Is it a bug or a feature?

[Flyfish]

Lou Grant says to Mary Richards, "You've got spunk!"

She smiles, thinking it's a compliment.

"I hate spunk," he says, deflating her.

There are bourbons that have traits some of us find off-putting. The notorious Beam "funk" comes to mind. Even so, millions of bourbon drinkers evidently don't object--if they even notice. BT "grass." Good thing or defect? Like bourbon with a hint of Fonzie's leather jacket in it? Bananas? Coffee? Chocolate?

What are the common bourbon "bugs" that you are inclined to think of as features? (Or vice versa.)

[Clavius]

I pick up a distinct floral taste in EC12 that I simply cannot stand. So, I never purchase it.

[393foureyedfox]

I pick up a distinct floral taste in EC12 that I simply cannot stand. So, I never purchase it.

[Clavius]

What's strange is that I didn't get the floral stuff in the one bottle of ECBP that I got (way back when).

[Renegator]

also, I dont get 'vitamins' from Dickel, but I think I know what others mean when they say that. Even so, I seem to like that about it.

I get what I call a "horse stable" taste from Dickel. I'm guessing that is what people refer to as vitamins. I've never been good about putting flavors to words.

[zeeck]

I tried Bulleit Rye a few weeks ago and it had a distinct Souther Comfort flavor to it (whatever flavor that is). Just couldn't get past noticing it with every sip.

[smokinjoe]

I get what I call a "horse stable" taste from Dickel. I'm guessing that is what people refer to as vitamins. I've never been good about putting flavors to words.

I find that a lot, John. In that, many people will detect the same "bug" thing, but have a different descriptor for it. Like your example of vitamins v. horse stable. Two very different "things", But I suspect that in the end, everyone is noticing the same "thing"...whatever that "thing", is.

[Paddy]

I find that a lot, John. In that, many people will detect the same "bug" thing, but have a different descriptor for it. Like your example of vitamins v. horse stable. Two very different "things", But I suspect that in the end, everyone is noticing the same "thing"...whatever that "thing", is.

The best descriptor I have for Dickel is "corn flakes".

[393foureyedfox]

im gonna go have a pour of Dickel 9 now....just for science...ya know

[Josh]

also, I dont get 'vitamins' from Dickel, but I think I know what others mean when they say that. Even so, I seem to like that about it.

I like the vitamins in Dickel 8. I also loved the banana flavors in pre-Sazerac VOB even though many didn't.

[393foureyedfox]

I've never picked up on 'bananas' in anything whiskey

[Clavius]

I've never picked up on 'bananas' in anything whiskey

Not even in regular ol' Beam?

[393foureyedfox]

Not even in regular ol' Beam?

nope.

I just plain dont care for sub 100 proof Beam, but I never thought "bananas!" when I've had it. And I've had my share of KC/KCSB/Booker's and never thought that either.

[smokinjoe]

I find that banana note to be very prevalent in Jack Daniel's. I'm neutral on whether that characteristic is "good", or "bad". I certainly don't mind it. Actually, I appreciate that it's a "house style" that I can recognize. Much in the same way I appreciate the cantaloupe rind (copper penny to others) characteristic of Woodford.

[sutton]

Crusty brownies topped with orange marmalade in OGD114 ...

[Richnimrod]

I too, find 'over-ripe bananas', char, and sweet vanilla in JD black. I like it OK, just not so much as they seem to according to the price they ask. Rather take home an EW black. I note some fruitiness in a few others... some HH products seem to give a wee hint of apricots to me.

I did a SBSBS this afternoon with three 101's; Old Ezra, Wild Turkey, and Charter.

All were drinkable (I found the charter the best by far on the nose, and by a bit on the palate); but, the Old Ezra 101 had a kind of 'damp hay' note in the nose, and the palate, that I found just a bit off-putting. Different strokes, eh?

[Flyfish]

Crusty brownies topped with orange marmalade in OGD114 ...

But is that a bug or a feature? My brother-in-law hates marmalade. (Judging by his girth, though, he loves brownies.)

[T Comp]

Speaking of bugs, specifically the fruit fly variety, here is a neat article on the aromatics yeast produce and why. Make sure to read to the end about the scientist making a beer mash from the ground up flies. http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/the-science-of-why-beer-is-so-delicious-17297163?click=pp

[393foureyedfox]

I did a SBSBS this afternoon with three 101's; Old Ezra, Wild Turkey, and Charter.

all are good, yet different, examples of quality $20 bottles

[Vadertime]

Grass in the Maker's finish- yuck! I do love the bottle and the brand has some kind of appeal that can sometimes overcome my dislike of the grass.

Bananas in JD- guilty as charged. Don't see myself picking up any more JD or its older cousins (although the Silver Select/Single Barrel is pretty good, but not $60 good) anytime soon.

Funk in JD Family- also guilty as charged, but I find it to be tolerable in the Kirkland 7YO small batch. Just think of it as Cherry Coke concentrate and you'll be ok...

[compliance]

I don't like bananas, eucalyptus, or mint in my bourbon. Woody I generally like even after others are turned off by it.

[sutton]

But is that a bug or a feature? My brother-in-law hates marmalade. (Judging by his girth, though, he loves brownies.)

Feature! ....:grin:

[Guest]

I dont get floral at all from EC12, i get sweet woodiness. I do, however, get floral tastes from 4R, so I never purchase that.

different tastes make this place interesting.

also, I dont get 'vitamins' from Dickel, but I think I know what others mean when they say that. Even so, I seem to like that about it.

Personally the 'vitamin' character is mainly prevelent on the nose, its that dusty, nutty, sterile, funky smell (almost like something from a first aid kit, maybe a bandage or tape?) Remeniscent of a newly opened bottle of non flavoured vitamins

In a good way

[callmeox]

Personally the 'vitamin' character is mainly prevelent on the nose, its that dusty, nutty, sterile, funky smell (almost like something from a first aid kit, maybe a bandage or tape?) Remeniscent of a newly opened bottle of non flavoured vitamins

In a good way

I get full on Flintstone chewable vitamins on the palate for the bottle of Dickel in my cabinet. I am certain that I would find the same even in a blind tasting.

[jvd99]

I really do not like Woodford Reserve or OFBB. To me, they all have an off-putting bitterness that I just can't get past. I've tried various iterations in the past, but now I just avoid all of their products. There's too much out there for this dislike to even be a blip on the radar so I don't feel I'm missing out on too much