View Full Version : BOTM, 5/06: 1792 Ridgemont Reserve
The initial release of this month's BOTM caused quite a stir in the bourbon industry. While many new brands need years of product placement and marketing to insure widespread success, this bourbon catapulted quickly onto the radar with instant notoriety gained from a trademark dispute with Brown-Foreman. Although ultimately unsuccessfull in court--the name was changed and the styling tweeked--the quality of the contents remain the same. This month's Straightbourbon.com Bourbon of the Month is:
1792 Ridgemont Reserve
The friendly folks at Barton have been generous to the members of Straightboubon.com by granting access to their rarely-seen distillery and rickhouses. I was reminded again at the recent Bourbon Festival Sampler of what an excellent bourbon this is. Not simply honey-barrels of VOB, 1792 is a unique product that stands out in the crowd.
Now what do you think?
:893drillsergeant-thSound off:893drillsergeant-th
BourbonJoe
05-04-2006, 09:17
I agree with you Jeff, I think 1792 is a decent bourbon. I especially liked the barrel proof version that Greg Davis gave us when we toured Barton this past Sampler. That whiskey was one of the best whiskies I have ever tasted. Now if they only bottled Barrel Proof 1792. :frown: :banghead:
Joe :usflag:
If that's the same barrel we tasted from in September, you're right it's fantastic. It's my understanding that 1792 is a mingling of that "1792" mashbill and the VOB mashbill, so I guess they can't do a true 1792 single barrel.
TNbourbon
05-04-2006, 13:43
I'll say this for you, Jeff -- you keep costing me money with the BOTM:lol: . In this case, I have the choice of either going out and buying what will be a $30+ bourbon after sales tax, or opening a 'collectible' first issue which brought $80+ the last time I sold/traded one (SHHHH!!!) -- it's the only version I have in the house. I've never bought the Ridge'mont' label.
BourbonSteve
05-04-2006, 14:14
Jeff, how ironic! Twice last week I almost bought this bottle. I've seen markedly differing reviews on it but I held off. Now I have a reason.......................
bluesbassdad
05-04-2006, 15:37
Hi Time has this on sale for $23.99.
(They also have Elmer T Lee on sale for $20.99 and HP 12, an overseas spirit, for $29.99. Ask me how I know all of this. :grin: )
Yours truly,
Dave Morefield
Virus_Of_Life
05-04-2006, 16:42
Hi Time has this on sale for $23.99.
(They also have Elmer T Lee on sale for $20.99 and HP 12, an overseas spirit, for $29.99. Ask me how I know all of this. :grin: )
Yours truly,
Dave Morefield
How DO you know all of this Dave? Checking the website or are you in town?
Either way I appreciate the info as I was going to go to another favorite spot of mine and spend a dollar or two more, every dollar saved is a dollar towards a different bottle... I'll pick it up this weekend.
You didn't mention though that those ETLs are from two single barrels they chose, just wish they would have labeled them properly so I'd know which is which :smiley_acbt: ...
bluesbassdad
05-04-2006, 21:17
Christian,
To answer your question, it's all Jeff's fault. The BOTM is one that is not only not presently on my shelf, I've never tasted it. Furthermore, I'd bet there's not a bottle in the State of Arizona, much less in my little corner of the high desert.
Those circumstances led me to visit the Hi Time website. When I saw that the Ridgemont was on sale, I knew I couldn't stop at ordering just one bottle. I scrolled through all their whisk(e)y lists looking for bargains. Finding a couple of my favorite pours on sale sealed the deal.
Yours truly,
Dave Morefield
I think I've mentioned before - this is the only bourbon I've tried since I started drinking bourbon - that I actively disliked. It was over a year ago when I bought a bottle and I was excited to see something new on the shelf. But I thought it was harsh and unpleasant. Some bourbons aren't very interesting, but this was not at all enjoyable. I paid about $25 if I remember correctly.
Craig
nor02lei
05-05-2006, 12:18
The friendly folks at Barton have been generous to the members of Straightboubon.com by granting access to their rarely-seen distillery and rickhouses. I was reminded again at the recent Bourbon Festival Sampler of what an excellent bourbon this is. Not simply honey-barrels of VOB, 1792 is a unique product that stands out in the crowd.
Jeff,
This is good information! I have had big problems with Barton’s in my planning for my September Kentucky visit. They nether have tourist roundabouts nor answering email or letters. If they do grant access to their rarely-seen distillery and rickhouse for SB.com members I would like to know home to contact and how to do it. By the way. I have had the same problem with Brown Forman and Willet.
Leif
Nebraska
05-05-2006, 13:05
Picked up a bottle at one of my favorite stops today and hazaa, it was on sale.
I really like the bottle itself, nice design. The thick base of the bottle mimics what I like in my drinking glassware.
As for the pour itself, I found it to be pleasant, not over-powering, but pleasant. I can see this being another Summer pour.
The nose (or my nose anyway) seemed like butterscotch candy, maybe with a little spice drop added in. One of the more agreeable inviting aromas that I have sensed in bourbon.
First sip and entry is smooth and even somewhat cool. sliding into orange transitioning to a hint of lemon and finally candied fruit. There's another distinct flavor I'm getting half way through, but I apologize I am unable to put a label on it.
This is something I will be revisiting and probably buying an extra bottle of. I'm not sure that I could call this a top 10 for me, but it certainly is not a bottom 20.
Thank you for picking this as BOTM. I would have not been tasting this anytime soon or at all, if it had not been for this activity.
Mark/Nebraska
TNbourbon
05-05-2006, 13:56
...I have the choice of...opening a 'collectible' first issue which brought $80+ the last time I sold/traded one (SHHHH!!!) -- it's the only version I have in the house. I've never bought the Ridge'mont' label.
I failed to mention that I thought the early version was excellent -- and available under $25. It was, I thought, the best thing Barton has issued. It seems to have taken a price hike, at least in Middle Tennessee, since issue.
I haven't had this in a while. My recollection is that when I first sampled it, fairly early in my bourbon explorations, I thought "really good." After trying a bunch of other stuff and revisiting the back half of the Rodgemont bottle, I concluded "pleasant, but not much more." I think of it as a good pour but without any particular distinction; sort of middle-of-the-road in profile. Probably need to pick up another bottle.
Bob
I have a dozen unopened bottles of very nice bourbon that I was hoping that BOTM would tell me which one to open. Unfortunately this isn't one and I haven't seen it at any of my local stores. What price should it go for (I'm in Dallas).
Nebraska
05-05-2006, 18:00
Probably close to $25 to $30, mine was $26.49.
Virus_Of_Life
05-05-2006, 18:30
I failed to mention that I thought the early version was excellent -- and available under $25. It was, I thought, the best thing Barton has issued. It seems to have taken a price hike, at least in Middle Tennessee, since issue.
Is the to say Tim, that the newer version is not as good? I know, I'll judge for myself this weekend after I pick one up and get over this little bit of a nagging sore throat and cold!........ Or I might just try to kill the cold with high proof whiskey!!! :drinking:
TNbourbon
05-05-2006, 18:38
Is the to say Tim, that the newer version is not as good? I know, I'll judge for myself this weekend after I pick one up and get over this little bit of a nagging sore throat and cold!........ Or I might just try to kill the cold with high proof whiskey!!! :drinking:
I don't know if it's any better than the current one -- I had an original one open when the lawsuit ruling came down, and discovered another with a split wood stopper, so opened it. Those are the only two I've tasted. I've never bought the current one.
I did taste it at the recent Sampler in Bardstown and thought it pretty good, but I'm not in any hurry to buy another bottle of anything, what with the open bottles I brought back with me from tastings:
2680
Hedmans Brorsa
05-06-2006, 02:25
I really like this one. I have to add, though, that this assessment stems from just one bottle, bought just after christmas, so it feels fairly new to me.
I´m sure that many of the Stagg devotees of this world dismisses this Bourbon as bland and undemanding but I feel that the Bourbon world must prove itself on many flavour arenas.
To me, Ridgemont fits into the same mould as EWSB and Four Roses. Best suited for a warm summer evening, perhaps?
As for the tasting notes : I found Mark´s to be really on the spot. You almost took the words straight out of my mouth! :)
To satisfy my curiousity : do the tasting notes on the handwritten back label differ? On my bottle it says : "RICH FLAVOR, VELVETY", Warehouse Z (or possibly 7).
P.S Tim, for some reason, that attachment of yours does not work for me.
My impressions of this bottle come guilt free considering my loving wife found it and brought it home last month. After tasting it I can say that although it has it's moments I can't seem to like it. Especially when I compare it price wise to some others.
There are just too many other better tasting pours that I can find for less money. 1792 is $29 here in my town.
GoodDrinkin
05-08-2006, 18:21
Well, how do you do! I hadn't tried this BOTM and when I visited the ABC store I found that it was on sale for $23.95. Bingo!
As others have stated it is on the lighter side. A nice sweetness on the front of the tongue and cinnimon on the back. Not overly complex and I wouldn 't say it's in my top 5, but very drinkable. Comparable to Woodford Reserve IMO.
I'll be keeping it on hand when I'm in the mood for an easy drinking pour or for newbies to drinking bourbon neat.
Virus_Of_Life
05-09-2006, 23:16
First impressions are not good. Nothing significant on the nose and not much in the taste either just a fairly pleasant finish. Maybe it just needs to air for a couple of days... I'll withold final opinion as always until the end of the month.
BUT regardless, thanks again to Dave :thankyousign: for the tip on the sale at Hi Time!!!
ProofPositive
05-09-2006, 23:41
First time to get into a bottle of 1792. I was visiting a fairly new store today in town and found it for $19.99. Although I had planned to get one before the month was out, could not pass it up at that price. Everywhere else I have seen 1792 locally it has been $24.99 & up. So, it followed me home at a date in May earlier than expected.
My first impression....a little on rough side going in and a decent sized burn at the end with a definite alcohol aftertaste. I let it sit open for a couple of hours and got busy with some work. Went back for a second pour and found it much more enjoyable to my pleasant surprise! The late burn is still visible but less pronounced this time around. Although my tastebuds are very novice and pretty dulled after years of close friendship with Tabasco, I pick up a hint of cinnamon, apples and caramel on the nose with some slight licorice going away at the end. Overall, it is a great pick for BOTM. If it was not the pick for May, it would have likely been many moons before I tried a bottle of 1792. So, thanks JEFF for the selection! There's just no way I was going to open my 'Ridgewood' bottle.....even for BOTM!
MurphyDawg
05-10-2006, 01:33
The friendly folks at Barton have been generous to the members of Straightboubon.com by granting access to their rarely-seen distillery and rickhouses. I was reminded again at the recent Bourbon Festival Sampler of what an excellent bourbon this is. Not simply honey-barrels of VOB, 1792 is a unique product that stands out in the crowd.
Now what do you think?
:893drillsergeant-thSound off:893drillsergeant-th
Ooooooo I wish I coulda seen the Barton digs ;-).
But I think this is probably (esp with the tweaking of Russells Reserve) the best cost/quality ration bourbon you can get in central ohio. Recommended.
Tom (not dead) C
pepcycle
05-10-2006, 13:00
The thing that attracts me to this bourbon is the mouth feel.
It is unusually viscous and round.
I find this very appealing.
Most bourbons in this price range show a thin quality commensurate with the price.
Not oily.
Flavors of Caramel and baked apple are balanced nicely.
I like this. It stands in the upper half of my choice selections.
bluesbassdad
05-10-2006, 20:12
Impressions:
Handsome bottle. Elegant, yet brawny.
Burlap around neck looks cool in a 1958 Buick tailfin sort of way.
Plastic shrink-seal comes off easily.
I grasp stopper and twist gently.
Stopper is in my hand; cork is still in the bottle. The recessed bottom of the stopper, where the cork should be, shows glue on less than 20% of its surface. It never stood a chance.
Using a champagne cork-style of alternating thumb pressure I manage to extract the cork in two minutes.
I'm too annoyed for objective tasting right now. Recork it and wait until later.Yours truly,
Dave Morefield
ProofPositive
05-10-2006, 22:16
Impressions:
Handsome bottle. Elegant, yet brawny.
Burlap around neck looks cool in a 1958 Buick tailfin sort of way.
Plastic shrink-seal comes off easily.
I grasp stopper and twist gently.
Stopper is in my hand; cork is still in the bottle. The recessed bottom of the stopper, where the cork should be, shows glue on less than 20% of its surface. It never stood a chance.
Using a champagne cork-style of alternating thumb pressure I manage to extract the cork in two minutes.
I'm too annoyed for objective tasting right now. Recork it and wait until later.Yours truly,
Dave Morefield
Good idea. Sometimes when things go from good to bad that quickly, waiting for a more objective moment is the right thing to do. I doubt I would have demonstrated that much discipline & maturity as of yet. Impulsive as I am, it would have been in my glass and the frustration of it all would have tainted the tasting.
ProofPositive
05-11-2006, 23:16
In a store on the expensive side of town today, I saw 1792 priced at $32.99. I paid $19.99 plus the 9.25% gratuity to the city of Memphis and state of Tennessee in a store a few miles south of this one in a shady part of town. I don't recall seeing such a gap in the price of one label.....not in this area of the country anyway.
On second thought, this same store has Pappy 23 priced at $229 while everyone else in town that has it sells same for $199 plus the gratuity. Maybe this store is higher on everything. I don't go in there often. I guess the wealthy are paying more!
MurphyDawg
05-12-2006, 08:10
Impressions:
Handsome bottle. Elegant, yet brawny.
Burlap around neck looks cool in a 1958 Buick tailfin sort of way.
Plastic shrink-seal comes off easily.
I grasp stopper and twist gently.
Stopper is in my hand; cork is still in the bottle. The recessed bottom of the stopper, where the cork should be, shows glue on less than 20% of its surface. It never stood a chance.
Using a champagne cork-style of alternating thumb pressure I manage to extract the cork in two minutes.
I'm too annoyed for objective tasting right now. Recork it and wait until later.Yours truly,
Dave Morefield
You're a bigger man than I , my friend. The bourbon would have been in my glass and I would have been bitching, a first impression wasted (and I find that its hard to get past first impressions sometimes, as open minded as I try to be.). Hopefully you can reapproach it soon!
TomC
Ok, I had to buy a bottle. It is not my cup of tea for sure. A bit to Rye and not sweet enough. I would not by another bottle. On a scale of 1-10, I would give it a 5.
jburlowski
05-13-2006, 12:15
It's been a while since I've had any so I bought another bottle to refresh my memory.
Very nice and well rounded. The oilyness in the taste reminds me a little of Jack Daniels. Overall a very good whiskey.
ProofPositive
05-13-2006, 22:32
Ok, I had to buy a bottle. It is not my cup of tea for sure. A bit to Rye and not sweet enough. I would not by another bottle. On a scale of 1-10, I would give it a 5.
Give it another try in a day or so. You might get a better feeling the second time around. I was a little surprised on the first pour....it was a bit better than expected. The second time around was even a little better. I would not rate it in the top 10-20% - but I would give it a 7 out of 10 IMHO.
BourbonJoe
05-15-2006, 04:37
Give it another try in a day or so. You might get a better feeling the second time around. I was a little surprised on the first pour....it was a bit better than expected. The second time around was even a little better. I would not rate it in the top 10-20% - but I would give it a 7 out of 10 IMHO.
If you ever tasted it "straight out of the barrel", as I did on a recent tour of Barton, You'd probably give it an 11. It was, IMHO, one of the finest whiskies I have ever tasted (and that would be a lot!!).
Joe :usflag:
ProofPositive
05-18-2006, 21:10
If you ever tasted it "straight out of the barrel", as I did on a recent tour of Barton, You'd probably give it an 11. It was, IMHO, one of the finest whiskies I have ever tasted (and that would be a lot!!).
Joe :usflag:
I'll take your word for it. You certainly qualify as much more of an expert than me! Is it common to get a taste straight out of the barrel at Barton....and, for that matter, any other distilleries? Just wondering. That may qualify as a semi-dumb question - but, I have never toured a distillery. I hope to do a few in the near future though.
bfurbush
05-18-2006, 23:34
Turns out previous to reading this thread I bought this because it looked decent and was on sale for $19.99...turns out it was a great choice - really enjoying this bourbon. Similar to Jack Daniels only in my opinion a bit smoother. Excellent sipping bourbon, good on the rocks or with your choice of beverage if you so please.
Enjoy everyone.
Brian
Hedmans Brorsa
05-19-2006, 01:24
Interesting that at least two people make comparisons to JD. I have to try my RiRe together with JD single barrel next time I pick it out from the cupboard.
Again, I wonder about the handwritten tasting notes on the back label. On my bottle it says "Rich flavor, velvety".
Does any one else have something different written on theirs?
TimmyBoston
05-25-2006, 15:01
I haven't had any of the 1792, does anyone have any tasting notes or comments they'd like to share?
Nebraska
05-26-2006, 20:52
The 2nd page of this thread has tasting notes.
TimmyBoston
05-27-2006, 00:19
Thanks, it sounds great
bluesbassdad
06-01-2006, 01:30
I've sipped at this bourbon a couple of times earlier in the month. Tonight I put on my taster's cap, such as it is, and went to work.
Bottom line: I do not enjoy this bourbon. I will not buy another bottle when this one is finally gone. With all the other enjoyable bourbons at hand, I can't imagine when I will reach for this one again.
The nose is actually quite pleasant for the most part, even though meager. Mostly I get pale, sweet aromas, akin to cotton candy or vanilla. A touch of something very harsh, acetone would hardly be an overstatement, came and went.
It's all downhill from there. The palate is thin and harsh. It took a while to recall what it reminds me of. It's Jefferson's Reserve, the one I once likened to shavings from a No. 2 pencil -- wood, paint and all.
The finish quickly turns dry, acrid and bitter.
Perhaps that cork was trying to warn me away.
Yours truly,
Dave Morefield
Big Chipper
06-03-2006, 08:46
First post here! I recently finished a bottle of 1972 and have the following notes:
The bottle was fantastic...nice weight
The nose had strong wet leather and oaky smell...almost musty
Fairly smooth with complex overtones of candied spice, toffee, and faint vanilla - rye is definately present
Purchased for $24.99 at the local ABC
Overall, I'd give it a 7 out of 10.
bluesbassdad
06-03-2006, 11:41
B.C.,
Welcome aboard. You will find lots of friendly, knowledgeable folks here. The forums can become addictive, as my experience proves. If I had to give up either bourbon or StraightBourbon.com, I'm not sure which one I would choose.
Yours truly,
Dave Morefield
I'm new to bourbon tasting and have only been visiting the forums for a month or so. I decided to try the BOTM and, after several pours, I have not been disappointed. Since my prior experience is limited to sporadic tastings, I cannot offer comparisons. However, I have been enjoying the nose and the taste very much. Interestingly, during the first pour and after several sips, I did notice a slightly unpleasant after taste -not sure how to describe it. Perhaps related to the meal I had eaten that night, but I have not really noticed it since.
I can't wait to try future BOTMs and expand my experience with good bourbon. My wife is not so sure about this new hobby.....
Nebraska
06-10-2006, 18:39
I've revisited this a half dozen times over a months period and still like what I taste. As I originally said, I'm glad it was the BOTM, other wise it would have been quite a while before I ever got around to it.
As far as your wife goes, you can tell her, "I really enjoy activities that keep me at home with you".
Now after she hits you in the head and asks you where you got that lame line, you can use the excuse of taking a pour of bourbon for medicinal purposes.
I should really try to get her into the bourbon as well...
As for tasting...one of the things I have picked up on in these forums is that one really needs to have several pours before forming an opinion about the bottle. I don't think that is a negative...after all, that seems a good excuse for more drinking. I am looking forward to a head-to-head tasting with the June BOTM, Pappy Van Winkle 15 yo.
So many bourbons, so little time....
hollywood
07-08-2006, 17:39
Hello everyone! It has been a long time since I have visited. I won't bore you with the details, but I'm back...I hope the old-timers are fairing well, and welcome to the newcomers whatever your (bourbon) experience level is! I look forward to catching up with you all...maybe we can get back into the groove of sharing experiences, and trading out some good pours again...you guys know who I'm talking about. Anyways, I have moved to Kansas City, MO and am enjoying a Ridgemont Reserve on the rocks, and smoking a Partagas Spanish Rosado....tough, but somebody has to do it...Y'all give me a holler. See ya, Hollywood
straightwhiskeyruffneck
11-23-2006, 07:20
If that's the same barrel we tasted from in September, you're right it's fantastic. It's my understanding that 1792 is a mingling of that "1792" mashbill and the VOB mashbill, so I guess they can't do a true 1792 single barrel.
re-barrel them toghether, then you got the only twice barreled single barrel! seems very possibe to me.
BourbonJoe
11-23-2006, 09:26
I don't see why they could not produce a 1792 "single barrel" from the striaght 1792 mash bill. It would not have to be the same as the regular 1792 because it is a single barrel.
Joe :usflag:
I did not care much for 1792 Ridgemont Reserve, except the pretty bottle. :)
Solomon2
01-08-2007, 19:38
I'm on my second bottle of 1792. Stuff is so smooth, its easy to drink too much of it. Velvety definitely, rich I don't know about. The taste is weaker than WR, but there is very little burn. $17.99 + tax here in Montgomery County, Md., where it used to be a special order item, but is now regularly stocked.
As for the bottle: it's pretty cool. The burlap helps prevent any drips from reaching the table. Of course, drops that escape my glass only occur when I've had too many...
I know this is a little late. IIRC from the tour....1792 is a small batch of about 40 barrels, all from warehouse z. Z is located to the north and west of the distillery, right next to the creek and the newwer bridge.
All barrels come from z, and are of the same mash bill. Most other Barton labels have batches over 80 barrels. The barrel proof version, I was lucky enough to taste, had flavors of apple and bannana. I noted to Ken Pierce, that there seemed to be less barrel char than other bottles of 1792. He claimed that they adjust that within the batch. I believe that the youngest bourbon in the bottle is 8 years.
Also, Sam Cecils son works on thier bottling line. Lots of other employees have been there for 30-40 years.
Jeff M.
BTW, the barrel we were tasting out of was 10 years and one month old.
Jeff M.
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