Pick a bourbon that speaks to you
Bourbon is a unique spirit that distinguishes itself from other whiskeys. Despite being one of the most strictly regulated types of whiskey, there remains a surprising degree of variation among distilleries and even individual bottles. When examining the ingredients of bourbon, you'll find that there is considerable flexibility in the types of grains used, which contribute distinct characteristics to the whiskey. These traits become evident when crafting a cocktail like the paper plane.
The paper plane serves as an excellent platform to highlight the bourbon of your choice, so it's best to select one that can confidently take center stage. Ross recommends a bourbon with a slightly higher proof, ideally in the range of 43-46%. A great example is Buffalo Trace—reportedly the bourbon Ross used when he developed the cocktail—bottled at 45% ABV, featuring appealing spice notes that transition to an anisette-like finish. Many "bottom shelf" bourbons, such as Wild Turkey 101 and Elijah Craig small batch, can also exceed expectations. If you prefer a bourbon with a bit more spice, consider those with a higher rye content in their mash bill, like Old Grand-Dad bottled-in-bond, 1792 small batch, or Bulleit barrel-strength. Ultimately, your personal taste and bourbon preferences will play the most significant role in selecting the ideal match for your paper plane.
Steering off course with other spirits
What about those who aren't particularly fond of bourbon? After all, rules are made to be bent, right? If you find yourself enjoying the spicy characteristics of rye grains, you can easily swap out bourbon for a 100% rye whiskey, intensifying those flavors to the max. If you're looking to steer clear of whiskey altogether, that's entirely feasible! One suggestion from Reddit recommends using rhum agricole (rum made from fresh sugarcane rather than molasses) as a substitute for bourbon, giving the paper plane a fresh and exciting twist. Other types of rum could also work, but it's best to avoid overly sweet varieties since your other ingredients can be quite sugary.
If you're eager to shake things up even further, why limit yourself to just the bourbon? The last-word-inspired formula encourages creative experimentation in your cocktails. Take, for instance, Joaquin Simo, the mastermind behind the Naked and Famous cocktail, which swaps bourbon for mezcal, lemon juice for lime juice, and Amaro Nonino for yellow Chartreuse. While this may seem like a significant departure, it essentially strikes a balance between a paper plane and a last word. You might also explore other amaros or digestifs in place of Amaro Nonino, such as the distinctly herbal Amaro Montenegro or even green Chartreuse if you want to stay closer to the cocktail's origins. With so many possibilities to mix and match, your taste buds are sure to soar with whichever version of the paper plane you choose.
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