Bourbon and Booze

[alcoholica]

Russell's Single Barrel is outstanding, but I think I prefer the Blanton's... but just barely. They're both so damn good. Rare Breed is great, too!

I love bourbon, so it is sometimes hard for me to choose.

It’s probably because I like the higher proof stuff. Blanton’s is really good tho. Really interesting that so many people prefer Rock Hill Farms over Blanton’s though.

Fun fact, I heard recently that the warehouse that Blanton’s is aged in, is steam heated in the winter so it matures sooner.

 

[gooneygoogoo]

Glad you said Maker’s 46, i’m Not a huge fan of regular Maker’s.

For entry level but still good I recommend Larceny for a wheated reference, Wild Turkey for a high rye, Beam Black and Buffalo Trace. That gives them a reference point from the various spectrum points that are reasonable and easy to find. Yours is a good list for the next price point though, real good.

I’d recommend Basil’s to people but it’s hard to find under $40. It’s just not worth $40 to me. But, it’s a nice approachable high rye with a short finish. Great for before dinner

All good suggestions. Basil Hayden is a great recommendation for a gateway bourbon. Lots of people like it but I totally agree it’s not worth it to me. It is so light and easy drinking that it appeals to many but I want punch you in the face bold flavor. I think fear of flavors steers a lot of people away from bourbon and into the crown royal area because “you can’t even taste the alcohol, it’s so smooth”. Basil Hayden is in that zone for me.

Funny I didn’t list any Beam iterations in my list (oops, I’m just not a big fan...maybe Knob Creek 120 if I had to pick)

 

[alcoholica]

We must have similar palates, because that's close to the exact thing I'd say. I don't care for Maker's either. I think Basil's isn't worth the price. But I don't think Wild Turkey, or Beam compares to Buffalo Trace. However, I am a big fan of Wild Turkey, but I am a HUGE fan of Buffalo Trace, and love just about everything they pump out of the distillery.

Turkey and Trace are my favorite distillers, but you can find some great finds in the Heaven Hill lineup. For me Turkey and Buffalo just depends on if I want more rye that day or not.

Right now my favorite value pick is Evan Williams single barrel or even the 1783, which is like $13

 

[gooneygoogoo]

So many to try. Anybody else a Single Malt Scotch fan? When I spend more than $50.00 I usually get a Balvenie 12 or the Balvenie14 year Carribean Cask. Talisker and Lagavulin 16 are excellent too

Can’t say I’m a big fan of the stuff from across the pond but I certainly can appreciate it. I just love the combo of sweetness and big barrel flavors so bourbon is right in my wheel house. More scotch for you though haha!

 

[alcoholica]

All good suggestions. Basil Hayden is a great recommendation for a gateway bourbon. Lots of people like it but I totally agree it’s not worth it to me. It is so light and easy drinking that it appeals to many but I want punch you in the face bold flavor. I think fear of flavors steers a lot of people away from bourbon and into the crown royal area because “you can’t even taste the alcohol, it’s so smooth”. Basil Hayden is in that zone for me.

Funny I didn’t list any Beam iterations in my list (oops, I’m just not a big fan...maybe Knob Creek 120 if I had to pick)

I like some beam stuff, the KC 120 is nice, their old 8 y/o black label was nice for $20, before it went NAS. I liked Bakers when I had it, but it’s not worth $50

 

[alcoholica]

Can’t say I’m a big fan of the stuff from across the pond but I certainly can appreciate it. I just love the combo of sweetness and big barrel flavors so bourbon is right in my wheel house. More scotch for you though haha!

Oh try 1792 Full Proof, I got a store pick and it is a slap in the face

 

[bayou gator]

It’s probably because I like the higher proof stuff. Blanton’s is really good tho. Really interesting that so many people prefer Rock Hill Farms over Blanton’s though.

Fun fact, I heard recently that the warehouse that Blanton’s is aged in, is steam heated in the winter so it matures sooner.

I don't think so... At least not what I can remember. I took an insider's tour of Buffalo Trace last year. I was in the actual rackhouse (H), and the only difference in Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, and Blanton's is the time spent in the barrel (BT 8 yrs, ER 10 yrs, Blanton's 8-10), and the location of the barrels. If I remember correctly, Blanton's was specifically on the 3rd floor. I don't remember anything about steam being used, and I can't remember if I saw steam lines or not. I'll try to look at some pictures and see if I can find anything. My buddy and I snuck away and got some great pics inside the warehouse that day.

 

[gooneygoogoo]

Oh try 1792 Full Proof, I got a store pick and it is a slap in the face

I do really like it. I was actually lucky enough to help pick a barrel of it for a bourbon group I’m in. Our fearless leader somehow talked them into not filtering it unlike their commercial Full Proof. You are right it is a big whiskey. It takes a drop or two haha

 

[Bullag8r]

Oh try 1792 Full Proof, I got a store pick and it is a slap in the face

I have been enjoying the 1792 Small Batch for a few months now. I haven't found anything that compares at $30.00 a bottle.

 

[alcoholica]

I don't think so... At least not what I can remember. I took an insider's tour of Buffalo Trace last year. I was in the actual rackhouse (H), and the only difference in Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, and Blanton's is the time spent in the barrel (BT 8 yrs, ER 10 yrs, Blanton's 8-10), and the location of the barrels. If I remember correctly, Blanton's was specifically on the 3rd floor. I don't remember anything about steam being used, and I can't remember if I saw steam lines or not. I'll try to look at some pictures and see if I can find anything. My buddy and I snuck away and got some great pics inside the warehouse that day.

Some YouTube personality was saying it and he was way more into it than I am. I don’t think he meant they actually used steam, I think he may have been referring to their onsite power production, but you could be right too.

I did the historical tour and it was cool. Got to see the E.H. Taylor house and the excavation site. Real cool place.

 

[alcoholica]

I do really like it. I was actually lucky enough to help pick a barrel of it for a bourbon group I’m in. Our fearless leader somehow talked them into not filtering it unlike their commercial Full Proof. You are right it is a big whiskey. It takes a drop or two haha

They chill filter the full proof? That sucks. I forget what the cutoff is at Turkey, but there is no reason to chill filter something that high of proof

 

[alcoholica]

I have been enjoying the 1792 Small Batch for a few months now. I haven't found anything that compares at $30.00 a bottle.

I tried a barrel pick of that and wasn’t impressed, but a lot of people love it. I need to try it again, maybe I was having a poor tasting day

 

[bayou gator]

Some YouTube personality was saying it and he was way more into it than I am. I don’t think he meant they actually used steam, I think he may have been referring to their onsite power production, but you could be right too.

I did the historical tour and it was cool. Got to see the E.H. Taylor house and the excavation site. Real cool place.

Maybe so, I'm just going off of memory, so I could be wrong. I love that place. It's my favorite distillery, by far. And I like all the experimental stuff they do there. It's cool they are now even growing corn on the grounds so that they can make special recipes with ingredients sourced on site. They've definitely got it all figured out.

 

[gooneygoogoo]

They chill filter the full proof? That sucks. I forget what the cutoff is at Turkey, but there is no reason to chill filter something that high of proof

Yeah that was our argument...”why????” I can’t remember the reason but thankfully they relented for us

 

[Alumni Guy]

On CBS Sunday Morning (awesome show when nursing a bourbon infused hangover) they had a report on how Japan has some excellent whiskey distillaries. I'd like to try one.

 

[alcoholica]

Maybe so, I'm just going off of memory, so I could be wrong. I love that place. It's my favorite distillery, by far. And I like all the experimental stuff they do there. It's cool they are now even growing corn on the grounds so that they can make special recipes with ingredients sourced on site. They've definitely got it all figured out.

It’s awesome that all the tours are free and the gift shop is reasonable

 

[alcoholica]

On CBS Sunday Morning (awesome show when nursing a bourbon infused hangover) they had a report on how Japan has some excellent whiskey distillaries. I'd like to try one.

Haven’t tried any, but I hear they are good. Supposed to be more like scotch.

 

[alcoholica]

Got me a bottle of Midwinter's Night Dram today

 

[gooneygoogoo]

Went to my usual spot yesterday just to buy some beer and poke around. Owner came out of the back and said “you interested in this?” Handed me a four roses 2017 small batch limited edition. I said uhhh hell yeah. Might even have to open it sat if the puppies get whipped

 

[alcoholica]

Went to my usual spot yesterday just to buy some beer and poke around. Owner came out of the back and said “you interested in this?” Handed me a four roses 2017 small batch limited edition. I said uhhh hell yeah. Might even have to open it sat if the puppies get whipped

Wish I could get a bottle of some Four Roses LE. Not a fan of their 3 regular offerings