What Bourbon did you pass up today? Spring/Summer 2015

[Swoboda]

Today passed on . . .

ETL $34.99

Stagg Jr. (132.2) $46.99

OWA $22.99

OFSig $22.99

Lock Stock & Barrel Rye $91.00

. . . all tempting.

[fozzy71]

I would have had to buy (at least) 1 of everything except whatever the heck that last one is...

[Swoboda]

That works for me too. It leaves us with a much smaller subset to concentrate on. Since AA 10 year was discontinued, is there any <90 proof bourbon or rye that isn't just cheapo well whiskey? I don't care what the advertising people say.

The only sub 90 proofer that comes to mind is EWSB at 86.6 . . . I like that one best.

[johnnyflake45]

Today passed on . . .

ETL $34.99

Stagg Jr. (132.2) $46.99

OWA $22.99

OFSig $22.99

Lock Stock & Barrel Rye $91.00

. . . all tempting.

There is no way, that I could pass the OWA at $23 or the OFSig at $23, in fact I would have bought multiples of each!

[MOwhisky4me]

There is no way, that I could pass the OWA at $23 or the OFSig at $23, in fact I would have bought multiples of each!

I agree... I'd have picked up a couple of each and I'd have nabbed at least one bottle of ETL for the given price as well! Elmer is impossible to find around these parts at the moment.

[squire]

. . . . Since AA 10 year was discontinued, is there any <90 proof bourbon or rye that isn't just cheapo well whiskey? I don't care what the advertising people say.

White label Dickel and Green Label Heaven Hill 6/90 come to mind but it's a small field.

[Golzee]

Although you could argue that Basil Hayden's is under proofed 80, I believe it is still quite good.

[squire]

At 80 I would recommend Four Roses yellow label. Ah, remembered another 90, Buffalo Trace. Frankly if we're talking 90 proof just above well range prices I would go a step further up to the HH BIBs.

[TunnelTiger]

Today passed on . . .

ETL $34.99

Stagg Jr. (132.2) $46.99

OWA $22.99

OFSig $22.99

Lock Stock & Barrel Rye $91.00

. . . all tempting.

These would all be considered "on-sale" prices at my stores.

[unclebunk]

Kinda kicking myself for passing on Booker's at $36, but with one in the bunker and a grocery cart full of booze I had to pass.

[Swoboda]

I agree... I'd have picked up a couple of each and I'd have nabbed at least one bottle of ETL for the given price as well! Elmer is impossible to find around these parts at the moment.

Yes, hard to pass . . . fortunately have backups in the basement. Nice to see ETL again . . . in two spots on the MO side.

[Paul W]

Although you could argue that Basil Hayden's is under proofed 80, I believe it is still quite good.

I am a big fan of modern OGD 100 and 114, but I do not like the 86. I have only had BH in (airport) bars where I found it unexceptional but not offensive.

I was recently tasting my IWH15 and decided I needed to drag race it against another lower proof bourbon. So I opened my bottle of BH which I bought a long time ago impulsively in a decision I later regretted. Unfortunately, side by side with the IWH15, I found the BH to be not enjoyable. Just too watery. It made the IWH15 shine by comparison. I should like BH since it is older OGD, but apparently 80 proof is the difference between liking and not liking it, since the same liquid at higher proof but less age (in the 100 and the 114) tastes great to me.

While recognizing that I am no expert and can't really do decent tasting notes, I am going to give my review of the IWH15 anyway, since someone said they would be interested. The nose is the best part. Lots of orange or orange peel smells. Has a strong and interesting nose for a lower proof. Taste is disappointing, not very strong. Some astrignency from the age, but even that is muted. Mouthfeel is watery, no oilyness. The finish is kind of mild, but there is an interesting faint note of something good in the finish. Kind of makes me ponder what is that taste and go back for another swill so I can again contemplate the finish. The taste on the finish is subtle, but compelling. Would I buy again for $80? No, but I can't say I regret buying one, particularly since I still like the idea of keeping the bottle as a decanter. Like I said, I am no expert, but I really wonder what this would have been like at a higher proof and with less aggressive filtering.

[PaulO]

The only sub 90 proofer that comes to mind is EWSB at 86.6 . . . I like that one best.

Ok. that is one of the few good ones. I'd still probably pass it up for Henry McK BIB.

[Swoboda]

Ok. that is one of the few good ones. I'd still probably pass it up for Henry McK BIB.

Me too . . . especially when HMBIB can be found for less around here these days. The price of EWSB has steadily moved up over the past year.

[The Black Tot]

Today passed on . . .

ETL $34.99

Stagg Jr. (132.2) $46.99

OWA $22.99

OFSig $22.99

Lock Stock & Barrel Rye $91.00

. . . all tempting.

That's a better price on LSB than I've seen in a while. Still wouldn't jump, but normally I don't see it for under 110. If it got to 80 I'd be interested.

[fishnbowljoe]

Today passed on . . .

ETL $34.99

Stagg Jr. (132.2) $46.99

OWA $22.99

OFSig $22.99

Lock Stock & Barrel Rye $91.00

. . . all tempting.

These would all be considered "on-sale" prices at my stores.

I'm not too familiar with the Lock Stock & Barrel Rye. I've seen it at a couple of places, but didn't pay too much attention to the price because I'm just not into ryes any more. That's just me and my personal preferences, and not a condemnation of ryes by any means. Just thought I should clarify that. :crazy:

As for all the bourbon's on your list, they all seem to be pretty reasonably priced, or at the very least what might be considered the "going rate", for lack of a better term. The OFSig might be a buck or two cheaper in my neck of the woods. Not quite sure on that one. If the Stagg Jr (batch #4?) is anywhere near as good as what the Batch #3 is, I would've snatched those up in a heartbeat. Same with the OWA. And FWIW, I just bought an ETL at the same price you passed on. I'm pretty sure that barring a sale, or some odd pricing here and there, you won't find ETL at a better price ever again. Just my two cents FWIW.

Cheers! Joe

[BFerguson]

MMCS @$23 for a 375. Haven't but in this one yet, but I like the price better than the normal $65 for the 750

[JvW]

MMCS @$23 for a 375. Haven't but in this one yet, but I like the price better than the normal $65 for the 750

Great price for the 375 bottle...enjoy

[mbroo5880i]

Passed on I.W. Harper 15 Year @ $59.99. Just not interested.

[TunnelTiger]

MMCS @ $74.99. Since I have emptied a bottle IMHO it is absolutely not worth it at that price.

[JDSmith619]

I bought 2 ETLs at 36.99.... was tempted to buy all 9 on the shelf but decided somebody else should enjoy them as well.

[MOwhisky4me]

I bought 2 ETLs at 36.99.... was tempted to buy all 9 on the shelf but decided somebody else should enjoy them as well.

Did the same thing earlier this week with some Old Weller Antique... Been second guessing my decision ever since!

[bourbonfish]

Just passed on three more bottles of ETL for 42.99...I still have one on the shelf and I'm sure I can find one for that price later this year.

[Hop]

Passed on

IWH15

Rhetoric21

Barterhouse

MMCS

OF1870

And some I'm forgetting, all at NC state prices.

Just picked up a bottle of Blantons for the bunker.

[kcgumbohead]

passed on a local store select 1792. i may go back for one today as RR1792 seems to have a hot hand these days with store selects. I love the open one at home (from a different store) delicious apricot notes and a great finish.