Hey folks,
I try to figure out which rye whiskey is the best for my home bar. I'm not from the US so quite a few recommendations from this subreddit are not available/affordable for me (Michters, Sazerac, etc). So maybe you guys can help me figure out what to try next without spending a fortune on bottles I maybe don't even like.
What I've already tried: Bulleit rye (my favourite so far), Lot 40 rye (kind of weak for my taste), Rittenhouse rye (know it's quite popular but I really don't like this one, to me it has some unpleasant aftertaste)
What is available/affordable in my region: Woodford Reserve rye (really enjoy the bourbon), Winchester rye, Redemption rye, Wild Turkey 101 rye (really enjoy the bourbon), Rebel Yell rye, Yellow Rose rye, 1776 rye, Spreewood Stork Club rye, Knob Creek rye (don't like the bourbon actually, to me it's quite harsh)
What do you think are like 2 bottles I should get next (judging from what I already enjoy)? Looking forward to every suggestion, thanks a lot!
I am trying to find whiskey with more distinct flavor profiles such as coffee or nuts. I know state/location can affect availability but in general are there whiskeys or rye where these flavors are prevailing?
My quarantine reading list has been to reread books that I have around the house. A friend of mine is an English teacher and suggested Catcher in the Rye. This book is of particular interest to me because Holden Caulfield has many stunning similarities to one of my ex-boyfriends; it's amazing to me how my first two times reading this book were so heavily influenced by the "Holden" in my own life, and how profoundly this book impacted me reading it again as an adult who hasn't had any contact with him in fifteen years.
I first read this book as a seventeen year old. As I was reading it, all I could think was "Oh my god, I'm dating Holden Caulfield." As such, I had a lot of patience for Holden, but I didn't understand him at all, much like my then-boyfriend in real life.
I reread this book again when I was just out of college. At the time, my now-ex-boyfriend was having a mental episode; we were in contact and I truly believed that I was helping him (spoiler alert: I wasn't, which is why I cut ties with him shortly thereafter). It was exhausting to deal with him, and as such I had absolutely no patience for Holden's breakdown, his cynicism, his lack of motivation. I still liked the book well enough, but I was Carl Luce, being annoyed and living the reality of "if this is going to be another Caulfield conversation I'm out of here."
I just finished this book today and it left me filled with a profound sadness. Whereas previously I lacked understanding and/or patience, this time I feel like I possessed both. I still found myself annoyed by Holden's judgmental cynicism, but my heart ached as he fell deeper and deeper into depression. I was feeling some hope with Mr. Antolini's advice, but felt Holden's devastation acutely upon waking up to find him petting his head.
I find myself sincerely hoping beyond all hope that Holden Caulfield grew up to be happy and healthy, and that he learned to live in the moment and allow himself to feel joy. It's incredible to me how much books change with life experience.
