Underrated Bourbons

[smokinjoe]

2 hours ago, Golzee said:

This is on my list to try, however, I haven't seen it anywhere yet.

On my list, to re-try, too.  When this first came out not that many years ago, I quickly picked up a bottle to try.  Unfortunately, that was in my bourbon-spaz phase, and I didn't really give it the attention and thought I should have.  So, since it didn't rock me at the time (but never spent enough quality time with much of anything else either, so I passed through several bourbons without notice, unfortunately ). I moved on and never gave it much thought, thereafter.  Same thing happened with me on Beam products...But joyfully, Beam has been a recent Revelation for me, and maybe OC101 will prove to be the same to me, as well.

[OldDrinker1978]

Just had some more Charter 101. This is so underrated - unreal. One of my fave Buffalo Trace expressions and I love their stuff!

[squire]

The only fault I have with Charter 101 is our locals price it a bit too high.

[squire]

Oh, and for the record the photo in my avatar is actually me though the picture is about 12 years ago.  Was the only one in the computer I could find when I finally learned how to post one.

Told I look the same now but hair is a lighter shade of grey.  Wish it would go ahead and turn white so I might actually look distinguished.

[Harry in WashDC]

23 hours ago, squire said:

Oh, and for the record the photo in my avatar is actually me though the picture is about 12 years ago.  Was the only one in the computer I could find when I finally learned how to post one.

Told I look the same now but hair is a lighter shade of grey.  Wish it would go ahead and turn white so I might actually look distinguished.

Please see my comment of about 10 minutes ago (circa 11:41pm 3/17) on your avatar on some other thread - I forget which one I was so stunned. ON THREAD - Charter has shown up here recently.  I may have to get one.

[FacePlant]

George Dickel 12

Makes a great desert after drinking the "more formative" pours. And the select barrel raises the bar to desert w/ice cream. 

VERY sweet and quietly smooth.

And yes to 46, Bakers, Wellers and others mentioned.

[kaiserhog]

EWBIB, EW, WT Rare Breed, FRYL, GD12, and GD 9 yr old.  I love good whiskey produced for the working stiff.

Edited January 4, 2017 by kaiserhog
Additions

[kaiserhog]

I must admit I am liking Heaven Hill more and more.  I like their commitment to affordable bourbon whiskey.

[TheNovaMan]

31 minutes ago, kaiserhog said:

I must admit I am liking Heaven Hill more and more.  I like their commitment to affordable bourbon whiskey.

 

Amen, brother!  Once in a while I find their whiskey to have a slight vegetable overtone, but it doesn't bother me because I'm well used to it by now.

[Guest]

Based on this thread, I wrote a note to the folks at Buffalo Trace looking for help to find some Old Charter 101.  Below are the stores "near me" that received some in the past year.  ....I wrote back and asked if there were stores in any neighboring states like WI, IN, or MI -- but was told that these are actually the only stores in the whole country that received any Old Charter 101 in the past year.  That struck me as pretty odd -- especially when you read the list of stores!  

 

Wondering -- should I ask again?  (FWIW, the guy who answered the letter was super fast and nice with both replies.)

 

	RADHA KISHAN INC         105 SOUTH BELT EAST      BELLEVILLE               IL		Charter 101
	PARTH 159INC             5329 N ILLINOIS ST       FAIRVIEW HTS             IL		Charter 101
	SPEAKEASY LIQUORS        -105 N COMMERCIAL ST      -HARRISBURG       IL		Charter 101
	SPEAKEASY LIQUORS(HERRIN)1705 S PARK AVE          HERRIN                   IL		Charter 101
	SPEAKEASY LIQUORS INC    1310 HALFWAY RD          MARION                   IL		Charter 101
	LUCKYS BEER WINE & SPIRIT-1713 S 10TH ST           -MOUNT VERNON     IL		Charter 101
	PLAZA LIQUOR MART        650 S 10TH ST            MT. VERNON               IL		Charter 101
	HARVIN ENTERPRISES INC   965 EDWARDSVILLE RD      WOOD RIVER               IL

[Old Dusty]

9 hours ago, Steve L said:

Based on this thread, I wrote a note to the folks at Buffalo Trace looking for help to find some Old Charter 101.  Below are the stores "near me" that received some in the past year.  ....I wrote back and asked if there were stores in any neighboring states like WI, IN, or MI -- but was told that these are actually the only stores in the whole country that received any Old Charter 101 in the past year.  That struck me as pretty odd -- especially when you read the list of stores!  

 

Wondering -- should I ask again?  (FWIW, the guy who answered the letter was super fast and nice with both replies.)

 

	RADHA KISHAN INC         105 SOUTH BELT EAST      BELLEVILLE               IL		Charter 101
	PARTH 159INC             5329 N ILLINOIS ST       FAIRVIEW HTS             IL		Charter 101
	SPEAKEASY LIQUORS        -105 N COMMERCIAL ST      -HARRISBURG       IL		Charter 101
	SPEAKEASY LIQUORS(HERRIN)1705 S PARK AVE          HERRIN                   IL		Charter 101
	SPEAKEASY LIQUORS INC    1310 HALFWAY RD          MARION                   IL		Charter 101
	LUCKYS BEER WINE & SPIRIT-1713 S 10TH ST           -MOUNT VERNON     IL		Charter 101
	PLAZA LIQUOR MART        650 S 10TH ST            MT. VERNON               IL		Charter 101
	HARVIN ENTERPRISES INC   965 EDWARDSVILLE RD      WOOD RIVER               IL

Steve, it's still around in Indiana, heck I still occasionally run across Charter 10 and 8 age stated. If you venture into Lake County (Merrilville, Crown Point, Dyer etc) I bet you can land a 101. 

[Guest]

2 hours ago, Old Dusty said:

Steve, it's still around in Indiana, heck I still occasionally run across Charter 10 and 8 age stated. If you venture into Lake County (Merrilville, Crown Point, Dyer etc) I bet you can land a 101. 

Thanks much for this info.  I've been planning an exploratory visit to Indiana for a few weeks now.  Would welcome any input (via PM if you like) on stores you would consider worth a visit in the Lake County area.  (Most of the Yelp reviews are all about the craft beers...)

[ken_mays]

I saw some OC 101 not long ago in a local TN store and it was in the plastic 750 bottle, which is apparently a change from the older round glass bottle.

[Old Dusty]

1 hour ago, Steve L said:

Thanks much for this info.  I've been planning an exploratory visit to Indiana for a few weeks now.  Would welcome any input (via PM if you like) on stores you would consider worth a visit in the Lake County area.  (Most of the Yelp reviews are all about the craft beers...)

I've done a little hunting up that way but live in central Indiana so not the best resource. There's a zillion mom and pop places. A few along Ridge Road and bunch along 30. Nick's on 30 has a decent selection. There's also a place right near the state line on 30.

[Guest]

7 minutes ago, Old Dusty said:

I've done a little hunting up that way but live in central Indiana so not the best resource. There's a zillion mom and pop places. A few along Ridge Road and bunch along 30. Nick's on 30 has a decent selection. There's also a place right near the state line on 30.

Thanks that's a great start.  I was going to just start by cruising along 30 -- an old fave of mine (have relatives in good ol' Fort Wayne).

[Old Dusty]

8 hours ago, Steve L said:

Thanks that's a great start.  I was going to just start by cruising along 30 -- an old fave of mine (have relatives in good ol' Fort Wayne).

I would say temper your expectations, not likely to find anything limited unless it's marked way up behind glass. But you should score the Charter 101 and bottles of that nature. Maybe even a stray Stagg jr. or ECBP. 

[Knocksville10]

On 1/6/2016 at 10:28 PM, bullitt said:

Each to his own. I've already stated on several occasions how I feel about Willett Pot Still Reserve and Michter's Bourbon. Maybe it was the atmosphere. I've enjoyed several of these over many settings and have never been disappointed.

Agree on both counts. I've long thought Michter's was surprisingly delicious, but found very little commentary one way or the other on it aside from it being young.

[flahute]

2 hours ago, Knocksville10 said:

Agree on both counts. I've long thought Michter's was surprisingly delicious, but found very little commentary one way or the other on it aside from it being young.

You won't find much love here for any of the Michter's products due to their dishonesty and the fact that their products (except for the really old ones) are contract distilled for them by Brown-Forman. It's not that it's bad whiskey, there's just no patience for their games and the high prices they charge.

[MTNBourbon]

Old Forester Signature ($23-$24), probably the best deal I've ever found back in UT. Not available here in GJ. If I see a 750 ml of the 86 proof I will try it.

[kaiserhog]

On 1/3/2017 at 8:53 PM, TheNovaMan said:

 

Amen, brother!  Once in a while I find their whiskey to have a slight vegetable overtone, but it doesn't bother me because I'm well used to it by now.

I have really become of fan of EWBIB, to my amateur taste it is better quality than whiskey that cost 3-4 times more. 

[0895]

On 3/16/2016 at 6:08 PM, OldDrinker1978 said:

Just had some more Charter 101. This is so underrated - unreal. One of my fave Buffalo Trace expressions and I love their stuff!

Yes!!!!

I think it tastes like a younger Eagle Rare 10, with a bit of honey added.  Lots of vanilla and cherry flavors as well....and that familiar Buffalo Trace mustiness.

The 101 proof really helps hide its youth.

In my neck of the woods,

Charter "8"   (8 seasons nonsense) is $15.00

and

Charter 101 is $20.00

No brainer....the 101 is a real bargain treat!

Delicious neat or in a manhattan.

The 8 seasons 80p stuff I "accidentally" left at a party...

Edited January 6, 2017 by 0895

[Flyfish]

On 1/3/2017 at 9:14 PM, kaiserhog said:

EWBIB, EW, WT Rare Breed, FRYL, GD12, and GD 9 yr old.  I love good whiskey produced for the working stiff.

Working stiffs must be on time and a half pay where you live. WTRB and GD9YO are $40+ here.

[musekatcher]

On 2/21/2016 at 7:51 PM, b1gcountry said:

BTW doesn't seem to send much supply over to st Louis. Their stuff is pretty hard to find. Even eagle rare and benchmark are pretty uncommon. BT itself is fairly easy though.

 

McAffee's Benchmark 8 is common here, and underrated.  I paid under $10 in 2016.  With Old Charter loosing the age statement, I'm thinking these two have more in common? 

[mbroo5880i]

22 hours ago, 0895 said:

Yes!!!!

I think it tastes like a younger Eagle Rare 10, with a bit of honey added.  Lots of vanilla and cherry flavors as well....and that familiar Buffalo Trace mustiness.

The 101 proof really helps hide its youth.

In my neck of the woods,

Charter "8"   (8 seasons nonsense) is $15.00

and

Charter 101 is $20.00

No brainer....the 101 is a real bargain treat!

Delicious neat or in a manhattan.

The 8 seasons 80p stuff I "accidentally" left at a party...

 

I always found Charter 101 to be kind of hot.  I really liked OC 10.  Too bad it was discontinued.  I found a few bottles around Indy for a while.  But, haven't seen either for a while.

Edited January 7, 2017 by mbroo5880i

[jeffrey r]

 
I always found Charter 101 to be kind of hot.  I really liked OC 10.  Too bad it was discontinued.  I found a few bottles around Indy for a while.  But, haven't seen either for a while.

I still have a few handles of OC10. It's pretty good for the price, but not one I reach for regularly. The beauty of OC10 IMO is that all of us can buy better OC10 without much issue by buying ER10. Losing OC10 was more of a price thing, not a uniqueness thing. It was a good value pour.