Bourbon

[68bronco]

*Thread revival*

My home bar currently has the following bottles:

 

1. Blanton’s x 3 1/5. 2 are unopened.

2. Willett PSR. - I scored a handle! Unopened.

3. EH Taylor Small Batch x 2. 1/5 is unopened.

4. EH Taylor Rye. Unopened.

5. Weller Antique

6. Barterhouse OB 20 yo. Unopened.

7. Buffalo Trace. Handle.

8. Elijah Craig SB x 2. No age statement. 2 are unopened.

9. Old Forrester Prohibition.

 

Desperately seeking: more Wellers, Elmer T Lee, Stagg, more Willett.

 

Has anyone sampled the EH Taylor Single Barrel? If so, is it better than the Small Batch? I realize it is about $20 more expensive but still wondering if I should purchase.

[HackerDave]

I just picked up a bottle of EH Taylor small batch. They had a bottle of the single barrel and the more expensive Rye. I could pick one and being cheap, I went with the small batch, which I have enjoyed before.

 

My cabinet currently has EH Taylor, Blantons, Woodford Reserve, Makers Mark, Angels Envy, Four Roses Single Barrel and Eagle Rare, which is my go "house" bourbon.

[TexasGolfer91]

Has anyone tried Belle Meade? Guy at the store recommended it the other day and I have it at home now, but haven't cracked it open to try it

[Hilltopper413]

My current stash looks like this:

 

Bulleit

Wathen's

EH Taylor SB

Weller SR

Woodford Derby Edition

Michter's American Whiskey

Blanton's

Woodford Four Grain

Elmer T. Lee

Old Fitz Prime

Elijah Craig 12 year

 

All of them are opened... ?

 

[1puttTUT]

My current stash looks like this:

 

Bulleit

Wathen's

EH Taylor SB

Weller SR

Woodford Derby Edition

Michter's American Whiskey

Blanton's

Woodford Four Grain

Elmer T. Lee

Old Fitz Prime

Elijah Craig 12 year

 

All of them are opened... ?

 

How do you like those Woodford variants? I've only had regular and double oaked.

[Jackal]

Can someone recommend a good 'beginner' rye?

I've been wanting to try some.

Of all the whisky, I really prefer a smoky scotch. Nothing top shelf, but not a nasty blend either.

What is a good rye comparable to in flavor? Does it have it's own flavor?

All of the reviews tell all kinds of crazy stuff.

Example: The flavor slaps me like eating peanut brittle from a wheelbarrow tire from Harbor Freight, while in a carwash on a cold January night.

At the same time, my throat feels a burning tickle that could be from the Aflac duck, hitting me with a flaming feather duster. << That doesn't tell me anything. Maybe they drink too much.

Just looking for a real comparison.

Thanks!!

[68bronco]

Has anyone tried Belle Meade? Guy at the store recommended it the other day and I have it at home now, but haven't cracked it open to try it

 

No. Always been curious. Let us know...

[FairwaysToHeaven]

Can someone recommend a good 'beginner' rye?

I've been wanting to try some.

Of all the whisky, I really prefer a smoky scotch. Nothing top shelf, but not a nasty blend either.

What is a good rye comparable to in flavor? Does it have it's own flavor?

All of the reviews tell all kinds of crazy stuff.

Example: The flavor slaps me like eating peanut brittle from a wheelbarrow tire from Harbor Freight, while in a carwash on a cold January night.

At the same time, my throat feels a burning tickle that could be from the Aflac duck, hitting me with a flaming feather duster. << That doesn't tell me anything. Maybe they drink too much.

Just looking for a real comparison.

Thanks!!

 

High West double rye.

[Jackal]

Can someone recommend a good 'beginner' rye?

I've been wanting to try some.

Of all the whisky, I really prefer a smoky scotch. Nothing top shelf, but not a nasty blend either.

What is a good rye comparable to in flavor? Does it have it's own flavor?

All of the reviews tell all kinds of crazy stuff.

Example: The flavor slaps me like eating peanut brittle from a wheelbarrow tire from Harbor Freight, while in a carwash on a cold January night.

At the same time, my throat feels a burning tickle that could be from the Aflac duck, hitting me with a flaming feather duster. << That doesn't tell me anything. Maybe they drink too much.

Just looking for a real comparison.

Thanks!!

 

High West double rye.

 

Thanks Hoosier! I'll get some!

[NCBankrolla]

Can anyone get any Pappy, Weller 12 or Wild Turkey 12 Year and ship to NC for me?

[Hilltopper413]

My current stash looks like this:

 

Bulleit

Wathen's

EH Taylor SB

Weller SR

Woodford Derby Edition

Michter's American Whiskey

Blanton's

Woodford Four Grain

Elmer T. Lee

Old Fitz Prime

Elijah Craig 12 year

 

All of them are opened... ?

 

How do you like those Woodford variants? I've only had regular and double oaked.

 

The Derby Editions are nothing different. Just Woodford that has a commemorative label on it for that years Derby. I think I won the Derby 140 edition in a silent auction that came with several other bottles that I wanted. I'm honestly not a huge Woodford fan.

 

Having said that, the Four Grain is fantastic. Completely different taste (obviously, since there is an extra grain being used). Very smooth, but has a great complexity of flavors. I highly recommend if you can find a bottle.

[Hilltopper413]

Can someone recommend a good 'beginner' rye?

I've been wanting to try some.

Of all the whisky, I really prefer a smoky scotch. Nothing top shelf, but not a nasty blend either.

What is a good rye comparable to in flavor? Does it have it's own flavor?

All of the reviews tell all kinds of crazy stuff.

Example: The flavor slaps me like eating peanut brittle from a wheelbarrow tire from Harbor Freight, while in a carwash on a cold January night.

At the same time, my throat feels a burning tickle that could be from the Aflac duck, hitting me with a flaming feather duster. << That doesn't tell me anything. Maybe they drink too much.

Just looking for a real comparison.

Thanks!!

 

The best thing I can tell you about rye's are that they are "spicy". They give a shot of spice and heat on the finish. Whereas bourbon is known for its sweetness and scotch for its peat and smoke. I would suggest Rittenhouse 100 proof rye as a starter. You'll get the spice that rye's deliver but at a low enough proof you won't get the extra burn. I find high proofed rye's to be too overwhelming neat. But I prefer wheated bourbons over everything and that is a completely different flavor profile. Have fun experimenting! It's the best part of being a whiskey drinker.

[Jackal]

Can someone recommend a good 'beginner' rye?

I've been wanting to try some.

Of all the whisky, I really prefer a smoky scotch. Nothing top shelf, but not a nasty blend either.

What is a good rye comparable to in flavor? Does it have it's own flavor?

All of the reviews tell all kinds of crazy stuff.

Example: The flavor slaps me like eating peanut brittle from a wheelbarrow tire from Harbor Freight, while in a carwash on a cold January night.

At the same time, my throat feels a burning tickle that could be from the Aflac duck, hitting me with a flaming feather duster. << That doesn't tell me anything. Maybe they drink too much.

Just looking for a real comparison.

Thanks!!

 

The best thing I can tell you about rye's are that they are "spicy". They give a shot of spice and heat on the finish. Whereas bourbon is known for its sweetness and scotch for its peat and smoke. I would suggest Rittenhouse 100 proof rye as a starter. You'll get the spice that rye's deliver but at a low enough proof you won't get the extra burn. I find high proofed rye's to be too overwhelming neat. But I prefer wheated bourbons over everything and that is a completely different flavor profile. Have fun experimenting! It's the best part of being a whiskey drinker.

 

Thanks for that info!!!

[PixlPutterman]

Had a buddy in NC enter into my states lotto for BTAC and Pappy. Well, the jerk won both lotto's. Needless to say he is flying across the country for the chance to buy William Larue Weller and Pappy :)

[gonewild]

So after reading many of the recommendations, I've purchased a few from Woodford, Angel's Envy, and Basil Hayden.

 

Finding Blanton's is like finding the needle in a haystack. I've search all over the Charlotte area, Charleston last weekend, and had a buddy try and find it for me in TX where he lives and no luck. Is is that difficult to find?

[HackerDave]

Blantons has been pretty reliable here in Michigan.

[Kyle M]

Around here the liquor stores only get about 6 bottles every 2-3 months.

[1puttTUT]

Blantons has been pretty reliable here in Michigan.

 

Agreed. I've seen it at pretty much every liquor store I've been to over the last five years.

[Kyle M]

I just grabbed a bottle of Stagg Jr batch 9. Hoping it lives up to expectations.

[Hilltopper413]

So after reading many of the recommendations, I've purchased a few from Woodford, Angel's Envy, and Basil Hayden.

 

Finding Blanton's is like finding the needle in a haystack. I've search all over the Charlotte area, Charleston last weekend, and had a buddy try and find it for me in TX where he lives and no luck. Is is that difficult to find?

 

In Kentucky it takes a little searching, but it is usually findable. It hasn't gotten to the craziness of some bottles that used to be readily available. Most stores get a few bottles in here or there throughout the year. It's not plentiful, but it's available.

[1puttTUT]

I just tried Basil Hayden's dark rye for the first time and I have to say it's pretty tasty.

[HackerDave]

So after reading many of the recommendations, I've purchased a few from Woodford, Angel's Envy, and Basil Hayden.

 

Finding Blanton's is like finding the needle in a haystack. I've search all over the Charlotte area, Charleston last weekend, and had a buddy try and find it for me in TX where he lives and no luck. Is is that difficult to find?

 

In Kentucky it takes a little searching, but it is usually findable. It hasn't gotten to the craziness of some bottles that used to be readily available. Most stores get a few bottles in here or there throughout the year. It's not plentiful, but it's available.

 

Funny. I assumed that it would be easier to find different bourbons in KY. I was driving down to Hilton Head and stopped at the Liquor Barn in Lexington. HUGE store but like here, the "good stuff" wasn't available. It was the same stuff I could find at home. I was kind of bummed.

[NCBankrolla]

Anyone come across any EH Taylor Small Batch? If so could mail to NC? Haha I live in a rural part of the same and just don’t get the good stuff anymore.

[HackerDave]

If it were more readily available, I would help you out. I just purchased a bottle...and that was my only option..one bottle. And even then, I had to ask for it as they had it hidden behind the counter.

[gonewild]

If it were more readily available, I would help you out. I just purchased a bottle...and that was my only option..one bottle. And even then, I had to ask for it as they had it hidden behind the counter.

 

That's exactly how I found a bottle of Blanton's. I was in Omaha this week so I stopped in a few places. Guy working one of the stores asks me what I'm looking for and then proceeds to tell me he got one bottle in the day before and had it stored in the back.

[Hilltopper413]

So after reading many of the recommendations, I've purchased a few from Woodford, Angel's Envy, and Basil Hayden.

 

Finding Blanton's is like finding the needle in a haystack. I've search all over the Charlotte area, Charleston last weekend, and had a buddy try and find it for me in TX where he lives and no luck. Is is that difficult to find?

 

In Kentucky it takes a little searching, but it is usually findable. It hasn't gotten to the craziness of some bottles that used to be readily available. Most stores get a few bottles in here or there throughout the year. It's not plentiful, but it's available.

 

Funny. I assumed that it would be easier to find different bourbons in KY. I was driving down to Hilton Head and stopped at the Liquor Barn in Lexington. HUGE store but like here, the "good stuff" wasn't available. It was the same stuff I could find at home. I was kind of bummed.

 

Lots of people have that misconception. While it's true that you can find some rare bottles in Kentucky, most of those are found through connections to people in the industry. Just finding something in a store is hard. Our liquor store get an allotment just like anywhere else. Problem is there are a lot more bourbon drinkers and collectors in Kentucky compared to most places. Makes finding that whale in the liquor store nearly impossible.

 

However, if you'd just like a taste of something Kentucky is the place to be. There are a lot of establishments that get rare bottles to sell by the glass. If you want a taste of Pappy just head to about any upscale bar/restaurant in Louisville and they are sure to have it.

[Kyle M]

I just grabbed a bottle of Stagg Jr batch 9. Hoping it lives up to expectations.

 

For anyone considering batch 9 - the first sip after opening was hot. Added 2 cubes of ice and came back 10 minutes later. It was very good.

[fsusp]

For Christmas I got a bottle of Widow Jane.

 

Very good. Highly recommend it.

 

A friend came over with Clyde Mays small batch. Very sweet. Better than the regular Clyde Mays.

 

He also made some homemade vanilla bourbon ice cream. Used a whole bottle of Wellers. My goodness, that was delicious.

 

Anyone get any bottles for the holidays?

[HackerDave]

My son gave me a bottle of E.H. Taylor small batch and then yesterday let me know that he left a bottle of the EH Taylor single batch at the cottage for me. Bonus day!!

[ws6]

Anyone try the Makers Cask Strength?