What Bourbon did you purchase today? / Spring 2015

[Paul W]

Elijah Craig 23 year for $250. tempted to pick it up.

I dunno man. That is a lot of money for one bottle. If I were you, before I spent all that money I would want to be very sure I liked bourbon that old, since not everyone does. Age does not equal better.

Have you tried any really old bourbon? Do you like EC12?

Just sayin that you might find a better use for your $250 either on one really nice bottle of something else (Four Roses limiteds come to mind) or on a whole load of less expensive bottles.

[flahute]

^^^^^^This. I have a bottle of EC21 I bought a couple years ago at the beginning of my obsession and before I knew the answer to the question. I opened it recently and the amount of wood on the palate makes it nigh undrinkable for me.

[The Black Tot]

One of my favorite whiskey discoveries was that I don't care for the limited Elijah Craigs. None of them are BAD to me, but none of them are worth paying high dollar for.

Which is very good for me, since they're going for ever higher and higher dollar. I now leave them on the shelves with a smile.

[johnnyflake45]

One of my favorite whiskey discoveries was that I don't care for the limited Elijah Craigs. None of them are BAD to me, but none of them are worth paying high dollar for.

Which is very good for me, since they're going for ever higher and higher dollar. I now leave them on the shelves with a smile.

[Hop]

Two old label EC12 while on sale for $23 and a bottle of RR

[cfelkey]

Got a Rock Hill Farms and EC12

[The Black Tot]

Alright then, but what did you purchase today?

Are you suggesting discussion isn't welcome?

[bearmark]

Balcones Blue Corn Bourbon

[Richnimrod]

Balcones Blue Corn Bourbon

Please review this one, and post your thoughts in the Tasting section, as soon as you're comfortable doing so.

I have been wishing to try it; but have yet to find a bottle. I assume my search will be stalled, or invigorated, based upon your impressions, bearmark.

Soooo, Thanx in advance! :grin:

[tanstaafl2]

I got off the leash a bit today and paid for it, literally and figuratively!

First I picked up another local store pick OBSQ that is still selling closer to the old prices ($55) just because.

Then I was able to get an ECBP Batch 8 (139.8pf) but along with that I broke down and bought the Hillrock "Solera" and a High Wire Revival bourbon finished in Madeira since the local crew at the store had tried both recently and liked them.

The Hillrock is a blend of small barrel young bourbon and probably MGP blended "Solera" style and finished in Oloroso Sherry. The Revival is young whiskey from Charleston, SC finished in Madeira. Oh,well, at least it appears they make it themselves.

We shall see...

[johnnyflake45]

Are you suggesting discussion isn't welcome?

Not at all my friend. I was interested in what you may have purchased. I am an old man, but new to the Whiskey/Bourbon/Rye thing and I read every post with great interest. I apologize if you felt that's what was intended!

[Paul W]

2 Ritt BiB (DSP 354)

[zeppo55]

Had a gift card and 20% off coupon so splurged on a bottle of Blade & Bow. Had a bottle each of ETL and RHF but put them back to try this. May have been a mistake.

[meadeweber]

Had a gift card and 20% off coupon so splurged on a bottle of Blade & Bow. Had a bottle each of ETL and RHF but put them back to try this. May have been a mistake.

Quite possibly but maybe not; everyone's tastes are different. I'm assuming you are talking about the 22 year old. Please let us know what you think. I haven't seen a lot of people providing tasting notes on that one.

[GG_Blaisdell]

Last night I snagged the last age stated Old Charter 8 ($17) as well as a fifth of the Charter 101 ($19).

Edited June 4, 2015 by GG_Blaisdell

[Paul W]

I have wondered about this. The new one still says "gently matured for eight seasons" on the front label just like the age-stated one. I know that is not exactly the same as "aged 8 years" but then what does it mean?

Literally speaking, "eight seasons" could be two years, since I guess you could argue there are four seasons per year. But they have the same words on the age-stated one, so that is hard to believe and they would have to disclose if it is under four years old.

I am genuinely puzzled by this. I know the removal of the age statement must have some significance, but if it still says "matured for eight seasons" isn't that pretty close to the same as saying "eight years old"?

[Richnimrod]

I have wondered about this. The new one still says "gently matured for eight seasons" on the front label just like the age-stated one. I know that is not exactly the same as "aged 8 years" but then what does it mean?

Literally speaking, "eight seasons" could be two years, since I guess you could argue there are four seasons per year. But they have the same words on the age-stated one, so that is hard to believe and they would have to disclose if it is under four years old.

I am genuinely puzzled by this. I know the removal of the age statement must have some significance, but if it still says "matured for eight seasons" isn't that pretty close to the same as saying "eight years old"?

You are probably wise to be skeptical. I seriously doubt the manufacturer would scrap an 8-year age statement if the Bourbon really still is 8-years old. I certainly hope it isn't 8-seasons (as in; '2-years' old). But, any time that kind of 'wiggle room' is brought into the equation, the folx behind the curtain aren't doing it to benefit us, the consuming public.

[Paddy]

After reading some nice reviews, I finally pulled the trigger on a JB BIB. We shall see what the fuss is about...

[Paul W]

You are probably wise to be skeptical. I seriously doubt the manufacturer would scrap an 8-year age statement if the Bourbon really still is 8-years old. I certainly hope it isn't 8-seasons (as in; '2-years' old). But, any time that kind of 'wiggle room' is brought into the equation, the folx behind the curtain aren't doing it to benefit us, the consuming public.

I emailed BT to ask. I will let you know if I get a response.

[The Black Tot]

Not at all my friend. I was interested in what you may have purchased. I am an old man, but new to the Whiskey/Bourbon/Rye thing and I read every post with great interest. I apologize if you felt that's what was intended!

No worries. I'm stuck working on a ship for the next two weeks, so won't be buying very much for a while.

[Red-Dot]

Picked up some EW 1783 small batch. Have not broken the seal, maybe this weekend.

[dgfair]

Grabbed an Evan Williams Single Barrel (2005) on sale for 27.95 and a Sazerac Rye for 29.95

[squire]

Traditionally there were two distilling seasons a year, October through March of the following year, closed for the Summer then starting back up again in October. Of course that measures a 12 month season but since distilling started and stopped within a calendar year it's actually two separate seasons. This is because the Summer months were too hot to run the mash tubs (heat killed the yeast) and years ago refrigeration techniques on an industrial scale were simply not cost effective. They could do it of course but couldn't sell the resulting whisky at a competitive cost.

This harks back to the early days of farmer distillers who planted crops in the Spring, grew them in summer and after Harvest at the end of September started back distilling in October/November.

Using this traditional yardstick of two seasons in a given calendar year a whisky aged 8 seasons is 4 years old.

[ccleve23]

Picked up a 2014 4R SmB LE from across the pond.

[drunkenjayhawk]

Elijah Craig small batch today.