What Bourbon Are You Enjoying (Winter 2017)

[flahute]

5 minutes ago, Kepler said:

Never heard of this, what is it?  I agree on pestering them, so if you start the petition I'll sign it.

A friend of mine works for Maker's. (And recently Beam, though they're the same company so he still kind of works for Beam). He has all kinds of interesting things in his home bar. This is a sample bottle (not for sale anywhere) that has a makeshift label with the word "overaged" on the label. Hahaha. I think it tastes perfect. There's also a 12 year out there that Minnick has tasted and has gone on about. I think the 10 year I tasted could easily handle two more years of aging.

[Kepler]

10 minutes ago, flahute said:

A friend of mine works for Maker's. (And recently Beam, though they're the same company so he still kind of works for Beam). He has all kinds of interesting things in his home bar. This is a sample bottle (not for sale anywhere) that has a makeshift label with the word "overaged" on the label. Hahaha. I think it tastes perfect. There's also a 12 year out there that Minnick has tasted and has gone on about. I think the 10 year I tasted could easily handle two more years of aging.

Very cool, lucky you!

[Kepler]

30 minutes ago, Kepler said:

2nd pour tonight is 4RSmBLE '16, love this stuff.

Hmm, I'm eyeing Mr. Stagg sitting over there for pour 3

Ok the 4R was so good that I actually made another pour of it my 3rd, so sue me! 

 

Now here's the GTS for pour #4, it's been a very good day

[DCFan]

11 hours ago, Clueby said:

I don't keep anything high end in decanters. 

Now I thought that keeping liquor in a decanter was bad because the lead would leach out into the drink. Or did they stop putting lead in crystal years ago because of that?

[$helby]

9 hours ago, reeko said:

Have you tried the bib from Jim beam? Is it any good?

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No, It's next on my list to try.    

[Steven C]

8 hours ago, mpgolfpro said:

Have you had Birthday Bourbon?  I was fortunate enough to have a glass of it recently and really enjoyed it.  I haven't yet tasted any other Old Forester bourbons.  Do any come even close to resembling BB?

I think many here have said that the 1920 is close -- some have even said better -- than the Birthday Bourbon.  The 1920 runs @ $54 in Chicago...  I loved my bottle, but I've never had the Birthday Bourbon...

 

[MTNBourbon]

16 hours ago, Steven C said:

Results are in... YMMV:

 

6th: Old Forester 86 Proof Paper Label

I love the OF profile, and these older paper label bottles are a dusty I see now and then and I snap them up when I do.  I have had better bottles from this same era. This one had the nice easy drinking, brown sugar quality too it, but felt like it finished very fast.  The lower proof is probably the sole reason for it's coming last in the rankings.  I had a bottle earlier this summer that was this guy's shelf-mate, so it could be that this one has gone slightly off (tho I've gassed it and kept it cool for about 6 months).

 

5th: Old Forester Signature (circa 2015)

This bottle has softened considerably with air time (same 6 months), but it lacks the deeper red fruit and the nose is not as complex or pleasant as the older Sigs.  I see these frequently but pass on them as these older expressions are still easy to find.

 

4th: Old Forester Script Label Signature

Really a great bottle and here we begin to get into the 4-way-tie sort of space.  My guess is that with multiple tasters this would have come out on top for a few. This one is just not as sweet as #1 and #3.  More of the cherry cola and red fruits backbone than brown sugar.  Like the 1920 (sorry that bottle is gone) but not as refined.  I bought these bottles or 15.99 each...so I'm all good.

 

3rd: Old Forester Paper Label 100 Proof

Sweet and brown sugary but plenty bold. This one sits right between the script label and the #1 Diamond Label bottle.  It's really rich tasting and seems to have more oak than any of the others.  I would not hesitate to buy more of these but this is the only paper label 100 :roof I've come across.

 

2nd: Old Forester Single Barrel

Bought this store pick just yesterday and was very pleasantly surprised by just how smooth and round and mellow tasting this bottle is.  Wish it was 100 proof...alas.  But it's  great mouth-coating flavor with a super long finish. Brown sugar and vanilla to spare.  It's just a *little bit* light but oh so agreeable.  I may ahve to run out and get another  -- at $39, to me this is exceptional.  

 

1st: Old Forester Diamond Label Signature

This is the first bottle of OF I ever bought.  After reading about Signature here on the forum, I cam across this lone bottle in a teeny out of the way liquor store hanging on by its Lottery Tickets (and open late for just that reason).  This bottle has been open and kept well gassed for 11 months now and it tastes perfectly balanced.  Sweet and sturdy, with a hint of pecan pie / praline on the nose and the finish.  

 

Overall: still love Signature and I'm still a buyer for these older bottles even though I have a large supply intact.  For me Sig is a perfect foundational bourbon.  I'm also really impressed by the Single Barrel store pick and will continue to seek those out.  

 

 

 

 

Thanks for sharing.

[kevinbrink]

1 hour ago, Steven C said:

I think many here have said that the 1920 is close -- some have even said better -- than the Birthday Bourbon.  The 1920 runs @ $54 in Chicago...  I loved my bottle, but I've never had the Birthday Bourbon...

 

I wouldn't say they are close, 1920 is preferred by some here, they are different animals BB is quite a bit older but lower proof. 

[Steven C]

1 hour ago, kevinbrink said:

I wouldn't say they are close, 1920 is preferred by some here, they are different animals BB is quite a bit older but lower proof. 

Thanks -- yeah, as big an Old Forester fan as I am, the BB missing from my shelf is something I'd like to fix!

[Kepler]

Heading to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl and figured this would be an appropriate choice for the occasion.  Boomer!

 

 

[JNeff33]

A little PHC11 and my Founder’s gateway barrel aged. Best IMO in terms of consistency.

[gurgalunas]

I opened my MWND over Xmas, and have enjoyed it with the bitter cold temps we've had for the last 2 weeks.  Last night, my dad got in town to celebrate a late Christmas with my family.  Brought out a Weller 12 (he generally worships WR for some reason, but liked the W12 over thanksgiving), and dug a CEHTSiB from the bunker to open.  I never seem to remember how much I like the CEHT for some reason.  Dad even picked up on it, and can add a 3rd bourbon to his favorites list.

[reeko]

Just finished shoveling about 7cms of snow. I'm warming up with some nice wtrb. It's hitting the spot.

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[Radioyada]

Enjoying a Four Roses OESV tonight while waiting for the UFC fights tonight.

[Stump1998]

Enjoying some Beam tonight. First time with the Distiller's Cut and 12 year Signature. The 12 year is really hitting the spot tonight. Me like it!

[HoustonNit]

Enjoying some Beam tonight. First time with the Distiller's Cut and 12 year Signature. The 12 year is really hitting the spot tonight. Me like it!

If you keep going you’ll probably like the higher proof ones later in the night.

[HoustonNit]

Having a pour of J. Henry wheater Barrel proof. A sample from a very generous SBer.

I could nose this for hours and not bad on the finish. My experience with barrel proof wheaters is limited but I like this.

[Stump1998]

5 minutes ago, HoustonNit said:

 

 

If you keep going you’ll probably like the higher proof ones later in the night.

 

lol you are probably right. Poured a little more of the Knob Creek for round 2.

[Kepler]

Standard BT on the plane. 

[Clueby]

Wife and I finished off the bottle at a local store's tasting bar. 

I don't get the hate this one gets. I thought it was VERY good and not over oaked at all. Was my first time trying the 23. The wife REALLY liked it.  I wish I could bottle the smell alone.

[Bourbinvestor]

19 hours ago, Government Beard said:

Baby Stagg - Pour #2

I like this batch a lot. Might have some tonight.

[DCFan]

54 minutes ago, Clueby said:

Wife and I finished off the bottle at a local store's tasting bar. 

I don't get the hate this one gets. I thought it was VERY good and not over oaked at all. Was my first time trying the 23. The wife REALLY liked it.  I wish I could bottle the smell alone.

What was the price for a pour?

[Bourbinvestor]

RHF. Nice.

[reeko]

Having some bookers. This always hits the spot after a long day. I always get hints of fruitiness and then some kick near the end. One more day until the new year! Getting excited!

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[Clueby]

2 hours ago, DCFan said:

What was the price for a pour?

Was advertised at $45. Didn't quite have enough in the bottle for 2 pours so she charged me $40 for one and $38 for the other. A lot of money yes..but don't get a chance very often.