What Bourbon Are You Enjoying, Winter 2011/2012

[jtexaslonestar]

Trying out a vatting recipe I got from another SB thread: 1:1 OF BB '08/JB DC. Yum!! Took care of the end of both bottles, now I can open a new bottle!!:cool:

[BFerguson]

EC 18/21 for the first, and a little BMH to finish off the night.

Did have to steer my dad away earlier from the Handy. He was looking for a little something to mix with some ginger ale. I thought the Rit BIB would be better suited.

B

[BigRich]

During poker night last night I started with the 2011 OFBB and finished with ORVW 10/90.

[AaronWF]

I sat down to a pretty epic afternoon of wheaters yesterday. LikeItWasSodaPop set up five blind bottles for me, the tasting of which proved quite interesting, and even prompted a revelation. I'm going from memory here, but:

1. Vintage 17 (wheater)

2. JPS 18

3. VWSR Lot B

4. Binny's Weller 12

5. WT Old No. 8 from 1998, as the outlier

The Vintage 17 was very sweet and my least favorite of the bunch; I really didn't get much of anything but sweetness with some vanilla. I know it's been getting some love around here, and it's pleasant enough, but it's too sweet for my palate and I find it boring overall.

The JPS 18 I called out as DSP-KY-16, but I thought it was a late 70's-early 80's OF BiB. It had no bitter tannins on the finish like I've tasted from later OF BiB, but funnily enough I mistook the abrupt finish for a properly-aged 6-year-old. It's a pleasant whiskey, but supremely uninteresting for its price point. The fact that the wood collapses in on itself saves it from offering any off-notes, but also clobbers out any subtleties or complexities.

Binny's Weller 12 was a real treat. I believe the general consensus is that it's 14yo Bernheim. I don't remember what notes I put down, but I called it out as my second favorite.

The revelation of the afternoon was the Lot B. The only Lot B I had tasted before came from the 2011 bottling, and I was so unimpressed by it that I completely discounted it as a sham. Well, the bottle I drank from yesterday was from 2008 (according to the bottle code), and it was some of the tastiest Van Winkle I've ever had. It had the unmistakable S-W family entry, a full, viscous palate and a curlycue, sparkly finish of skittle-peppered spice. The finish absolutely slayed me.

Apparently, the 2008 bottling of Lot B was filled with 16yo S-W whiskey. It's hard to believe Julian would put such remarkable juice in a Lot B label, but that appears to be the case. At 90.4pf, it didn't even taste too watered down.

I got to the Old No. 8 last, and my palate was pretty wheated at that point. I do recall that it was tasty and pretty mild for 101pf.

To round out the wheater experience, we sampled some '80s OF BiB and PVW23. And of course had to go back to the Lot B and Binny's Weller 12 a few times. Ok, yeah, and we each took a few sips of 1964 8yo OF Prime Straight 86.8pf, some of the most contemplative bourbon I've ever absorbed. I definitely heard Pappy's voice reminding me that he wasn't in the business of shipping water around the country, but it was still some damn luxurious water!

[Brisko]

Apparently, the 2008 bottling of Lot B was filled with 16yo S-W whiskey. It's hard to believe Julian would put such remarkable juice in a Lot B label, but that appears to be the case. At 90.4pf, it didn't even taste too watered down.

Are you speculating based on taste or are you privy to some information that leads you to believe that? Because it doesn't seem likely to me.

[sob0728]

Are you speculating based on taste or are you privy to some information that leads you to believe that? Because it doesn't seem likely to me.

...and that would be putting it nicely. That would be one of the most insane business decisions ever made by a company that is currently making very wise business decisions

[AaronWF]

Are you speculating based on taste or are you privy to some information that leads you to believe that? Because it doesn't seem likely to me.

Well, I'd like to redact my statement. My info was third-hand at best, and is really beside the point of my post. Sorry to throw that bait out, but nevermind!

Suffice it to say, it was miles beyond the last Lot B that I tasted.

[smokinjoe]

Well, I'd like to redact my statement. My info was third-hand at best, and is really beside the point of my post. Sorry to throw that bait out, but nevermind!

Suffice it to say, it was miles beyond the last Lot B that I tasted.

You got that info at least 4th hand, because I started the rumor....with Michigan Josh...who swore it to secrecy...

Way to go, Josh!

[turtle]

Last night a couple of sips each of:

WTRB

KCSB

Noah's Mill

Russell's Reserve 10 yr

Okay, maybe more than a couple of sips. Still learning to discern taste differences. These are 4 of my favorites.

Tonight, probably Baker's, FRSB, and WTRB.

[jcg9779]

Had a pour of Bulleit last night...still an enjoyable whiskey at times to me.

[bourboncc]

A small pour of GTS 2011, then a small pour of ER17, now a touch of Lot B. Been a great night.

[speedbump47]

The only Lot B I had tasted before came from the 2011 bottling, and I was so unimpressed by it that I completely discounted it as a sham. Well, the bottle I drank from yesterday was from 2008 (according to the bottle code), and it was some of the tastiest Van Winkle I've ever had.

Glad to hear the older bottles of this are tastier. My only experience is the 2011 as well, and I was too was underwhelmed...enough so that I haven't bought a 2nd bottle despite at least 2 stores around here still having some for $55.

[Bourbon Boiler]

A generous pour of WTAS for me this evening. 15 years well-spent for this liquid in the KY warehouse.

[smokinjoe]

Going to switch gears from the Fleischmann's Rye Express to a VOB BIB. May God Bless the Barton Distillery forever...They ain't purdy (Joy being an exception ), but they make a bunch of really good whiskey...

[Clavius]

Going to switch gears from the Fleischmann's Rye Express to a VOB BIB. May God Bless the Barton Distillery forever...They ain't purdy (Joy being an exception ), but they make a bunch of really good whiskey...

VOB BIB sure is good. Especially since it's like $12-something on sale at my store! Can't beat that.

[Tico]

Enjoyed a nice pour of weller 12 last night. A fresh bottle that was recently opened a few weeks ago and is now just starting to hit its stride.

man this stuff is good, such a deal too when found for under $20.

[Young Blacksmith]

Finally coming off a congestion/allergy spree that makes bourbon taste nasty.

IW Harper + Pechayaud's bitters + Ginger Ale

Old Forester 100 proof

EC 12

ET 100 proof.

The ET tastes like sweet tea. My first taste of the Early Times bourbons. I wonder how it compares to the standard ET and the 354.

[Halifax]

I am revisiting a bottle of PVW 15 current release that I recently opened. This is a damn fine pour IMHO... I will start to bunker more of these.

[BillP]

Found a great buy of Woodford Reserve! Had to finish the bottle I received for Christmas to make room for the new one :grin:

Bill

[BarrelChar]

Marga-wheaterville:

PHC 2010, PVW 15+20, Vintage 17 and WLW 2010+2011.

Worth noting that this bottle of V17, while enjoyable, doesn't quite match my last few. More oak, less cream, and a shorter finish. It's still very solid, though it's another lesson in the variability of barrels and bottles. Has anyone else experienced this with V17?

Also had small sip of regular BT, as I'm trying to finally finish this cursed bottle. Can't understand the love heaped on BT. The nose has a slight body odor tinge and the flavor is boring one-note, light-rye snoozer that disappears in a blink. Dare I say I'd rather drink the White Dog Mash #1, which at least has some spunk.

[coltcannon]

Out for fat tuesday, had some ETL to start. Moved location and finished off their last ounce of Vintage Rye 21yr, which was the only place I have ever seen a bottle. It was very interesting, not all that good, a strange semi-astringent note but glad I was the one to kill it. Then a taste of each of the Balcones products, as they are just starting to be distributed in WI.

[bourboncc]

Started last night with a pour of Bernheim, which I'm really enjoying. After dinner, I moved onto THH 2011, which I love. Finished the night with some EC12.

[Phil T]

Started out with some AAA. Next up was some OF Repeal. Both very tasty

[jtexaslonestar]

Time for round 2 with the HW Double Rye. Spent a good hour and a half last nite taking in the first pour. What a great time it was!:grin:

[Master_Photog]