First Timer's Club

[funknik]

Although many of you are obviously way ahead of the curve, there are many of us out there trying new bottles on a daily basis. This thread is to discuss what you had to drink today that you've never had before....

Yesterday I had the '08 Handy Saz and I loved it...although after a few other drinks and some ice cream, it did leave a bitter taste in my mouth....I think it's a great pour to start the evening.....

I'm becoming a bit of a hoarder and I need to bite the bullet and break some of my bunkered bottles open, but here's a list what I have on deck that I've never tasted before:

ORVW 10/107
VWLot 'B'
PVW15
'08 ER17 (waiting to do a side-by-side with the 10 year -- fancy!)
Elmer T. Lee (Julio's choice)
Four Roses SmB

My friends, what new experience have you had today?

[kickert]

I could not imagine purchasing a bottle I had never had and not opening it immediately. You are a stronger man than I.

[hjminard]

I could not imagine purchasing a bottle I had never had and not opening it immediately. You are a stronger man than I.

I'm with ya ... I have no intention of ever buying bourbon that I don't intend to drink (now!), and when I get a new bottle it screams at me until it has been sampled.

But for many it is apparent that the collecting part is as much the hobby as the drinking part. I have enough hobbies ... just ask my wife.

More on topic ... being a newbie I recently sampled two Wild Turkey varieties that were new to me but are old hat for most here: Kentucky Spirit (very good) and Rare Breed (my new favorite!).

[funknik]

I with ya ... I have no intention of ever buying bourbon that I don't intend to drink (now!), and when I get a new bottle it screams at me until it has been sampled.

But for many it is apparent that the collecting part is as much the hobby as the drinking part. I have enough hobbies ... just ask my wife.

Oh, I agree, it's tough, and it's not really about collecting as much as having options and a stockpile.....there are several factors.....one is that the liquor cabinet is only so big and can only hold a few open bottles at once. The second is that I have to travel to get a lot of this stuff as my selection around here is slim...so I'll have a buying binge, but don't have room to open numerous bottles all at once. Lastly, I just like to have something to look forward to...I would say that anticipation is a major factor in my enjoyment of anything...if I build up a burnin' desire for something it will be that much sweeter when I let myself at it.

Cheers!

[hjminard]

Lastly, I just like to have something to look forward to...I would say that anticipation is a major factor in my enjoyment of anything...if I build up a burnin' desire for something it will be that much sweeter when I let myself at it.

That's a very good point, and for some things and some bourbons (not many, though) the anticipation is better than the reality.

Must build willpower ...

[kickert]

Oh, I agree, it's tough, and it's not really about collecting as much as having options and a stockpile.....there are several factors.....one is that the liquor cabinet is only so big and can only hold a few open bottles at once. The second is that I have to travel to get a lot of this stuff as my selection around here is slim...so I'll have a buying binge, but don't have room to open numerous bottles all at once. Lastly, I just like to have something to look forward to...I would say that anticipation is a major factor in my enjoyment of anything...if I build up a burnin' desire for something it will be that much sweeter when I let myself at it.

Cheers!

I can see your point... and I also see your solution. Get a bigger cabinet!!

[Blitz]

Don't yell at me but I got a bottle of Pappy van winkle 20 for Christmas and just tried it last night. My son bought it for me and he was in and out of town over the holidays. I wanted to wait for him and try it together.

So I have an interesting collection. Four bottles and one of them is PVW20.

[funknik]

Don't yell at me but I got a bottle of Pappy van winkle 20 for Christmas and just tried it last night. My son bought it for me and he was in and out of town over the holidays. I wanted to wait for him and try it together.

So I have an interesting collection. Four bottles and one of them is PVW20.

Give it up, man, how was it?

[Blitz]

Give it up, man, how was it?

Keep in mind I don't know anything.

I really didn't care for the nose, it smelled musty. Fortunately it tasted a lot better than it smelled. It was very complex, much more so than anything else I have tasted. I can see why some consider it too 'woody',
but after the first glass when I got accustomed to the taste, I found it very delicious. It was a fun experience.

[Special Reserve]

I could not imagine purchasing a bottle I had never had and not opening it immediately....

I do this a lot. I never purchase a bottle with the intent of never drinking it or buying it for "investment" reasons. I always intend to drink what buy. But, I know myself, and I know that when the bottle is opened and I love it (which happens a lot) I will drink it steadily and it disappears too quickly. Besides, I do enjoy admiring my bourbons.