Decisions, Decisions???

[CardsandBourbon]

Vote above, and let me know why you voted as you did (tasting notes, previous bottles, etc.).  The one with the most votes will be purchased . . . maybe.  Or I may ignore all your votes and buy the one that has the best review from you guys . . . maybe.

Edited November 28, 2017 by CardsandBourbon

[Richnimrod]

I voted twice.

Here's why: The Decades is a stellar, if slightly muted, pour... so if elegant and understated are what you crave; Decades is it. 

If you prefer 'in-yer-face-woody' Bourbon the Barterhouse is a decent pour in that category.

 

Strictly for my own palate, I'd grab that decades.    It is subtle; but very nicely put together.    I think that one may be the 'best' bottle I've bought in the last few months.  

Of course everybody has different preferences, as well as different abilities to discern flavors.

[JCwhammie]

Do you like Blanton’s? If so you could look into ordering a SFTB from overseas. 

[Clueby]

I would probably do the Decades. I've heard much more good things about it than the Diamond. I like Barterhouse quite a bit but I couldn't justify that price as its $75 here and not TOO difficult to find.  Forged Oak would be a pass at $65..much less $90.  Know nothing about Bower Hill

[Harry in WashDC]

Decades is what I picked.  I am not a woody bourbon fan, and I prefer OGD BIB to WT 101.  Heck, I prefer VOB BIB to WT 101.  However, I do like the WT Rare Breed and the higher proof Russell's Reserve offerings.  For it age, I found Decades to be complex and creamy and floral with no astringent (think overly woody Chardonnay) mouthfeel or cedar aftertaste.  I have not had the BHBS, and my tastes of the others were only in bars but did not encourage me to purchase a bottle.  My Decades bottle, however, has several unopened friends just in case that first bottle mysteriously disappears.

[Radioyada]

I second the looking online and getting something shipped from overseas that you would not be able to find around you. 

 

As as far as your list I have never had any of them so cannot in good conscience cast a vote. 

[DCFan]

I went with Decades to commemorate the decades of work you put in. (I assume you've been working for decades?) 

[lcpfratn]

I voted for Decades. It's a very nice bourbon in a beautiful bottle and nice packaging worthy of a celebration. Barterhouse is not that woody for a 20 year old bourbon, and is actually pretty good...perhaps not stellar, but it would still be my second choice. I have a bottle of WT Diamond and Forged Oak, but I've yet to open them, so I can't recommend them at this point. 

[fishnbowljoe]

What, no Weller?  

 

I respectfully abstain from voting. Regardless of the vote, I'm sure you'll appreciate whatever is chosen. Congratulations on your impending retirement. Yeah, I'm jealous.  

 

Sláinte! Joe

[kevinbrink]

Decades was an easy choice for me here, I can't imagine spend that kind of money on any of the others.

[EarthQuake]

I voted for Barterhouse, it's one of my favorites. Super smooth and easy to drink. Sweet baking spices, balanced with oak and leather. Long finish. Not a punch you in the face sort of bourbon but something nice to sip and contemplate.

 

I haven't had Diamond or Decades, but had the WTMK 17 and was pretty underwhelmed by it (it was very hot for the proof).

Edited November 29, 2017 by EarthQuake

[lcpfratn]

14 minutes ago, EarthQuake said:

I voted for Barterhouse, it's one of my favorites. Super smooth and easy to drink. Sweet baking spices, balanced with oak and leather. Long finish. Not a punch you in the face sort of bourbon but something nice to sip and contemplate.

 

I haven't had Diamond or Decades, but had the WTMK 17 and was pretty underwhelmed by it (it was very hot for the proof).

Wow, not sure I've ever heard anyone say that WTMK 17yr was too hot at 86.8 proof! 

[Government Beard]

Decades. And congrats on retirement. 

[EarthQuake]

44 minutes ago, lcpfratn said:

Wow, not sure I've ever heard anyone say that WTMK 17yr was too hot at 86.8 proof! 

I know, it was really surprising. It was real hot to me. I'm someone who regularly enjoys Stagg Jr at 130 proof too (and various other barrel proofers). I only had one pour at a bar so maybe my palate was messed up, but all I got off it was heat.

Edited November 29, 2017 by EarthQuake

[flahute]

3 hours ago, EarthQuake said:

I know, it was really surprising. It was real hot to me. I'm someone who regularly enjoys Stagg Jr at 130 proof too (and various other barrel proofers). I only had one pour at a bar so maybe my palate was messed up, but all I got off it was heat.

You should try it again if possible. I've never gotten heat from this one. 

[Canarse]

Of that list I vote Decades.

 

Based upon your likes have you considered the KC25th Anniversary?  Is it still available in your area?

[CardsandBourbon]

15 hours ago, Richnimrod said:

I voted twice.

Here's why: The Decades is a stellar, if slightly muted, pour... so if elegant and understated are what you crave; Decades is it. 

If you prefer 'in-yer-face-woody' Bourbon the Barterhouse is a decent pour in that category.

 

Strictly for my own palate, I'd grab that decades.    It is subtle; but very nicely put together.    I think that one may be the 'best' bottle I've bought in the last few months.  

Of course everybody has different preferences, as well as different abilities to discern flavors.

Oh, just so you could skew my numbers. LOL!  I like woody bourbon but most of the votes so far are for Decades.

15 hours ago, JCwhammie said:

Do you like Blanton’s? If so you could look into ordering a SFTB from overseas. 

I love Blanton's (planning on having "He Loved Mash Bill #2" on my tombstone.  Most won't ship into Kentucky because of our laws but I've never thought about doing that.  I'll look into that.

15 hours ago, Harry in WashDC said:

Decades is what I picked.  I am not a woody bourbon fan, and I prefer OGD BIB to WT 101.  Heck, I prefer VOB BIB to WT 101.  However, I do like the WT Rare Breed and the higher proof Russell's Reserve offerings.  For it age, I found Decades to be complex and creamy and floral with no astringent (think overly woody Chardonnay) mouthfeel or cedar aftertaste.  I have not had the BHBS, and my tastes of the others were only in bars but did not encourage me to purchase a bottle.  My Decades bottle, however, has several unopened friends just in case that first bottle mysteriously disappears.

Harry I'm like you, I do like the WTRB & RR stuff but not the WT 101.

14 hours ago, DCFan said:

I went with Decades to commemorate the decades of work you put in. (I assume you've been working for decades?) 

DC, I like the way you think.  Yes I've been working for "Decades".  When I retire I'll have 31 years & 10 months service time.

12 hours ago, fishnbowljoe said:

What, no Weller?  

 

I respectfully abstain from voting. Regardless of the vote, I'm sure you'll appreciate whatever is chosen. Congratulations on your impending retirement. Yeah, I'm jealous.  

 

Sláinte! Joe

I know.  You're probably very disappointed in me, with you being the Weller whore and me being a Weller slut.  But in this case I was looking for something that 1) I didn't already have and, 2) Wouldn't normally buy based on the price.

11 hours ago, Government Beard said:

Decades. And congrats on retirement. 

Thanks.  Looking forward to more fishing, spending time with my new grandson and . . . cooking dinner every night and cleaning the house and doing the yard work (wife made me say the last part). 

1 hour ago, Canarse said:

Of that list I vote Decades.

 

Based upon your likes have you considered the KC25th Anniversary?  Is it still available in your area?

Love the Single Barrel KC but I haven't been able to find any of the 25th Anniversary around here.  Had I been able to it would definitely have made the list of possibles.

[CardsandBourbon]

Oops, I just realized I left one that I can get around here off the list.

 

Jim Beam Distiller's Masterpiece $160.

 

[Harry in WashDC]

12 hours ago, EarthQuake said:

I know, it was really surprising. It was real hot to me. I'm someone who regularly enjoys Stagg Jr at 130 proof too (and various other barrel proofers). I only had one pour at a bar so maybe my palate was messed up, but all I got off it was heat.

Maybe the bar gave you "something else"????  One, but only one, of the WT RB batches (and it is the latest one @ 116.8) ran hotter than I expected  neat.  I guess 5 proof degrees can have a major difference. 

[fishnbowljoe]

Weller whore...Weller slut.... LMAO!  Thanks Kevin, I needed a laugh today. 

 

Sláinte!  Joe

[EarthQuake]

7 hours ago, Harry in WashDC said:

Maybe the bar gave you "something else"????  One, but only one, of the WT RB batches (and it is the latest one @ 116.8) ran hotter than I expected  neat.  I guess 5 proof degrees can have a major difference. 

I tried it again tonight at dinner and it was much better. No real heat to speak of, so I wonder if they just poured the wrong thing. It's odd though, when I hat it before I got a lot of oak and a lot of heat, I can't imagine what they would have given me with that much heat AND oak, so I sort of expect my palete was messed up.

 

Upon further reflection, WTMK 17 is quite a nice pour, I would probably take Barterhouse over it, and maybe EC18 too, but it's quite nice. I might have to reconsider picking up a bottle.

[0895]

10 hours ago, CardsandBourbon said:

Love the Single Barrel KC but I haven't been able to find any of the 25th Anniversary around here.  Had I been able to it would definitely have made the list of possibles.

 

You should road trip up here to STL.  Sitting on the shelves. 

 

Voted for decades as well.  I think it's a neat buy for retirement.  You'll always remember why you got it.

Edited November 30, 2017 by 0895

[flahute]

4 hours ago, EarthQuake said:

I tried it again tonight at dinner and it was much better. No real heat to speak of, so I wonder if they just poured the wrong thing. It's odd though, when I hat it before I got a lot of oak and a lot of heat, I can't imagine what they would have given me with that much heat AND oak, so I sort of expect my palete was messed up.

 

Upon further reflection, WTMK 17 is quite a nice pour, I would probably take Barterhouse over it, and maybe EC18 too, but it's quite nice. I might have to reconsider picking up a bottle.

I'm going to go with your palate being messed up. I only say that because when my palate is messed up, the weirdest things happen. 

[Masset1982]

The Decades, in a heart beat !

 

Will.

[CardsandBourbon]

With 85.19% of the vote the winner is . . . 

 

Plus DCFan & 0895 made good points about 1) It would celebrate my decades of work and 2) I would always remember why I bought it.  Thanks to everyone that voted.

Edited December 1, 2017 by CardsandBourbon