Are you guys STILL drinking tonight??

[MurphyDawg]

Hey its my new BEST FRIEND, Mr ED!!

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm BDay Bourbon. . .

TomC

[robbyvirus]

I'm sipping on Sazerac Rye at the moment. It's been awhile since I've had this...When I've been in that "rye mood" I've been reaching for the Van Winkle Family Reserve recently. The Sazerac Rye is very distinct from the Van Winkle ryes, but still excellent. I wish there were more makers of great ryes out there.

[Dave_in_Canada]

Well, after researching (ie. constant tastings) for three months prior to my bourbon tour of KY, then 4 days of non-stop tasting, sampling and side by side shoot-outs, it's been a fine and bourbonous few months. I've been home a week now and every night was another taste-fest.

So yesterday I chose the path of sobriety and decided to take the day off, despite the beckoning calls from my freshly uncorked bottle of Eagle Rare 17 and WTRR. So, I'm going to give it one more day off.

Why, you might ask? I have no specific reason, but I can hardly wait until tomorrow night.

[Bob]

I had a wonderful pour of the 2002 Birthday Bourbon this evening. Very fine indeed, and it makes me look forward to getting to try the '03 variety, hopefully very soon.

[kitzg]

Dave, since you mentioned one of my favorite brands -- Eagle Rare, I am curious how you compare that to the WTRR you list in the same post. For some reason it is the only Turkey product I don't recall having. Love to see your comment.

Greg

[Dave_in_Canada]

Hey Greg. Now this is all from memory, you understand, as I have promised not to imbibe this evening.

First off, I'm a big fan of most of the bottlings from BT. The ER17 is no exception although I wish it was slightly higher proof (I think it could stand it). Have you tried the 17? It's the closest thing I've tried to a straight rye. Very lucious.

The WTRR was a tourist treat as I can't get it anywhere here, and Eddie Russell suggested that it was Jimmy's favourite expression. I'm a WT fan too, when it comes to what a real bourbon should taste like (that might get me in trouble!). The RR is very approachable and at best I would be happy to serve it to new bourbon drinkers looking for a simple, yet powerful pour. The nose is very full and distinctively WT (vanilla?). There's absolutely nothing wrong I can say about it. It's perfectly suited to it's 101 proof and has a marvelously long finish. All we can get here on a regular basis is the WT 80 proof which, although it's one of my regulars, has since given way to Buffalo Trace.

I'm thinking of purchasing the Eagle Rare 10 or their barrel proof. What do you think? (ie. what's your favourite ER).

[bobbyc]

If you guessed OFBBSP03, while that would have been terrific, you'd be wrong. I'm enjoying the company of an old , Dear Friend, George. Mr George T. Stagg!I was rooting around in the Bunker, of course Mr. Stagg resides Front, center. I was trying to decide a fitting offering to bring to the Gazebo next week. I'm sort of bouncing around the idea of 12 VanWinkle Rye, ( especially if the 13 shows up) Maybe the Jefferson's. Anyway I saw ol' Georgy there all alone . It's not as if I could forget it for long but there is a reason I like this stuff so well!

[kitzg]

I LOVE the Eagle Rare 10 -- 101 proof. I particularly like its price compared to the single barrel or 17. But I really like the flavor. I get a strong caramel. I really like the ER Single Barrel, too. At a lower proof some might say it is smoother.

[bluesbassdad]

Dave,

Why, you might ask?

Perhaps you hear the same little voice that sometimes speaks to me.

It says, "Dave, You're enjoying this too much. Are you sure it isn't becoming a problem?" (I always reply, "Buzz off, fella!")

Yours truly,

Dave Morefield

[Dave_in_Canada]

I really like the flavor. I get a strong caramel.

If it's the caramel you like in the 10yr., the 17 may not please you as much 'cause the caramel isn't up front IMHO. It's very mellow, and not too woody. I'll have to try it again tonight.

[kitzg]

Thanks. I recall that I liked the 17 but it may have been for the mellowness. And like many -- I like variety

-

[bobbyc]

This time a week ago I was enthralled by a new Birthday Bourbon. For a couple of days now I am completely captivated by the new Barton offering, Ridgewood Reserve 1792 Barrel Select. If anyone knows or can find out, how limited is this and can we expect to see it from here on in. A bunkerable Bourbon if there is one!

[bobbyc]

Jefferson's, I guess the price is not to like,$27.99. I sure do like what's in this bottle.

[OneCubeOnly]

Tonight I did a side-by-side with two bunkered favorites: Pappy 20 and OFBB '02. I wanted to see if there would be a clear favorite. Needless to say, I couldn't decide--they're both spectacular. My final conclusions were that the OFBB is the bourbon equivalent of a Ferrari--it's younger, spicier, and has a lot more pizazz. The Pappy 20 is more like a vintage Rolls Royce--sleek, elegant, distinguished, and loaded with class.

[bobbyc]

All I can add to that OCO is add the OFBBSP03 and the Ridgewood Reserve and you'll have a hefty arsenal of Style , Speed and Performance.

[jeff]

Tonight it is a little Jefferson's Reserve. After drinking Jefferson's for a while now I thought I would give the original another try. Good Stuff , lousy price . Much Smoother than its little brother and with a fuller bodied palate.

[Paradox]

Wild Turkey Rare Breed. It's beginning to grow more on me with each pour...

[ratcheer]

Good call, Mark. I'm going to go see if I can find a bottle of RB to open.

Tim

[robbyvirus]

Back to the Weller 12 y.o. tonite. This fine tasting bourbon never lets me down. Can't believe it's so inexpensive!

[bluesbassdad]

Jeff,

When I think of Jefferson's Reserve, which coincidentally I drank yesterday too, two words come to mind "pencil shavings".

I'm surprised, given your ability to detect such flavors as acetone, vitamins, etc., that you missed the distinct flavor of a mixture of yellow paint and pine wood. It's a flavor that's unmistakable to anyone who ever chomped on a No.2 Blackfoot while pondering a difficult question on a test in school.

In all seriousness, this is one that I'll be glad to empty, never to be replaced. It's not bad. I would certainly not dump it, and it has a pleasant nose and a certain beguiling smoothness on the palate, at least initially. However, there are many bourbons that taste more like... , well, bourbon that sell for less, in some cases much less.

Even if they were priced the same, I would choose EC 12, WT101, OGD BIB and Weller 12 y/o -- all at less than half the price -- over Jefferson's Reserve.

Don't mind me; I'm feeling cranky this morning.

Yours truly,

Dave Morefield

[bluesbassdad]

Rare Breed didn't impress me at first, but every time I give it another try, I like it better. Were it not for the many fans it has in this venue, I probably would have dismissed it at first taste -- to my great loss.

Yours truly,

Dave Morefield

[Buckky]

I am enjoying the pleasure of a Blanton's this evening....does it get any better than this?

[kitzg]

I nver join you guys in the evening -- but in my humble opinion there are few better than Blantons! Lucky you

[jeff]

A nice pour of Four Roses bourbon from the bottle we recieved after the "Let's Talk Bourbon" seminar and distillery tour. This was one of the highlights of the festival for Leslie and me. It was a little dissappointing that none of the better bottlings were available for tasting, but a great time nontheless. Glad I shared it with you guys

[Buckky]

Elijah Craig...the best of Heaven Hill. I get new flavors nearly every time I drink this...a very easy pour.