Bottles You Regret Buying?

[Chris m]

Border Bourbon.

it's from Wisconsin/Minnesota (get it--border??) so I wanted to give them my money and, you know, support my home state. But it is absolutely terrible. Last time I had it I felt ill.

And I think I paid $45. The horror.

[CorvallisCracker]

Never bought anything I so regretted that I beat myself up over it...but then, I tend to not do that anyway (that's my wife's job).

But there's been a few that I'd wished I could have tried in a bar instead, or which had been available in a 200 or 375ml. For example, a made-in-Oregon bourbon, Stein, first released late 2011 as a 2yo. There are few good 2yo bourbons and this was no exception. Cost was $40. But I had to try it because I want to be knowledgeable about what's produced in the state (the 5yo version will be released in March; hopefully it'll be much better).

Then there's the bought-a-bunch-because-I-thought-it-was-going-away. Back when it looked like WT 101 Rye was going to disappear forever, I went out and bought six bottles. Three are still unopened, and now it's readily available (at least around here) in the liter size, so I spent a wad I didn't need to spend.

[GrPeMi]

For example, a made-in-Oregon bourbon, Stein, first released late 2011 as a 2yo. ... (the 5yo version will be released in March; hopefully it'll be much better).

I stumbled across that label while I was looking for something else in the TTB database. I, too, am interested in trying a true Oregon bourbon that's reasonably mature. Wasn't the 2 yr. just 80 proof, though?

[CorvallisCracker]

I stumbled across that label while I was looking for something else in the TTB database. I, too, am interested in trying a true Oregon bourbon that's reasonably mature. Wasn't the 2 yr. just 80 proof, though?

Yes, and unfortunately, so will the 5yo. Mashbill on both is 75% corn and 25% unmalted barley (starch-to-sugar conversion being done by enzymes).

Two other actually-distilled-in-Oregon bourbons are:

C. W. Irwin which is 3yo and unfortunately also 80 proof. I had some of the initial release, in 2012. It was only 2yo and was aged in 30gal barrels (current release is 53 gal barrels). I thought it a little resiny at opening, but that dissipated after a couple of days. Compared to the equal aged Stein, I felt it had an edge. I sampled the 3yo at the distillery back in late October and liked it. It's a four-grain bourbon, 58% corn, 8% rye, 17% wheat and 17% malted barley, and goes for $32.95 here in OR.

Henry DuYore's from Ransom is one I've been meaning to try. It's 4yo, 91.3 proof, with a mashbill of 56% corn, 31% rye, 13% barley (malt status unknown). OR price is $35.15.

[tanstaafl2]

Henry DuYore is a bit of an odd duck. But I kind of like it for its somewhat unique character. I have no idea about whether the barley is malted or not but they don't hide the fact that in addition to a relatively high rye content it is aged in part in French oak which is presumably new and charred since it is labeled as straight bourbon. The spec sheet makes a big deal out of the relatively high barley content, something I recall Willet is supposed to be doing as well with their bourbon mashbill.

Henry DuYore's from Ransom is one I've been meaning to try. It's 4yo, 91.3 proof, with a mashbill of 56% corn, 31% rye, 13% barley (malt status unknown). OR price is $35.15.

[CorvallisCracker]

Henry DuYore is a bit of an odd duck.

[tanstaafl2]

Owner/distiller Tad Seestedt is a bit of an odd duck himself, so...

[smknjoe]

My third bottle of Weller 12. Still don't like it.

[GaryT]

My third bottle of Weller 12. Still don't like it.

[mbroo5880i]

I stumbled across that label while I was looking for something else in the TTB database. I, too, am interested in trying a true Oregon bourbon that's reasonably mature. Wasn't the 2 yr. just 80 proof, though?

[Eggman]

Howdy,

Jim Beam devil's cut.

[chooch714]

My third bottle of Weller 12. Still don't like it.

If you were closer, I would gladly relieve you of that vile elixir!

[TunnelTiger]

Howdy,

Jim Beam devil's cut.

Does anyone ever buy a second bottle of this?

[Paul W]

Does anyone ever buy a second bottle of this?

I used some of mine in BBQ sauce this weekend. It worked fine for that purpose. But no I can't imagine ever buying another. I find that the bitter taste cuts through even in a cocktail format.

[Tony Santana]

Does anyone ever buy a second bottle of this?

Bought a bottle relatively early in my bourbon journey. Didn't think it was too bad at the time, but my bourbon knowledge was fairly limited. Even so, in my inventory spread sheet it went under the category "Bought it/Tried it/No Need to Buy it Again". But honestly, I don't really REGRET buying it.

[EvergladeSlim]

PHC8, both bottles! I would like it for $50. For $100 I feel like an idiot.

[leo_mm]

In my recent memory I think there's two.

High end: FRSB LE 2012. I meant to buy a 2011 to go with my 2012 but got confused and bought another 2012, so now I have two. There is a mitigating benefit, in that having two will make it easier to open one. But it was a lot of money to spend on the wrong bottle, and I felt pretty dumb.

Everyday: Ancient Age 10 Year. I grabbed a bottle of this because I understood it to be hard to find and made from the same mashbill as Blanton's. However, I really don't enjoy it neat, it strikes me as both thin and dry. Not a big deal though given the price, and it is perfectly serviceable in cocktails.

[Robbie BTAC]

I love to find the ph8 for a $100

[garbanzobean]

PHC8, both bottles! I would like it for $50. For $100 I feel like an idiot.

Yeah, I liked it when I tried it, but not enough to buy it. I'd probably have been a buyer at $50, though it turns out I prefer regular Bernheim.

[Levoosh]

Blanton's Special Reserve. Was rushing when I bought it and didn't notice the 80 proof until opening. Tried it again last night, too sweet, thin with no punch

[Mr. Bourbon]

I've drank at least 3 bottles of Devils Cut, for the price of $34.00 here it's a total ripoff.

I've had the regular 6 year JB before and the Devils Cut is a step up with more heat and wood.

it's OK...lots of other BETTER products available.

[swhitworth77]

For me it was Larceny. I didn't enjoy it .

[Pug]

Had I paid for Border Bourbon, I'd regret it. I had a groupon for a tour and tasting at 45th Parallel and it included $25 to use at their shop. My plan going in was to buy the bourbon, but after tasting it (and everything else), it wouldn't have been worth it at $20, let alone full price. (I did pick up a bottle of orangecello instead, which was nice, and is hanging out in my freezer).

[Chris m]

Had I paid for Border Bourbon, I'd regret it. I had a groupon for a tour and tasting at 45th Parallel and it included $25 to use at their shop. My plan going in was to buy the bourbon, but after tasting it (and everything else), it wouldn't have been worth it at $20, let alone full price. (I did pick up a bottle of orangecello instead, which was nice, and is hanging out in my freezer).

You're a lucky man. My WI pride got the best of me. Was the tour at least decent?

[Harry in WashDC]

For me it was Larceny. I didn't enjoy it .

Yeah, I have to be in the mood. That said, on hot Summer days when I'm bored with rum drinks, need a switch from vodka+fruit juice, and have had enough gin and whatevers, Larceny (or any of the wheateds, particularly OWA because of its higher proof), are wonderful with a small ice cube and NOTHING else.