On a flight the other day, found an interesting recipe for a Thanksgiving cocktail in the Soutwest air magazine. You make a syrup with apple cider and spices and mix in ginger ale and bourbon. The recipe calls for a high end reserve bourbon. Husband says go cheap as it will not matter. Would love any opinions. thanks.
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Woodford Reserve, which the recipe calls for, is an excellent bourbon and well-sippable on its own, if you're into that kind of thing. And Ben Barker's reasoning for preferring the Woodford in this drink seems sound. Often, cocktails are crafted around a particular spirit, and using a substitute really does change the character of the drink.
If you *are* inclined to go with cheap bourbon, look for Evan Williams Black label. It's surprisingly good for the price you'll pay, it mixes well in cocktails, and it won't screw you up like, oh, Jim Beam might.