Bourbon of the Year

[jburlowski]

Now that 2007 is winding down, it's time to make a choice of the year's best pour. FWIW, here are my finalists:

BTAC: Maybe I've become jaded, but this year's expressions, while very, very good, are under-whelming. Not up to the high bar of years past. The 2007 WLW is particularly pedestrian for its price. No winners here,

Four Roses "Barrel Strength" Limited-Edition Bourbon (Jim Rutledge 40th anniversary): A fittting commemorative to one of the real class-acts in the business.Very well-balanced with delightful honey / caramel notes. Makes one dream about what other treasures lie in the FR rickhouses. But, at the end of the day, not all that different from FR SB --- which was one of my 2006 favs.

Wild Turkey American Spirit: As an unabashed Turkey fan, this is paradise in a bottle. Turkey all the way with added maturity and char and oak that is noticeable but not in any way intrusive or offensive. Fine leather and tobacco all the way. Simply outstanding!

Parker's Heritage Cask-Strength: For me, one of the best to emerge from HH. Again a great tribute to one of the industry's finest. Incredible aroma --- almost tropical. Chocolatety sweet taste. Eminently drinkable without dilution. Fantastic!

A virtual dead-heat between the last two contenders... If I gotta pick one today (cuz I may likely change my mind tomorrow), I would say (Jimmy Russell forgive me): Parker's Heritage is my best of 2007.

[OscarV]

Of the ones you nominated I have only had the WTAS and the FR40th.

Please don't make me choose,.... but the FR40th that I had a few weeks ago still lingers in my memory.

[BourbonJoe]

A virtual dead-heat between the last two contenders... If I gotta pick one today (cuz I may likely change my mind tomorrow), I would say (Jimmy Russell forgive me): Parker's Heritage is my best of 2007.

I have to agree with you John, although my bottle of the FR 40th was superb.
Joe :usflag:

[gothbat]

Those are all fine pours and I'll have to decide for sure once I open my WT:AS because I've only tried a small sample of it but I think PHC is probably going to win in my book. To me PHC was a real surprise and an instant favorite, it's probably the most unique tasting bourbon I've ever had; it had a strange (but really good) almost fruit like taste to it that was unlike that which I have gotten from any other.

I don't know if we're limited in this thread to the 4 finalists you've selected and I don't know if it counts since it wasn't really sold in stores but so far imo the real bourbon of the year is the SB.com PVW23 (barrel 2, not because I think it's better than barrel 1 but because I've never tried barrel 1). Like I said, those are all fine pours, but this one tops them all.

Best non-bourbon: Saz18 (but in all fairness I'll have to try the VWFRR to be certain).

[jburlowski]

I don't know if we're limited in this thread to the 4 finalists you've selected and I don't know if it counts since it wasn't really sold in stores

I certainly didn't mean to set any limits... rather to share what I thought were the finalists.

[gothbat]

I certainly didn't mean to set any limits... rather to share what I thought were the finalists.

Ah, I see. I thought maybe you were going for which of this years special releases were the best of the year. In any case, the 4 you had were pretty much my finalists too.

[Old Lamplighter]

I certainly didn't mean to set any limits... rather to share what I thought were the finalists.

Will have to get back with my vote next month. I'm with you on the BTAC....very average at best this year. As for the other 3, I am hoping to give the 4R a shot before the middle of December while planning to pick up a Parker's next week. From all indications, both will be very enjoyable. However, as for the WTAS, going to have to pass for now due to financial restrictions on bourbon expenditures.....unless of course someone out there is able to persuade me to pass on the 4R and PH in favor of buying the AS in their place......or, if someone wants to donate an AS to me for sampling purposes. I promise to return the nice bottle and wood box afterwards!