Best Bourbon you tried this year - 2014

[bin31z]

It is nearing the end of the year, what is best bourbon that you tasted in 2014? How about we break it out into 3 categories: best reasonably priced, best rare/collectible, best "legendary", ie dusty, unavailable etc. Here's mine:

1. Best reasonably priced - Wild Turkey Rare Breed batch WTR-03

2. Best rare/collectible - Four Roses 2013 Limited Single Barrel

3. Best "legendary" - Didn't really try one

W12 or W12/OWA blend is prolly a close second for the reasonably priced. HHSS #2 is close second for the rare/collectible.

[GaryT]

I think for me the HHSS #2 might take all three categories. Same or less than BTAC makes it more than reasonable, and easily hits 2 and 3 for me.

Aside from that, my next choices would be:

1. ECBP (even with a small price bump, a steal IMHO)

2. GBS FRSB OBSK (guys and gals did good on this one!)

3. OCPR "slope shoulder" my Dad and I found in May; great bourbon!

[Kyjd75]

I think for me the HHSS #2 might take all three categories. Same or less than BTAC makes it more than reasonable, and easily hits 2 and 3 for me.

Agreed that HHSS #2 might be the deal of the decade, but for the sake of the original question:

1. OFBB 2013

2. William Heavenhill 11 yr from Heritage Center GS

3. PVW 15

[Auracom]

1. PHC2

2. FR SibLE 2013

3. GTS 2014

[squire]

I plead the fifth.

[tanstaafl2]

I plead the fifth.

I find it more useful to drink the fifth!

Count me in on the HHSS#2 for the first two. The legendary bourbon this year was HHSS#1!

[zillah]

Of this year's releases, William Larue Weller this year was phenomenal. Best bourbon I ever had.

HHSS#2 deserves a mention as next in line.

Elmer T Lee Commemorative was my favorite to drink. Will definitely be on the look out to build a bunker up for this one as I can just plow through bottles of this. Not surprising for ETL.

If I had to choose a legendary bottling, it would have to be the Bowman Brothers 18-year old TPS Hazmat. One of the best bourbon's I ever tried, recently bested by WLW2014.

Honorable mention goes to any of the Four Roses Barrel Proof Single Barrel's out there. Haven't had a bad one yet; some were top contenders as the best of the year. The SmBLE2014 was not too shabby either.

[BonVivant84]

going to go with

1. Best reasonably priced - Four Roses Single Barrel

2. Best rare/collectible - Booker's 25th

3. Best "legendary" - Vintage 21 (and while not a bourbon, the best thing I tasted overall this year was Rittenhouse 25)

[amg]

I plead the fifth.

It was Kentucky Owl, wasn't it?

[Paddy]

It was Kentucky Owl, wasn't it?

1. 4RSB. Complex, consistent, with a reasonable price and is always available on a shelf near you.

2. Tie between HHSS #2 and any of the BP 4R OBSQ's that Jimmy allowed to be bottled.

3. My dusty choice has to be from the decanter I procured earlier this year...'84 ER 101.

[kcgumbohead]

It is nearing the end of the year, what is best bourbon that you tasted in 2014? How about we break it out into 3 categories: best reasonably priced, best rare/collectible, best "legendary", ie dusty, unavailable etc. Here's mine:

1. Best reasonably priced - Wild Turkey Rare Breed batch WTR-03

2. Best rare/collectible - Four Roses 2013 Limited Single Barrel

3. Best "legendary" - Didn't really try one

W12 or W12/OWA blend is prolly a close second for the reasonably priced. HHSS #2 is close second for the rare/collectible.

Heres mine for 2014

1. 4RSB

2. GBS 4RSB

3. toss up between an early 80s WT101 and a UD OGD114

[bin31z]

Looks like Hhss getting a lot of love. I might have ranked it higher except I have 2 bottles waiting for me any time I want. I ran out of the frle 2013 so I guess maybe absence makes the heart grow fonder.

[TunnelTiger]

Here's mine for 2014

1. ECBP

2. Barterhouse

3. none

[amg]

Here's mine for 2014

1. ECBP

2. Barterhouse

3. none

It's funny, around here Barterhouse is readily available and ECBP is rare/collectable...

[Tony Santana]

Yeah, I'm not exactly sure which bottles fit into what categories, but this year I gained a new appreciation for EWSB and I think that certainly fits into the bargain pour slot. I mean, I'd take ETL over it, and I can usually still find that, but regardless. Moving up the ladder, it's hard to separate the reality from the hype sometimes with the VW line, but I tried the Pappy 20 for the first time and find it to be a truly stellar bourbon, a definite step above the 15, which often gets more love around here. The GTS is right in there fighting for honors, as is the PHC-Wheated, which is fabulous with just a little water. And the HHSS #2 is so good and unique, it's really hard to choose. Lump those 4 together, close your eyes and pick a bottle and I'll be happy with it - top honors on any given day could go to whatever strikes my fancy.

Does the PHC 27 year fit in the last category? If so, mark me down for that one. Wish I had a bottle of my own.

[RepTucker]

1. ER10. I just like it. I have not had the newest batch. My cases are from 4 and 5 years ago.

2. PHC8. Its just great stuff. Only found 2.

3. BMH 16 or WLW2013 my buddy had... Both were great too bad i have never owned a bottle of eiter.

[garbanzobean]

1.) Tie between FRSB and Henry McKenna 10

2.) Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch 2013. Pretty sure this is the best bourbon I've ever tasted.

3.) N/A

[bin31z]

Yea, I can't believe I did not stock up on the FRLE 2013 Single Barrel, I passed on at least 10+ bottles.

[Hop]

1. RHF

2. H. McKenna SB 10yr

3. Old Ezra 101

Was a toss up for which went into the first position. I've had more expensive bourbons but can't say they were markedly better than these.

[Tony]

Best Reasonably Priced- Has to be FRSB from the Bardstown KY Kroger with my Kroger card, case at a time.

Best rare/collectible - FRSmB 2013 - just a great whiskey

Best "Legendary"- Let us have a trifecta and to with the FRSB 17yo from the opening of the gift shop a couple of years ago (There is a reason to be at the Gazebo) Thanks Again.

Best regards, Tony

[flahute]

1: Reasonably priced - going to go with KCSB. If that's considered to be too expensive, I'd audible and go with WTRB.

2: Rare/Collectible - like others, 4RSmB 125th from '13. PVW15 is a close 2nd. I know it's overhyped and not as good as before, etc. I just like it.

3: Legendary - ER101 or that Willett 18yr Bonili pick that was pretty amazing.

[DBM]

Reasonably priced - ECBP (not cheap, but great value)

Rare/collectible - WLW 2013 (HHSS#2 honorable mention)

Legendary - Did not try any.

[Cards fan]

1. ECBP.

2. Bookers 25th.

3. ER 10 year 101 proof. One of the best I've ever had.

[The Black Tot]

Reasonably priced - ETL

Rare/collectible - Paper label OWA

Legendary - Didn't have any.

[Old Dusty]

1. Reasonably Priced: ECBP or OWA store pick SB.

2: Rare: 2014 WLW

3: Legendary: Doug Phillips' WFE rye. (This wins for me in this category any year:cool:)