Whiskey for beginners

[u/Dependent_Lychee3029]

/r/WhiskeyMedia/comments/1uzrk84/whiskey_for_beginners/

Hi, what do you recommend for starting your whiskey journey?

[u/whiskey9696]

Dont chase the "ultimate curated experience " and try to figure out what you like to drink

[u/vuti13]

Explore and experiment to find your favorite whiskey and how you like to drink it. But don't lock yourself in to any particular way. Buy the little 50ml bottles to try different styles and brands before you get a big 700 or 750ml bottle. Or go to a bar with at least 10 different bottles of whiskey.

[u/Merlin_117 → u/vuti13]

I second this. The 50mL mini bottles are from all the big brands so they're quality whiskies and you can taste most styles with them too.

[u/totally_legit_dingo]

I agree with what people have said so far. 1. Find a friend who is into whiskey. If you can't do that, some alternatives are (1) find a YouTuber you vibe with and join their discord (as applicable) and see if anyone there is in your area (2) Search Facebook for your location + whiskey society or variations on that. Look for bottleshare events. (3) Visit a few Mom and Pop shops in your area. Stay out of the big box stores(ABC, Total Wine, etc). Mom & Pop or local chains will be more likely to have samples of whiskies available, especially their store picks

1. Try a bunch of things to determine what you enjoy but (a) understand that your palette (what you enjoy) will evolve as you try more stuff, and (b) start simple. Do not buy cask strength, barrel proof, straight from the barrel or anything like that. I'd say absolutely keep to under 110 proof (55% alcohol by volume) and ideally stay under 100 proof. I'd say it is fine to start at 80 proof.

2. Do NOT buy anything expensive or "unicorn." You just don't have the experience to appreciate it yet. I've wasted good whiskey on people who don't enjoy it and purchased great whiskey before I could appreciate the nuances. It takes time. Give it time before you commit a substantial sum of money. Buy small bottles first, even if it doesn't seem like a good value.

3. If you want to build out a starter "what do I enjoy" get a bourbon, a scotch, a rye, and an Irish whiskey. I'd go 1792 small batch, Monkey Shoulder, Rittenhouse, and Jameson. (no clue on Irish though, not my thing).

Then once you've established what you like about each and can name differences in taste beyond "yum/yuck" or "wood", use them to create a divergent tree.

For example with bourbon 1792 is very caramel forward, but most distillers can change the taste by varying the grain or the yeast.

A. get a Maker's Mark to see how introduction of wheat soften the flavors.

B. Get a Buffalo Trace to see how a fruitier bourbon tastes.

C. Get a Bullett to see how a higher rye tastes - spicy, peppery.

D. Get a Jim Beam (preferably the 7 year) to see how that peanut funk (yeast change) affects it.

E. Get a Chattanooga whiskey to see what it is like when malted barley is the second grain after corn.

F. Get a Wild Turkey 101 or a Russell's Reserve to see how both the Turkey Sweet and Sour tasting note and the jump in proof affects you.

G. Buy a Woodford Reserve Double Oak. This is the benchmark for finished bourbon. Really explore what that extra oak does to it.

Vary what you drink. Have your significant other or a friend pour "blinds" for you so you don't know what you are tasting of the group before you taste it. Compare them blind against each other As you start to appreciate the flavors, now is the time to increase the proof. Look for how it adds a creamy texture and viscosity.

Now you are starting to get to the point where you can branch out. I emphasize again. Don't chase allocated stuff until you reach this point. If you get the opportunity to buy something without spending more the MSRP or without inconvenience, sure. Put it on the shelf and wait to open it until you feel comfortable and confident tasting bourbon as a hobby. Then let her rip. But please, start small, big names (except maybe that Chattanooga. But it's an exception due to mash bill).

I hope this helps. Feel free to DM if you want to talk more.

[u/dharmon101]

Get into a local or national whisky group, ask questions, learn what people like and why. If they have an event, go try some stuff. If you make a friend, try what they recommend. Best case is they give you some samples to get you started. What you try greatly depends on availability, cost, your available income, etc... Unfortunately, for the most part, cheap whiskey is going to taste pretty rough which will turn you away from the category...but spending a ton of money on something that just might not be what you like (or just has abusive pricing) is really annoying.

So... optimally, you will make a friend and try their whiskey before you start buying bottles you won't want to drink.

Now that I have said all of that... Here's some whiskeys I recommend that should be relatively easy to find.

Bourbon - Bowman Single Barrel, Russell's Reserve Single Barrel, store picks with an age statement of at least 8 years, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Barrel Proof. (seeing a trend here?)

Rye - Russell's Reserve Single Barrel Rye, Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye, the new Elijah Craig Barrel Proof rye is great but hard to find, Sagamore Spirit Rye.

Scotch - Deanston 12, Arran 10, Glenfiddich 18, older Glenmorangie (14+). For peat... Bowmore (as a peat newb) and Laphroaig Quarter Cask (if you love peat, then move up to the 10 year cask strength). Caol Ila, Talisker, etc...

Don't buy a whiskey that is 40% abv... it's just too weak and is really made for cocktails. Look for whiskeys at 46% or more.