What Bourbon Are You Drinking Winter '08/'09

[PhilsFan]

Last night it was AAA 10yr.

-Joe

[ILLfarmboy]

Tonight its Weller Antique.

Paul, you're right the colder the bourbon the less perceptible the taste.

A lot of folks like Ice in their bourbon, rye or other whiskey. And it is commonly advised for newbies who are having trouble acclimating themselves to drinking neat. To me, Ice accentuates the ethanol, even though it dilutes the whiskey, and blunts the flavors. I have always thought this is counterproductive when trying to acclimate a newbie to taking his whiskey neat. If asked about It I've always said leave the ice for your Ice tea and dilute your whiskey with a bit of water, if you find it too strong. I've even taken some flak for advising against ice.

I have heard the story of Jimmy Russell keeping WTRB in the freezer. Why would he do that? I don't know. I don't understand it, but it is hard to criticize it, I mean, he's Jimmy Russell.............

[funknik]

I have heard the story of Jimmy Russell keeping WTRB in the freezer. Why would he do that? I don't know. I don't understand it, but it is hard to criticize it, I mean, he's Jimmy Russell.............

I thought I posted on this earlier, but I don't see it...anyway, here are my notes on Rare Breed from this summer when I was a true blue noob:

When I first tried this (on my 30th birthday), it was the best bourbon I had ever had. It has a very herbal (almost floral) quality, the sweet taste present in all of the Wild Turkey bourbons and a nice, though understated, rye finish. As I've made my way through the bottle (and tried many other bourbons in the meantime), however, I have reassessed my original opinion slightly. It is very tasty and has flavor not present in other whiskies I've tried (herbs, etc.) but it is a little intense in the alcohol department. I did (upon reading that Jimmy Russell did this) stick the bottle in the freezer and have since come to think of this as a bit too harsh. Maybe the lower temperature makes me less cautious, but I've definitely got burned on the black tongue by this stuff several times.

It's too easy to drink out of the freezer, and I think the flavor does suffer due to the low temp -- I keep WLW SR in the freezer but I usually let it warm up a little before pouring any.

Anyway, last night I had a few Dickel No.12 pours, neat. Very good, but simple and one-dimensional -- I'm trying to empty some bottles to make room for new stuff that should be arriving in the mail anytime.

:woohoo:

[T47]

I have heard the story of Jimmy Russell keeping WTRB in the freezer. Why would he do that? I don't know. I don't understand it, but it is hard to criticize it, I mean, he's Jimmy Russell.............

I recall someone here suggesting I try EC 18 out of the freezer? I did at one time try Weller 12 in a variety of fashions, From the Freezer, Heated a like Brandy over a glass of boiled water, with a couple ice cubes and neat. I recall the Freezer glass being more sublte in everything (nose and taste). The heated up glass maybe intensified the nose more than anything. It was kind of interesting, but I guess I should have figured the different methods would impact it quite a bit.

[OscarV]

Old Rip Van Winkle 10yo 107prf,... and yes, neat.

[George]

Just tried FRSmB for the first time. I didn't dislike it, but it didn't do much for me. I'll see how I feel as I go through the bottle, but at first taste, it was underwhelming to me.

[Kendall]

Oscar,

nice choice, one of my favorites. Just purchased two bottles and the price went WAY up.

I am having a nice pour of Lot B.

[Klepackage]

Lunch - 08 Handy

Cooking Dinner - Woodford Reserve

Doing Homework - Eagle Rare SB

[OscarV]

Finally made it to Friday:cool:

So a nice pour of Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Mar '04, neat.

[Luna56]

My curiosity about rye finally got the best of me today, so I bought a baby Saz. Absolutely fantastic. I don't know what the hell took me so long but I'm glad I finally made the jump. This current bottling just has it all, at least from my uninformed perspective. Deep, rich, spicy (not a harsh, bitter spiciness like I half-expected), a little woody, complex... I'm sold.

To those of you who've prodded me to get off my ass and go for a rye, I hereby salute you with a big double.

Cheers!!!!

[tr1strev]

TGIF. Tonight it's Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage.

[T47]

Started off with a WLW and finished up with a VWFRR... not a bad way to call it a day.

:toast:

[PhilsFan]

I'm relaxing after a busy work week with '08 GTS.

-Joe

[jburlowski]

The recent aquisition by BT of Barton got me to revisit 1792. I haven't had this since it was BOTM. All in all, a pretty good pour; certainly better than it's market competition (MM or WR).

[Skunk]

The recession-friendly and actually quite delicious: JTSBBIB.

[ggilbertva]

Picking through my open bottle collection, I went with some IW Harper 86pf. Trying to kill that bottle off.

Oh, and it's delicious.

[birdman1099]

I've had some WT 8 yr, ER101 Lawrenceburgh, and VBT 175 (TBD):grin:

[PhilsFan]

Haven't watched hockey in a while...I'm watching Predators-Blues game

and enjoying FR 120th followed by ORVW 10/107.

-Joe

[T47]

Tonight I have uncapped a WT RR 101. I have a few bunkered, and was saving them for a "special" occasion? I figure as bad as 2009 has been I'd better start popping some corks in case fates closing in on me with his crosshairs! Enough of my virtual whining...

This is a great pour, what a fine finish it has...it just lasts and lasts, that rye just won't let go.

Now I shall quote the famous Dr. Seuss.

"I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind.

Some come from ahead and some come from behind.

But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see.

Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!"

Dr Seuss "Oh, the Places You'll go"

:toast:

[Jono]

Poured a little Old Fitz 1849...it is ok...not my favorite.

[callmeox]

Since I now have a backup, I busted open an OCPR.

wow :bowdown:

[PAspirit1]

I'm drinking Old Granddad 86 today. I wouldn't have thought I'd ever buy this since OGD 100 is usually not much more expensive but I arrived at it in a particular way. I like to have lower proof bourbons around, perhaps because I also drink scotch, and I wanted to buy a cheapie. I set out to buy either Old Overholt or Pikesville Supreme but something told me to go back to the orange. OGD100 is the first bourbon I couldnt wait to pour a second glass of.

It has, like almost all bourbons, a great nose. It does have more alcohol punch then EC12 and there is some bitterness in the finish. I set it aside for a little while but I was suprised to see my wife nipping away at it (possibly due to the lower proof) so I revisited it. There are some great flavors there and I've started to enjoy it's appearence in the rotation more and more. It was $11.50 well spent.

[2highcal]

Right now I am trying the Fighting Cock and am wishing the bottle would empty faster than the Buffalo Trace bottle I also have open. I like the Trace better

[Stones]

Last night was a rotation of bourbon and rye - Started with JB Rye followed by MM, then a pour of ER10yo, EWSB1997, went back to another JB Rye and then finished with a EC12yo - very nice!

I like to go back to the peppery taste of the rye after a few bourbons and then back to a favourite bourbon to end on.:grin:

[ACDetroit]

ORVW 10/107 while cooking center cut chops on the grill, really keeps you warm with the snow coming down! Not sure what's next but I'll find something.

Cheers,

Tony