Everyone hates it, BUT...

[scratchline]

Since contrary opinions can run both ways, I'll offer one up that I advocate despite the sniping of others.

(ri)1. I was happy to receive this as a gift since I was unlikely to pay the premium price for myself. One bottle now down, I will buy another. Overpriced, yes. But I've paid more for whiskey I liked less and in the limited rye market, I think it stands alone. Extremely flavorful and outstanding in cocktails. I liked it better than the first run of Baby Saz though I've since had some single barrel BS that's great. I still think the flavor of the (ri)1 is more powerful though. And I like the bottle design. I hope Beam follows through with (ri)2, etc. since I'm waiting to see what the differences will be. And the great thing about liking this one is most people hate it without having tried it.

In defense of the uninformed opinion, one of my favorite quotes of all time is Hemingway on why he hadn't read James Jones' From Here to Eternity, "I don't have to swim a river of s**t to know it stinks."

-Mike

[funknik]

Although not everyone hates it, Elijah Craig 18 is something I enjoy that many people on this board dislike. Would I drink it everyday? No. Is it a nice change of pace? Yes. Do I think it's too tannic? Sometimes, but as a change of pace I think it's kind of nice...wood is good.

[mozilla]

I don't dislike (ri) because of the juice. I dislike it because of the price and packaging divided by the flavor. That puts the flavor at a strong disadvantage to which I don't believe it can overcome. I assume it won't be worth my money.

My choice for your list is AAA Ten Star. It's about 6 yrs old and 90 proof, which is very similar to the beloved MM. I find it to be a perfectly good bourbon with a middle of the road price and flavor. A handle, IIRC, is about $24 which is definitly affordible for most enthusiast. AAA Ten Star is not a world beater or overaged, but it is better than regular midshelf bourbons at 80 proof.

[kickert]

I enjoy even the recent releases of Benchmark. To use mo's words, it is not a world beater, but it is a good pour at a great price. I would never be disappointed to have Benchmark in my glass.

I would also list Old Charter 10. I don't hear a lot of people talk about it, but it comes from great stock (mashbill) and is aged quite nicely. If I am looking for a sweeter pour, I go with OC10

[mozilla]

Yes, Benchmark is a wonderful well bourbon. It can be found here by the handle for $11.99. The only thing I would like BT to do with it is raise the proof on one version to either 86 or 90 proof. That way they could have a 4 yr 90 and a 9yr 90(BT).

[Josh]

I'm afraid to confess this, but I kinda liked Old Whiskey River when I tried it. There I said it! I'm awaiting notice that I've been banned.:cry:

[mozilla]

You mean you didn't get the notice we sent you last month???

[funknik]

I'm afraid to confess this, but I kinda liked Old Whiskey River when I tried it. There I said it! I'm awaiting notice that I've been banned.

That's funny -- I didn't mind the first pour or two from OWR, but about halfway through the bottle I was struggling really hard to put it down my gullet. Also, EW Black tastes almost the same to me.

[Josh]

That's funny -- I didn't mind the first pour or two from OWR, but about halfway through the bottle I was struggling really hard to put it down my gullet. Also, EW Black tastes almost the same to me.

You mean you didn't get the notice we sent you last month???

No, sorry Moz, tell Jeff to send it again.:grin:

Anyway, yeah there is a definate resemblence between the two, but I still enjoyed it. Reached for it over ORVW 10 y/o several times. Take that, Washinton Irving!

[funknik]

Reached for it over ORVW 10 y/o several times. Take that, Washinton Irving!

Not the 107, right?

[Josh]

No, not the 107. Some other proof. I've never actually seen the ORVW 107, tho I frequently get the OWA 107.

[funknik]

No, not the 107. Some other proof. I've never actually seen the ORVW 107, tho I frequently get the OWA 107.

I've never seen the OWA 107, but really want to try it -- I imagine them to be similar, though I have no proof of it.

[Josh]

I've never seen the OWA 107, but really want to try it -- I imagine them to be similar, though I have no proof of it.

Wow, you got some weird distribution up in Maine!

If there is a diff, it's probably in the age. OWA 107 is only seven years old. How old is ORVW 107?

[funknik]

Wow, you got some weird distribution up in Maine!

If there is a diff, it's probably in the age. OWA 107 is only seven years old. How old is ORVW 107?

Sounds like you're right: ORVW is 10yr 107 proof...the one you have is probably the 10 yr, 90 proof version, and there's a third expression also, I believe 15 yr also 107 proof.

I get next to no distribution up here in ME -- I got the Van Winkle in Massachusetts which I believe is not a liquor controlled state.

[fishnbowljoe]

My turn for everyone to rag me. I like MM. I know it's not the best out there, but you know what you're getting every time. Yes, the marketing is a little hokey, and it might be a little overpriced, but it is a very decent, consistent bourbon. Beside it was my gateway bourbon. What can I say. Do the dip! Joe

[smokinjoe]

I won't rag you, Joe. Maker's would be one for me that fits here. I enjoy it, too. And honestly, I'm not sure you can say it's overpriced. I see it in many places around the country at $20. That's not bad these days.

Now, I've recently changed my tune on another one that many dislike. I was one who didn't like it either. But, I picked up a bottle of Basil Hayden recently, and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. One terrific 80 proofer. I'll be buying another when I finish it. A year ago, I would have bet money that I would never say this.

[funknik]

Now, I've recently changed my tune on another one that many dislike. I was one who didn't like it either. But, I picked up a bottle of Basil Hayden recently, and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. One terrific 80 proofer. I'll be buying another when I finish it. A year ago, I would have bet money that I would never say this.

I've only had a 50ml of the BH, but I enjoyed it much more than I expected to. At 80 proof I though it would be whimpy, but I thought it had a nice, mellow rye character with black tea in the finish, which was trong and long. No bourbon sweetness to speak of, did I detect...in fact, in a blind tasting I might have guessed this for a rye.

[LarryG]

I've only had a 50ml of the BH, but I enjoyed it much more than I expected to.

Was it from one of those four-bottle samplers they were selling back around Christmastime? My only taste of BH came via the 50ml bottle in that assortment, and my reaction to it was much like yours: a lot more than I was expecting from an 80-proofer.

But at thirty-seven bucks for a 750, it's second only to Booker's as the most-costly of the precious few "premium bourbons" sold in this control state, so I reckon it may be a while before I add a bottle to my shelf. If it were ten bucks cheaper, I'd keep some on hand all the time.

Larry

[funknik]

Was it from one of those four-bottle samplers they were selling back around Christmastime? My only taste of BH came via the 50ml bottle in that assortment, and my reaction to it was much like yours: a lot more than I was expecting from an 80-proofer.

But at thirty-seven bucks for a 750, it's second only to Booker's as the most-costly of the precious few "premium bourbons" sold in this control state, so I reckon it may be a while before I add a bottle to my shelf. If it were ten bucks cheaper, I'd keep some on hand all the time.

Larry

Larry, I have the same issue with it. I bought the 50ml separately, not as part of the box you mentioned. Around here in Maine, BH goes for $35+ a bottle but, amazingly, is usually on sale for $25.99 at the NH liquor store across the border....someday I will pick one up for that "bargain" price, but since NH also has a much better selection than Maine, I usually have bigger fish to fry when I'm there.

[The Boozer]

Booker's - with a little ice. Its a real slow sipper but with a nice cigar on a summer night - just about perfect. (spring or fall works too).

TJ