Is Good Tasting White Dog a Contradiction of Terms?

[El Vino]

A recent thread brought out a stream of negative tasting experiences with JD Unaged Rye. I have had bottled white dog from JD, Beam, BT and High West. I did not like a one of them, and can't imagine ever reaching for one. Is there such a thing as good tasting white dog? Or is it merely a product of curiosity?

[Flyfish]

It seems to me that a high percentage of what we love about bourbon is attributable to the barrel. (How appealing does whiskey aged in stainless steel for 6-12 years sound to you?) Subtract the barrel and its resting place in the rack house and what are you left with? Check the price of white dog compared to any bottom shelf bourbon. What in the world could possibly justify the price of white dog other than curiosity? I'd rather drink vodka.

[El Vino]

I read a note some time ago from Dave Driscoll at K&L regarding the white dog at Kilchomen to the effect that it was the best he had ever tasted. Reflecting on that, he didn't say it tasted good, just that it was the best juice off a still he had ever tasted. It begs the question: Can it taste good? I'm with youFF, I'd rather have vodka.

[squire]

Yeah, same category as good tasting vodka.

[Gillman]

In the affirmative, if you mean for present drinking purposes only.

Gary

[El Vino]

Or, rather. bad tasting vodka.

[squire]

A comparative Vodka tasting can be quite illuminating, there are noticeable differences but only when comparing vodka to vodka. A lot of people like it though, a phenomenon the late Michael Jackson called, "fear of flavor".

[Zeke]

Howdy!

When tasted at the same time as the aged whisky, it can be helpful in identifying what flavors come from where. But on its own, I put them in cocktails and then they can be mighty tasty.

[393foureyedfox]

i still have a BT white dog that was gifted to me in May sitting unopened. I havent a clue what to do with it, as I surely have no interest in drinking it

[squire]

I havent a clue what to do with it, as I surely have no interest in drinking it

I would, certainly, just use it as a mixer in place of vodka or rum.

Edited December 6, 2014 by squire

[B.B. Babington]

i still have a BT white dog that was gifted to me in May sitting unopened. I havent a clue what to do with it, as I surely have no interest in drinking it

try it once side by side another BT to see he change barrel makes,

I like white dogs. They're not just educational, but can be tasty in their own right. I've got some Catoctin Creek white that is exceptional. And get outside whiskey world, find interesting things like tequila, brandy, rum.

[risenc]

Gotta say, the Buffalo Trace White Dog is pretty decent, for what it is. Babington's right, too -- it's fun to taste alongside one of their whiskeys. But even alone, it's a pretty interesting taste. And not at all like vodka -- it has a lot of grainy, fresh flavor. I'm not saying the category is worth its salt, or that I'd drink much of any of it, but if you had to pick your poison, this would be it.

try it once side by side another BT to see he change barrel makes,

I like white dogs. They're not just educational, but can be tasty in their own right. I've got some Catoctin Creek white that is exceptional. And get outside whiskey world, find interesting things like tequila, brandy, rum.

[ramblinman]

Worth tasting for an educational sip, but I don't think I'd ever want more than one.

Like most here, the white dog sales and pricing phenomenon confuses me.

[squire]

if you had to pick your poison, this would be it.

If I had said that it would be an unintended Freudian slip. Actually I like the fact these unaged spirits are being made available, for comparison purposes if for no other reason. No, they're not vodka (though they will substitute) and I suspect they're closer kin to early Scottish malt whisky or Irish Potcheen. Not worth the price charged though, they must be cheaper to produce than their aged brethren so the price should be adjusted accordingly.

[jonnyd]

Yep, I say good for the comparison to the aged counterpart and some of them are interesting in their own right. However, the prices make it even more of a one time purchase than the fact that they are not regular sippers.

[VT Mike]

In my opinion white dog is only good for educational / comparative purposes. It really should be a standard part of most distllery tours. I was pretty impressed with the Wild Turkey white dog that I sampled at a tasting a few years ago. As for retail, I think it's silly to buy more than 50 ml of the stuff.

[jeffmcg]

I've mixed it with cheap bourbon (Early Times) and that made two pretty bad things when taken separately halfway decent when mixed together.

[jaycamm]

I use white dog to do aging experiments. I think the HH Trybox series is the best value. High Proof, 750ml & priced reasonably.

[tanstaafl2]

i still have a BT white dog that was gifted to me in May sitting unopened. I havent a clue what to do with it, as I surely have no interest in drinking it

Edited December 8, 2014 by tanstaafl2

[TunnelTiger]

I'll leave white dogs (past, present & future) on the shelves for others. If I want something different than bourbon in my bloody marys I'll buy a bottle of yellow corn.

[P&MLiquorsEric]

Use them in place of vodka and rum. We have a small 2L barrel of the BT wheated mash aging. It's about 9 months in and still rough around the edges.

[El Vino]

I'll leave white dogs (past, present & future) on the shelves for others. If I want something different than bourbon in my bloody marys I'll buy a bottle of yellow corn.

This summer, a friend introduced me to he Bloody Maria. Substitute tequila for vodka. Really quite good.

[Gillman]

I'll tell you what white dog works wonders in. A very sweet cinnamon whisky. I'd use Fireball although Fire Eater may work too if sweet enough, and there may be others. You want the result still to be fairly sweet, so I'd do 60% Fireball, 20% white dog, 20% any bourbon. The white dog adds an indefinable quality that doesn't taste at all like white dog, somehow the cinnamon alters the taste. You can't taste the bourbon either really, but it adds depth and quality. You may have to play a bit with the percentages. Cinnamon is an amazing catalyst for this purpose.

Gary

[White Dog]

I can't speak for the others, but I taste fantastic.

[TheEgg]

I can't speak for the others, but I taste fantastic.

Braggart!

And WAY TMI