Which expensive ones have you done? And how expensive?
WhistlePig The Boss Hog VII Magellan’s Atlantic - about $500-$700 a bottle depending on it you can find it.
Weller 12 year - between $350-$450 a bottle depending on if you can find it.
Not tried any Pappy Van Winkle yet. Just too damn expensive.
The thing with bourbon is kind what Rob said. Just find something you like and drink it however you want. I like to drink all mine neat and not an ice guy. So all my tastes and favorites are based on that. There’s a lot of snobs that drink stuff. The reason some of these cost so much isn’t because they’re so good, it’s just hard to find. Buffalo Trace which distills Blanton’s and Eagle Rare for example hold back distribution to raise the price. Just like what the diamond industry did to make them valuable.
My personal top 5:
1. Blanton’s- it’s just so damn smooth and great to sip on. Just so hard to find.
2. Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
3. Koval Single Barrel
4. E.H. Taylor Small Batch
5. Pretty much anything made by Barrell Craft Spirits. Love their Dovetail, but it’s just a whiskey, not a bourbon.
There’s just so many to list honestly. Great hobby!