First taste of bourbon anecdote...In April 1969, I was a 19 yo kid in basic training at Fort Knox. It was Easter weekend, and after noon chow on Saturday, we all received a weekend pass and bus transportation into Louisville. I checked into the old Brown Hotel, which was packed with trainees, and upon a suggestion from my buddy, picked up a pint of Jim Beam to kick off the weekend. Drinking straight from the bottle, with half gone , headed out into the night. Finished the rest among beers along the way. Easter morning brought a nasty hangover and I didn't drink bourbon after that for over 20 years. Today, it's Woodford, neat in a snifter.