New distillery to pick up?

[Mako254]

After a scatter shot approach a couple years ago, I really tried to focus on:

1) What I liked and 

2) What was available to me on a somewhat regular and affordable basis. 

 

I can budget about $200/ mnth or so to this hobby. So I tried to focus on things accessible to me to build a modest bunker.  

 

I like:

1) Four Roses. My favorite for sure. Have 5 of 10 private barrel recipes and the standard single barrel is a daily pour for me. 

2) Heaven Hill, Evan Williams SB, Henry McKenna 10 yr BiB, and Elijah Craig single Barrel and barrel proof. 

3) Buffalo trace single barrel stuff. Blantons, Rock Hill farms, EH Taylor line. 

 

In the last 6 months I have been mostly disciplined in my buying (except for an oregon craft wheat whiskey). If the above is not available, I try to bunker EWSB or HM BiB. 

 

So I'm tinkering with adding another distillery. I've never purchased 1792, Wild Turkey, or Michters juice.  I realize BTAC and other unicorns are not likely to come my way and I am not interested in secondary market prices so I like to focus on store picks, single barrel, and barrel proof stuff. 

 

Any suggestions? State your case. 

Edited August 29, 2017 by Mako254

[Paddy]

I'd stay away from craft or NDP BS, and start with Turkey or Beam.  Both have solid brands, Beam having the larger portfolio of the two.  You can also stick your toe into the rye pool if you're willing to get frisky. 

[0895]

25 minutes ago, Mako254 said:

 

So I'm tinkering with adding another distillery. I've never purchased 1792, Wild Turkey, or Michters juice.  I realize BTAC and other unicorns are not likely to come my way and I am not interested in secondary market prices so I like to focus on store picks, single barrel, and barrel proof stuff. 

 

Any suggestions? State your case. 

 

Highly recommend you pick up and try a bottle of 1792 (red neck label) small batch.  For $25-$30, I think you'll be highly impressed.

It's different from everything else you enjoy.

 

From there you could always branch into the variations (Full proof, single barrel, store picks, etc.) if you wanted, but I've tried all that jazz..... and regular old red label small batch shelf stock is still my favorite.  Something to be said for that.

 

And if I'm wrong, and you hate it, then pm me for my address. 

[Harry in WashDC]

What Paddy said.  The Beam small batch series (KC, BH, Bookers, Bakers) is worth trying in order to see if you want to buy and bunker multiples.  I tried but was not thrilled with the Beam craft series.  The first few were fine, but the latter ones seemed like they were reaching to be "hip", so they weren't.

 

Re: ryes.  For several years, I used them only in cocktails.  Several months ago (although I forget the thread), I decided (after 50 years of drinking only a limited # of bourbons and fewer gins neat or with ice) to try out ryes.  With Paddy's encouragement, I sought out ryes from the major houses, many of which I had in my bar but had NEVER tried neat.   For example, I had HH's Rittenhouse and Pikesville (both proofs).  Did a SBS.  Moved on to others - mostly WT's.  It opened up a whole new area for me.

 

Finally - another way to attack this Gordian knot is to seek out all bonded bourbons.  Buy one of each.  Try them side by side.  Keep notes.  Put them in cocktails.  Drink them in the morning on the weekend.  Drink them after spicy food.  Any patterns come to mind?  Any faves pop up?  If so,  bunker - but not too many as tastes change.

[flahute]

Time to take a Turkey dive.

WT101, WTRB, RR10yr 90 proof, and RRSiB (110 proof). Try them all.

[lcpfratn]

I think I'd avoid the Michter's and venture into either 1792 or Wild Turkey. However, as mentioned by others, don't forget about Beam. There are private selections available from all three Distilleries. I have 1792 Small Batch and Full Proof private selections that are really good. I have RRSiB and WTKS private selections that are also very good. Beam, is where I've probably been sucked in the most...I have many KCSiB private selections that are in the 12 and 13 year age category. I also have quite a few different batches of Booker's. So I guess what I'm saying is I think you should try out all three at some point. I think the KCSiB private selections are the best bang for the buck, so that's where I'd start if you haven't tried any of those before.


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[EarthQuake]

Some good suggestions so far, I would suggest trying out rye as well:

 

• Rittenhouse 100 - very good for the price, perfect for mixing
• Pikesville - hard to get better for $50, perfect neat and works well in booze forward mixed drinks too
• Russell's Reserve, both the 6 year (for cocktails) and the Single Barrel - I find the SiB to be exceptional neat
• High West Double Rye - again another good value rye that holds up well in cocktails, its on the young side (usually a blend of 2 year old rye with something older) but is generally more enjoyable than most young ryes
• High West Rendezvous - well balanced sipping rye
• High West Bourye - not technically a rye or a bourbon but one of my favorites, a blend of 9-16 year old rye and bourbon
• WhistlePig 10 year - shop around you can sometimes find this for $50-60, at $80 it's overpriced - you can find single barrel, barrel proof store picks for about $80 too - the one of which I've had so far was fantastic

Edited August 29, 2017 by EarthQuake

[kevinbrink]

I will chime in and agree with the idea of going with Beam next just by a hair over WT. Booker's is one of my favorites and if I had not had it by now I would be looking to grab some lingering bottles at the old price.  Knob Creek (100pf, SB & Rye), Baker's, JB BIB, OGD BIB and OGD 114 are all pretty great products at good prices.

[JCwhammie]

9 hours ago, flahute said:

Time to take a Turkey dive.

WT101, WTRB, RR10yr 90 proof, and RRSiB (110 proof). Try them all.

This. Check the stores where you get your FR PS bottles for Russell's Reserve Single Barrel store picks. Well, maybe you should try the WT101 or RR SmB 10year first to make sure you like the Turkey profile. I love my FR PS bottles, but not quite as much as I love my RRSiB.

[Mako254]

Thanks for advice fellas, it is appreciated. 

 

--I have enjoyed the four or five bonded bottles I have, which is really what put me on to heaven hill. They have (In my experience) a quality product that is at a good price and is available. The OF 1897

is on my list to add to BiB. 

--been burned on NDP and craft so those will be avoidee. I must say though, the 'old scout' line from smooth ambler seems to have it's share of fans on here. I have a line on a couple bottles of SAOS 10 year cask strength... good stuff?

 

--I have bunkered a handful of 9 year KC prior to the dropping of the AS and total has a 13 year private barrel in the works. Exploring this line is definitely something I want to do. 

 

--WT rare breed seems to have its share of fans here, that may be next purchase. 

 

Thanks again fellas

 

 

[JoeTerp]

14 minutes ago, Mako254 said:

Thanks for advice fellas, it is appreciated. 

 

--I have enjoyed the four or five bonded bottles I have, which is really what put me on to heaven hill. They have (In my experience) a quality product that is at a good price and is available. The OF 1897

is on my list to add to BiB. 

--been burned on NDP and craft so those will be avoidee. I must say though, the 'old scout' line from smooth ambler seems to have it's share of fans on here. I have a line on a couple bottles of SAOS 10 year cask strength... good stuff?

 

--I have bunkered a handful of 9 year KC prior to the dropping of the AS and total has a 13 year private barrel in the works. Exploring this line is definitely something I want to do. 

 

--WT rare breed seems to have its share of fans here, that may be next purchase. 

 

Thanks again fellas

 

 

The cask strength SAOS's are worth a try. MGP makes some good whiskey and these SAOS are a good example. The craft stuff to really worry about is the stuff they distill themselves and age for two years or less and often in small barrels. 

 

I think youre generally going about about this the right way. I love the quest for the Four Roses private selects. I've had one I truly didn't care for and a couple others that I didn't think were great, but generally I love these. 

 

I think that 1792, beam, and wild turkey would all be good targets to try next. 

[flahute]

3 hours ago, Mako254 said:

The OF 1897

is on my list to add to BiB. 

 

 

 

I'd skip this and go right to the 1920 unless you feel compelled to try all of the BIBs. 1897 is OK, but given the price, the 1920 is a much better value.

[Mako254]

3 hours ago, flahute said:

I'd skip this and go right to the 1920 unless you feel compelled to try all of the BIBs. 1897 is OK, but given the price, the 1920 is a much better value.

 

I snagged a 1920 last week and it is fantastic. 

[Mako254]

Snagged a Rare Breed 112.8 today. Saw a couple of the new style bottles as well. Will crack it later this evening. 

[Richnimrod]

One small personal opinion note...

I'd continue with the gathering of HmcK BIB (especially concentrating on bottles from a particular barrel(s) you've tried and loved); but I have stopped buying EwSB.    The qualities for which I prized it in the past just aren't there any more.     ...And, at the low proof of EWSB, I find the HMcK a far better bet, since it remains pretty consistent in it's profile... to me at least.  

Of course your own taste buddies are always your best guide.

[Mako254]

1 hour ago, Richnimrod said:

One small personal opinion note...

I'd continue with the gathering of HmcK BIB (especially concentrating on bottles from a particular barrel(s) you've tried and loved); but I have stopped buying EwSB.    The qualities for which I prized it in the past just aren't there any more.     ...And, at the low proof of EWSB, I find the HMcK a far better bet, since it remains pretty consistent in it's profile... to me at least.  

Of course your own taste buddies are always your best guide.

 

I've started to bunker the HM 10. 1) I really like it 2) in case AS drops.  I snag a bottle when I am in a new shop and they dont have any barrel picks or alot ment bottles. 

[Patrick_OKC]

2 hours ago, Richnimrod said:

One small personal opinion note...

I'd continue with the gathering of HmcK BIB (especially concentrating on bottles from a particular barrel(s) you've tried and loved); but I have stopped buying EwSB.    The qualities for which I prized it in the past just aren't there any more.     ...And, at the low proof of EWSB, I find the HMcK a far better bet, since it remains pretty consistent in it's profile... to me at least.  

Of course your own taste buddies are always your best guide.

I have found that matching the vintage of an EWSB and HMCK  (2003, for example) allows for a tasty flight. A pour of EWSB 2003 followed by HMCK bottled the same year is pretty darn good in my opinion. 

[Richnimrod]

7 hours ago, Patrick_OKC said:

I have found that matching the vintage of an EWSB and HMCK  (2003, for example) allows for a tasty flight. A pour of EWSB 2003 followed by HMCK bottled the same year is pretty darn good in my opinion. 

ABSOLUTELY!  

The issue at hand is finding any EWSB that claims a vintage year earlier than about 2007.    Most available in my neck of the woods are up to '09.    A few as old as '07 can be found; but older is very unlikely to be on shelves around here.

[Mako254]

1 hour ago, Richnimrod said:

ABSOLUTELY!  

The issue at hand is finding any EWSB that claims a vintage year earlier than about 2007.    Most available in my neck of the woods are up to '09.    A few as old as '07 can be found; but older is very unlikely to be on shelves around here.

 

I've been able to find an 05 06 and 07 but I haven't cracked them yet. I' have enjoyed the 08 and 09 that are out now. 

 

Good idea abt SbS w/ EWSB and HM barreled the same year. Will try that. 

[Mako254]

WT it is. Really enjoying the 112.8 rare breed (bunkering a few as well). RR single barrel is next on the list. 

[JCwhammie]

Like you, I'm a huge fan of the 4R PS and Rare Breed. I recently got a store pick Belle Meade Single Barrell 10 Year Cask Strength. I'm a huge fan of this stuff. 

[Mako254]

26 minutes ago, JCwhammie said:

Like you, I'm a huge fan of the 4R PS and Rare Breed. I recently got a store pick Belle Meade Single Barrell 10 Year Cask Strength. I'm a huge fan of this stuff. 

 

I'll have to try that. The standard belle meade was ok, but my taste leans toward 100-115 proof stuff. 

[flahute]

11 hours ago, Mako254 said:

WT it is. Really enjoying the 112.8 rare breed (bunkering a few as well). RR single barrel is next on the list. 

This is a smart play.

[mfly86]

This is a smart play.

I agree that the rare breed is good stuff. This is also a great value.


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[mfly86]

Rare Breed is some good stuff and is a great value


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