What bourbon are you drinking right now?

[tommy]

That bottling of VA Gentleman, aka "The Fox," has a lot of fans around here, myself included. Welcome to Virginia and SB.com!

Tommy

[OneCubeOnly]

Picked it up and I am suprised that I thorughly like it...Virginia Gentleman Single Barrel.

Single Barrel? Is there a new VA Gentleman release, or is this the 90 proof (aka "the Fox")???

[SteveZZZ]

Hmmm.... It appears the drink of the day for me is Blanton's. Its a bourbon I greatly enjoy, but I wish it wasn't quite so expensive around here... my bottle seems to be disappearing quite fast. For those of you who have finished the LotR series and are looking for something else worth reading, I'd highly recommend Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series, starting with The Eye of the World. If Tolkein's 2000 pages isn't enough for you, don't worry. Jordan's series will probably be in the 7000-8000 page range by the time he's done with it, and every page is a treat.

Steve

[Paradox]

I was wondering the same thing. I think it has to be 'The Fox' 90 proof though...

[ratcheer]

Thanks. That confirms what I have always heard. It is probably quite true, then, that its not as good as the rest of the books.

Tim

[ratcheer]

For those of you who have finished the LotR series and are looking for something else worth reading, I'd highly recommend Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series, starting with The Eye of the World.

Thanks for the tip. I will take a look.

Tim

[ratcheer]

Tonight, while watching the World Series game, I emptied a bottle of Woodford Reserve, which came to less than half a drink. So, I am following it up with another half drink of Old Forester Birthday Bourbon (the '89/'02).

Needless to say, the OFBB is the hands down winner. I like WR and I like it a lot. But the OFBB has a sweeter, caramelier (!!) aroma and an almost buttery-rich flavor. Both are quite spicy. I can also taste a bit of the wood in the OFBB. It is superb. Number one.

Tim

[MurphyDawg]

Ditto, I have been looking for some new stuff to catch my attention.

TomC

[pepcycle]

I'm drinking some Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage 1994. I managed to sneak some home from The Preview last night. I'm not sure what proof this is. Someone said it was barrelproof and another indicated it was diluted to 86 proof. Tastes like barrelproof to me.

I'll post some notes on the tasting board.

I think this is better than the '93 with more kick and more flavor up front. Righteous Pour!!

[Paradox]

Alright, so shoot me, I'm not having bourbon persay but an " American Whiskey" and I am loving it! Michters US1 Unblended American Whiskey... I've got a bottle of the new US1 Straight Rye on order as well so eventually I'll give that one a try too.

[bluesbassdad]

Buffalo Trace.

I've had this, my second bottle, unopened, for several months. I spotted it in my closet this afternoon while looking for a bourbon in the same price range as the Old Forester 100 that I drank earlier today (prompted by posts by TNBourbon and OneCubeOnly -- thanks guys!).

The nose of BT definitely produces less of a physical reaction (think "ammonia") than does the OF 100 -- hardly any, actually. I really have to work to get any distinct impressions at all. Perhaps fresh peaches and raisin bread toast. (Gee, I wonder what I wrote about BT the last time I tried it. )

On the palate it is creamy smooth, reminding me of some of the higher priced bottlings from BT. I always forget which of their bottlings share which mashbills, so I won't even go there. I get some kind of dark fruit, maybe plums, but with some tartness.

When swallowed, it produces far less tingle (aka, "angels dancing") than the OF 100. The sweet and dry are nicely in balance -- definitely no chalk here. If OF 100 is a manly, wild-west bourbon (a fair characterization, I think), then Buffalo Trace is the advent of law and order, school marms and horseless carriages.

Yours truly,

Dave Morefield

[OneCubeOnly]

Tonight it's Elijah Craig 12yo. I'm a relative newcomer to this one, and every time I taste it I'm convinced it's way underpriced (a good thing!) It may not be able to nudge out Buffalo Trace as my all-time favorite "diamond in the rough" bargain bourbon, but it's pretty close.

The first time I tasted EC12 I was so impressed I did a side-by-side with BT, and it was like trying to choose your favorite child--you love 'em both but for different reasons.

[jeff]

Since we're talking value bourbons here, I'm having a nice pour of Ancient Ancient Age 10yo. Tonight this is really hitting the spot.

[bluesbassdad]

The first time I tasted EC12 I was so impressed I did a side-by-side with BT, and it was like trying to choose your favorite child--you love 'em both but for different reasons.

Yeah, as if one of 'em is an NFL center linebacker and the other is a concert cellist!

Yours truly,

Dave Morefield

[CL]

Weller Centennial. Picked this up in WV on Thurs evening on my way to my parents' house along with Eagle Rare 17 yo. Gotta admit, the WC flavor is more interesting to me than the more expensive ER 17. I do like the ER 17, but I just don't get it. Maybe it will grow on me.

[SteelerFan]

A.H.Hirsch 16 yo.

This is my first taste of this great bourbon.

There aren't enough o's in smoooooth ! ( Col. Potter )

[SSBourbon1]

I am very embarassed. I was enjoying the VG Fox 90 so much wrote single barrel. It is actually SMALL BATCH....is is all small batch bourbon from them? Sorry for the mix up on that...my fault and too much of that fine elixir.

[cornsqueezins]

Last night it was Elijah Craig 12 yr. I was beside myself in euphoria! The little tag that comes with each bottle now brags about the Double Gold this bourbon recently won in SF....and rightfully so. I think this is the best EC I've had yet!

Tim, funny you should mention the LOTR trilogy. I've been doing the same thing: re-reading each book prior to the movie release. I'm about to get started on "Return of the King".

You were asking about "The Silmarillion".....it's a great book if you're a total Middle-Earth geekster. The stories basically recount the 3 ages of Middle-Earth with history and genealogies included. Good stuff if you enjoy that kind of thing.

-Troy

[pepcycle]

CL

Weller Centennial Rocks.

I picked up a bottle on Saturday but did not open it due to consumption of EWSB '94.

I will state without hesitation, "There are no negative attributes to Weller Centenbnial".

[jeff]

Well, with all the talk of the EWSB '94, I thought I would break out my last ottle of the '91, my current favorite. Now, I have had a couple pours of AAA 10yo prior to this that I have thouroughly enjoyed. My EWSB '91 is comming across as thin and slightly bitter. This is not what I remember. Are my tastes changing? Or is the AAA 10yo just that good? Well this is a good problem to have I guess, unlike the problem we have all had recently

[Barrel_Proof]

Tonight, with the hope that civility and humor will "reign supreme" (that's an Iron Chef reference, if you missed it) for years to come on this board and in honor of the recent bottling of the last of Pennsylvania's second-finest bourbon, I'm enjoying a healthy pour of Hirsch 16yo, neat. Yeah, I know, life could be worse, right?

Thanks to you all for your continued friendship, good cheer, kick-ass attitude with a smile, and--most of all--for sharing with us all your discoveries and the mysteries in the world of bourbon. I toast you all, my friends!

[CL]

I never seem to be able to keep a bottle of either the 12 yo or the Centennial. Once they get opened, they tend to go quick. These bourbons are smooth, rich, sweet, flavorful. Extremely easy to drink yet bursting with flavor.

Consequently, I always buy a bottle of these when I find them out of state. (NC does not carry either.) I always want to have a bottle in the bunker, ready to go.

[brendaj]

Tim,

caramelier (!!)

Since I am still only able to discern a couple of flavours (I'm trying...I swear... ) and caramel is one of 'em...this one deserves a place in the Bourbon Glossary of Terms...

I gotta remember that,

Bj

[Vinnie]

Mmmmm....bourbon, I'm sipping some Blanton's. I just love the little horsey.

[TNbourbon]

I've been broadening my bourbon horizons for a few weeks, but just opened a new bottle of my original favorite -- W.L. Weller's Special Reserve 7yo. It still stands up pretty well, even after my recent forays into 'official' Van Winkle brands. I can't believe this stuff is under $15 a bottle (750 ml).