I always used to use Buffalo Trace and monin cane sugar syrup. It was always nice until I ended up getting covid a dozen times and lost my sense of taste. When I got my taste buds back it just didn't really do anything for me. Woodford Reserve, Wild Turkey 101 and Four Roses single barrel are what I reach for these days. The quarter ounce of simple is about right but I tend to go heavy on the Angostura bitters. About 8 dashes.