Head to Head: PV vs VL corn

[Josh]

The wife's out with friends for the afternoon. I could clean up the kitchen or do some yard work in prep for spring, or I could catch up on my studies, or I could have a head to head corn whiskey tasing. Hmmm...

Platte Valley Corn Whiskey
by McCormick Co., Weston, MO (manufactured by HH)
80 proof, 3 y/o
In a cheesy ceramic jug with a cartoon hillbilly logo, cork stopper and sealed with blue wax.

Appearance/body: light, unoaked chardonnay color, medium-light bodied thin legs
Nose: roasted sweet corn, very light
Taste: sweet corn, hint of cinnamon
Finish: soft, light, warm, sweet.
Conclusion: Light after work or summertime pour. Lacking in complexity, but pleasant and a nice change of pace from a complex bourbon or rye.


Virginia Lightning Corn Whiskey
by Belmont Farms, Culpepper VA (as seen on TV (http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/moonshine-2912/Overview#tab-Overview))
100 proof, less than 30 days
In clear bottle with white label with still and lightning bolt. www.virginiamoonshine.com (http://www.virginiamoonshine.com)

Appearance/body: clear, medium-light bodied thin legs
Nose: aggressive. Had to put glass in another room to taste PV above without being overwhelmed. Similar to tequila or grappa, but softer but with sweet, corn notes
Taste: smooth, sweet, soft, grappa-like, Like a good Appalachian woman, strong on the surface but delicate underneath.
Finish: short burn followed by faint lingering buttery sweetness.
Conclusion: Wow. Not sure if I could have more than a glass of this at a time, but for such a young, high-proof spirit, it is remarkably complex and smooth. Something to have in your cabinet for when the mood strikes you.


I think I made the right choice.

[Squash]

"The wife's out with friends for the afternoon. I could clean up the kitchen or do some yard work in prep for spring, or I could catch up on my studies, or I could have a head to head corn whiskey tasing. Hmmm..."

Excellent.

[kickert]

The wife's out with friends for the afternoon. I could clean up the kitchen or do some yard work in prep for spring, or I could catch up on my studies, or I could have a head to head corn whiskey tasing. Hmmm...


Yesterday was my wife's birthday. She told me I could HAVE a bourbon, but not TASTE a bourbon. What she meant is that if all I was going to do was sip on it, that would not negatively alter her evening. But if I was going to sip on it and contemplate the unique flavors and write up tasting notes, then I had better be read for a cold shoulder the next month.

[bonneamie]

Just wondering Josh, where you picked up these whiskeys? Holiday Mkt? I'm really curious to try the Virginia one.

[Josh]

Just wondering Josh, where you picked up these whiskeys? Holiday Mkt? I'm really curious to try the Virginia one.

Yeah, they were at holiday mkt. The VL is a really interesting whiskey. I'm really not quite sure what I think of it. It's certainly not the refined, armchair, sipping whiskeys we're used to drinking, but there's a different kind of complexity to it. Anyway, gimmie a call sometime before you leave and I'll break it out for ya'.

[bonneamie]

Anyway, gimmie a call sometime before you leave and I'll break it out for ya'.

Okay, I may just do that!

[Josh]

Belmont Farms also puts out this Kopper Kettle (http://www.virginiamoonshine.com/copperFox.html)stuff (formerly known as Copper Fox), that sounds interesting if nothing else.

Anybody had it?

[Jono]

Nice notes....quite a difference in proof between the two. Have you tried the VL with a little water or ice? I am not fond of grappa so that may be a turn off taste.

[Josh]

Belmont Farms also puts out this Kopper Kettle (http://www.virginiamoonshine.com/copperFox.html)stuff (formerly known as Copper Fox), that sounds interesting if nothing else.

Anybody had it?

just noticed this thread: http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7967&highlight=kopper+kettle

Thanks for cutting me some slack. :-)