George Dickel

[Graal]

Howdy everyone,

I think I last posted in October, and since then I have been buying roughly a bottle a week of all different kinds of hooch (discovered that I love gin and HATE scotch) and I had a bit of Jack Daniels at a party and thought it was pretty bland and watery. Since there aren't many Tennessee whiskies on the market, I didn't give much more thought to it until today when I was at my local liquor store and they had discounts on George Dickel. I figured I'd give it a shot (got some #12 for $12 when its usually $20, can't pass that up!) and I've been sipping on it all afternoon. All I can say is WOW! This is the smoothest stuff ever! Prior to this I had been gravitating towards higher proof ryes like Old Grand-dad and WT101, and this is a huge change. It has the subtle flavors and a hint of spice from the rye, but none of the harsh, sharp immediate flavors. I know a lot more about whiskey than I did a few months ago, but I'm still a newbie and would like someone more worldly to tell me a bit more about it. Is this effect because of a special mashbill, or is it the charcoal filtering? I always thought that the charcoal filtering was kind of a gimmick to make Tennesee whiskies something special when really they're just bourbons, but this experience is making me second guess that assumption.

[HighInTheMtns]

The Dickel mashbill has more corn and less rye compared to the brands you mentioned (and to most bourbons) and I suspect that has more to do with what you're noticing than does the filtering.

[steeltownbbq]

Dickel 12 is pretty good stuff. Especially at $12.

[Graal]

The Dickel mashbill has more corn and less rye compared to the brands you mentioned (and to most bourbons) and I suspect that has more to do with what you're noticing than does the filtering.

Yeah, I didn't mean to make it sound like I thought it was a rye, even though after rereading it I could see how it would sound like that. I was just saying that I have been drinking a lot of ryes lately, but I still drink a fair amount of wheaters too as I'm still trying to learn the differences. I know George Dickel makes a rye, but that this is not it. I like the flavor of the rye, but it seems EVERY whiskey I've had so far has had a fairly harsh taste to it that I thought just came with the territory. Some of the scotches I've had were smooth, but I cannot stand that burnt peat taste.:shithappens: I like the flavor of the George Dickel, but mostly its this lack of harshness that I'm interested in. How do they get it to taste so soft? Even the Jack Daniels, which was charcoal filtered, still had a fiery sharpness to it. The Dickel has none, and this is what has me confused.

[squire]

Graal the main reason for extensive charcoal filtering was to give the whisky a jump start on aging so it matures faster and can be sold at a younger age, say 4-5 years rather than 6-8. Of course since Tennessee Whisky is an established style they continue with the process in order to maintain the flavor profile.

I've always liked Dickel and believe it's under appreciated. At that price I'd grab a few more if they're any left.

[ebo]

Dickel #12 is always in the house. :grin:

[HighInTheMtns]

Yeah, I didn't mean to make it sound like I thought it was a rye, even though after rereading it I could see how it would sound like that. I was just saying that I have been drinking a lot of ryes lately, but I still drink a fair amount of wheaters too as I'm still trying to learn the differences. I know George Dickel makes a rye, but that this is not it. I like the flavor of the rye, but it seems EVERY whiskey I've had so far has had a fairly harsh taste to it that I thought just came with the territory. Some of the scotches I've had were smooth, but I cannot stand that burnt peat taste.:shithappens: I like the flavor of the George Dickel, but mostly its this lack of harshness that I'm interested in. How do they get it to taste so soft? Even the Jack Daniels, which was charcoal filtered, still had a fiery sharpness to it. The Dickel has none, and this is what has me confused.
No misunderstanding. GD has more corn and less rye than the two brands you mentioned specifically and also most bourbon brands in general.

Somewhat off topic but it sounds like you have explored only a limited range of Scotch. Most single malts are unpeated, many are very floral and delicate.

[Graal]

No misunderstanding. GD has more corn and less rye than the two brands you mentioned specifically and also most bourbon brands in general.

Somewhat off topic but it sounds like you have explored only a limited range of Scotch. Most single malts are unpeated, many are very floral and delicate.


I would agree that my experience of scotch is pretty limited. I've only bought JW black label and famous grouse, so those are the only ones I can constantly retry for reference as my tasting skills improve, but I have several fans who consider themselves scotch afficienados who have given me a taste of every scotch under the sun. So far I have not liked any of them. A few were tolerable, but I would not ever choose any of them to have a second time. At this point I feel confidant in saying that I just don't like scotch, even though these so-called "friends" keep telling me that I'm just immature and that scotch has a much broader flavor range than american whiskey. In addition to picking up on the general taste of scotch, I'm also starting to pick up on the general personality of scotch drinkers, which (and this is probably an unfair generalization) seems to be super pretentious and elitist. On the other hand, bourbon drinkers that I have met have been exceptionally warm and friendly people who don't find it strange that you could actually prefer the taste of a cheaper whiskey to a more expensive and rare one.

[squire]

You missed one attribute of committed Scotch drinkers Graal, if you pour an average blend in an empty single malt bottle and serve it up to them it's surprising how few will notice the difference. And I agree with you, peat tastes like peat tastes like peat like peat.

[Graal]

but I have several fans who consider themselves scotch afficienados


Oops, meant to say "friends". I have several friends who are scotch afficienados. I have no fans. Maybe my wife... but even she's just a fair weather fan :lol:

[cazolman]

I used to blame my dislike of Scotch on just peat. I am starting to believe it is also the barley. My Scotch loving friend keeps giving me un-peated samples that still turn my stomach. With no corn, rye or wheat, it just doesn't taste "right".

[Lazer]

I agree with you. I had my first bottle of GD12 this year and when I finished it, I bought another. I suggest you do the same before you miss out on that $12 deal! I also agree about the scotch. The only scotch I can remember liking was auchentashen and I liked it because I thought it tasted like bourbon. what does that tell you? :cool:

[smokinjoe]

I've been doing alot of traveling lately. Flying here, and there. Figured I needed a good dose of vitamins to keep me healthy, so I returned to my bottle of Dickel 12. Yessir that vitamin tone is still there, and yessir, I still love that house style! :toast:

[squire]

Well you know what they say Joe, a dram a day . . .

[MyOldKyDram]

Never had it, so I picked up a bottle of GD 12 tonight. Bored and wanted something different and cheap.

[squire]

Real Tennessee and still 90 proof.

[MyOldKyDram]

This is really tasty, good whiskey. Straight Bit-O-Honey! Sorry it took me until now to try it.

[squire]

Another unbiased first hand impression.

[WAINWRIGHT]

I have always enjoyed the #12 as a change of pace and a great value at under $20.I have actually tried all products in the line and feel the 12 is the best,the BS had too much of an over the top vitamin note on the finish and will stick with the 12 from here on out.

[black mamba]

My friend who works in a liquor store turned me onto Dickel #12. He asks every one of his customers who ask for JD to taste the Dickel, and he has never failed to sell a bottle to all who have tasted.

It is far superior to any other Tennessee whiskey I've tried.

[squire]

I have always preferred Dickel over Jack, even when Jack was still 90 proof.

[wmpevans]

+1.

Not even close IMO.

[Motomag]

Dickel just became available in my state. Need some opinions on which one to get. The No12 or the BS?

[squire]

The No. 12 is their flagship brand and my choice. If you like 12 enough it may be worth springing more for the Select but I didn't find a dramatic difference. The 10 year old 86 proof dusty is one I would buy on sight.

[VAGentleman]

Agree. The No.12 is better than the current Barrel Select, and definitley better than the No.8

[ebo]

Definitely the #12.

[Motomag]

Thanks for the input guys. I will grab a No12

[squire]

Let us know what you think when you do.

[kaiserhog]

I agree with you. I had my first bottle of GD12 this year and when I finished it, I bought another. I suggest you do the same before you miss out on that $12 deal! I also agree about the scotch. The only scotch I can remember liking was auchentashen and I liked it because I thought it tasted like bourbon. what does that tell you? :cool:I agree. George Dickel 12 and Auchentoshan are great whisky. . Auchentoshan is a Lowland Scotch. The only distillery in Scotland that triple distills all their whisky and in pot stills. The distillery has an interesting history, apparently. it was operated by Irish immigrants at one time to produce Irish Whiskey for the Irish immigrants around Glasgow. Today, it exclusively single malt scotch but triple distilled. Back to topic, I used to drink JD but tried GD12 and was blown away. IMHO George Dickel 12 is the best American Whiskey today. Of course, you can't beat the price. GD12 is sippin neat, JD is for mixing with Coca Cola. I also think GD12 is superior to GDBS, although GDBS is a fine sipper as well. It just doesn't have the complexity of the 12.

[squire]

Dickel is a good all round whisky which I believe is under appreciated.

[stiffchainey]

I really like the Dickel, but around 45-50€ per bottle, I think it is too expensive.

[kaiserhog]

I really like the Dickel, but around 45-50€ per bottle, I think it is too expensive. That is terrible. Are all American Whiskies that expensive? Dickel is one of the most reasonably prices whiskies here in the States.

[stiffchainey]

No. You get usually good deals. Like a bottle of OGD is around 16 €, Evan Williams around 19€. Don't know why Dickel is so expensive. Probably because no one buys it.
Here you can look up the prices: https://www.getraenkewelt-weiser.de/search.php?q=dickel&x=-1120&y=-133

[Alden]

Never tried it. I don't like Jack at all, so I just naturally figured they were pretty similar.

#12 is now on my list. I have heard good things about their Rye too.

[Alden]

Oh, and peated scotch tastes like band-aids to me. Never cared for JW Black all that much for that reason.

There are a lot of very good scotches out there that have little or no peat flavor in them.

[AGarrison]

Oh, and peated scotch tastes like band-aids to me

YES! I'm so glad to see someone else say that too. I hear about the smoky taste, but all i get is band-aids. My buddies tell me to just give it time and I'll develop the palate for peated whisky. Till then that bottle of Laphroaig scotch will just sit on my shelf.

[squire]

Peat flavor in scotch whisky (not all of them have it) is just one of those accidents of history that is now done intentionally in order to maintain a flavor profile. No reason why we should have to train ourselves to like it through.

[TheNovaMan]

YES! I'm so glad to see someone else say that too. I hear about the smoky taste, but all i get is band-aids. My buddies tell me to just give it time and I'll develop the palate for peated whisky. Till then that bottle of Laphroaig scotch will just sit on my shelf. I tried for probably a couple years to like scotch, and I had myself fooled for a while, but then I was honest with myself: bourbon is infinitely better. I'll never go back.

[Alden]

I tried for probably a couple years to like scotch, and I had myself fooled for a while, but then I was honest with myself: bourbon is infinitely better. I'll never go back.

I'm with you. I much prefer bourbon now, but there are some I still enjoy, like J&B and Balvenie, and a couple of others, once in a while. I have to be in the mood. Same with gin.

With bourbon, or rye, it doesn't matter, it's always good.

[ebo]

I tried for probably a couple years to like scotch, and I had myself fooled for a while, but then I was honest with myself: bourbon is infinitely better. I'll never go back.

That should read.... "I like bourbon infinitely better."

"Better" is a very subjective term. I would guess there are many whisk(e)y fans that feel the opposite way you do. Just sayin'. :cool:

[squire]

Some of my best friends drink peatey scotch but I respect them anyway.

[Alden]

Some of my best friends drink peatey scotch but I respect them anyway.

Some people love chewing on band aids too.

Let them, I always say, let them.

[TheNovaMan]

I have friends on this very board who love heavily peated scotch... which is one of the reasons I have to bag on scotch every now and then! ;)

[Alden]

Planning to pick up a bottle of the #12 this evening.

Will post some brief notes of my first impression of it, if I have time.

[black mamba]

I like Bourbon, rye, Irish, Scotch (both heavily peated and otherwise), Cognac, Armagnac and añejo tequila.
I guess . . . if it's brown, I'm down!

My palate seems to go through phases. Sometimes I don't drink Scotch for months at a time, but when it sounds good, it usually tastes good. I rarely go more than 3-4 days without Bourbon, the others are all less consistent. I think variety is important to keep from getting stale or burned out.

[AGarrison]

picked up some George Dickel Barrel Select today for $36, pretty much exactly the same price as JD single barrel. It will be interesting to see how it stacks up. I liked Dickel #8, so I have high expectations for the barrel select.

[Alden]

I had both the #12 and the rye the other night and I think they are both fantastic, especially considering what I paid for them.

The bourbon is softer and has more subtle flavors than the rye, which is more "in your face" but I like them equally well.