Black Maple Hill 16 yr. Small Batch

[smknjoe]

So, I recently bought a bottle of this without knowing anything about it other than it was a good price and good whiskey. Can anyone enlighten me?

[squire]

What would you like to know?

[smknjoe]

Well, I'm going to crack it open soon enough (I want to go through all of my recent dusties to make sure they are good first) so I will find out how it tastes for myself.

Any ideas on the source of the whisky? Most believe the NAS SmB is HH juice. Is this thought to be HH as well? Is it a traditional recipe or wheated?

Edit: this is my "Devil" post. Maybe I should have let the bottle be...

Edited June 3, 2013 by smknjoe

[boneuphtoner]

Just tried this the other day at my first trip to Jack Rose in DC. Did a comparison with one of my benchmarks, EC12, and based on the rumors that BMH had Heaven Hill juice. I could tell some similarities, but the BMH was a more interesting pour.

[smknjoe]

I doubt it was 5 times as interesting. Thanks for the input.

[HighInTheMtns]

I believe that the BMH16 was selected by Julian Van Winkle, which probably tells you something about the juice in the bottle.

[luther.r]

I believe that the BMH16 was selected by Julian Van Winkle, which probably tells you something about the juice in the bottle.

I think that's just for the early single barrel bottles. The one in question here is a later, KBD-bottled small batch 16.

[smknjoe]

Is that true for the single barrel and small batch as far as you know?

[Tico]

I think that's just for the early single barrel bottles. The one in question here is a later, KBD-bottled small batch 16.

I thought it was some of the early single barrel ryes that were selected by Julian, I don't remember seeing any mention of bourbons selected by

[luther.r]

Lots of good info on this thread.

[smknjoe]

Thanks Luther. According to post 14 all 3 of the 16yr releases were marketed as DSP 16. The owner said she had the bottle for a year or so - guessing its from the last release in ~2010.

Edited June 3, 2013 by smknjoe

[Gentleman Racer]

I've always found this bottle compelling. But the regular red/orange label BMH is easily the most disappointing bottle I ever bought. Once bitten twice shy. So I've avoided it.

Hope you like it!

[luther.r]

I'd be pretty skeptical of it being S-W. But I just picked one of these up and I'd love to hear your thoughts when you open it, Joe.

[smknjoe]

I'm no S-W aficionado, but I've had/have a few different iterations. I'll try to taste it later tonight if I get the chance.

[Tico]

I'd be pretty skeptical of it being S-W. But I just picked one of these up and I'd love to hear your thoughts when you open it, Joe.

I'd even go as far and say that I don't think the last of the 16yr small batch is even a wheater

[Wryguy]

It is definitely not a wheater. I've had the SmB BMH16 many times and to my palate it is a rye bourbon, and if I had to guess I'd say BT. I even remember sitting down at one point a year ago and doing a head to head with the JPS17 at the bar to determine what my next personal purchase should be and the JPS17 won by a country mile for my preferences. Reminds of proofed down Stagg, fine stuff certainly, but not my favorite. YMMV, I'll be interested in your impressions Joe.

[Restaurant man]

It is definitely not a wheater. I've had the SmB BMH16 many times and to my palate it is a rye bourbon, and if I had to guess I'd say BT. I even remember sitting down at one point a year ago and doing a head to head with the JPS17 at the bar to determine what my next personal purchase should be and the JPS17 won by a country mile for my preferences. Reminds of proofed down Stagg, fine stuff certainly, but not my favorite. YMMV, I'll be interested in your impressions Joe.

From my taste memory, not a wheater. tasty but i had to pass

[smknjoe]

I'll spend a little more time with this, but first impressions are: what a waste of money. Off the top of my head I'd say this is a "honey" barrel of regular BT.

Don't get me wrong, it's good. I just don't see why it's so expensive.

Edited June 5, 2013 by smknjoe

[tylermke]

I'll spend a little more time with this, but first impressions are: what a waste of money. Off the top of my head I'd say this is a "honey" barrel of regular BT.

Don't get me wrong, it's good. I just don't see why it's so expensive.

[smknjoe]

I can't put my finger on it. The nose is full of vanilla and caramel and the taste is similar with with some spice. On the nose if you told me it was a wheater I'd believe it. On the tounge I'd say ryed bourbon. Again, it's very good but I don't see what all the buzz is about. Let me finish the bottle and I'll get back to you...

[RVTsteve]

I'll spend a little more time with this, but first impressions are: what a waste of money. Off the top of my head I'd say this is a "honey" barrel of regular BT.

Don't get me wrong, it's good. I just don't see why it's so expensive.

[squire]

Some years back a friend asked me to be on the lookout for this brand for him and I picked up a couple of bottles. Thought it was nice enough but not worth nearly the price I paid.