What bourbon are you drinking? - Winter '13/'14

[393foureyedfox]

Having some Beam white .......... it could use 5 more years in the barrel and 20 more degrees of proof.

[Paddy]

Broke into a bottle of 4R GS OBSO to kick the start of the weekend off in proper fashion.

[JPBoston]

Am I the only one that starts thinking of Monty Python's The Holy Grail when I pour a Blanton's? I mean, it's the Holy Bourbon of Antioch!

"O Lord, bless this thy Bourbon that with it we mayest drinkest thine enemies under the table. In the mercy"

And my wife just stares and me and rolls her eyes. (She stops there as long as I actually give her a pour as well)

-- Ravensfire

[393foureyedfox]

All I can get out of Beam White is bitter-yech taste. Tried a few mini bottles fairly recently and could barely choke them down (And I'm hardly a bourbon snob --- EWB is my go-to pour)

[HighInTheMtns]

Having some Beam white (yeah, I know) that was a sympathy purchase at a local mom and pop. It's actually not bad. A lot of orangey notes and the funk is not unpleasant.

The funny thing is I tried a bottle of Beam green (5 years, charcoal filtered) and it was really funky and not pleasant. This white label beats that hands down.

Still, it could use 5 more years in the barrel and 20 more degrees of proof.

[HighInTheMtns]

I just poured my nightcap. It's a little pour of GBS EC12 (16) barrel proof, my first taste. I just spent a little while proselytizing to a casual bourbon drinker, and although I hadn't planned on any whiskey on this beer-drinking night, I couldn't resist pouring something to sit and contemplate before bed.

The nose struck me right away, vanilla and sweetness and oak.

The rest of this is "live-blogged." That's really just another name for stream of consciousness, right? The whiskey was described to me as "brooding and tight" neat and I can see why... It's rich and shows a lot of darker barrel flavors. Very good. I'm enjoying the finish, which I'm ready to declare to be a pattern with Heaven Hill barrels selected by groups including one or more BOTYs. Despite being in a brooding mood, I'm adding a little water (as advised.)

And... I added too much water. Only one way to rectify that mistake, of course. Can't say I'm disappointed. Maybe I did it on purpose.

With water, the nose gives me more spice and fruit. That continues along to the palate. It doesn't have nearly so much barrel/age influence now. It's not the same pour anymore but it's equally great; I can't decide which way I like it more.

Lately, lots of talk about things like lowering proof gradually vs all at once, giving vattings time to marry, bottle airtime, even speculation about the effects of lowering the proof while still in the barrel.

Joe, I know your feelings about bottle airtime, and for the most part I share them. I don't much believe in any effect from marrying time either. But I don't know, man. Sometimes there's some esoteric mumbo jumbo what goes on with bourbon. You picked a barrel that had some of that magic. Thanks again for the sample, I feel privileged to drink this great whiskey. You wanted to hear what I thought, so I hope you (and everyone) enjoy my longest and most hoity toity tasting notes to date.

Special thanks to Epic Brewing for getting me into what is (IMO anyway) apparently a great state for writing.

[BFerguson]

A rather good bottle of Weller 12 started the night then ended up doing a small pour of VOF for the nightcap.

The latter continues to amaze me.

B

[393foureyedfox]

Doug... Heaven Hill 6 year old is the bourbon snob value pour. Sorry to have to break it to you.

Either that, or I like it because it was one of the first things I enjoyed when getting into bourbons and have an affinity for it as a result..

a bottom shelf value snob pour? thats a new concept (to me)

hintinthemtns, have you ever tried the 6 year old green 90 proofer? I know neither of them are in your state, but I was wondering if youd ever had the green one on your travels.

[smknjoe]

LOL -- I hate to admit this, but I've never seen that all the way thru. Keep meaning to, just never get around to it. When I was a kid, a couple of my friends were big into Monty Python, but I never could get fully invested. I do remember and enjoyed the "Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!" bit.

Bless your soul. All I can get out of Beam White is bitter-yech taste. Tried a few mini bottles fairly recently and could barely choke them down (And I'm hardly a bourbon snob --- EWB is my go-to pour)

The Life of Brian is much funnier and has a little darker humor (which I'm always game for.) The last minute is worth watching the whole movie for. You still need to see the Holy Grail though. And then, The Meaning of Life just to round the list out.

Edited February 1, 2014 by smknjoe

[smknjoe]

I'm having some samples that arrived yesterday from a SB member:

HHSS

VWFRR

And...

BHC Louisville Centennial. The unicorn found a home.

Saving PHC4 and WLW08 for tomorrow.

Tasting notes please.

[Flyfish]

a bottom shelf value snob pour? thats a new concept to me

.

It's pretty much the same concept as buying $129 jeans that come equipped with holes and rips. It says, "I'm so cool, I don't even have to put on airs by drinking Pappy and FR LEs." I had a fraternity brother in the '60s who was described as "so far out that he was back in again."

[TunnelTiger]

Some OGD 80 in my coffee. My first bottle of this and as a mixer it meets the test.

[squire]

Yes it does, Old Grand Dad gets a fair amount of press around here for drinking neat but it really shines in cocktails.

[Phil T]

A little 1:1 vatting of EC12 & ECBP with my lunch

[Red One]

Decided to have a pour of Dickel 9 yr with dinner. Good choice.

[dcbt]

Bunkered down to do our taxes this afternoon with some ER10. Now if only I can find a way to claim bourbon as a deduction...

[smokinjoe]

I just poured my nightcap. It's a little pour of GBS EC12 (16) barrel proof, my first taste. I just spent a little while proselytizing to a casual bourbon drinker, and although I hadn't planned on any whiskey on this beer-drinking night, I couldn't resist pouring something to sit and contemplate before bed.

The nose struck me right away, vanilla and sweetness and oak.

The rest of this is "live-blogged." That's really just another name for stream of consciousness, right? The whiskey was described to me as "brooding and tight" neat and I can see why... It's rich and shows a lot of darker barrel flavors. Very good. I'm enjoying the finish, which I'm ready to declare to be a pattern with Heaven Hill barrels selected by groups including one or more BOTYs. Despite being in a brooding mood, I'm adding a little water (as advised.)

And... I added too much water. Only one way to rectify that mistake, of course. Can't say I'm disappointed. Maybe I did it on purpose.

With water, the nose gives me more spice and fruit. That continues along to the palate. It doesn't have nearly so much barrel/age influence now. It's not the same pour anymore but it's equally great; I can't decide which way I like it more.

Lately, lots of talk about things like lowering proof gradually vs all at once, giving vattings time to marry, bottle airtime, even speculation about the effects of lowering the proof while still in the barrel.

Joe, I know your feelings about bottle airtime, and for the most part I share them. I don't much believe in any effect from marrying time either. But I don't know, man. Sometimes there's some esoteric mumbo jumbo what goes on with bourbon. You picked a barrel that had some of that magic. Thanks again for the sample, I feel privileged to drink this great whiskey. You wanted to hear what I thought, so I hope you (and everyone) enjoy my longest and most hoity toity tasting notes to date.

Special thanks to Epic Brewing for getting me into what is (IMO anyway) apparently a great state for writing.

Glad you enjoyed it, Jim. It is definitely a big and brooding whiskey, that lends itself to the drinker having the option to find their sweet spot with it. It's one of the few whiskies that I like to play around with different concentrations of water. Each seem to open up a new door. We were really fortunate to score this barrel.

The girls and I are heading off to dinner, and I'll be in the back seat (AKA "The Daddy Lounge") with a pour of Larceny.

[393foureyedfox]

Mrs Fox and I opened the rumtopf i started last summer and had a pour. Im definitely gonna have to do another one this year. It is nice and fruity, and made me feel pretty.

Now Im pouring a HH6 and heading in to study neuro stuff. fun times!

[OldKentucky]

A DEP's single selection of EWSB. My first sip of EW since the college days when the black label was my bourbon of choice . The SB seems to be very mild, nothing off putting but nothing extra special either.

[LCWoody]

Having two very good pours tonight while sitting by a fire out side.

JPS 25y and Hirsch 25y Rye. Both are very good.

[Old Dusty]

Having two very good pours tonight while sitting by a fire out side.

JPS 25y and Hirsch 25y Rye. Both are very good.

If I believed in reincarnation, I would peg you as having been a termite in a prior life. :grin:

[LCWoody]

I do love those old oily, sweet, woody barrels.

[Grain Belt]

Kirkland (Costco) 103 proof small batch 7 year old on the rocks. I will give some very deep and awe-inspiring tasting notes for a -10 degree February Saturday night....

I really like it.

[393foureyedfox]

If I believed in reincarnation, I would peg you as having been a termite in a prior life. :grin:

thats a good quote....

I needed a refill, and am moving up the proof scale to KCSB.

[AnotherCigarGuy]

CEHT in the single barrel variety....

I'm beginning to think 50ABV is the perfect ALC/VOL there is?!