Disclaimer: The opinions in my posts are my thoughts
and not for everyone. I can only identify
what is right for me. You may have very
different thoughts. I will enjoy reading
replies of dissent or agreement.
I like my bourbon straight.
Master distillery have very discriminating tastes and bottle their
products in strengths that they believe will best present the drink to the
consumer. I usually agree. My evening routine, a Glencairn glass with
two fingers of good bourbon while sitting with my wife doesn’t usually involve
mixers. I buy good bourbon and I want to
taste it.
I do have a few exceptions to my straight up routine. When friends are up who are new to bourbon I
like to have them take a sip then add a few drops of filtered water to the
glass for them to see how the nose and taste can evolve. The addition of water can drive different odors
and flavors to the front. A few friends
ask for their bourbon on the rocks. I
shudder a bit and ask if they are sure that they don’t want to try it straight
or with a little water. If they insist
on rocks I smile and accommodate. I try
not to judge because I strongly believe that the best way to enjoy bourbon is
the way that it is best for each individual.
Now for mixers and bourbon.
A dear friend and I were working out of town several years ago so I
picked up a very good single barrel bourbon to share with my friend. As we settled in for the evening I proudly
took the bottle from my bag and poured us each a drink. I nearly passed out then he dumped the
expensive and wonderful bourbon into his diet cola! I guess he saw the look of shock on my face
and said that he just couldn’t take the roughness of bourbon. When I asked him which bourbon he has had the names he gave me were all bottom shelf offerings. Now this fellow is one of the most brilliant
people I know. He is a renowned
scientist in his field and has traveled all over the world but he had never
tasted a good bourbon. I made a deal
with him. He had to take one taste of my
bourbon straight, no water, no ice, no diet cola. If he didn’t like it I would promise to never
give him “a look” for mixing his bourbon.
Of course, he loved the bourbon and always offers a glass of it when I
come to his house. One funny note is
that he continues to buy that same bourbon that I shared with him that
evening. I have tried to convince him
that there are many excellent bourbons available but he tells me that he likes
that one and that there is no need to look further.
Not all of my attempts to convert friends to good bourbon
have been successful. Some friends still
prefer their bourbon with a mixer. Since
I love these friends and would never alienate them, I will bite my tongue and
make a mixed drink. That being said, I will
not make the drink with my better bourbons.
I keep a 1.5 liter bottle of a decent middle shelf bourbon on hand to
make drinks for my pals who want to mix.
A have to confess that a 50-50 mix of Kentucky bourbon and Kentucky
ginger ale is pretty darn good. Of
course, I make some pretty special mint juleps on the first Saturday in May and
I use a better middle shelf bourbon for these drinks. I justify my love of juleps because there is
little, other than the mint, to detract from the complex bourbon flavors.
On the rare occasions when we make mixed drinks I usually
use a clear spirit. Since the taste of
the spirit is so covered up, why us good bourbon when a flavorless vodka is
certainly adequate to put in some fruity concoction. I keep rum on hand to enjoy a mojito (my
wife’s drink of choice) on a summer day.
We will make tequila margaritas when we have friends over for grilled
fish tacos.
I believe that there are no wrong ways for you to enjoy your
bourbon, I can only tell you what is right for me.
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