What do you think of Booker's bourbon?

cubrock

cubrock

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A while back, I was at the ABC store talking to the clerk. He mentioned that Booker's bourbon was about to undergo a big price increase. I had never tried Booker's, so I later picked up a bottle so I could see if it was worth getting a couple to keep around before the price went up.

Maybe I'm not a bourbon connoisseur, but it didn't impress me for the price. I've had cheaper bourbons that I enjoyed as much, if not more. I tried it neat and with a splash of water. Ice maker doesn't work and I rarely drink anything on the rocks, anyway.

What say ye? Do you like it and, if so, how do you drink it?
 
That's one I haven't tried. Along with the potential price increase and your review, I'm not in any hurry!
 
I am not a fan....Booker isn't cut content which for me makes it too intense and lose the flavors. I am also cheap.....
 
I think I've had Bookers... If it's the one I'm thinking of, I found it way too much like lighter fluid. It went in, lit up my sinuses, and burned. Not a pleasant experience.
 
Never had it. I'm not a fan of cask strength bourbon and at 120-130 proof I'd say it's pretty stout
 
Okay. Maybe it is not me, then. LOL

I have had some cask strength scotch I really liked, though!
 
I've consumed a couple of bottles over the years. Can't say the higher price correlates with higher quality, drinkability, especially given it's "cast strength" nature. If it was offered to me, I would not turn it away. Just need to let it mellow, tone-down a bit over ice for a few minutes before sipping.
 
Side note to this topic:

Get some Dasani bottled water and place it in your ice trays.

Once ice it's the best for liquor. No taste of menerals at all
 
JBoyette;n86582 said:
Side note to this topic:

Get some Dasani bottled water and place it in your ice trays.

Once ice it's the best for liquor. No taste of menerals at all
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Dasani has minerals added: Purified Water, Magnesium Sulfate, Potassium Chloride, Salt ----- http://www.coca-colaproductfacts.com/en/coca-cola-products/dasani/


I use distilled water and did notice the difference like you said with minerals affecting the taste of bourbon
 
It's hard to beat EZRA BROOKS in my opinion. but I would like to try the CLIMAX WOOD FIRE by TIM SMITH. Has anyone tried it yet
 
Tannersdad;n86629 said:
It's hard to beat EZRA BROOKS in my opinion. but I would like to try the CLIMAX WOOD FIRE by TIM SMITH. Has anyone tried it yet
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Hi, did you notice the taste change when they just redid the label two months ago? EB is my go to bourbon and the new stuff tastes different a bit off.... or it is just me.

I also tried bookers and I agree for the price I was not impressed. If going to drop some $$ I'll go Blanton's.
 
The Makers Mark cask strength is really good, it's the wife's favorite.
 
Gives me heartburn (as does Maker's Mark). If I'm spendin' $$$ for bourbon, it's Basil Hayden, Blanton's or Buffalo Trace. For a daily drink, Evan Williams hits the spot.
 
Crazy Carl;n90006 said:
Gives me heartburn (as does Maker's Mark). If I'm spendin' $$$ for bourbon, it's Basil Hayden, Blanton's or Buffalo Trace. For a daily drink, Evan Williams hits the spot.
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I like Buffalo Trace, but our local ABC store stopped carrying it for some reason.
 
Bookers is going to increase in price to $99.99 MSRP with the first release in 2017 and is also going to be allocated. I find it too hot and I am not a fan. At $60 it wasn't something I would buy again and at $100 I would never buy it. If Suntory/Beam wants to charge that much just to create a premium brand they don't understand the market.
 
NicerInPerson;n90376 said:
Bookers is going to increase in price to $99.99 MSRP with the first release in 2017 and is also going to be allocated. I find it too hot and I am not a fan. At $60 it wasn't something I would buy again and at $100 I would never buy it. If Suntory/Beam wants to charge that much just to create a premium brand they don't understand the market.
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Indeed. I bought it on sale at $54 plus tax. I wouldn't buy it again at that price.

Eagle Rare in the $30s or Buffalo Trace for $26ish is much nicer to my palate. I've had some of the others mentioned in this thread (Woodford, Blanton, etc) that are more expensive than those two, but I didn't enjoy them any more than the cheaper stuff. I'm not a huge bourbon guy, so maybe that is part of it.

Now, Jefferson Presidential - that was good stuff. Bought a bottle a few years ago to share with a start-up team on successful launch and we all enjoyed it a lot. I haven't found that in NC, though. Bought it on a business trip to Kentucky. It was like $115 at the time. No idea what it goes for now.
 
Jefferson Presidential 25YR is a buck sixty according to NCABC. That's a bit steep for my wallet. About $75 is all I will spend per fifth and then only if I know something great about it.
http://abc.nc.gov/Pricing/ViewItem/74618

Buffalo Trace and Eagle Rare are both great as are most BT products. Blanton's is great too (again BT). I don't care for Woodford, it seems rough around the edges to me.
 
NicerInPerson;n90404 said:
Jefferson Presidential 25YR is a buck sixty according to NCABC. That's a bit steep for my wallet. About $75 is all I will spend per fifth and then only if I know something great about it.
http://abc.nc.gov/Pricing/ViewItem/74618

Buffalo Trace and Eagle Rare are both great as are most BT products. Blanton's is great too (again BT). I don't care for Woodford, it seems rough around the edges to me.
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The only reason I bought it was to celebrate the hard work of a good team. I wouldn't buy it for general consumption. I don't have pockets that deep, but it was more than worth it as a thank you to them. I have never seen it in NC. Didn't know if it was even on the list. Our local ABC stores probably aren't high rent enough to carry something like that. Now, if you want to see some expensive liquor, go to the ABC store in Blowing Rock. I think they have more high-brow stuff than anywhere else in the state!

I didn't care for Woodford as much as Blanton's, either. My unsophisticated palate made the same observation as your more experienced one.
 
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