I need Whiskey help please. Top 5 whiskeys.

I like Makers Mark and Gentleman Jack on occasion but go to 18 year old Glen Fiddich for special occasions. You probably don't want 18 year old anything for an open bar at the wedding, 12-year-old single malts like Talisker, Dalwhinnie and The Macallan should suffice. You really need to taste the varieties as some are smoother than others or will have a smokier flavor.

Some of the larger brands will have small single-shot taster bottles -- that would give you a chance to sample several and pick a few tastes you want people to experience.

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Originally Posted by Waywardson174

I'm glad someone mentioned Balvenie, those are also really good, but with the other two I've recommended, I think the best final bottle is a Laphroig. It is harder than the others, and will provide a nice balance across your scotch offerings.

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Just for reference, Balvenie Doublewood was my "gateway" scotch. Couldn't stand most scotch before I tried the Balvenie, but it was so smooth, not so peaty and I was hooked on scotch from then on.

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Originally Posted by meatman

Just for reference, Balvenie Doublewood was my "gateway" scotch. Couldn't stand most scotch before I tried the Balvenie, but it was so smooth, not so peaty and I was hooked on scotch from then on.

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Nectar of the Gods [Beer]

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Originally Posted by meatman

Just for reference, Balvenie Doublewood was my "gateway" scotch. Couldn't stand most scotch before I tried the Balvenie, but it was so smooth, not so peaty and I was hooked on scotch from then on.

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For me, it was Laphroaig. Not smooth, quite peaty, but it's still my favorite.

<soapbox>

After reading this whole thread I am convinced only a few of you actually have taste buds (Jayock). I am a whiskey/bourbon and scotch snob - with my current collection being worth more than some peoples cars. I have been to 200+ distilleries in my life (75% of them in Scotland) and will one day retire, get my license from the fed and start making my own.

This is my list for top 5 affordable bourbon/whiskey that you can actually find on the shelves in Colorado:

5. Breckenridge Distillery
4. Buffalo Trace
3. Pappy Van Winkle
2. Basil Hayden's
1. Woodford Reserve Distillers Select

If you want a Scotch to throw in there you cant go wrong with Balvinie Doublewood - for the money it is flat out the best Scotch, at its pricepoint, on the market right now. Followed closely by Highland Park (if you can find it).

Oh and for all of you cretins who keep saying "McAllen", "McAlan" and the like its "The Macallan" -- and the best value for the money there is the 15 Sherry Oak (if you can find it -- fine oak != sherry oak) and 18 year being the absolute best scotch that money can buy (and yes I have a bottle of, and tasted, 25 and 40 and I have also tasted 100 year old at Easter Elchies).

For anyone that is trying to recommend something like Lagavulin, Laphroaig, or Talisker - STOP. These are not beginner scotches - some people don't like the taste of Band-Aids and Iodine in their drinks.

</soapbox>

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Originally Posted by CO Hugh

Everyone seems to have whiskey covered.

For cigars I buy from JR's Cigars. you can order a sampler, they have them often, say 20 mixed cigars for about $30-40. Honestly most people cannot taste the difference in cigars, like wine, beer or bourbon. The nuances are tough to pick up even for experienced smokers.

The key thing is to buy smooth easy smoking cigars. I like the Nicaraguans, but they are stronger. Dominican and Honduran are generally milder.

Fuentes are great cigars, if you can find them at a reasonable price.

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Agreed, and this is my general plan.

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Originally Posted by Jayock

No.

Bookers is made by Beam, as is knob. Booker Noe was the 4th master distiller at The Beam distillery as we know it, Jim beams son had a daughter who married a Noe, their son was Booker. Each beam master distiller, plus Baker Beam (who was assistant master distiller under Booker) get their own small batch they design themselves. Basil Hayden's is from the same situation.

Knob creek was a small distillery bought by beam many years ago.

I've had a good chance to talk with Baker Beam, and he has some great stories to tell of the history of the beam distillery post prohibition.

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Thanks

Didnt know the complete back story there.

My barber has a good selection at his place "clip joint barber shop" off 6th and I-225 might be far for you though. Don't know much about whiskey, but I know there is a Colorado company I saw on the history channel that had very good whiskey. Sorry don't know the name. I'm getting married the same time here, congrats and good luck!! Vegas would get me in trouble, lol.

Templeton rye its hard to get local. You can get ot from san fran wine co online.

I like regular jack and crown royal and pendletons but I'm whiskey tango