BourbonEnthusiast.com

Every bourbon drinker knows that bourbon has a distinct taste that is unlike malt whiskies, wherever they originate. In general, I think that most non bourbon drinkers, or novice bourbon drinker, who object to its taste do so because of its bite. Can you defend bourbon's bite, or do you find it off putting too?

To start things off, allow me to say that I find that spicy bite an important marker for bourbon. Even Wheat bourbons, which have less bite than rye bourbons, still have some 'spice' to them that is lacking in other spirits. For some people the 'spice' assaults the palate while for others (include me among them), it sharpens the palate, bringing it to full alertness.

Bourbon is not delicate and was never intended to be. Is this a good thing? Is it, as I happen to think, something that could have only come from America in that it is reflective of the ruggedness of the American character.

I came to bourbon after my whiskey introduction of a few scotches on ice, mostly because of the cost. After a few years of enjoying bourbon neat, when I go back to Scotch I can enjoy it, but not in the same way as bourbon. There always seems to be something missing. I guess that means I enjoy the spice and the depth it seems to give the whiskey.

Some if this may come from needing a bolder flavor profile since I have a somewhat dull nose. I'm sure that affects what I taste and to what level.

I came to Bourbon because Scotch got too expensive. I have come to love Bourbon..... I dare say, even more than Scotch.... and I didn't think that was posible.

I love the "harder" edge of Bourbon in all of it's nuances.

i didnt like bourbon until I tried Booker's. it was the rich bite of it that got my attention. Now, I mostly just buy barrel proof stuff, but sometimes others stuff, but rarely below 100 proof. Other barrel proofers have the bite, but not the rich thickness of Booker's. I dont like 'smooth' whiskies

Hell...............I drink 'em all.

I also drink 'em all but prefer Kentucky bite over Scottish peat.

Personally I don't mind the bite. The part of bourbon that I like the least is the taste of the charring. However, I find if I drink it on the rocks, the ice cooling the bourbon minimizes the taste of the charring.

Bourbon ads from the 40s, 50s and 60s emphasize the use of Bourbon in cocktails over ice and I'm convinced current major producers blended their house formulas with iced drinks in mind.