RHF - what happened?

[ChainWhip]

So I was reading through an old thread today and it appears that RHF used to be well regarded around here - it's dropped off the radar a bit here on SB but I'm wondering what happened to RHF? Did something happen to make it fall out of favor?

For reference, here's the thread I was looking at:

http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?4915-Top-Ten-American-Whiskeys-One-More-Time

[Clavius]

I don't have an answer to your question.

However, I have noticed that here in Central KY the distributor has been out of RHF for weeks, at least.

[Kyjd75]

It hasn't dropped out of favor with me, but availability has become an issue as of late, at least here in Ky.

[Variable]

It hasn't dropped out of favor with me, but availability has become an issue as of late, at least here in Ky.

I see RHF quite often down here in FL. I might have to pick up a bottle to see if it is something that fits my taste buds.

Another bourbon often mentioned in that thread was Baker's. I love Baker's but hardly see it mentioned here.

[squire]

Oh, I wouldn't say fallen our of favor so much as supplanted by the much wider range of choices we have now than 7-8 years ago. I still like RHF very much I just refuse to pay extra for the package and I expect in the future the same thing will happen to the NDPs as more and more members start refusing to pay extra for a label.

[Bootlegger1929]

I loved the bottle of RHF I ad. Few months ago. Went very quickly. Reminded me a lot of a nice iced tea. Never harsh. Super easyovdrink and just damn tasty. Would love to have more but there's so much else out there I want o try.

[JPBoston]

I forget... What's the non-fancy-label version of RHF?

[smknjoe]

ETL - reduced in proof and price.

[squire]

Ancient Ancient Age, 10 years old, 86 proof. Less complex, less rich, lower proof, same mashbill and approximate age.

[squire]

ETL is a close to the same as RHF but a different profile, ETL is sweeter and I think a bit less complex. Rock Hill Farms is Mozart, Elmer Lee is Beethoven, both are very good.

[theglobalguy]

They always seem to stock on the shelf next to Blanton's, and for about the same $, who wouldn't want a little horse bottle stopper?!

[sailor22]

Try doing a blind tasting of RHF, ETL and Blantons. We did it here recently and there wasn't much to choose between them. Two are single barrels so there is always going to be some variation but if you get barrels that are typical these three have a lot in common.

That being said I have encountered some RHF that had a distinct cherry note that has never shown in the other two.

[squire]

Of the three I've noticed the most variance with Rock Hill Farms which is very, very good or just very good.

[qman22]

I've only gone through 1 bottle of RHF, but I enjoyed it. I agree with sailor's assessment of cherry notes. Price is the only thing that keeps me from drinking more of it.

[humchan2k]

RHF is a top 3 bourbon for me....that's some great stuff.

[DeanSheen]

Try doing a blind tasting of RHF, ETL and Blantons. We did it here recently and there wasn't much to choose between them. Two are single barrels so there is always going to be some variation but if you get barrels that are typical these three have a lot in common.

That being said I have encountered some RHF that had a distinct cherry note that has never shown in the other two.

[WAINWRIGHT]

The RHF's is a bit of an enigma it disappeared from shelves here for some time back and before it did was on closeout,now it seems to be back in full force once again.I had heard rumor of being discontinued some time back,but obviously nothing more than a winded farce.

Edited August 31, 2013 by WAINWRIGHT

[JPBoston]

ETL - reduced in proof and price.

Ancient Ancient Age, 10 years old, 86 proof. Less complex, less rich, lower proof, same mashbill and approximate age.

ETL is a close to the same as RHF but a different profile, ETL is sweeter and I think a bit less complex. Rock Hill Farms is Mozart, Elmer Lee is Beethoven, both are very good.

Try doing a blind tasting of RHF, ETL and Blantons. We did it here recently and there wasn't much to choose between them. Two are single barrels so there is always going to be some variation but if you get barrels that are typical these three have a lot in common.

That being said I have encountered some RHF that had a distinct cherry note that has never shown in the other two.

Thanks for the info guys! I could have sworn I have seen RHF on shelves here in AZ, but I just searched the two chains, and it's a no go. Blanton's is the only one of three we get (though I had a bottle of ETL from CA not too long ago).

If I strike out on BTAC and Pappy 15 this fall, is Blanton's good to try (it's one of the few standard issues that I haven't given a shot yet)? I know many say it's way over-priced. How does it compare to ETL? I can get Blanton's for $39.99 here.

Edited August 31, 2013 by JPBoston

[DeanSheen]

"I can get Blanton's for $39.99 here."

I'd buy it if it was $40 here.

[squire]

So would I, once anyway, still have no use for the empty bottle and I dislike waste.

[hn4bourbon]

It's 50 and above in my neck of the woods. $40 sounds like a decent deal.

[TunnelTiger]

That's what goes for in my neck of the woods too and I just don't see paying $50 + when there is so much really, really good stuff for half that.

[DBM]

I just realized today that RHF is more expensive than Blanton's at most Seattle area retailers. I really like RHF, but it just seems odd. Blanton's will get my vote at the same price (or less).