Which bourbon or whiskey has surprised you the most this year?

[icarus625]

I have had a couple of surprises which have become, for me, my go to selection of daily (neat) pours....

 

Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Barrel Proof

Garrison Brothers Single Barrel

Jim Beam Bonded

Pikesville Rye

1792 Full Proof - just picked this one up this week.

[Paddy]

I'm there with you on the JDSBBP, Pikesville and JBBIB.  I'd add the Crown Royal NHR to the mix (although I think they all entered the fray in '15) as well. 

 

As for '16, I fear that there is much less to report (I'm not really into Barton and overpriced Booker's Rye).  As far as non-premium/limiteds go, '15 was a damn good year, while '16 has just been meh... 

 

On a positive note, I do find the JB Double Oaked a welcome addition to the lineup (nice for the price), but still personally prefer the BIB. 

 

I'm still holding out on the Bulleit Barrel Proof (which I hear is possibly only available in Ky), but have heard good reviews.     

[starhopper]

Would have to agree with the JDSBBP - deliciously different.

[flahute]

5 hours ago, Paddy said:

I'm still holding out on the Bulleit Barrel Proof (which I hear is possibly only available in Ky), but have heard good reviews.     

It's pretty good. Had it at KBA and brought a couple bottles home because it is only available in KY as you say.

[garbanzobean]

I think the best surprise of 2016 so far has been the decent QPR Willett-distilled Old Bardstown BIB.  A decent deal at $23, particularly given the built in small distillery premium.  It's no HHBIB6, but Willett probably has 10% of the capacity of HH, so I can deal.

 

Other than that, maybe the Tom's Foolery BIB.  It's unique, but I enjoy it.

[Harry in WashDC]

6 minutes ago, garbanzobean said:

I think the best surprise of 2016 so far has been the decent QPR Willett-distilled Old Bardstown BIB.  A decent deal at $23, particularly given the built in small distillery premium.  It's no HHBIB6, but Willett probably has 10% of the capacity of HH, so I can deal.

 

Other than that, maybe the Tom's Foolery BIB.  It's unique, but I enjoy it.

Eric - Gimme a hint - where'd you find the QPR?  RE: the others:

 

1- like Paddy, the JD SB BP is a winner for me even at the price of a GTS. At least I can get the JD without caliling "Joe". (Hi, Joe.)

2 - JB BIB is close to replacing EWB (@ 86 proof) as my house mixer.  On sale around here at under $18, it's a steal.

3 - Pikesville Rye 110 has replaced Rittenhouse in my house.  Ritt is consistently above average, but nothing jumps out. PR 110 pops!!

 

On the downside - the surprise is the continued removal of age statements.  I sure hope those master distillers are tasting the stuff their advert guys are telling them to sell.

[GaryT]

Count me as on board the JDSBBP train, along with the 1792 FP.  And while it was last year's release, I didn't buy my first 2015 Flaming Heart until this year - and that has been one of my all-time favorites beyond this year!

[Richnimrod]

Don't know about firey pumpers; but, I'm with my baby boy on the 1792FP and JDSBBP.    Both are very nice, and maybe a bit of surprise about how quickly they made their way onto my 'regulars list'.    Particularly the Jack.    I haven't spent a lot on any Jack products in quite a while; but I'm glad I tried the SBBP.    Went through the first bottle in under a month.     The 1792 Full Proof is one I kinda expected I'd like; but maybe didn't expect to love it like I do.    It's currently my favorite pour, and I'm on my third bottle in just a couple months.

[Harry in WashDC]

38 minutes ago, Richnimrod said:

Don't know about firey pumpers; but, I'm with my baby boy on the 1792FP and JDSBBP.    Both are very nice, and maybe a bit of surprise about how quickly they made their way onto my 'regulars list'.    Particularly the Jack.    I haven't spent a lot on any Jack products in quite a while; but I'm glad I tried the SBBP.    Went through the first bottle in under a month.     The 1792 Full Proof is one I kinda expected I'd like; but maybe didn't expect to love it like I do.    It's currently my favorite pour, and I'm on my third bottle in just a couple months.

Haven't had a chance to try the 1792FP (although I've liked most of their other offerings) because I haven't seen it although I've been casually looking.  But, like you, the JD has been a REALLY pleasant surprise.  I am now on my second bottle in two months and am looking for some for the bunker.  Two different SBs, and both have been superb.

[flahute]

At the top of my list is Michter's Barrel Strength Rye. I'm a Michter's hater. I make an exception for this one. I'm stunned that I'm able to do it.

I'll echo the others above about JDSBBP. Never liked a Jack until this one.

Honorable mention to Woodford Reserve Private Selection Batch I recently picked up. Haven't bought a WR since the late 90's. This one is good.

 

Haven't seen the 1792 Full Proof yet.

 

[BDanner]

My surprises for the year (not necessarily new releases, just ones i "discovered" this year):

 

1) Henry McKenna 10YR SiB BIB (my current favorite/Tastes like Autumn in a bottle)

2) OGD 114 (Just became available in my state in May)

3) George Dickel Barrel Select (not a bourbon, but man is it good)

4) Jim Beam Double Oak (What a surprise this one was at $25)

AND Finally...I will remember 2016 as the year I decided to give Wild Turkey 101 another shot after not caring for it when I first got into bourbon. Glad I did. Now I always have a bottle on hand.

[Auracom]

More of the 'discovery-type' for me as well, but two come to mind.

 

Russell's Reserve Single Barrel (store selections) - obviously can vary but I tried two this year and both were winners. Clearly WT is putting some effort into this label and I'm a fan of that. The surprise comes from lowered expectations based on Rare Breed.

 

Bookers 2014-06. Wow. I wish I had tried this batch back when it was first released. Would've bought a case. Have tried numerous Bookers, enjoying all of them, but this was probably the best juice from Beam I've had. 

[b1gcountry]

4RYL. I've had enough 4R premium offerings and I cobalt for around to trying their 80 proof. Man is it nice!

I also took everyone's advice and picked up a Saos7 and it has become my favorite bourbon.

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[ken_mays]

George Dickel Barrel Select barrel proof.   At 103 proof and 9 years it is one of the best values I have found in a long time.  I place it among my top 10 favorite whiskies.  I normally don't stock up on multiple bottles, but I did in this case.

[jvd99]

The Binny's Maker's Mark private barrels were surprisingly good.  I'm not a huge MM guy, don't particularly covet the cask strength, and thought the private barrel concept was a bit gimmicky, but in the end, I liked both barrels a lot and would re-purchase if I had the opportunity, but they're all gone in my neck of the woods (except the one I've put up in the SB FF League). 

[atbat82]

On 9/24/2016 at 2:23 PM, b1gcountry said:

 

I also took everyone's advice and picked up a Saos7 and it has become my favorite bourbon.

 

Is that the one they are discontinuing?

 

For me, Russell's Reserve Single Barrel was a nice surprise. Nice enough that I stocked a few in the bunker. I was never big on WT, but these were very good.

Finally got around to opening my bottle of Pikesville 110 and was very impressed with that as well.

[Gentleman Racer]

I'll turn this thread around for a second as it seems everyone has posted pleasant surprises.  Jim Beam BiB was my disappointment of the year.  I'm a Beam guy so I highly anticipated it.  I loved the Old Tub they sold (maybe still sell) in the gift shop at the distillery.  I expected the new BiB to be very close to that.  But on my palate the BiB just tastes very young.  It's drinkable, but I won't seek it out again.  

 

To end on a positive -- if I may stray outside the bourbon/whiskey bounds for a moment -- positive surprise of the year was The Party Source selection of Copper and Kings brandy.  Barrel proof (128-ish? In a brandy!) and boy howdy the flavor!  Thick, juicy, rich, and complex with unfolding layers of flavor.  I'm sure it's long gone from TPS, but if you can find the Copper and Kings Butchertown Brandy, that should be close.  

[BottledInBond]

I might say that I have been most surprised by Barrell Bourbon, especially batch 6. I am certainly not one to give newer NDPs the benefit of the doubt. Especially if they are charging premium prices. However, in this case as with some others (Smooth Ambler and High West among other NDPs that I like), some of their juice is worth what they are charging. 

[FacePlant]

Best surprise of 2016 for me was the Belle Meade 9yr Single Barrel Proof. My particular bottle was ABV 57.2 but didn't have a heavy alcohol taste. Very Bold and Rich w/molasses and red fruits up front. I've been back to the bottle several times just to see if it's really that good? If you haven't tried it I would recommend a good taste test. Yummmm

[Paddy]

1 hour ago, BottledInBond said:

I might say that I have been most surprised by Barrell Bourbon, especially batch 6. I am certainly not one to give newer NDPs the benefit of the doubt. Especially if they are charging premium prices. However, in this case as with some others (Smooth Ambler and High West among other NDPs that I like), some of their juice is worth what they are charging. 

I have certainly been surprised by them as well.  We have a lot of PS barrels floating around here, and some of them are stellar.  I even bunkered a few of the batch 5's and the BW 001.

[Kpiz]

2 hours ago, Paddy said:

I have certainly been surprised by them as well.  We have a lot of PS barrels floating around here, and some of them are stellar.  I even bunkered a few of the batch 5's and the BW 001.

Interesting, I didn't even know that Barrell was doing private selections. I haven't seen any out west.

 

I've been most surprised by the quality of some of the American malts, which have been pretty good at a young age and seem to be improving. The prices are still relatively high on many of them but hopefully they'll start creeping down.

[flahute]

3 hours ago, Kpiz said:

Interesting, I didn't even know that Barrell was doing private selections. I haven't seen any out west.

I haven't seen any either and I mentioned this to the Barrel guys at the KBA back in June. They told me they were available and had distribution out here, but that someone had to ask for it. They gave me info so I could go to a store and request it to get it into the system. Unfortunately, I don't really care for their bourbon being that it's sourced from Dickel so I haven't followed up. I do like the Barrel Whiskey however.

[Ravensfire]

Best surprise of 2016 for me was the Belle Meade 9yr Single Barrel Proof. My particular bottle was ABV 57.2 but didn't have a heavy alcohol taste. Very Bold and Rich w/molasses and red fruits up front. I've been back to the bottle several times just to see if it's really that good? If you haven't tried it I would recommend a good taste test. Yummmm

Completely agree with you about Belle Meade. Very easy to drink neat even at a fairly high proof. Cost is pretty decent. Want to try the cognac finish but at 75 a bottle it's just too rich. There's a whiskey event in my town in November that I'm hoping will have them there to taste.

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[BigPapa]

KCSB 120 proof for me

 

[BourbonJoe]

I was surprised at how good the new OFBB was.