What Bourbon Are You Drinking - Spring 2014

[DrBob]

Side by side of Weller Special reserve NAS from 2013, and a 7yr from 2010. Oddly the NAS stuff has a lot more tannin's to it, while the 7r has more vanilla and sweetness. The finish on the NAS is all about the tannin's, while the 7r is much more a lingering sweetness. I expected a little less difference to be honest. either would be fine as a mixer, and are just fine neat, or with a splash of water.

[flahute]

HH BIB gold label. It's NAS, but I think this is 4 years? Pretty good for how little this costs.

[DBM]

I've been doing a lot of SBS tastings and mixology experiments recently to understand where my palate leans and where I balance value and price.

Within the last week:

PVW really is the high watermark for wheaters. PVW15 and 20 (both 2013) made everything else I had open (Larceny, the Weller line, SB Blend) taste like a hot mess. But I still drink them all.

ECBP is very rich and drinks great neat and with water, but it doesn't mix well with other bourbon (except EC12) or flavors (cocktail). ECBP is also really unique, doesn't taste anything like other barrel proof bourbons.

Stagg Jr is very "clean". Nothing offensive, has the classic bourbon notes but it doesn't offer any character. Makes a good old fashioned and allows good quality bitters to shine.

PHC 7th and ER17 (2013) are both really, really good. Really good. At ~$100 I would drink these all the time if I had reliable access to one or both. Underrated (compared to other BTAC and PHC releases). Really good.

CEHT is all over the map. I didn't like the small batch (grainy, unfinished), barrel proof was good, single barrel was average. Still not sure what to think of this label. Sporadic.

FRLE bottles are all exquisite. 2012 SB (barrel 81-3B) and 2013 SmB in particular. Extra yum.

In general I am finding myself preferring water in barrel proof pours that I used to drink neat. Maybe I'm getting soft.

FRSB is a great, no brainer pour. EWSB 2002 (barrel 546) is really tasty for $30. Drinks "bigger" than an 86 proof should.

Gonna say it, didn't care for OGD BIB. 114 is significantly better.

[smknjoe]

Thanks for the feedback. It's always nice to see some brief tasting notes. I have to say I've had similar experiences across the board DBM. I don't care for OGD BIB, but I thoroughly enjoy 114. And I just about always add a little bit a water (to taste) with barrel proofers. It can really bring out some flavors you may miss under all of the heat, enhance viscosity/mouth-feel, and just improve the overall experience by taming that fire.

[Richnimrod]

I had a very nice, and quite unique pour yesterday to unwind from dealing with the passing of my father in the wee small hours.

I poured the blend of all eight barrels sampled at barrel proof, at Four Roses during the GBS Barrel Pick over the weekend just passed.

Wow!!! I expect great things from our selected barrel(s), since this mingle included all the losers as well, and was just lovely once it opened up after some ice melted into it. Very satisfying; and it did the trick, so to speak. Thanx to Joe and the rest of the gang that worked to make this happen; and special thanx to Jim Rutledge for all the commentary and guidance during this fun event. He's a special guy, for sure.

[smknjoe]

I hope the pour helped it's hard losing a parent. My condolences.

[unclebunk]

Several hefty pours of FR1B last night while watching the Bulls' pathetic loss to Washington. Will be hitting the same tonight when I tune in to game 7 of the Colorado-Minnesota series which should be a great game. Looking forward to seeing who the Blackhawks will beat next on their way to the Stanley Cup finals (again)!:cool:

[MyOldKyDram]

Winding down w some Appalachian Whiskey Society SAOS. Forgot how good this pick was. Yummy.

Getting ready to do a SBS of ETL and the Commemorative bottle.

[KySalesRep]

I'm having some AAA 10yr, finishing a 200mL bottle. I always love those bottles, they make good storage/sample bottles.

[jwvoytus]

Trying a 2:1 vatting of Fighting Cock and EC12. Damn this is good.

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[smokinjoe]

I had a very nice, and quite unique pour yesterday to unwind from dealing with the passing of my father in the wee small hours.

I poured the blend of all eight barrels sampled at barrel proof, at Four Roses during the GBS Barrel Pick over the weekend just passed.

Wow!!! I expect great things from our selected barrel(s), since this mingle included all the losers as well, and was just lovely once it opened up after some ice melted into it. Very satisfying; and it did the trick, so to speak. Thanx to Joe and the rest of the gang that worked to make this happen; and special thanx to Jim Rutledge for all the commentary and guidance during this fun event. He's a special guy, for sure.

I am sorry to hear about the loss of your father, Rich. I'll join you in pouring a mingling of the barrels, and raise a toast to your dad's memory.

[clingman71]

I had a very nice, and quite unique pour yesterday to unwind from dealing with the passing of my father in the wee small hours.

I poured the blend of all eight barrels sampled at barrel proof, at Four Roses during the GBS Barrel Pick over the weekend just passed.

Wow!!! I expect great things from our selected barrel(s), since this mingle included all the losers as well, and was just lovely once it opened up after some ice melted into it. Very satisfying; and it did the trick, so to speak. Thanx to Joe and the rest of the gang that worked to make this happen; and special thanx to Jim Rutledge for all the commentary and guidance during this fun event. He's a special guy, for sure.

Sorry for your loss. I didn't see the post yesterday, came on to post what I was drinking tonight. It just doesn't seem that important now. First, I'll raise my glass. Second, I think I'll call my dad.

[hn4bourbon]

I had a very nice, and quite unique pour yesterday to unwind from dealing with the passing of my father in the wee small hours.

I poured the blend of all eight barrels sampled at barrel proof, at Four Roses during the GBS Barrel Pick over the weekend just passed.

Wow!!! I expect great things from our selected barrel(s), since this mingle included all the losers as well, and was just lovely once it opened up after some ice melted into it. Very satisfying; and it did the trick, so to speak. Thanx to Joe and the rest of the gang that worked to make this happen; and special thanx to Jim Rutledge for all the commentary and guidance during this fun event. He's a special guy, for sure.

Sorry to hear bout your loss Rich.

[jcg9779]

I had a very nice, and quite unique pour yesterday to unwind from dealing with the passing of my father in the wee small hours.

I poured the blend of all eight barrels sampled at barrel proof, at Four Roses during the GBS Barrel Pick over the weekend just passed.

Wow!!! I expect great things from our selected barrel(s), since this mingle included all the losers as well, and was just lovely once it opened up after some ice melted into it. Very satisfying; and it did the trick, so to speak. Thanx to Joe and the rest of the gang that worked to make this happen; and special thanx to Jim Rutledge for all the commentary and guidance during this fun event. He's a special guy, for sure.

[jcg9779]

Pouring some OWA tonight.

[garbanzobean]

Replaced my recently departed Old Forester Birthday Bourbon '13 with a fresh Parker's Heritage Promise of Hope. The initial taste didn't go well. It struck me as a medley of EC12 and Henry McKenna 10, but not as smooth as either. I let the bottle sit open for about an hour and a half, and it appears to have opened up a good bit. After an initial glass, it remained astringent and had a bit of "copper penny" finish, so I decided tonight wasn't a bourbon night. I'll come back to it when I'm in the mood.

[WAINWRIGHT]

I had a very nice, and quite unique pour yesterday to unwind from dealing with the passing of my father in the wee small hours.

I poured the blend of all eight barrels sampled at barrel proof, at Four Roses during the GBS Barrel Pick over the weekend just passed.

Wow!!! I expect great things from our selected barrel(s), since this mingle included all the losers as well, and was just lovely once it opened up after some ice melted into it. Very satisfying; and it did the trick, so to speak. Thanx to Joe and the rest of the gang that worked to make this happen; and special thanx to Jim Rutledge for all the commentary and guidance during this fun event. He's a special guy, for sure.

[Paddy]

A toast in memory of your father Rich, and my deepest sympathy to you and yours.

[hn4bourbon]

Having a pour of Booker's 2013-7.

[flahute]

A toast to you and your father Rich. I'm raising a glass of SB blend. It hasn't hit the right notes the last few times, but is right on tonight. It knew to bring the best in honor of a good life.

[Richnimrod]

Not wishing to steer this thread off topic for too long, I'll say; "Thank You" to all the folks who expressed condolences and/or are thinking of doing so. No more are necessary.

Please know that Dad was a Bourbon fan all his life (having started out in Golden Pond KY), and is now enjoying all the pours that his Scottish nature wouldn't allow him to drink in life. He must be having a wonderful time up there. Again, Thanx!

[GaryT]

Enjoying a nice pour of Noah's Mill this evening. I'd also like to thank everyone for their condolences to Rich. I'm sure my grandpa is sucking up MORE than his fair share of the angel's share, and just hope he saves some for the rest of us!

[Paddy]

Working on a 50/50 blend of VSOF and Stagg Jr. Got a little carried away with the pour (at roughly four fingers), so wish me luck! :grin:

[jwvoytus]

Sitting on the deck with some EC21 that I never really appreciated, so I let it sit for a few months before coming back to it. After drinking a lot of other Heaven Hill products in the interim, I think I can finally appreciate it for what it is, rather than previously fixating on what it wasn't, namely, as good as PVW20. So although the price tag was steep, I feel like I am finally getting my money's worth.

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[Red One]

Finishing off a bottle of ETL tonight but it's a healthy pour and tastes great, as per my usual experience with ETL.