I'm sorry, Willie, I just can't cry.

[Flyfish]

At the end of A Death of a Salesman, when Willie Loman has shuffled off this mortal coil, his wife confesses that she has had enough already. Recently, I have considered having yet another run at 4R YL. But this afternoon, when it is still below 0 in NW Ohio, I built a fire and poured some Old Ezra 101. So, even though I have tried--really--to like YL, I'm more likely to buy more Ezra.

Question for SBers, what bourbon have you given up on even after giving it more than you consider a fair shot?

[Phil T]

For me FR is my favorite distillery. I love, love, love, everything the do...except YL. I have given it a fair shake, bought and drank through several bottles, to no avail. It is always a struggle to finish the bottle, I will not buy another one.

[smokinjoe]

At the end of A Death of a Salesman, when Willie Loman has shuffled off this mortal coil, his wife confesses that she has had enough already. Recently, I have considered having yet another run at 4R YL. But this afternoon, when it is still below 0 in NW Ohio, I built a fire and poured some Old Ezra 101. So, even though I have tried--really--to like YL, I'm more likely to buy more Ezra.

Question for SBers, what bourbon have you given up on even after giving it more than you consider a fair shot?

[squire]

Four Roses single barrel selections actually and believe me I tried. Just have always preferred the Small Batch.

[smknjoe]

Weller 12 - I have bought it 3 times over the last year and just didn't like them at all. They start out okay on the palate and then you get this weird coconut and creosote taste midway through and on the finish. I even tried mixing it in some egg-nog and ruined the whole batch. I had to throw it out. It tastes like scotch not bourbon.

OGD BIB - I can't remember the taste other than it's nothing like the 114 which I love. I've bought in on at least two different occasions and came to the same conclusion.

[higgins]

Weller 12 - It tastes like scotch not bourbon.

I agree with this. I've had a few bottles and I like it very occasionally as a change of pace pour, but I have never lost any sleep not being able to find a bottle of Weller 12.

Most wheated bourbons would fall into this category for me, in fact. The Weller line and Maker's in particular. Just not my thing, I suppose.

[MrAtomic]

Evan Williams Single Barrel. Yes, I know it's a single barrel, and not an inherently consistent product, but I've tried 4-5 versions since 2005, including retailer bottlings, and not one of them has made any impression on me. They've all just tasted like, well, bourbon. I'm always amazed when I read other people's detailed tasting notes on EWSB -- my cast-iron tongue can't find much of anything in there. And that's fine, but for an annual single barrel release, I guess I expect something more.

[ebo]

At the end of A Death of a Salesman, when Willie Loman has shuffled off this mortal coil, his wife confesses that she has had enough already. Recently, I have considered having yet another run at 4R YL. But this afternoon, when it is still below 0 in NW Ohio, I built a fire and poured some Old Ezra 101. So, even though I have tried--really--to like YL, I'm more likely to buy more Ezra.

Question for SBers, what bourbon have you given up on even after giving it more than you consider a fair shot?

I'm right there with ya! I tried to like 4R YL for 3/4's of a bottle. I finally gave it to my brother to throw in his Coke...lol. I'm a big fan of Ezra 101. Hell, I even like the 90 proof Ezra. 4R YL is just a bourbon I can't get into.... at all.

[sailor22]

The cult favorite OGD 114 leaves me non-plused. Tried it many times but just can't love it. OGD 114 by ND is another story, love it

[Clavius]

I honestly cannot stand EC12. I pick up this floral component that just turns me off completely to it every time.

[tylermke]

OGD BIB - I can't remember the taste other than it's nothing like the 114 which I love. I've bought in on at least two different occasions and came to the same conclusion.

I'm with you there, Joe. The bottles of OGD BIB I've had tasted too much like corn and not enough like bourbon. I will no longer buy it or recommend it.

I'll also add the current Weller Special Reserve to the list. I've given it a fair shake and it's just too astringent for me. Even after airtime, I can't drink it enjoyably. I prefer Weller 12 and OWA by a very wide margin.

[mbroo5880i]

Wow, this thread is like "true confessions." A couple that I am ok with but don't see myself buying any more are Dickel 12 and VOB NAS BIB. I just can't get into Dickel. Doug (Fox) says to try the 9 or 14 year which I may but the standard is something that I am done with. I was ok with VOB as a 6-yr but it wasn't at the top of my list even given the value. I prefer OGD for a little more $.

[393foureyedfox]

I just can't get into Dickel. Doug (Fox) says to try the 9 or 14 year which I may but the standard is something that I am done with.

I can understand that. the D12 is kinda 'meh', but I highly recommend the Dickel 9. Im having some right now, and lament the impending end of this bottle.

[PaulO]

I agree on the 4RYL. It's a decent 80 proofer with no rough edges, but not much to interest an enthusiast. So far, I like the Small Batch the best from 4R. If anyone knows which of the 10 recipe single barrels taste the most like Small Batch, please let me know. Dickel 12 is another, well liked by some. I just can't get past the odd medicinal (or vitamin pill) aftertaste. The one I really can't cry about is the standard Buffalo Trace Bourbon. I've tried to like it several times. It tastes of grass, or musty like wet cardboard or basement. Every retailer has a ton of this. Meanwhile, the desirable BT labels are in short supply.

[Quantum]

OGD BIB - I can't remember the taste other than it's nothing like the 114 which I love. I've bought in on at least two different occasions and came to the same conclusion.

I was just drinking both of these last night thinking how many similarities they shared.

I would post a scathing review of why your opinion is wrong, but then I was reminded of one of Sku's blog posts from a few months ago.

http://recenteats.blogspot.com/2013/09/why-does-sku-hate-whiskey.html

[weller_tex]

Weller 12 - I have bought it 3 times over the last year and just didn't like them at all. They start out okay on the palate and then you get this weird coconut and creosote taste midway through and on the finish. I even tried mixing it in some egg-nog and ruined the whole batch. I had to throw it out. It tastes like scotch not bourbon.

OGD BIB - I can't remember the taste other than it's nothing like the 114 which I love. I've bought in on at least two different occasions and came to the same conclusion.

I never got the creosote..but love the coconut you get in Weller 12!

[weller_tex]

I'm with you there, Joe. The bottles of OGD BIB I've had tasted too much like corn and not enough like bourbon. I will no longer buy it or recommend it.

I'll also add the current Weller Special Reserve to the list. I've given it a fair shake and it's just too astringent for me. Even after airtime, I can't drink it enjoyably. I prefer Weller 12 and OWA by a very wide margin.

[Renegator]

Evan Williams Single Barrel. Yes, I know it's a single barrel, and not an inherently consistent product, but I've tried 4-5 versions since 2005, including retailer bottlings, and not one of them has made any impression on me. They've all just tasted like, well, bourbon. I'm always amazed when I read other people's detailed tasting notes on EWSB -- my cast-iron tongue can't find much of anything in there. And that's fine, but for an annual single barrel release, I guess I expect something more.

Add me to this list. I have tried at least 3 bottles of EWSB including a private selection and just can't get into it.

[dcbt]

I've cut OWA out of the rotation lately. I love W12, though, and most wheaters. Still like OWA decently, but not as much as others so I cleared it out to make room.

[PaulO]

I used to love WSR and OWA, but over the last year I have tried several times and now they are basically undrinkable for me. WSR is astringent and OWA tastes like grain alcohol mixed with brown sugar.

I used to put OWA near the top of my list. Not long ago, I also opened a bottle that tasted "like grain alcohol mixed with brown sugar". I can't say if it was a bad batch, or the new normal. It was enough to send me to pick up my first bottle of MM in years.

[bingstein]

The cult favorite OGD 114 leaves me non-plused.

I had a pour of this the other day for the first time in awhile and I was plused.

[dcbt]

I used to put OWA near the top of my list. Not long ago, I also opened a bottle that tasted "like grain alcohol mixed with brown sugar". I can't say if it was a bad batch, or the new normal. It was enough to send me to pick up my first bottle of MM in years.

People like to bag on MM, and I prefer to support boutiques over production, but there ain't nothing wrong with MM. I never buy it for home, mind you, but it's my go-to when out and about since nobody carries W12

[weller_tex]

People like to bag on MM, and I prefer to support boutiques over production, but there ain't nothing wrong with MM. I never buy it for home, mind you, but it's my go-to when out and about since nobody carries W12

I love MM. You can tell it is 5-6 years old, but it is far superior to WSR at now the same age. MM has a unique creaminess that others don't have. I also love MM46.

[weller_tex]

I used to put OWA near the top of my list. Not long ago, I also opened a bottle that tasted "like grain alcohol mixed with brown sugar". I can't say if it was a bad batch, or the new normal. It was enough to send me to pick up my first bottle of MM in years.

It is the new norm it seems....

[Harry in WashDC]

While I love Lot B, I've never been able to develop a taste for the older Pappys. Indeed, I have trouble with many bourbons over 12 and will pass them by if I have a choice. Never met an 8 I didn't like, though.