Orphan Barrel Rhetoric For $100??

[TXNewDude]

Hey all, my pal from another city saw 3 bottles of Rhetoric on the shelf at his local liquor store. I've done a web search and most say it isn't worth the premium. I've done the search here and it seems many folks like it, although it seems Forged Oak is preferred.

Question is, for those who have tried it, do you think it's worth $100? I know that's higher than many have paid for it and maybe that's why it's still on the shelf.

Keep in mind, I like new experiences and will pay for it, within reason. I just want to know if it's unique enough for that price tag. Thanks!

Oh, and Angel's Envy Rye is on the shelves again - saw it at 3 different places (haha off topic)

[petrel800]

There is a ton of stuff in the premium section on the Orphan Barrels. It's a mixed bag in terms of opinions anyway, so at best the only consensus you'll get is there is no consensus on them. Unless you know if our palates are similar no one can tell you in any certainty if it's worth it.

For the record, I think MSRP on Rhetoric was 89.99, so the price isn't horrible if I'm recalling that correctly.

Edited March 10, 2015 by petrel800

[TXNewDude]

I guess that's the feeling I got. No one else need reply haha. Thanks.

[The Black Tot]

Yes, but Rhetoric is scheduled to be released every year, each year with a corresponding additional year of aging on it.

So if you're worried about missing the 20, the 21 comes out this year. I think the 20 is a good and unique bourbon. I thought it was boring at first, but it's actually quite subtle and balanced.

It's certainly not a fire-breathing character bomb.

What's that worth? I don't know. I got mine for 90. I'll probably buy a 21 if it's still 90. Might get off the train if it's 100+

[old_timer]

By chance was your buddy shopping around 75 and uptown? Seems as though I remember seeing the same 3 bottles of Rhetoric and Envy Rye recently. Both are good pours that don't justify the cost unfortunately. The Forged Oak is a great bottle on the other hand.

[TXNewDude]

By chance was your buddy shopping around 75 and uptown? Seems as though I remember seeing the same 3 bottles of Rhetoric and Envy Rye recently. Both are good pours that don't justify the cost unfortunately. The Forged Oak is a great bottle on the other hand.

Yes that's the place; apparently prices there are a bit higher for many items.

Agreed about the Envy Rye...purchased it there at a higher price before seeing it cheaper at 2 other places. Its not bad, but goodness not worth normal msrp

[whiskey buyer]

Rhetoric 22 is on the market now. the Minimum shelf price in Michigan is 100.00 dollars, well ok 99.99. We have four bottles on the shelf.

[Richnimrod]

Just for me personally... I have found the 'Orphans' to be over-hyped and over priced.   Now, that said; I've not had all of 'em.    But the three I've had all were worth (IMHO) about half the cheddar being asked.    Again... Just one man's opinion.

[GaryT]

The 20 yr was the first Orphan Barrel I bought, and I had these thoughts of buying each one so I could taste the progression.  In fact, I filled a 200 mL bottle from that first edition so I'd have enough on-hand for the comparisons in the future.  Then I tried it, and underwhelmed.  Then I had a chance to try the 21, and was even more underwhelmed.  I think I'm going to hold onto that bottle so if I have a chance to try some of the later editions, I can still do a comparison. Maybe that will make the 20 yr look better than it did when I first opened it :/ 

[B.B. Babington]

I think the orphans are bargains compared to most of what's out there.  People pass on a 22 yo and opt for a woodford white corn?  What's with that?  I love the orphan flavors!  I'd take an Old Blowhard over 2 Pappy 20's.

[flahute]

5 hours ago, B.B. Babington said:

I think the orphans are bargains compared to most of what's out there.  People pass on a 22 yo and opt for a woodford white corn?  What's with that?  I love the orphan flavors!  I'd take an Old Blowhard over 2 Pappy 20's.

How many PM's have you received offering you an Old Blowhard for two PVW20's?

[meadeweber]

11 hours ago, flahute said:

How many PM's have you received offering you an Old Blowhard for two PVW20's?

 

Yes.  I'm still waiting for my reply from him.

[DonutsNBourbon]

lol, I was just wondering where I can find some old blowhard to trade him

[GaryT]

I'm a pass on the Woodford White Corn too   And for my money, I wasn't a big fan of PVW 20, but I found that a lot more enjoyable than Rhetoric 20.  The Forged Oak 15yr really hits me right, but the Rhetoric to me was an over-oaked mess that didn't improve with age.  Obviously everyone's taste differ.  

[B.B. Babington]

5 hours ago, GaryT said:

...but the Rhetoric to me was an over-oaked mess that didn't improve with age.  Obviously everyone's taste differ.  

Blowhard got a lot of negative reviews because of oak.  I like heavy oak, so rhetoric and Blowhard work well for me.  Blowhard definitely delivers serious wood, as well as lots of maturity and complexity.  It's unique.  Yea, Pappy is great, but it's similar to lots of other sips whereas Blowhard is in a class by itself.  And Pappy will be easier to replace in coming years.  Surprisingly, no PM's.  I'd be a little stingy with my sealed Pappy 20's since they are all 100% SW, now if any were current release, yea, I'd roll them out on the trading block in a heartbeat.  The bunker is full of Weller and Pappy of various descriptions, but I only have one Blowhard on hand.