Bourbons for cocktails?

Question

I like bourbon and my current pour is Knob Creek 9 y.o., however I just saw a cocktail recipe (Gold Rush) that specifically stated 4-8 y.o. bourbon. I'm not overly fussy, but it got me thinking ... is there a bourbon that you would particularly recommend for cocktails as opposed to drinking neat? 

I see Four Roses get mentioned by people ... how would that differ from Knob Creek? If I get something just for cocktails maybe I will get more value per $. But I'm not averse to spending more if it will be truly Worth It for my cocktails.
Thanks.

Answer

Mr Autumn switches between Bulleit and Makers for his cocktails. 

The Gold Rush is on his list to try, leaning towards Makers for the first try

Answer

For cocktails, Beam or Jack are fine. For neat, anything that somebody else is buying is my preference. If I'm paying, Knob Creek hits the price/quality sweet spot.

Answer

It depends on the cocktail, but IMO springing for anything more expensive than Evan Williams bottled in bond or 1783 is a waste in a cocktail with other ingredients that will mask the subtleties of the bourbon. I find Knob a very fine totally classic bourbon, and I find Four Roses a little less brash, bringing in some more floral notes atypical in bourbon. If you are, however, going to stick with higher quality bourbons, I find Evan Williams single barrel and Four Roses small batch to be excellent choices. If you want something a little more assertive, consider rye, like a Rittenhouse BIB. BTW, I am having a 1783 old fashioned right now.

Answer

It really depends on the application.

For instance, a Woodford Manhattan is a great treat. It also is great with Bulleit rye/bourbon, Jim Beam Rye, Rittenhouse, Old Overholt ... but I cannot stand a Manhattan made with Makers.

Answer

I think it depends on the cocktail. In a Manhattan, where the booze is prominent, I might be inclined to use a tastier brand but if you're making a whiskey sour, especially if you're using a sour mix, I don't think it matters much. I generally use Old Overholt Rye (bless the Hound who introduced this spirit to me) to make sours and Manhattans. Great and it's $15.00 a fifth.

Answer

So, OP, what cocktails do you like to make with bourbon? The ones that IMO benefit from a better bourbon are old fashioneds and mint juleps. The others I can think of that showcase the whiskey and are widely consumed (Manhattans, boulevardiers, Sazeracs, to name a few) are all really better with rye. Mixing a fine bourbon with Cocchi (my fave) or Carpano Antica is too much sweetness, and can even be cloying. Those kinds of vermouths need that sharp note that rye brings (or, in the case of a boulevardier, London dry gin to restore it to negroni status). Of the various bourbons, Knob might be the one you mentioned that could work in a boulevardier. A super sweet bourbon like Maker's mixed with Carpano Antica could come off like mixing maple syrup and boysenberry syrup at IHOP because you were in a hung over daze. Sazeracs are kind of sweet, too, but at least you could taste the features of a high quality whiskey in one.

Answer

https://gardenandgun.com/recipe/grapefruit-campari-bourbon-cocktail/
Wow, bourbon and grapefruit juice in a cocktail! Two of my favorite things. Going to make one soon, might become my go to.

Answer

I like bottled in bond 100 proof bourbons for cocktails. There are many good ones, but bang for the buck you can't beat Evan Williams bonded (white label). You can sometimes get a handle for < $30.

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Bourbons for cocktails?

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