Though I'm not a fan of those three, I rank them something like this "MIXED"
JW Blue label > JW = Jim Beam > JD
I've tried a few other ones that are much nicer but of course, a shit load more cash required. So far, 13 year old Whisky Scotch mix from Japan tops my list for that type. But probably only because it was the oldest one I've ever tried.
Other mentions...
Crown Royale - Better than the above 3, but still has a somewhat watery aftertaste even though it's not really "smooth". However, it mixes well. Seems more like a mixer than one you'd drink straight
(Name forgotten) - 13 year old mixture from the Suntory group in Japan. Cost me about 67 Cad for the bottle. Or around 55 bucks USD or so at the time. Much smoother than what I had before.
Ballantines - Hmm... how do I explain this? Burns like a motherfucker, tastes like a slap to the face. Must be one for older people or people who actually want something to kick their asses. Raw as hell.
Glenfiddich etc - Never tried... looking to try one day.
Chivas - Never been high on my lists... worth trying?
Southern comfort isn't really whiskey. It's liquer. It's palatable... but only in the sense that "I'll have a cola" type of way. It's a trash drink on the side and mixable. I bought a bottle to try recently due to someone's recommendation. I tested it in many situations such as mixing it, taking it straight, cooking with it and other scenarios. NOT something I will be purchasing any time soon. Much shittier alternative than whiskey/scotch in things like cider, TERRIBLE for cooking/BBQ (No taste, no aroma, leaves a sticky tasteless crap that tastes like burnt sugar as if someone pissed into syrup and used it), terrible in juice (Don't ask. My friends were that drunk), half decent shots, but I'd rather have something else.
Smirnoff blows. Sure it's a "standard" but it still sucks. At least their regular coolers are half decent (The ice line) but even then, they're sort of piss weak since it totally hides the flavor. But then again, how many wusses love to mix shit with vodka because it hides the flavor and makes people pissed drunk really easy? It's an issue with vodka culture to an extent. I personally hate vodka. I had a run in during grad (namely prom for americans) and now I get slight rashes from consuming vodka. HOWEVER, I will still take time to try and enjoy expensive vodkas from time to time. Namely... Grey Goose and Crystal Skull Vodka. Grey Goose wins over Crystal Skull due to added flavors. But essentially at the pure vodka level, they're quite close IMO. GG is sweet due to the vanilla hints and other aspects. CSV is sweet due to the purity of the vodka. But I only enjoy these once in a while. Price wise, these two are about the same and easily about 2 to 2.5x more expensive volume wise than Abolut and Smirnoff. Hypnotiq is disgusting but palatable. Same as the other copy cats of hypnotiq.
I tried henessey recently, it wasn't bad. Not something I can understand why Asians love so much, but something potent and smooth indeed. Martell was the same. A good cognac is damn nice to slowly enjoy, then pound back. However, it's god damned pricey.
Sake... Tastes like piss to me for the cheap horrible stuff. A good sake tastes like a hint of grass on water and is quite enjoyable. Plum sake is weird to drink by itself. But mix it with regular water and ice... tastes totally different. Alcohol taste is essentially gone and it tastes like regular juice. Strange. But none of these are things I drink regularly.
Due to the fact that my drinking habits stem from me going out and buying actual bottles of the stuff to "TRY", I don't often try new things until I finish off what I buy. I'm still working at the bottle of soju I have, 1/3 bottle of Hennessey Special Reserve, 1/2 bottle of original flavor Baileys, Patron - Citron, Sauza Tequila, 1/4 plum sake and 500mL of Jagermeister. Thankfully my friends got rid of that Soco last time they came. That shit was nasty. However, I may consider doing some "random picks" next time instead of adding to my wine collection. (Which I started this summer, I currently have 9 bottles since I have given away quite a few recently for special occasions and presents) So... Glenfidditch a good "random pick" for next time?
