flahute Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 4 hours ago, smokinjoe said: I think "underwhelming to most reviewers" is a bit of a stretch. The 2014's biggest fault was that it happened to follow the 2013 "125th", which had widespread acclaim, and arguably could have been the best in the series, according to many. A tough act to follow! However, this observation is not meant in any way to discount your own review, and comparisons to other Small Batch LE's and other single recipe private selections that you have enjoyed. I for one was quite pleased that the 2014 didn't rate as well as the 125th, which was adequately reported in all those online reviews. This kept the hoards away who buy on reviews/ratings (so they can flip) and allowed me to stock up a half dozen or so of these. I agree it's not as good as the 125th, but it's still damn good and I like it quite a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravensfire Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 Packing up the basemental to get the house ready to sell is dusty work. After the evenings work was done, started with some always tasty 4RSB. Kicking back now reading with the first pour from Bookers Noe Secret batch. Lovely stuff, this is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SebastianLloyd Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 Just opened up Woodford Sonoma. The port smell is very prominent but the taste is still very bourbon, I wouldn't have thought from the nose. I get a lot of sour cherry on the taste also, more like a sundried cherry, not a fresh one. Only had my second pour in the past few days but my first impression is a somewhat unappealing nose with a nice flavour. A bit thin and short finish tho. I am enjoying this more than the bottle of 100% corn whiskey I had to bump up with half a bottle of rye but I'm still mostly loving WT Diamond Anniversary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaryT Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 Finishing a nice Wednesday night with some HHSS SB#2. Freaking delicious whiskey . . . that Ox might have been on to something Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry in WashDC Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 Dunno what is going around tonight, but -- HHSS SB#2 for me, too. Just about an ounce neat with a side of warm water. Picked it BEFORE I logged on to SB. I have about an inch left in the bottle. Caramel finish lasts and lasts on each tiny sip. This could go on for hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishnbowljoe Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 7 minutes ago, Harry in WashDC said: Caramel finish lasts and lasts on each tiny sip. This could go on for hours. Nuh uhhhh…GULP! Just kidding Harry. Enjoy sir. Cheers! Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlutz Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 10 hours ago, Harry in WashDC said: Dunno what is going around tonight, but -- HHSS SB#2 for me, too. Just about an ounce neat with a side of warm water. Picked it BEFORE I logged on to SB. I have about an inch left in the bottle. Caramel finish lasts and lasts on each tiny sip. This could go on for hours. Can someone help me out with the acronym? Heaven Hill ... Store Select? StraightBourbon #2? Was this a forum barrel pick? Love to get in on one of those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokinjoe Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 53 minutes ago, Charlutz said: Can someone help me out with the acronym? Heaven Hill ... Store Select? StraightBourbon #2? Was this a forum barrel pick? Love to get in on one of those. The HHSS is Heaven Hill Select Stock. It is their "catch-all" label for exclusive or one-off Bottlings. SB.Com selected 2 barrels of 8 yr wheated HH bourbon that were further aged in Cognac casks for different time periods. The first barrel (HHSS #1) was aged 19 mos (as I remember), and the second (HHSS#2) was aged 27Mos in cognac. These barrels were offered to SB members a couple of years ago and are utterly spectacular whiskies. You can purchase the HHSS Cognac at the HH Gift Shop, though they are different barrels, of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louisiana Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 Finishing off a bottle of ORVW10. Will move on to some ECBP. The rain seems to have let up for the moment... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hop Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 Was able to try the EC NAS last week and while it's definitely the same it's not bad at all, a little sweeter and definitely less oak but a good bourbon for the money even without the age statement. Also picked up and finished off a bottle of Hancocks Presidents Reserve but happened to pick up a couple more for the bunker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tanstaafl2 Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 5 hours ago, smokinjoe said: The HHSS is Heaven Hill Select Stock. It is their "catch-all" label for exclusive or one-off Bottlings. SB.Com selected 2 barrels of 8 yr wheated HH bourbon that were further aged in Cognac casks for different time periods. The first barrel (HHSS #1) was aged 19 mos (as I remember), and the second (HHSS#2) was aged 27Mos in cognac. These barrels were offered to SB members a couple of years ago and are utterly spectacular whiskies. You can purchase the HHSS Cognac at the HH Gift Shop, though they are different barrels, of course. It might also be worth noting that these cognac barrels were the ones that were first used to finish the PHC #5 Cognac Finish which was the HH rye bourbon mashbill. So this was presumably their second time being used to finish a whiskey which I thought made the cognac character a bit more subtle. I liked both the PHC and the HHSS of course. I may be in the minority and it surprised me a little as I love port and cognac finished whiskey and figured I would like the bottle with the longer finishing time but I think I liked the SB.com HHSS #1 a bit better than the #2, at least once it got near the bottom of the bottle. To fully appreciate them both I suppose opening one of each at about the same time and conducting an extended longitudinal SBS would be the best way to be sure! It would be a major sacrifice on my part of course but somebody has got to do it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokinjoe Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 36 minutes ago, tanstaafl2 said: It might also be worth noting that these cognac barrels were the ones that were first used to finish the PHC #5 Cognac Finish which was the HH rye bourbon mashbill. So this was presumably their second time being used to finish a whiskey which I thought made the cognac character a bit more subtle. I liked both the PHC and the HHSS of course. I may be in the minority and it surprised me a little as I love port and cognac finished whiskey and figured I would like the bottle with the longer finishing time but I think I liked the SB.com HHSS #1 a bit better than the #2, at least once it got near the bottom of the bottle. To fully appreciate them both I suppose opening one of each at about the same time and conducting an extended longitudinal SBS would be the best way to be sure! It would be a major sacrifice on my part of course but somebody has got to do it... Thanks for cleaning that up, Bruce. Correct on the provenance of the finishing barrels. They were first used in the prior PHC release. From my own standpoint, at selection, #1 was my pick as the best of barrels tasted. Though, all were good. The extra finishing time benefitted #2, and it has turned out to be my favorite. Who knew that #2 would turn out to be so good in the end... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LCWoody Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 Finished off a bottle of OS 9y. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbroo5880i Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 Working on a bottle of Bakers. I am really enjoying this bottle! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golzee Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 RHF tonight. Nearing the end of this bottle, but, I have one more in the bunker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy Posted March 11, 2016 Author Share Posted March 11, 2016 I too, am working on a pour of Baker's. It's big, bold and Beam... all good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hop Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 Finished a barrel select of Belle Meade barrel strength 9 yr and now moved on to a pour of Blanton's SFTB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFerguson Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 Shining my shoes, glass of PVW 20, thinking about my friends funeral tomorrow. Been a really down week gents. Remember to call and hug those that you love. B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golzee Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 2 hours ago, BFerguson said: Shining my shoes, glass of PVW 20, thinking about my friends funeral tomorrow. Been a really down week gents. Remember to call and hug those that you love. B BF, you don't lie, tomorrow is never certain. I am having another pour of RHF for your friend, and I am sorry hear this awful news. Remember the good times that you shared with your friend, my thoughts are with you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beasled Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 5 hours ago, BFerguson said: Shining my shoes, glass of PVW 20, thinking about my friends funeral tomorrow. Been a really down week gents. Remember to call and hug those that you love. B My condolences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Reserve Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 Good morning everyone! A nice bright sunny day here in Livonia and I'm enjoying a WLW 125.3 while my coffee is brewing. This is a wonderful way to start a day. Be well everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacket Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 (edited) In advance of hockey practice. So warm and creamy. Batch #4 Edited March 12, 2016 by Jacket Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFerguson Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 EC 18 on deck. Original. Not current release. B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LCWoody Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 4R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokinjoe Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 SB Blend with an Oliva O out on the front porch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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