What bourbon are you drinking right now?

[Paradox]

Ok guys, a new post for a new forum... So what's in your glass as you sit here viewing the "new and improved" look of StraightBourbon.com?

It's a little early here now but nonetheless I'm having a pour of AH Hirsch 20. I think the anticipation of getting my orders of the 16 year in pulled me towards this one. I really like the 20 year, but for the price difference I'll take the 16 year any day. There may be a little, and I mean little, more bouquet or subtle tasting differences between the 2 but on a whole to me they are very similiar products. Either way, they are both great and will eventually be sadly missed.

[Gillman]

I happen to be tasting the same, Hirsch 20 years old. This is an outstanding whiskey. It is superior to the Hirsch 16 year old, good as that one is: smoother, deeper, richer. Whether it is worth the extra money is arguable, but this is about as fine a straight whiskey as can be found today (or likely anytime). It reminds me of other older whiskeys such as the current Rowan's Creek or ORVW Family Reserve 13 year old Straight Rye Whiskey, but it has a depth, balance and and fruity complexity those others don't attain.

I would be curious what the Hirsch 19 year old (which would seem genuine based on Jim Murray's reference) tastes like in comparison.

The Hirsch 20 year old (indeed any of the Hirsch/Michter's) is a true rarity because even when Michter's was sold in the marketplace under its own name unqualified (until the early 1980's) that Michter's - Michter's Original Sour Mash Whiskey - was never this aged. This is a super-luxury version of that Michter's. Still, the sweetness and balance of the original come through in the aged versions no less; the Hirsch 20 and 16 year olds would not be what they are had the Michter's 1974 distillate been anything less than very prime straight whiskey in all respects.

Gary

[jeff]

Heaven Hill 10yo BIB. Found this on the shelf today at Shopper's Village and thought I would give it a spin. The first thing that gets you is the heat. This is a slap you in the face type of bourbon for sure. But after a couple sips and you go numb, err get used to it, the flavors open up nicely. Lots of vanilla and nuts in here. Cinnamon and cloves are also in abundance. Finish is hot, real hot, but in a nice "I am bourbon, hear me roar" kind of way." I'll need to explore this one a bit more, but for only $10.99 a bottle it is a nice change of pace.

[OneCubeOnly]

Cool bottle Jeff! I don't think I've ever seen that one!

[Bob]

I'm not drinking this right now, after all it is not even 9 AM yet, but last PM I had a drink of Jim Beam Black. Not exactly my favorite, but not bad either. Having this with a few ice cubes makes it more enjoyable to me. I'm working on finishing off this bottle to open up some shelf space for some new stuff, which I got quite a bit of while in KY, and now more coming from Chicago!

[Paradox]

Not like it matters Bob, but was it the new 8 year or the old 7 year Beam Black? I prefer the old 7 year which I think was 90 proof... I totally agree with you about some pous being beter with a bit o' ice. Elijah Craig 12yo, to me, is 100% better with one cube in it. Well, here's to making room for all we both have coming!

[Bob]

Mark,

I've got the 8 YO, 86 Proof. I've read that the 7 YO was the preferred bottling to get if you could find it, but I don't think I've ever seen it.

[Paradox]

It's becoming scarce now. Older shops still have it lying around but you have to look is small towns and such...

[ratcheer]

Woodford Reserve, straight. Still one of my favorites. Still candy!

Tim

[bluesbassdad]

ORVW 18 y/o Park Avenue Liquor Bottling.

I poured this one so I'd have something to brag about in the chat room tonight. When I checked in and found it empty, I was enjoying myself too much to be disappointed.

Oh, if only I had the tasting/vocabulary skills to do this one justice...

It's burley, walnuts and black raspberries to my humble palate. Surprisingly, it reminds me more of the 10/107 expression than the 15/107, which I find to be woodier. The finish may be drier than the 10 year-old, though.

If I were wealthy enough to buy this stuff by the case, I would definitely have a drinking problem. I suppose I'm better off having a money problem.

Yours truly,
Dave Morefield