Hypothetical question about 10 bourbons

[ratcheer]

If anyone is intested here are the 10 bourbons that are going to be featured in the "Top Shelf" article. Thanks to all for adding your input. I would like to say I was not the only person picking these, so if you don't like the list don't kill me for it!! Some were chosen almost just based on availability. I added a few notes to give some reasoning. Curious to hear any thoughts or opinions on the 10 chosen.

1) Baker's (small batch, readily available and young)
2) Blanton's Original (the ORIGNAL single barrel)
3) Booker's (small batch, but vastly different from Baker's)
4) Hirsch 16 (a piece of history)
5) Pappy 20 (one of the best and my favorite)
6) Elmer T Lee (unbeatable for the price)
7) Stagg (the hazmat label and its quality)
8) Wild Turkey Tribute (arguably best in the WT class)
9) Eagle Rare 17 (another great one)
10) Distillers Masterpiece Port finish (why this one? we needed a "WOW" type bourbon for the article in which readers would get a bit mystified by this selection, plus it has a very elegant and photogenic look)

I will only comment on the ones I am familiar with:

1) Baker's - I didn't care much for this one. To me, it has a dry, astringent quality that I just don't enjoy.
2) Blanton's - I love it. Smooth, elegant, laid back. Every time I taste it, different flavors waft in and out.
3) Booker's - A very interesting drink, but too expensive for what you get.
5) Pappy 20 - Supremely elegant, deep flavors and aromas. Wonderful.
6) Elmer T. Lee - I don't care what it costs, this is easily in my top five bourbons. Rich aromas and flavors (tobacco, dark fruit, oranges, leather). And wonderfully sweet tasting . I currently look forward to each drink of it more than any other bourbon I know.

Tim

[Edward_call_me_Ed]

Hi Tim,
No cinnamon/nutmeg in the ETL?
Ed

[Vange]

need someone to doublecheck me here as well. i need the producers of each bourbon.

1) Baker's - Jim Beam
2) Blanton's Original - Buffalo Trace
3) Booker's - Jim Beam
4) Hirsch 16 - Michter's
5) Pappy 20 - Van Winkle
6) Elmer T Lee - Buffao Trace
7) Stagg - Buffalo Trace
8) Wild Turkey Tribute - Wild Turkey or is it Auton Nichols?
9) Eagle Rare 17 - Buffalo Trace
10) Distillers Masterpiece Port finish - Jim Beam

[barturtle]

#8- Austin, Nichols Distilling Company

Rest looks good.

[chasking]

Actually, the producer of #5 (Pappy 20) was Stitzel-Weller. Van Winkle selects and bottles its (his?) whiskey but doesn't distill it.

[Vange]

Stitzel-Weller is gone though?

[ratcheer]

Beats me! There are a lot of things going on in the flavor and aroma of this bourbon. But I haven't specifically noticed cinnamon or nutmeg, yet. Now that you've put them in my head, I might the next time I taste it.

Tim

[ratcheer]

Yes, it is gone.

Tim

[NorCalBoozer]

FYI, this site shows all the brands that BT produces.

http://www.greatbourbon.com/index.html

[ratcheer]

So, I just went and had a nice tasting of ETL. It was everything I said above plus a very nice, hot, black peppery rye spice. But, nothing reminded me of cinnamon or nutmeg. Also, when I say "dark fruits", it seems to be mostly prunes with a hint of raisins.

Tim