I’m no bourbon connoisseur, but I know what I like.

Far be it from me to tell you what you should and should not do. But to me, there are whiskeys you mix with, and whiskeys you sip and savor.

I was a younger, poorer man when I started to really enjoy scotch and bourbon. When I started mixing my own drinks, it was with the lower-end brands (you know the ones – they come in big plastic bottles and the label has a man’s name that starts with “J”…) I mixed with these, and I drank them over ice, as well. Because it was fine, you know?

When I started having a little more income to put towards the more expensive brands, I discovered that I really liked those better over ice, but wouldn’t mix with them because, well, seems a waste to use really good “sippin’ whiskey” in a cocktail.

Now I know it’s a matter of taste. I typically use what I would classify as a “mid-level” brand in my cocktails, but I’m not afraid or averse to using a higher-end one if the recipe really benefits from its use.

And I’m fine with sipping the mid-level brand when I’m out of the good stuff, because it’s fine, you know?

As always, your mileage may vary. Cheers!