Which Would You Choose -- JPS 30, Michter's 20, or Charbay Release III?

[Underhilltab]

Which one of these would you pick (and why) if you had the choice to receive one as a gift? I know they are all quite different and one is not even a bourbon. Also, I say as a gift because I realize that all have very high price tags and many people would probably rather spend the $$ (or have the $$ spent) on 10 or 15 much cheaper bottles.

Anyway, assuming you were choosing among these three, what are your thoughts? Note: If this post should be in the "premium" section, please move.

[jvd99]

I've never had Charbay nor have I heard too much about it, so I'd rule that one out

I'd also rule out the JPS 30, again never tried it, but at 30 years, I would think it would be way too oaky and and more of an expensive novelty

That leaves me with the Michter's 20, a unicorn around me, and something I would love to own, drink or be gifted. I have tried a couple of the 10 year bottlings and they were above average. I doubt that the 20 is worth the money though. So if you are determined to give a gift from this list, I would roll with the Michters. That being said, you might consider 2 or 3 different bottles that add up to the price of the Michters 20.

[garbanzobean]

Between those three, definitely the Charbay III. It's unique, apparently excellent, and from a company I would feel good about supporting. Next would probably be the JPS30 since i have seen good reviews of it, and the novelty of a 30 year old bourbon is enough to pique my interest. I certainly wouldn't mind to be given a Michtrr's 20. And just because it just wouldn't be SB without a good derail, for me personally, I happen to know where to find a 1968/2011 Longmorn for the same price as the Michter's 20, so I would pick the 43 year old scotch over the two 20+ yr bourbons. Because old scotch, when well treated, is something I enjoy. Old bourbon I generally leave to folks who enjoy the profile more than I. Of course the complete opposite is true when talking young stuff. Give me a $25 or less young world class bourbon over young and probably terrible scotch any day of the week.

Edited January 4, 2015 by garbanzobean

[compliance]

Charbay and it's not close. It's like nothing else and that stuff is my crack.

[flahute]

Of the three, I've only tried the Charbay and it's magnificent stuff. I would choose that.

The JPS30 is likely to be over filtered to make it palatable. That was the case with the 21.

The Michter's 20 I don't know much about, but you can get 20ish yr old bourbons from JPS, the Orphan Barrels, and Elijah Craig.

The Charbay is completely unique. At its quality level, there's no alternative you could substitute (to my knowledge).

[nd2005]

I would probably choose to keep my money.

[flahute]

I would probably choose to keep my money.

The premise of the thread is to pick one to receive as a gift - you aren't spending your own money. Go ahead and pick one and have some fun!

[squire]

Anyone who knows me well enough to give me such a gift would understand me returning it to the store for credit.

[Harry in WashDC]

Anyone who knows me well enough to give me such a gift would understand me returning it to the store for credit.

If you got the Charbay, I'd buy a case of OGD and drive it down to you myself in trade. Maybe two cases. Handles. I mean handles. Of 114.:cool:

[flahute]

Anyone who knows me well enough to give me such a gift would understand me returning it to the store for credit.

Which is why they would pour the contents into an empty OGD bottle just to mess with ya.

[dcbt]

Anyone who knows me well enough to give me such a gift would understand me returning it to the store for credit.

This is a more elegant way of saying what I was thinking: I wouldn't want any of those. Or if I had to accept one, give me the most marketable one to trade for something i'd want.

[jvd99]

I defer to those who have tried Charbay. Never seen it around Chicago.

[tanstaafl2]

Based on the reviews I have seen I would want to try the Charbay. Indeed I would love to try all 3 releases, not that it is ever going to happen.

Beside I have one of the other two and have little interest in the other!

[393foureyedfox]

This is a more elegant way of saying what I was thinking: I wouldn't want any of those. Or if I had to accept one, give me the most marketable one to trade for something i'd want.

exactly my way of thinking

[tylermke]

Take the Michter's 20 and run!

[Paddy]

Take the Michter's 20 and run!

[ChainWhip]

At the risk of creating more competition for myself, Charbay III - like SKU said, he can replace just about everything else, but there is nothing like the Charbay out there.

[Underhilltab]

I noticed Charbay III the other day on the website of a store I've been into a few times. I spoke to the whiskey guy about it and he basically said it is just awesome. He said the only problem is that it is so good that it melts in his mouth and he wants to drink the whole bottle in one sitting ...but it is so expensive...and therein lies the problem. He actually has it for sale at the best price I've seen...but it's still pretty ridiculous. I heard that Charbay IV is going to be released in mid-2015. I don't know if it's really true, but I heard there may only be about 75 bottles or something like that.

I've never tried any of the whiskeys that are the subject of this thread. Part of me is curious, but the other part of me is remembering the words of wisdom I think Squire voiced the other day in another thread...something along the lines of confusing quality/good whiskey with scarcity/high price. I'm not sure to which, if any, of these that sentiment would apply.

[ChainWhip]

Charbay III is great whisky @ a high price (though lower than aftermarket BTAC or VW)

[T Comp]

I defer to those who have tried Charbay. Never seen it around Chicago.

This one made it. Poured by Marko himself and was outstanding. You'll know you drank it an hour later and that is a good thing. :grin:

[flahute]

I got to try the Charbay thanks to Johnny and I agree with his thoughts. Fantastic stuff that is unlike anything else you've probably tried. The only reason I don't have one yet is the price. Very tempted still though.

[altadoc]

I got to try the Charbay thanks to Johnny and I agree with his thoughts. Fantastic stuff that is unlike anything else you've probably tried. The only reason I don't have one yet is the price. Very tempted still though.

just opened a bottle of the release III this weekend. truly unbelievable bottle - unlike anything else out there on the market. and most importantly a fantastic whiskey

[Balcones Winston]

Charbay III by a long shot!

[Balcones Winston]

I have a bottle and it is exquisite. Easily in my top 5 favorite whiskies ever.

That being said, it's not for everyone. In my experience, it is a polarizing profile. But if you like hoppy beers there's a good chance you could enjoy it.

[ChainWhip]

^^Hops/420smoke/LycheeJuice