HW Bourye is back! Sort of...

[squire]

I will see that picture in my dreams.

[HighInTheMtns]

http://i.imgur.com/MUzOzJu.jpg

If memory serves me correctly that's a picture of 2 tanks they have filled with 16 year rye. If I remember correctly they purchased roughly $250,000 (in ~2005 rye whiskey cost) worth of the 16 year when they started and expect it to last long enough for their blends until their own distillate is ready.

High West has stated they have no intention of ceasing their rectifier business (which, I suspect, does more volume than even the new distillery will be capable of making.) They've been selling whiskey WAY faster than they've been making it so far.

I'm curious how much 16 year Barton is left - note the absence from the new Bourye of the "barely legal" rye that they used the first round, but that the 80% rye is part of the mix, so hopefully there's still plenty of that.

[tanstaafl2]

http://i.imgur.com/MUzOzJu.jpg

If memory serves me correctly that's a picture of 2 tanks they have filled with 16 year rye. If I remember correctly they purchased roughly $250,000 (in ~2005 rye whiskey cost) worth of the 16 year when they started and expect it to last long enough for their blends until their own distillate is ready.

Considering how much HW is around that doesn't seem like very much unless they are able to get it periodically refilled.

[ChainWhip]

This is coming from off the cuff memory from our July 2014 barrel pick @ HW so there may be a few fuzzy details here:

The general idea is to distill whiskey from traditional Utah frontier ingredients and recipes is what we were told so that will result in single malt, rye, oat whiskey, bourbon, and maybe even wheat whiskey (supposedly historians found a Utah recipe for a wheat whiskey).

As usual, trust your own taste buds but for my palate, HW & Perkins have a great track record for blending so in spite of the negative connotations associated with being a "Rectifier", they've consistently put out quality product (not to mention they've been up front with their sources).

The plans they showed us for the distillery being constructed (if memory serves, they've purchased 3-4 large stills) would seem to indicate a major commitment to distilling their own whisky - and they're building the distillery part first.

Son of Bourye was not as good as the original Bourye for me but I hope they'll recreate some of the magic of the original in the new release. As Jim stated, HW12 rye was phenomenal and that was LDI - I'd say keep your mind open and just trust your palate.

[nd2005]

Considering how much HW is around that doesn't seem like very much unless they are able to get it periodically refilled.

[Dave43]

If you add a drop of the 16 year to each bottle of rendezvous rye...that's technically a blend, right?

It would be interesting to see the results of an older rendezvous sbs with a newer one.

[tanstaafl2]

If you add a drop of the 16 year to each bottle of rendezvous rye...that's technically a blend, right?

True enough but it doesn't seem like that is what they have been doing. But no way to know for sure if the percentage of each has been more or less constant.

[TunnelTiger]

The more advanced in age that I've become I prefer consistency to change. I guess that is why for the most part I stick with the big boys.

[MTNBourbon]

Not really a fan of High West, very overpriced. I really enjoyed the Rocky Mountain Rye - 21 Year Old (92 Proof), but a 330ml bottle I believe and paid $80, I would had hoped for a 750ml at least, very tasty though. The Double Rye is pretty nice, but again for the price, no. The Son Of Bourye nice, but for the price, no.

[tanstaafl2]

I am really a fan of High West, very well priced. I really enjoyed the Rocky Mountain Rye - 21 Year Old (92 Proof), and a 750 ml bottle for about $120, just remarkable for a Barton rye aged in used barrels that we may ever never see again. The Rendezvous Rye is very nice with a nice portion of 16yo 80% rye from Barton, but still at a remarkably good price at around $50, yes! Bourye extremely nice, putting WT Forgiven to shame, and now back again in a new recipe, yes!

[miller542]

I think it was reported on the HW website in the past to be:

10-year bourbon from Four Roses with an "E" mashbill that was 75% corn, 20% rye, and 5% malted barley. I am not sure of the yeast(s).

The 12-year rye was from (then) LDI and was the standard 95% rye, 5% malted barley.

The 16-year rye was from Barton Distillery and was 53% rye, 37% corn, and 10% malt.

The "new" Bourye is:

• 9-year-old straight bourbon mash bill: 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% barley malt

Source: MGP/LDI/Seagrams Indiana

Presumably similar to the previous Four Roses bourbon

• 10-year-old straight rye whiskey

95% rye, 5% barley malt

Source: MGP/LDI/Seagrams Indiana

• 16-year-old straight rye whiskey

95% rye, 5% barley malt

Source: MGP/LDI/Seagrams Indiana

• 16-year-old straight rye whiskey

mash bill: 80% rye, 10% corn, 10% malt

Source: Barton Distillery, Bardstown KY

... the inevitable comparison to the older bottles!

These are the correct mashbills for both the original and the new release of Bourye.

I did an inevitable comparison with the last 2oz I had of the original release.

Original release Bourye, Batch No 6, Bottle 1234, 46%abv, $45 IIRC 750mL

New release Bourye, Batch No 1446, 46%abv, $80+tax 750mL

Without going into tasting notes on each, I'll just say I like the new release better. The original release had a very alchohol-forward taste from start to finish. The sweet/corn/rye/wood flavors are there and are good, but thin. In the new release, the alcohol is not nearly as noticable and has a much fuller flavor. I get more of what I like in terms of flavors and is more enjoyable to drink overall.

Is the new release worth $80+? Not for me. It is good and something to try once, probably in a 375mL, but I won't be buying this again. I'm not a huge fan of ryes, so I'll take my bourbon straight. Considering ECBP and a EC12 can be bought together for just under $80 and combined to make 1.5L of an amazing drink, the value for Bourye is just not there.

Keep in mind my bottle of the original release has been nursed slowly over a few years so I don't know if time has deterioriated the quality of what was left in the bottle. This may or may not have been the best sample to use in a side-by-side, but it was the only sample available to me.

Edited March 12, 2015 by miller542

[gusto16]

Got a few of these things waiting to be picked up soon.

[Tony Santana]

I was a big fan of the original, and still have a bottle stashed. Haven't seen the new one on the shelves around here yet, but would like to do a side by side, both freshly opened, if I get the chance.

[tanstaafl2]

I was a big fan of the original, and still have a bottle stashed. Haven't seen the new one on the shelves around here yet, but would like to do a side by side, both freshly opened, if I get the chance.

As would I. But so far none of the new Bourye in this market that I have seen.

[garbanzobean]

As would I. But so far none of the new Bourye in this market that I have seen.

It's all over Maryland. You should take a road trip. I guess I should pick a bottle of this up soon. I like all of the individual components, so I can't imagine hating the blend.

[ccleve23]

I had a taste of this last weekend in DC. It was good but I am not sure it is worth $80.

[EvergladeSlim]

I had a taste of this last weekend in DC. It was good but I am not sure it is worth $80.

I've passed it up a number of times in MD. I saw it real cheap two weeks ago - I think it was under $60. PM me if you want to know where.

[tanstaafl2]

I had a taste of this last weekend in DC. It was good but I am not sure it is worth $80.

I hear you! Few are but those chronic whiskey nervosa symptoms sometimes requires a dose of expensive "medication"! :cool:

[TXNewDude]

Looks like it's hitting Dallas, TX again. Picked one up for $80 today.

[johnnybogey]

Hit NY as well for around 70-85. Probably more expensive in NYC.

One place I shop has it in stock and I can use a 10% off coupon. Would end up being under $70. May have to pick up another.

[Enoch]

Picked up a bottle of this last night. It is an excellent pour but not sure it is worth the $80. Son of B is just about as good and half the price.

[gusto16]

I was able to get mine on sale in Maryland at $62.66 each in late March.

After finishing one of the bottles last night with some friends, I must admit it was well worth it to me.

[BonVivant84]

Hit NY as well for around 70-85. Probably more expensive in NYC.

One place I shop has it in stock and I can use a 10% off coupon. Would end up being under $70. May have to pick up another.