When I metPatrick Marran, it was a cold December night in New York City.

Like Makers Mark?

L. Weller Antique

What most people dont understand about their bourbon preferences is the ingredient percentage.

It makes wheated bourbons a very smooth, accessible drink.

Its not too expensive either.

you could find bottles for around $30.

Like The Macallan 12 Year?

Ive had a couple bottles of the Yamazaki 12 myself and can attest to its superior quality.

Grab a bottle for around $100.

Like Jameson?

Marran says:

So many people stroll into a bar and dismiss the Irish whiskey as somehow inferior.

Thats about as wrong as snow in July.

This is my hands-down favorite option to break someones misconceptions.

If you want to go up in price from there,Midletons Redbreastisnt a bad option either.

you’ve got the option to find bottles of Green Spot for around $70.

Like Bulleit Bourbon?

you could usually find bottles between $50 and $60.

Like Four Roses Yellow Label?

Like Laphroaig 10?

you might find a bottle of Bruichladdich Octomore for around $60 to $80.

Like Dewars or Johnny Walker?

TryThe Shackleton Whiskey

This blended Scotch is easy to spot thanks to its robins egg blue box and label.

It has a full body, but its smooth on the tongue and easy going down.

Plus, the recipe has some interesting history behind it.

Its based on the Scotch Sir Ernest brought with him during his 1907 expedition to Antarctica.

it’s possible for you to find it for about $40 a bottle.

Like Old Overholt?

This is your chance to upgrade to a real rye, as Marran puts it.

you’ve got the option to find bottles for around $45.

Like Bulleit Rye?

There are notes of vanilla and toasted honey, and runs for about $90 a bottle.

Already like Yamazaki 12 Year?

Amruts whiskeys are a bit younger than others, but theyve got full flavor and have been winning awards.

At the end of the day, though, its hard to go wrong with most whiskeys.

Marran notes that there is no such thing as bad whiskeymerely different options for ones individual budget.

If you like your usual go-tos, theres no need to change if you dont want to.

But if you want to expand your whiskey horizons, give these recommendations a shot.

Tell me, what are you drinking these days?