Distillers' Masterpiece Straight Bourbon Whiskey

[funknik]

This is that Jim Beam Cognac finished 18yr bourbon...I found a bottle today...I could buy it....sooooooo expensive (and Jim Beam). Seems like a trick. I read the earlier threads, but it seems no one has tried it. Thoughts? Solutions?

[barturtle]

I paid a good amount of money for a pour of this back in 2001. I can say that I enjoyed the whiskey, I can't say I enjoyed it enough to justify the price. But then, justifying pricey whiskies is a personal thing...

[fishnbowljoe]

I've seen two of these. One on ebay, and one at a store in Peoria. $750 on ebay, $225 at the store IIRC. Damn nice looking bottle. Joe

[StraightBoston]

I agree with Timothy (though I tasted a friend's bottles -- didn't buy my own.) An interesting and pleasant pour, but there are better-tasting whiskeys in that $200-ish price range -- or you can sample 10 whiskeys in the $20 range!

(And don't knock the best of Beam -- if we pull off the NE tasting, I'll set you up with some product from the 60's through the 80's that will impress!)

[RedVette]

I have one of these, about half full now. The girlfriend's kids (they are adults) got into it at Christmas and dropped the level a couple of inches. It is a tasty pour, and I will say that it is the only "flavored" Bourbon that I have ever liked. The BT experimentals, and the Australian Beam and port, are all undrinkable in my estimation. Is it worth $200? If you are a collector, yes, if you are looking for a value in Bourbon, no.

[HighTower]

I have an 18yo and a 20yo port finish, and I think it will be some time before they are opened.

They came all the way from Michigan. Thanks again Tony!

[doubleblank]

They can still be found in many places here in Texas......so I've never felt the need to rush out and grab one. I've had the 18yo and its pretty nice. $200 "nice" depends upon your perspective.

Randy

[mgilbertva]

I've had the opportunity to sample both, thanks to the generosity of stoops (they were his bottles). I was not impressed by the port finished version, but I have yet to try a wine finished whiskey I like.

The cognac finish, on the other hand, complemented the sweetness of the bourbon very well, I thought. It's been awhile so I don't remember the particulars of the flavor profile, except for a lot of vanilla, caramel, spice, and not surprisingly, some nice cognac.

Is it worth the crazy price? Probably not, but if I was a flush with cash and if I had a very complete collection, I would pick one up. Two rather big ifs...

[AVB]

I've had and have both and consider the 18 yo one of the finest spirits I have ever had. YMMV. Here is a review I did a few years ago.

[jsgorman]

I think this is an excellent Bourbon and definitely worth the price as a 'collectable bourbon.' The price is about flat from when it was introduced something like 8-10 years ago, and it was a truly limited bottle. I believe when it came out it was the most expensive bottle of Bourbon ever produced (topped a bit later by its 20YO sister). It is also the major legacy of a real Bourbon hero, Booker Noe - who felt that it should and could compete with similar limited production Scotch in price and quality.

If you are going to spend $250 on a bottle of Bourbon, price/value isn't necessarily the point. I don't think you'd ever have a problem getting rid of the bottle via eBay - but it is an important bottle in recent Bourbon history.

[JBeamGold]

Hi Guys, I also have the 18yr.. Just wondering if you have seen the 20yr anywhere for sale recently?? Thanks Andrew..

[docbible]

I have put down a bottle of each (cognac and port) R.I.P. The 18yo cognac was excellent and well worth the price. The flavors work well together and rank as one of my favorites. The 20yo port was the best of the wine finished that I have had but not worthy of the price. I must say this is the only wine finish that I really enjoy the entire pour. I would purchase the 18yo and admire an empty personalized bottle. I would only purchase the 20yo to remain unopened for the history. There are some bottles on the gulf coast but they have been on display in front of a window in the FL sun for years. For the asking price I would not take the chance on the contents. After I mentioned this to the owner he had moved them to the rear of the store the next year when I returned. The contents are a little lighter than what I have at home. Keep this in mind if you do decide to purchase, as these are beautiful bottles and most stores had them out in the front. tim

[JBeamGold]

Like many other bottle I have they will probably remain unopened for many years to come.

My 18yr was purchased by a enthusiast in Texas for me and then sent to Australia.

Any idea's of the stores details??

[mgilbertva]

I'd love to get a bottle of the 18 year, that way I don't have to keep sponging off stoopsie's bottle when I see him.