Can someone give me some cheap bourbons to try?

Question

I normally drink scotch but I thought I'd give it a try. The reason I want it to be cheap is because if I don't like it I wont have wasted as much money. Also, I have tried Jack daniels, and thought that it tasted like horse p**s, do all bourbons taste like jack or is jack a very different tasting one.

Answer 1

Jack is technically not bourbon.  It misses out by a few miles.  To be bourbon, it MUST be made in Kentucky (like Scotch must be made in Scottland and Cognac must be made in the Cognac region of France, other wise it's just whiskey, whisky, and brandy, respectively).  Since Jack is made just south of the Kentucky border, it's Tennessee Sour Mash Whiskey.  But, it's basically bourbon.  And it is a fairly smooth bourbon as bourbon goes.  So if you don't like it, you may very well have problems with all bourbon.  I think it is easy to drink scotch if you like bourbon, but it doesn't necessarily work the other way.

Being a scotch enthusiast, I think the best bet would be Corner Creek.  It's a new bourbon that comes in a wine bottle for about $20.  It may be hard to find since it is new, but all the big liquor stores I have been in lately have had it (not the small ones).  Other good bourbons are Wild Turkey Russell's Reserve and Jim Beam Black.  Gentleman Jack (Daniels) is also good.  Those are all about $20 as well.  But I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't like them.  So I would either try Corner Creek or Gentleman Jack (yes it is different than regular jack).  

Answer 2

ten high,old crow.it's rot gut but if that's what you want.

Answer 3

Try a barrel blended Canadian whiskey like black velvet, Canadian mist, etc. Bourbons are fairly harsh, unless you go with expensive ones like Maker's Mark, etc.

You don't drink cheap Scotch do you??

Answer 4

Gentleman Jack is by far my favorite bourbon. Like Biofreak said, it is very different from Jack Daniels. It is smooth and mellow, can be drank straight up or mixed, and it tastes sooo good!

Answer 5

Jack Daniels is a Tennessee Style Whisky because it is made using the Tennessee Filtration process, which is not allowed by Bourbon rules.

A bourbon:

1- Must be made in the USA. Anywhere, not just Kentucky. Virginia Gentleman is made in VA and there are a handful of bourbons from as far and wide as New York and Missouri.

2- Must be 51% or more corn

3- Must be distilled to 160 proof and bottled at +80proof

4- It must be aged in charred, new oak barrels for 2 years.

There are further restrictions for a whisky to earn "Straight Bourbon", and "Bonded" labels.

As for Jack, it's filtered through charcoal prior to aging (the "Tennessee Process" which alters the flavor. This prevents it from being labeled a Bourbon, even though it follows all the other rules. George Dickel is the other major Tenn. brand.

Other non-bourbons:  Early Times and Southern Comfort.

SO: on to cheap but tasty bourbons. I'll set $40 as a limit:

Bulleit

Jim Beam Black Label

Labrot and Graham: Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select

Maker's Mark

Jim Beam Choice (Green Label)

Evan Williams Single Barrel 1994 (haven't tried the 1997)

Answer 6

Jack isn't bourbon, actually.

And as far as getting a cheap one, you are going to get what you pay for.

Edit:  Jack is Tennesee whiskey, which is not the same thing as bourbon.   All bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon.  Bourbon is usually made in Kentucky.

Also, I'd go with Jim Beam too, like the other guy said.

Answer 7

I always drank Jim Beam myself, till I switched to tequila. The posting that said you get what you play for is correct. Do you buy cheap scotch? The best way to try different types might be from a bar or restaurant a shot at a time. The price will still be step, but it will less then by the fifth. Or try pints.