What Rye Are You Drinking? Autumn 2012

[squire]

Just some garden variety Beam until my local get the holiday supplies in.

[LostBottle]

I had some VWFRR and V21 yesterday. I hate to break it to the suckers who stood in line for hours, but the V21 easily surpassed the Van Winkle - it was smoother and had more flavor.

[MyOldKyDram]

Never done a side by side, but just going by memory I'd put them on a fairly level playing field. My have to put that to the test soon.

[LostBottle]

Don't get me wrong, the VWFRR is very good and easily in the upper echelon of American whiskeys. However, the Vintage 21 has more baking spice and wood flavor, which I prefer. The bigger difference is that the V21 is a much smoother whiskey when had neat. While the VW is creamy, it is a little more rough around the edges. I will buy either one in a heartbeat, but if forced to choose, the V21 would be my pick.

[smokinjoe]

Don't get me wrong, the VWFRR is very good and easily in the upper echelon of American whiskeys. However, the Vintage 21 has more baking spice and wood flavor, which I prefer. The bigger difference is that the V21 is a much smoother whiskey when had neat. While the VW is creamy, it is a little more rough around the edges. I will buy either one in a heartbeat, but if forced to choose, the V21 would be my pick.

Well, maybe you could forgo the "sucker" comment, then?

[ChainWhip]

My second try at THH tonight - I poured a dram and let it sit for 30-40 min (covered the glass) and its is much better the second time around.

I got the spices like last time but also noticed vanilla, freshly cut pine lumber, faint traces of bananas-foster... I like it but I think it still takes a back seat to Saz18.

[LostBottle]

Well, maybe you could forgo the "sucker" comment, then?

I wish no offense, but I will have to stand by that particular comment. VW rye is certainly good and one would definitely not be a sucker for buying it at anything under $85ish. Hell, I might just pay $100. However, there is no whiskey worth standing in line for hours to obtain a sole bottle, especially when better bottles can be found on the shelves all year long - this is where my comment was directed. Also, the stores that make people do the cattle call BS can suck it.
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[tanstaafl2]

I wish no offense, but I will have to stand by that particular comment. VW rye is certainly good and one would definitely not be a sucker for buying it at anything under $85ish. Hell, I might just pay $100. However, there is no whiskey worth standing in line for hours to obtain a sole bottle, especially when better bottles can be found on the shelves all year long - this is where my comment was directed. Also, the stores that make people do the cattle call BS can suck it.
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Your local stores seem to have a better stock than mine. Never seen Vintage Rye on the shelf (or anywhere else) in the stores I frequent and it doesn't seem to be readily available at internet retailers that would ship to me, even if I was willing to pay the shipping cost on top of the cost of the bottle. I have at least seen the VWFRR (admittedly only once, at which point I promptly bought it) and I didn't even have to stand in line.

[smokinjoe]

I wish no offense, but I will have to stand by that particular comment. VW rye is certainly good and one would definitely not be a sucker for buying it at anything under $85ish. Hell, I might just pay $100. However, there is no whiskey worth standing in line for hours to obtain a sole bottle, especially when better bottles can be found on the shelves all year long - this is where my comment was directed. Also, the stores that make people do the cattle call BS can suck it.
/

Like I said, you could have said that, in your opinion, the V21 is better than the VWFRR. And, stopped there. If you have a problem with certain retailers distribution tactics, or if you want to take shots at the board members who wish to participate in these events, then that's for another thread.

[p_elliott]

I think we need to get back on the subject of the thread here. I'll start last weekend I did a rye run of WTR 101, Saz 18, and Ritt 23. I had planned to do some Handy as well but I don't think I got that far as I did a couple pours of some of these.