flahute Posted April 16, 2017 Share Posted April 16, 2017 On 4/14/2017 at 2:18 PM, smokinjoe said: First taste from the Basil Hayden Rye, and I am impressed. Very sippable, with unmistakable rye notes that build throughout. The finish really shines, and is where the older quarter cask rye (my assumption) exerts itself. There is a very nice progression of soft (though greenish) to sizzle from front to end that is very well conceived and executed. Beam blended this very well for my tastes. There ya go, trying to get me to go out an buy another new release. Oh who am I fooling, I was a buyer anyway, you just convinced me to get on with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinbrink Posted April 17, 2017 Share Posted April 17, 2017 Watching Brockmire off the DVR, impossible not to pour a Sazerac while watching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy Posted April 18, 2017 Share Posted April 18, 2017 I couldn't resist... Thanks, Joe ( I think)! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFerguson Posted April 19, 2017 Share Posted April 19, 2017 Nearly the end pour of Handy tonight. Looking at the rest of t he lineup, I thought to myself, that's a solid grouping of some heavy hitters.BSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy Posted April 19, 2017 Share Posted April 19, 2017 Had my first go with the BH tonight. I'll echo Joe's thoughts above, and add that even at 80 proof, this will take a few drops very well. Mouth feel is silky, and you know right away you've gotten ahold of a decently aged, well done rye. It is a bit dry and green up front, but you are rewarded with a moderately lengthy and warming finish of baking spices. I even picked up a bit of the earthen/barnyard note that I've come to love from the WT rye's. With a few drops, I found it to be a bit more polished with a lessor dry/green impression and a bit more pronounced rye spice finish. The barnyard note went missing however, but I do think I once detected a bit of green apple and mint note on the finish. It's a bit pricey, but even at 80 proof, everything a rye lover is looking for is here in this nicely done presentation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flahute Posted April 20, 2017 Share Posted April 20, 2017 22 hours ago, Paddy said: Had my first go with the BH tonight. I'll echo Joe's thoughts above, and add that even at 80 proof, this will take a few drops very well. Mouth feel is silky, and you know right away you've gotten ahold of a decently aged, well done rye. It is a bit dry and green up front, but you are rewarded with a moderately lengthy and warming finish of baking spices. I even picked up a bit of the earthen/barnyard note that I've come to love from the WT rye's. With a few drops, I found it to be a bit more polished with a lessor dry/green impression and a bit more pronounced rye spice finish. The barnyard note went missing however, but I do think I once detected a bit of green apple and mint note on the finish. It's a bit pricey, but even at 80 proof, everything a rye lover is looking for is here in this nicely done presentation. Dammit. First Joe and now you. I have to buy this now for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lcpfratn Posted April 20, 2017 Share Posted April 20, 2017 Enjoying a glass of Baby Saz tonight. The more I drink this, the better I like it...and at less than $30, it's a pretty darn good Rye value. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye62 Posted April 21, 2017 Share Posted April 21, 2017 At the moment I have open bottles of High West Rendezvous, High West Double, High West OMG, Old Potrero Straight, Rittenhouse 100, Russell's Reserve 6yr and Woodinville Microbarreled. The OMG just sits there gathering dust. The others slowly decline in level. But, when I open a bottle of Pikesville 110, it goes empty very quickly. So, since the Pikesville is hard to get in Utah, I don't open a bottle very often. Regards, Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFerguson Posted April 21, 2017 Share Posted April 21, 2017 Digging out one of my private selections from the local watering hole. It's Friday, why hold back?BSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvd99 Posted April 22, 2017 Share Posted April 22, 2017 BH Rye - I'll echo what's above. Good stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexanBrad Posted April 22, 2017 Share Posted April 22, 2017 Had my first go with the BH tonight. I'll echo Joe's thoughts above, and add that even at 80 proof, this will take a few drops very well. Mouth feel is silky, and you know right away you've gotten ahold of a decently aged, well done rye. It is a bit dry and green up front, but you are rewarded with a moderately lengthy and warming finish of baking spices. I even picked up a bit of the earthen/barnyard note that I've come to love from the WT rye's. With a few drops, I found it to be a bit more polished with a lessor dry/green impression and a bit more pronounced rye spice finish. The barnyard note went missing however, but I do think I once detected a bit of green apple and mint note on the finish. It's a bit pricey, but even at 80 proof, everything a rye lover is looking for is here in this nicely done presentation. I'll admit, I do have a slant for higher proofed stuff, so that could very well be part of my issue with BH Rye. I tried it the past couple nights with some coworkers, and it struck me as nice but limp proofed, much like I find regular BH. There's good flavor there, it just needs more stuffing to hold interest, IMHO.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Postal Grunt Posted April 23, 2017 Share Posted April 23, 2017 While visiting my parents in MA, I had some time to visit a Total Wine in Shrewsbury, MA. I located a bottle of Dad's Hat Rye that was a little bit pricey for me around $39/750ml but given what few chances I've had to buy one, I pulled out the Visa. It's not a bad drink at all. Admittedly, I haven't sampled every worth while Rye on the market but this one won't be pushed to the back of the cabinet to gather dust. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarthQuake Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 (edited) Lock Stock and Barrel 16 year. I get traditional rye on the front and very distinct nutty, dry sherry like flavor on the end. The nutty flavor overpowers and I struggle to pick out any other flavors, which makes for a disappointing experience. Mostly disappointing because I tried the 13 year, and absolutely loved the fruity apple and leather thing it had going on, but figured for $20 more the 16 had to be better right? Nope. Well, now I've got a bottle of the 13 on the way as well. I tried another pour with an ice cube, which mellows out the nuttiness a bit, but there's not a lot of difference between this and say, WhistlePig 10 when you put them both on the rocks. May have to do a WP10, LSB 13, LSB 16 side by side. Overall the 16 is an interesting and very easy to drink pour even at 107 proof, but the nutty thing is outside of my wheelhouse. If you like a dry, nutty sherry, you would probably like the LSB 16. I've been enjoying my bottle of HW Bourye 2015 quite a bit recently, my favorite parts of Bourbon and Rye in a single pour, yay! It's like everything I love from I.W. Harper 15 year, but with the flavors turned up a notch and with the extra pop of rye spice. Bottle is almost gone so I may have to grab another. Edited April 24, 2017 by EarthQuake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CardsandBourbon Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 Had my first pour of Baby Saz a couple of nights ago. Very impressed, especially since you can get it, when you CAN get it, for $30. Looks like I'm going to have to try the BH Rye. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tanstaafl2 Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 15 hours ago, EarthQuake said: Lock Stock and Barrel 16 year. I get traditional rye on the front and very distinct nutty, dry sherry like flavor on the end. The nutty flavor overpowers and I struggle to pick out any other flavors, which makes for a disappointing experience. Mostly disappointing because I tried the 13 year, and absolutely loved the fruity apple and leather thing it had going on, but figured for $20 more the 16 had to be better right? Nope. Well, now I've got a bottle of the 13 on the way as well. I tried another pour with an ice cube, which mellows out the nuttiness a bit, but there's not a lot of difference between this and say, WhistlePig 10 when you put them both on the rocks. May have to do a WP10, LSB 13, LSB 16 side by side. Overall the 16 is an interesting and very easy to drink pour even at 107 proof, but the nutty thing is outside of my wheelhouse. If you like a dry, nutty sherry, you would probably like the LSB 16. I can certainly support the notion of trying a SBSBS of LSB 13, LSB 16 and Whistlepig! Of course I recommend a blind tasting. I found it was the 13yo was the least pleasing of the bunch with a touch of bitterness in the finish. I didn't recall it as being nutty or sherry like, just oddly bitter, but it never hurts to try again... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madhatter Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 17 hours ago, EarthQuake said: I've been enjoying my bottle of HW Bourye 2015 quite a bit recently, my favorite parts of Bourbon and Rye in a single pour, yay! It's like everything I love from I.W. Harper 15 year, but with the flavors turned up a notch and with the extra pop of rye spice. Bottle is almost gone so I may have to grab another. Yup, High West Bourye is the result of blending artistry. When I start thinking about whiskeys, that blend comes to mind most often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LCWoody Posted April 26, 2017 Author Share Posted April 26, 2017 Had some Bookers Rye tonight. I know Fred Noe said he didn't know the exact % of Rye in this, but I hope that Fred is putting something close into some barrels and trying. This is a great Rye. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Dusty Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 7 hours ago, LCWoody said: Had some Bookers Rye tonight. I know Fred Noe said he didn't know the exact % of Rye in this, but I hope that Fred is putting something close into some barrels and trying. This is a great Rye. I agree. I think some opinions were colored by the hefty SRP. But putting aside price it has merits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinbrink Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 Well since it's Wednesday and Hank Azaria is wearing a plaid suit on my TV, I'm having a healthy pour of Baby Saz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beasled Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 Having some Rittenhouse Bonded this evening, going down a treat. Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFerguson Posted April 30, 2017 Share Posted April 30, 2017 Nightcap pour of Sazerac18, 2016 at the bar. Gentleman, we've hit a turning point, and the world will never be the same. It's. it like it used to be. Not even close. No depth, no exoticness, no incense, and old church wood. Nothing. It's frankly sad. It's a mere shell of its former glory, and not worth more than retail at best. It almost sucks. And that opinion is not the booze talking. Sad, just sad. Once again, I think the glory years of rye will never be duplicated. BSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottledInBond Posted April 30, 2017 Share Posted April 30, 2017 9 hours ago, BFerguson said: Nightcap pour of Sazerac18, 2016 at the bar. Gentleman, we've hit a turning point, and the world will never be the same. It's. it like it used to be. Not even close. No depth, no exoticness, no incense, and old church wood. Nothing. It's frankly sad. It's a mere shell of its former glory, and not worth more than retail at best. It almost sucks. And that opinion is not the booze talking. Sad, just sad. Once again, I think the glory years of rye will never be duplicated. B Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I have to say I agree on the Saz/2016 in terms of comparing it to the tanked stuff. However I would say it is still easily worth MSRP to me in today's world. Some people seem to really like it too so I'm holding out hope that future releases might agree with me a little more. I'm also going to hold onto my last bottle of the 2015 for a special occasion..... As for the glory days of Rye being over, I'm not quite ready to go there entirely, but it will require some patience, and some $. Booker's Rye was pricey but nobody can tell me it wasn't a really good Rye whiskey. I also really like quite a few of the 7/8+ year old MGP ryes and am holding out hope that there are some older barrels sitting around that might have some magic coming some day. I also have faith that Willett will have some fantastic ryes further out into the future once they've been distilling 10+ years. And hey, Wild Turkey, how about you stop the bourbon-LE parade with decidedly mixed results and pull out some older Rye barrels for a one-off LE? Last but certainly not least, we can all continue hoping that HH will finally give us what many of us have been hoping for and drop a barrel proof Rye PHC. Alas, none of the options I'm listing above are likely to be very affordable going forward, unless we do see a bubble burst of some type leading to a new glut. Since I'm not really expecting that to happen, I'll just have to make a lot more money...... long live Rye Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vosgar Posted April 30, 2017 Share Posted April 30, 2017 14 hours ago, BFerguson said: Nightcap pour of Sazerac18, 2016 at the bar. Gentleman, we've hit a turning point, and the world will never be the same. It's. it like it used to be. Not even close. No depth, no exoticness, no incense, and old church wood. Nothing. It's frankly sad. It's a mere shell of its former glory, and not worth more than retail at best. It almost sucks. Any possibility the bar pulled a fast one and either watered it down or had something else in that bottle? We all know it happens Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFerguson Posted April 30, 2017 Share Posted April 30, 2017 Any possibility the bar pulled a fast one and either watered it down or had something else in that bottle? We all know it happensUnlikely. The bottle seal was cracked in front of me.BSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlutz Posted April 30, 2017 Share Posted April 30, 2017 It's a beautiful day here n Maryland. 70-75 degrees this evening. Just finished some spare ribs and chicken thighs on the smoker. Enjoying some RRSiB neat while the rest of the charcoal burns off in the big green egg. Sublime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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