Whether you see yourself in one of these or recognise someone in every category, we’ve all come across bourbon drinkers with their own distinct style.
These are meant to be a bit of fun, but there’s a good chance you’ve met someone like this before. Whether they left a positive or negative impression is all part of the social side of whisky. At festivals, public tastings, private events, or simply at your local bar, these characters always seem to appear.
Let’s break a few of them down.
The Allocated Hunter
This person knows the layout of every specialist whisky shop in your town, your state, or even the entire country. They know everyone. They’re connected to everyone. They’ve got WhatsApp groups for everything.
They can smell the aroma of a Geroge T Stagg cork being popped across city limits. They are one with the whisky matrix.
If you befriend them, tread carefully. Like a deer startled by a snapping branch, one wrong move and they disappear. But earn their trust, and you might just get to try something rare.
The Neat Purist
I guess I fit into this category.
You might experiment with water or other additions, but neat whisky is always your default. It’s what you reach for when you’re out with friends or family.
It’s familiar. It’s comforting. That first nose and sip bring back memories and create new ones at the same time.
The Cocktail Convert
This is the person who once thought whisky wasn’t for them.
Then something changed. Maybe it was an Old Fashioned. Maybe a Whisky Sour. Either way, that first step led somewhere deeper.
Now they’re reading about mash bills, distillation methods, and chasing so-called unicorn bottles. It creeps up quickly. One moment it’s cocktails, the next they’re fully immersed.
The Brand Loyalist
At one point, I fit into this category as well.
It often leads to one place. Buffalo Trace. From there, it becomes a mission to find every release of Weller, Stagg, Eagle Rare, or anything remotely connected.
Ideally, it’s about the liquid in the glass. Though sometimes it risks becoming an expensive way to build a collection that gathers dust.
The Recent Arrival
The new kid on the block. Go easy on them. Bourbon comes with its own language, culture, and set of unwritten rules. It can be overwhelming at first.
If this is you, take things slow. Go to tastings. Watch content from trusted reviewers. Take it easy and don’t go crazy buying everything all at one. Every bottle is a journey. There’s no need to rush.
The Value Seeker
Like the Allocated Hunter, this person knows every shop worth knowing. But they’re looking for something different.
They’re not chasing Pappy at inflated prices. They’re searching for overlooked bottles, hidden gems, and new releases that others haven’t noticed yet.
They know their bourbon. Just from a different angle.
The One Who Only Drinks Pappy
Make sure they’re the one buying the next round.
In all seriousness, Van Winkle has become slightly more accessible in bars, at least if you’re just looking for a pour rather than a full bottle.
And if they’re ordering it for themselves, well, sharing is caring.
Where Do You Fit In?
You might not fit neatly into any of these categories. Or you might have moved through all of them over time.
That’s part of the fun.
Next time you spot one of these characters, take note of the things they say. Enjoy the moment. Buy them a drink and, ideally, they’ll return the favour.
Read the full article at 7 Types of Bourbon Drinkers – Which One Are You?
