(03-29-2024, 09:29 PM)mikesez Wrote: I recently bought three "modern" gins.  Aviation, Hendrick's, and Nolet Silver.  Nolet was by far the best.  Aviation and Hendricks were both forgettable.  Aviation had a lot of orange peel flavor but it wasn't great.  Nolet had a flower flavor and less pine tar flavor.  It was less expensive than the Hendricks.

I also bought some Blanco Tequila.  Cazadores, Teremana and Tres Agaves.  Cazadores was terrible, tasted like surgical equioment.  Teremana was simple and easy to enjoy but not memorable.  Tres Agaves was by far better.  It has all the vanilla sweetness of the Teremana but also has a fresh cut grass taste to it that's really great.

I'm still loyal to CC 100% rye for whiskey and soda, but Dewar's white label works too, adds a touch of grape jelly and toast that comes through even with the soda. 

I'm slowly reaching out into american rye and bourbon.  I think I don't care for anything over 90 proof.  I had a knob Creek that was over 100 and still drank smooth but it was a gift from my boss.  Anything I buy over about 95 proof that's in my price range has too much heat for me to really enjoy it.  I enjoy Woodford's rye pretty well.  I've bought a few that I haven't opened yet.  I've experimented with mixing bourbon with soda but it's not good.  As most people know it needs to be by itself or mixed with something with a lot of herbs. I don't like vermouth taking up space in my fridge but cynar 70 is a tasty substitute that can stay on the liquor cabinet.