View Full Version : Worst Bourbon you ever tried ?
First is Ten High, then Devils Cut.
JR1968
White Dog
09-20-2012, 18:25
Current Rebel Yell is right up there.
BFerguson
09-20-2012, 19:00
BTEC Oats
Only bottle I have ended up pouring down the drain after 3 pours.
Awful stuff. No wonder it is still on the shelf.
B
WAINWRIGHT
09-20-2012, 19:02
I second the vote on the Rebel Yell,absolute garbage in a bottle!
camduncan
09-20-2012, 19:20
Slate Bourbon. http://danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_908012/slate-bourbon
An Australian only release that can actually ruin a good glass of coke... I've heard it makes a good degreaser though :D
trumpstylz
09-20-2012, 19:25
Its not bourbon, but Canadian LTD is the most vile filth ever concocted.
Kalessin
09-20-2012, 19:49
Old Crow.
Mmmm, nasty! Often found in the speed rack (aka the well) at your local dive bar.
trumpstylz
09-21-2012, 00:24
Also- Philadelphia whiskey. I never was under the impression that ten high was all that bad (not good either). It's the same recipe as VOB.
Bourbon De Lux, Distillers Pride, Kentucky Gentleman are in my crap box.
Ezra Brooks -- not sure if I got a bad bottle, but I can't stand even a sip.
ratcheer
09-21-2012, 12:49
Ever? I'm sure I had some very bad bourbons 40 years or so ago, but I don't specifically recall what they were. And these days, I listen to what others say is awful and avoid it.
Tim
Also- Philadelphia whiskey. I never was under the impression that ten high was all that bad (not good either). It's the same recipe as VOB.
I didn't know that TH was the recipe for VOB. Maybe I'll have to try it again.
Thank you for the information.
JR1968
Can't say. I've had many that I wouldn't buy another bottle of, but I can't say I've tried anything so horrible it couldn't be drunk ....... one way or another. I'd have to say that FR Yellow Label rates up there as one of my most "unfavorites".
smokinjoe
09-21-2012, 14:20
I've had some Bourbon Supremes that pretty much sucked.
I've got a 1975 quart of Bourbon Supreme but have been afraid to try it. The bottle looks nice and it will kill the mystique if it is nasty. I'll pop it one day I guess.
fishnbowljoe
09-21-2012, 14:28
I started a thread a couple of years ago titled "Down The Drain". Pretty close to the same meaning. So, here's what I posted back then. I believe these two pretty much qualify as the worst bourbons I've ever tasted.
I just wondered how many of you have had a bottle of bourbon, (or other spirit) that you ended up pouring down the drain.
Yesterday, I was taking an inventory of my collection, and was cleaning my cabinet a little, and rearranging things. I came across my bottle of Old Crow Reserve. I bought this when it first came out. It tasted "different" the first time I tried it. I've since gone back to it three or four times, and it hadn't gotten any better. Yesterday, I gave it one more try. No dice. I couldn't take it anymore. Down the drain it went. This is only the second time I've ever done that. The other bottle I ended up pouring down the drain, was a bottle of Gran Legacy. A "generic" bourbon sold by CVS pharmacies.
So here are two to start the parade.
Old Crow Reserve
Gran Legacy
I can hardly wait to see what else may have ended up as Draino! Joe
Young Blacksmith
09-21-2012, 17:12
I've only dumped two bourbons, as I find I can usually mix them with ginger ale and bitters to make a decent drink. The first was an older Ten High, 200 ml, which was just mediocre, and didn't mix well with others. The other was a tainted (I hope) JTS Brown 86. It went fine if I was smoking my pipe or cigar, but alone was just funky weird bad, cardboard and dirt.
theglobalguy
09-21-2012, 18:22
Fighting Cock, Old Forrester didn't dump but turned into marinade.
Bourbon Boiler
09-22-2012, 06:16
Old Crow is what I've started using for my aging trials. I feel its only shortcoming is age, but it's quite the major shortcoming.
Old Fitz Prime, Corner Creek, Hudson Baby Bourbon, Beam Old Taylor.
Dishonorable mention: Benchmark, Heaven Hill Gold label, 4 y/o, 80 proof.
ethangsmith
09-23-2012, 15:56
Copying my response from a similar thread over at BourbonEnthusiast:
--Jim Beam Black was a huge disappointment, as was Basil Haydn's.
--You guys are going to kill me for this but- I can't stand the Weller line. It's just downright gross to me. Then again, I've never had a wheater I like except Cabin Still!
--Echo Spring was pretty boring, but it was only about $8 for the bottle.
--ALL Four Roses products- too much acid flavor and not enough leather and grain flavor.
--Eagle Rare 10- Not bad, but it seems to have a really weird flavor profile.
--Jack Daniel's- who the hell drinks this stuff?!?! Tastes like bananananas (Spelling??).
--Every Scotch or Irish whiskey I've ever had- The barley and peat make them taste like stomach acid to me. I can't even swallow the stuff without a gag reflex. Seriously.
--AND THE #1 WORST EVER- WILD TURKEY 81 RYE. LORD HAVE MERCY ON US. BRING BACK THE 101 RYE!!
CoMobourbon
09-23-2012, 17:55
Knocking the Weller line AND Four Roses in one post? I'm surprised that the SB.com gods didn't smite you before you'd finished typing.
MyOldKyDram
09-23-2012, 18:01
I have it on good autority that his entire collection has been transformed into Special Reserve and Yellow Label.
Copying my response from a similar thread over at BourbonEnthusiast:
--Jim Beam Black was a huge disappointment, as was Basil Haydn's.
--You guys are going to kill me for this but- I can't stand the Weller line. It's just downright gross to me. Then again, I've never had a wheater I like except Cabin Still!
--Echo Spring was pretty boring, but it was only about $8 for the bottle.
--ALL Four Roses products- too much acid flavor and not enough leather and grain flavor.
--Eagle Rare 10- Not bad, but it seems to have a really weird flavor profile.
--Jack Daniel's- who the hell drinks this stuff?!?! Tastes like bananananas (Spelling??).
--Every Scotch or Irish whiskey I've ever had- The barley and peat make them taste like stomach acid to me. I can't even swallow the stuff without a gag reflex. Seriously.
--AND THE #1 WORST EVER- WILD TURKEY 81 RYE. LORD HAVE MERCY ON US. BRING BACK THE 101 RYE!!
Do you like anything?
:grin:
CoMobourbon
09-23-2012, 18:33
I have it on good autority that his entire collection has been transformed into Special Reserve and Yellow Label.
Nice.
Do you like anything?:grin:
If he hates most wheaters - and all Scotches because "the barley" contributes to a "stomach acid" taste - then maybe he likes ryes and high rye bourbons?
Just speculating. Don't let me put words in your mouth, ethang.
*But no, four roses is all high rye. Well f--- me, man; I've got nothing.
Trey Manthey
09-23-2012, 21:23
Hudson Baby Bourbon...stung twice as hard because I was at a special tasting event for the whole Hudson line and I had been looking forward to it SO MUCH.
2highcal
09-24-2012, 07:23
A couple of years ago it was the Fighting Cock that I had a lot of trouble killing the bottle it just seemed to keep on pouring. That I think is the worst bottle I had yet, Still may have to try it again though I am a glutton for punishment
Rutherford
09-24-2012, 15:24
BTEC Oats is hands down the worst bourbon I've ever had.
I don't like the Weller line. Come to think of it, the only BT products I really like are Baby Saz and ETL.
JD is disappoints me too, but is not labelled as bourbon.
I haven't really had a BOURBON I didn't like. Sure, some were better than others, but I didn't find any to be downright offensive.
Now there was a blended whiskey called Corby's-- I think it was a Barton product-- that re-defined the word "rot-gut" for me. Like Jason Vorhees, even drowning it (in cola, in this particular case) couldn't kill the nastiness.
It's weird how the same distilleries can make products that are flat-out awesome (Very Old Barton and Ridgemont Reserve come to mind), can also make something that grotesque.
CoMobourbon
09-25-2012, 19:14
As people have recently speculated regarding Heaven Hill wheaters and the low quality of the OF line, there may be a correlation between the bad stuff and the good stuff from the same distillery.
I think it was the bottom shelf Johnny Drum that answers the thread's question for me.
ethangsmith
09-26-2012, 17:26
Nice.
If he hates most wheaters - and all Scotches because "the barley" contributes to a "stomach acid" taste - then maybe he likes ryes and high rye bourbons?
Just speculating. Don't let me put words in your mouth, ethang.
*But no, four roses is all high rye. Well f--- me, man; I've got nothing.
You would be correct sir. I am a rye drinker primarily, and my bourbons need to have rye in them. Don't get me wrong- Weller, Van Winkle, and Fitz are all fine crafted bourbons, but they are not to my personal liking. I like the grain flavor of the Four Roses Single Barrel, but the other acidic flavors over power it for me. It's a shame because I think if they made their high rye mashbill with other yeasts in their arsenal, they could come up with something fantastic. To give you an idea of my palate- VW rye, basically all 100pf and above WT products, OGD, KC rye, EC 12 and 18, Old Heaven Hill BIB, 1792, and, strangely- Mellow Corn.
MyOldKyDram
09-26-2012, 17:32
They (4R) do make the high rye masbill with all of the yeasts, you'll just need to find a retailer, online or brick and mortar, that has them as private selections. The Party Souce comes to mind obv, but I don't know what the legality of shipping to PA is.
WAINWRIGHT
09-26-2012, 17:38
Cody Road Bourbon,absolutely vile!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!
ISU_grad
09-27-2012, 07:50
Cody Road Bourbon,absolutely vile!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!
I totally agree with this. Not even good for mixing.
A couple of years ago it was the Fighting Cock that I had a lot of trouble killing the bottle it just seemed to keep on pouring. That I think is the worst bottle I had yet, Still may have to try it again though I am a glutton for punishment
If FC is the worst bourbon you have ever had, you are one exceptionally lucky fella.
marco246
09-27-2012, 13:40
Old Fitz 1849 nas.
weller_tex
09-27-2012, 13:44
Current Old Charter 8 year..only whiskey I ever poured down the drain.
They (4R) do make the high rye masbill with all of the yeasts, you'll just need to find a retailer, online or brick and mortar, that has them as private selections. The Party Souce comes to mind obv, but I don't know what the legality of shipping to PA is.
?
?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
MyOldKyDram
09-27-2012, 14:55
What, did I mispeak or misunderstand what he was getting at?
I can't recall any bourbon I've had that was worse than the current Benchmark. I try to find the good in just about anything I drink, but after giving it more than enough consideration I can say without doubt that it had no redeeming qualities whatsoever.
What, did I mispeak or misunderstand what he was getting at?
No. Makes perfect sense to me.
It's a shame because I think if they made their high rye mashbill with other yeasts in their arsenal, they could come up with something fantastic.
They (4R) do make the high rye masbill with all of the yeasts, you'll just need to find a retailer, online or brick and mortar, that has them as private selections.
I've tried a lot of bourbons in my couple years in this hobby, but I have to say that the worst bourbon I have tried was an Old Charter "The Classic 90" distilled in Frankfort. One pour from that bottle and it has sat untouched since. Too much earth/dirt flavor with young wood taste.
ethangsmith
09-27-2012, 17:47
They (4R) do make the high rye masbill with all of the yeasts, you'll just need to find a retailer, online or brick and mortar, that has them as private selections. The Party Souce comes to mind obv, but I don't know what the legality of shipping to PA is.
I was under the assumption that most of, if not all but one of, the high rye mashbill bourbons are blended into their other products. It still doesn't cover up the highly acidic note I get from their bourbons though.
MyOldKyDram
09-27-2012, 17:53
Nah, you can get them all with a little effort. Either through the 1B LEs or Private Selections at various stores.
p_elliott
10-01-2012, 09:16
I've tried a lot of bourbons in my couple years in this hobby, but I have to say that the worst bourbon I have tried was an Old Charter "The Classic 90" distilled in Frankfort. One pour from that bottle and it has sat untouched since. Too much earth/dirt flavor with young wood taste.
I love Old charter 12 Classic 90
For me the worst was the bottle of Old Grand Dad 86 proof that sits in my bar. It tasted like hand washing soap with alcohol. I nearly threw up. I tried mixing it in Coke and nearly spit that out.
Although...nearly a year later the bottle has lost that soapy flavor and is tolerable now. Go fig.
TradingBoiler
10-01-2012, 11:07
I think it was the bottom shelf Johnny Drum that answers the thread's question for me.
Couldn't agree more. Regardless of the value everyone talks about with Johnny Drum I just can't get over the tannic taste to it. By far my least favorite bourbon
ethangsmith
10-01-2012, 11:13
Just dumped my bottle of Old Charter 8 80pf. That stuff was more flat and nasty than Eagle Rare- which I didn't think was possible! I am proud to say that my whiskey cabinet is finally Four Roses AND Buffalo Trace free- that is, unless you consider Van Winkle Rye or 1792 a Buffalo Trace product....
So now it's back to happy days again and lots of Heaven Hill, Beam, Barton, MGP/LDI and best of all- Wild Turkey!
RWBadley
10-01-2012, 13:57
I have bottle of Colonel Lee from a few years ago that is totally vile heinous stuff. Just thinking about it turns my stomach.
Otherwise, I try to buy stuff that has generally proven drinkable. If not, I have a great BBQ marinade recipe...
1/3 bourbon
1/3 soy sauce
1/4 olive oil with
fresh ground ginger, garlics and cayenne pepper
Soak meats for a day, fishes for 4 hrs
Guaranteed to improve and dispose of the most mediocre of whiskey
Cheers
RW
Just dumped my bottle of Old Charter 8 80pf.
So now it's back to happy days again and lots of Heaven Hill, Beam, Barton, MGP/LDI and best of all- Wild Turkey!
We can agree there. Old Charter 8 y/o is terrible. Benchmark-esque.
humchan2k
10-01-2012, 17:27
Well, how can it not be McCormick's, the $7 well bourbon of the finest dive bars? Tastes like kerosene and sadness.
irongambit
10-01-2012, 18:30
town branch gets my vote...the only reason I haven't dumped it is that the bottle looks so nice.
HighInTheMtns
10-01-2012, 19:08
I think the "worst" bourbon I've ever had was Ten High; however this speaks more to the goodness of bourbon in general than the badness of Ten High. It was just young and low-proof, but it was a perfectly good whiskey and honestly a good value. I haven't gone out of my way to try all that many of the lowest-shelf pours, but in my opinion, care and time was taken to produce anything that is called straight bourbon, and I count none of them among the worst kinds of rotgut.
We can agree there. Old Charter 8 y/o is terrible. Benchmark-esque.
Great, that old dusty of Old Charter 8 year from 1995 is looking to be rather nasty before it's ever opened.
Well, how can it not be McCormick's, the $7 well bourbon of the finest dive bars? Tastes like kerosene and sadness.
I live about five miles from the McCormick distillery although I don't think they have distilled there in a long time. The bourbon they sell is some of the poorest I have tasted and I agree with your comments.
tmckenzie
10-02-2012, 04:21
town branch gets my vote...the only reason I haven't dumped it is that the bottle looks so nice.
Let that one open up a day or so and go back to it. I hated it at first, then it really grew on me.
Great, that old dusty of Old Charter 8 year from 1995 is looking to be rather nasty before it's ever opened.
Old Charter from that era was a very different beast. I don't care for it, but the ones I've had were butterscotch bombs.
ethangsmith
10-02-2012, 07:54
I saw a few posts back about the Hudson Baby Bourbon. I'll put in a second "Yuck" on that one too. For $25 for a 750ML, it would be ok, but for $45 for a 375ML, they're nuts. You can really taste the rushed aging and unbalance between too young bourbon and too harsh a tannin flavor. I think if they were to switch to a 53 gallon barrel and put it away for 4 to 6 years, they'd really be on to something. Hopefully that's in the future!
ethangsmith
10-02-2012, 07:59
We can agree there. Old Charter 8 y/o is terrible. Benchmark-esque.
Never was daring enough to try Benchmark. Now I'm glad I haven't. The Old Charter 8 was the weirdest thing ever. It had almost no flavor. It was like stale brown water- which at 8yo surprised me.
I will admit, I do like Elmer T. Lee on rare occasions. I think that's my only BT product I can honestly say I really enjoy. The extra rye in that mashbill certainly lends much more character to that whiskey. Are there any long-aged bourbons from BT using their high-rye mashbill? I know Ancient Age tops out at 10yo, but are there any that are aged even longer?
Never was daring enough to try Benchmark. Now I'm glad I haven't. The Old Charter 8 was the weirdest thing ever. It had almost no flavor. It was like stale brown water- which at 8yo surprised me.
I will admit, I do like Elmer T. Lee on rare occasions. I think that's my only BT product I can honestly say I really enjoy. The extra rye in that mashbill certainly lends much more character to that whiskey. Are there any long-aged bourbons from BT using their high-rye mashbill? I know Ancient Age tops out at 10yo, but are there any that are aged even longer?
It's hard to say. The high-end offerings from that mashbill are all NAS. If I had to guess I would say most of the Blanton's are older than that, but it's only a guess.
clingman71
10-02-2012, 09:59
It's hard to say. The high-end offerings from that mashbill are all NAS. If I had to guess I would say most of the Blanton's are older than that, but it's only a guess.
I think I heard/read somewhere that Blanton's was younger. It is aged in the metal clad warehouse and the barrels are exposed to more weather extremes. I believe I heard that while NAS, ETL is normally bottled around 8yrs old +/- a year. And yes, it is a shame that there isn't a higher proof/longer aged BT higher rye(I always forget the mashbills #s) bottling.
weller_tex
10-02-2012, 10:40
Never was daring enough to try Benchmark. Now I'm glad I haven't. The Old Charter 8 was the weirdest thing ever. It had almost no flavor. It was like stale brown water- which at 8yo surprised me.
I will admit, I do like Elmer T. Lee on rare occasions. I think that's my only BT product I can honestly say I really enjoy. The extra rye in that mashbill certainly lends much more character to that whiskey. Are there any long-aged bourbons from BT using their high-rye mashbill? I know Ancient Age tops out at 10yo, but are there any that are aged even longer?
Strangely enough I like Benchmark OK..as I said in earlier post though I dumped OC 8 down the drain. I really liked OC 12 Classic 90, but I did not realize that it was a semi-dusty. The OC 8 had a sourness to it and almost no other flavors. Is OC 8 a very-low rye mashbill?
oke&coke
10-02-2012, 22:46
Tastes like kerosene and sadness.
:slappin:I have literally laughed my ass off the past dozen times reading this. I nominate this as the post of the year.
The worst I have ever tasted was Ri(1) rye whiskey. Didn't like it the first time I opened it or when I tried it 8 months later. Actually made my lips go numb. My take, there's a party in my mouth and everyone is throwing up.
Strangely enough I like Benchmark OK..as I said in earlier post though I dumped OC 8 down the drain. I really liked OC 12 Classic 90, but I did not realize that it was a semi-dusty. The OC 8 had a sourness to it and almost no other flavors. Is OC 8 a very-low rye mashbill?
Yes. But it's the same mashbill for Benchmark.
humchan2k
10-04-2012, 15:22
:slappin:I have literally laughed my ass off the past dozen times reading this. I nominate this as the post of the year.
The worst I have ever tasted was Ri(1) rye whiskey. Didn't like it the first time I opened it or when I tried it 8 months later. Actually made my lips go numb. My take, there's a party in my mouth and everyone is throwing up.
Glad I could be of service! My first nomination for anything around here, thanks! :)
Also, I completely agree on Ri(1)....I was at the casino in Tahoe, pretty tipsy, and still asked for them to take it back and pour me something nice.
For me, Devils Cut is the worst, by far.
anyexcuse
10-05-2012, 22:02
Ancient Age 3 year, regular Old Crow, and Benchmark are the bourbons I will never buy, no matter how cheap. I'm sure there are others, but less common ones.
MyOldKyDram
10-06-2012, 12:45
Im factoring in price here, but I'm going to go ahead and say Jeffersons Ocean Aged. The amount I had to pay for a 1 oz sample was bad enough, but I would've been ill had I bought a bottle of it.
Im factoring in price here, but I'm going to go ahead and say Jeffersons Ocean Aged. The amount I had to pay for a 1 oz sample was bad enough, but I would've been ill had I bought a bottle of it.
I would have to say that one takes the cake for the dumbest premise for a special release too.
Kalessin
10-09-2012, 13:03
I would have to say that one takes the cake for the dumbest premise for a special release too.
Wellllll... Springbank and the other Campbeltown scotches are often described as "salt-air influenced"... And any idea that works "where the expensive stuff comes from" is instantly a good idea for bourbon! What could possibly go wrong? :rolleyes:
Wellllll... Springbank and the other Campbeltown scotches are often described as "salt-air influenced"... And any idea that works "where the expensive stuff comes from" is instantly a good idea for bourbon! What could possibly go wrong? :rolleyes:
HA! What indeed! And while we're at it, I'll go ahead and call BS on sea spray having anything to do with how a Scotch tastes either.
MyOldKyDram
10-09-2012, 14:47
Well, I can tell you that the bourbon is salty and dank as all get out. Coulda been drunken sailors pissing in the barrels though, for all I know.
Elijah Craig 18. Destroyed by overpowering wood flavour. As the EC12 is one of my favourites this came as a huge disappointment.
camduncan
10-16-2012, 18:51
Elijah Craig 18. Destroyed by overpowering wood flavour. As the EC12 is one of my favourites this came as a huge disappointment.
I'm still torn on this one Dale. I got a bottle from NZ a few years ago, and unfortunately it had cork taint so it wasn't a great example. I ended up using it as a mixer to finish the bottle. I see Nicks has it in stock for $130 a bottle, so I might try one more time, but if the next one is bad then I won't go there again.
It's a shame really... I was lucky to get a personalised tour of Heaven Hill a few years ago and got to try some EC18 straight from the barrel (with wood char chunks instead of ice) - and it was hands down the best bourbon I've ever had the pleasure to taste!!
White Dog
10-16-2012, 18:54
EC18 is a single barrel, plus, I've noticed that air makes quite a difference. I've had great, good, and awful experiences with various bottles.
I just put it down to a bad barrel, the drink may be gone but the memory of the taste is burned in. Every time I open a bottle I pray that it's not like the ec18 I had..
capitals83
10-17-2012, 16:59
Ancient Ancient Age 10 star. At 6 years and 90 proof I had expectations of something drinkable, but I was wrong. It is the only bourbon I thought belonged down the drain. I would take benchmark any day of the week over Ancient Ancient Age 10 star.
Ejmharris
10-17-2012, 17:55
Ancient Ancient Age 10 star. At 6 years and 90 proof I had expectations of something drinkable, but I was wrong. It is the only bourbon I thought belonged down the drain. I would take benchmark any day of the week over Ancient Ancient Age 10 star.
Really? I have always been ok with the 10 star. Not as good as the 10 year but that is obvious. I find the 10 star very drinkable but them again we all have different taste buds.
I had a bottle of Very Old Heaven Hill 8 year, 86 proof (a bottom shelfer ubiquitous in Minnesota, and maybe one other market) that was pretty bad. Way too drying and tannic, and tasted like rejected Beam juice (hell, maybe it was, after the fire...) Even at $10 a liter it was bad.
But, I just bought another bottle of it and it's really, really good. Think of the better EC12s (the ones that aren't hot and overwoody) and you've got it. I'm glad I gave it another chance.
BourbonBalls
10-18-2012, 12:54
Pappy 15 the WORST youve ever had!?>?? You havent tried much, have you??
The worst bourbon I've had was a bad bottle of Eagle Rare 10. I normally enjoy this whiskey, but this bottle tasted like there was dirt in it.
Jim Beam white. The smell . . . the taste . . . the thought . . . just makes me want to puke. I have tried to drink this multiple times, and I no longer will. The only bourbon that I have ever experienced this with.
unclebunk
10-19-2012, 04:01
Easy...Old Bardstown that tasted like the shit from the horse pictured on the label. I wouldn't even subject my drain to it.
Jim Beam White Label. It's the bourbon that turned me off bourbon when I was about 18. I'm just glad I found my way to great bourbon!
Hi Guy's
This week I went back and got another bottle of Ten High.
Seeing it was one of the first few Bourbon I tried, thinking since I have tried many different Bourbons since then, and maybe it
was my inexperience with Bourbon. Still not crazy about it.
Later,
JR1968
samstone
10-24-2012, 17:48
i know its not bourbon but the crown royal black was so nasty i poured it out. And i dont pour anything out
smokinjoe
10-24-2012, 20:37
i know its not bourbon but the crown royal black was so nasty i poured it out. And i dont pour anything out
You should have stopped after your first 5 words...
EC18 is a single barrel, plus, I've noticed that air makes quite a difference. I've had great, good, and awful experiences with various bottles.
I just put it down to a bad barrel, the drink may be gone but the memory of the taste is burned in. Every time I open a bottle I pray that it's not like the ec18 I had..
Isn't it the job of the master distiller to make sure that even with barrel variations, that you don't put awful barrels into the mix? It really dilutes the brand value. Maybe that's what they're doing with the 20 year, select fewer barrels for presumably better quality and higher price. Still, I think it's poor practice to have such bottle-to-bottle variation. I dont' hear people saying the same thing about Blanton's or Rock Hill Farms, that there are awful bottlings. Sure some are less good than others, but none have been bad IMO.
Well, here I am with very little experience, but I had a bit of a 200mL bottle of Evan Williams Black label the other day...and it tasted like bourbon mixed with Lysterine. Is this normal for that label?
angler82
10-26-2012, 07:08
Jame Pepper 15 year old. Apparently it is old LDI bourbon. Horrendous stuff.
p_elliott
10-26-2012, 07:44
Isn't it the job of the master distiller to make sure that even with barrel variations, that you don't put awful barrels into the mix? It really dilutes the brand value. Maybe that's what they're doing with the 20 year, select fewer barrels for presumably better quality and higher price. Still, I think it's poor practice to have such bottle-to-bottle variation. I don't' hear people saying the same thing about Blanton's or Rock Hill Farms, that there are awful bottlings. Sure some are less good than others, but none have been bad IMO.
Bottle to bottle variation is the whole fun of doing single barrel bourbons. You're looking for that honey barrel or enjoying the uniqueness of the individual barrels. If you want them all to taste the same drink the mass produced stuff.
Bottle to bottle variation is the whole fun of doing single barrel bourbons. You're looking for that honey barrel or enjoying the uniqueness of the individual barrels. If you want them all to taste the same drink the mass produced stuff.
There is nothing wrong with variation, but I don't think it's good to have a brand with inconsistent flavor profiles from batch to batch. I understand that some people perceive taste differently, but some people find some bottlings of EC18 to be really terrible, like mildewy old wood. I haven't had that many, only one which I thought was good, so I don't know from personal experience, but I think that even if a product is a single barrel offering, that the consumer should have a reasonable expectation of what the next bottle should taste like--and it shouldn't be bad.
Sure if you want consistency in flavor profile, Jack Daniels is where its at.
petrel800
10-30-2012, 13:50
I know Woodford has it's fans, but I bought a bottle of Woodford Double Oaked the first time I saw it on a shelf, and it was just not good. All I got out of it was bitterness and astringency. I tried it neat, on ice, with water, in cocktails . . . I even tried to finish the bottle off one Sunday by pouring with Coke and I couldn't do it. Maybe I got a bad bottle, but I think that's just what it tastes like. Of all the bottles I've bought, it's the only one that I feel a "fool (me) got parted from his money."
savagehenry
10-30-2012, 14:55
Hudson Baby Bourbon. They had PVW 20 on the menu but had run out. The bartender said the closest thing they had was Hudson Baby Bourbon. Boy was she wrong. Tasted like tequila to me. She gave me a refund.
HighInTheMtns
10-30-2012, 16:34
Hudson Baby Bourbon. They had PVW 20 on the menu but had run out. The bartender said the closest thing they had was Hudson Baby Bourbon. Boy was she wrong. Tasted like tequila to me. She gave me a refund.
LOL! Clearly a 3 month old bourbon is the closest thing to Pappy 20. What a great bartender!
MyOldKyDram
10-30-2012, 16:36
I'd be interested in knowing what the furthest thing from PVW20 they had was.
Hudson Baby Bourbon. They had PVW 20 on the menu but had run out. The bartender said the closest thing they had was Hudson Baby Bourbon. Boy was she wrong. Tasted like tequila to me. She gave me a refund.
That's the funniest damn thing I've read all week.
c2walker
10-30-2012, 19:35
Hudson Baby Bourbon. They had PVW 20 on the menu but had run out. The bartender said the closest thing they had was Hudson Baby Bourbon. Boy was she wrong. Tasted like tequila to me. She gave me a refund.
It probably was the closest thing they had to PVW 20...with respect to price.
jburlowski
10-31-2012, 17:55
What? No one has mentioned WR4G? Truly an abomination. (Although I give BF props for refunding my money when I complained...)
What? No one has mentioned WR4G? Truly an abomination. (Although I give BF props for refunding my money when I complained...)
Of course it also spawned one of the greatest SB threads ever...
http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?6086-Woodford-Reserve-Master’s-Collection-Four-Grain-(Batch-No-2)
smokinjoe
11-05-2012, 15:46
Ya know, as I've pondered this some more, I gotta say that the Top 10 Worst Bourbons that I've ever tried were all dusties. I've had recent releases that really didn't deliver much enjoyment, but I'm hard pressed to say any of them were bad, per se. But, I am totally convinced that many of the dusties (including the notorious Bourbon Supreme I mentioned earlier in this thread), started off bad...and stayed bad. My contention has always been, that there is a reason that some of these dusties are still on the shelf after all of these years. Because nobody bought them then, because they sucked then! Lesson I have learned: Dust on the bottle and a tax strip across the top does not always signify good whiskey. :Clever:
Mickbourbon
11-05-2012, 16:08
This thread reminds me of a friends answer to the question, What is the worst sex you ever had? To which he replied: "I haven't had bad sex just varying degrees of good".
But there is a Woodford Reserve distillers select that I can't seem to get through have partaken of 2-3 times and have had it at least a year.
Josh: that old thread on WR4G comes up occasionally. I stand by what I said there, which is that that bourbon was a classic pot still flavor, one I recognize in some Irish whiskey, in some craft bourbons made today and in other contexts, old rum sometimes for example. The tastes are waxy, dough-like, pungent. It was a taste of history but many didn't like it because it didn't taste like the typical aged bourbon made from a column still. Fair enough. But it had its merits and made a great blending or cocktail whiskey for those who couldn't abide it neat. It was ahead of its time and when you look at the plethora of white whiskeys, young whiskeys and other specialty products of the emerging craft distillers, it led the way. Not everyone likes these products, but they are carving a niche and respond to the desire of many for artisan products made in a historical way.
Gary
Well, here I am with very little experience, but I had a bit of a 200mL bottle of Evan Williams Black label the other day...and it tasted like bourbon mixed with Lysterine. Is this normal for that label?
Well, tried this again after a couple of weeks. The Lysterine flavor is MUCH less. I might be able to finish it after all. :-)
c2walker
11-05-2012, 17:13
I wouldn't even use Canada Dry Stitzel-Weller for cooking.
awachatz
11-05-2012, 17:30
Hudson Baby Bourbon is the worst stuff I put my lips to.
Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2
camduncan
11-05-2012, 17:59
Josh: that old thread on WR4G comes up occasionally. I stand by what I said there, which is that that bourbon was a classic pot still flavor, one I recognize in some Irish whiskey, in some craft bourbons made today and in other contexts, old rum sometimes for example. The tastes are waxy, dough-like, pungent. It was a taste of history but many didn't like it because it didn't taste like the typical aged bourbon made from a column still. Fair enough. But it had its merits and made a great blending or cocktail whiskey for those who couldn't abide it neat. It was ahead of its time and when you look at the plethora of white whiskeys, young whiskeys and other specialty products of the emerging craft distillers, it led the way. Not everyone likes these products, but they are carving a niche and respond to the desire of many for artisan products made in a historical way.
Gary
Very, very well said Gary!
Near_Teetotaler
11-09-2012, 10:18
I was really hoping I would like honey-flavored concoctions, and they were both awful.
(1) Evan Williams Honey Reserve (to be fair, labeled as a "Kentucky Liqueur", but the next line does add "Made with extra-aged bourbon")
(2) Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey ... again, cannot exactly call itself a bourbon. I pray your indulgence ...
Both were in the category of "gack".
i agree, not a fan of the hudson, it was ok, but for the price...
and Bulleit. just personally found it not enjoyable at all.
wildcatdon
11-16-2012, 12:07
Devils Cut,Angels Envy and Red Stag if you can call that bourbon..
HighInTheMtns
11-17-2012, 00:54
Red Stag if you can call that bourbon..
You can't call that bourbon :-D
Easily High Plains Most Wanted Bourbon out of Kansas. Tasted like vanilla extract with no discernible bourbon characteristics.
bad_scientist
11-17-2012, 12:53
I would say the worst was a bottle of Heaven Hill gold label, 80 proof, tax stripped, bottled some time in the mid '80s, IIRC. It started off nice and fruity, a real surprise from HH, but within minutes it was like drinking strained vomit.
This is tangential but may be of interest to those with bottles of oily, young or other bourbon just not to their taste. Why not put it through a Brita water filter? I tried this with a vodka that had a chemical-like odor and it is remarkable how that flavor was reduced by just a few minutes going through the filter. (I used a filter that had seen a few weeks filtering water because if you use a very new one, a slight charcoal or dusty taste can be communicated to the liquid in my experience).
I am sure it would take out the stronger tastes yet retain the full alcoholic power of the drink. The vodka seemed as strong as before, but was softer on the palate and with just a hint of the taste I found objectionable to start with. I was thinking of putting it through again but I actually liked the balance that came off the filter.
The only thing is, I am not sure if it would reduce the color and therefore some of the barrel taste. You could start with less than a full bottle of course. I just poured it in the jug in which the filter rests, just as we do for water. I didn't try to extract the activated charcoal from the filter and let the spirit sit on it (say shaking from time to time) but that is another possibility.
I was, again, very surprised at the noticeable improvement it made.
Gary
ethangsmith
11-17-2012, 13:36
My bottles of Rowan's Creek, Noah's Mill, and Kentucky XO are pretty dang bad. For the price, I was expecting much, much more. It's like these are the un-balanced reject barrels from Heaven Hill. Bitter tannin notes with an off-tasting grain note. The Noah's Mill is the most vile offender. Tastes like unaged corn whiskey, cheap wine, and mulch. A few drops of water at least makes it drinkable. Not the worst I've had, but for the price, it's pretty terrible.
Not a fan of Bulleit, something about it is really off putting. Had it on half dozen occasions, same experience each time.
ethangsmith
11-17-2012, 17:09
Agreed on that one too. The bourbon has that gross citrus/acid Four Roses thing going on. The Bulleit Rye, on the other hand, is quite good.
dementedavenger
11-20-2012, 07:52
Yellowstone. I think it could also be marketed as anti-freeze or hair remover.
Easily High Plains Most Wanted Bourbon out of Kansas. Tasted like vanilla extract with no discernible bourbon characteristics.
I have seen this on the shelves for over a year now and while curious I have never pulled the trigger. Your post has reinforced my suspicions that this is a product I would probably not like.
I cannot say I've ever bought an undrinkable Bourbon, even in our broke grad school bottom purchases days, but I did get one that was cork tainted. The vendor promptly gave me a refund.
This thread also makes me mindful of the comment by William Faulkner:
"Oh, I'll drink most anything, Bourbon, Corn Whiskey, between scotch and nothing I'll drink scotch".
Regards,
Squire
Borchard
03-17-2013, 06:09
Well, how can it not be McCormick's, the $7 well bourbon of the finest dive bars? Tastes like kerosene and sadness.
This! :grin: haha
stiffchainey
03-17-2013, 14:01
Ezra Brooks by far. Really evil stuff.
Just goes to show that people's tastes are different. I'm very fond of Ezra Brooks 90 and especially the 101.
ethangsmith
03-17-2013, 16:48
I'm going to back ebo on this one too. Ezra 90 and 101 are my go-to bourbons. If you don't like it, you can always send me yours! It won't go to waste around me!
darylld911
03-17-2013, 17:19
I think that Old Granddad 114 is the worst bourbon I have ever tried - along with Ancient Ancient Age 10-Star. Anyone who can read this should just avoid both of those for their own good, because it has to be true since it is on the internet.
OGD114 is pretty bad, but in fairness, I grudgingly place it two steps ahead of Dickel #12, and am on record here as to why the Dickel was poured down my drain.
Full disclosure: I've not tried the now (in)famous Premium Bourbon Supreme. (But I really want the goatskin jacket, so I'm potentially, reluctantly, game, I think.)
TheNovaMan
03-17-2013, 23:58
Just goes to show that people's tastes are different. I'm very fond of Ezra Brooks 90 and especially the 101. I think this pretty much sums up the thread, but I'm going to add to it anyway...
I think the "worst" bourbon I've ever had was Ten High; however this speaks more to the goodness of bourbon in general than the badness of Ten High. It was just young and low-proof, but it was a perfectly good whiskey and honestly a good value. I haven't gone out of my way to try all that many of the lowest-shelf pours, but in my opinion, care and time was taken to produce anything that is called straight bourbon, and I count none of them among the worst kinds of rotgut. Right on, Jim! More than one person has mentioned how they disliked Ten High, which perplexes me. I've spent alot of time on bottom shelf bourbons, and Ten High (straight, not "bourbon blend") is what I think WAS the best whiskey for the least money. Other than being a little harsh and simple, which you should expect from a cheap, young bourbon, there was nothing WRONG with it: no goofy/off flavors, and no fusel oil finish. It went great in mixes, OK in cocktails, and I even drank it on ice or neat sometimes. Even now, as a blend, it doesn't suck nearly as much as other blends, probably because it contains way more bourbon than any other blend I've tried. However, my conscience won't let me recommend anyone try the blend. My current best cheap bourbon is HH80, but I welcome your suggestions.
On the other hand, Old Crow is the only bourbon I have only purchased once. It was rotgut, plain and simple. I'd much rather drink Ten High blend neat than Old Croak in a mixed drink!
stiffchainey
03-18-2013, 04:29
The Ezra Brooks I meant was a very cheap one, around 13 €, so 15 Dollar I reckon. The OGD 114 is my favourite bourbon!!! :lol:
To me a bottle is bad when I realize I paid 2-3 times more than it's worth.
To me a bottle is bad when I realize I paid 2-3 times more than it's worth.
By those standards, my worst bourbon would be Black Maple Hill (paid $30, worth $10) or 2011 WLW. I don't know if I have a tainted bottle of the WLW or what, but I have poured it 4 or 5 different times and it has never been good.
Jack Daniels. Tastes like ass to me.
You will know if the cork is tainted SOB, if so even a high proof whisky will be undrinkable.
SOB? What does that mean?
Those are the initials of the poster to whom I was responding.
Oh I see. Now it makes sense. I thought it meant the other thing, the way my dad used to use it. :lol:
Jack Daniels. Tastes like ass to me.
Which begs the question...
I should say, tastes like I imagine ass would taste.
:slappin:
ethangsmith
03-18-2013, 17:11
Yea, Black Maple Hill was a huge disappointment, as was Noah's Mill and Rowan's Creek. For what the price tag is, I will not be buying any more of them.
I've heard of people just spitting it out in the sink.
berkeley223
03-18-2013, 19:25
I'd say my most disappointing was Woodford Reserve's Seasoned Oak Finish. It tasted like smoked shoe leather. I also don't like Blanton's.
As for worst, probably Old Crow or something (whatever I used to drink in college when I didn't know bourbon from scotch)
ramblinman
03-18-2013, 20:36
Old Grandad 114 is petty terrible stuff, its like they ran standard beam through a sweat sock.
Second only to that would be Willy Nelson's own Old Whiskey River. Few buddies and I thought it'd be a good idea to have a real whiskey tasting instead of usual beer and jack fun. I remember hearing "this has got to be great, Willy seems like a man that would really know his whiskey", and immediately thinking about the poor decision making that the red headed stranger is known for. I recall char, salt, and a bundle of other horrible flavors. Very young in my whiskey drinking at the time and I'd probably think different now, but the rememberance of it still makes my stomach turn a bit.
ErichPryde
03-18-2013, 21:30
I tried an old log cabin dusty from the 60s that tasted like gasoline and burning tires.
JPBoston
03-18-2013, 22:25
Fighting Cock, Old Forrester didn't dump but turned into marinade.
For shame!!! I know this post is old, but FC is damn fine stuff.
I'd have to go with Beam Black label. I've enjoyed everything else I've tried to varying degrees, even Benchmark.
unclebunk
03-19-2013, 07:24
Old Bardstown. My bottle was absolutely terrible and holds the distinction of being the only bottle I've ever dumped down the drain in my life.
This is quite an entertaining thread. Blanton's, Dickel 12, Noah's Mill are some of the worst you've had?! Were you drinking them with or without a silver spoon in your mouth? :lol: I kid. Perfect example that the best bourbon out there is the one that tastes best to you, and why when new folks ask for recommendations, we tell them to just try everything.
Back on topic, the worst I've had was Yahara Bay, an indie from Madison, WI. In a close second place was Willett Pot Still. Tasted like nutty, salty, buttery popcorn gone bad.
Man, I want to taste that! On a side note, my wife really wants me to buy one for the funny-shaped bottle.
BourbonBalls
03-19-2013, 14:56
Also- Philadelphia whiskey. I never was under the impression that ten high was all that bad (not good either). It's the same recipe as VOB.
However, its a blended whiskey. Not 100% barreled whiskey
BourbonBalls
03-19-2013, 14:58
Pappy Van Winkle 15.
Just a second...let me clean out my ears. I don't think I heard that right! Pappy 15 the WORST you've ever had??? The question for you, what is the BEST you've had???
Ten High is a blend in some parts of the Country and a straight in other areas. The straight version is essentially a 4 year old 80 proof Barton.
LostBottle
03-19-2013, 19:27
You will know if the cork is tainted SOB, if so even a high proof whisky will be undrinkable.
SOB? What does that mean?
The are the initials of the poster to whom I was responding
Oh I see. Now it makes sense. I thought it meant the other thing, the way my dad used to use it. :lol:
This was pretty funny.
black mamba
03-19-2013, 23:23
First let me say I'm an inveterate mixer. I have a decent palate, and frequently taste a couple different things and think they would both be improved by combining them. So I never pour out whiskey. If it's bad, I try blending it into drinkability. Usually works.
Bulleit, Old Bardstown 101 and B&E didn't impress me at all, but are OK for vatting. Definitely not good for the $$.
But the only whiskey I ever gave away was a recent bottle of Rebel Yell. It was weak and bland and just yuck, and I gave it to my son-in-law.
Gotta admit, that last line got me.
black mamba
03-20-2013, 15:34
Gotta admit, that last line got me.
I hope in a good way, squire. He loved it!
Mamba, a guy came by my office, sat a bottle of grade whisky on my desk and said, "Happy birthday, I brought you a bottle of 'good enough' whisky".
Okay, I'll bite, what's 'good enough' whisky?
"Well, if it were any better I'd kept it and if it was any worse you wouldn't drink it".
black mamba
03-20-2013, 15:57
LOL! I can't help it if my son-in-law is a lightweight! He adds water and ice to 80 proof liquor.
Old Dusty
03-20-2013, 16:16
But the only whiskey I ever gave away was a recent bottle of Rebel Yell. It was weak and bland and just yuck, and I gave it to my son-in-law.
I will second this-the badness not the giving away- and while it wasn't the worst ever, the most disappointing was Rebel Reserve. Didn't expect much and it delivered less. Flat, thin boring and whatever "extra age" it had over Reb Yell must have been measured in minutes.
Grain Belt
03-20-2013, 18:02
I will second this-the badness not the giving away- and while it wasn't the worst ever, the most disappointing was Rebel Reserve. Didn't expect much and it delivered less. Flat, thin boring and whatever "extra age" it had over Reb Yell must have been measured in minutes.
Tried a bottle of the Reb Yell Reserve from a promotion a local store has for a "bourbon of the month." It was rough. Let's just say I was much happier when they had Woodford Reserve for $25 and EWSB for $19.
So a couple years ago I tried EC 12. It was by far the worst I ever tasted. Like burnt leather.
But recently I tried the latest batch. Wow! What a difference. I would say it could easily be in the top 5 I ever had. So the lesson leaned from all this is to try at least 2 before you give it the ultimate thumbs down.
Good advise Bill, one shouldn't be too hasty in dismissing these things.
Skinsfan1311
03-24-2013, 16:08
Kentucky Gentleman. I bought a bottle to make bourbon slushes, (I have a great recipe if anyone wants it), and made the mistake of trying some before mixing. It's truly, the worst "bourbon" that I've ever had.
mosugoji64
03-24-2013, 22:22
Kentucky Gentleman. I bought a bottle to make bourbon slushes, (I have a great recipe if anyone wants it), and made the mistake of trying some before mixing. It's truly, the worst "bourbon" that I've ever had.
At the Sampler last year an interloper commented, after seeing that we were all drinking bourbons, that he had tried Kentucky Gentleman and thought it was pretty rough. I replied, "He's no gentleman, he's an asshole." Thought that summed it up.
It's the nature of a blend like Kentucky Gentleman to be rough because the GNS that makes up most of the blend is almost pure alcohol straight off the still.
p_elliott
03-26-2013, 04:02
Some asshole:grin: to be unnamed put ghost peppers in OGD. I had To rinse my mouth out for 20 min and get a new glass. Very funny.
That good-looking asshole also clearly labeled that bottle of (86 proof) Old Granddad as being infused with ghost peppers! :cool: Caveat potator!
Anybody who would adulterate Old Grand Dad should be . . . well . . . chastised.
BradleyC
03-26-2013, 07:39
Anybody who would adulterate Old Grand Dad should be . . . well . . . chastised.
Ha ha.
I can think of a few really bad bottles that I have had. Once there was a really nasty handle of ND OT 80 that just would not go away. Sam Houston NAS is on the list followed by green label Johnny Drum. Last would be some undrinkable SW Old Fitz Prime 80 proof from the late 80s. This is my short list of bottles that I will never finish.
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