Toggle sidebar

Kentucky Bourbons and Cognac

M

mcwildcats04

Well-known member
Jul 19, 2003
8,853
11,926
93
Been a long time since I've had bourbon and think I've only had cognac as part of mixed drinks so looking to try both and likely prefer to have them neat. Any recommendations on a good Kentucky bourbon and cognac at under $200 or so a bottle? Not afraid to pay a little more for a good bottle but don't want to go crazy (don't always get what you pay for just by spending more).

On the cognac, after doing a little more research, want to stick with an XO as those are aged at least 10 years. I know Hennessy, Remy Martin, and Courvosier are a few of the big ones but I've also read that these use a lot more artificial additives (something more controversial called Boise?). So, not sure if there's a good brand out there that is more pure worth trying.

I ordered a Glencairn glass for the bourbon and a brandy snifter for the brandy just to see if that truly enhances the drink.

Let me know any thoughts. Thanks!
 
M

mcwildcats04

Well-known member
Jul 19, 2003
8,853
11,926
93
jameslee32 said:
The former is the best in the world yet Kentucky Cognac has a nice ring to it.
Click to expand...
My last drink of bourbon was that Wisconsin final 4 game. It's time to get back on the wagon. Only positive bourbon memories moving forward and have to stick with Kentucky bourbon!
 
  • Like
Reactions: jameslee32
R

Ron Mehico

New member
Jan 4, 2008
15,473
33,054
0
I recently came upon a couple of bottles of heaven hill bottled in bond and I think that might be my favorite bourbon, though it’s sometimes hard to find. Used to be Blanton’s but think I prefer the Heaven Hill to it. My favorite easy to find and affordable bourbon is four roses small batch.

Know nothing about cognac but would be interested to hear recommendations on those.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: wildcatwelder_rivals
S

SosaUK1987

New member
Jul 19, 2023
816
1,233
0
Ron Mehico said:
I recently came upon a couple of bottles of heaven hill bottled in bond and I think that might be my favorite bourbon, though it’s sometimes hard to find. Used to be Blanton’s but think I prefer the Heaven Hill to it. My favorite easy to find and affordable bourbon is four roses small batch.

Know nothing about cognac but would be interested to hear recommendations on those.
Click to expand...
Just the thought of the words Heaven Hill makes me want to vomit. Lol. We used to crush like $10 vodka handles of that **** in HS.
 
  • Haha
  • Like
Reactions: wildcatwelder_rivals, lex cath and Ron Mehico
J

JonathanW_rivals

New member
Jan 3, 2003
145,534
15,708
0
I am not a bourbon drinker, or really any adult beverage. Might have 1 drink just to be social. Not against drinking, it just doesn't appeal to me (don't like the idea of losing control and hate throwing up), and I hate the taste of beer.
But for my son's 21st birthday a few weeks ago I made him a basket of good sipping bourbons (Bulleit, Basil Hayden, Knob Creek, Woodford Reserve), 2 nice glasses, and a gift card to motorcycle accessory shop. Appropriate for a NC young man but with KY roots.
 
M

mcwildcats04

Well-known member
Jul 19, 2003
8,853
11,926
93
JonathanW said:
I am not a bourbon drinker, or really any adult beverage. Might have 1 drink just to be social. Not against drinking, it just doesn't appeal to me (don't like the idea of losing control and hate throwing up), and I hate the taste of beer.
But for my son's 21st birthday a few weeks ago I made him a basket of good sipping bourbons (Bulleit, Basil Hayden, Knob Creek, Woodford Reserve), 2 nice glasses, and a gift card to motorcycle accessory shop. Appropriate for a NC young man but with KY roots.
Click to expand...
Yeah I really only limit my drinking to Fri. and Sat. nights and don't really get drunk or anything when I do drink. I enjoy red wine (Cabernet) more than anything but just open to trying new stuff. Usually only drink beer when I'm at a restaurant and can get it on tap (prefer brown and red ales more than anything).

Very cool gift to your son. I'm sure he'll love that. I've heard of all those brands other than Bulleit. Woodford Reserve is what I drank last so could try that again or maybe something new.
 
G

GeraldV

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2019
2,463
4,425
113
Bulleit and Basil Hayden are two of my favorites that generally run under a hundred bucks. I've never been a cognac guy, so I can't opine on that much.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mcwildcats04
WTF Cat

WTF Cat

Well-known member
Dec 4, 2022
5,403
24,725
113
Cognac-yikes.

Was in France a few years ago. My small hotel bar had no beer, bourbon, or whiskey.

Heck... I'm in France let's try some cognac! Big mistake lol.

Tastes like cough syrup to me... no thanks.

Since then I've discovered scotch (Glenlivet specifically)... so I'm good across Europe now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LineSkiCat14
M

mcwildcats04

Well-known member
Jul 19, 2003
8,853
11,926
93
WTF Cat said:
Cognac-yikes.

Was in France a few years ago. My small hotel bar had no beer, bourbon, or whiskey.

Heck... I'm in France let's try some cognac! Big mistake lol.

Tastes like cough syrup to me... no thanks.

Since then I've discovered scotch (Glenlivet specifically)... so I'm good across Europe now.
Click to expand...
Ha, fair enough. I figure since I love wine and cognac is derived from grapes too, I'll probably like it, but get it's an entirely different and much stronger flavor too.
 
M

mcwildcats04

Well-known member
Jul 19, 2003
8,853
11,926
93
jameslee32 said:
Knob Creek SB Select is less than $50 at Florence Costco.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I'm up near Chicago. I have plenty of options around me but the closest by far is my Super Wal-Mart and I'm surprised at how great of a selection they have of alcohol. I found out I can get the more expensive cognac I am probably going to get (Hennessy XO at around $200) there. Definitely want to see what the bourbon options there are too.

We have a Costco not too far away and Costco membership so definitely need to check that out too.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jameslee32
U

ukgrad83

New member
Sep 26, 2009
931
1,403
0
Four Roses small batch is a good sipping bourbon, moderately priced. Don’t get the standard yellow label, that ish is bad. For a cognac, try the Martell Blue Swift. It’s not XO but is finished in bourbon casks so it has some oakiness. Really nice flavor.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jameslee32 and mcwildcats04
J

jameslee32

New member
Mar 26, 2009
33,643
22,325
0
UKGrad83 said:
Four Roses small batch is a good sipping bourbon, moderately priced. Don’t get the standard yellow label, that ish is bad. For a cognac, try the Martell Blue Swift. It’s not XO but is finished in bourbon casks so it has some oakiness. Really nice flavor.
Click to expand...
4R $28 also at Costco and always in stock in Florence.
 
M

mcwildcats04

Well-known member
Jul 19, 2003
8,853
11,926
93
UKGrad83 said:
Four Roses small batch is a good sipping bourbon, moderately priced. Don’t get the standard yellow label, that ish is bad. For a cognac, try the Martell Blue Swift. It’s not XO but is finished in bourbon casks so it has some oakiness. Really nice flavor.
Click to expand...
Alright, went to my local Wally and picked up the Four Roses small batch ($35). They didn't have a huge selection of Cognac but did have the Hennessy XO so went with that. May have to stagger these. Not sure I'm going to do both tonight as also planning on red wine with dinner. Haha
 
  • Like
Reactions: ukgrad83
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom