About 10 or so years ago one of our group wanted to bring some booze to our mid-winter camp out. The guy isn't impoverished (he's a Federal Judge) and he wanted to impress us. So he stopped at one of our better boozeries and asked the manager. The manager pointed him to a bottle of Jefferson Reserve. Yes, its getting to the point where it might break the bank....But the rationale behind it was its a great bourbon for non-bourbon drinkers.
Remember, Bourbon is sweet. This doesn't have any harshness to it at all (think Jack Daniels if you want a more harsh drink, or Makers Mark 46.) If you only want a few drinks, this is it. I have an open bottle, and an unopened for the sad day my first one hits empty. Its too expensive to swill the bottle, or to bring out when friends who like to do that show up.
In the names mentioned, I didn't see Buffalo Trace mentioned. Its a goodie, too.
Still my personal favorite (and the reason the Jefferson is holding out so well) is A H Hirsch. Its becoming unobtainable now. Not much was made back in the last century, and its almost all gone or stove up in some hoarders booze closet. Like mine.
After the first few drinks, you really can't tell all that much anyway. The best way to tell what you like is to test a number of the brands mentioned. You'll gain definite preferences.
