Whiskey, anyone?

I am a whiskey man myself and love jameson as well as Jack but if you are looking to get him something he hasnt tried before you should get him one of the bottles that are a step up from regular. They make a few different kinds but my favorite is Jameson Gold. Gentleman Jack is also a good one to have and if you want to go all out you could find him a bottle of Crown Royal XR.

I think there may have a been a thread here about Irish whiskey in the past. Someone recommended Middleton Rare (which is a Jameson product)... I'm not a real connoisseur but I do indulge once in awhile and Middleton was fantastic...

I'll have to try the Canadian Club black...interesting.... 

Oy. If you're going to go with bourbon, get Bulleit. It's significantly less expensive the Bulleit, significantly more consistent than Bulleit and it tastes better than Maker's. Plus, you get to pronounce your booze "bullet."

If you really wanna knock his socks off, but don't want to spend a million dollars, get some 15 year Rip Van Winkle.

Being from Kentucky I am partial to Bourbon.  In addition, it's Derby Week here which means Bourbon is everywhere and in everything right now.  Get him a bottle of Makers Mark, Woodford Reserve or maybe Buffalo Trace.  All fine Bourbons brewed and aged right here in KY.  Celebrate the Derby by buying the ingredients for the traditional Derby drink, Mint Julip (See Link Below). 

http://tinyurl.com/6gvep7n

Scotch..pfft.  If you like Scotch or Irish Whiskey then you have to thank KY Bourbon distillers and the White Oak barrels that are used to make it.  After the barrels have been used one time to make Bourbon they are shipped over seas to be reused over and over to make European Whiskey.  The first use of the barrels produces the best whiskey and is one of the things that makes KY Bourbon unique.

Can you tell I am biased?

Specifically, the naturally occuring sugar in the wood of the barrel is soaked into the blend and is partially what gives it's distinct flavor.  Along with Limestone filtered water and a few other processes specific to Bourbon.  Prior to filling barrel it is charred for 20 seconds or so to carmalize the sugars.  By the time the bourbon matures it has already extracted all of these natural flavors and incorporated it into the blend.  European Whiskey is only benefiting from the leftover flavors of the Bourbon that has soaked into the wood.

I had a bottle of 18-year that I shared straight from the bottle with 5 friends. We finished it in about 20 minutes. For just a few minutes, I was a high-roller. :p

BIG +1 on Buffalo Trace.  A once every couple of years purchase for me is John T. Stagg.  It's bottled at cask strength so it almost evaporates when it hits your tongue.  AMAZING!  I think the bottle I have at home is 137 proof.

I like Maker's Mark as well.  On the Scotch side, I prefer Oban.  Also, Dalmore makes a Cigar Malt that is really nice too.

And with Spring coming in, it's time too look to the weekly cigar night...bourbon being top on the list of libations to accompany.  Maybe I'll see if the nearby purveyor of cigars has any pre-embargo Cubans.

Bad things happen when me and Wild Turkey get together.  I've lost shoes and have scars for proof of said nights.

One thing to add...If you are ever in KY make sure you stop by any of the Distilleries for a tour.  Pretty interesting and sometimes hands on.  The fermintation tank in the photo is holding the mash where it will stay for 3 days.  You can put your hands in and taste it if you wish, during this time it is very similar to beer in flavor.  If your in town for a few days you could do the Bourbon Trail and visit several distilleries throughout Kentucky.