New Bourbon Drinker

[MurphyDawg]

The Eagle Rare 10/101 is quite good, Mark. Very very Sweet.

TomC

[Paradox]

I'm kinda kicking myself for not grabbing one while down there now. I was going to since the price was reasonable as well and never did. Oh well, there's always next year haha. Seeing as how I know we both love the 17 year Tom, I'm going with you on this one.

[jimbo]

I appreciate the comments and suggestions. As a result I have added a few selections to my shopping list. Wild Turkey Russels Reserve, Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit, AH Hirsch anything, Old Rip Van Winkle anything, Weller anything and Eagle Rare anything. The Weller and Eagle Rare are very difficult to get here in Washington State.

Here is an update on my quest to date. I have now tasted Knob Creek and Wild Turkey 101 in addition to the Maker's Mark, Elijah Craig 12 yr and Wild Turkey Rare Breed. I wouldn't kick any out of bed. Current impressions. Maker's Mark is smooth and mellow. Wild Turkey Rare Breed is powerful, Wild Turkey 101 has more flavor. Knob Creek has lots of flavor, Elijah Craig has even more flavor. Both have some of the wood showing.

I can't pick a favorite yet.

Regards, Jimbo

[bobbyc]

I can't pick a favorite yet.

Come on Jimbo you have to , and you have to stick with it from now on!

[CL]

I wouldn't kick any out of bed.

Jimbo, you may be onto something there. I can see that phrase becoming a regular around here. That phrase fits so perfectly with how I feel about several bourbons, including the Bulleit that I commented on earlier tonight.

[jeff]

Agreed. The only whiskey that I would kick out of bed has to be Dickle #12. I tried it again tonight folks, and it is still as rancid as I remember

[Paradox]

Rancid or like ?

[Dave_in_Canada]

Jimbo, I'm sure you've seen this site before, but it might offer you the opportunity to order a bottle from a store that is not in your neighbourhood.

There are two stores now in WA that have the Weller 12 in stock, for example but they're both in Seattle. I checked a month ago and store 101 had gallons of the stuff, but now they're down to only one bottle.

Dave

[jimbo]

Jimbo, I'm sure you've seen this site before, but it might offer you the opportunity to order a bottle from a store that is not in your neighbourhood.

There are two stores now in WA that have the Weller 12 in stock, for example but they're both in Seattle. I checked a month ago and store 101 had gallons of the stuff, but now they're down to only one bottle.

Dave

Yes, that is what I meant by hard to find. I do seem to remember that local stores can special order from the main warehouse. (We have a state run monopoly on distilled spirits in Washington state.)

Regards, jimbo

[wadewood]

I was in store 101 in Seattle today and almost bought that bottle of Weller 12YO. I was going to pick up the Pappy Van Winkle 20 YO, web site shows in stock, but it is gone. Web site also show stock of Hirsch Rye and ORVW 15YO, but stock is depleted

I did buy Old Granddad 114 proof, Four Roses Yellow Label, Van Winkle Reserve 12 YO - Lot B, and ORVW 10 YO.

[Paradox]

Go back and throw in that bottle of Weller 12 year as well, you will not regret it . But really, sounds like you'll be having some very good pours in the future, all you picked up are high on my list (except for the ogd114, too 'hot' for me) though many like it and that's fine.

[Dave_in_Canada]

Wadewood, have mercy on me... I'm heading to Seattle to pick up a bunch of stuff in early Nov. and hoping that bottle would still be there, collecting dust!

[ratcheer]

But, I for one love OGD 114.

Tim

[bluesbassdad]

Tim,

I'm slowly coming around in regard to OGD 114.

Early on, I dismissed it as "more burn, less taste", as compared to OGD BIB, which I really liked. I had a scant shot a couple of nights ago, and it really hit the spot. I'd had EC12 earlier in the evening, which may have conditioned my taster one way or the other

Yours truly,

Dave Morefield

[wadewood]

Dave, I doubt that one bottle lasts til November. The WA state stores inventory of quality bourbons is diminishing. Another one that is gone is Buffalo Trace, I don't know if they will get more in.

[Dave_in_Canada]

Wadewood, I'm heading to Seattle in late october, early november and I'd be happy to bring down a couple of bottles of the BT in exchange for? Drop me a line if you're in love with the stuff and you'd like some. It's currently selling here for $27US inc. taxes. (I'll bet that's more than you're used to paying)

[jimbo]

Well, the quest continues.

I just returned from a ten day trip through Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico. And I checked liquor stores for items on my shopping list along the way. In Taos, New Mexico I found two bottles that were not on my list but that I had read about in Jim Murray's book. I bought a bottle of Basil Hayden's 8 yr, 80 proof and a bottle of Baker's 7 yr, 107 proof. In Telluride, Colorado I found and bought a bottle of Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel, 90 proof. And I spotted a bottle of Blanton's bourbon on the shelf. It had a grey/silver horse and rider on the cork and it was in a brown cloth bag. I didn't know what edition it was or what the proof was, but the clerk told me that she had a miniature bottle of the exact bourbon. It was Blanton's Single Barrel, 46 1/2 % ALC/VOL. I bought the miniature. Then in Hailey, Idaho I hit the mother lode. I bought a bottle of Booker's 7 yr 3 month, 126.6 proof, a bottle of Old Weller Antique 7 yr, 107 proof, a bottle of Eagle Rare 10 yr, 90 proof, a bottle of Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 yr, 90.4 proof, a bottle of Ancient Ancient Age 10 Star, 90 proof and a bottle of Wild Turkey Russell's Reserve 10 yr, 101 proof.

I have tried the Booker's, Basil Hayden's, Van Winkle and the Blanton's. The Basil Hayden's is smooth, mellow and bland. I will not repeat. The Blanton's is a strange whiskey. It has a cedar, peppermint flavor. Pleasant enough, but strange. I will not repeat. The Van Winkle is a good bourbon. Quite a lot of flavor and not much wood showing. I am not sure about a repeat at this time. The Booker's has too much alcohol. The alcohol dominates and other flavors just can not come through. I will not repeat.

And, I tried the George Dickel Superior No. 12 that was on my original list. (I know, it is technically not bourbon.) This stuff has a harsh, medicinal character. I will definitely not repeat.

So, where does that leave me? Well, with several bottles yet to try. And with some others that I have already tried. My favorites so far are Wild Turkey 101 proof, Knob Creek 9 yr, Wild Turkey Rare Breed, and Elijah Craig 12 yr.

Regards, Jimbo

[boone]

It's sad that you cannot buy all the products in the little 50's...That way you can taste em without spending a pocket full of money on something that you don't like...

Next time out, try to find a bar with a big selection of bourbon...OR...Make plans to attend Bourbon Festival and attend the Gazebo party with us . "Nearly" everthing (worth tasting) was on that table...

Bettye Jo

[AmeliaC]

We couldn't have said it any better Bettye Jo!!!

[MurphyDawg]

I would suggest, although I cant say for sure, that you should muddle your way through a whole bottle before deciding whether you will repeat again. Bottlings have a way of growing on you over time (I had this experience witha bottle of JB Black a while back). From what I have experienced with Sc**ch ( ), it and bourbon are from different planets, and I usually need to try two or 3 glasses over several days to even get a feel for what a Sc**ch tastes like properly.

Just my opinion.

TomC

[MurphyDawg]

I agree though personally I wish everything came in a pint size bottle. In that case you could get more than one drink to get a feel for a bourbon without having to pay for the whole full sized bottle.

TomC

[jimbo]

Well, I have tried three more bourbons. Old Weller Antique 7 yr, 107 proof is very good, plenty of flavor and not too much alcohol. Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel, 90 proof was a disappointment. I think it is a little on the thin side for taste. The Wild Turkey Russell's Reserve 10 yr is great, plenty of flavor and not too much alcohol.

That's all for now.

Regards, jimbo

[Paradox]

Someone else who finds Russell's Reserve to be a good addition in the WT line-up! For the $21 I pay for it I'll take it anyday before KY Spirit or even Rare Breed.

[brendaj]

Jimbo,

If you liked the Weller 7 yr. old, you've got to try the 12 yr. old. I am a Weller (love the 19 yr. old) fan, and the 12 year is a great Bourbon value.

If you get a chance to get your hands on a bottle of Ancient Ancient Age 10 year old (not 10 star), grab it. I'm working on a bottle now, and it's very good. Elmer T. himself convinced me to try it, what a guy he is!

You should also try and get your hands on a bottle of EWSB 94 if you can. I was really impressed. It didn't strike me like anything they've bottled up to now, but it was very, very good.

So many Bourbons...so little time...

Bj

[kitzg]

If you liked the Weller 7 yr. old, you've got to try the 12 yr. old. I am a Weller (love the 19 yr. old) fan, and the 12 year is a great Bourbon value.

If you get a chance to get your hands on a bottle of Ancient Ancient Age 10 year old (not 10 star), grab it.

I'll second all of this. It was Gary Gayheart, current Master Distiller at BT, who convinced me to try AAA.

Weller 12 is my everday pour and the only bourbon on my shelf that I keep backed up (extra bottles).

But we all know Brenda knows her bourbon . These southern gals (like both BJs)certainly are experts.