VOB vs. EWB

[weller_tex]

A while back John Hansell named EWB and VOB BIB as his top value bourbons. Jason Pyle highly recommended the VOB BIB as well. I did not care for VOB BIB when I had some a couple of years ago, but now that it is available in Texas I had some VOB 86 (haven't seen the BIB yet). I liked the 86 better than the BIB..even though I did add water to the BIB when I tried it. I definitely prefer VOB 86 to EWB.

So if you like either one of these, which do you prefer VOB or EWB?

[mosugoji64]

I don't think I could pick one over the other since they're very different. Each satisfies a particular mood. Besides, they're cheap so why not pick up both? :grin:

[Gillman]

The VOB. (The VOBs aren't all the same age or mix of ages I understand, I like the 86 and 90 the best). I get touches of corn oil in the EWB that 6 years seems to efface in the VOB 86, 90 and bond.

The VOBs have their own blend of relative youth and more matured flavours but in a more appealing way, IMO.

Gary

[JayMonster]

While neither is a regular pour for me, I recently tried both, while nothing exciting I would agree for the price the VOB was a nice deal.

EWB was like drinking a bottle of Scope and stands on a very short list of bourbons I would never touch again at any price.

[weller_tex]

The VOB. (The VOBs aren't all the same age or mix of ages I understand, I like the 86 and 90 the best). I get touches of corn oil in the EWB that 6 years seems to efface in the VOB 86, 90 and bond.

The VOBs have their own blend of relative youth and more matured flavours but in a more appealing way, IMO.

Gary

Ok, cool, so the fact that I like the 86 better than the BIB isn't crazy.

[PaulO]

I'd say I give an edge to the VOB BIB compared to regular EW. The only bad thing is; I can't find VOB BIB in my state, and have to stock up when I get the chance. I know there is a BIB version of EW in some states. That would be interesting to compare.

[PaulO]

Also, many have commented on certain bourbons tasting better after opening up. That was my experience with my most recent bottle of VOB BIB.

[Young Blacksmith]

I really love my VOB 86 I have open. Due to that, I picked up a VOB 100 when I was in KY after Christmas. Don't like it as much, I get a ton of bananas in it. Then last night I poured a bit of 86 and it was all bananas. Crap. I may have left it open too long! I'll see how it treats me over the next week or two as I finish off the bottle, but I'm thinking Tom Moore BIB is the best Barton product out there.

EWB is OK, but for the price I can pick up a Tom Moore BIB. I think HH really hits a sweet spot around 12 + or - a few years, especially with EC12.

[weller_tex]

I really love my VOB 86 I have open. Due to that, I picked up a VOB 100 when I was in KY after Christmas. Don't like it as much, I get a ton of bananas in it. Then last night I poured a bit of 86 and it was all bananas. Crap. I may have left it open too long! I'll see how it treats me over the next week or two as I finish off the bottle, but I'm thinking Tom Moore BIB is the best Barton product out there.

EWB is OK, but for the price I can pick up a Tom Moore BIB. I think HH really hits a sweet spot around 12 + or - a few years, especially with EC12.

It is the damn bananas that made me not like the VOB BIB!! At the time I had the VOB I had some good Scotch open and it sat for a while...the VOB 86 has gone pretty quick. Maybe leaving any VOB open for longer than a week results in bananas!

[Rutherford]

During nights in which the banana overwhelms VOB, I'd prefer EWB. When it blends nicely with the other flavors, VOB is better.

Most nights, the banana does not overwhelm. So, VOB more frequently.

EWB has the advantage of being available in this state...

[weller_tex]

During nights in which the banana overwhelms VOB, I'd prefer EWB. When it blends nicely with the other flavors, VOB is better.

Most nights, the banana does not overwhelm. So, VOB more frequently.

EWB has the advantage of being available in this state...

It's only been the past few months that Texas has had VOB. Not sure how wide the expansion has occurred.

[T Comp]

It is the damn bananas that made me not like the VOB BIB!! At the time I had the VOB I had some good Scotch open and it sat for a while...the VOB 86 has gone pretty quick. Maybe leaving any VOB open for longer than a week results in bananas!

The latest VOB BIBs carried at Binnys (Sazerac ownership, Weller bottle design and bottled at DSP 113) have much less banana than the prior Constellation owned ones bottled at DSP 113. Why is that I don't know.

The HH 6 year BIB, very difficult to find outside central Kentucky, is better than EWB (or is it just the extra proof :grin: ). It is the equal of VOB BIB, just different. VOB tastes more smoke and malt whereas HH more rye tart and apricot sweet type fruit. Both as complex as your going to get with 6 years of age. That they can both be had in the $10 to $12 for a 750 ml is what makes them unmatched in QPR against any other alcohol beverage.

[clingman71]

I found a 90 proof 6yr VOB old style bottle tonight for $6.99. Anyone have any opinions on this? $6.99 it isn't that big of a gamble.

[Josh]

The latest VOB BIBs carried at Binnys (Sazerac ownership, Weller bottle design and bottled at DSP 113) have much less banana than the prior Constellation owned ones bottled at DSP 113. Why is that I don't know.

The HH 6 year BIB, very difficult to find outside central Kentucky, is better than EWB (or is it just the extra proof :grin: ). It is the equal of VOB BIB, just different. VOB tastes more smoke and malt whereas HH more rye tart and apricot sweet type fruit. Both as complex as your going to get with 6 years of age. That they can both be had in the $10 to $12 for a 750 ml is what makes them unmatched in QPR against any other alcohol beverage.

As Ghandi once said, I second that emotion.

I found a 90 proof 6yr VOB old style bottle tonight for $6.99. Anyone have any opinions on this? $6.99 it isn't that big of a gamble.

It's pretty good. Not a BiB so more consistant, but also less intertesting. The 90 proof is the only VOB available in Michigan. $6.99 is a very good price.

[JPBoston]

I don't think I can get VOB out here in AZ...

EWB has been a solid value pour for me so far, at least.

[weller_tex]

I don't think I can get VOB out here in AZ...

EWB has been a solid value pour for me so far, at least.

It wasn't here in Texas until early 2012, so maybe they are moving that way. Although Texas is a big bourbon state, so maybe that's why we got it.

[JPBoston]

It wasn't here in Texas until early 2012, so maybe they are moving that way. Although Texas is a big bourbon state, so maybe that's why we got it.

[weller_tex]

I don't normally like 86 proof bourbons, but VOB 86 is excellent stuff. The whole country should be able to get it. Reminds me of what 80-86 proof used to taste like in the 80's..back when I knew nothing about bourbon other than Weller and Jim Beam were good...yes Jim Beam..