If you are just now getting into bourbons and whiskeys, don’t make the mistake that I did. After trying a few bourbons, I decided to go to the liquor store near my house to get a “nice bottle.”
The problem is that to me, a “nice bottle” was an expensive bottle with a cool design. When I got home, I found out that I was not a fan of what was actually inside the bottle! That bottle still sits on my shelf today as a reminder of where I started.
Fortunately for you, you don’t have to make the same mistake that I made! It is important for you to choose what you like before you try to chase down those bottles. You’re at the starting line of the chase, but like any race, you need to know how to get to the finish line! The question we want to answer is “what should I be trying to buy?”
That’s where the Whiskey Chase Starter Pack comes in. These 4 whiskeys run across the major categories that most bourbons and American whiskies fall into: low rye bourbons, high rye bourbons, wheated bourbons, and rye whiskey.
These four bottles are fairly easy to find, affordable ($20-$30), and are great whiskies.
- 1. Low Rye Bourbon :: Buffalo Trace
- While other Buffalo Trace brands can be hard to find, this bottle is regularly available. It is an easy sipper with a slight rye spice on the front end that gives way to a smooth finish.
- If you like Buffalo Trace, check out bourbons like Elijah Craig (Small Batch and Barrel Proof), Colonel EH Taylor, Eagle Rare or Henry McKenna Single Barrel.
- 2. High Rye Bourbon :: Four Roses
- Four Roses standard offering shows off the spiciness that a higher rye bourbon brings.
- If you like Four Roses, check out Four Roses Single Barrel, Wild Turkey 101, Knob Creek Small Batch, Basil Hayden’s, or Blanton’s.
- 3. Wheated Bourbon :: Larceny
- The wheated bourbon category has gotten tons of hype recently because bourbon’s most famous brand, Pappy Van Winkle, is a Wheated Bourbon. The wheated bourbon replaces the rye grain with wheat for a softer, smoother finish.
- If you enjoy Larceny, check out Maker’s Mark, Weller (Special Reserve and Antique), or 1792 Sweet Wheat
- 4. Rye Whiskey :: Bulleit Rye
- Rye whiskies are made with at least 51% rye and are typically much higher. Bulleit Rye is made with 95% rye, which gives it a spicy, fruity taste. Bulleit Rye is the perfect gateway to the rest of the rye whiskey category.
- If you enjoy Bulleit Rye, consider Rittenhouse Rye, Michter’s Rye, Sazerac Rye, or Wild Turkey Rye.
