What bourbon are you enjoying? Summer 2015!

[squire]

Opened up the Beam Distillers Masterpiece last night. Best whiskey I have tasted so far in 2015. . . . . Packaging, color of whiskey, nose, flavor, finish, everything...fabulous.

Glad you like it Joe, these things are unique. I sprang for the 20 yr Port and the 18 yr Cognac finish Distillers Masterpiece expressions when they came out in the 90s. Retail then was $225 each but I talked the merchant down to $195 per. What is that, $10.00 a year or thereabouts?

I served both expressions blind at different tastings where they were well received, particularly by my Single Malt friends. My tastes don't run toward wine finished Bourbon but things like this do make a dandy gift.

[tanstaafl2]

Actually been out since 2013 TT. For what it's worth, it was in my top shelf of many great pours I had at the WhiskyFest in Chicago this spring. The $200 price tag though...but what Joe says is also true.

For a long time it was sold at the distillery only. Just fairly recently a second release of some bottles (some additional barrels? From a tank? Another year older? Who knows as they are all NAS) were released for retail sale. Good to know that it is a nice bourbon. May have to finally crack open the one I have! Got it at the distillery store last year. And Richard can now do the same with confidence after I coerced him into buying one at the distillery last year as well...

Would truly love to have the original port and cognac finished age stated ones that Squire mentions but they are super expensive dusty bottles these day. Not only were the earlier ones age stated but the pictures of the bottles (really decanters I suppose) suggest that they were also superior in appearance with the engraved leaf patterns to the current NAS PX sherry finished version in a comparatively plain bottle. Of course adjusting for inflation those bottles from 15 years ago were already a lot more expensive just at retail cost than the $200 or so for the current one.

A bit of detail and a few pictures I was able to dig up.

http://chuckcowdery.blogspot.com/2013/04/beam-launches-200-bourbon-everything-is.html

http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?17658-Distiller-s-Masterpiece-18-year-%28Beam%29

http://theliquorcollection.com/single.php?id=1662

18yo Cognac Distiller's Masterpiece Review

[GaryT]

I think Rich opened his already (or they sent him a sample, which he was goodly enough to share!)

http://whiskeyapostle.com/2015/02/jim-beam-distillers-masterpiece/

I can honestly say that it was one of the best Beam products I've ever had - very nice pour.

For myself, I'm enjoying the last of a FRSB mingle I made last year when I only had 7 of the recipes. Figure since I finally got all 10, I need to empty this bottle so I can make a new mingle with them all!

For a long time it was sold at the distillery only. Just fairly recently a second release of some bottles (some additional barrels? From a tank? Another year older? Who knows as they are all NAS) were released for retail sale. Good to know that it is a nice bourbon. May have to finally crack open the one I have! Got it at the distillery store last year. And Richard can now do the same with confidence after I coerced him into buying one at the distillery last year as well...

Would truly love to have the original port and cognac finished age stated ones that Squire mentions but they are super expensive dusty bottles these day. Not only were the earlier ones age stated but the pictures of the bottles (really decanters I suppose) suggest that they were also superior in appearance with the engraved leaf patterns to the current NAS PX sherry finished version in a comparatively plain bottle. Of course adjusting for inflation those bottles from 15 years ago were already a lot more expensive just at retail cost than the $200 or so for the current one.

A bit of detail and a few pictures I was able to dig up.

http://chuckcowdery.blogspot.com/2013/04/beam-launches-200-bourbon-everything-is.html

http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?17658-Distiller-s-Masterpiece-18-year-%28Beam%29

http://theliquorcollection.com/single.php?id=1662

18yo Cognac Distiller's Masterpiece Review

[LCWoody]

Starting the night off with WR L Henderson batch 16. Very good bourbon. This is why I loved WR back in the day...... Brings back memories.

[MTNBourbon]

Four Roses Small Batch, tasting pretty good.

[Hop]

Uncapped a bottle of OWA for this evening

[fozzy71]

Not sure what I will drink but it won't be anything out of the upstairs cabinet with this heat. Been on the laptop in the basement most of the day (just back from a 9 mile bike ride and in need of a shower) and the thought of going up and down the stairs for each pour from the fridge isn't very appealing so I might just have to open something new from down here in the bunker since I didn't think to bring down an open bottle or two earlier in the day. I was thinking I might go with something I have multiples of like BT or one of my EWSB since whatever I open is going to be the only bottle I sip from tonight.

*ETA: Went with BT cuz I got a bunch and it never disappoints.

Edited July 19, 2015 by fozzy71
*edit to add

[BigRich]

Opened up the Beam Distillers Masterpiece last night. Best whiskey I have tasted so far in 2015. An assault on every sense (and even bigger assault on my wallet...). Packaging, color of whiskey, nose, flavor, finish, everything...fabulous. For the price, would I rather have a case of VOB BIB? No. Not even 2 cases. Or, 3...

Damn Joe, I'm glad you are enjoying it. Maybe now you'll shut the hell up about me buying a bottle last year.

[MTNBourbon]

Four Roses Small Batch, tasting pretty good.

Finished this bottle.

[Jazz Nut]

Small pour of Russell's Reserve Single Barrel store select. Very nice!

[MTNBourbon]

Since living in CO, the one store I've been too, offers store select. This never happens in fucking UT.

[squire]

Not sure what I will drink but it won't be anything out of the upstairs cabinet with this heat. Been on the laptop in the basement most of the day (just back from a 9 mile bike ride and in need of a shower) . . . .

Man I admire your enthusiasm, if I tried to ride a bike I'd fall off and break something. I did solve the stair problem though with a small fridge nestled up to my desk. Wonderful, this modern age.

[DeluxeReverb]

Buffalo Trace. What an excellent, available, affordable bourbon.

[fozzy71]

Man I admire your enthusiasm, if I tried to ride a bike I'd fall off and break something. I did solve the stair problem though with a small fridge nestled up to my desk. Wonderful, this modern age.

lol, I also did 5 miles this morning. Too hot to do any more. I have walked + rode (mostly rode obv) 880+ miles this year, more than all of last year.

I do need a fridge down there but I only spend time down there if it's too hot upstairs.

Buffalo Trace. What an excellent, available, affordable bourbon.

qft

Switched off to the mingle I made the other day of OGD114 and the Motor City Gas Belly Up Bourbon. Much, much nicer than the MCGBUP alone so I just moved back upstairs and mixed up a big bottle of it.

[Jazz Nut]

Finishing the night with Parker's POH. I will be sad when this bourbon is gone. Such a nice, enjoyable bourbon.

[Paddy]

I keep passing on the Beam Masterpiece and I'll be dam&*$ if Joe don't go and make it sound so good that I'm about to run out and rob a liquor store!

I'm working a on vatting error blend of W12/OWA/WP/Ritt @ approx. 25% each. I don't know if I can quite Forgiven myself (like WT did:shocked:), but I'm managing to slowly work my way through it...:cool:

[flahute]

I keep passing on the Beam Masterpiece and I'll be dam&*$ if Joe don't go and make it sound so good that I'm about to run out and rob a liquor store!

I'm working a on vatting error blend of W12/OWA/WP/Ritt @ approx. 25% each. I don't know if I can quite Forgiven myself (like WT did:shocked:), but I'm managing to slowly work my way through it...:cool:

Yes to what Joe did, and..........how in THE heck did you manage to mix those four?

[dSculptor]

Tried all of the John Bowmans (3) on Sat. night, they were all pretty good. Then had some CEHT CO, EC23,and ended up with EC21 @ about 3am,it was a good night.

[Paddy]

Yes to what Joe did, and..........how in THE heck did you manage to mix those four?

I've got two vats I keep on the buffet and planned on topping off my Rittlepig blend. The mistake was actually topping off my SB blend!

Moral of the story... all bottles should be labeled and no mixology should be undertaken if one is too drunk to drive! :grin:

[smokinjoe]

Regarding the Distiller's Masterpiece y'all, it should be taken in account that I do take a liking to well executed alternative cask finishing of bourbons. If you are on the fence about finishing, your $200 may be better spent elsewhere.

[amg]

Having the first pour from a recent bottle of Old Fitz BIB. This is all alcohol heat with very little else. Not at all what I remembered it to be.

[Jazz Nut]

Having a small pour of Evan Williams Single Barrel 2005 before dinner.

[Jazz Nut]

Followed up with Russel's Reserve Single Barrel store select, and Old Weller Antique. Will likely close the evening out with a LOT of water, and either ECBP 64% or Parker's Heritage POH.

[flahute]

Regarding the Distiller's Masterpiece y'all, it should be taken in account that I do take a liking to well executed alternative cask finishing of bourbons. If you are on the fence about finishing, your $200 may be better spent elsewhere.

Yes.....after your post yesterday I read about it on Beam's website as well as a couple reviews. The sherry finish is enough to keep me away at that price. I've only been so-so on some other sherry finish bourbons. Cognac finish, on the other hand, would have me interested.

[fishnbowljoe]

After a very busy week at work, and at home, I'm relaxing with a nice pour from an old label ORVW 10/107.

Cheers! Joe