What bourbon are you drinking? Winter 12/13

[qman22]

TPS OWA and WTRB

[UncleJohnsBarrel]

I'm going with EC12 tonight, which has been a great label to enjoy. I bought one originally months ago because of recommendations on sites like this. When I first tried it, frankly, I was unimpressed and pretty sure I wouldn't be making further purchases of EC12. Low and behold, a few months later after sitting on the shelf not being touched, and this stuff is just great. I am definitely starting to see what people mean by "best nose on an under $30 bourbon," and while I still think Weller 12 takes that award (after you've let it sit a week or two) EC12 is absolutely a bottle I will be coming back to. Now lets see if there's any 4R on the marquee this evening...

[smokinjoe]

A pour of Baker's in the hotel bar. I think I have purchased only one bottle of this. But, I really enjoy it when I'm out and have it in a bar. Something doesn't mesh, there. Solution? I'm picking up a bottle as soon as I get home.

[Curtisc84]

'87 Old Taylor- This is the first I've had of Old Taylor and I'm impressed.

[JPBoston]

Interesting night for me... Had my first pour of Booker's at a restaurant with my wife, then stopped at Total Wine and picked up some OWA so I could finally try the vaunted SB Blend.

[dementedavenger]

Went to a bar last night and started with a pour of 2012 GTS (excellent, as always). Moved onto a tasty Willett Family Estate 10-Year Bourbon. Next up was Colonel E.H. Taylor Single Barrel, which had a delicious nose out of the bottle and after 8-10 minutes, but which disappointed in every other aspect. Very weak offering, in my opinion. I finished the night with a small taste of Weller 12 (there was about 2 ounces left in the bottle and I gave my companion the full pour) and a pour Hancock's Reserve, which I'd never bothered to try before and which I found a decent bourbon.

[smknjoe]

Tried the EWSB 2002 last night and it was good. I need to drink some more to form a solid opinion. Is it normal to have "floaties" in it? I'm sure I read that it is normal but I can't find the thread.

[SFS]

Easing into the evening with some simple 4R Yellow Label. Will move to some ER10 later.

[KySalesRep]

Having a Four Roses night: Starting off with the 120 Anniversay then on to 4RSB LE 2012.

[jwacky]

Wild Turkey Rare Breed, tonight.

[DaveOfAtl]

I have several bottles that are on their last legs, which I am finishing tonight (some with larger pours than others). I've polished off a Henry McKenna BIB, a Larceny, and a Vintage 17. The PHC 2012 might have to wait until tomorrow night. It makes me excited that I am clearing so much shelf space and can dip into several I have been waiting to open.

[Clavius]

Just poured the last bit of from a hand selected bottle of KCSB. Good stuff.

[cbus]

Had a glass of Four Roses TPS Barrel Strength OBSV preceded by Compass Box Oak Cross while watching the season premier of Archer. SHAZAM!!!!

[OscarV]

The wind was cutting me to pieces today so now that I am home I am warming up with William Larue Weller from the 2012 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection and yes as always, neat.

[PaulO]

I'm starting off a three day week end with some Old Forester Birthday 2010, and planning to watch football all day Sunday. :toast:

[squire]

Mixed up a Barton based cocktail to go with lunch, which included Amaretto and Fee Bros bitters.

[Wryguy]

Just had a head to head with Bookers and some Hirsch 28. I have had both before and I feel that both fall into the category of bourbon that often carries a hefty pricetag without delivering the proverbial goods. There were some surprises this time around though, but I'm going to stick to placing both of these bottles in the pass column for me. Luckily these bottles were at the local bar.

Booker's was really hot on the nose, smelling heavily of acetone, with a bit of honeysuckle and mown grass thrown into the mix. I was hoping for a nose closer to the PHC 2012, but not to be unfortunately. The mouthfeel was oily, tight and hot, and the dominating note on the palate was that slightly sour, greenish pop that reminds me of what pencils tasted like when I would nervously chew them in middle school. Not much sweetness or much of a finish. Water seemed to bring out more of the earthy, mown grass element and some honey caramel sweetness, but generally not a dram I enjoy, and while in the past I thought it to be notable for being an example of a 'sweet spot' bourbon in terms of aging, its youth was very obvious next to the Hirsch.

The Hirsch 28 is a dry wood bomb, like chewing on a plank instead of a pencil, brittle and tannic, resting with a bit of a bite in my throat, the finish feels like it's turning my tongue to dust. I think the Hirsch 25 is still good drinking, a dram that opens with time in the glass, but the 28 is just a bit too much, and I generally love dry drinks of all sorts. The nose is truly spectacular though. Just layer upon layer of must, treacle, leather and toffee. Too bad the rest didn't live up to the nose. The structure of the body of older whiskey is best experienced IMO by holding the dram 1 second in my mouth for every year it has spent in the barrel. The Hirsch 28 did something really weird when I tried that. The wood disappeared entirely. As did any semblance of a burn. I had the bartender try the same thing and he reported similar results without my prompting. Anyone else ever experience something similar, with the Hirsch or any other bourbon. Only other similar experience I can think of was with a BTEC '89 lost barrel 21 year.

[fishnbowljoe]

I'm reaping some wheaters tonight. Repeat, reaping not raping. :skep: Although that depends on ones point of view I guess. :grin: Started out with some Weller 12. Followed that up with my own version of the SB blend, a 1:1 vatting of OWA and Weller SR. Who knows? There might just be more to follow later on this evening.

[Parkersback]

I've been making cocktails with Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao, it is really delightful stuff. Certainly sweet, but not sickeningly so. I've been putting it in about 4:1, usually with a BIB, but tonight with AAA, which made it quite sweet. I also added a drip of Jerry Thomas Bitters, which added a little... well, bitter flavor.

Anyway, I'd definitely recommend this Curacao: it's worthing having on your bar.

[squire]

Old Grand Dad BIB prior to our dinner party tonight. Cocktails will follow.

[HP12]

Abraham Bowman "Gift Shop" 138.6 prf. This one continues to impress as a flavor bomb without heat. Just wow!

[T Comp]

Taking a lead from Squire's occasional lunch time libation...only mine has to be at dinner time...Barton Manhattan-both Angostura and Stirring's blood orange bitters with 2 Luxardo cherries.

[Crowes]

Starting off with a little OGD 114. Still trying to fully warm up to this one.

[savagehenry]

Enjoying some V17 while listening to Thelonious Monk on the new turntable & speakers set up. Great combo

[WAINWRIGHT]

Back to back Weller's tonight,OWA now on to the '12 WLW.Looks like a wheater night for sure this evening!