Willett's as a brand does not interest me at all

[squire]

The only caveat to this line of thinking is that when the original honey barrels were being picked out, the rest were just wee babes.

That presupposes the honey barrels were individually selected which is not the case. In years past when distillers had surplus barrels for sale they were put up as a lot (groups of 20-50-100-200) and bids were accepted for the entire lot. So the purchaser (NPD) got a mixture of the good, the bad and the ugly.

[Yeti]

http://on.cc.com/QD5AYm

This is all I can think of every time I see the title of this thread.

[Ravensfire]

How can they tell the bottle behind the bar was purchased from a retail shop?

At least for some things, it's different bar codes.

[squire]

So refill the existing empties, so long as it's the same there's no fraud.

[Restaurant man]

So refill the existing empties, so long as it's the same there's no fraud.

You can borrow my re-waxer. Just be advised I also use it to de-wax ?

[squire]

Good one .............

[393foureyedfox]

Is this the first time you have voluntarily used bunker to describe your stash?

I think it is cause to celebrate.

funny you ask.....i wrote 'stash' originally, then went back and changed it thinking of the time you said "just go ahead and say 'bunker' "

[squire]

Peer pressure, I know, took me the longest time to quit saying wine cellar.

[OscarV]

If you're passing over Willett's, you're passing over some mighty fine whiskey. There are ways to find out who made what's in the bottle. Anything 8 y/o or older is a must buy for me. Only desperate people by any whiskey under 4 y/o in my opinion, probably to drink under a bridge somewhere.

Joe :usflag:

[MonsterMashBill]

For those who have 8+ year Willetts on their must buy list, come to Oregon! We're suddenly awash in 23 year old, 99 proof Willett. It'll only set you back $352 a bottle!

:shocked: :shocked: :shocked:

My favorite local store has been expecting two Willett barrels they selected (and have been for quite some time). They have (what are now) an 11 year and an 8 year old coming. If that price scales, I don't even expect to be able to afford the 8 year; there are a bunch of Four Roses barrels floating around my area that can be had for $65 a bottle, of comparable age and barrel proof, and which I have personal experience with as being excellent. Though I'm starting to think I need to stock up, as that $65 price doesn't look like it can last.

[mbroo5880i]

I think most will agree that Four Roses Barrel Selects in the $50 to $65 price range, depending on area, are among the best quality barrel proofs available. Willett's is barrel specific in value. Some barrel's are worth a premium and others are not. The only way to know whether it is worth a premium is to have tried it.

[dmarkle]

I think most will agree that Four Roses Barrel Selects in the $50 to $65 price range, depending on area, are among the best quality barrel proofs available. Willett's is barrel specific in value. Some barrel's are worth a premium and others are not. The only way to know whether it is worth a premium is to have tried it.

And that's why I have been so reticent to buy any. I know there's a lot of amazing WFE stuff out there, but it's so hard to tell what you're even going to get - mashbill, distiller, etc...? All you seem to get is a funny name, an age statement, and a proof. That makes it hard for me to drop $100 or so... It makes me feel blind. I've had some at bars on the bartender's recommendation, and some have been fantastic, others merely good. All pricey.

[amg]

The two WFE 8-year bourbons I've seen recently have both been in the $50-$60 range, but they were older bottles at small stores that don't move their inventory quickly. Not sure what the current prices would look like in the Indy area, because nobody's gotten any this year.

[393foureyedfox]

The two WFE 8-year bourbons I've seen recently have both been in the $50-$60 range, but they were older bottles at small stores that don't move their inventory quickly. Not sure what the current prices would look like in the Indy area, because nobody's gotten any this year.

the one bottle of 8 year WFE i have was an x-mas gift and was a $59 bottle last fall. It wasnt an easy bottling to find last year, and Ive not seen any WFE since to compare prices, but Im sure its waaay over that now. I think at $59 it was priced at its upper limit of value in my mind....an 8 year barrel proofer probably shouldnt top $50-60 in my mind. 10 year+, I can see it going higher within reason, like maybe $75 and higher, relative to age. feel free to disagree with me, but with 4R and beam putting out barrel proofers in the 7-11 year range in the $45-60, and HH giving us 12 year barrel proof EC at under $50 MSRP, I cant see the logic of asking over $100 (or well beyond) for an NDP, especially of unverified origin. I hope Willet can make good (CONSISTENT) stuff with their own distillate in the future, and price it in proportion to other offerings, but that remains another 6+ years to be seen. I hope they can!

[s8ist]

Finally picked up a 2yr WFE today....FINALLY! Been far too busy lately to go hunting like I used to. But I digress...

Being a rye junkie and a fan of WFE, I can say that I'm quite pleased with the initial 2yr release. It's got a great nose and good flavor. It's surprisingly smoother than I thought it would be. The only negative is the finish. While it's got a good long finish, there is some astringency that creeps in. It's not overly bad, but it does take the wind out of the sails. More aging may help here. I think it will work nicely for cocktails as it does seem to have it's own unique flavor. Will have to try a few over the next few days.

At $35 (what I paid), it's a very nice pour. I'd rate it better than Baby Saz, and Michter's 10, on par with Ritt DSP1, but not quite as good as Ritt DSP354, CEHT, or WFE/OS older Indy Ryes.

Can't wait to try it again with some more age on it. :yum:

[bin31z]

Hmmm...I guess everyone has diff taste, I'm drinking a couple of bourbons tonight along with cognac, Armagnac,ryes. I gave the 2 year another chance and ended up just pouring it down the sink. I gave it away to a friend to make mixed drinks or something

[flahute]

Hmmm...I guess everyone has diff taste

This is what makes bourbon so much fun. It would be boring if we all liked the same thing. I'd like to take credit for that sentiment, but it's something I see squire saying all the time.

[The Black Tot]

And like you, we've all got a friend who will be thrilled to get a free mixer.

[ModernThirst]

I think the 2 Year WFE Rye is a pretty good 2 year product...it's young, and has a little white dog to the finish, but I bought it more as a preview of what's to come than for a great sipper now. I saved a sizeable sample to compare to the next releases as they bottle older distillate in the future.

[portugieser]

All I know, is that Willett has aged and produced some wonderful bourbons and I'm really looking forward to some well-aged bourbons of their own distillate. Even if they're pushing price points, we are all better off having more high end bourbons.

Edited September 18, 2014 by portugieser

[squire]

Even if they're pushing price points, we are all better off having more high end bourbons.

While I agree with the sentiment lets not acclaim it to be high end until it proves so to be. Back in the 1960s that same still and family formula produced a decent Bourbon but it was not considered a premium.

[bin31z]

Releasing a 2 year old rye would have been a joke 10 years ago. But in a market that goes crazy for kentucky owl, I guess anything is possible xD

[squire]

I guess you could say the market just took off.