Over the past couple of years I have become really fond of Basil Hayden. At your better bars it is also less expensive then most of the Scotch. I prefer a Basil Hayden on the rocks with a splash of mineral water.

Most would order it simply on the rocks and some would order with branch water (bourbon and branch). Branch is pure water distinguishing it from soda water.

Mineral water is really for the bourbon enthusiasts so that one can appreciate the natural flavors that are be diluted with soda water or ginger ale.

One thing I have done is order the Bourbon with a splash of mineral water and look at what the bartender does. Typically at your better bars they will open a bottle of mineral water in front of you. This is a place worth going back to. On the other end of the scale they will hold up the soda gun to you and say "is soda water OK." That place is not worth returning to.

On the other hand Booker's is just too strong for me to enjoy in a high end setting. The value of Basil Hayden has really attracted me to it but are there other good Bourbons out there worth it?