in the states, though (if someone knows where to get it in the bay area, e-mail me). Only in Turkey and Greece, and there it's really, really cheap... It's the perfect tool if you want to get wasted but need to function the next morning. It's so clean, you don't get a hangover (at least I haven't). It's a better tool than straight vodka, sake, and more efficient than ouzo. And if you like the taste of anise, you probably know pernod and might even be familiar with it's lesser known cousin, Ricard, the national drink of Provence. Oh and authentic absinthe is really good, too. The list just goes on and on...

By: mathowie

mathowie — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 15:25:25 -0800

Ah, the Big Lebowski, one of the hidden gems of recent film. About a year ago, down in LA a few of my wacky friends got together and threw a Lebowski party. They made a few pitchers of white russians beforehand, and this is how it proceeded: Pop in the Lebowski DVD, get everyone a glass, and drink everytime the word "dude" is muttered by anyone in the film. Have the pitchers handy because you'll need lots of refills. After the movie, get someone sober to drive to an In-n-Out burger for dinner, bonus if you pick a location in the valley, like they did in the movie. After dinner, go bowling. Drink while you bowl, proclaim "I'm throwing rocks tonight!" often.

By: arco

arco — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 15:26:05 -0800

White Russians are great Personally, I'm sick of being put down by the man, so I go for a Black Russian. Once you've had black, you'll never go back. BTW, the other night a friend made me try a shot that was 3/4 Jagermeister, 1/4 peach schnapps, and for the life of me I can't remember the name of it. (Then again, I can barely remember the hour after I took the shot...) Anybody heard of this?

By: heather

heather — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 15:45:12 -0800

matt, i will never, ever give you flack for ordering a lemon drop! i'm currently a big mojito fan. lemond drops, midor sours and cosmos fall in line behind. i just can't get enough of the girl drink drunk.

By: sugarfish

sugarfish — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 15:45:48 -0800

hrm... no, i haven't heard of that shot, arco. has anyone else had a sugarshack? it had um, strawberry schnapps. and vodka, i think. and a blueberry? alls i know is, it was served to me in a big ol' martini glass. *sugarfish tries to stand. *sugarfish almost falls. *sugarfish's friend, luigi*, a member of the bar staff, reads off the ingredients. nine shots of alcohol that she'd inhaled in about twenty minutes. *sugarfish sorry. *name changed to protect the innocent. man, i'm liking this thread too much. i'm thinking i need to step away from the keyboard. and the vodka.

By: rorycberger

rorycberger — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 15:47:12 -0800

matt: that sounds like a kick ass party...i'm definitely going to throw one of those someday soon shinyj: I agree, save the sapphire for the martinis!

By: borgle

borgle — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 15:50:40 -0800

Wow, the beer and liquor threads are popular. I guess it's one way to forget what else is going on. I'm with UncleFes and Brittney. Finlandia is where it's at. I may be biased though.

By: Kafkaesque

Kafkaesque — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 15:55:30 -0800

Matt Then at the end of the night, does everyone say "Fuck it, dude. Let's go bowling."? Kafkaesquerino, if you're not into the whole brevity thing

By: rorycberger

rorycberger — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 15:58:04 -0800

oh yeah, and for a tasty drink that isn't too girly, try a tequila sunrise: build as follows: splash grenadine fill glass with ice squeeze out the juice of 1/4 lime, then drop it in 1.5 oz tequila slowly fill with fresh squeezed orange juice

By: Bernreuther

Bernreuther — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 16:02:18 -0800

Matt, I think you'd like a Stoli vanilla and Coke. Tasty, not particularly wussy to order, and well, just as potent as anything else. I meant to say Glenlivet, not GlenFiddich... not sure what caused that slip... Also, you can't beat a Bombay Sapphire and Tonic. Mmm. I think I'm going to have to have a Big Lebowski party soon :) You're all invited!

By: liam

liam — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 16:04:02 -0800

Finlandia fans, try some Koskenkorva Finnish vodka, preferably in a wood-burning sauna.

By: ed

ed — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 16:05:19 -0800

To paraphrase John Turturro, "Nobody fucks with the Haughey."

By: jaustinspace

jaustinspace — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 16:20:20 -0800

1 cup sugar 2 quarts cold water a few ice cubes 1 packet Koolaid Soarin' Strawberry Lemonade And check out the tongue twister on the packet--hilarious if you've had a few. (Sorry. I'm a teetotaler)

By: iain

iain — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 16:21:34 -0800

Port Ellen and Caol Ila are two very nice Islay malts. Quite expensive though :-(

By: skwm

skwm — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 16:45:48 -0800

starvingartist - re:absinthe. As far as I know, it was as-close-as-you-can-get-to-the-real-stuff-nowadays. What we had was smuggled in from the Czechk Republic, one of the few places where it's still legal. The absinthe they produce though, isn't as authentic as what Toulouse Loutrec was drinking 100+ years ago. It's not a risky venture to try to smuggle some in, as it's not illegal like it would be if you tried to smuggle drugs, rather, its illegal like if you tried to smuggle in some sausages or something. I've also had homemade absinthe once, at a party in Brooklyn. From what I was told, they took "locally grown wormwood" and some other herbs, and then soaked them in vodka for a good while. The end result was a murky green liquid - absolutely horrid looking, like the scumwater off the top of some putrid pond. Didn't taste too good either. It definately had more of an effect than just the vodka, it felt as if my face had fallen asleep...pins & needles all over my cheeks and forehead. I'm hoping that wasn't the death cry of thousands of brain cells, angry at me for dousing them in god-knows-what.

By: hipstertrash

hipstertrash — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 16:54:01 -0800

arco - it sounds like some variation on a Dead Nazi, but maybe I'm wrong . . . liam - who said that absinthe isn't for everyday drinking? go here. and finally, this is definitely not my favorite drink, but it certainly qualifies as an experience. If you folks ever find yourselves in St. Louis, you must go to Frederick's Music Lounge and get a Cock Soup: 1 Shot Fighting Cock whisky a dash of Rooster hot sauce worstecire sauce garlic salt pepper a half can (?) of cold chicken broth (perhaps some other ingredients as well, Fred is pretty secretive with the recipie) pour over ice, mix, stir with a chicken bone. this drink will put hair on your chest, kiddies . . .

By: MiguelCardoso

MiguelCardoso — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 17:48:21 -0800

Best malt whisky: Macallan 12 years old. Best blended whisky: Martin's 20 years old. Best Irish malt whiskey: Bushmill's 16 year old 105% malt Best Irish blended whiskey(and best of all): Midleton. Best gin: Plymouth Gin. Best vodka: Moskovskaya Cristall. Best rum: Barbancourt 15 years. Best tequila: Don Felipe, standard. Best bourbon: Booker Noe Best dry martini: Bemelsmans Bar at the Carlyle Hotel, NYC. This is the truth itself with liver damage to prove it.

By: jefenort

jefenort — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 17:51:06 -0800

FYI: There are a zillion links to homemade absinthe recipes -- run a standard search and you'll find more than you can read. Distillation is the key, by all accounts, but it is a process that can be time-consuming, expensive, and even illegal in some states (like mine). The herbs can be found in any herb shop for about five bucks. The alcohol costs the most, 'specially if you use Everclear, but any other brand produces a liquid that is unworthy to be called absinthe.

By: fooljay

fooljay — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 18:30:57 -0800

Tequila. Throw that Cuervo gut-rot out the window... Chinaco Anejo El Tesoro Anejo Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Truly unlike any tequila you've ever had.

By: ParisParamus

ParisParamus — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 19:13:16 -0800

Grey Goose Vodka (sorry; it's French) is the most effective, least annoying, most enjoyable COOH molecule (I think it's COOH, no?).

By: ewwgene

ewwgene — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 19:49:07 -0800

i tried some of that RedBull + Vodka tonight...... good stuff.. But damn! Im still awake! :) As a college student i enjoy cheap beer.... my favorite is Miller Highlife..... though my tolerance has built up considerably..... takes 4 pints to get me moderately drunk (and im a 135lb 5'11")

By: metrocake

metrocake — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 22:17:50 -0800

Ooooooh..... Southern Comfort and Cranberry Cointreau and Cranberry Vodka and anything (I've been really loving Bloody Marys lately) Cosmopolitans Cider Mudslides (yum yum yum) White/Black Russians

By: SisterHavana

SisterHavana — Thu, 20 Sep 2001 22:17:50 -0800

I really like DeKuyper's Cactus Juice Schnapps. It's kind of hard to find but it's delicious.

By: chuq

chuq — Fri, 21 Sep 2001 02:56:41 -0800

My favorite -- the Sazerac, the quintessential New Orleans cocktail. (Danger: self-linkage!) One can make a good argument that it was the first true cocktail, and certainly one of the earliest if not THE earliest to catch on. It's easy to make (although one of the ingredients might take a little effort to find), has gorgeous, multiple layers of flavoring, and warms up beautifully as you sip it slowly. 2 ounces rye whiskey (not Bourbon; I use Old Overholt) 3-4 dashes Peychaud's Bitters (not Angostura) 1 teaspoon simple syrup 1/2 teaspoon Herbsaint, Pernod or other anis/pastis Twist of lemon Pour the Herbsaint or Pernod into a small Old Fashioned glass or a cocktail glass; swirl until the inside of the glass is completely coated; discard excess. Combine rye, bitters and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice; shake and strain into the coated glass. Use a good, fresh twist, making sure that the lemon oil cascades over the surface of the drink. Garnish with the twist. NOTES - If you don't feel like making simple syrup (which is very easy), use bar sugar or superfine/caster sugar, which dissolves more readily. Even a few New Orleanian establishments commit sacrileges with this drink, such as substituting Bourbon for the rye, adding already-ubiquitous Angostura bitters (which are in every other drink these days that calls for bitters; Antoine Peychaud didn't use them when he invented it, so neither do I) or, Gawd forbid, serving it on the rocks (which only one places does ... this drink is ALWAYS served straight up!). I think this is the most authentic version you'll find. Enjoy.

By: Summer

Summer — Fri, 21 Sep 2001 03:52:18 -0800

Absinthe is legal in the UK. They sell it at the off-licence across the road. I'm looking at some now in the window.

By: MiguelCardoso

MiguelCardoso — Fri, 21 Sep 2001 04:40:06 -0800

Hey chuq: Thanks for the brilliant recipe. Peychaud's bitters are notoriously hard to find, though. On a recent visit to New York the following top bars had actually never heard of it or didn't stock it: 58/58 at the Four Seasons, Oak Room at the Plaza, Bemelsmans Bar at the Carlyle. They all use Angostura. I found these really lazy and unacceptable, at $15 a throw. I first acquired a yearning for sazeracs from reading Elmore Leonard's novels(although he also has a penchant for mai-tais, which is lamentable, you'll agree). The only real substitute for Peychaud's - although it is still an annoyingly long stretch - is Amer Picon, a French orange-based bitters that does the trick if you're not too fussy. But I suppose you have to drink them in New Orleans, right, before your Oyster Rockefellers at Antoine's. Bet you can tell I've never set my foot there... Cheers! And Summer: Do not cross that road, man! It's probably that Czech or Portuguese rubbish. A real French absinthe - but devoid of the essential wormwood, alas - has just been launched and. although critics say it's just jazzed-up Pernod, I've got my fingers, legs and eyes crossed waiting for a chance to try it.

By: Summer

Summer — Fri, 21 Sep 2001 05:27:38 -0800

Yes, it is Czech. I had some in a pub once and it was quite nice. I didn't see Kylie Minogue flying round my head though.

By: Vidiot

Vidiot — Fri, 21 Sep 2001 06:35:45 -0800

Hmmm...a thread after my own heart. A good Manhattan is hard to beat, especially when made with rye and a dash of bitters. A good bourbon can be substituted instead of rye, though the bitters have to be there regardless. Lagavulin is indeed wonderful...no soda, ice or anything that will anesthetize the palate from its kick-ass flavors of smoke and leather. Maybe some Highlands spring water on the side though... Bombay Sapphire and tonic. Yum. Also mojitos, and caipirinhas...had never heard of the latter till my ex brought me a bottle of cachaca back from Brazil. I made up for lost time shortly thereafter. Knob Creek bourbon straight up is nice. So is Cointreau. Not as sweet as Grand Marnier and much orangier. I macerate strawberries in sugar and Cointreau and serve them over my homemade pound cake with hand-whipped heavy cream. (Play your cards right, and I'll invite you over for a slice.) I'm enjoying a small bottle of Peches des Vignes (sp? not sure since I'm not at home right now) that my parents brought me from France. And also on the liqueur shelf is my homemade Kahlua...the Kahlua-brand stuff has emulsifiers and is made with instant coffee. I rejoiced when I found a good recipe involving fresh-brewed double espresso and vanilla beans. And of course I make like Kinky Friedman and love my Jameson's. I don't drink it out of a bullhorn though....but it's great in Irish Coffee. Jeez, I sound like a lush.

By: brittney

brittney — Fri, 21 Sep 2001 10:50:19 -0800

Alright, this is for the strong of mind and will only! Mongolian Motherf*cker: equal parts of Vodka Gin Triple Sec Light Rum Amaretto Bourbon Blackberry Brandy Bananna Schnapps Light Creme de Cacao Dark Creme de Cacao add splash of sweet and sour and cranberry juice This is a shooter, friends. Make up a batch and serve sparingly. Prepare to be drunk as hell.

By: MiguelCardoso

MiguelCardoso — Fri, 21 Sep 2001 11:12:29 -0800

"Jeez, I sound like a lush." Vidiot - this is probably the only time in recorded history where "Speak for yourself" would be an absolutely unacceptable comment. We all share your pain, hic.

By: rorycberger

rorycberger — Fri, 21 Sep 2001 11:34:54 -0800

hey, can you share that recipe for kahlua please? And yeah, we're all fucking lushes in this thread.

By: MiguelCardoso

MiguelCardoso — Fri, 21 Sep 2001 15:39:23 -0800

Rye whiskey is essential for Manhattans. There is a brand called Old Overholt, been going for a century or so, which is about $15 a quart and, despite the ugly demeanour, is a real rye and better than the arty-farty boutique ryes which are popping up. It's difficult to find but handsomely repays any attention you might give it. In Manhattan proper I'm sorry to say all the best bars - the chic and the unchic - use that Canadian Club cough syrup instead of rye whiskey. Bourbon, I'm sorry to say, Vidiot, makes for another(bit sickly)drink. Rye whiskey is also delicious on its own - if a bit fiery - and in a highball with tons of ice and Perrier or Schweppes Soda Water. Manhattans made without rye whiskey are as "ersatz" as vodkas and tonics and should not be publicly encouraged. Last tip: soak your maraschino cherries in rye whiskey for a week or two to make them blend in with your Manhattan. This prevents them from tasting syrupy and, when finally biting into one of them, mid-Manhattan, it'll reveal its reluctant - but LUSH - complicity. And now before the pretensiousness irrevocably sets in, I'm off to the kitchen for another one. Next week: the much-maligned Whiskey Sour, properly made, and the sadly forgotten - because impossible to make well - Old-Fashioned...

By: skyscraper

skyscraper — Fri, 21 Sep 2001 16:10:33 -0800

Not a hard liquor person as a habit, but I spent a very pleasant week drinking Pisco Sours in the Gran Hotel Bolivar in Lima. Haven't thought of that in decades - thanks rorycberger! By gum, here's a recipe. If I could only find some pisco, I'd be all set.

By: Vidiot

Vidiot — Fri, 21 Sep 2001 22:49:04 -0800

mmmmm...MiguelCardoso, will try to find that Old Overholt stuff, and that idea about soaking the maraschino cherries sounds great. and rorycberger: I'm at work right now (unless you work for AOL Time Warner, in which case I'm not) and will post the Kahlua recipe when I get back home and have a chance.

By: rorycberger

rorycberger — Sat, 22 Sep 2001 00:06:03 -0800

I can't wait, I love Kahlua and am waiting for that recipe, I am too drunk too make any more interesting comments tonight, but i'll check you all tomorrow

By: toddshot

toddshot — Sat, 22 Sep 2001 17:25:33 -0800

I'm a huge fan of the Tokyo Tea. It's a Long Island with Midori replacing the Coke. Yummy yummy yummy, and quite potent.

By: astro38

astro38 — Sun, 23 Sep 2001 17:31:19 -0800

Here's the url for all you cocktail fans out there - idrink.com. You enter which ingredients you have and they tell you what cocktails you can make. Cool. (I can't remember exactly where I got this link from. It may have been here. A search didn't turn up anything, so if this is a double post, sorry.)

By: Vidiot

Vidiot — Sun, 23 Sep 2001 19:16:53 -0800

Here's that recipe for homemade Kahlua. It comes from _Espresso!_, a cookbook by Shea Sturdivant and Steve Terracin. The authors say in part: Kahlua is made with instant coffee. This version uses freshly brewed espresso instead. This version comes to us from Teri Hope of the Los Gatos, CA Coffee Roasting Company. 3 cups brown sugar 2 cups (16 fl. oz.) brewed espresso, hot 2 Tbsp pure vanilla extract. (Note: I like Nielsen-Massey vanilla from Madagascar. --V.) 2 vanilla beans (split in half lengthwise) 1 quart brandy (Note: Expensive brandy not required. I use Christian Bros. --V.) Dissolve the brown sugar in the hot espresso. Let cool and add the vanilla extract. Refrigerate. Add the brandy, blending thoroughly. Pour the mixture into dark-tinted quart-size bottles, adding one split vanilla bean to each bottle. Let stand for a minimum of 30 days in a dark, cool spot. You may transfer Kahlua into smaller bottles at this time if you wish. (Note: When I give this as gifts, I put it in old Grolsch beer bottles. They're great to re-use because of the rubber plug tops. --V.) Yields two quarts liqueur. Enjoy.

By: redfoxtail

redfoxtail — Sun, 23 Sep 2001 20:19:49 -0800

Next week: the much-maligned Whiskey Sour, properly made Pray do tell me of the proper making.

By: me3dia

me3dia — Mon, 24 Sep 2001 13:45:18 -0800

Anybody had a Mind Eraser? Layer (as in one on top of the other, not mixed) in a high-ball glass: - 1 part vodka - 1 part kahlua - 1 part tonic water Drink all at once through a straw at the bottom -- it chases itself! I had two of these in an hour in some NYC bar, then went and stared blankly out into the room from a slumped position by the wall. Yikes!

By: c

Wed, 26 Sep 2001 12:31:54 -0800

rum and dr pepper. you can make it a triple and almost not taste it. also smirnoff raspberry twist and sprite. tastes like a clearly canadian. we call it a 'clearly liquor' we are clever like that. these, long islands, and keg beer make up the bulk of my sad, 8.5 months from being legal, college drinking experience.

By: kmcgee

kmcgee — Wed, 26 Sep 2001 15:43:09 -0800

18 yr Macallan - simply the best

By: gelatinouscitizen

gelatinouscitizen — Wed, 26 Sep 2001 17:24:35 -0800

on the subject of red bull and vodka... i overheard this one at the house of blues in vegas and haven't gone back to the standard variation yet... half part absolut mandarin half part red bull splash of cranberry juice makes all the difference in the world...

By: antimarx

antimarx — Wed, 26 Sep 2001 20:55:10 -0800

quite possibly the worst drink i've ever had: "canadian snakebite" two ounces of bacardi 151 one ounce of tobasco sauce i think it's designed to make you throw up. it's the only drink that's ever pushed me that far, but i'm seventeen--i don't have lots of drinking in my past. i threw up because i consumed as much water as i could find in an attempt to stop the burning. a shot is a lot of tobasco.

By: rorycberger

rorycberger — Thu, 27 Sep 2001 11:43:10 -0800

so, to change the subject a little (though people have already kind of started discussing this): what are your least favorite drinks/liquors? what makes you puke every time? for me, shots of gin, especially if they are warm, send me straight to the porcelain....although i actually really like gin when made in a proper drink, my favorite being tanqueray and ruby red grapefruit juice.

By: JParker

JParker — Thu, 27 Sep 2001 22:37:18 -0800

conquistador posted a couple of good margarita recipes, but if you want to do it right, consult Jimmy Buffett: 1. Fill shaker with broken cubed ice. 2. Squeeze TWO fresh lime wedges into shaker. 3. Savor the fresh lime aroma (AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!) 4. Add 2 oz. Cuervo 1800. 5. Sniff the cork. 6. Add 1/2 oz. of Jose Cuervo White if ya wish (white for bite!). 7. Add 1-1/4 oz. of Roses Lime Juice (accept no substitutes!). 8. Add 1/2 oz. of Bols Triple Sec (nothing but the best!). 9. Add "a splash" of Bols Orange Curaco (shh... secret ingredient). 10. Cover shaker tightly! 11. Shake vigorously. 12. Flip shaker in midair twice (three times if you're a pro). 13. Uncover shaker and savor the flavor! 14. Rim glass with Lime peel (outside only!). 15. Salt the outside only. 16. Add fresh ice. 17. Strain mixture over ice. 18. Squeeze in 1 lime wedge and toss rind over left shoulder. 19. Now kick back, turn up the tunes and enjoy! I can vouch for this one.

By: stavrosthewonderchicken

stavrosthewonderchicken — Sun, 30 Sep 2001 06:06:58 -0800

I once traded an outboard motor for a case of Centenario tequila. Long story....

By: haqspan

haqspan — Thu, 04 Oct 2001 12:03:22 -0800

stir with a chicken bone Goodness. That's an image I can't quite get past. I like Dewars and ginger ale. Fizzy! Whatever I drink, I try to stay away from the Captain. The thought of a man in pantaloons putting red marker mustaches on strangers is deeply disturbing.

By: benghoil

benghoil — Fri, 19 Oct 2001 18:02:44 -0800

Well, my mother's family has always kept a big (like gallon) juf of Virginia Gentleman in the closet, and I while I can't say much for its flavor, I can tell you it makes for well-disposed conversation. However, I mostly drink Maker's Mark myself. You can't beat it. Knob Creek is good, but a little too sweet. An excellent bargain bourbon is Elijah Craig. It's usually a few bucks cheaper than Maker's, and about as good.