Came across a cache...

[Joe_Blowe]

(Foreword: StraightBourbon.com has helped to create quite a dent in the 'ol wallet...)

I came across a bunch of oddball and well-known bourbons today, and I'd like to ask for some guidance. I'll be heading back to my "secret location" in a few days to scoop up the following, barring any negative comments. I'll throw the "flier" out first:

- Canadian Club, 6 y.o., tax stamp, $15/750ml. I'm not a fan of Canadian whisky, but I'm intrigued by this bottle. It appears to be a *very* old label, a "Depression"-era script/font (think Sears-Roebuck) on unbleached (parchment?) paper. Like nothing on this page: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/miniature/smallworld/BourbonC2.htm. Judging by the tax stamp (fake or not), would it be worthwhile? Well, for 15 bucks, what's the harm...

- Old Forester, 86 proof, label with gold trim, as pictured in some of Dougdog's posts, $12/750ml

- Yellowstone Deluxe, $12/750ml

- Hill and Hill, white label, 80 proof, $5.50/375ml

- Heaven Hill, black/gold/red trim label, $7/750ml

- Ancient Age, appears to be an old label (based on font style) as compared to today's labeling, $8/750ml

- Eagle Rare 101, $17.69/750ml, no-brainer?, back the truck up?

- Old Crow, older label as pictured in some of Dougdog's posts

- Bourbon De Luxe, Old Taylor, Sunny Brook, didn't catch prices

Chances are that I'll start with a few to get my feet wet. By the way, I was like a little kid in a candy store when I came across this place (an out-of-the-way grocery store). I was thinking to myself, "I've read about these scores, and now I'm (potentially) looking at a massive haul!"

[Rughi]

I've found a few of these and have some thoughts:

<ul type="square"> Canadian Club -I've also seen something that seems to fit this bill. The one I saw had a true tax stamp. Perhaps Gary, Doug, or Jake Parrott can comment on this one. Old Forester - If this has a faux tax stamp, it should be very tasty and at a price that it can be a daily drinker.This is the one that I have been known to wax poetic about on occasion. If it has a true tax stamp...yahtzee! Yellowstone - Be sure this is the real Louisville version, not the lost dog of recent years that Chuck Cowdery flails on in his book. Faux or real tax stamps and "Louisville" should be your key to good sippin'. Hill and Hill - Accept no substitute! The real Hill and Hill is an ND product. It's peppery in your throat, medium bodied, and warming. The most interesting would have come from Louisville/Shively and would have a true tax stamp, but you're much more likely to find a Frankfort edition. This would most likely have come from Old Crow, Grand Dad, or Taylor - I've never found out which, but Grand Dad was the most modern of the group, from what I've read. If it says Clermont, you're not drinking ND, but JB. Heaven Hill - Get some and post your notes. It looks like fun. It would probably take a photo for anyone to help much. Old Crow - I just opened a Dougie, and it's a good taste. Light, warming, grassy/citrusy, not very sweet. A great old-fashioned flavor that isn't heavy, sweet and smooth, as are many other old bourbons. what'dya got to lose? Bourbon De Luxe, Old Taylor, Sunny Brook - If these are ND versions get some and you can tell the forum if I've been full of it with my whole ND-this and ND-that kick.
The first clue is it can't say Clermont. Second, it's unlikely to have a strip stamp (faux or real) unless it's an ND. Third, ND and Beam versions usually have a date stamped into the bottom of the bottle (you're looking for something that would have been distilled in 1987 or prior, so 1992 or so is getting out of ND territory). [/list]

I hope this helps. There's a lot of good flavors in those bottles.

Roger

[Gillman]

Well, CC is 6 years old, i.e., the regular label. It also comes in: 10, 12, 15 and 20 year old versions (not to mention a 100 proof version and occasional sherry cask finished one). Recently some 15 and 20 were released again onto the Ontario market. These are, while certainly Canadian in palate, quite good and I'm bringing the 20 to Gazebo now. [So my revised Gazebo list: Port Ellen 24 year old cask strength, my personal Gazebo Blend of straight whiskey married with touch of rock and rye, and CC 20 year old instead of Hirsh 16 because CC 20 is hard if not impossible to find in the U.S. I'll save the Screech rum and Royal Reserve for trading but some may end on the table].

It is an interesting question whether an older bottling of the regular CC is better than today's. It may be that more low proof spirit was casked with the high proof in the past than today (Hiram Walker blends the two when freshly distilled to age together as opposed to adding 100% matured straight whiskey to separately matured 100% high proof, except possibly for the Corby's line). Or maybe not. Certainly the Crown Royal I have tried from the 1950's and before seemed better than CR of today. I'd say go for it and do a taste test on CC today vs. the oldie, could be interesting.

Gary

[Rughi]

Hey Joe,
Did you pull the trigger on any/all of these bottles? Inquiring minds want to know.

Roger

[Joe_Blowe]

Hi Roger,

I did pick up a few, based on your helpful notes, and I've been meaning to post. Honest!

And I do plan on posting pictures and notes for each individual bottle, but it'll have to wait a bit as I'm heading off to China for a few weeks.

In the meantime, here's some basic info:

- Passed on the Canadian Club. Turned out to be a very authentic-looking reissue bottle -- 1920 Limited Edition "The Original Gates Bottle," UPC 0 89540 39234 9.

- Passed on the Old Forester.

- Passed on the Yellowstone, UPC 0 89000 01877.

- Picked up one flask of Hill and Hill, and have been meaning to go back and scoop up the rest. Quite tasty!

- Picked up one Heaven Hill, and it's so-so...

- Picked up one Ancient Age. But, of course, it does not hold a candle to the one bottle of AAA I have. I'll put the funds towards better buys.

- Picked up one Eagle Rare 101, and I'm *very* disappointed. It was on the top shelf, about 4 inches from a fluorescent tube -- who knows how long that bottle has been sitting there baking. If I put a measure in my tasting glass and let it "air out" for a bit, it tastes much better, but still "off." I would go back and exchange it, but all four bottles were in the same spot.

- Picked up one Old Crow, and it's pretty good. Might grab the rest...

- Passed on the Bourbon De Luxe, Old Taylor, Sunny Brook -- all Clermont.

Will post again with additional notes on the purchases.