Pick from these three choices

[greatgoo]

All bunkers aside. If you had a choice to pick one of the following what would you select? Yes you could only pick one. :grin:

George T Stagg

Van Winkle 10

EC 21

I'm leaning Stagg.

[Ravensfire]

GTS.

The other two just don't compare. There's no version of EC that I'd prefer over GTS and while I do enjoy Pappy, the 10 year can't touch the goodness and joy that GTS brings.

[tanstaafl2]

Are we talking retail price for each? Are we talking the most recent release? If yes to both then I never really enjoyed the EC21 myself so that is out. And while the ORVW 10 was great this year and some thought the lower proof GTS was down a bit I would probably lean towards the GTS. Wouldn't buy anymore of any of them if it is much over MSRP.

[dcbt]

You really can't go wrong with any of them. What do you usually like to drink? The three listed all of its unique characteristics: one barrel proof; one wheater; one oaky.

Edit to add that the EC21 is probably the most polarizing of the ones listed because of its oakiness. So I'd make sure you like that flavor profile before you blindly buy a bottle if you are confined to one of the three listed. Personally I really enjoy it but YMMV.

Edited August 19, 2014 by dcbt

[Richnimrod]

While I do like most Bourbons that others find a bit 'oaky', I'd probably still take the GTS, just because, even if slightly diminished from the best years, it still is in it's own class, IMHO. The VW-10 wouldn't be in the running for me. I have a couple, and find it nice; but not that special.

[zillah]

Van Winkle 10, especially if it was last years.

[bicktrav]

That's an easy Van Winkle 10 for me. Last year's was just stunning. GTS would be next. To my palate, EC 21 isn't really worth buying. I've found it very thin, resinous and lacking in complexity. I barely touch my bottle.

[greatgoo]

Thanks for everyone's input. My choices since I posted have diminished. GTS and VW10 are now off the table. I can get the EC 21 or a combo of stagg jr and ECBP. I have a bottle of ECBP open right now and love it. I'm struggling because EC21 is the more collectible bourbon but maybe not be the better tasting. And I want to drink!

[bicktrav]

I think ECBP is world's better than 21. In fact, I think it's right up there with GTS. So if it were me I'd do that. But some people really love the 21. Whiskey Advocate had it listed as one of the top ten releases of last year. Like someone else said, its a polarizing bottle, so it's kind of a crapshoot. The only insight I can give as to whether it might suit you is to say you have to be ok with a thin mouthfeel. If your preference is one of the more luxurious, syrupy bourbons like ECBP, you will likely not like it. I guess some think the light viscosity makes it delicate. I just think it tastes watery and bitter.

[tanstaafl2]

I think ECBP is world's better than 21. In fact, I think it's right up there with GTS. So if it were me I'd do that. But some people really love the 21. Whiskey Advocate had it listed as one of the top ten releases of last year. Like someone else said, its a polarizing bottle, so it's kind of a crapshoot. The only insight I can give as to whether it might suit you is to say you have to be ok with a thin mouthfeel. If your preference is one of the more luxurious, syrupy bourbons like ECBP, you will likely not like it. I guess some think the light viscosity makes it delicate. I just think it tastes watery and bitter.

There was also some discussion about whether that specific barrel of that highly regarded EC21 made any difference. Since it is a single barrel bourbon you have to recognize different barrels differ (big shock!). I can only say the barrel I had (Barrel #8) was, for me, somewhat less intriguing. Way too much ashy flavor for me.

But then who is to say I wouldn't have felt the same way about the barrel that got all the positive reviews.

[squire]

Of the three, Stagg, no question.

[kjbeggs]

Based on past experience, I'd say Stagg.

However, I'm fortunate to have unopened bottles of all three from last year.

I think a three way test is in order...

[HOF44]

For me it's not even close. George T Stagg.

[TunnelTiger]

The only one I've had is EC21 and I liked it, so that's my vote

[mbroo5880i]

Are you just asking or do you have the opportunity to buy one?

I agree that price would factor in. Assuming all are close to MSRP, personally, I would opt for Stagg. It is the king of Barrel Proofs. ORVW would be a close second. I am not certain about EC21. While I love EC, my concern is that it would be too woody, meaning that I would need to balance it out with something else (e.g., ECBP).

[greatgoo]

Are you just asking or do you have the opportunity to buy one?

I agree that price would factor in. Assuming all are close to MSRP, personally, I would opt for Stagg. It is the king of Barrel Proofs. ORVW would be a close second. I am not certain about EC21. While I love EC, my concern is that it would be too woody, meaning that I would need to balance it out with something else (e.g., ECBP).

[Ravensfire]

Thanks for everyone's input. My choices since I posted have diminished. GTS and VW10 are now off the table. I can get the EC 21 or a combo of stagg jr and ECBP. I have a bottle of ECBP open right now and love it. I'm struggling because EC21 is the more collectible bourbon but maybe not be the better tasting. And I want to drink!

[bicktrav]

There was also some discussion about whether that specific barrel of that highly regarded EC21 made any difference. Since it is a single barrel bourbon you have to recognize different barrels differ (big shock!). I can only say the barrel I had (Barrel #8) was, for me, somewhat less intriguing. Way too much ashy flavor for me.

But then who is to say I wouldn't have felt the same way about the barrel that got all the positive reviews.

[qman22]

It depends on the year. If it's 2013 I would take the ORVW because I thought last years Stagg sucked. Any other year I would take the Stagg.

[BourbonRob]

GTS. Hard to find and you can drink it neat or cut it to alot of different proofs which bring out new profiles

[The Black Tot]

Collectible schmollectible.

What do you want to drink the most?

I haven't had ECBP, but I bought an EC21 and it bored the hell out of me. Someone above stated quite accurately that it is very polarizing. I think you'll get better drinking, and more good drinking considering the proofs and the recommended addition of water with the ECBP and the Stagg Jr.

Having said that, in a trade, I would say that that's a weird deal, simply because an EC21 costs significantly more than the added MSRP of a Stagg Jr plus an ECBP.

Tell him you'll take a Stagg Jr and TWO ECBPs. That's a level playing field.

On the other hand, you could also say no Stagg Sr or VW 10, no deal. Your dusties are only getting more valuable with time.

[fishnbowljoe]

That's an easy Van Winkle 10 for me. Last year's was just stunning.

Van Winkle 10, especially if it was last years.

What they said. Another vote here for ORVW 10/107. :grin:

Edit…...Oops, I just saw your post that the GTS and ORVW 10/107 were no longer a factor. :frown:

[Tony Santana]

Collectible schmollectible.

Having said that, in a trade, I would say that that's a weird deal, simply because an EC21 costs significantly more than the added MSRP of a Stagg Jr plus an ECBP.

Tell him you'll take a Stagg Jr and TWO ECBPs. That's a level playing field.

This. I haven't revisited it in a while, but my EC21 did not blow me away, and I REALLY liked EC18.

[tanstaafl2]

Collectible schmollectible.

What do you want to drink the most?

I haven't had ECBP, but I bought an EC21 and it bored the hell out of me. Someone above stated quite accurately that it is very polarizing. I think you'll get better drinking, and more good drinking considering the proofs and the recommended addition of water with the ECBP and the Stagg Jr.

Having said that, in a trade, I would say that that's a weird deal, simply because an EC21 costs significantly more than the added MSRP of a Stagg Jr plus an ECBP.

Tell him you'll take a Stagg Jr and TWO ECBPs. That's a level playing field.

On the other hand, you could also say no Stagg Sr or VW 10, no deal. Your dusties are only getting more valuable with time.

It would certainly make a difference depending on what you were expected to trade in return. A different proposition from the theoretical notion of which bottle to choose to be sure. I confess I am a terrible trader. If there is something I want I think I tend to overpay (or is it "over trade"?) so I have to try to separate my desire from the deal!

[GaryT]

It is actually a trade. I have some dusties. He has since taken ORW and STG off the table. So I'm left with EC 21 or maybe a combo of ECBP and Stagg Jr.

The ECBP/Stagg Jr. combo. More is almost always better than less, and both of those are damn fine bourbons if you ask me. I might take either of those over the EC21 if my intention was to drink it