What Bourbon Are You Drinking - Spring 2014

[squire]

It is if the contents don't change.

[GaryT]

So Gary, when producers add age statements it's simply "marketing spin"? :skep:

Well, when you put it like that, it sounds bad

Well, I think (and it is only that obviously - pure speculation on my part) that the Bernheim Wheat has been 7 yrs all along, or very nearly that. Otherwise, they would be changing the flavor profile. Granted - maybe they ARE looking to change the flavor profile if current sales aren't what they were wanting. I may have misunderstood what was happening - I thought they were simply adding the age statement, but not coming out with a "new 7 yr version" as a departure from the current. Maybe they'll come out with the 7 yr as a premium extension of the NAS version? In that case, it definitely isn't just marketing. In fact, if they are changing the flavor profile, it isn't just marketing.

Honestly, this is the first time I think I've heard of someone adding an age statement to something; it seems the trend is going the other way. My assumption is that they believe the age statement will better convey the value to consumers, which to me is all about marketing the product - and also that they aren't changing the product. And I don't mean this in a negative way. If they have been bottling it at 7 yrs or older, good for them for taking credit for it, and for trying to increase their sales. Apologize if my word choice conveyed a slam on HH, as that wasn't my intention.

(also - on topic, enjoying some AAA 10star)

[DaveOfAtl]

WFE 9 year from the gift shop cut from 126.2 proof to 110 to reward myself after a rare but needed day of yardwork. There is a chemical astringency to this one that is covering up a lot of the more pleasant flavors and aromas. Gonna give it a little time in the glass to calm down.

[Tony]

Had some of my FR solera bottle that I keep adding to, very tasty on a sunny afternoon.

Best regards, Tony

[Red One]

Just a bit of Stagg, Jr. tonight. This one definitely has to be toned down a bit for my taste, but is still very good.

[mbroo5880i]

Just a bit of Stagg, Jr. tonight. This one definitely has to be toned down a bit for my taste, but is still very good.

A little hot, huh? A little more complexity might take some of the focus away from the heat. However, it is what it is which is a decent bourbon that takes water well or mixes well with lower proof bourbons like BT. I like it.

Drinking ETL Com tonight. Much better than my most recent bottle of standard ETL. I like it so much that I have made a little bigger dent in the bottle than I intended to.

[Paddy]

A little hot, huh? A little more complexity might take some of the focus away from the heat. However, it is what it is which is a decent bourbon that takes water well or mixes well with lower proof bourbons like BT. I like it.

Drinking ETL Com tonight. Much better than my most recent bottle of standard ETL. I like it so much that I have made a little bigger dent in the bottle than I intended to.

An easy thing to do with the ETL Com, in my experience as well!

I'm making it's older cousin (10 yr AAA) my Game of Thrones pour this evening. :toast:

[mbroo5880i]

An easy thing to do with the ETL Com, in my experience as well!

I'm making it's older cousin (10 yr AAA) my Game of Thrones pour this evening. :toast:

ETL, AAA10 yr, Blanton's...love them. Still have a liter bottle of 10yr in the bunker...:cool: :toast:

[DaveOfAtl]

WT American Spirit as I sit down to watch Game of Thrones. Much better than the Willett 9 year I had before.

[smokinjoe]

Well, when you put it like that, it sounds bad

Well, I think (and it is only that obviously - pure speculation on my part) that the Bernheim Wheat has been 7 yrs all along, or very nearly that. Otherwise, they would be changing the flavor profile. Granted - maybe they ARE looking to change the flavor profile if current sales aren't what they were wanting. I may have misunderstood what was happening - I thought they were simply adding the age statement, but not coming out with a "new 7 yr version" as a departure from the current. Maybe they'll come out with the 7 yr as a premium extension of the NAS version? In that case, it definitely isn't just marketing. In fact, if they are changing the flavor profile, it isn't just marketing.

Honestly, this is the first time I think I've heard of someone adding an age statement to something; it seems the trend is going the other way. My assumption is that they believe the age statement will better convey the value to consumers, which to me is all about marketing the product - and also that they aren't changing the product. And I don't mean this in a negative way. If they have been bottling it at 7 yrs or older, good for them for taking credit for it, and for trying to increase their sales. Apologize if my word choice conveyed a slam on HH, as that wasn't my intention.

(also - on topic, enjoying some AAA 10star)

Sorry, Country, I was just being purposely obtuse, and I appreciate your thoughtful response... It seems to me we spend so much time here whacking the producers for taking information off of the labels, particularly with an endless barrage of pithy one-liners, so it seems odd that we call it "spin" when they add the very information that we say we hold dear. As learned consumers, we shouldn't demand to have it both ways. I'm of the opinion that if we want the producers to hear us, we should be even handed with our criticism and praise.

Back on topic2, I'm on to a HH BIB 6yr out of the fridge. :yum:

[bingstein]

Having a few pours of EHTBP over some ice spheres tonight. I've been hot all day so neat wasn't happening. The EHT hold up to ice pretty well.

[Restaurant man]

Had some of my FR solera bottle that I keep adding to, very tasty on a sunny afternoon.

Best regards, Tony

I need to do this. Thank you for the idea. Got a dozen or so 4 roses open at the moment. Good time to start

[flahute]

My first ever taste of Parker's Heritage PoH. I know this one works well for some and does nothing for others. It's really hitting my sweet spot, this is an exceptional full bourbon. Of course, it comes at an exceptional price. I know that many don't think it's worth the premium price. Can anyone tell me if there is a standard HH product that compares favorably to this one?

[JPBoston]

Big fat pour of 4RSB to go with Game of Thrones tonight. Brutally depressing/disturbing end to the episode.

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

[bmajazz]

You know, I've really been digging Evan Williams BIB and also Mellow Corn. I found both at a store here in CA, and was super excited that I don't have to schlep the EW from Virginia in my luggage anymore!

For the price... they are insane "daily pours".

[amg]

A little Weller 12. It's great until the finish, which is just a bit too bitter for my liking.

I went back to this last night and the bitter aftertaste was gone. I guess my bottle just needed a little air time. Great stuff.

[Tony Santana]

Was all over the board last night, a BT Single Oak project selection, then Lot B, then Pritchard's Double Chocolate. The latter surprised me somewhat - I bought it in part to see if I could tempt my wife, noted chocoholic, into the bourbon world. When I first opened it, I found the chocolate part of the equation to be very subtle. It was there in the background, but just kind of the essence of the cocoa bean hanging around the fringes. Hadn't had any since that first sample at least a month ago - this time the chocolate was much more pronounced. I mean, not like chugging a can of Hershey's syrup or anything, but definitely more up front. Did my palate change or did opening the bottle change the flavor after it sat for awhile?

[kcgumbohead]

Did this at the barrel pick. Very tasty result. ( another member across the way was doing it and also seemed to enjoy the combo. 4rs do play well together. Talk about an LE, there's one for sure!!

I need to do this. Thank you for the idea. Got a dozen or so 4 roses open at the moment. Good time to start

Back on topic 4R smb.

[jeffrey r]

A little SAOS last evening, which has evolved into a blend of my 10-year and 7-year bottles. Needed to make room, so I combined the remaining halves of each bottle a few weeks ago. No big surprise, they blend nicely and I am still really digging the SAOS profile.

Moved on to a pour of Dickel 14. I was really unimpressed with this bottle early on, but I am really glad I stuck with it and gave it a chance, as I really like the stuff now. It has changed dramatically with a few months of airtime, and now has a really deep, rich, caramelly, oaky Dickel flavor. Picked up a couple of extra bottles for the bunker.

[The Black Tot]

My first ever taste of Parker's Heritage PoH. I know this one works well for some and does nothing for others. It's really hitting my sweet spot, this is an exceptional full bourbon. Of course, it comes at an exceptional price. I know that many don't think it's worth the premium price. Can anyone tell me if there is a standard HH product that compares favorably to this one?

I tried the Henry McKenna 10yr, but didn't find it similar enough to satisfy.

However, I did get the impression that Old Pogue Master's Select did most of what POH does in the mid forties price range.

I did not A/B them in the same drinking session, so take that for what it's worth at present. I bought a bottle of OP so I'll have to A/B them soon and get back to you.

tbt

[garbanzobean]

My first ever taste of Parker's Heritage PoH. I know this one works well for some and does nothing for others. It's really hitting my sweet spot, this is an exceptional full bourbon. Of course, it comes at an exceptional price. I know that many don't think it's worth the premium price. Can anyone tell me if there is a standard HH product that compares favorably to this one?

I think if you mixed Henry McKenna 10 and either Elijah Craig 12 or Evan Williams Single Barrel in the proper proportions, you could obtain a reasonable facsimile.

[squire]

Ah, I can see it coming, the SB Parker blend.

[garbanzobean]

Ah, I can see it coming, the SB Parker blend.

I'm not much for blending my bourbon personally, so I always feel free to give advice on the subject.

[The Black Tot]

Ah, I can see it coming, the SB Parker blend.

Promise Of Equivalency?

tbt

[GaryT]

Sorry, Country, I was just being purposely obtuse, and I appreciate your thoughtful response... It seems to me we spend so much time here whacking the producers for taking information off of the labels, particularly with an endless barrage of pithy one-liners, so it seems odd that we call it "spin" when they add the very information that we say we hold dear. As learned consumers, we shouldn't demand to have it both ways. I'm of the opinion that if we want the producers to hear us, we should be even handed with our criticism and praise.

Back on topic2, I'm on to a HH BIB 6yr out of the fridge. :yum: