[Jimmy K]

You know, I've been wishing I asked if they hopped the beer. I'm guessing no - in fact I smelled the fermenting stout wash and didn't smell hops. They may just be using the grain bill from those beers. I can imagine that bitterness would be weird after distillation. The dry hopped whiskey is dry hopped after distillation (I think anyway) - It's a pretty fresh hop flavor.

[punatic]

Don't know how I missed this post...perhaps I need to pay more attention. I'm a huge bourbon fan! I also like the more full bodied and flavored bourbons. Pappy, Bookers, Knob Creek...to name a few. Here's a small collection of my favorites.

I agree with how you set priorities.  Why waste money on something as superficial as drywall when it is much better spent on spirits!   

[punatic]

You know, I've been wishing I asked if they hopped the beer. I'm guessing no - in fact I smelled the fermenting stout wash and didn't smell hops. They may just be using the grain bill from those beers. I can imagine that bitterness would be weird after distillation. The dry hopped whiskey is dry hopped after distillation (I think anyway) - It's a pretty fresh hop flavor.

The hops do not come across as bitter.  It is a funky flavor that comes from the part of hops that volatilize at the same temperature as ethanol in the distillation process.  The flavor does not diminish with successive distillations either.  That's what makes me think the flavor component has the same vapor pressure as ethanol. 

Dry hopped after distillation...  Hmmm...  Interesting idea.  I'm gonna have to give that a try.

[bluesman]

Don't know how I missed this post...perhaps I need to pay more attention. I'm a huge bourbon fan! I also like the more full bodied and flavored bourbons. Pappy, Bookers, Knob Creek...to name a few. Here's a small collection of my favorites.

I agree with how you set priorities.  Why waste money on something as superficial as drywall when it is much better spent on spirits!   

This is my cellar where all of the Zymurgical wonders occur.

[ccfoo242]

Whiskey = Instant heartburn for me. I wish I could enjoy it, my brother is a huge whiskey fan and would like to join in.

[In The Sand]

Whiskey = Instant heartburn for me. I wish I could enjoy it, my brother is a huge whiskey fan and would like to join in.

Me too. I just power through it though. Whiskey's just too damn good.

[Pinski]

Personally, I skip the blended scotches though there are some solid ones - much like I like straight bourbons way better than blended Canadian types. For an entry level single malt Glenlivet 12 would be the starting point, both in price (~$ 27-29ish) and character. It's malty sweet but not overly, without a good bit of the smokey peat you don't care for.
  If you can (or want to) spend ~ $40 or $42, Balvenie DoubleWood is a steal. It's aged in ex-bourbon and sherry casks (hence the name DoubleWood), is complex, and also lacks the heavy peat/smoke character of some. It's the first bottle of single malt I bought and I still love it.

<EDIT>
I'd also add Glenmorangie as a great Scotch which is on a price range with Balvenie. I love many of the pricier, smokier scotches as well, but since you requested something fairly affordable and not too peaty I recommended these to fit the bill.

Thanks for the recommendation Hoosier, this will be my tasting for the evening. Also trying out the new glass and whiskey stones.  Personally, I'm guessing the stones are going to end up being gimmicky but I'll use them proudly as it was a really thoughtful gift.  Cheers!

PS- This stuff aint cheap in Oregon, $59 for the bottle. Thank you Oregon Liquor Control Commission. 

[erockrph]

Personally, I skip the blended scotches though there are some solid ones - much like I like straight bourbons way better than blended Canadian types. For an entry level single malt Glenlivet 12 would be the starting point, both in price (~$ 27-29ish) and character. It's malty sweet but not overly, without a good bit of the smokey peat you don't care for.
  If you can (or want to) spend ~ $40 or $42, Balvenie DoubleWood is a steal. It's aged in ex-bourbon and sherry casks (hence the name DoubleWood), is complex, and also lacks the heavy peat/smoke character of some. It's the first bottle of single malt I bought and I still love it.

<EDIT>
I'd also add Glenmorangie as a great Scotch which is on a price range with Balvenie. I love many of the pricier, smokier scotches as well, but since you requested something fairly affordable and not too peaty I recommended these to fit the bill.

Thanks for the recommendation Hoosier, this will be my tasting for the evening. Also trying out the new glass and whiskey stones.  Personally, I'm guessing the stones are going to end up being gimmicky but I'll use them proudly as it was a really thoughtful gift.  Cheers!

PS- This stuff aint cheap in Oregon, $59 for the bottle. Thank you Oregon Liquor Control Commission. 

Yeah, I have the stones and they don't do much for me. I either go neat with about two straws full of cold, filtered water or with one or two ice cubes. I enjoy seeing how the flavors change as the ice slowly melts and progressively dilutes the Scotch.

The tasting glass, on the other hand is a fantastic investment. Love mine.

[klickitat jim]

Don't know how I missed this post...perhaps I need to pay more attention. I'm a huge bourbon fan! I also like the more full bodied and flavored bourbons. Pappy, Bookers, Knob Creek...to name a few. Here's a small collection of my favorites.

I agree with how you set priorities.  Why waste money on something as superficial as drywall when it is much better spent on spirits!   

You sir, are hilarious!

[euge]

Finally cracked a bottle of Old Bardstown. And I mean cracked. F'ing wax on a screw-cap. Honestly it was a messy struggle to open the bottle.

Anyway. Nice bourbon and really smooth at 101 proof. To me it is kinda like Scotch. Think this one will be savored.

[redzim]

Finally cracked a bottle of Old Bardstown. And I mean cracked. F'ing wax on a screw-cap. Honestly it was a messy struggle to open the bottle.

Anyway. Nice bourbon and really smooth at 101 proof. To me it is kinda like Scotch. Think this one will be savored.

Just kegged my Bourbon Porter today.  I used Old Bardstown for 5 gal, and Buffalo Trace for the other 5 gal.  I consider these very solid bourbons. I think both will be great.

In line with the rest of the post, for those considering budget, take a look at Rebel Yell.  Around here, same price (or slightly cheaper) than Evan Williams and a whole lot better.   A couple years ago I split my porter with Evan in one keg and local small batch bourbon from Tuthilltown in the other. The Evan was noticeably more raw and rough in the beer.  The Tuthilltown was nice but at $40+ for a 375ml bottle I won't be trying it again (that one was a gift...)

red

[MDixon]

I wonder how that Maker's bottle is going to appear when the label is in Japanese?
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_BEAM_ACQUISITION?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2014-01-13-07-19-30

[bluesman]

I wonder how that Maker's bottle is going to appear when the label is in Japanese?
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_BEAM_ACQUISITION?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2014-01-13-07-19-30

Didn't see this coming...

[punatic]

I wonder how that Maker's bottle is going to appear when the label is in Japanese?

[brewmichigan]

Whiskey is getting very big in Japan. Wasn't expecting it but am not surprised it happened. 13 Billion is a lot of dough.