Barrel Strength Discussion

[NWBourbonDrinker]

I searched the forum and didn't find a thread dedicated to barrel strength discussion. If it is there a bump and merge would be appreciated.

I am loving my barrel strength bourbon and on a typical evening will start with a 90-100 proof offering and finish with a finger or two (I have big fingers:grin:) of something from the included collection. On my wish list is GTS and Handy (can't find them reasonably priced at the moment) and the EC offering. Please share your favorite barrel strength bourbon and tips for picking up the harder to find expressions.

My favorite from the open bottles below is the PH. It just explodes in your mouth with so many different flavors that it is hard to describe adequately. It is strong to be sure but drinkable without water (my preference) as long as you are careful. I shared this with my 71 year old father and he had no issue with drinking it neat. My sister almost died though To me the finish is smooth, warm, sweet, but surprisingly mellow. Wonderful stuff.

[Old Dusty]

For regular consumption/availability the FR Private Selections are your best bet. And Booker's if you like it.Maybe Willett after that. The BTAC, ECBP and others fly off the shelves. Nice lineup BTW. I wouldn't turn any of those down. Although I would go WLW over that particular PHC.

[NWBourbonDrinker]

For regular consumption/availability the FR Private Selections are your best bet. And Booker's if you like it.Maybe Willett after that. The BTAC, ECBP and others fly off the shelves. Nice lineup BTW. I wouldn't turn any of those down. Although I would go WLW over that particular PHC.

The WLW is delicious and likely my second favorite pour but is almost too smooth (if that is even possible) for the proof. I think the added rye kick in the PH pushes it over the top for me at this time.

[GaryT]

If you like the WLW but find it almost too smooth, you'll love GTS. My favorites to date are GTS, WLW, and ECBP. The FRSB in different recipes might be easier to find in some stores (not a ton around me unfortunately), but agree that they're amazing for the money. Tips for how to find it? Start stalking your stores Seriously - I ask stores if they can order it for me, or put me on a list. I'll try to get on a couple lists (a lot of stores won't mess with it), and hope for the best. I've gotten a call maybe every other year, although if you get called by multiple - plan on buying them all (otherwise those stores may get irate, despite the fact they likely would move it easily).

[NWBourbonDrinker]

If you like the WLW but find it almost too smooth, you'll love GTS. My favorites to date are GTS, WLW, and ECBP. The FRSB in different recipes might be easier to find in some stores (not a ton around me unfortunately), but agree that they're amazing for the money. Tips for how to find it? Start stalking your stores Seriously - I ask stores if they can order it for me, or put me on a list. I'll try to get on a couple lists (a lot of stores won't mess with it), and hope for the best. I've gotten a call maybe every other year, although if you get called by multiple - plan on buying them all (otherwise those stores may get irate, despite the fact they likely would move it easily).

GTS is the Holy Grail for me. I had not returned to bourbon the last time it was at retail so my only opportunities to purchase have been at stupid prices. So far I refuse. I have had it several times at bars and it is absolutely the best.

I am hitting up stores in my area but in Washington State the liquor stores are still getting on their feet after recent changes in our laws. Finding stores that are interested in premium bottles as opposed to mass sales is a little difficult. Thanks for the tips!

[NWBourbonDrinker]

Collection made a couple new friends today.

[smknjoe]

Nice finds! Here's the barrel proof thread: http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?19481-Barrel-proof-bourbons

[NWBourbonDrinker]

Nice finds! Here's the barrel proof thread: http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?19481-Barrel-proof-bourbons

Much obliged. Do we have mods to merge the threads?

[SmoothAmbler]

That Elijah Craig looks super dark. How old are those bottles?

[tanstaafl2]

That Elijah Craig looks super dark. How old are those bottles?

The ECBP is age stated 12 years like the regular EC (although it is kind of hidden away on the back label). Of course who knows what is in the bottle. Hard to imagine there would be whiskey that is a lot older and that they would sell it for $40 in this era but could be. The ones I have look much the same although the picture probably makes them look a bit darker than they are. Look like root beer! With brighter light it is not quite as dark looking. They are also darker than the Gift Shop BP EC12.

[GaryT]

I would speculate that there is some older stuff in there, purely based on the fact that when private EC12 selections came up, they had barrels destined for EC12 that were 13, 14, and 15 years old. Just pondering this . . . imagine if you have some 20yr bourbon that is maybe in the barrel a bit too long (maybe too dark, too oaky, etc). If you were to mingle that with some younger bourbon, it might make for a great product - but you might not be able to mingle it with barrels in the same range (ie - you'd need a whole lot of 20 yr barrels to mingle that one with, but fewer of younger barrels would do the trick). Not saying they ARE doing that, but I'm at a loss as to how they got that much color unless there wasn't either some older stuff in there, or stuff aged at the top of the rickhouses for 12+ years. A more limited release thing like this would be perfect for mingling in older barrels, since there isn't an established taste profile.

[NWBourbonDrinker]

That Elijah Craig looks super dark. How old are those bottles?

I was quite surprised by that as well. Here is a side by side with PVW23. I do think the bottle and labeling contribute to the darkness a little but even in the glass it was pretty dark (so much so that my wife noticed and commented!)

[smknjoe]

I would speculate that there is some older stuff in there.

It's always possible, but the PHC 2010 10yr is much darker than my BMH 16yr

[GaryT]

I was quite surprised by that as well. Here is a side by side with PVW23. I do think the bottle and labeling contribute to the darkness a little but even in the glass it was pretty dark (so much so that my wife noticed and commented!)

True - although considering that the PVW bottle is wider/deeper, there is a greater disparity (imagine if you poured that PVW into an empty EC12 bottle - it would look a tad lighter than it does now!)

It's always possible, but the PHC 2010 10yr is much darker than my BMH 16yr

Great point. I don't think it is age alone, but must include some stuff aged near the top. Whatever it is they did, I hope they keep on keepin' on

[scratchline]

I love barrel proof bourbon and have plenty on the shelf.

That said, I think a lot of the current craze for BP is the result of scrambled brains. The high alcohol not only robs the drinker of what little faculty he might have brought to the table in the first place but it can also mask a lot of negative flavors lurking in the spirit behind the alcohol burn. Adding water to something fresh out of the barrel isn't ONLY a matter of bucks, it's part of revealing the best of what's come from the barrel and extending the sensible enjoyment of the liquor beyond a couple or three mind-blowing sips.

I'll stand by the historical precedent of "proof" of quality resting at around 50 percent alcohol give or take a few points. And I'll keep buying the good barrel proof stuff when I can find it and adding water or putting it on ice.

-Mike

[HP12]

I love barrel proof bourbon and have plenty on the shelf.

That said, I think a lot of the current craze for BP is the result of scrambled brains. The high alcohol not only robs the drinker of what little faculty he might have brought to the table in the first place but it can also mask a lot of negative flavors lurking in the spirit behind the alcohol burn. Adding water to something fresh out of the barrel isn't ONLY a matter of bucks, it's part of revealing the best of what's come from the barrel and extending the sensible enjoyment of the liquor beyond a couple or three mind-blowing sips.

I'll stand by the historical precedent of "proof" of quality resting at around 50 percent alcohol give or take a few points. And I'll keep buying the good barrel proof stuff when I can find it and adding water or putting it on ice.

-Mike

Edited August 4, 2013 by HP12

[squire]

For me drinking with reckless abandon is a viable concept.

[HP12]

For me drinking with reckless abandon is a viable concept.

[kcgumbohead]

That Elijah Craig looks super dark. How old are those bottles?

That pic looks just like the one I saw, very dark like thick maple syrup. I held the bottle up to the light and then next to a few of my go to bottles they had just to compare/contrast and it was always the darkest. I passed on it due to proof/age, I assumed that it might be a bit woody for my palate and while I do enjoy proofs above 100 ( RB @ 108) its not something I seek out and 136 would likely need taming for me so I moved along, but that color was amazing and delicious looking and I have been second guessing myself ever since. The store told me that more was on the way so I don't think it will be too hard to come by.

[GaryT]

That pic looks just like the one I saw, very dark like thick maple syrup. I held the bottle up to the light and then next to a few of my go to bottles they had just to compare/contrast and it was always the darkest. I passed on it due to proof/age, I assumed that it might be a bit woody for my palate and while I do enjoy proofs above 100 ( RB @ 108) its not something I seek out and 136 would likely need taming for me so I moved along, but that color was amazing and delicious looking and I have been second guessing myself ever since. The store told me that more was on the way so I don't think it will be too hard to come by.