What are you drinking Winter 2009/2010

[DeanSheen]

2009 George T Stagg after dinner.

Which has led to another George T Stagg after after dinner and at this rate an empty bottle before nights end.

My precision mix method of hold half full glencairn under trickling faucet has yielded excellent results. The winter and the whiskey is going quite well with today's music purchase of ambient violin from Richard Skelton.

Yes, I'm feeling it. Check it out if so inclined.

http://www.foxydigitalis.com/foxyd/reviews.php?which=5281

[Vosgar]

After a long week of work, decided I needed something with a little spice to it. Went out to dinner with my lovely wife (Granite City Food and Brewery - have their Two Pull beer) and decided on some Rittenhouse BIB when we got home. It's really hitting the spot, may have to have a few pours of this tonight.

[T Comp]

BTW Josh, the OCPR SS's are a personal fave of mine, but I've found that sometimes they can use a good airing out.

[Ruby K]

VWFRR, while having a chat with Paul.

[OscarV]

4R Single Barrel.

This must be one of the lower rye barrels.

Very sweet, loads of vanilla in the finish.

For Single Barrel they say they use the OBSV recipe.

That's high rye, 35%. And the delicate fruity flavor yeast.

Is this a recent MI bottle? I haven't opened my MI bottle yet, it still has that under the Christmas tree thang going for it. So glad 4R is in the Mitten.

I got a couple of Single Barrels in KY in Dec, the best I ever had, they were marked Warehouse DS, Barrel No43-6G

[Josh]

For Single Barrel they say they use the OBSV recipe.

That's high rye, 35%. And the delicate fruity flavor yeast.

Is this a recent MI bottle? I haven't opened my MI bottle yet, it still has that under the Christmas tree thang going for it. So glad 4R is in the Mitten.

I got a couple of Single Barrels in KY in Dec, the best I ever had, they were marked Warehouse DS, Barrel No43-6G

I got that one either in Indiana or Kentucky sometime last year. BS 38-6L. I got very little rye character out of it last night. Very sweet. Could have just been my palate though.

[Rughi]

I got that one either in Indiana or Kentucky sometime last year. BS 38-6L. I got very little rye character out of it last night. Very sweet. Could have just been my palate though.

When we were tasting samples to choose our barrel of Four Roses last year, we intentionally tasted blind and then referenced our impressions to what we thought the recipes would be.

I was convinced that 3 of the 4 low ryes were the high ryes. I'm not sure why, but the rye-forward flavor may have more to do with the whimsy of each barrel or the interaction of ingredients. Perhaps the slightly greater body and oiliness of corn brings out the sensation of the spice of the rye more than a higher percentage of rye would. Go figure.

Blind tasting is humbling and teaches things that aren't orthodox. Two things I've learned over time is that the barrel is always the wild card and that the percentages in the mashbill do not linearly describe what will be in the bottle.

I'm ordering samples for the next barrel this week, and we intend to ask to sample multiple barrels of just a few recipes instead of the one sample of each recipe that FR typically provides as a way to start isolating the unique contribution of each barrel and what is native to the recipe.

Roger

[Josh]

...I was convinced that 3 of the 4 low ryes were the high ryes. I'm not sure why, but the rye-forward flavor may have more to do with the whimsy of each barrel or the interaction of ingredients. Perhaps the slightly greater body and oiliness of corn brings out the sensation of the spice of the rye more than a higher percentage of rye would. Go figure...

I'm ordering samples for the next barrel this week, and we intend to ask to sample multiple barrels of just a few recipes instead of the one sample of each recipe that FR typically provides as a way to start isolating the unique contribution of each barrel and what is native to the recipe.

Roger

Interesting stuff! Thanks for sharing it, Roger. I'd love to do a blind tasting like that. I too have learned so much from blind tastings, even if they have been arranged by me (with someone else pouring of course), and even the blind tasting contest at the last KBF was a major learning experience.

When I started out I was focused on mashbills and age, but as I've progressed in bourbon-hood the importance of the barrel has come much more to the fore. Age is a number and mashbills are percentages of this and that, but what happens in the barrel is so much more complex, that it can seem like magic. It's so much harder to get a handle on, but much more fun.

Anyhow, I've enjoying some olympic action with some VOB BiB. Very Old Barton was the first bourbon I ever truly fell in love with. But unlike other first loves, I can keep coming back to it, and it won't tell me it's leaving me for another woman.

At any rate, I'm not an outdoorsy guy or a gun enthusiaist, but I think the biathalon is the most awesome sport ever invented. Ski and then shoot something. Genius.

[spun_cookie]

It was a Dog's day of bourbon tasting at the Adair Manor today - we had a couple glasses to pass the time - in order since 10:30 AM:

• OGD 8 yr, 1987 86 proof
  
• OGD BIB 1985 x 2
  
• OGD BIB 7 yr 1978
  
• OGD BIB 5 yr 1945
  
• OGD 114 Lot I 1980
  
• Okolehao Hawaii Whiskey
  
• Old Fitz 7 yr 1977 80 proof
  
• Old Fitz 7 yr 1979 90 proof
  
• Weller SR 90 proof 1988
  
• Cabon Still 91 proof 1977
  
• Van Winkle Family Reserve 90 proof 15 yr 2003
  
• Old Fitz BIB 1988
  
• Old Fitz BIB 1982
  
• Very Old Fitz BIB 8 yr 1968
  
• Old Forester BIB 1953-195y
  
• Old Rip Van Winkle 10 yr Lawrenceburg 107 proof
  
• Pappy Van Winkle 15 yr Bourban Crusade 2007 x 2
  
• Very Very Old Fitz 12 yr 1982
  
• Early TImes 1982 80 proof (the Dog did not like)
  
• Bacardi Dark Rum 1977
  
• Pytat Cask 23 Rum (original)
  
• Wild Turkey 1992 Old #8
  
• Pappy Van Winke 23yr #B
  
• Old Rip Van Winke 23yr 114 proof
  
• Willett 27 yr bottle 16 of 24 from Binnys
  
• Reid and Emerald Bourbon...
  
• Wild Turkey 17 yr
  
• Wild Turkey Tribute 14 yr
  
• Special Reserve BIB 1916-1933
  
• Old Overholt Rye 1978
  
• Blanton's Super Gold
  
• Reid and Emerald Bourbon Dump Bucket 1

These all went very with with smoked pork ribs, pork loin... spinich with pork brine, some fresh tomato & garden onion salsa and chips

I am really looking forward to a day when someone will come down and drink with me... these short drinking days are a real bore

Thank you Doug and Barbra for the great company today

[RamblinWreck007]

It was a Dog's day of bourbon tasting at the Adair Manor today - we had a couple glasses to pass the time - in order since 10:30 AM:

• OGD 8 yr, 1987 86 proof

• OGD BIB 1985 x 2

• OGD BIB 7 yr 1978

• OGD BIB 5 yr 1945

• OGD 114 Lot I 1980

• Okolehao Hawaii Whiskey

• Old Fitz 7 yr 1977 80 proof

• Old Fitz 7 yr 1979 90 proof

• Weller SR 90 proof 1988

• Cabon Still 91 proof 1977

• Van Winkle Family Reserve 90 proof 15 yr 2003

• Old Fitz BIB 1988

• Old Fitz BIB 1982

• Very Old Fitz BIB 8 yr 1968

• Old Forester BIB 1953-195y

• Old Rip Van Winkle 10 yr Lawrenceburg 107 proof

• Pappy Van Winkle 15 yr Bourban Crusade 2007 x 2

• Very Very Old Fitz 12 yr 1982

• Early TImes 1982 80 proof (the Dog did not like)

• Bacardi Dark Rum 1977

• Pytat Cask 23 Rum (original)

• Wild Turkey 1992 Old #8

• Pappy Van Winke 23yr #B

• Old Rip Van Winke 23yr 114 proof

• Willett 27 yr bottle 16 of 24 from Binnys

• Reid and Emerald Bourbon...

• Wild Turkey 17 yr

• Wild Turkey Tribute 14 yr

• Special Reserve BIB 1916-1933

• Old Overholt Rye 1978

• Blanton's Super Gold

• Reid and Emerald Bourbon Dump Bucket 1

[ATTACH]10330[/ATTACH]

These all went very with with smoked pork ribs, pork loin... spinich with pork brine, some fresh tomato & garden onion salsa and chips

I am really looking forward to a day when someone will come down and drink with me... these short drinking days are a real bore

Thank you Doug and Barbra for the great company today

[DeanSheen]

Wow Em that was a heck of a session.

What was hitting you good today? The x2's I presume?

[T Comp]

Who cares including me......what I was drinking tonight after the above. WOW!

[jburlowski]

OC 12 yo (Classic 90). Pulled this one out of the bunker --- haven't tasted it for quite a while. Super corn notes! Biscuity cornbread and wonderful oily (in a good sense) mouth feel.

The current OC offerings pale in comparison. When the current aged stock shortages pass I hope BT revives this brand to its former glory.

[OscarV]

The current OC offerings pale in comparison. When the current aged stock shortages pass I hope BT revives this brand to its former glory.

Yeah me to, that and the Proprietor's Reserve, Eagle Rare 101 and Weller Centennial.

May the Rain Vodka Company do us right.

[Special Reserve]

Yesterday my wife and I went to Lake Erie Metropark. We say several Bald Eagles so I broke out an Eagle Rare 101. Delicious!

[OscarV]

When I started out I was focused on mashbills and age, but as I've progressed in bourbon-hood the importance of the barrel has come much more to the fore. Age is a number and mashbills are percentages of this and that, but what happens in the barrel is so much more complex, that it can seem like magic. It's so much harder to get a handle on, but much more fun.

They sat 50% of the taste comes from aging.

And the most important part of aging is the same as the old real estate criteria, location, etc, etc.

The act of taking distilled grain mash and putting it in burnt wooden barrels sounds unappealing to me.

But what you get after a few years, I to have always thought of that as magic.

[sailor22]

Now for something not completely different.

Last night after dinner I poured an Armagnac. 25 yr Delord. I had every intention of sipping some bourbon later but the Armagnac was on it's game so well I poured a second and savored it slowly all evening. The 25yr Delord really is a spectacular pour with a long lingering finish only a few Bourbons can compete with. A bargain too.

Now if I can only figure out how to afford some of those barrel strength Armagnac's out there.

[hectic1]

Had some friends over for dinner last night so during dinner I had a couple Gentleman Jack's and diets to get the night going. After dinner I had pours of ETL 90th (Green Apples and Pears) and Woodford Reserve (lots of oak).

[OscarV]

Actually I've been all over the place this weekend.

With WT Tradition 14yo,

WLWeller Centennial Premier,

WT Kentucky Spirit Visitor Center,

Eagle Rare 101,

Elijah Craig 12yo,

2009 GTStagg,

WT Rare Breed,

WT 101,

4R Binny's #3,

4R Mariage 2009,

but right now I'm kickin' it with the best,....4R Mariage.

[spun_cookie]

Actually I've been all over the place this weekend.

With WT Tradition 14yo,

WLWeller Centennial Premier,

WT Kentucky Spirit Visitor Center,

Eagle Rare 101,

Elijah Craig 12yo,

2009 GTStagg,

WT Rare Breed,

WT 101,

4R Binny's #3,

4R Mariage 2009,

but right now I'm kickin' it with the best,....4R Mariage.

Nice line Oscar. Is that the order you went with and what did you think floating betweet the proofs? Did they follow well?

[OscarV]

Nice line Oscar. Is that the order you went with and what did you think floating betweet the proofs? Did they follow well?

Nope, not in that order,...

After shoveling snow Sat morn I got into the Centennial.

I thought that would be good cuz I was cold.

But it didn't work, so I went with the Turkey, that is the WTKS Visitor Center bottle of '09.

Anyway I find myself here on a Sun afternoon wallowing in Roses and Turkeys,....but there was all those others in between and they all seemed to fit.

[PAspirit1]

I've been occasionally drinking Russels Reserve Rye, 90 proof. I wasn't overly impressed initially. I caught a quick flash of some excellent flavor but it was gone too quickly to savor. I had been previously drinking Weller Antique and OGD 114, so maybe some of the nuance of this whiskey was lost with the reduced proof. Because I went back to this when in the week before I was drinking Tequila and a scotch blend, both 80 proof, and it was much more enjoyable. I haven't analyzed the flavors but it seemed very excellent at that time and not at all weak.

[Vosgar]

Fishnbowljoe was kind enough to give me a bottle of Baby Saz yesterday before we went out dusty hunting, and I've been enjoying it this evening (as well as yesterday). Also had some Weller Centennial that we were fortunate enough to find on our hunt.

Thanks again Joe

[DeanSheen]

I killed a GTS 2009 this afternoon with the last dark black char pour.

Now I'm working on a Old Rip 107 watching the Olympics. This one is almost gone too, probably not to be re-purchased. It's not bad juice, I'm just not thrilled with it and this is my second bottle. I'd be just as happy with Weller 107 NAS and still have a ten spot in my wallet.

[smokinjoe]

I have what I think is a well stocked bunker. Old and new. Expensive and cheap. From many distilleries. But, I'm not sure that any of them have given me the consistent pour after pour enjoyment and tastiness that these little $19.00 bottles of OWA NSA's have been giving me. The pour I am sipping now, has outclassed the field of competitors that I've run through today......again.