Somebody give me the lowdown on Fighting Cock.

[Alden]

I saw this today for around $16.00. Never tried it.

Is it better than the usual bottom shelf E.D. drinkers, or is it a cut above?

Cute name, wine shaped bottle. Gimmicky? What do you think?

[jonhalter]

It is certainly drinkable. Not great, but not bad at all. Give it a chance.

[Alden]

I can get OGD BiB for the same price.

Are the similar? I think the proofs are about the same.

[c2walker]

I can get OGD BiB for the same price.

Are the similar? I think the proofs are about the same.

[CoMobourbon]

Very much not gimmicky. It's just good 6 year 103 proof rye bourbon with a simple sweet-sometimes-a-little-spicy flavor profile and a low price. Nothing spectacular, but a good/great value depending on your preferences. Regarding the whole "bottom-shelf" question, I would describe it as a good value bourbon. Noticeabely better than the very solid / high value EW black, if that provides any reference point.

In short, the gimmicky-seeming name / brand belies respectable stuff.

[savagehenry]

I can get OGD BiB for the same price.

Are the similar? I think the proofs are about the same.

[CoMobourbon]

I can get OGD BiB for the same price.

Are the similar? I think the proofs are about the same.

[camduncan]

My experience found it to be a hot spicy bourbon with lots of burn on the finish. It's not my idea of a great (or even value) bourbon, but your mileage may vary.

[Josh]

I think it's a pretty good bourbon. Decent substitute for Old Ezra 101.

[JPBoston]

FC is great stuff for the price. 103 proof, 6 yr age statement, sweet up front with rye spice in the mid/finish.

Waaay better then the name/price would suggest.

[black mamba]

Worth the money for sure, but it's 13.99 around here. HH Old Style White BIB 6yo is better and cheaper, but not available in MO.

[WAINWRIGHT]

It's a good solid bourbon 6yr age stated 103prf,quite a bit of value for what it is.You don't have many choices in this price category and this is one that is truly worth it,I to agree that HH BIB 6yr is better but not available here either.

[kickert]

Very much not gimmicky. It's just good 6 year 103 proof rye bourbon with a simple sweet-sometimes-a-little-spicy flavor profile and a low price. Nothing spectacular, but a good/great value depending on your preferences. Regarding the whole "bottom-shelf" question, I would describe it as a good value bourbon. Noticeabely better than the very solid / high value EW black, if that provides any reference point.

In short, the gimmicky-seeming name / brand belies respectable stuff.

I agree with everything you just said. I have never been a fan of HH products, but this is very decent, with good proof, good age, and nothing offensive in the taste. As noted elsewhere, it is a bit hot, even with water, but I would prefer that to some other attributes that bottom shelf bourbons often have (oily, unbalanced, grassy, etc.)

[Richnimrod]

I think I read a couple years ago that Fighting Cock is a wheater.

Can anybody say for sure what the FC mashbill is?

[Josh]

I think I read a couple years ago that Fighting Cock is a wheater.

Can anybody say for sure what the FC mashbill is?

It's definately not a wheater. There's no evidence besides ill-informed marketing puffery that FC is anything other than the standard HH rye-recipe mashbill. This was discussed in another thread a while back, but I'm too lazy to find it right now.

[cowdery]

Fighting Cock is Heaven Hill's standard rye-recipe bourbon, the same basic juice as Evan Williams and Elijah Craig. Assuming it still has its age statement, it is six years old. That and its high proof make it a good value. My only caveat would be that the brand's profile is deliberately hot, for people who believe whiskey should burn a little going down. That's not a flaw, it's made that way on purpose, so if you like a milder and better-tempered bourbon, stay away from Fighting Cock.

[PaulO]

I'm a big fan of FC 103. I just finished a bottle the other day. It seemed to me that the most recent bottle had less heat, and more sweetness than I remember from the past. I may buck the trend here, and say I like it just a little more than HH BIB 6 year old. Actually I think they are both very good.

[justataste]

I like FC very well on the rocks. Oddly enough I don't care for it as much when mixed. It's a little sweet.

I must admit I thin FC wipes the floor with JD and JB.

[Alden]

I'll pick up a bottle of this next time I'm in that store.

Sounds pretty good.

Hot and sweet, just like I like my women.

:slappin:

[justataste]

Alden you are my hero.

Seems like you pick up a couple of bottles of good bourbon almost every day! And what a terrific range of whiskey!

I am often drinking vicariously through you! Party on man.

[Alden]

Alden you are my hero.

Seems like you pick up a couple of bottles of good bourbon almost every day! And what a terrific range of whiskey!

I am often drinking vicariously through you! Party on man.

:grin:

Hahaha... thanks for noticing! It's not that frequent... but close!

I need to slow down though. Been on a tear lately.

[squire]

I quit buying Fighting Cock when they dropped the 8 year age statement which is not so much a comment on the whisky, just my wont. It's still a BIB class whisky and if sold at a good price something I wouldn't pass on.

[Bourbon Boiler]

Good value and a unique, but not overly sophisticated taste. It's what I put in flasks for football games, knowing half the drinkers are going to mix it with a soft drink anyway, and it's something I can enjoy straight when I'm not trying to be Wow-ed with a high end.

[Richnimrod]

Thanx to all who corrected my misinformation about FC/Wheat. It didn't taste alot like a wheater to me, though, it's been awhile since I tasted it.

[JPBoston]

The 2nd bottle of FC that I've purchased isn't as impressive as the 1st. The caramel sweetness is basically not there at all... so I'm left with the simple rye spice.

Not bad, but not as interesting as the first time around.