OT: More bourbon talk

Dawgology · Oct 20, 2014

So...I ran out of Makers and stopped by the store to replenish my stock. I started talking to the owner of the store and jokingly asked him if he had any Pappy stashed. He didn't. But what he said next surprised me. (As a caveat I have not tasted Pappy so I have no frame of reference) He pointed to a shoddy looking bottle on the shelf that was marked $21 and said "that taste the same if not better". The bottle was a "Alabama Bourbon" labeled Clyde May's Whiskey. Apparently it is a bourbon made outside of Kentucky and is, thus, labeled a whiskey. I tasted it this weekend and its damn good. 5-6 year old small batches. Just wondered if any had tasted it and what their thoughts were.

Jgbishop · Oct 20, 2014

Buffalo Trace with a rock and a dash of water.

Raiderdawg.sixpack · Oct 20, 2014

Bourbon doesn't have to be made in Kentucky

Dawgology said:
So...I ran out of Makers and stopped by the store to replenish my stock. I started talking to the owner of the store and jokingly asked him if he had any Pappy stashed. He didn't. But what he said next surprised me. (As a caveat I have not tasted Pappy so I have no frame of reference) He pointed to a shoddy looking bottle on the shelf that was marked $21 and said "that taste the same if not better". The bottle was a "Alabama Bourbon" labeled Clyde May's Whiskey. Apparently it is a bourbon made outside of Kentucky and is, thus, labeled a whiskey. I tasted it this weekend and its damn good. 5-6 year old small batches. Just wondered if any had tasted it and what their thoughts were.

Bourbon can be made outside of Kentucky, even though 95% is made in state. The requirements to be bourbon are: 51% or more corn, aged in new charred oak barrels, and made in the USA. There are some proof requirements as well (distilling proof, barrelling proof, and bottling proof); the only one I remember off the top of my head is bourbon must bottled at greater than 80 proof.

Side note about Pappy, the Stitzel - Weller distillery closed in 1991. So the 2013/2014 vintage of Pappy 23 yr old was expected to be the last of the "original" Pappy. If you buy 10, 15, or 20 yr versions or 23yr old vintages in the future, you are getting Pappy made by Buffalo Trace. If you are looking for a "Poor Mans" Pappy that is like the versions currently bottled at Buffalo Trace, mix Weller 12 and Old Weller's Antique and you can get almost the exact flavor as Pappy's 10 yr for a lot cheaper.

Crazy Cotton · Oct 20, 2014

If you liked Maker's (and who doesn't) you will like the Weller. Both have a bit of wheat in them. The Weller's are probably a better value now than Makers. There's another bourbon that's made in Tennessee called Prichards. I don't know how available it is elsewhere, but if you like a bourbon with a higher rye content, this is a good one. His Tennessee whiskey is also something to behold. They aren't bad pricewise around here, but I'm in East Tennessee.

MaxwellSmart · Oct 20, 2014

If you like wheated bourbons then you may want to try a bottle of Bernheim wheat whiskey. Unlike bourbons that are at least 51% corn and finished with wheat or rye, Bernheim is 51% wheat that is finished with corn. I don't buy it often but it is a good alternative to my usual Woodford Reserve.

Scotty's · Oct 20, 2014

Weller 107 Antique ($24) is called Baby Pappy by the Buffalo Trace Salesmen. It is the same wheated recipe as Pappy only 6 years old. Another wheated bourbon owned by Buffalo Trace is Elmer T. Lee ($34). Google Buffalo Trace and see how many distilleries they own (Old Charter, Eagle Rare, Blanton's and several more). It is practically impossible to get Pappy in the Mississippi. You may also be surprised how many distilleries Jim Beam owns (Makers Mark, Basil Haden, Bookers, Knob Creek and several more).

RockstarFromMars · Oct 20, 2014

A buddy talked me into trying Jefferson's small batch and I was pleasantly surprised. Has a really nice finish. Going to look for the Presidential next time.

AlSwearengen · Oct 20, 2014

You are going to start seeing a lot o bourbons that are made outside of Kentucky. Texas, Virginia, even New York that I have seen.

Double Dawg · Oct 20, 2014

Maker's is corn, winter wheat, & malted barley, no rye. Rye is the burn you get just as it goes down the throat.

Beam does own many brands and makes them in about 3 or 4 distilleries. Maker's is the only stand-alone of the bunch.

There is also a distillery in Indiana that will make anything you need. George Dickel Rye is made at that distillery.

coach66 · Oct 20, 2014

My buddy is converting me over to Woodford, it is smooth.

nm

stateguy · Oct 21, 2014

Looking for a bourbon to get for some friends when we graduate from medical residency. Recommendations for bourbons that cost 50-100 beside what's mentioned above. Most likely is Prichard's right now.

TBone.sixpack · Oct 21, 2014

Woodford is what I drink. With a good earthy cigar. Price is right too.

thatsbaseball · Oct 21, 2014

Four Roses Small Batch isn`t $50 whiskey....but it tastes like it

Bully78 · Oct 21, 2014

Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve. 120 proof. Good stuff - good value at about $45.

Bangarang · Oct 21, 2014

Angels Envy. You're welcome.

Their rye is great as well

BoomBoom.sixpack · Oct 21, 2014

thatsbaseball said:
Four Roses Small Batch isn`t $50 whiskey....but it tastes like it

Seconded.

nsvltndog · Oct 21, 2014

Balcones Baby Blue - made in Texas from Blue Corn - apparently the first whiskey/bourbon made from blue corn - silky smooth - this stuff is hard to find, but you need to try it

Angels Envy - agreed, excellent bourbon. Aged in Port Wine barrels so slightly different taste. For some reason that makes little sense, mixing w/ Coke brings the port wine taste out more for me, but it's very good by itself with a cube.

Smooth Ambler "Old Scout" - from West Virginia - I thought this was going to be isolated to the Mid-Atlantic, but had some at the MGM in Las Vegas back in August. Has a bit of a bite, but it's good enough that I've replenished my stock.

Basil Hayden - probably my favorite to drink with a cube

I've tried Pappy. It was good, but my opinion is that it didn't differentiate itself enough to justify the hype

CooterDavenport · Oct 21, 2014

There's one bourbon and one only you need--Jeremiah Weed.

DreadNought.sixpack · Oct 21, 2014

Never had that but will give it a try. I just finished off my first bottle of Blantons. Silky Smoove, with and a nice buzz factor.

CooterDavenport · Oct 21, 2014

The song doesn't lie. It tastes like 17.

DreadNought.sixpack · Oct 21, 2014

Say wat? You in the Blantons deep?

dorndawg · Oct 21, 2014

I've had some of the finest bourbons out there,

and I maintain the absolute best value in the liquor store is Evan Williams Black Label (usually 10-12 a fifth).

I'm not saying it's the best or anything (I like Woodford, or Basil Hayden's) but pound-for-pound Evan is about perfect.

missouridawg · Oct 21, 2014

Was given the gift of a bottle of

Dawgology said:
So...I ran out of Makers and stopped by the store to replenish my stock. I started talking to the owner of the store and jokingly asked him if he had any Pappy stashed. He didn't. But what he said next surprised me. (As a caveat I have not tasted Pappy so I have no frame of reference) He pointed to a shoddy looking bottle on the shelf that was marked $21 and said "that taste the same if not better". The bottle was a "Alabama Bourbon" labeled Clyde May's Whiskey. Apparently it is a bourbon made outside of Kentucky and is, thus, labeled a whiskey. I tasted it this weekend and its damn good. 5-6 year old small batches. Just wondered if any had tasted it and what their thoughts were.

Willett Pot Still Reserver a few years ago and haven't bought anything since.

http://www.kentuckybourbonwhiskey.com/Willett_Pot-Still-Reserve

bgdog · Oct 21, 2014

AlSwearengen said:
You are going to start seeing a lot o bourbons that are made outside of Kentucky. Texas, Virginia, even New York that I have seen.

Hudson baby bourbon is probably in my top 3 right now

CooterDavenport · Oct 21, 2014

My bad--I thought you had replied to my previous post.

Dawgtini · Oct 22, 2014

dorndawg said:
and I maintain the absolute best value in the liquor store is Evan Williams Black Label (usually 10-12 a fifth).

I'm not saying it's the best or anything (I like Woodford, or Basil Hayden's) but pound-for-pound Evan is about perfect.

Winner

ThreeToTwo · Oct 22, 2014

dorndawg said:
and I maintain the absolute best value in the liquor store is Evan Williams Black Label (usually 10-12 a fifth).

I'm not saying it's the best or anything (I like Woodford, or Basil Hayden's) but pound-for-pound Evan is about perfect.

Hey I respect everyone's opinion.. But I didn't expect to see Evan Williams mentioned in a GOOD way on this thread.

But honestly, I haven't had it since college (which was only 5 years ago). We just always saw it as "well bourbon," and it seemed to be great for a headache the next morning.

sayit · Oct 22, 2014

ThreeToTwo said:
Hey I respect everyone's opinion.. But I didn't expect to see Evan Williams mentioned in a GOOD way on this thread.

But honestly, I haven't had it since college (which was only 5 years ago). We just always saw it as "well bourbon," and it seemed to be great for a headache the next morning.

That would be the green label. Black label is rated best Bourbon per $ in many publications.

MaxwellSmart · Oct 22, 2014

TBone said:
Woodford is what I drink. With a good earthy cigar. Price is right too.

You should try pairing it with an AF Hemingway Maduro. If you've never had one, they release them around Christmas with the Anejos.

MaxwellSmart · Oct 22, 2014

Had a bottle of this a few months ago, it didn't disappoint.

dpayne · Oct 22, 2014

Best deal for your money is buffalo trace. Heard from a friend who owns a liquor store that it won't be carried in MS anymore but I'm not sure why.

Basil Hayden is pretty good. Very smooth and easy to drink.

Angels Envy is unreal smooth. Can drink it like water.

Scotty's · Oct 23, 2014

The state just ran out of Buffalo Trace. It is available now but it is a special order. Most stores should have it. We have plenty at Scotty's in Starkville. We can't get Angels Envy in Mississippi but Knob Creek is similar.

NTDawg · Oct 23, 2014

One the great things about bourbon is the variety. I have my staples, Woodford and Four Roses Small Batch, but I like to try different bourbons. I usually drink bourbon on the rocks but depending on my mood or the bourbon I will drink it neat or add a splash of water. It is interesting how adding water to some bourbon opens up other flavors and usually when I try a new bourbon I start by sipping it neat and gradually add water to discover its full taste. The first time I tried Rowan’s Creek (made by Willet) I had it neat and I wasn’t blown away. However, the next time I tried it I added a splash of water and I was blown away, adding water brought out caramel and other flavors that were missing before.

I tend to like rye bourbons rather than wheated bourbons. Wheated are little too sweet to me. I never had the opportunity to try Pappy’s (which is wheated), and probably never will, but I would like to.

My Favorites in no order except for the first one which is my favorite but I have only had it a couple of times because of the cost and the fact that there are some many really good bourbons in the $25-$50 range.

1. Jefferson’s Presidential Select (comes in rye and wheated, I have only had the rye. However, I would really like to try the wheated variety, 17 & 18 year old, which comes from the Stitzel-Weller barrels, which is where Pappy comes from)
2. Jefferson’s Reserve
3. Woodford Reserve
4. Willett
5. Rowan’s Creek
6. Four Roses Small Batch
7. Four Roses Single Barrel (highest rye% but even though I like rye I prefer the small batch)
8. Basil Hayden, good but I prefer more burn and at 80 you can’t get that
9. Eagle Rare Single Barrel, very underrated
10. Angels Envy, it finished in port barrels and to enjoy the port taste it should drank neat. I like the port taste but I wouldn’t want it on a regular bases. It is little too fruity of a flavor to drink other than just every now and then.
11. Blanton’s
12. Buffalo Trace, good but I tried it because the salesman at the liquor store told me I would like it better than Woodford and if I didn’t like it better that I could bring back. Well I liked it but not better than Woodford and I took it back, after I tried it twice.
13. Bulleit, very underrated
14. Kentucky Vintage, by Willet
15. Prichard’s
16. Knob Creek

This is not a complete list because there are so many but these are what I thought of off the top of my head. One of old favorites was 12year Old Charter which they quit making.

BTW Dr rh Gilmer is who taught me to enjoy sipping good bourbon when I was in graduate school. rh was a Wild Turkey man.
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fishwater99 · Oct 23, 2014

Black Jack has always been my generic..

I am also fond of Maker's, Maker's 46, Knob Creek, Knob Single barrel Reserve, Baker's, 4 Roses Single barrel, Woodford Reserve, and Blanton's.

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-13-best-bourbons-in-america-2013-8?op=1

http://gearpatrol.com/2014/03/28/best-available-bourbons/

Double Dawg · Oct 23, 2014

Try some Jim Beam Black Label in place of JD. Like night & day.

Seinfeld · Oct 23, 2014

Agreed, but after having had pretty much nothing but Beam, Makers, and Woodford over the last few years, I recently realized that JD is pretty much night and day with all of them. Maybe it's just me, but whereas the previously mentioned bourbons all have a pretty smooth and slightly sweet aroma, JD seemed to have more of a smokey bite to it.

I'll admit that I have no clue as to what all goes into each of them, but the JD definitely tastes different

fishwater99 · Oct 23, 2014

JD is charcoal filtered. I like all of their bourbons, they have a great single barrel and their master distiller releases are really good too.

http://www.jackdaniels.com/history/charcoal-mellowing

I don't like the black label Beam either.. sorry...

OT: More bourbon talk

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