You'll remember that the second piece I wrote for the Gazette was Bourbon 101. If you missed it, well, GO GET CAUGHT UP. If you're still with me, tally-ho. 
I've had a few more bourbons and whiskeys since then, and I have thoughts about them.

• The very first bourbon I ever had (mixed with eggnog, no less) was Knob Creek. I remember thinking it tasted like lighter fluid. I had a splash of this recently, neat (because I know better now), and was BLOWN AWAY by the overwhelming coconut notes. Golly. Don't make mixed drinks with small-batch bourbon, but, do eat a coconut macaroon and have a snifter of this.
• Jim Beam Bonded 100 Proof Bourbon? Well, here's a review on it. I tasted nothing at all. In fact, before I looked it up and discovered it's aged four years, my guess was it wasn't aged at all. Not the brash rawness of moonshine, mind you, just a bland, flavorless spirit, all you got was the heat of the hundred proof. Since this is cheap, I'd consider buying a couple bottles and aging them myself if someone would just buy me this mini barrel. But for the same price, you can buy the Costco bourbon. I stand by what I've said about that. 
• Jameson - the first non-bourbon whiskey I ever tasted. Again: I thought lighter fluid (and prunes, actually). I had no palate then, nothing to base it on. Had a shot of this recently, and while it's still not my first choice, or even my tenth, it went down kinda smooth. Oops! My cousin calls me Old Ironthroat, because I don't make a whiskey-face. What can I say?
• Ron Swanson's tipple of choice, Lagavulin, wound up in our house over Christmas. Having had only the regularly available version (the 16-year), I prefer Laphroaig (of which I've only had the 10-year). If anyone wants to send me samples, I am SO WILLING TO HAVE MY MIND CHANGED. 
• BONUS: Kirkland (Costco) Gin. The price is right (approximately $20 for 1.75L). I'm not going to wax too eloquently, since I'm saving all my time for making this, which I've just dubbed "gin drink". The recipe follows. Thanks for tuning in.

Danielle's Gin Drink:

2 parts gin (preferably dry - Kirkland or Beefeater)

5 parts limeade or lemonade (ideally you can do this yourself, if pressed for time, look for something that is just water, juice, and sugar)

• Shake in a shaker if you're feeling fancy, or stir it together in a pitcher if you're in a hurry, and add seltzer to taste - probably talking about 5 parts worth. Pour into pint glasses with ice in them, garnish pint glasses with fresh basil or mint, or don't bother! It's summer! Who cares!
• Huge surprise - you can also make this with bourbon, or rum.