I picked up a bottle of Buffalo Trace bourbon this afternoon. It's a middle-shelf priced bourbon with top-shelf character. I've only recently gotten into bourbon after my favorite local wine shop started carrying spirits. As far as bourbon went, I originally believed Maker's Mark was all I would ever need. I fear my wine and spirits man has ruined Maker's for me, as I find it to be so lame compared to a few other bourbons I've had. What's really great about Buffalo Trace is it's less than 25 bucks, which means it will quickly replace Maker's space in my cabinet.
The Buffalo is very nice on its own. Very mellow, with a pleasant tingle on the tongue and gums. This is a chewy bourbon. The viscosity feels comparable to grandma's marmalade. I haven't developed a very refined or matured palate, so I won't even try to describe all the tasting notes. Just go out to the store and buy yourself a bottle and say goodbye to Jack and Jim... and sadly, Mark. Sniffle. Although, I wouldn't recommend mixing this with Coke or Pepsi.
The Buffalo also plays very well with others. Currently, I am enjoying my second Old Fashioned. Andrew, my whiskey man, suggested I use Buffalo Trace for my Old Fashioneds and boy, was he spot. on. I have tried Old Fashioneds with Maker's, Maker's 46, and Rock Hill Farms. It was OK with Makers, marginally better with 46, really good with Rock Hill. But Rock Hill is a phenomenal bourbon, one which shouldn't be mixed with anything besides a drop or two of water or an ice cube perhaps.
If you are curious about Old Fashioneds, don't let any idiot tell you that you gotta top it off with seltzer or club soda or sprite or ginger ale. They are fools. The greatest Old Fashioned can be made by simply folllowing Robert Hess' formula.
The (almost*) Perfect Old Fashioned
*Use a (1) sugar cube and a teaspoon of water instead of simple syrup.
Not a very exciting post tonight. I'm sorry for that, non readers. I'm sure you'll get over it.
Cheers.
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