cowdery Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 I would advise anyone new to bourbon to steer clear of anything older than 12-years-old. Whiskey older than that is expensive because it's scarce and because it's very expensive to make, not because it's necessarily super good. Bourbon only gets reliably better up to about 12 years. After that it's hit or miss. Only one thing is certain. You'll taste a lot of wood. That's a good price, but you can get two bottles of Evan Williams Single Barrel for your $50 and you'll probably enjoy them more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IowaJeff Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 I would advise anyone new to bourbon to steer clear of anything older than 12-years-old. Whiskey older than that is expensive because it's scarce and because it's very expensive to make, not because it's necessarily super good. Bourbon only gets reliably better up to about 12 years. After that it's hit or miss. Only one thing is certain. You'll taste a lot of wood. That's a good price, but you can get two bottles of Evan Williams Single Barrel for your $50 and you'll probably enjoy them more.I would definitely second that. Great advice. I like to have an older bourbon on hand just because it's different and I like variety (and don't mind wood). But I don't find myself reaching for them before standard BT, WT101, EWSB . . . the list goes on and on. Sometimes its hard to keep an older bourbon on hand because its hard to justify spending so much just for variety. The EC18 I can justify though, and it definitely fits the not necessarily better, but definitely oak-ier bill. It doesn't sound like I'll be able to justify the EC20. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Dog Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 I completely agree with Chuck and IowaJeff, but only in regards to Rye-recipe Bourbon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IowaJeff Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 I completely agree with Chuck and IowaJeff, but only in regards to Rye-recipe Bourbon.I think the only wheaters older than 12 I've had are the PVW 15 and 20, and I definitely don't like the 20 any better. Maybe wheaters get an extra 3 years, but I'd have to try some other wheaters older than 12 to make that conclusion. Now if only I could find some . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickbourbon Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 All, or most, of the recently released EC 18s actually are 21 to 22 years old. Some people like them, but they're not "cherry" barrels like the EC20s are supposed to be. FWIW, I haven't enjoyed either of the ones I've had from '90.Thanks for the info and advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OscarV Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 I saw an Elijah Craig 20yo today, priced at $199.99 so I passed.Later I looked up the st min and it's at $129.97.I'm thinking about going back to see if I can get it at st min. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost Pollito Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 I find it amazing how quickly these sold out in Chicago. Thought the price hike would have them sittin for awhile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mosugoji64 Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 Has anyone actually tried it yet? At that price, it'll be a long time before one will make it onto my shelf. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MauiSon Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 (edited) For a Jackson under that price I recently bought a VB17, VR21 and a VR23 (or alternately, 3 EC18s [2 were from 90 tho] and any one of the former). You choose. Yeah, a slew of closeout prices and I went a bit wild! Sure don't enjoy seeing top-dollar marketing from HH - EWB and EC12 are favorite pours to my novice palate. Edited August 2, 2012 by MauiSon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bmac Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 I saw an Elijah Craig 20yo today, priced at $199.99 so I passed.Later I looked up the st min and it's at $129.97.I'm thinking about going back to see if I can get it at st min.Holy crap! I was expecting maybe 80 bux for the extra 2 years...but GEEZ!!!! Don't think the 20 year old is going to make it to my collection at that price. i can get a whole mess of better stuff for that cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 I saw an Elijah Craig 20yo today, priced at $199.99 so I passed.Later I looked up the st min and it's at $129.97.I'm thinking about going back to see if I can get it at st min.I find it amazing how quickly these sold out in Chicago. Thought the price hike would have them sittin for awhile.Not going to be finding their way into my liquor cabinet either. Some of the old 18s were too woody for me, can't imagine the 20.I dunno tho. The Detroit Zoo is getting new beavers in the fall. If they invite me over, EC 20 might make a good housewarming gift. They would probably enjoy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OscarV Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 Yeah, but, those old EC18's (June 1981's weren't they?) that were woody were actually 23 years old, sometimes they were good and sometimes they were like drinking ash.I would however like to hear what people that have tried this EC 20 have to say about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 I would however like to hear what people that have tried this EC 20 have to say about it.You actually want informed opinions? Picky picky picky! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OscarV Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 Does this EC 20 have a barreled on date like the EC 18's?If was barreled in 1992 I'd roll the dice on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost Pollito Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 Does this EC 20 have a barreled on date like the EC 18's?If was barreled in 1992 I'd roll the dice on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young Blacksmith Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 I've got an EC18, barreled 3/28/91, that I would not hesitate to pick up again if I found. Great balance between EC12 and wood. Possibly more wood from the extra two years, but probably not ashy. JMHO though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tanstaafl2 Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 Just picked up an EC20 with a barrel date of 3/15/91 from barrel #8. I am comfortable with a bit of wood so I hope this one proves to be of decent quality. Got mine for a bit less than I have seen here at $119.99. Still, it is a pretty expensive gamble if it proves to be less than stellar which it sounds like is a possibility. Anybody happen to try this particular barrel yet? I plan to save mine until a few bourbon drinking friends can gather for a little tasting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young Blacksmith Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 I have not tried that barrel, but I do have a bunch of EC18's, barreled 3/28/91, that are phenomenal. I hold hope that yours is just as good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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