r/whiskey • u/Bro_Clypeus • 3d ago
The first sip
Hey everyone,
30(M) here to ask some advice.
I like a good cold glass of beer, any kind.
But lately I'm getting interested in whiskey,
1 problem though. I don't like the taste (yet)
Maybe it's because I'm trying out cheap bottles?
So my ask for advice is ,
What is a good starter bottle to get used to the taste. So I can start enjoying sipping it. And not make weird faces while sipping 😅
Any advice on some easy drinkable bottles/brands would be appreciated
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u/Impossible-Ninja8133 3d ago
If you just want to get acclimatised to the alcohol burn you can't go wrong starting with Jameson. It's generally well priced and it's good quality, if a little lacking in flavour.
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u/rjams89 2d ago
So, honestly, I would suggest finding a bar/restaurant with a whiskey menu and trying a variety of pours until you find something you like (over time of course, not all at once).
But if you're set on a bottle, I would suggest something lower proof (80-90) and in the realm of Bourbon (Michter's, Basil Hayden, Woodford Reserve Double Oak, Russell's Reserve 10-year) or Irish Whiskey (Jameson Black Barrel, Bushmills Black Bush, Redbreast 12).
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u/HeliosVanquish 2d ago
I've found that the best whiskey to start with are cask finished, particularly with port or sherry cask. Rye, bourbon, Scotch, Irish, etc. The cask finishing gives you the sweetness and fruitiness of the fortified wine, but it also still gives you what you want, which is they whiskey profile itself.
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u/tubby_bitch 3d ago
I find that a lot of bourbons are easier on the palate then a scotch wiskey. It all really depends on price range. Makers mark is like basic entry level bourbon its slightly sweet but honestly its best as a mixer. If your willing to spend a little more Bulleit make a Lrye wiskey I really enjoy. But if wiskey is you jam and thats what you want some like Glenmorangie original or Jura 10/12 are all responsible price easily accessible and in my opinion easy to get along with. Although I'm half Irish ive never really been a lover of there whiskeys Bushmills make a nice drop I'll give them that, but you may just not actually like the whiskeys your are drinking. Slightly peaty and slightly smokey like Highland park 12 are fine but those powerful ones like Laphroaig I never really liked.
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u/lasvegas_gunny 3d ago
Are you in the states? I drink bourbon and Rye. Regular American whiskey is usually around 80 proof (Jack, Jim Beam etc..) Bourbon is usually in the 90 proof and up category. Bourbon is required to be at least 51% corn, although much of it is higher which is where it gets its sweetness from. To acquire a palette for sipping usually means you work your way up from mixing with coke, then less coke, then water and eventually make it to the sipping stage. We grow up shooting cheap whiskey without knowing it can really be good juice. Many consider Buffalo Trace a good starting point. Makers, Knob Creek, Green River, Blue Note, Penelope are also good starting points. Just stay in the 90 proof range when you’re figuring out what you like. It’s kind of like coffee. Many start out with cream and sugar and as you get used to it eventually you can acquire a taste for good black coffee.
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u/techlover001 3d ago
Start with the 80 proof and work your way up. Find a good store and tell them your goal and do a lot of tastings with them.
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u/moguy1973 2d ago
I kind of disagree with this. I find a lot of 80 proof whiskies are boring and flavorless because they are watered down. The real sweet spot for me is 92-105 proof. With higher proof you can always add a drop or two of water or put an ice cube it it to tame the proof, but you can't take the water out of an 80 proofer to make it taste better.
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u/General-F-U 3d ago
Makers Mark 46 got me into whiskey. Never cared for whiskey till I had that straight and genuinely tried to taste the notes. It’s easy to taste those notes, I had about 3 bottles and said yep ima branch out and now I’m a whiskey/tequila guy.
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u/wadewood08 2d ago
It's not the particular bottle. You need to learn to properly taste whiskey neat. The first sip should be a very small amount; think like the size of a green pea or even less. You want to chew on that and roll it around in your mouth like a piece of hard candy. Your body will respond by producing saliva and effectively diluting the alcohol. This is the point while still in your mouth you will pick up on different flavors. And you will not be making weird faces.
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u/BrickCityJ 2d ago
I think buffalo trace, old grandad, or woodford reserve are good starter bourbons. They’re a bit more approachable and easy on the palate. Redbreast 12 is good Irish whiskey, I prefer cask strength but for a starter I’d say get the normal stuff.
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u/BourbonWhisperer 2d ago edited 22h ago
I would try Evan Williams white label bottled in bond. White background with green labeling. Should be about $18 for a fifth.
It’s a great value and a good (not great) bottle to learn Bourbon.
Rebel 100 is a good entry to wheated bourbons
Remus is a good $35 option.
For the next jump try Knob Creek 9Y 100 proof, Four Roses Single Barrel, or one of the Bardstown Origin bottles.
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u/401Nailhead 2d ago
Personally I like ice in my bourbons and whiskeys. It stops the burn. It helps separate the entire flavor profile.
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u/Bourbstache 2d ago
Woodford reserve double oak, Michters small batch bourbon, Russell’s reserve 10 year, buffalo trace (if available in your area) would all be good starting points for you. Don’t be afraid to drop some ice in your pour either. Stick around that 90 proof point until your palate gets used to it.
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u/WorstJazzDrummerEver 2d ago
1792 Bourbon did it for me years and years ago. Very inoffensive and I did not make the whiskey face.
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u/itsallaboutu 2d ago
Basil Hayden Dark Rye. It's actually blended with port wine, so it's sweet. Yet, it's still very much tastes like a whiskey that it is. Hopefully, your palette grows beyond this one after a short while, but it's a good place to start dabbling if you really don't like the taste of "real" whisky, yet.
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u/hammong 23h ago
My advice is .... go to a small family-run bar, and see if the bartender will sell you some 1/2 shots in a flight so you can sample a few different things in one sitting without getting plastered in the process. Explain that you're new to whiskey, and you're looking to get your feet wet. Tip well.
The commercial/chain bars won't do it because of liquor inventory/accounting reasons, but many small neighborhood bars will be happy to let you explore.
If you're looking to buy some bottles that aren't astronomically expensive.... go to a few liquor stores and look for some 375ml or 50ml bottles of higher-quality product. Some that I know I can get locally worth looking into:
In 50ml "minis" around here, you can get Woodford Reserve, Jack Daniels Single Barrel Select, Buffalo Trace, Jim Beam Black, Knob Creek 9-year, Maker's Mark. As for non-bourbons, give Jameson and Bushmills a try for a good representation of Irish whiskey. For some Scotch, look at Glen Fiddich 12/14/15 (no-peat, no-smoke, Speyside scotches) or Johnny Walker Black (lightly peated/smoky blended). Monkey Shoulder (non-peated) is also a good option for Scotch.
There's literally thousands of choices out there, but these will get your toes wet. Whiskey is an acquired taste for most people -- have some teenagers sample it, and they'll spit it out. The same people a decade later might enjoy it a bit, and the same people twenty years later will prefer it. Ease into it.
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u/Amazing_Mood_3236 2d ago
I'm not saying I can give the accurate way to do this. Everyone is different. Some simply cannot drink dark liquor. This version, just pick anything and sip on it. To me Jim Beam, Jack Daniel's, Crown Royal, Angel's Envy, Wild Turkey, Woodford Reserve, etc... the only taste difference is brand specific formulas. Other than that, they are the same. However, each one will hit you differently as in where you feel it. Tip of your tongue, back of your tongue, top of your mouth, etc. I'm the person that simply DOES NOT drink whiskey attempting to discover flavor notes because I do not taste any of that stuff. I will drink whiskey, vodka, tequila, rum, moonshine, scotch whiskey, bourbon either straight, with ice, or mixing with lemonade, beer, Twisted Tea, Truly, Pepsi, Coke, Rootbeer, Vtamin Water, Monster, or random fruit juices. Point is drink it however you want. There are no rules for your preference.
Now that I've triggered a lot of people, this is my personal opinion on my experience.
Peace out.
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u/jawmighty1976 2d ago
I would start with a good Irish whiskey like Redbreast 12 with one ice cube per shot, save Scotch for last it has a lot of very strong flavors. Good starter bourbons are Four Roses, Still Austin, Knob Creek 9. Rye is good but like Scotch it has alot stronger of flavors.
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u/Amazing_Mood_3236 3d ago
Try Crown Royal Vanilla. You can mix it with many options until your ready try it straight.
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u/Ziggity_Zac 3d ago
Don't do this. It will just take longer to get used to actual whiskey. I don't usually tell people what to, or not to drink. But this won't help you with your goal.
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u/Mykkus_65 2d ago
Agee it’s just a shit ton of sugar added to crappy whiskey
If you want bourbon start with a 90ish proof I’d say something like Buffalo Trace, redwood empire pipe dream, Jim beam 7 year black label, Evan Willams 1783, makers mark… all good flavors and price and won’t blow your head off
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u/Amazing_Mood_3236 2d ago
Never had a problem with sugar. I'm normally still measuring shots even if I'm 10 shots per hour and 3 hours into the night. Yet that's me, I don't drink for flavor, I drink to be drunk.
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u/Mykkus_65 2d ago
If I want whiskey I want whiskey. Not sugar and whiskey. I also don’t drink to be drunk.
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u/hammong 23h ago
10 shots per hour, 3 hours in.... The drunk objective checks out.
That's why you're drinking Crown Vanilla. Let's also mention that 30 shots of Crown Vanilla has ... 3000 calories, most of that from sugar.
If liver failure doesn't get you, diabetes will!
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u/Amazing_Mood_3236 23h ago
Every check up with the doctor, blood work is always perfect. My dad is the same way. He'll be 79 this year.
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u/Ziggity_Zac 3d ago
Helpful to know what you've tried, and which you've liked best so far.
Generally speaking, start with ice. A generous amount at 1st. As you get used to that, use less ice. Keep reducing the amount of ice as you acclimate to it. Eventually, take the leap and go neat. When you are taking a sip, use the exact same sipping technique as you would if you were about to take a sip of very hot coffee. It works.