What bourbon are you drinking - Fall 2013

[bingstein]

A pour of 2012 GTS... 2 or 3 more til I open the 2013.

[LCWoody]

Noah's Mill tonight. Not as good as when it was 15y, but still good.

[thiemb]

The penultimate pour of a WLW '12 and now some OGD 114.

[michaelturtle1]

Small pour of American Spirit

[DrBob]

Started with some Russell's Reserve, then a small pour of Stagg Jr.

[zillah]

Two pours of OFBB2013.

[ChainWhip]

Two pours of OFBB2013.

That good eh? I'm on the fence on this still...

[nd2005]

It was a good night...Parker's wheated, WLW, ER 10/101...

[Yeti]

Last night I had a few pours, but I think my palate was screwed up. I started with a little bit of SB to kill my current blend and start a new one. It tasted a bit off, very muted and "stale" to me. The same bottle had been consumed by multiple friends over the weekend and was a runaway hit with everyone that tasted it. It was also a big hit at my last AWS meeting. This was my first clue something was going on. I followed that up with the last ounce from a W12 that didn't go into the new SB blend. I enjoyed this a lot more. Had it with dinner and found it to be the normal, lovely pour that it is. Then I had my first taste of 2013 GTS. Char, wood, and tobacco on the nose, but I had a friend stop by to complete a video project late and didn't really focus on the pour, but found myself underwhelmed with it. Splashed some water in and then I really didn't care for it. Probably too much water though (I'm not much of a "scientist" - Ryan, I'm looking at you). Then I finished the evening watching Homeland with some 25 year Armangac, and it wasn't as good as I remembered, but still pretty tasty.

I'm marking the whole evening down as an anomaly, and I'll be conducting further research with my buddy George T.

[WAINWRIGHT]

I'm buying you all graduated cylinders..... and you can thank me later.

[MyOldKyDram]

Yeah science bitch!

[WAINWRIGHT]

Yeah science bitch!

That's why I love SB, such a warm community here.

[HighInTheMtns]

That's why I love SB, such a warm community here.

Speaking of...

Last night, a friend and I did a side-by-side tasting of Old Forester Signature and Old Forester BIB (courtesy of one of the fine folks who post at SB.com.)

The BIB was far better in both of our opinions. Richer, better mouthfeel, more complex, more apparent age. Really delicious.

Thanks again, Ryan!

[Wryguy]

Was the Old Forester BiB DSP-KY-414?

*edit - I'm a big fan of current OF Sig, a very unique offering for the price point, and my favorite BF product next to DSP-KY-354 Ritt BiB.

Last night involved getting to know the 4RLESmB2012. My third pour of the stuff, tried it SBS with Mariage 09. Both stellar, the 2012 is more complex, but not as long finishing as the 09. Both are sweet, fruity, well-balanced, gorgeous pours with a spicy interplay and a refined dose of oak and tobacco. I wish I had a full bottle of the 2012. Want to spend as much time as I can with this whiskey in my clutches. But on to the 2013 first.

Edited October 9, 2013 by Wryguy

[T Comp]

Speaking of...

Last night, a friend and I did a side-by-side tasting of Old Forester Signature and Old Forester BIB (courtesy of one of the fine folks who post at SB.com.)

The BIB was far better in both of our opinions. Richer, better mouthfeel, more complex, more apparent age. Really delicious.

Thanks again, Ryan!

Yes the older BIB is quite a contrast with the Signature and the attributes you describe. But I still find merit in the Signature and what I think is a current Bourbon style of lighter flavors of vanilla, carmel and citrus. Though a few dollars more and less age, I enjoy Signature just as much as the Barton and HH 6 year BIBs, and for the different styles they are at the bargain end.

[hn4bourbon]

Last night, I had the opportunity to do a sbs of the FRSmBLE2012 with the FRSmBLE2013. 2012 is sweeter, thicker mouth feel, tasted a little younger, and a little hotter compared to the 2013. The 2013 is really smooth...dangerously smooth while still showing all the complexities in a little more balance. I like both very much. To me, the 2012 is a little more lively kind of like a younger individual with a little more kick to their personality and behavior while the 2013 is of a little more age, mellower, mature, balanced, kind of like an adult who have been through life a little (just a little) and has a little experience of everything to round themselves out. Just really pleasant and interesting at the same time:)

[HighInTheMtns]

Distilled at 354, bottled at 414.

I too am an unabashed lover of OF Sig. I'm rarely without a bottle.

[tigerlam92]

Last night, I had the opportunity to do a sbs of the FRSmBLE2012 with the FRSmBLE2013. 2012 is sweeter, thicker mouth feel, tasted a little younger, and a little hotter compared to the 2013. The 2013 is really smooth...dangerously smooth while still showing all the complexities in a little more balance. I like both very much. To me, the 2012 is a little more lively kind of like a younger individual with a little more kick to their personality and behavior while the 2013 is of a little more age, mellower, mature, balanced, kind of like an adult who have been through life a little (just a little) and has a little experience of everything to round themselves out. Just really pleasant and interesting at the same time:)

I think we are talking about bourbon right, not . . .

Thanks for the notes! This was what I was waiting to hear. Excited to try the 2013.

[Kalessin]

Was the Old Forester BiB DSP-KY-414?

*edit - I'm a big fan of current OF Sig, a very unique offering for the price point, and my favorite BF product next to DSP-KY-354 Ritt BiB.

Last night involved getting to know the 4RLESmB2012. My third pour of the stuff, tried it SBS with Mariage 09. Both stellar, the 2012 is more complex, but not as long finishing as the 09. Both are sweet, fruity, well-balanced, gorgeous pours with a spicy interplay and a refined dose of oak and tobacco. I wish I had a full bottle of the 2012. Want to spend as much time as I can with this whiskey in my clutches. But on to the 2013 first.

No 2013 around here yet, but when I get it, I'll probably open up an '09, an '11 and a '12 so they can all be tasted side-by-side. :yum:

[smknjoe]

No 2013 around here yet, but when I get it, I'll probably open up an '09, an '11 and a '12 so they can all be tasted side-by-side. :yum:

Sounds like a yummy idea. I wish I hadn't given away some of my 2011 (I still have about 200ml left from another bottle.) I hope you have enjoyed it Trey! That vintage doesn't get as much love as other years, but I really like it.

Edited October 9, 2013 by smknjoe

[hn4bourbon]

I think we are talking about bourbon right, not . . .

Thanks for the notes! This was what I was waiting to hear. Excited to try the 2013.

Doh! I can definitely see how that last sentence could be a bit weird! To clarify...that was in reference to the bourbon!

[hn4bourbon]

No 2013 around here yet, but when I get it, I'll probably open up an '09, an '11 and a '12 so they can all be tasted side-by-side. :yum:

I'll have to do that this coming weekend. I still have a bottle of the '11 but don't have anything earlier. So, I'll be able to do '11, '12, and '13. That would be interesting. Thanks for mentioning that.

[theglobalguy]

EC12 BP from the GS. Air and a few ice cubes make this very balanced.

[KySalesRep]

Really enjoying some FRSB OESK private selection from the gift shop. 12yr 7 month, 121 proof = yummy!

[beAUar]

Really enjoying some FRSB OESK private selection from the gift shop. 12yr 7 month, 121 proof = yummy!

You convinced me to break into one of these OESK bottles and you're right, excellent stuff.

Thought it would be interesting to compare this to last year's Ledger's Liquors Private Selection (Barrel #14) since these two barrels were aged in essentially the same location (VE 24-3M vs. VE 24-3P) and are both OESK. The Ledger's selection was aged 11 years 6 months while the 4R gift shop selection was 12 years 4 months. Both are essentially the same proof (60.4 vs 60.5).

Both bottles definitely share a strong resemblance as far as flavor profile is concerned. The Ledger's selection is bolder with stronger leather and cherry flavors on a longer finish. The 4R gift shop selection presents a bit shorter on the finish but has more finesse/refinement on the palate...it isn't as aggressive or forward (reminds me of the elegance found in the LE SmB).

Can't go wrong with either one...both are tremendously delicious. Good drinking tonight.