What is/are your favorite BIB('s)

[Josh]

Rob if it doesn't say 'Bottled in Bond' somewhere on the label or bottle then it doesn't meet all the requirements. That isn't to say it is any less of a whisky though, I'm perfectly satisfied with 100 proof.

Not necessarily. Any single barrel bourbon bottled at 100 proof of sufficient age qualifies (assuming everything in there is from the same distillery), even if they don't have BiB on the bottle. 4R Single Barrel is an example of a BiB that isn't labeled as one.

[squire]

Josh I thought I made that clear further in my post but let me rephrase. If it doesn't say 'Bottled in Bond' on the label or bottle then it may not meet all the requirements to be so labeled, or, the producer, for whatever reasons, may simply choose not to use that designation.

Once an indication of quality the phrase, though useful, we have an idea of what we are getting, doesn't carry the same weight it once did among consumers.

[cowdery]

BIB never really meant superior quality, but people took it that way.

Old Bourbon Hollow is the bonded version of the Jim Beam recipe. It's not widely available, but you can find it in Kentucky.

My faves are OGD BIB, VOB BIB, Rittenhouse Rye BIB, Old Fitzgerald BIB, JTS Brown BIB, and Mellow Corn BIB.

I have no reason to believe JTS Brown is any different or better than any other Heaven Hill BIB, it just happens to be the one I usually buy. I have affection for the name because I used to know some guys in Columbus, Ohio, who had a band called JTS Brown and they used to perform a song I wrote.

Many producers these days choose not to use the BIB designation even though they can. Fred Noe has told me that Knob Creek could be labeled BIB, they just choose not to.

[flintlock]

I thought it was interesting that the new E.H. Taylor that is supposed to be coming out is labeled BIB. I thought that was a nice sort of nostalgic touch on their part.

After tasting the new version of Old Fitz BIB today for the BOTM, I'll have to add it to my favorites list. I was impressed. I'd love to try some of the great old stuff from when the dinosaurs roamed...:bowdown:

[cowdery]

Bernheim Fitz has a little bit more bitterness than SW Fitz ever did. That's the main difference to me.

[squire]

Well, not superior quality, I wouldn't make that quantum leap, just something one wouldn't be embarrassed to serve to guests.

[Josh]

It's your key to hospitality.

[Robmo]

The Bonded designation means the whisky was distilled in one season by one master distiller at one distillery and placed in new charred oak barrels to age for a minimum of four years in a government supervised Federally bonded warehouse, then bottled at 100 proof. The whisky could be aged longer but four years is the minimum..

Thanks for that clarification!

I was also wondering why some distillers continue to label their products "bonded" and also why "bonded" products continue to appeal to some whiskey consumers. As you say the term is archaic. Perhaps it is precisely that aspect of the term that has an appeal, the fact that it sort of harkens back to a bygone era. Just thinking out loud.

[cowdery]

For a long time after World War II, when fully aged whiskey was always scarce, "bottled in bond" became known as 'the good stuff.' That reputation persists among mostly older people.

For enthusiasts, bonds almost always are a good value. It's hard to same why this is but it seems to be true. Bonds are also a "single batch" whiskey, made by one distillery and one distiller in one season. Although barrels are mixed together there is unlikely to be much barrel variation when all of the whiskey is essentially the same age, so it's a real measure of what the distillery can produce without much opportunity for improvement through mixing in older barrels.

[smokinjoe]

As I never like to tax my brainz, I'll keep my selection to just those that are listed as BIB on the label. It really comes down to HH BIB's, and VOB BIB for me. In every way measurable, I adore these whiskies. If I had to choose just one...like the bestest/favoritest "desert island" BIB?????? Like Battle of da BIB's????.....The winner would be....da VOB...no, da HH.....no, da VOB.....no, da HH.....no, da VOB.....no, da HH....no, da VOB.....no, da HH......no, da VOB......no, da HH......no, da VOB.......no, da HH.......no, da VOB......no, da HH.......no, da VOB.......no, da HH.......no, da VOB.......no, da HH.......no, da VOB......no, da HH.......no, da VOB.......no, da HH.......no......................................

The senseless waste of pitting these two might forces of nature against each other, like matter vs. anti-matter, would be a tragedy, not only for the whiskies, but for our planet. All nations must band together, to ensure that such a conflagration never takes place...

[squire]

Rob I doubt my Father and his friends knew anything about the requirements to be met for a whisky to be Bonded. Back in their day whisky was 86 proof, 100 proof or bonded and they considered Bonded to be the good stuff.

In their price range Bonded HH, Barton and Dant are good values and I hope they stay around for a good while.

[cowdery]

Same way with my Dad. Just that simple. "Bonded is the good stuff." If you grow up hearing that then it persists into the next generation just like any other important parental lesson.

[PaulO]

"Bonded is the good stuff." My favorites currently; probably Rittenhouse (when available), then Old Fitz or JTS Brown, OGD, HH 6 year. The last bottle of Dant reminded me of HH 4 year (ok but not what it used to be). JTS Brown was always different than some of the other HH bonds in that it seemed to be very mellow, with less spice and no eucalyptus or medicinal taste. I haven't seen it lately. Barton is very nice, but they don't sell the bonded version near me. Mellow Corn as well, available in other states. I do see the Henry McKenna in a few places, but never tried it because of the price. Maybe I'll have to pick some up, since you guys say it's good.

[squire]

Paul I supposed for awhile HH might be bottling essentially the same BIB under different labels but a comparison of the Evan Williams white label BIB and the Dant BIB pointed out some differences. The Dant is a little rougher around the edges and a bit younger so four years sounds right.

[fishnbowljoe]

Ancient Age, Evan William, JTS Brown, VOB, HH 6 yr and Old Fitz are my favorites among current bottlings. Dusties I prefer are Old Fitz, Old Forester and JW Dant. Cheers to BIB's! Joe

[Robmo]

For a long time after World War II, when fully aged whiskey was always scarce, "bottled in bond" became known as 'the good stuff.' That reputation persists among mostly older people.

For enthusiasts, bonds almost always are a good value... Bonds are also a "single batch" whiskey, made by one distillery and one distiller in one season. ... it's a real measure of what the distillery can produce without much opportunity for improvement through mixing in older barrels.

Thanks for this explanation. It's making more sense to me now. I'm definitely enjoying all the bourbon history/knowledge I'm getting on this thread.

[Robmo]

Don't think anyone's mentioned this one yet... Was this ever available in the states? Ever try it?

[trumpstylz]

Don't think anyone's mentioned this one yet... Was this ever available in the states? Ever try it?

Definitely NOT available in the states.

[squire]

Have never seen it.

[ErichPryde]

Don't think anyone's mentioned this one yet... Was this ever available in the states? Ever try it?

What age is that? Beam has a KY only "old bourbon hollow" or some-such that is a BIB. Maybe the same stuff?

Knob Creek, although not a BIB, could maybe fit the definition of a BIB.

[Robmo]

What age is that? Beam has a KY only "old bourbon hollow" or some-such that is a BIB. Maybe the same stuff?

You got me. All I know is that it apparently was available in Japan in the 90s...there's one dealer on the Web who says they only have two bottles left. I'm thinking about ordering them at $50 each.

Apparently there is a version available in Australia as well:

There is a version in NZ in a slightly different package:http://www.topshelfliquor.co.nz/estore/style/080686008200.aspx

And there is even a Beam bonded cola. This one blew me away.

[trumpstylz]

You got me. All I know is that it apparently was available in Japan in the 90s...there's one dealer on the Web who says they only have two bottles left. I'm thinking about ordering them at $50 each.

Apparently there is a version available in Australia as well:

There is a version in NZ in a slightly different package:http://www.topshelfliquor.co.nz/estore/style/080686008200.aspx

And there is even a Beam bonded cola. This one blew me away.

WWWOOOOOOOOWWWWW

[squire]

Proudly announcing 7% alcohol, guess the others are a bit less.

[cowdery]

Beam's bond, Old Bourbon Hollow, isn't limited to Kentucky. I saw it on a Chicago back bar last week. But it is not widely distributed.

[ErichPryde]

Beam's bond, Old Bourbon Hollow, isn't limited to Kentucky. I saw it on a Chicago back bar last week. But it is not widely distributed.

Thank you for the information. It seems that Chicago somehow gets hold of some interesting whiskey.