Bourbon appreciation is a long journey and tastes change

[flahute]

I've never been a fan of EC12 but I absolutely love ECBP. This has struck me as odd, but not unprecedented. So I thought about it more and remembered that I had only ever tried it at a bar - and not a whiskey bar, so the environment and situation at the time was not ideal for evaluating a whiskey. (I had tried a store select single barrel which was good, but wrote that off as being the result of excellent barrel pickers).

So, I decided it was time to buy a bottle and give it a proper try. I knew if I didn't like it that A) it wouldn't be terrible so I could still drink it, and I could vat it with ECBP.

Well, what do you know, I really like it. The earthy and flat flavors I remember are still there, but I recognize it as the time in the barrel. I didn't get anything beyond that before, but now those flavors are balanced by the vanilla and caramel flavors and dang.....it has a longer finish than I expected. It's right on the edge of being too oaky for me, but as is it's a tremendous value. I now understand why so many of you like this.

My next target will now be Knob Creek. Again, numerous tries at the local bar with meh results. But, I love KCSB.

My question for you all is: what whiskey have you long disliked that at some point you came around on and now like?

Alternatively, what whiskey did you like early on in your journey that now doesn't work for you?

(I'm looking for situations where "you" changed and not the whiskey. We all know that WT101 from years ago is different from that of today.)

[Jazz Nut]

About two years ago I bought a bottle of EC12 as I was getting into Bourbon as my spirit of choice after years of drinking cocktails and beer, and it sat and sat. I had tried many bourbons but the EC12 sat on the shelf, unopened. After a friend gave me a bottle of Baker's and Black Maple Hill at my housewarming party, I learned that bourbon was good neat or over ice, not just mixed with Coke. My love of bourbon came into its own (along with the great threads and info from fellow SB'ers, and blogs), I FINALLY got around to opening EC12 about last October, and found that it was oaky up front with baking spices, and burnt caramel after. I wasn't impressed at first. At that time I was drinking Wild Turkey, Four Roses, and PHC POH, which are sweet/spicy bourbons with not a lot of oak, so it was understandable that I wasn't accustomed to the drying oakiness of EC12. Fast forward 6 months, that bottle is nearly gone, and an ECBP and EC12 Store Selection are 1/2 gone. My tastes have changed, though I still like sweet/spicy/caramel/brown sugar bourbons, but EC12 certainly was a learning curve, but glad I gave it time. Needless to say, I appreciate what EC12 is, and I will always have a bottle on hand.

[MTNBourbon]

I'm also going to say EC 12. A few years back I was not a fan of it, but a few months back I tried it again, and now it is one of my best pours. I could also say the same for ER10. Both will be in the bunker.

[Flyfish]

Non sum qualsi eram.

I used to drink a lot more OGD BIB than I have in the last year or so. I used to drink a lot of WT101. Then did not for two or three years. Now do again. (Three handles so far this year.) Sometimes I return to a bourbon hoping that I will like it better, like FR SmB or 1792, but I don't. Always when trying something for the first time (at my age, there ain't many of those) I resolve to withhold judgment until I'm at least half way through the bottle.

I am not what I once was. But neither are some of the bourbons I drink. Fortunately, both the bourbons and I are managing to muddle through.

[mrfat]

Always loved EC12 and especially the 18. They did have some inconsistency years ago though.

I've never cared for the profile of Dickel 12 but maybe I should give that another go.

[boneuphtoner]

WT101 has been my most positive change of heart. 4-5 years ago I tried and thought it was very hot, very spicy, and very astringent. I think the new stuff is just great.

[CorvallisCracker]

My question for you all is: what whiskey have you long disliked that at some point you came around on and now like?

I'm becoming more tolerant of peaty Scotch. I'm not sure how I feel about that.

[TunnelTiger]

My next target will now be Knob Creek. Again, numerous tries at the local bar with meh results. But, I love KCSB.

My question for you all is: what whiskey have you long disliked that at some point you came around on and now like?

Alternatively, what whiskey did you like early on in your journey that now doesn't work for you?

(I'm looking for situations where "you" changed and not the whiskey. We all know that WT101 from years ago is different from that of today.)

I had the exact same experience in the past month. Two years ago EC12 did nothing for me and now after I became addicted to ECBP (where bottles are few and far between) I really do enjoy the EC12.

When the bunker is empty I'll go back and try the KC again for the same reason as yours.

[vpcmotorsport]

Could it have been that 2 years ago EC12 wasn't that great? I feel like a lot of my friends and myself included are in the same 2 year time period where, I wasn't a fan, but now I really like it? Just putting it out there.

[Jazz Nut]

Could it have been that 2 years ago EC12 wasn't that great? I feel like a lot of my friends and myself included are in the same 2 year time period where, I wasn't a fan, but now I really like it? Just putting it out there.

It could be, good point. Has anyone noticed trends? I personally have only started enjoying EC12 over the last year. I think my tastes in bourbon are maturing, and I can enjoy an oaky bourbon more than I used to.

[smokinjoe]

It could be, good point. Has anyone noticed trends? I personally have only started enjoying EC12 over the last year. I think my tastes in bourbon are maturing, and I can enjoy an oaky bourbon more than I used to.

I haven't seen any change in the EC12 profile in recent years.

[ramblinman]

I haven't seen any change in the EC12 profile in recent years.

Youre definitely more experienced than I am, but I've always felt that EC12 had a really varying profile between bottles/batches. I've never had one I didn't like, but I have had a few that were just exceptional and I found myself going back again and again. Perhaps just my taste changing, but either way they were good bottles and good times.

[flahute]

I suppose it's possible that EC12 is better now than it was two years ago, though that seems to go against the typical trend (in which everything gets a little worse). I haven't been drinking enough of it over the years so I'll go with Joe. I think in my case it's a combination of me changing along with finally trying it in a conducive environment.

Conversely, there's a couple of bourbons I loved early in the journey - AE and EHT SmB. Particularly the Taylor from which I got a lot of butterscotch. I changed on those two as well and now don't like them nearly as much. AE is overly sweet like cake frosting, and the Taylor is a bit hot and lacking the butterscotch I loved so much. Thankfully, others have taken their place.

[Chris m]

I don't think there's been much variation in EC12's profile either. I'd blame any differences on changes in palate and preference.

[Richnimrod]

Reading this thread, I have only one thought to add, Flahute...

While nobody likes to think their favorite bar/bartender would do it, some joints with fluid morals have been known to mingle 'well' bourbons (or even blended whiskey!) with the more expensive 'call' pours in order to maximize profits.

Not saying your first experience with EC12 was such an example, but that possibility exists.

I'm certainly of the opinion that taste preferences evolve over time, and that day-to-day changes are common, as well.

For me the only Bourbon I can call to mind that has struck me better after some time away from it .... is Booker's. My first experience with a bottle was that it was a bit too hot, and a bit too sweet. That bottle having been long gone (maybe about a year), I was moved to try it again by several threads and posts on this site extolling it's virtues. Lo and behold it was very nice! Still a bit on the sweet side, and still a bit hot, I did not find it off-putting at all, and Booker's has become a pretty regular pour for me. I always have at least one open and at least one 'back'. Now.... did I change? ...Or, did the first bottle have too much of those qualities I found off-putting? Who can say? But, I believe it is more me changing than Booker's.

[JDSmith619]

For me it was WTRB. The first time I tried it, I literally thought it tasted like dirt... overly earthy and not in a good way.

Now WTRB is one of my go-to pours. I drink it regularly and for ~$35 it will continue to be in my line up.

[fishnbowljoe]

A lot of things change over time. Tastes, attitude and/or reluctance to try different things are just a couple. One example of the latter for me is my avowed preference for wheaters when I first got into bourbon. Wellers in particular. After a few years, I find myself now more open, and drawn to other things. First it was BIB's. In the last year or so, I've started becoming more of a fan of FR's offerings.

I still love my wheaters though. :yum:

[GaryT]

One of my favorite bourbons early in my journey was Buffalo Trace, which honestly - doesn't hit me quite as right anymore. I don't dislike it necessarily, but haven't been struck with a desire to pour one in a long time.

One that I long disliked that I have come around on - ironically is EW1783 10yr. I bought a bottle two years ago that was dusty, and just didn't really care for it (in fact, shared the location with some bourbon-pals who loaded up, as the place had cases of it). I tried it last month, and thought "Whoa - this is a lot better than I remember!" I used to think it was a mint bomb. Not sure if it is the air time (half-empty bottle, open 2+ years), or my palate, but definitely a change!

I still love my wheaters though. :yum:

[garbanzobean]

A lot of things change over time. Tastes, attitude and/or reluctance to try different things are just a couple. One example of the latter for me is my avowed preference for wheaters when I first got into bourbon. Wellers in particular. After a few years, I find myself now more open, and drawn to other things. First it was BIB's. In the last year or so, I've started becoming more of a fan of FR's offerings.

I still love my wheaters though. :yum:

I think something a firm experience base with brown spirits grants you is the ability to enjoy a large number of options with less bias. My whisk(e)y journey started in earnest in 2012 when I tasted Lagavulin 16 for the first time. For awhile, I really only wanted to drink Islays with an occasional glass of bourbon. Now I've narrowed down my preferences, but I can enjoy most anything that's well made.

[flahute]

Reading this thread, I have only one thought to add, Flahute...

While nobody likes to think their favorite bar/bartender would do it, some joints with fluid morals have been known to mingle 'well' bourbons (or even blended whiskey!) with the more expensive 'call' pours in order to maximize profits.

Not saying your first experience with EC12 was such an example, but that possibility exists.

You know, the place where I tried EC12 first could be the kind of place that would do this. I had not considered that possibility.

gb also hit on something there. The larger your experience base is makes it more likely you'll keep enjoying the same things (thought certainly not a lock). My early love of AE and CEHT SmB was in the context of a small experience base so given what I was comparing them to, they were tops. With many more pours under my belt, others have taken their place and they rank pretty low now.

[smokinjoe]

I have always enjoyed many Beam offerings, but I was never awed by them. When asked for favorite distilleries, they always finished well down the list. But, over the last several months I have come to really appreciate and thoroughly enjoy Beam whiskeys. They are totally in my sweet spot tight now.

[El Vino]

While I know there isn't a strong consensus of opinion on the subject, I think experience has taught me to let bottles get some air. I was not a fan of EC 12 when first opened, but after a couple of months I really liked it. So for me it was EC 12 but I'm not sure if my tastes changed or the time exposed to air was responsible.

[garbanzobean]

I have always enjoyed many Beam offerings, but I was never awed by them. When asked for favorite distilleries, they always finished well down the list. But, over the last several months I have come to really appreciate and thoroughly enjoy Beam whiskeys. They are totally in my sweet spot tight now.

The fact that it's pretty much all readily available probably doesn't hurt much. I think I need to re-explore the Beam lineup . . .

[TunnelTiger]

You know, the place where I tried EC12 first could be the kind of place that would do this. I had not considered that possibility..

I'm one of those that likes to see a bottle opened in front of me to believe it's the real McCoy. Just not a very trusting old fart.

[Mardbrown]

The fact that it's pretty much all readily available probably doesn't hurt much. I think I need to re-explore the Beam lineup . . .

I'm a a big fan Bookers, Bakers, and I have also enjoyed the signature 12 year.