If you like ____ you will probably like ____

[MauiSon]

Some of you fans of the old and current WT 101 weigh in on this. "Smooth," "bland," and "sweet" are descriptors I have never associated with WT. I've always thought of WT as a more in-your-face bourbon.

I'd say WT101 is sweet on entry, spicy mid-palate with a smooth finish whenever I sip it. If I gulp it down, it's in-my-face bold.

[sailor22]

Interesting thread. Sometimes it's one particular characteristic that is in one that is similar in another, not an overall profile that makes interesting comparisons. Other times they are more like siblings.

If you like WT 101 you might like Fighting Cock

If you like Rock Hill Farms you might like Elmer T Lee

If you like Basil Hayden you might like Old Grand Dad

[squire]

I totally agree with you MauiSon! However it may start, the quality of the bottled end-product is certainly a bigger function of the skill used in the aging (which rickhouse, location of barrel in the rickhouse, which side, how high, etc.) then the 'barrel selection for profile' done by the Master Distiller, or whomever assists. All of that is what we pay more for in the finer offerings, as well as less for the lower shelf ones.

I believe you fellas read something into my post that I didn't put there as I made no mention of White Dog. My point was/is the distillate coming off the still as new made whisky is exactly the same quality no matter which brand it winds up being bottled as and if any of you have evidence to the contrary I would like to hear it.

[Flyfish]

My point was/is the distillate coming off the still as new made whisky is exactly the same quality no matter which brand it winds up being bottled as and if any of you have evidence to the contrary I would like to hear it.

Assuming that it is the same mash bill (as in BT's #1 or #2), my understanding is that any subsequent difference in the bourbon is solely a matter of where it rested in the rick house and how long it stayed there. On any tour of a rick house you can actually feel the difference in temperature and the change in humidity from one place to another. Smells different as well.

[mbroo5880i]

I think folks are saying the same thing. The distillate quality is the same, the finished product quality and/or desired characteristics are dependent on other factors.

For example, during the BT tour, they showed different barrels containing the same distilled spirit (mashbill #1) which depending on age, barrel storage location, bottling proof, etc.) will end up as very different products (e.g., White Dog, Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare).

[Flyfish]

You're right. I should have just said, "The Squire is right."

[MauiSon]

I believe you fellas read something into my post that I didn't put there as I made no mention of White Dog. My point was/is the distillate coming off the still as new made whisky is exactly the same quality no matter which brand it winds up being bottled as and if any of you have evidence to the contrary I would like to hear it.

First, the distillate coming off the still as new made whiskey is white dog, so you did indeed mention white dog. Let's say you're right and didn't mention white dog, just replace 'white dog' with 'the distillate coming off the still as new made whisky'. Now, what's changed? My argument rests with the contention that the quality of a bourbon is not singularly determined by the quality of the distillate coming off the still as new made whisky. What's more, if you enjoy a particular bourbon, you are no more or less likely to enjoy other bourbons made from the same batch of distillate that have been selected for qualities dissimilar to the bourbon you enjoy.

Second, how do you know the quality is always exactly the same? Are you suggesting the distillate never varies in quality? Or are you suggesting that when the quality of the distillate varies, it's tossed or reprocessed? I don't know how you can claim the quality of the distillate is always exactly the same unless the distillate (white dog) is tasted and tested continuously for exactly unvarying quality and dumped or reprocessed when (not if) it varies. For you to be right on this point, the whiskey cannot just always meet a certain standard of quality - it must attain an exactly unvarying quality. Frankly, I doubt that is the case.

Going back to your original statement, I would agree that likely the distillate is made to the same standards of quality for the various products, but that doesn't mean the distillate (before barreling) in one bottle had the same quality as the distillate in another, unless the distillate for each was comingled long enough for their qualities to become indistinguishable.

Finally, rather than suggesting someone prove you wrong, why not prove yourself right with evidence?

Edited June 12, 2013 by MauiSon

[squire]

My, my Maui, you do use a lot of words but since you asked . . .

The whisky coming off the still on any given day is exactly the same quality no matter which brand it eventually finds it's way into.

Hope that's simple enough.

[Richnimrod]

The whisky coming off the still on any given day is exactly the same quality no matter which brand it eventually finds it's way into.

I assume that when using a 'conmtinous still (column still) you're correct (after the removal of the heads/tails).

I wonder if the same can be said for different days, and/or runs after the distillation is stopped and then re-started???

I can't believe it will always be IDENTICAL. VERY similar, sure; but IDENTICAL? I wonder?

[squire]

I did not say always identical Rich, if you wish to quote me please do not add your words to my post.

Edited June 12, 2013 by squire

[MauiSon]

My, my Maui, you do use a lot of words but since you asked . . .

The whisky coming off the still on any given day is exactly the same quality no matter which brand it eventually finds it's way into.

Hope that's simple enough.

No, I have no idea what that statement means, if anything. Does it mean the same standards are met for each day's production or does it mean each day's production is comingled? Does it mean that each day's production goes into a variety of different final products in the same proportions? If any of these are the intended meaning, so what? Does it add anything meaningful to the discussion? If so, I don't see it. I do know that the quality of the various end products does vary, not only between but also within product lines.

Edited June 12, 2013 by MauiSon

[squire]

It means you should look up the term 'cognitive dissonance'.

[mbroo5880i]

Interesting thread. Sometimes it's one particular characteristic that is in one that is similar in another, not an overall profile that makes interesting comparisons. Other times they are more like siblings.

If you like WT 101 you might like Fighting Cock

If you like Rock Hill Farms you might like Elmer T Lee

If you like Basil Hayden you might like Old Grand Dad

[MauiSon]

It means you should look up the term 'cognitive dissonance'.

Edited June 13, 2013 by MauiSon

[JPBoston]

I got a weird one for ya...

If you like Evan Williams Black, you may like Knob Creek... or vice versa.

To me, KC tastes a hell of a lot like extra-aged, 100 proof EWB... minus the HH minty-ness (that I only rarely detect, to be honest).

[393foureyedfox]

im guessing a 100 proof version of EWB is the EW BIB white label. Finally got one of those, and its a nice 100 proofer thats low on the HH minty/corny taste.

I have a friend who only buys EWB, and I got him to order a KC last time we hit the karaoke bar, and he enthusiastically said "I like it!", so I guess youre onto something JPBoston.

what would you guys compare Fighting Cock to? I keep resisting the tempation to buy / try a bottle....

[VAGentleman]

Yes, yes, yes. Listen to Joe. His advice a few years ago caused my love affair with Old Ezra and Virgin. If you like WT, pay less and get MORE with those two.

Thank for this recommendation everyone! I just got a bottle of Old Ezra 7/101 and I love it!

[Richnimrod]

I did not say always identical Rich, if you wish to quote me please do not add your words to my post.

EXCUUUUUUUSE ME! I didn't intend to "quote" you with any of my words added tours within your quote. The words I added were intended to be read as MY WORDS; and I assumed that would be clear to anyone reading same. If any other inferences are or were drawn that was certainly not my intention. Again, sorry! :bigeyes:

[Flyfish]

It seems to me that Squire is only saying that the very same distillate can become very different bourbons depending on where that bourbon is stored in the rick house and how long it spends there. It is all the same QUALITY when it starts out. Four YO from the outside wall of the top level is significantly different from the 10 YO in the center of the ground floor of the rick house. (Squire, did I get that right? Don't mean to misrepresent. And its presumptuous even to explain when you can do that quite adequately.)

[squire]

Couldn't have said it better Fly.

[JPBoston]

im guessing a 100 proof version of EWB is the EW BIB white label.

[squire]

Now, now, JP, much as I appreciate you shoring up my damaged reputation let's not call our fellow members names, Rich is actually a nice guy.

[Flyfish]

Now, now, JP, much as I appreciate you shoring up my damaged reputation let's not call our fellow members names, Rich is actually a nice guy.

[JPBoston]

Now, now, JP, much as I appreciate you shoring up my damaged reputation let's not call our fellow members names, Rich is actually a nice guy.

Haha -- I chose the word "punk" to be colorful yet light. No intention to begin forum wars.

Though if they keep bothering the patron saint of OGD, shit's gonna get real in here. :cool:

[mbroo5880i]

One of my local stores provided the following information:

Heaven Hill White Label 6 year - No longer produced. We will be getting Evan Williams White Label BIB soon...although it has no age statement. This is a newly launched product for Indiana...we have it on order and should be getting our shipment soon!

Ezra Brooks 7 year- This is no longer produced. The closest we have available is the Evan Williams single barrel. It is the same producer. We have Ezra Brooks black label which replaced 7 year at a few stores. I can have some sent here if you would like.

I am not sure if the statement about HH 6-Yr BIB is correct. Not sure about Ezra 7 Year. However, my question is "are the Evan Williams products essentially the same products as the HH and Ezra?"