Buffalo Trace Rules the Roost

[bluesbassdad]

I have a sentimental fondness for Wild Turkey that I just can't shake. At present I have bottles of 12 year-old, Kentucky Spirit, Rare Breed, Russell's Reserve, 101, and rye. All that's missing, based on the U.S. bourbon line-up, is the 80 proof, right?

However, if I had to limit my future bourbon consumption to the bottlings from a single distiller, it would be this one .

My only problem with Buffalo Trace is that their bottles are so danged purty, that I hate to empty them, knowing that I have nothing better to do with them than toss them in the recycle bin. (I've been down to about four ounces of Rock Hill Farms for close to a year. I just can't bear the thought of that beautiful bottle sitting in a container on my curb come trash day.)

Nevertheless, Wild Turkey will never be far behind. (Excuse me while a take a couple of gulps of WT rye and Reed's ginger beer... Yes!)

Yours truly,

Dave Morefield

[CL]

Great link, Dave. I didn't know it existed. But why don't they show GTS in the Antique Collection?

I have to agree, BT is by far my favorite. It is even easier for me as I don't go gaga over WT products except for RB. And now with my fave product line, ORVW, in the BT family, it's no contest as to who is my favorite distiller.

I do express these thoughts with some hesitation. I am sorry, for Bettye Jo's sake, that HH is not my favorite distiller. However, I mean in no way to diminish her importance to our SB.com community. As all who have met Bettye Jo will attest, she is a fantastic person, an invaluable fountain of bourbon history, and alot of fun to boot.

[OneCubeOnly]

I wasn't familiar with that link either--thanks!

Yes, there certainly are a lot of winners in that circle! Yum!

[bluesbassdad]

I haven't had the pleasure of meeting Bettye Jo, although I feel as though I have from our contact here at SB.com. I cannot argue with your characterization.

Fortunately, she has made it clear to me that all she expects is honesty, although I am more than happy to throw in a bit of tact, where necessary, as well.

It is somewhat ironic that my favorite Heaven Hill bottlings are not those that the Company probably regards as their flagship products. Apparently, the Beams and I have a difference of opinion regarding the ideal taste profile for bourbon, a situation that makes me mildly uneasy regarding my own tasting skills.

***

BTW, there's something fishy about that site, even beyond the facts that the URL gives no hint that it's a Buffalo Trace site and that there is a BT site clearly labeled as such. The description of the Eagle Rare 10 y/o is the same as the one for the ER 17. I emailed them about that, but I don't expect to see any response.

Yours truly,

Dave Morefield

[kgiammarco]

If there was any doubt about BT being the one distiller to choose, their teaming up with Julian Van Winkle eliminated it...

I applaud BT for offering most of their high end bourbons in the US.. . Maybe there would be more of a contest if Wild Turkey had more bottlings available in the US (specifically the barrel proof legend)...

-Chris

[bobbyc]

If there was any doubt about BT being the one distiller to choose, their teaming up with Julian Van Winkle eliminated it...

And you know what the cool thing is? We don't have to pick just one , we can have them all!

I do respect BettyeJo when she says she is Heaven Hill 100% I feel pretty sure there are lots of people who feel that way. I always thought it odd when I drive by Ford Motor Co. in Louisville and see Corvettes, Chevy and Dodge Pickups in their employee parking lot.

At the same time I asked some of the people in the business if they drink other brands than what they make and some say they will taste any ones Bourbon, I guess they can tell what the other guys are up too.

[Dave_in_Canada]

That website must be a new one. It's almost perfect, it's just missing two of my favourites, Elijah Craig and Knob Creek! But I doubt the folks at BT would list 'em, even if I asked.

[OneCubeOnly]

I certainly don't want to speak for BettyeJo, but somehow I'd doubt she'd mind if we express our love for BT. Heaven Hill is EXCEPTIONAL at what they do--which is predominantly bulk whiskey. For obvious reasons, SB.com has a love for premiums and ultra-premiums.

[cowdery]

Well, two cheers for Buffalo Trace. This website was certainly needed. The Buffalo Trace site is dedicated strictly to the BT brand, which is fine but they needed something about all of their other bourbons. Sazerac has a site, but it does little more than list the other bourbons. Why only two cheers? Because when you get past the flashy effects and nice images, the new site isn't much more than a list. The "what is bourbon?" page is basically a re-write of the federal regs, all true enough but pretty flat. Still, it's a start.

[bluesbassdad]

Now that is an interesting perspective.

It aligns with my fondness, at their respective prices, for Evan Williams 7 year old, Old Fitz 1849 (and BIB) and Elijah Craig 12 year old. It's their upper-level bottlings, such as the EWSB and the EC 18, that I find unimpressive, in the main, compared to the competition. (Based on my limited tasting to date, I'd say the unheralded Henry McKenna Single Barrel may be the exception to the latter.)

Hmmm... A random thought: When one characterizes a product as "Heaven Hill whiskey", as I believe Chuck did recently, does that reference automatically exclude those bottlings that are clearly from a unique mashbill, such as the three Old Fitz bottlings and their ryes?

Yours truly,

Dave Morefield

[cowdery]

Heaven Hill makes three straight whiskies: rye bourbon, wheat bourbon and rye. The technology of their distillery in Louisville makes it possible for them to make many more recipes using different mash bills and yeasts, but they haven't availed themselves of it yet, to the best of my knowledge. In contrast, I believe Buffalo Trace makes five different recipes, the addition being two additional rye-recipe bourbons. Jim Beam also makes three straight whiskies, two different rye bourbons plus straight rye. The two different bourbons use different mash bills and yeasts. Essentially they are the Jim Beam recipe and the Old Grand-Dad recipe, which uses more rye and less corn. Wild Turkey makes two straight whiskies, their bourbon and their rye. Who makes the most different straight whiskies? Four Roses, by combining two different mash bills with five different yeasts, they make ten different rye-recipe bourbons.

[Barrel_Proof]

You're right about that, Dave: BT is not about to include a Heaven Hill (Elijah Craig) or Jim Beam (Knob Creek) whiskey on the BT family brand web site, no matter how much you beg them to do so.

[Black85L98]

I had no idea they produced all these products. At this time I am still waiting on the BT I ordered from my local spirits store. I bought some Ancient Age the other day and my Bourbon Buddy laughed at me. It is very good for the price range.

[Gillman]

Just to bring this thread forward, I'd recalled Dave's enthusiasm for Henry McKenna Single Barrel, expressed in a number of posts.

After tasting most of the quality bourbons on offer at the Gala the other night, in my view this McKenna (green wax top) tasted best of show.

I meant to mention this to Max Shapira during our brief chat but the band drowned out the possibility.

I agree also with Dave that the McKenna partakes somewhat of EJ 12 year old. I find it does not have the citric-like taste that characterises most of the Evan Williams Single Barrel releases, but rather a deep nutty richness. A fine drink that offers great value.

Gary

[Marvin]

Dave,

I couldn't agree with you more!!!!

Cheers,

Marvin