Do reviewers get honey barrels?

[MauiSon]

Why would anyone update their review on a whiskey if it hasn't been changed and, more importantly, why would a producer send a reviewer a second bottle of anything that's already received a favorable review? So the reviewer can change his mind? Better turn on the old 'is it reasonable' filter, EP.

However, here's the rub - EW1B is essentially the same thing every year with just a new date tacked on. There's no claim of changing the mashbill or age or anything (except weather and storage location, perhaps). So, maybe in this particular case, a favorable review might keep the bottles coming, year in, year out. [Hmm... just working to find a reason for higher scores here - it ain't easy!]

[hectic1]

I'm just trying to figure out if this thread tallied more posts in 6 hours or the "shut down Ebay liquor sales" thread? Good work as always Wade...

I look at it the same way as many others here...you're going to put your best foot forward when you have the ability. The fact of the matter is that they control what barrel goes to reviewers so one has to believe they are going to select a barrel that they believe will yield a solid rating.

[smokinjoe]

They don't lack integrity, just credibility. There's a difference.

I see no reason to question either their integrity, or their credibility. At all.

[cowdery]

I'm just trying to figure out if this thread tallied more posts in 6 hours or the "shut down Ebay liquor sales" thread? Good work as always Wade...

I look at it the same way as many others here...you're going to put your best foot forward when you have the ability. The fact of the matter is that they control what barrel goes to reviewers so one has to believe they are going to select a barrel that they believe will yield a solid rating.

But why don't you finish the thought? If they send a sample that is markedly uncharacteristic, they can be easily found out and will be found out, unless in addition to all of my other flaws I'm an incompetent taster. And if they don't send a sample that is markedly uncharacteristic, then what are we talking about?

But thank you for saying that, because that's the nub of this thing right there.

[bingstein]

All I know is that Beam must have sent a "super honey" batch of OGD 114 to Liquor Barn and they must have passed along the rare, coveted "super duper money honey" bottle to me, because it is hitting the spot right about now. They must have thought it was going to Chuck

[MauiSon]

Everyone knows the "super duper money honey" batches are kept in Kentucky (and sent to reviewers) to keep the natives from becoming restless.

[hectic1]

But why don't you finish the thought? If they send a sample that is markedly uncharacteristic, they can be easily found out and will be found out, unless in addition to all of my other flaws I'm an incompetent taster. And if they don't send a sample that is markedly uncharacteristic, then what are we talking about?

But thank you for saying that, because that's the nub of this thing right there.

I did finish my thought...anything additional would be your thoughts and not mine Chuck.

I've seen plenty of barrels that aren't "markedly uncharacteristic" for a profile but nosed/tasted better than others. You're 100% playing with a blind fold on if you don't think that there are certain barrels of EWSB that are going to appeal to the masses more than others. Please don't play the "oh poor me" card with me Chuck...it's not appreciated. You put out ratings and they're your ratings...I don't give your ratings any more or less credibility then a guy behind a liquor store counter...sorry but that's the truth. The fact of the matter is we all taste things differently and put different values on specific aspect of bourbon. I look for different things in bourbon and put a higher value on certain things then probably a lot of others...therefore unless I nose/taste it for myself all bets are off.

I think it's pretty clear from the poll results that the vast majority feel that yes, they are sending "honey" barrels out for reviews...I personally don't care if they do or not as I'm really interested in EWSB.

[CoMobourbon]

No offense meant to anyone, but I feel like it would be best to address the question and it's immediate premises and not try prove our I-believe-in-personal-whiskey-taste credentials. We get it; we are all wonderfully unique and beautiful whiskey butterflies, we don't need no stinking reviews to know what whiskey is good, etc.

First, we should recognize that there must be some significant variation in barrels. The whole premise that tasters and master distillers can shape brand profile flavors based on factors other than age and mash bill depends heavily on the assumption that different barrels must turn out significantly differently. There are definitely differences, and there is likely a range in 'quality' - what most people would recognize as better or worse barrels. This range in quality may follow a bell curve or something like a bell curve.

Second, we should be able to agree that Heaven Hill does not pick completely random barrels; they need to avoid accidentally picking a less-than-average barrel on the low end of the aforementioned bell curve.

Also, I would think we should be able to agree that Heaven Hill does not pick amazingly meteoric barrels that are so good that they do not resemble the characteristics of the brand. As Chuck fairly pointed out, that would be stupid because it would risk exposing dishonesty and compromising faith in an already successful brand. (Unless we really believe that ALL big whiskey tasters work together with distillers in an elaborate ring of corruption, twisting their mustaches and cackling.)

The truth, then, must lie somewhere in the middle. Are reviewer barrels somewhat better 'quality' / 'tastier' than the 'average' barrel. Probably. I voted yes along with most of us. At least they are selected to be not worse than average. Are they dramatically better? Almost definitely not.

What really gets me is how asinine people are being about the topic. Clearly, Chuck (as a writer, public figure, and generally on-top-of-his-small-niche-world professional) cares a lot about his reputation and is pretty sensitive to insinuations and criticisms. Clearly, this thread has racked up so many responses so quickly in part because people want to see Chuck angry. This has all happened before (BarrelChar). I don't post on here as regularly as some, and even to me this whole routine is getting pretty tiring.

[wadewood]

My goal was to get a simple gauge if people think reviewers get sent honey barrels. From the results I think it is pretty clear that is the perception. I did not say there was anything wrong with this or this was limited to EWSB. Most not only seem to think it occurs, but give credit to the distillers for doing so. If I owned my own distillery, odds are I would make sure the bottles going to reviewers would be top notch.

Bottom line for me is that I will trust reviews/tasting notes from other SBers who purchased their own whiskey over the reviews of someone who is getting a free bottle.

[SFS]

This thread made me ask "what happened to SB.com since yesterday?"