Head to Head: PV vs VL corn

[Josh]

The wife's out with friends for the afternoon. I could clean up the kitchen or do some yard work in prep for spring, or I could catch up on my studies, or I could have a head to head corn whiskey tasing. Hmmm...

Platte Valley Corn Whiskey

by McCormick Co., Weston, MO (manufactured by HH)

80 proof, 3 y/o

In a cheesy ceramic jug with a cartoon hillbilly logo, cork stopper and sealed with blue wax.

Appearance/body: light, unoaked chardonnay color, medium-light bodied thin legs

Nose: roasted sweet corn, very light

Taste: sweet corn, hint of cinnamon

Finish: soft, light, warm, sweet.

Conclusion: Light after work or summertime pour. Lacking in complexity, but pleasant and a nice change of pace from a complex bourbon or rye.

Virginia Lightning Corn Whiskey

by Belmont Farms, Culpepper VA (as seen on TV)

100 proof, less than 30 days

In clear bottle with white label with still and lightning bolt. www.virginiamoonshine.com

Appearance/body: clear, medium-light bodied thin legs

Nose: aggressive. Had to put glass in another room to taste PV above without being overwhelmed. Similar to tequila or grappa, but softer but with sweet, corn notes

Taste: smooth, sweet, soft, grappa-like, Like a good Appalachian woman, strong on the surface but delicate underneath.

Finish: short burn followed by faint lingering buttery sweetness.

Conclusion: Wow. Not sure if I could have more than a glass of this at a time, but for such a young, high-proof spirit, it is remarkably complex and smooth. Something to have in your cabinet for when the mood strikes you.

I think I made the right choice.

[Squash]

"The wife's out with friends for the afternoon. I could clean up the kitchen or do some yard work in prep for spring, or I could catch up on my studies, or I could have a head to head corn whiskey tasing. Hmmm..."

Excellent.

[kickert]

The wife's out with friends for the afternoon. I could clean up the kitchen or do some yard work in prep for spring, or I could catch up on my studies, or I could have a head to head corn whiskey tasing. Hmmm...

Yesterday was my wife's birthday. She told me I could HAVE a bourbon, but not TASTE a bourbon. What she meant is that if all I was going to do was sip on it, that would not negatively alter her evening. But if I was going to sip on it and contemplate the unique flavors and write up tasting notes, then I had better be read for a cold shoulder the next month.

[bonneamie]

Just wondering Josh, where you picked up these whiskeys? Holiday Mkt? I'm really curious to try the Virginia one.

[Josh]

Just wondering Josh, where you picked up these whiskeys? Holiday Mkt? I'm really curious to try the Virginia one.

Yeah, they were at holiday mkt. The VL is a really interesting whiskey. I'm really not quite sure what I think of it. It's certainly not the refined, armchair, sipping whiskeys we're used to drinking, but there's a different kind of complexity to it. Anyway, gimmie a call sometime before you leave and I'll break it out for ya'.

[bonneamie]

Anyway, gimmie a call sometime before you leave and I'll break it out for ya'.

Okay, I may just do that!

[Josh]

Belmont Farms also puts out this Kopper Kettle stuff (formerly known as Copper Fox), that sounds interesting if nothing else.

Anybody had it?

[Jono]

Nice notes....quite a difference in proof between the two. Have you tried the VL with a little water or ice? I am not fond of grappa so that may be a turn off taste.

[Josh]

Belmont Farms also puts out this Kopper Kettle stuff (formerly known as Copper Fox), that sounds interesting if nothing else.

Anybody had it?

just noticed this thread: http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7967&highlight=kopper+kettle

Thanks for cutting me some slack. :-)