CANNOT forget the mint julep. One of my all time favorite cocktails. Simply sublime.

Here is a great video I came across this past summer on the making of a mint julep. The bartender Chris is also some what of a historian of bartending and drinks. Well worth the watch if you enjoy the art.

Im a die hard fan of Blantons but for a great price and quality, Evan Williams Single Barrel is darn excellent

And here are his videos for the old fashioned and the sazerac.

There's a place in Atlanta here called Prohibition that makes these and they are wonderful. If you've never had one you definitely need to try it.

neat or ice unless its cheap stuff

Fatzod made me a snob.

Chilled glass, NO ICE, good stuff or none at all...

Boom. Ice mutes all the flavors. I like a little splash of water sometimes, but never ice. :doh!:

This is how I make 'em except with Rye instead of whiskey.

:spock:

Never heard of this? Probably more common with scotch...

NEVER dilute good scotch with water...

Good job by raiderhader to link the New Orleans Best Cocktails video series. That's my favorite cocktail web series out there.

Also, a couple of drops of water can really help some bourbons and whiskeys open up, in my experience.

...

http://img6.joyreactor.com/pics/post...ers-202476.gif

I'm serious and literal when I say "drops." A tiny amount of water makes a nice impact. I wouldn't recommend a drop or two of water for all whiskeys though. But some are made more expressive by virtue of a drop or two.

Yes. Makers Mark, especially when cold, turns almost into caramel with a few drops of water.