Bourbon: What are you sipping on?

[TheDude73]

Just finished an order on Caskers. 24 shines bottles of bourbon are on their way to my collection. Will post photos and reviews as I move through each of them.

Thanks for the preview Barleycorn. I do have one of the Dickel's whiskies and love it. I think $200 is about the same price USD in Hong Kong as you state in TN. Father in law loves JD, so it will probably be for him mostly.
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[makersmarkambassador]

Originally posted by TheDude73:
Anyone had the following (see link)? Four Roses 125th Anniversary Single Barrel. Found a bottle today and it's on it's way to the house, but wanted to know if anyone had any opinions after trying it. I hear it's hard to get, but I'm sure there are plenty of people in KY that have managed to find it.

You'll love it. I had a pour at a restaurant in Louisville when it first came out, but I can not seem to find it around town. I've heard that they sell for $150 retail here.

 

[TheDude73]

Canceled that 24-bottle order - was sitting around with a buddy drinking 12-year Van Winkle (finished it) and got crazy online. Emailed them the next day with buyer's remorse - refunded it. But I felt bad so I went back online this morning and picked up 2 bottles instead.

Lesson learned: never drink too much good bourbon and then go online to shop for good bourbon.

 

[BlueRaider22]

I'm a novice when it comes to bourbon. How does a rye differ in flavor? Say compare it to Woodford or Makers.

 

[GrandePdre]

Originally posted by BlueRaider22:
I'm a novice when it comes to bourbon. How does a rye differ in flavor? Say compare it to Woodford or Makers.


Spicier. The rye notes will give notes of clove and pepper. Less sweet, as there's less corn, but a great rye whisky rivals the great bourbons, IMO.

 

[buckethead1978]

Anyone had Blantons Straight from the Barrel?

Wife is overseas and wants to grab a bottle as a gift. It is apparently export only.

 

[wildcatdon]

Bucket,tell her to get it..You cannot go wrong with Blantons..It will be a bit stronger but has a great flavor..

I am sipping on a Weller 12 yr old currently..Just picked up a bottle a week ago..

 

[TheDude73]

Originally posted by buckethead1978:
Anyone had Blantons Straight from the Barrel?

Wife is overseas and wants to grab a bottle as a gift. It is apparently export only.

Yes, do it. In fact, tell her to get 2 or 3 bottles because those export-only gigs are typically just market evaluations, which the distilleries do regularly via the airport duty-free shops. You get 3 of them now because there may never be any more. And, if you don't like the first bottle, you can sell the other two for a pretty penny given no one will have heard of it.

 

[Barleycorn]

"Barrel Proof" and "from the barrel" are two different things.

BT does three or versions of blantons, proof being the difference.

I'd agree, buy more than one!
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[TheDude73]

Here are a couple I saw last month in the Hong Kong duty free shop - almost bought them both, but figured I could Google it at home and find it cheaper. I was wrong, and this is how I learned that US distilleries love using Asian and European airport duty free shops as their test markets for special batches of whiskies.

I mentioned these bottles of Jack Daniels earlier in this thread, but didn't post photos at that time. Figured now is as good as ever!

FYI, 660 Hong Kong Dollars is roughly $85 USD. 1350 is around $174 USD.

 

[Barleycorn]

I had the Sinatra at Merchants on broadway in Nashville. I don't recall anything special about it either way. I've got an opened box of it at home but I might not open it since at this point, for me, it has more of a collectors item feel to it.

I've been in here for almost ten yrs and still don't know how to post pictures.
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[TheDude73]

Originally posted by John Barleycorn:
I had the Sinatra at Merchants on broadway in Nashville. I don't recall anything special about it either way. I've got an opened box of it at home but I might not open it since at this point, for me, it has more of a collectors item feel to it.

I've been in here for almost ten yrs and still don't know how to post pictures.
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Just use something like Google Picasa Web Album and upload photos there. Then go to the photo, right click, select "copy URL", come here, and right above the text box on your response there are a few options like Font Name and Size, Font Style, etc. Go to "Insert Item" row and select the silly green little square. Once that box pops up, paste in your URL you copied from the image you saved, then hit "done". Your image will pop in where you're typing your text, and if you're done, hit "post message".

The Sinatra came out a while before the Gold, so I'm assuming it was probably a success in the test markets. But like you, I'd pick up three bottles each solely for collector only (2 for me - one to open and drink, the other to collect, and the 3rd for my father-in-law who's a massive Jack fan).

 

[Beavis606]

Bump until a mod pins this, or posts why it cannot be pinned.

 

[TheDude73]

6 new bottles arrived this week to go along with a couple of new Buffalo Trace and this Fireside (Colorado) Bourbon I grabbed for only $23 here locally. Can't wait to get my hands on that Four Roses 2013 and that new Batch 001 Barrell Bourbon I mentioned last week. The Ezra B is my 2nd bottle, but the Hillrock Solera Aged and Pritchard's Double Barreled are my first and I'm excited!

 

[TheDude73]

Originally posted by buckethead1978:
Anyone had Blantons Straight from the Barrel?

Wife is overseas and wants to grab a bottle as a gift. It is apparently export only.

Did your wife buy this for you? If so, tried it yet? And how many did she get?

 

[buckethead1978]

Yes. I would post a picture but the file is too big.

It mixed great with coke.

 

[TheDude73]

Originally posted by buckethead1978:
Yes. I would post a picture but the file is too big.

It mixed great with coke.

What's the exact name of it? I may try and find it on my next work trip to Asia.

How was it neat and then broken with ice?

 

[buckethead1978]

I'm kidding.

She did buy it but I have not tried it yet. It is simply called Blanton's Straight from the Barrel.

131.4 proof. My plan is to drop a few ice cubes in it and drink it that way.

I would upload some pics but they are too large for the message board

 

[makersmarkambassador]

Originally posted by TheDude73:
6 new bottles arrived this week to go along with a couple of new Buffalo Trace and this Fireside (Colorado) Bourbon I grabbed for only $23 here locally. Can't wait to get my hands on that Four Roses 2013 and that new Batch 001 Barrell Bourbon I mentioned last week. The Ezra B is my 2nd bottle, but the Hillrock Solera Aged and Pritchard's Double Barreled are my first and I'm excited!

Let me know how that Hillrock turns out. Been wanting to try that...

 

[TheDude73]

Originally posted by makersmarkambassador:

Originally posted by TheDude73:
6 new bottles arrived this week to go along with a couple of new Buffalo Trace and this Fireside (Colorado) Bourbon I grabbed for only $23 here locally. Can't wait to get my hands on that Four Roses 2013 and that new Batch 001 Barrell Bourbon I mentioned last week. The Ezra B is my 2nd bottle, but the Hillrock Solera Aged and Pritchard's Double Barreled are my first and I'm excited!

Let me know how that Hillrock turns out. Been wanting to try that...

Hillrock - HIGHLY recommended. Quite possibly the best one yet. Wow. And NY nonetheless. They have the same type of limestone water that KY has, so perhaps this helps.

 

[wildcatdon]

Dude,Forgiven is all over Louisville..I have tried it once and wasn't impressed,especially for $50/bottle..Will probably try again at some time but my days of buying expensive bourbons are slowly coming to an end.

 

[Beavis606]

I hope Dude has a liver donor lined up.

 

[TheDude73]

Originally posted by bigbluedon:
Dude,Forgiven is all over Louisville..I have tried it once and wasn't impressed,especially for $50/bottle..Will probably try again at some time but my days of buying expensive bourbons are slowly coming to an end.

I've yet to open the Forgiven, so thanks for letting me know. There are some of my "expensive" bourbons that I don't like - I got a bad batch of Elijah Craig 21 year - a waste of $140 and I can't return it, even though it's known that a few of their batches were bad (this was from batch 87). And what I mean by "bad" is, it tastes like chemicals and NOTHING like bourbon. Something just went wrong in that batch and I'm surprised they still try and sell it.

I'm ok with buying them and finding out that they may not be to my liking - they'll stay in my collection and someone else might like it. The ones I love are the ones I buy again - like the Hillrock - definitely will buy again. And any Van Winkle - love them if I can get them. Willett Pot Still - love it. Woodford Double Oaked - fantastic. Angel's Envy Bourbon and the rye. Blanton's, of course. One of my favorites (already gone through 2 bottles in 3 months) is Four Roses Single Barrel. Can't get enough.

 

[TheDude73]

Originally posted by Beavis606:
I hope Dude has a liver donor lined up.

Haha - I collect more than I drink these days. But I do open them and try them off and on. Thing is, I have enough now to last me a few years, even if I had a couple fingers' worth every night.

 

[BlueRaider22]

Been trying to work my way through Bulleit. Using Eagle Rare and Woodford as good, solid "A" ratings as a reference, I'd given Bulleit a "C+" for me.

 

[TheDude73]

Originally posted by BlueRaider22:

Been trying to work my way through Bulleit. Using Eagle Rare and Woodford as good, solid "A" ratings as a reference, I'd given Bulleit a "C+" for me.

Which Bulleit? 10 year?

I just saw a green-labeled Single Barrel Bulleit at the store yesterday. Anyone tried that?

 

[bigblueinsanity_rivals250340]

Originally posted by TheDude73:

Originally posted by BlueRaider22:

Been trying to work my way through Bulleit. Using Eagle Rare and Woodford as good, solid "A" ratings as a reference, I'd given Bulleit a "C+" for me.

Which Bulleit? 10 year?

I just saw a green-labeled Single Barrel Bulleit at the store yesterday. Anyone tried that?

Sounds like the Bulleit Rye. I could well be wrong though.

I still think Bulleit is my favorite. But Knob and Old Forrester are also really good. Tried some Elijah Craig 12yr the other night. Pretty good, but not great imo.

 

[BlueRaider22]

Just regular Bulleit. Has a blast of a foretaste. The aftertaste is good though. I find Eagle Rare very smooth. I like Woodford and Woodford DO. I recently tried Basil Hayden. To me it was a slightly less smooth version of Eagle Rare.

 

[arasco]

I'm assuming its a huge gimmick, but has anyone tried the Jeffersons "aged at sea".

I'm a big fan of the Jeffersons line, but have not come across this yet.

 

[makersmarkambassador]

Originally posted by arasco:
I'm assuming its a huge gimmick, but has anyone tried the Jeffersons "aged at sea".

I'm a big fan of the Jeffersons line, but have not come across this yet.

I've haven't tried it yet, but have a couple of friends who have and they say its really good.

 

[Barleycorn]

Re: Bourbon: What are you sipping

The ocean is legit. The first version was extremely limited and about $300 a bottle. The second version is a bit lighter than the first and is going for about $80. Pretty cool concept. Extremely hit during the day. Cold a night. Barrel liquid getting tossed and swished around the barrel all day and night. Extremely unique interaction with the barrel.

If you see Jefferson 25 or 30, buy them. Outstanding. The 25 is a blend if 25 to 28yr bourbon and the 30 is all thirty yr bourbon. Neither are overpoweringly oaked for their age. Great bottles.

The Bulleit green label is the rye, at least in this market.

Dude, I agree on the limestone water in NY. They have been the best non-ky bourbons I've had.

I tried the orphan barrels last week as well. 26yr blowhard and 20yr barter house. Both were pretty good and will be hard to acquire but worth adding to a collection.
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[TheDude73]

Re: Bourbon: What are you sipping

Originally posted by John Barleycorn:
The ocean is legit. The first version was extremely limited and about $300 a bottle. The second version is a bit lighter than the first and is going for about $80. Pretty cool concept. Extremely hit during the day. Cold a night. Barrel liquid getting tossed and swished around the barrel all day and night. Extremely unique interaction with the barrel.

If you see Jefferson 25 or 30, buy them. Outstanding. The 25 is a blend if 25 to 28yr bourbon and the 30 is all thirty yr bourbon. Neither are overpoweringly oaked for their age. Great bottles.

The Bulleit green label is the rye, at least in this market.

Dude, I agree on the limestone water in NY. They have been the best non-ky bourbons I've had.

I tried the orphan barrels last week as well. 26yr blowhard and 20yr barter house. Both were pretty good and will be hard to acquire but worth adding to a collection.
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Got an email from a local LQ about the Orphans, but no way I was able to make it down to buy the one bottle each customer they allowed. I'm sure they're all gone now. I read that those are supposedly from the Stitzer-Weller stock (aka, Pappy)?

I linked their Facebook post here but not sure if it will allow others to see it...let me know.


Argonaut Liquor Denver - Orphan

 

[anon_aawvduncd4ay0]

Anyone in Louisville that is looking for some quality store selected barrel picks should head over to Westport Rd Wine and Spirits. Stopped in and they currently have barrel selections of Elijah Craig 12yr (two different barrels to chose from), Eagle Rare 10yr, Knob Creek Single Barrel. I purchased the Knob Creek SB and Eagle Rare (both are fantastic), probably heading back for the EC tonight. Whoever is tasting/picking their barrels is doing a tremendous job in my opinion. They also do a great job of letting you taste just about anything in the store prior to purchasing. The only negative I see is they are usually $2-4 dollars higher across the board on most bottles, but you are supporting a local business.
Cheers

 

[Barleycorn]

The Blow hard was distilled at the original Bernheim distillery, then aged at SW. The Barterhouse was Distilled at the new Bernheim distillery then aged at SW. So they aren't technically SW liquid. Both excellent though.

I love the barrel programs but I find Liquor Barn to have a larger selection of barrel picks at cheaper prices and they turn them over much quicker so in a given year they'll have gone to pick barrels if a brand five or six times and I think the quality is very high, could just be my style preference though. Westport Whiskey is a nice shop but as you said, the prices are higher and they have a much smaller selection. LB also has a much bigger scotch selection and I've been sticking my toes in the water in single malts the last two years.
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[Barleycorn]

Dude, I think Argonaut has the best whiskey selection in Denver. Better than Applejacks, daveco, or tootsys. You agree?
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[TheDude73]

Originally posted by John Barleycorn:
Dude, I think Argonaut has the best whiskey selection in Denver. Better than Applejacks, daveco, or tootsys. You agree?
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I've only been in there once as it's 30 miles south of me here in Longmont. But we do have a place here I just visited called PJ's - guy has quite a bit of stuff. In fact, today I stopped by and found the following catch (including two bottles of Old Blowhard and Stagg Jr. - which makes my 2nd bottle of Stagg). He has 8 bottles of Stagg Jr. on the shelves, along with 4 EH Taylor collection - Straight Rye, Single Barrel, Barrel Strength, and Small Batch. In addition to those in the photo below I grabbed the EHT Rye and Single Barrel (already have Barrel Strength and Small Batch).

Given the tightness of anything Stagg, I may go back and grab a couple more for under the bar.

Applejacks down in Arvada is a good one, too, but only because my in-laws have lived down there for 25 years and know everyone, so they can sometimes get an "in" on special stuff. One of my wife's high school teachers also works there. But even with those connections, I've had no luck with anything Pappy.

By the way, Old Blowhard is tasting GOOOD! Heavy caramel on the nose and almost a cigar-like smokiness on the palate.

This post was edited on 3/7 7:12 PM by TheDude73

 

[Barleycorn]

Nice work. Savor the blowhard, it's the only release at all from what I hear. Tobacco is my favorite indicator of fine, aged bourbon. Gets me every time. I think Stagg JR will be twice a year. So you might be ok.

 

[HossCat73_rivals]

Old Fitz Gold Labeled.

For those keeping score at home...They changed the bottling on their fifths. So don't overlook it.

This post was edited on 3/7 9:42 PM by HossCat73

 

[TheDude73]

Originally posted by HossCat73:
Old Fitz Gold Labeled.

For those keeping score at home...They changed the bottling on their fifths. So don't overlook it.

This post was edited on 3/7 9:42 PM by HossCat73

Saw that today - that good, huh? It was decently-priced and on the bottom shelf.

 

[TheDude73]

Originally posted by John Barleycorn:
Nice work. Savor the blowhard, it's the only release at all from what I hear. Tobacco is my favorite indicator of fine, aged bourbon. Gets me every time. I think Stagg JR will be twice a year. So you might be ok.

Sister-in-law was able to make it to Argonaut for me yesterday and managed 1 bottle of Barterhouse 20-year. I may actually get lucky and get the entire collection of these Orphan Bottle releases this year.

Also found a site that sells hard-to-find (big names). Prices are higher than retail, but besides Pappy (they have it, but it's ridiculously-priced) it's not a super-massive mark-up. Place is called Vicker's Liquor (no online ordering, but they do list what they have in stock and prices). I've just ordered a Handy, Larue Weller, and Jefferson's Ocean from them.