<http://schema.org/articleBody>
" I PASSED THE MASTER SOMMELIER exam (basically, an extreme-sports version of pro wine and spirits tasting) when I was 29, but my spirits schooling really began at age eight with that quintessential American whiskey, bourbon. At the time, my family was living just outside Lou-a-vull. It was May, Triple Crown partying was in full swing, and I was at the buffet table discovering the magic ingredient in Derby pie. (No, it&amp;#039;s not the chocolate.) Like most southerners, I&amp;#039;ve come to have strong opinions about bourbon. Despite the mint-julep tradition, I prefer it without baggage, particularly the added sugar, since the whiskey itself is sweet enough. It&amp;#039;s made from corn, and it&amp;#039;s aged in charred oak casks, which give it a toasty-caramel taste.  I like my bourbon chilled and served up. The luxury bourbons are best neat, in a small wineglass. (To me, a snifter overemphasizes the alcohol, making the whiskey seem rough and hot.) Here are some of my picks.  \u00B7 PAPPY VAN WINKLE&amp;#039;S FAMILY RESERVE, $80: Laid down in barrels during the Reagan administration, this 20-year-old whiskey is delicious, with scents of maple, roasted coffee, and cr\u00C3\u00A8me br\u00C3\u00BBl\u00C3\u00A9e. Drink it neat.  \u00B7 OLD WELLER ANTIQUE, THE ORIGINAL 107 BRAND, $20: I find some cask-strength bourbons rough tasting (most have demineralized water added to reduce their alcohol content to 80 or 90 proof), but this is smooth, balanced, and pleasantly smoky.  \u00B7 A. H. HIRSCH, $70 TO $100: Although its taste and scent are utterly seductive, this bourbon is more about texture. The 16- and 20-year-olds are like liquid satin, and my mouth aches to wear them.  \u00B7 MAKER&amp;#039;S MARK, $17: This is one of my favorite spirits, period. In spite of its popularity, it&amp;#039;s still made in small, hand-crafted lots that are aged in white-oak barrels. Since it&amp;#039;s frequently found on airplane beverage carts, it may be the one civilized thing about flying coach. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.esquire.com/food-drink/a1214/esq0501-may-mahb-drinks/>