6 Stages of Becoming a Bourbon Lover!

[@JohnSmith-25]

You forgot about stage 7, "You start a whiskey channel on KZbin".

[@numanuma20]

😂

[@BondingOverBourbon]

Love the concept for the video! Our stages would be 11 levels 1. Fear of bourbon / low proof 2. Finding one you like and hitting a comfort zone 3. Trying allocated/hunting allocated 4. FOMO 5. "Bonded is better" 6. "Single barrels are the best" 7. Cask strength only 8. Cutting back/bottom shelf bangers 9. Repeating steps 3-8 during allocation season 10. KZbin channel 11. Repeat Steps 3 & 4 endlessly

[@calvinkrebs860]

Perfect stage video! I have gone through exactly all 6 of these stages, just like you said. Cheers.

[@90sMallArcade]

I like that you guys put a lot of thought into this and said what I think most of us think about, but don't talk about. I see these more as phases I go in and out of rather than stages that I move past or through. I def need to cut back on buying bottles, but I still have some lower proof bourbon I am excited to explore at bars. I drink mostly cask strength, and still try my hand at hunting those unicorns. Cool vid!

[@jonathansantana6239]

Wholly cow, this video is on the money. I literally went through these stages in this order. This was a very well thought out video. I have recently entered stage 6. Cheers

[@chrisdunning5481]

Great video. Was not sure what I was going to get out of it but loved it. At first I was thinking I am stage 4 even though I have been at this for a long time. But then I realized I am stage 6. I focus on what I like. Example is the Jack D Barrel proofs. Love the bourbon and the rye. ECBP as well. I can also find lower proof I like though I generally stay 100 proof or above. But I still like freaking out the kids who work at Total Wine when they suggest some 90 proof whiskey I have never heard of. Just tell them that is breakfast bourbon. The look on their faces…😂

[@chriskilner4110]

Good video! I came to Bourbon from 80-proof Irish Whiskey, so I clearly started at stage 1. I skipped stage 2, and stage 3 was trying everything I could find locally under $30 (preferably under $20 because I had 2 kids in college!). My stage 4 was modified to bonded-only for a year or two (so much value there!). I did stage 5, but mostly in the 90-94 proof area and I'm currently in stage 6 after figuring out which taste profiles I like... and I've picked up some cask strength of those 👍

[@scottindestin]

Great show. Very accurate review of the stages. I went fast through the hazmat stage and am relaxing nicely into stage 6. Russel's 10, JD single barrel, Buffalo Trace and Maker's Mark will do just fine.

[@johng5710]

I’m definitely at Stage 6 now, but I was never at full blown stage 3. No doubt I was going after a lot of new stuff as it came out (still do to some extent) but I had help as far as what to go after thanks to reviews on your channel and other YT channels.

[@malmeyer]

Excellent video Dara and Bill. I feel like I’m in stage 6 but continue to dabble in other stages. 😂 Stage 1.5 for me was watch tons of WhiskeyTube channel reviews. That actually still happens today. Cheers!

[@thadburill]

I'm definitely in Bourbon Junkies stage 3. Gotta catch all of these! Including yours. Also stage 8... buying a many new shelves to hold all the new ADHD and BJs picks, including Barrel King. Craft distilleries are becoming my favorite.

[@mikek6313]

I'm with you Bill and Dara. My Old Granddad 114 is Very Old Barton 100 proof, and my 7th stage is there are plenty of delicious spirits other than Bourbons like Rums, Ryes, and Gins.

[@mattdaniels4978]

Im between 2 and 3 right now. Just got my 1 st bottle of EH taylor. But also realizing through channels like this that there are some great alternatives that are more cost effective. Great job with the staging

[@Dafoodmaster]

I started with a Glendronach 18 so i immediately went for the good stuff and then kinda backtracked. I just kinda try to find the best value for money things and stock old favorites. My last great bourbon purchase was Wild Turkey Rare Breed Unchillfiltered. If you're in europe you might be able to find it. WOW is it good. Stands up to ECBP c918, Booker's, Jack SBBS, OF1920... you name it! And it's a 1L too!

[@downhome.bourbon]

Definitely in Stage 6. Picked up the ECBPA124 yesterday. I actually skipped the Allocated Stage. Living in Ohio, it's easy to skip that stage.

[@alandaigle2081]

Absolutely correct! I'm stage 9. All I want is jack daniels single barrel barrel proof rye. All barrels! Cheers!

[@mistermom310]

I'm 64, in Texas I could drink legally at 18(1978) JD#7 was my thing for years. The last 5-6 yesrs I got into KZbin and hit stage 3😂 I've settled into a little bit of 3,5&6. Mainly focusing on variety of mashbills. I've gotten into wheaters and ryes. 🥃❤️🥃

[@bagadonuts78]

I'm somewhere between 6 and 6!! Cheers 🥃

[@OutsideTheStar]

I’m 100% in stage 6 right now. I’ve definitely dwindled down my collection to just bottles that fit my profile. I do still hunt down certain allocated bottles. This is a great place to be in.

[@justinvandee9428]

Picked up the B524 version of Larceny and Elijah Craig this week here in Iowa. The EC is 10yr 2mo and 130.6 Proof and blows the last issue out of the water. Cheers 🥃

[@ravenmoon1165]

I started my journey asking a bartender for a tasting to find a good bourbon. They pulled out 4 roses, EH Taylor, and something else. I told them I don't like burn. I loved EHT SB. Then I was told, "Well, you can't find it anywhere"! I spent the next week hunting and I found 2 bottles for $99 each and bought them both! That was 4 years ago and now they're $250 to $300 a bottle! I said, "nope". I recently discovered Eagle rare. I bout 2 bottles for &50 each and found a store pick a month later. I enjoy ER. Oddly, I tried this clear whiskey called Kansas and like it as a mixer. I think my $ limit is $50. I also love rum and found Ron Zacapa 23 to my liking as well as Captain Morgan private stock. I often mix my rum with Grinds. Kraken is a good mixer which takes me into coconut rum tiki drinks. I definitely don't have a refined palette. I'd love to find some tastings to go to. For now I'll just try some shots occasionally at the bar.

[@andrettski8686]

A bit of most stages but def not a unicorn hunter(except for a Stagg) I'm a huge budget guy, I've still never paid over $70 a bottle. I'd rather fill my collection with 50 bottles than 10. I've also found that I don't dislike many bourbons because I like variety I think. Great idea for a vid guys.

[@SPUPRR]

what is the time line for all this? I think I hit stage 6 in under 6 months already.

[@PNW_bourbon_buds]

I couldn't describe the 6 stages any better. I would say I have just started into stag 6. But stag 4 was my favorite.

[@BuffaloBourbonEnthusiasts]

I'm not sure you totally leave a stage. I mean right now I hunt allocated, unicorns, and store picks. I'm trying to be selective about what I buy. How much do you need? It's not the $$$, it's the space. I stupidly passed on HH18. I have larceny B522 -C923 and I'm not buying A124. I prefer the higher proof stuff. I mean, in our community we have so much stuff in our collection that sometimes it's impossible to pick a pour. I know, the Only Drams app does that for me. BTW, I created a 7 Deadly Sins challenge and a few channels have done it. I'll drop the link if you're interested. Sorry if that was inappropriate. Keep up the great work!!

[@tedsalmon2533]

I got stuck on the cask strength stage and I'm struggling to move on. My problem is I'll drink the same amount of 135 proof whiskey as I will 100 proof. I've had more than a few rough mornings as a result!

[@nickp5511]

I’m in all the stages:) Cheers!

[@steveh5549]

Exactly. It didn't take me long to realize the 40 dollar Michter's US 1 small batch was the way to go. It's just fun hunting and tasting other whiskeys.

[@patgleason2993]

Oh yeah...I'm in stage 5/6 now. Was a unicorn hound (no, not that unicorn....but yes, actually, that unicorn), and yeah, I got them....but found $80 Frey Ranch, $65 Bardstown Black label, and $88 Dettling are crushing it!

[@ryananderson4315]

Mines a little different 1- non drinker watching whiskey tube because it’s interesting 2 - buying all the best shelfers (1920, Rare Breed, Woodford Double Oak) 3 - Getting only allocated bottles. 4 - This where I am - need all this whiskey I’ve accumulated to go away somehow.

[@OutsideTheStar]

I was super happy to get out of that proof hound/ cask strength stage! 😅

[@davidcolgan3268]

Since the selection in Iowa is not that great, I am in the hone in on what you like with a minor in single barrels.

[@smac2047]

Stage 3, for me, wasn't FOMO driven it was trying new whiskey. It definitely helped me decide what I liked but expanded my collection too fast and far. I'm in stage 6 now and have dramatically decreased what I'm buying.

[@MRsavard73]

I’m in the 3rd stage. 😂

[@paulgreenleaf4841]

Absolutely accurate. I’m a 6. Broke and choosy

[@teddyballgame25]

I think the stages are spot on…my problem was that I did them with Scotch, Irish, and Bourbon at the same time.

[@joeappleton6849]

Jazz up your blonde hair with pink highlights

[@TyRazor33]

This is too accurate lol

[@ronfugate5859]

I'm at stage 101 with an occasional splurge🎉

[@FantasySoldier]

Stage 7 .. buy American Single Malts

[@robertcondon2742]

Watching this as I open two bottles I impulsed bought that I “heard” were great. Good but could have lived without them bottles…dang these were true.

[@StevenScone]

I skipped stage 2. I'm like in 90 to 115 proof range. There is a place for higher proof. I'm inching into stage 6.

[@johnlogalbo5567]

I think I am in stages 3 through 6 all at the same time

[@Hock3y24k]

I’m in a rare breed stage, this shits so good.

[@alexjacobson08]

Stage 7, doing the same thing with scotch lol

[@joeappleton6849]

Review some Scotch sherry scotch whisky

[@mrjiggs8]

What stage is i'm drinking this great whiskey naked....asking for a friend... who might or might not be stuck in that stage of their whiskey journey... Cheers Everyone 🥃🥃🥃🥃

[@troywarrenfeltz3311]

Stage 7...... Have enough bottles to last for years. Quit buying. Wait for market to drop because prices are crazy

[@steveh5549]

The late sixth stage might be that you only buy a "fad" or "hot" bottle when it's on sale, otherwise you stick to the everyday bourbons you find everywhere for a great price.

[@Mr.J.J.Pickle]

Nice try but that ain't going to make the next allocated line any shorter.

[@Alithia451]

Talk about blind buying please.