Hi Kurt and team, Your videos get better and better. Your approach is great - not snooty but enthusiastic, personal, and open with your opinions. It’s like listening to a friend. Keep up the great work with new topics and drinks.
Love your tutorial and agree with you 100% on "drink what you like, how you like it". I only drank bourbon and coke for many years. For the last decade, I "graduated" to sipping my bourbon on ice. Wild Turkey 101 is so smooth and mellow with a couple of ice cubes in a rocks glass.
The first time I had bourbon was 2 parts bourbon, 1 part gingerale. I didn't think I'd like it but I loved it! Over the years I've gone from Wild Turkey to Bullit (still my favorite) to Woodford Reserve which is also wonderful. Still my drink of choice on the rare occasions I have a drink. 💗
I love the honesty on the amount of aromas you pick up. Everyone picks up on the classic bourbon notes, but im good for like 1 or 2 nuance notes. Sometimes I watch other channels and wonder how they got 27 aromoas out of one bourbon but 12 out of another, with the strict bourbon guidelines. Sometimes I think it's all for show, anyhow, keep the great content coming! Salud🥃🙏
Good presentation, Kurt. I'm glad you emphasized personal preferences above all while still providing clear guidance as to neck pours, glassware, and temperature. I agree that neat is the best way to try a new bottle; then add a little water to see the effect. I'm glad you mentioned opening the mouth while nosing. That enhances the profile while reducing the possible burn. And I'll say this outright, whiskey stones should be avoided. They're not effective, get in the way, and are a risk to glasses and teeth. Cheers!
Very happy to hear that your palate only picks up 2 or 3 notes… I am fairly new to bourbon drinking and I have a difficult time with picking up the notes of a particular bourbon… this video was a tremendous help and as usual a great watch.. Thanks for all you do
Tip for the water dilution: use a dropper bottle with distilled water. You’ll be amazed what 2-3 drops (not full droppers…just individual drops) can do. Tames the heat without destroying the overall profile. It really allows the flavors to pop through. 🤙🏻
Whiskey Stones.. when I get Stones for Christmas, I pretend it’s a great gift and then I re-gift it the next year!! Give me a thumb if you do the same thing. Thank you kindly!!
I've thankfully never gotten them but yeah I'd return it or give to someone else. Although I can't think of a person I know who would want them. Give me ice
My wife got me stones for my anniversary… and for the sake of not having to sleep on the couch, or the dog house… I love them😂😅 Not a huge fan of them, but pretend I like them for her. Now I did turn her on to get me an ice ball maker, so it’s gotten better 😂
You sir are 100% correct. I tell my customers that all the time. Drink any beverage the way you like to drink it. There are no wrong answers! Great video!
GREAT content and honest presentation. I have been a whiskey drinker for going on 40 years and I always get a good laugh when people nose and taste a whiskey and get 5 or 6 flavored profiles. I loved to hear you say the best way to drink it is “the way YOU like it” as well. Love your channel, best one going. CHEERS!!
I'm pretty new to bourbon. I love an Old Fashioned so that's how I drink it 99% of the time. But after watching this I want to learn to identify and appreciate each bourbon's unique notes. Looking forward to lots of neat pours in my future! Thanks SLB team.
Chad, Kurt would be the FIRST to tell you there's nothing wrong with a good Old Fashioned, or Sour, or Figgin' Delicious, or Hunter (He's made them ALL on this channel...totally sold me on it)...you just need to know, overall, what bourbon you like to drink first. Then you can start playing around with what you're willing to use for mixing...might be a different bottle than the one you're drinking neat, or with a smidge of water, or with a phat ass ice cube.
Great advice from @jamosensai! Old fashioned is an iconic whiskey cocktail so nothing wrong with that! If you are wanting to dip your toe into neat possibly start with a lower proofer, maybe 80-90. Let me know how it goes!
That's how I started too, and still start my drinking nights that way. I always drink it neat to taste test new bottles, but mostly drink with a block of ice. I always start my drinking with an Old Fashioned and work to on a rock. I find it helps the palet get acclimated to the proof starting with a cocktail.
I have been a bourbon drinker for going on 60 years and drinking it neat for about 20. I have had it in everything from Waterford lead crystal to red Solo cups to straight from a bottle passed among friends. A current fave is Evan Williams Bottled in Bond, but I can't remember ever not liking Wild Turkey 101. Excellent and informative video. Thank you!
A friend of mine didn't believe glencairn glasses made any difference at all. I ordered some on Amazon and direct shipped them to him since he was too stubborn (cheap?) to get them. I now have a new convert.
I agree about your observation about Knob Creek Single Barrel over ice. It becomes so different, knocks down the rye burn just enough to bring the complex flavors to the fore.
You dont understand that you're teaching me things that im going to use to be the expert in my family lol...thanks for your sophisticated, adult, calm approach to what you do. Love ur channel... the soft low calm music, your attitude, just everything is great...thx!
I’ve been 21 for about 8 months so only recently I have fell in love with sipping bourbon like an older more mature person. But I’ve been doing it over ice this whole time. Very excited to take some tips from this video
I’m 58 and have my eye over ice every night. The most important thing to learn are the different ways it can be served and then do what ever you like. Life is too short to believe that what you like is somehow “less” than what other people do.
thank you!!! I just discovered Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye... bought some glasses and have begun my tasting adventure.... wonderful video... will be looking forward to them all....
I love it when you mention picking up 2 or 3 strong fragrance for the palette. I can not smell more than a few and glad to hear others operate the same way.😂
The right way to drink bourbon: often! That you get 3 or so characteristics out of a whiskey, as opposed to 8 or so like some other video hosts, is why I watch your channel. Maybe those other guys are actually tasting all those profile notes, as opposed to imagining them, but it seems like a stretch to me. As far as on the rocks goes, I enjoy it but I see it as a form of cocktail, so I use humble bourbons like I'd use with mixers, e.g. Four Roses yellow label. Any higher quality bourbon and I"ll drink it strictly neat.
Great approach! Like you, I have no judgments towards others who can pick up many aromas and flavors I just know if I personally did that I would be making some up. Sometimes your greatest strength is knowing your weakness. Be honest, that approach will always win.
A drop or 2 of water changes the chemical compounds that are bonding together, releasing some extra flavors. It won't really change the abv much at all because 1 or 2 drops is such a tiny percentage of the liquid volume in the glass, but it sure makes the drink seem smoother
When I use water I follow a technique described by, Ralphy, in his Scottish whiskey reviews, where he adds water ever so slightly. His technique is to, before drinking, wait a little for the water to do it's thing. Works great on a Wild Turkey 101, real nice.
spot on, one thing I always tell people is take your first sip like hot coffee... sip with air, and a tiny sip at that. then let it sit on tongue then press to the top of the mouth and hold it. it squishes down to the sides of the tongue and flavors start to pop.... for me anyway... great vid SLB!!!!!
I've said it before...George T Stagg over one cube is AMAZING!!!...although, I'll have to say that I used the cube, initially, to tame the higher proof whiskey for my near-virgin palate. Now, I'm a bit of a proof hound, and drinking any 100+ offering is a hell of a lot easier, and I can pull things from the notes I just couldn't when using the cube. Now the cube has one use only...and that's with a bourbon or rye cocktail. Thank you, good sir, for sending me down that path!!!
My past experiences were identical to yours! I had a hard time with high proof bourbon, peated scotch, and some high rye rye whiskeys. Now, I love them all!
The start of this video is beautiful. Don’t tell other people how to enjoy something they spent their hard earned money on. Beautiful way to teach a new way but not say somebody is doing it wrong.
You're really the best kind of person to be drinking or friends with. You don't guilt people for how much they pay for a bottle or how they drink it. Stand up guy
Kurt, your videos are awesome! You are like the whiskey uncle I never had. I'm a scotch lifer and new to the bourbon scene. Just picked up a Russell's Reserve 10 and I'm pretty excited to try it, I think I'll go in neat first.
Great video . Instead of adding ice to rare breed , try blending it with Russell's 10 year . You get all the age and oak of the Russell's , with the taste and proof of the rare breed . It is fantastic .🥃👍
I completely agree. Don't let anyone tell you that you should have it one way over another. Try and discover the way you like the best and then be open to options.
Just wanted to mention that the reason you let bourbon "rest" in the glass instead of drinking it right after pouring is because it allows some of the pure alcohol to evaporate, reducing the burn slightly and making the aromas and flavors easier to notice. Personally, I sometimes like to pour a shot of whiskey into a glass with a stopper on top and put it into the refrigerator to cool down without diluting. Different notes come out of a chilled whiskey - Whistlepig is an absolute dill bomb out of the fridge. It's a nice change of pace. You can get the same effect by just putting the whole bottle in the fridge, but natural corks will contract and not fit into the neck as snugly for awhile afterward, so I stopped putting bottles in the fridge. I'm thinking about heating up my whiskey next - I'm interested in exploring all the possible flavors / modes of consumption!
I bought a bottle of Elijah Craig small batch bourbon ( I haven’t found the barrel proof stuff here in the UK yet) and the first glass was pretty grim. A real astringent, almost medicinal taste to it. I thought that I had wasted my money. HOWEVER, when I went back to it, with the bottle opened and a chance for it to breathe it was every bit as good as you have said. Really nice smooth drink. So you are so right, you have to let the bourbon breathe to develop the flavours. The rest of the bottle didn’t last too long! Thanks for your advice!
Not sure why some bourbons more than others need to breathe and open up. Some fresh opens are fantastic on the first pour. Glad you ended up loving it!
Awesome vide. I'm first-timer at Bourbon. After a few months I finally decided purchase a Bulleit one,, 90 proof... first time got it neat, then did it with a big ice cube... beautiful. I learner a lot more about it with this video. Thanks!
Whiskey stones have a different effect depending on the time of year. I store my whiskey up stairs on the main floor and in the summer the temp is around 76 as opposed to 68 in the winter. Chilling a bit in the summer brings the temp down a bit!
Great video! I really appreciate all your videos. My parents were bourbon drinkers and I am too. I don’t drink as much as I use to. I drink more thoughtfully now. My husband who is not a drinker enjoys watching also.
I drink single malt scotch neat in the right glasses per brand (We collect them while in Scotland) with just a few drops of water. However, I am from Mississippi, and in the summer, if I am sitting in my screen porch and it is very hot, I drink Bourbon or Rye over a big cube. The cube melts slowly, adds a little water, and the cool whiskey is refreshing.
Each whiskey has a dozen possibilities. With coffee, with cola, frozen tumbler with no ice, neat, a little water added. 101 is so different than Ancient Age.
I’m with you on the nose 😂. I spent 38 years in a coal burning power plant so my smeller doesn’t work very well. I’m lucky to have 2-3 notes. But when I do it’s special. Also I’ve found it’s true for me to open my mouth a tad when smelling to get the notes easier. 👍👏🏻
I love your attitude about drinking what you like the way you like it. I will have to try the mouth open trick because to be honest I hardly ever pick up any notes on the nose.
Couple other points, by slightly opening your mouth it lets your brain know whats coming. Reduces initial burn. 2nd point is once you have nosed it exhale. Dont pull in more air. Always start neat. I have heard the ice will also relax the bourbon at the molecular level. It spreads out the taste.
This is helpful. Very helpful. I would add from my experience with the Texas whiskeys over 120 proof when you add water it needs time to all aclimate. So add your water and potentially let it sit for a time before nosing again. Also one needs to be careful with whiskey stones. My buddy chipped his tooth on them.
Another awesome video. When I saw the title I paused. Because the way to drink whiskey or anything for that matter is how you like it. And that is how you played it. And I love ECPB.
Really enjoy watching and learning from your videos cause seems like I’m listening to a professional bar tender which having all your bottles showing behind you looks good too. Enjoy the background music also. Thanks again for all you all do. 👍👍
I am getting into the bourbon world and this video helped me a lot,. I loved it when I heard you say, drink it the way you want to drink it, because I think the same. Thank you. Greetings from Santiago, Chile
Kurt, I love your videos. After watching "Five bourbons for $30' I purchased the Elijah Craig Small Batch and it's great. Pleased to see you using it for this video as well. You are now my 'go to guy' for spirits advice. Keep up the good work.
Done a tasting in Edinburgh a few weeks ago and picked up a great tip for the nose especially when using a glencairn glass. It should have 3 distinct experiences, with your snout at the top, middle and bottom of the glass. Really strange but you go from really light and fruity to dark and malty over the course before even having a sip. I used to keep a notebook as well, jotting down my experiences with a particular dram over time. It’s pretty cool actually seeing how you learn to pick out different flavours and scents over time. It’s where you definitely start learning the difference between a ‘good’ and ‘average’ drop.
Really good information...totally agree with all! Interesting that you discuss whiskey stones. I know a lot of people have negative opinions on them. I have a set a good friend of mine gave me as a gift. Like you, I don't use them often, but when I do I think of my friend and her amazing thoughtfulness and it makes me so happy. To me, that's what sitting down with a good whiskey is all about. Yet another amazingly interesting video, Kurt!
I drink it neat, or I don't drink it. Others are free to drink their's however they see fit. Visitors to my home are also free to drink however they like, BUT if they're mixing it they better grab a cheap bottle. I'm not going to let someone grab a fifty or seventy dollar bottle off of my shelf and then pour it in coke... that is what I keep Beam Black and TX Blended around for.
Great series. nice way to get feedback on so many Bourbons. Sure, its your taste experience, but you have a lot of experience. I would guess we have similar tastes as you also like Ardbeg and Islay whisky in general. I had asked about a good liquor store in Indiana and ended up on my travel to Illinois going via Lincoln highway and Sauk Trail. So, I went to Triangle. The variety was stellar compared to the biggest stores in State controlled Michigan. Also, for those that I could find at both locations here is some detail. Lower prices are all Indiana. Old Forester 1920 61.99 vs 52.99; Bardstown #6 59.99 vs 55.99; Caol Ila 12 80.99 vs 72.99 and Talisker 10 79.99 vs 66.99. I also went to Friar Tuck in Illinois and it had similar prices and an even larger selection. amazed. Disappointing to live in a controlled state. Happy to have found your quality channel.
Always done well. I think like you said each bourbon is different and part of the fun is experimenting and finding what you personally like best. Sometimes I'm in the mood to sip neat and just enjoy the bourbon as is. Other times for whatever reason I want the flavor of an old fashioned. Mood plays a big part in what sounds good I think. Lately I have been mixing drinks and experimenting with other spirits. It is a lot of fun making mixed drinks but man I end up consuming too much sugar. Everything is a balancing act I guess.
You are spot on with how I roll! Everything depends on my mood at the time. Bourbon, rye, single malt, Irish, cocktail, could change every day or week to week.
Wonderful tutorial for new comers! Everything you mentioned is what I tell others! Love my Norlan glasses. They keep things a but more open on the nose. Especially for the higher proofs. Also love how heavy that first slow motion pour was 🤣
Good video, thanks. I can see water changing a barrel proof pour. But it always seems funny when someone says a couple drops dramatically changed an already diluted 80 odd proof pour.
I'm a retired machinist and like you my sense of smell is lacking. I tried opening my mouth slightly while sniffing and WOW it works! thank you that suggestion is gold.
I’m just dipping my toes into the world of bourbon and I gotta say, I really enjoyed the video. Felt like I was being shown something instead of someone’s personal suggestion. Gave me a lot of new things to try. Thank you!!!!
Kurt, this is my kind of review. I call this an every man review. This is the kind of conversation I would have with friends while sampling bourbon and smoking cigars. Thanks for this great video.
Awesome video series. Love the content and presentation. Music is appropriate and not too loud. Be fun to sit at the Basement Bourbon Bar for a drink or two.
I agree, Great tips. I live in a hot climate and work outside every day so I prefer over ice. However I know what to expect from my regular rotation bottles and feel I'm not missing anything.Now if I'm opening one of my Pappy 15s it's diet coke all the way lol.. On something new I always take it neat. On every bottle the last pour is always neat. Ice balls have saved me a bunch of money over the years by making drain pours tolerable.
Get yourself a "Dasher" to add 2,3,4 drops of water when ready. Not expensive and it's how the pros add water. They are not expensive ($20 for 3 on Amazon) and you could personalize them and add them to your "merch" inventory. It definitely opens up the wonderfulness of the bourbon.Great channel, thanks.....
When trying a new bottle. I always make a mixed drink (whiskey +diet coke) pour my new bottle into a nose/tasting glass and try it. Overall whiskey and coke is always a go too but I want to try different options lol
I wish you used A122, I could have poured mine and joined you. I still did a pour of the A122. excellent video for the newcomers that wish to appreciate the nuances the correct way
Two things... I never knew the shape of the glass made a difference. Looks like I need to replace juice glasses! I've just learned the joy of drinking rye neat. The aromas are amazing, though I can usually only identify one or two.
I love your "drink what you like, how you like it" words. I'm not a bourbon snob. My one and only for ever has been Wild Turkey 101 till this year after Thanksgiving. My W. T. was getting low so decided I'd see what else was out there after watching 8 or 10 comparison vids. I chose my W.T. 101, Elijah Craig Small Batch, Russell's Reserve 10 yr., Maker's Mark French Oaked 46, and later, Yellowstone Select, just because I saw it advertised on the "Yellowstone " tv series. I prefer the E. C. Sm Batch and the M. M. 46 neat, The 101 and Yellowstone over ice and the R. R. 10 yr. either way. Don't know what that says about my pallet and frankly don't care(I'm 76) but that's how I go about it. I, frankly, don't have the space to keep more than those on hand at once. Maybe when I need to restock I'll try one or two diff. ones. I'll shut up now.
I’m a fly fisherman, traveling/following the Continental Divide from Mexico to Canada. When I have a good day fly fishing on the river I pick up a river rock, freeze it and have a pour generally WT101. The better the day fishing the better the pour tastes! Don’t know the correlation, but Just saying!!!
Still kinda new to Whisky as a hobby so I like to make an Old Fashioned (or 2) with cheaper Whisky first, then maybe a dram of that same cheaper Whisky neat before moving on to the more expensive Whisky. I think of it like doing warm-up sets when working out. I get my mouth prepped for the burn and ready to try and pull out flavors and smells. Also keeps costs down so I don't go through expensive bottles as fast 👍
I'm with you, I used to try adding a drop of water, especially when I was trying to get into Scotch,.... But never once was it an improvement, so after a few years I gave up on it.
I am with you guys, really doesn’t do much for me either. I will say though I have found that with some of the cask strength scotch you find these days a few drops of water does make a difference. Only with the higher proofs though.
Work a liquor import dock, been drinking Rowans 101 right out of the bottle like a savage lol, never paid a narrow-top glass or any stirring/breathing a single thought -and HUH, a little time/air does make a helluva difference. Cheers sir
Great, honest presentation as always. Usually am a neat drinker, but have to admit that drinking Stagg Jr with a tiny bit of water truly makes a difference. Same with the really high proof ECBPs . LITTLE bit of water opens up the profile and actually enhances it. Keeping it au natural is just fine too. Bottom line, drink it the way YOU like it! Period
Well Done as always Sir. I really liked the approach and the suggestions for different bourbons to try the four different ways. Again, Thanks from the Bluegrass!
The glass: I just use glasses off the first class section of airliners from the 60's and 70's. Super thin, and a few of them have the Pan Am emblem on them. For me, that makes a lot more difference than the virtually undetectable flavor changes between new and half full bottles. different glass shapes, Etc. BTW, I live quite close to the Limestone distillery in Lebanon, KY. It's my favorite and I've ended up with a bottle of pretty much every whiskey they produce today. It's the only distillery in existence today with a Beam as one of the owners. I even have his signature, in silver, on a few bottles. 😁 FWIW, I've found that my taste changes from day to day. Some days, I'll pour it neat, and it tastes heavenly. Then, another day, the exact same whiskey, neat, tastes harsh. It's not the whiskey. It's my palate. I've learned to pour just a tiny bit and give it a couple of tastes. If it tastes good, I'll fill the glass. Otherwise, I leave it alone that day. I drink whiskey while listening to vinyl in the music room. An unbeatable combination.
Hello Kurt. I live in Sweden and ivé been following your channel for some weeks , and now im filled with inspiration from all your good bourbon suggestions. This week i will recive one bottle Elijah Craigh small batch and one bottle of Wild Turkey 101. I started with Evan Williams bottle in bond as you recommended and followed up with Evan Williams Single barrel Which i liked alot (I bought one more the following day). Bottle in bond was delicious to, and made me want to try more Bourbon brands. So i just want to say thank you for a great channel and for all the good tip you give me 🙂. Have a nice day sir!
Thank you for teaching me to stop being a degenerate and not continuing to look like a slob while drinking bourbon. I was a shot glass boy until today. I am now a bourbon glass, neat sipping, man!
Hello Kurt and Trent. ha!! first in line in the comments(: Ah, Elijah Craig small batch. Good pick. I as well, usually start the evening enjoying a bourbon neat in a Glencairn. Then over a large ice cube in a rocks glass. Thanks for the vid. Stay safe, stay armed, stay free.
Hi Kurt and team,
Your videos get better and better. Your approach is great - not snooty but enthusiastic, personal, and open with your opinions. It’s like listening to a friend. Keep up the great work with new topics and drinks.
Appreciate your kind words!
Love your tutorial and agree with you 100% on "drink what you like, how you like it". I only drank bourbon and coke for many years. For the last decade, I "graduated" to sipping my bourbon on ice. Wild Turkey 101 is so smooth and mellow with a couple of ice cubes in a rocks glass.
The first time I had bourbon was 2 parts bourbon, 1 part gingerale. I didn't think I'd like it but I loved it! Over the years I've gone from Wild Turkey to Bullit (still my favorite) to Woodford Reserve which is also wonderful. Still my drink of choice on the rare occasions I have a drink. 💗
I love the honesty on the amount of aromas you pick up. Everyone picks up on the classic bourbon notes, but im good for like 1 or 2 nuance notes. Sometimes I watch other channels and wonder how they got 27 aromoas out of one bourbon but 12 out of another, with the strict bourbon guidelines. Sometimes I think it's all for show, anyhow, keep the great content coming! Salud🥃🙏
I can only be honest with what I can do. Thank you!
Most people are full of shit…
Good presentation, Kurt. I'm glad you emphasized personal preferences above all while still providing clear guidance as to neck pours, glassware, and temperature.
I agree that neat is the best way to try a new bottle; then add a little water to see the effect.
I'm glad you mentioned opening the mouth while nosing. That enhances the profile while reducing the possible burn.
And I'll say this outright, whiskey stones should be avoided. They're not effective, get in the way, and are a risk to glasses and teeth.
Cheers!
Thank you! First time for me with those stones and I was not impressed either. Big no for me.
Very happy to hear that your palate only picks up 2 or 3 notes… I am fairly new to bourbon drinking and I have a difficult time with picking up the notes of a particular bourbon… this video was a tremendous help and as usual a great watch.. Thanks for all you do
Your welcome! I just don’t want folks to feel bad or discouraged just because they can’t get 6-8 flavors on a bourbon.
Tip for the water dilution: use a dropper bottle with distilled water. You’ll be amazed what 2-3 drops (not full droppers…just individual drops) can do. Tames the heat without destroying the overall profile. It really allows the flavors to pop through. 🤙🏻
That's what we did on our Old Forester tour. Amazing how so little did so much.
@@porkchop10yeah in a 1/4 shot but not in a real pour, it does nothing
@@ericdiekmann2308 I hear ya. That's what my ice is for I guess lol
OUTSTANDING, tutorial on tasting bourbon. Keep it up! Can’t wait for the scotch tasting video. Tutorials are awesome. 👍🥃
I want to get into scotch as well. That’s a whole other animal!
Whiskey Stones.. when I get Stones for Christmas, I pretend it’s a great gift and then I re-gift it the next year!! Give me a thumb if you do the same thing. Thank you kindly!!
Ha! Love it!
I've thankfully never gotten them but yeah I'd return it or give to someone else. Although I can't think of a person I know who would want them. Give me ice
👎🤦 no dear god no. You smile, thank them, and use them when the gifter comes around. What is wrong with y'all?
My wife got me stones for my anniversary… and for the sake of not having to sleep on the couch, or the dog house… I love them😂😅
Not a huge fan of them, but pretend I like them for her. Now I did turn her on to get me an ice ball maker, so it’s gotten better 😂
Whiskey stones...........I'd rather have kidney stones😂
You sir are 100% correct. I tell my customers that all the time. Drink any beverage the way you like to drink it. There are no wrong answers! Great video!
Thanks John!
GREAT content and honest presentation. I have been a whiskey drinker for going on 40 years and I always get a good laugh when people nose and taste a whiskey and get 5 or 6 flavored profiles.
I loved to hear you say the best way to drink it is “the way YOU like it” as well. Love your channel, best one going. CHEERS!!
Really appreciate that! Keep it simple, keep it honest.
I'm glad you pointed out that as the consumer you are king. You are the ultimate judge of what you drink and how you drink it.
Amen!
Good stuff ! Learning these methods will help me appreciate my bourbon , Irish & Scotch whiskey's immensly. Thanks again Kurt ...and the crew at SLB !
Much appreciated!
I'm pretty new to bourbon. I love an Old Fashioned so that's how I drink it 99% of the time. But after watching this I want to learn to identify and appreciate each bourbon's unique notes. Looking forward to lots of neat pours in my future! Thanks SLB team.
Chad, Kurt would be the FIRST to tell you there's nothing wrong with a good Old Fashioned, or Sour, or Figgin' Delicious, or Hunter (He's made them ALL on this channel...totally sold me on it)...you just need to know, overall, what bourbon you like to drink first. Then you can start playing around with what you're willing to use for mixing...might be a different bottle than the one you're drinking neat, or with a smidge of water, or with a phat ass ice cube.
Great advice from @jamosensai! Old fashioned is an iconic whiskey cocktail so nothing wrong with that! If you are wanting to dip your toe into neat possibly start with a lower proofer, maybe 80-90. Let me know how it goes!
That's how I started too, and still start my drinking nights that way. I always drink it neat to taste test new bottles, but mostly drink with a block of ice. I always start my drinking with an Old Fashioned and work to on a rock. I find it helps the palet get acclimated to the proof starting with a cocktail.
@@jamosensei I tried the "Blood and Bourbon", he made on an old show, last weekend. It was delicious!
@@truekingofthejungle9038 Agree, I like that one a lot!
I have been a bourbon drinker for going on 60 years and drinking it neat for about 20. I have had it in everything from Waterford lead crystal to red Solo cups to straight from a bottle passed among friends. A current fave is Evan Williams Bottled in Bond, but I can't remember ever not liking Wild Turkey 101. Excellent and informative video. Thank you!
A friend of mine didn't believe glencairn glasses made any difference at all. I ordered some on Amazon and direct shipped them to him since he was too stubborn (cheap?) to get them. I now have a new convert.
I agree about your observation about Knob Creek Single Barrel over ice. It becomes so different, knocks down the rye burn just enough to bring the complex flavors to the fore.
You dont understand that you're teaching me things that im going to use to be the expert in my family lol...thanks for your sophisticated, adult, calm approach to what you do. Love ur channel... the soft low calm music, your attitude, just everything is great...thx!
I’ve been 21 for about 8 months so only recently I have fell in love with sipping bourbon like an older more mature person. But I’ve been doing it over ice this whole time. Very excited to take some tips from this video
That’s awesome! Being a younger guy I am thrilled you are drinking responsibly. You have a great life in front of you so keep making great decisions!
I’m 58 and have my eye over ice every night. The most important thing to learn are the different ways it can be served and then do what ever you like. Life is too short to believe that what you like is somehow “less” than what other people do.
thank you!!! I just discovered Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye... bought some glasses and have begun my tasting adventure.... wonderful video... will be looking forward to them all....
I love it when you mention picking up 2 or 3 strong fragrance for the palette. I can not smell more than a few and glad to hear others operate the same way.😂
You are so, so right. The "right way" is the way you enjoy it the most.
Absolutely!
The right way to drink bourbon: often!
That you get 3 or so characteristics out of a whiskey, as opposed to 8 or so like some other video hosts, is why I watch your channel. Maybe those other guys are actually tasting all those profile notes, as opposed to imagining them, but it seems like a stretch to me.
As far as on the rocks goes, I enjoy it but I see it as a form of cocktail, so I use humble bourbons like I'd use with mixers, e.g. Four Roses yellow label. Any higher quality bourbon and I"ll drink it strictly neat.
Great approach! Like you, I have no judgments towards others who can pick up many aromas and flavors I just know if I personally did that I would be making some up.
Sometimes your greatest strength is knowing your weakness. Be honest, that approach will always win.
A drop or 2 of water changes the chemical compounds that are bonding together, releasing some extra flavors. It won't really change the abv much at all because 1 or 2 drops is such a tiny percentage of the liquid volume in the glass, but it sure makes the drink seem smoother
I need to explore more with water and ratios. Appreciate the info here.
When I use water I follow a technique described by, Ralphy, in his Scottish whiskey reviews, where he adds water ever so slightly. His technique is to, before drinking, wait a little for the water to do it's thing. Works great on a Wild Turkey 101, real nice.
Lol ok
I love the background music in your videos, perfect basement bar music at the correct volume level
Appreciate that!
spot on, one thing I always tell people is take your first sip like hot coffee... sip with air, and a tiny sip at that. then let it sit on tongue then press to the top of the mouth and hold it. it squishes down to the sides of the tongue and flavors start to pop.... for me anyway...
great vid SLB!!!!!
Thank you! What you are saying here makes a lot of sense. I am going to try that sipping technique.
I've said it before...George T Stagg over one cube is AMAZING!!!...although, I'll have to say that I used the cube, initially, to tame the higher proof whiskey for my near-virgin palate. Now, I'm a bit of a proof hound, and drinking any 100+ offering is a hell of a lot easier, and I can pull things from the notes I just couldn't when using the cube.
Now the cube has one use only...and that's with a bourbon or rye cocktail. Thank you, good sir, for sending me down that path!!!
We get bagged ice that comes in chips rather than cubes. Over 100 gets 1 chip, 110 gets 2, 120+ gets 3. Tames the burn and much easier to sip
My past experiences were identical to yours! I had a hard time with high proof bourbon, peated scotch, and some high rye rye whiskeys. Now, I love them all!
The start of this video is beautiful. Don’t tell other people how to enjoy something they spent their hard earned money on. Beautiful way to teach a new way but not say somebody is doing it wrong.
You're really the best kind of person to be drinking or friends with. You don't guilt people for how much they pay for a bottle or how they drink it. Stand up guy
The way it should be!
Kurt, your videos are awesome! You are like the whiskey uncle I never had. I'm a scotch lifer and new to the bourbon scene. Just picked up a Russell's Reserve 10 and I'm pretty excited to try it, I think I'll go in neat first.
That’s awesome! Really hope you enjoy the bourbon!
Great video . Instead of adding ice to rare breed , try blending it with Russell's 10 year . You get all the age and oak of the Russell's , with the taste and proof of the rare breed . It is fantastic .🥃👍
Sounds awesome! I would like to do a subscriber blend show. Keep your eye out for that one.
I completely agree.
Don't let anyone tell you that you should have it one way over another.
Try and discover the way you like the best and then be open to options.
Nice guidance. The mouth open a bit to get the nose was a tip a friend told me a while ago. Best tip I ever received.
Agreed!
Just wanted to mention that the reason you let bourbon "rest" in the glass instead of drinking it right after pouring is because it allows some of the pure alcohol to evaporate, reducing the burn slightly and making the aromas and flavors easier to notice.
Personally, I sometimes like to pour a shot of whiskey into a glass with a stopper on top and put it into the refrigerator to cool down without diluting. Different notes come out of a chilled whiskey - Whistlepig is an absolute dill bomb out of the fridge. It's a nice change of pace. You can get the same effect by just putting the whole bottle in the fridge, but natural corks will contract and not fit into the neck as snugly for awhile afterward, so I stopped putting bottles in the fridge. I'm thinking about heating up my whiskey next - I'm interested in exploring all the possible flavors / modes of consumption!
Great info thank you! Let me know what you come up with by heating up whiskey.
Kurt and family, thank you for very inviting and welcoming videos! Lovely respite 😊
Really glad you enjoy them!
I bought a bottle of Elijah Craig small batch bourbon ( I haven’t found the barrel proof stuff here in the UK yet) and the first glass was pretty grim. A real astringent, almost medicinal taste to it. I thought that I had wasted my money. HOWEVER, when I went back to it, with the bottle opened and a chance for it to breathe it was every bit as good as you have said. Really nice smooth drink. So you are so right, you have to let the bourbon breathe to develop the flavours. The rest of the bottle didn’t last too long! Thanks for your advice!
Not sure why some bourbons more than others need to breathe and open up. Some fresh opens are fantastic on the first pour. Glad you ended up loving it!
Awesome vide.
I'm first-timer at Bourbon. After a few months I finally decided purchase a Bulleit one,, 90 proof... first time got it neat, then did it with a big ice cube... beautiful.
I learner a lot more about it with this video. Thanks!
Whiskey stones have a different effect depending on the time of year. I store my whiskey up stairs on the main floor and in the summer the temp is around 76 as opposed to 68 in the winter. Chilling a bit in the summer brings the temp down a bit!
Great segment ... 👏 Take care, your new friend from frosty Alberta Canada 🇨🇦
Enjoy your videos so much Kurt, just ordered a t shirt, keep content coming!
Thank you so much!
Watching this video during Lent is the ultimate temptation.
Oh oh, sorry bout that…
Great video! I really appreciate all your videos. My parents were bourbon drinkers and I am too. I don’t drink as much as I use to. I drink more thoughtfully now. My husband who is not a drinker enjoys watching also.
That’s awesome and a good way to describe bourbon drinking!
I drink single malt scotch neat in the right glasses per brand (We collect them while in Scotland) with just a few drops of water. However, I am from Mississippi, and in the summer, if I am sitting in my screen porch and it is very hot, I drink Bourbon or Rye over a big cube. The cube melts slowly, adds a little water, and the cool whiskey is refreshing.
Each whiskey has a dozen possibilities. With coffee, with cola, frozen tumbler with no ice, neat, a little water added. 101 is so different than Ancient Age.
I’m with you on the nose 😂. I spent 38 years in a coal burning power plant so my smeller doesn’t work very well. I’m lucky to have 2-3 notes. But when I do it’s special. Also I’ve found it’s true for me to open my mouth a tad when smelling to get the notes easier. 👍👏🏻
There you go! No sense in getting frustrated because you can’t pick up aromas.
Always a great presentation. Thanks!
Thank you!
I truly enjoy your presentation during the video...makes me feel like I'm sitting right across the bar!
I hope so. We truly try to convey that warm, comfy, inviting vibe. Thanks for noticing!
I love your attitude about drinking what you like the way you like it. I will have to try the mouth open trick because to be honest I hardly ever pick up any notes on the nose.
I am a gin guy, but started my diversification or "equity" process and your video was very helpful!
Love the videos! Very informative! Thank you
Couple other points, by slightly opening your mouth it lets your brain know whats coming. Reduces initial burn. 2nd point is once you have nosed it exhale. Dont pull in more air. Always start neat. I have heard the ice will also relax the bourbon at the molecular level. It spreads out the taste.
Great perspective!
This is helpful. Very helpful. I would add from my experience with the Texas whiskeys over 120 proof when you add water it needs time to all aclimate. So add your water and potentially let it sit for a time before nosing again. Also one needs to be careful with whiskey stones. My buddy chipped his tooth on them.
Thank you for the water tip, def makes sense! Not a big fan of those stones either to be honest.
Another awesome video. When I saw the title I paused. Because the way to drink whiskey or anything for that matter is how you like it. And that is how you played it. And I love ECPB.
Exactly! We are all individuals with our own tendencies.
Really enjoy watching and learning from your videos cause seems like I’m listening to a professional bar tender which having all your bottles showing behind you looks good too. Enjoy the background music also. Thanks again for all you all do. 👍👍
Glad you are enjoying the channel!
I am getting into the bourbon world and this video helped me a lot,. I loved it when I heard you say, drink it the way you want to drink it, because I think the same. Thank you.
Greetings from Santiago, Chile
cheers everybody. have a great new year.
Happy Bottled in Bond Day SLB! Love your videos, can’t wait to see more.
Thanks!
Thank you, glad I asked this the other day and got your response.
Really enjoying your videos. Been drinking bourbons recently & yours are practical, educational & fun. Thx
Like a hot cup of Campbell's soup on a cold night. SLB videos are ''M'm! M'm! Good!
Lol! My brother you are to much! From my heart, thank you so much for being a part of this channel!
The weather plays a factor on how I drink since my favorite place to drink for 3 of the seasons is my back porch.
Kurt, I love your videos. After watching "Five bourbons for $30' I purchased the Elijah Craig Small Batch and it's great. Pleased to see you using it for this video as well. You are now my 'go to guy' for spirits advice. Keep up the good work.
Appreciate your kind words! Thank you!
Done a tasting in Edinburgh a few weeks ago and picked up a great tip for the nose especially when using a glencairn glass. It should have 3 distinct experiences, with your snout at the top, middle and bottom of the glass. Really strange but you go from really light and fruity to dark and malty over the course before even having a sip.
I used to keep a notebook as well, jotting down my experiences with a particular dram over time. It’s pretty cool actually seeing how you learn to pick out different flavours and scents over time. It’s where you definitely start learning the difference between a ‘good’ and ‘average’ drop.
Really good information...totally agree with all! Interesting that you discuss whiskey stones. I know a lot of people have negative opinions on them. I have a set a good friend of mine gave me as a gift. Like you, I don't use them often, but when I do I think of my friend and her amazing thoughtfulness and it makes me so happy. To me, that's what sitting down with a good whiskey is all about. Yet another amazingly interesting video, Kurt!
Glad you got some good use out of them. I cant encourage people to buy them tho.
Experiences and memories is what whiskey is all about! I can’t agree more!
I drink it neat, or I don't drink it.
Others are free to drink their's however they see fit. Visitors to my home are also free to drink however they like, BUT if they're mixing it they better grab a cheap bottle. I'm not going to let someone grab a fifty or seventy dollar bottle off of my shelf and then pour it in coke... that is what I keep Beam Black and TX Blended around for.
Ya agree with you on that. One would hope a visitor would understand a bit of common sense.
Great series. nice way to get feedback on so many Bourbons. Sure, its your taste experience, but you have a lot of experience. I would guess we have similar tastes as you also like Ardbeg and Islay whisky in general. I had asked about a good liquor store in Indiana and ended up on my travel to Illinois going via Lincoln highway and Sauk Trail. So, I went to Triangle. The variety was stellar compared to the biggest stores in State controlled Michigan. Also, for those that I could find at both locations here is some detail. Lower prices are all Indiana. Old Forester 1920 61.99 vs 52.99; Bardstown #6 59.99 vs 55.99; Caol Ila 12 80.99 vs 72.99 and Talisker 10 79.99 vs 66.99. I also went to Friar Tuck in Illinois and it had similar prices and an even larger selection. amazed. Disappointing to live in a controlled state. Happy to have found your quality channel.
Very happy you were able to save some money on good bourbon! Thank you for your involvement in the channel!
The best way is the way YOU like it!
Darn right!
That’s my favorite batch of ECBP too. Absolutely delicious
Always done well. I think like you said each bourbon is different and part of the fun is experimenting and finding what you personally like best. Sometimes I'm in the mood to sip neat and just enjoy the bourbon as is. Other times for whatever reason I want the flavor of an old fashioned. Mood plays a big part in what sounds good I think. Lately I have been mixing drinks and experimenting with other spirits. It is a lot of fun making mixed drinks but man I end up consuming too much sugar. Everything is a balancing act I guess.
You are spot on with how I roll! Everything depends on my mood at the time. Bourbon, rye, single malt, Irish, cocktail, could change every day or week to week.
Wonderful tutorial for new comers! Everything you mentioned is what I tell others! Love my Norlan glasses. They keep things a but more open on the nose. Especially for the higher proofs. Also love how heavy that first slow motion pour was 🤣
Ya Trent went nuts on that pour!
Good video, thanks. I can see water changing a barrel proof pour. But it always seems funny when someone says a couple drops dramatically changed an already diluted 80 odd proof pour.
I agree. Not a big fan of adding water but for some it helps.
I'm a retired machinist and like you my sense of smell is lacking. I tried opening my mouth slightly while sniffing and WOW it works! thank you that suggestion is gold.
Great info, appreciate all your videos. Thanks!
Appreciate it thank you!
I’m just dipping my toes into the world of bourbon and I gotta say, I really enjoyed the video. Felt like I was being shown something instead of someone’s personal suggestion. Gave me a lot of new things to try. Thank you!!!!
That huge pour of barrel proof into the SLB glass up to the top had me rolling. 😂
Kurt, this is my kind of review. I call this an every man review. This is the kind of conversation I would have with friends while sampling bourbon and smoking cigars. Thanks for this great video.
Always, always take a second sip...and a third, fourth...
Now your talking! 😂
This is what I was looking forward too. Thankyou!
Your welcome!
New southern AZ subscriber here and I will try your recommendation on starting with neat vs over a cube. Very nice video! 🤠
Awesome video series. Love the content and presentation. Music is appropriate and not too loud. Be fun to sit at the Basement Bourbon Bar for a drink or two.
Yes it would!
I agree, Great tips. I live in a hot climate and work outside every day so I prefer over ice. However I know what to expect from my regular rotation bottles and feel I'm not missing anything.Now if I'm opening one of my Pappy 15s it's diet coke all the way lol.. On something new I always take it neat. On every bottle the last pour is always neat. Ice balls have saved me a bunch of money over the years by making drain pours tolerable.
That’s a good point we didn’t even discuss lol. Bad bourbon being saved by ice! Good one!
Get yourself a "Dasher" to add 2,3,4 drops of water when ready. Not expensive and it's how the pros add water. They are not expensive ($20 for 3 on Amazon) and you could personalize them and add them to your "merch" inventory. It definitely opens up the wonderfulness of the bourbon.Great channel, thanks.....
When trying a new bottle. I always make a mixed drink (whiskey +diet coke) pour my new bottle into a nose/tasting glass and try it. Overall whiskey and coke is always a go too but I want to try different options lol
Like I said, your the only one that needs to be happy!
Love your style mate! Simple, honest and no bullshit. I raise a glass to you Kurt.
Thanks brother!
I wish you used A122, I could have poured mine and joined you. I still did a pour of the A122. excellent video for the newcomers that wish to appreciate the nuances the correct way
Thank you!
Two things...
I never knew the shape of the glass made a difference. Looks like I need to replace juice glasses!
I've just learned the joy of drinking rye neat. The aromas are amazing, though I can usually only identify one or two.
I use to do the single ice cube thing. Graduated to neat. Love what yall do. Wish my local stores had half the variety
I love your "drink what you like, how you like it" words. I'm not a bourbon snob. My one and only for ever has been Wild Turkey 101 till this year after Thanksgiving. My W. T. was getting low so decided I'd see what else was out there after watching 8 or 10 comparison vids. I chose my W.T. 101, Elijah Craig Small Batch, Russell's Reserve 10 yr., Maker's Mark French Oaked 46, and later, Yellowstone Select, just because I saw it advertised on the "Yellowstone " tv series. I prefer the E. C. Sm Batch and the M. M. 46 neat, The 101 and Yellowstone over ice and the R. R. 10 yr. either way. Don't know what that says about my pallet and frankly don't care(I'm 76) but that's how I go about it. I, frankly, don't have the space to keep more than those on hand at once. Maybe when I need to restock I'll try one or two diff. ones. I'll shut up now.
This convinced me to buy a set of Glencairn glasses - what a difference! Thanks!
Glad you are enjoying them!
Just found your channel and have really enjoyed the videos! This video I really enjoyed I’m always looking for ideas on enjoying a beverage!
I’m a fly fisherman, traveling/following the Continental Divide from Mexico to Canada. When I have a good day fly fishing on the river I pick up a river rock, freeze it and have a pour generally WT101. The better the day fishing the better the pour tastes! Don’t know the correlation, but Just saying!!!
That’s awesome! I love to fish as well! I don’t do it nearly as much as I used to due to work but that needs to change.
@@slbdrinks ,.. yea, it’s kind of like Dinty More Beef Stew. Tastes great when you are camping but at home,… not-so-much.
Still kinda new to Whisky as a hobby so I like to make an Old Fashioned (or 2) with cheaper Whisky first, then maybe a dram of that same cheaper Whisky neat before moving on to the more expensive Whisky. I think of it like doing warm-up sets when working out. I get my mouth prepped for the burn and ready to try and pull out flavors and smells. Also keeps costs down so I don't go through expensive bottles as fast 👍
Sounds like you have a good plan that works for you!
I try adding water every now and again. Never once have I preferred the flavor! Still not giving up trying though… you know, for science! 😝
I'm with you, I used to try adding a drop of water, especially when I was trying to get into Scotch,.... But never once was it an improvement, so after a few years I gave up on it.
I am with you guys, really doesn’t do much for me either. I will say though I have found that with some of the cask strength scotch you find these days a few drops of water does make a difference. Only with the higher proofs though.
I like adding a few drops of water, it's easy to add too much.
Work a liquor import dock, been drinking Rowans 101 right out of the bottle like a savage lol, never paid a narrow-top glass or any stirring/breathing a single thought -and HUH, a little time/air does make a helluva difference. Cheers sir
Great, honest presentation as always. Usually am a neat drinker, but have to admit that drinking Stagg Jr with a tiny bit of water truly makes a difference. Same with the really high proof ECBPs . LITTLE bit of water opens up the profile and actually enhances it. Keeping it au natural is just fine too.
Bottom line, drink it the way YOU like it! Period
Amen to that! I need to explore water with bourbon more often.
Well Done as always Sir. I really liked the approach and the suggestions for different bourbons to try the four different ways. Again, Thanks from the Bluegrass!
The glass: I just use glasses off the first class section of airliners from the 60's and 70's. Super thin, and a few of them have the Pan Am emblem on them. For me, that makes a lot more difference than the virtually undetectable flavor changes between new and half full bottles. different glass shapes, Etc.
BTW, I live quite close to the Limestone distillery in Lebanon, KY. It's my favorite and I've ended up with a bottle of pretty much every whiskey they produce today. It's the only distillery in existence today with a Beam as one of the owners. I even have his signature, in silver, on a few bottles. 😁
FWIW, I've found that my taste changes from day to day. Some days, I'll pour it neat, and it tastes heavenly. Then, another day, the exact same whiskey, neat, tastes harsh. It's not the whiskey. It's my palate. I've learned to pour just a tiny bit and give it a couple of tastes. If it tastes good, I'll fill the glass. Otherwise, I leave it alone that day.
I drink whiskey while listening to vinyl in the music room. An unbeatable combination.
Hello Kurt. I live in Sweden and ivé been following your channel for some weeks , and now im filled with inspiration from all your good bourbon suggestions. This week i will recive one bottle Elijah Craigh small batch and one bottle of Wild Turkey 101. I started with Evan Williams bottle in bond as you recommended and followed up with Evan Williams Single barrel Which i liked alot (I bought one more the following day). Bottle in bond was delicious to, and made me want to try more Bourbon brands. So i just want to say thank you for a great channel and for all the good tip you give me 🙂. Have a nice day sir!
Thank you so much! Very nice to hear from you!
Thank you for teaching me to stop being a degenerate and not continuing to look like a slob while drinking bourbon. I was a shot glass boy until today. I am now a bourbon glass, neat sipping, man!
That pour on the Glen!!! Can i come over when you pour Pappy???!!! lol
Trent went a bit nuts on that pour lol!
Hello Kurt and Trent. ha!! first in line in the comments(: Ah, Elijah Craig small batch. Good pick. I as well, usually start the evening enjoying a bourbon neat in a Glencairn. Then over a large ice cube in a rocks glass. Thanks for the vid. Stay safe, stay armed, stay free.
Sounds like an excellent plan!