War of the (Four) Roses: Single Barrel

[Josh]

I enthusiastically agree with what has been stated about ratings. Everybody's palate is different. SMOWK's baffling dislike of 4R is a good example.:confused:

It's a rookie mistake to assume that high age always equals high quality. The rye version of Vintage 17, ER 17, Pappys 20 & 23, 4R 100th anniversary 17 y/o are all among the most disappointing and dull whiskeys I have ever tasted. Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of age statements, but one of the great things about bourbon is that there are some very tasty options at single digit ages and in the NAS category.

[cigarnv]

Why does anyone care so much about what others think about a whiskey? Four Roses...

Sky... now I know you are a closet 4R drinker and to some degree coming around to some of their more interesting offerings....:grin:

As for why people care about what others like.... well 90% (my estimate) of folks fail to trust themselves and prefer others tell them what they should like.....

[bad_scientist]

Anyone tried more recent distillery-only bottlings? Last month they had barrels 5 through 7 bottled.

[SMOWK]

SMOWK's baffling dislike of 4R is a good example.:confused:

[bad_scientist]

Reid, I keep trying and buying. Being an IT guy, I spend a lot of time in closets and under women's desks. I love me some cougar bourbon.

[smgrey24]

Why does anyone care so much about what others think about a whiskey? Four Roses...

[Bmac]

It's a rookie mistake to assume that high age always equals high quality. The rye version of Vintage 17, ER 17, Pappys 20 & 23, 4R 100th anniversary 17 y/o are all among the most disappointing and dull whiskeys I have ever tasted.

I hear a lot of smack about ER17. You all should have a sip from my bottle because I just dont see/taste the issue. It tastes smooth and flavorful and actually different from Stagg. I have the 2011 release which should be the worst by most acounts and i have the 2010 GTS open. They're just night and day.

I was almost certain all the BTAC is small batch, but they could be numerous small batches? That might account for why my ER17 tastes so good.

[smgrey24]

I think your first mistake was assuming that it would be similar to Stagg based on similar rating number, and so when it didn't taste like your bourbon of choice, it was a let down.

You are exactly right! I was equating the ratings scale with taste profile. Never thought of it like that but I was expecting them to taste similar because of their high ratings. Alas, I'm afraid nothing can compare to my beloved George. :yum: Thanks for helping me think outside the (bourbon) box.

[c2walker]

You are exactly right! I was equating the ratings scale with taste profile. Never thought of it like that but I was expecting them to taste similar because of their high ratings. Alas, I'm afraid nothing can compare to my beloved George. :yum: Thanks for helping me think outside my (bourbon) box.

If you're looking for something similar to Stagg I recommend Abraham Bowman 18 year bourbon. I've heard there are still some floating around the MD/VA area. I did a side-by-side a few weeks ago and the two are very similar (which is unsurprising given the Bowman's age, proof, and origin).

[Josh]

I hear a lot of smack about ER17. You all should have a sip from my bottle because I just dont see/taste the issue. It tastes smooth and flavorful and actually different from Stagg. I have the 2011 release which should be the worst by most acounts and i have the 2010 GTS open. They're just night and day.

I was almost certain all the BTAC is small batch, but they could be numerous small batches? That might account for why my ER17 tastes so good.

Small Batch is really a completely meaningless term. ER, Stagg, Buffalo Trace, Old Charter, E.H. Taylor are all the same mashbill. So they make more from that mashbill than of any other one they make, or so I would guess.

I know a lot of people who like Er 17, and I have passed bottles of it I have found along to them. I think it's really dull. I feel the same way about Saz 18. I think your ER 17 tastes good to you because you are one of the people who like it. Different strokes for different folks!

[AaronWF]

It's a rookie mistake to assume that high age always equals high quality. The rye version of Vintage 17, ER 17, Pappys 20 & 23, 4R 100th anniversary 17 y/o are all among the most disappointing and dull whiskeys I have ever tasted. Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of age statements, but one of the great things about bourbon is that there are some very tasty options at single digit ages and in the NAS category.

I loved the 100th Anniversary bottle I had. It was one of my first 4R experiences, and I savored every last drop of the bottle. I'm find the 120th to be much, much more stiff - I'm holding out for it to open up over time.

I'm starting to learn that I like certain 4R profiles more than others, namely I prefer the bottlings that surprise me with flavors you don't normally find in bourbon. I prefer the exotic to the more classic lip-smackers like the 2010 LESmB.

I think there can be a fair amount of variation in the LE1B offerings.

[Josh]

I loved the 100th Anniversary bottle I had. It was one of my first 4R experiences, and I savored every last drop of the bottle. I'm find the 120th to be much, much more stiff - I'm holding out for it to open up over time.

I'm starting to learn that I like certain 4R profiles more than others, namely I prefer the bottlings that surprise me with flavors you don't normally find in bourbon. I prefer the exotic to the more classic lip-smackers like the 2010 LESmB.

I think there can be a fair amount of variation in the LE1B offerings.

Well put and I completely agree about the variations and the exotic flavors. I didn't mean to imply that I thought only rookies like old bourbons. What I meant to say was that drawing a straight line between age and "goodness" is an easy mistake to make when starting out.

[Bmac]

Small Batch is really a completely meaningless term. ER, Stagg, Buffalo Trace, Old Charter, E.H. Taylor are all the same mashbill. So they make more from that mashbill than of any other one they make, or so I would guess.

Wow, that's a a lot of product that uses Mash Bill #1. So, I should be able to taste a similarity with Old Charter 8yr to ER17?

I know a lot of people who like Er 17, and I have passed bottles of it I have found along to them. I think it's really dull. I feel the same way about Saz 18. I think your ER 17 tastes good to you because you are one of the people who like it. Different strokes for different folks!

True enough

[WhiskyToWhiskey]

FRSB just became available here north of the border. I enjoy it and as far as pricepoint goes it's better than almost anything available here.

I like to read the odd whiskey review for the taste profile, I know what appeals to me...I don't really care so much about the number it's given. I have noticed that brands put the highest review they get to promote their product. Corner Creek was given a 92 by the BTI...and most would rate this much lower I'm sure.

[StraightNoChaser]

Jim Murray is just another guy with another opinion. His opinion may not reflect yours or anyone else's as we all have different palates.

Personally 4R1B is my all time favorite regular offering. It's smooth, balanced, refined and tastes damn good. Stagg is too intense to be a session drinker and I consider it more of a novelty than anything else.

[Trey Manthey]

Stagg is too intense to be a session drinker and I consider it more of a novelty than anything else.

Seriously. Make no mistake, it's a delicious liquid, but when I see pictures of people's collections with 10+ bottles of it, my liver aches for them. If I pour a healthy dram out and finish it within an hour it's a feat, and then I'm totally hammered.

[cigarnv]

Jim Murray is just another guy with another opinion. His opinion may not reflect yours or anyone else's as we all have different palates.

Personally 4R1B is my all time favorite regular offering. It's smooth, balanced, refined and tastes damn good. Stagg is too intense to be a session drinker and I consider it more of a novelty than anything else.

As I have said before I would like to see the "professional" reviewers do blind tastings ... I sense you would see some very different scores and most likely a fair amount less "expertise" exhibited. I find the "hobbyists" blind tasting reviews and scores the most honest given they spend their own money and don't derive benefits of any kind from the beverage industry.