Recommendations for my Collection

[Whiskey Lullaby]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to the message board. I've been reading it for awhile now, but finally decided to post. My name is Steve and I'm from St. Joe, MI. I've been casually drinking bourbon for about a decade, but about a year and a half ago got more into it. My collection is decent, but I'm looking for any recommendations on what to add to it. My threshold for a bottle is about $150 or so. Any more than that and my wife starts nagging at me ;-) 

 

Below is what I have in stock now, but would love any ideas or recommendations on what else to add. Thanks in advance!

 

1. Blanton’s 
2. Jack Daniels Single Barrel Barrel Proof
3. Jefferson’s Ocean Voyage 11
4. J Rieger’s Kansas City Whiskey
5. Parker’s Heritage 2017 
6. Willet Pot Still Reserve 
7. Noah’s Mill
8. Breckenridge Distiller’s 105
9. Four Roses Single Barrel
10. Booker’s 
11. Breckenridge Bourbon
12. High West Campfire Whiskey
13. Angels Envy Bourbon
14. 1792 Small Batch
15. Knob Creek Smoked Maple
16. Woodford Reserve Bourbon
17. Angel’s Envy Rye 
18. Bulleit Bourbon
19. Gentleman Jack
20. Buffalo Trace 
21. Traverse City Cherry
22. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
23. Knob Creek Single Barrel
24. Henry McKenna 10 year Old 

[DCFan]

You’ve got an excellent collection going but since you asked for some additional suggestions I’d say:

Wellers 

Makers Mark

Wild Turkey Rare Breed

Old Forester 1920

Eagle Rare 10

Very Old Barton BiB

Sazerac Rye

Old Grand Dad BiB

SAOS

 

(move your cursor over the acronym to get the full name)

[Mako254]

Steve, 

 

I really enjoy single barrels of Four Roses and Russells Reserve. Each one is a little different (and in the case of four roses, 10 different recipes). When you find a ‘honey barrel’ load up. These picks fit nicely into your price range. RRSiB is generally 9ish years, 110 proof, and non chill filtered. Wild Turkey barrel entry proof is 115 so the barrel picks are often very close to cask strength.  Belle Meade singles are also very good. 

 

Good luck! Check out the VBT, lots of good info over there. 

 

Mako

[bourbon4all]

2 hours ago, Whiskey Lullaby said:

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to the message board. I've been reading it for awhile now, but finally decided to post. My name is Steve and I'm from St. Joe, MI. I've been casually drinking bourbon for about a decade, but about a year and a half ago got more into it. My collection is decent, but I'm looking for any recommendations on what to add to it. My threshold for a bottle is about $150 or so. Any more than that and my wife starts nagging at me ;-) 

 

Below is what I have in stock now, but would love any ideas or recommendations on what else to add. Thanks in advance!

 

1. Blanton’s 
2. Jack Daniels Single Barrel Barrel Proof
3. Jefferson’s Ocean Voyage 11
4. J Rieger’s Kansas City Whiskey
5. Parker’s Heritage 2017 
6. Willet Pot Still Reserve 
7. Noah’s Mill
8. Breckenridge Distiller’s 105
9. Four Roses Single Barrel
10. Booker’s 
11. Breckenridge Bourbon
12. High West Campfire Whiskey
13. Angels Envy Bourbon
14. 1792 Small Batch
15. Knob Creek Smoked Maple
16. Woodford Reserve Bourbon
17. Angel’s Envy Rye 
18. Bulleit Bourbon
19. Gentleman Jack
20. Buffalo Trace 
21. Traverse City Cherry
22. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
23. Knob Creek Single Barrel
24. Henry McKenna 10 year Old 

Of these which are your favorites to better guide everyone?

[Whiskey Lullaby]

1 hour ago, Mako254 said:

Steve, 

 

I really enjoy single barrels of Four Roses and Russells Reserve. Each one is a little different (and in the case of four roses, 10 different recipes). When you find a ‘honey barrel’ load up. These picks fit nicely into your price range. RRSiB is generally 9ish years, 110 proof, and non chill filtered. Wild Turkey barrel entry proof is 115 so the barrel picks are often very close to cask strength.  Belle Meade singles are also very good. 

 

Good luck! Check out the VBT, lots of good info over there. 

 

Mako

Hi Mako, thanks for the info. On the Four Roses Single Barrel, how do you know which recipe you have? I have a bottle of Four Roses Single Barrel, but I don't see anything on it about which recipe it is. I like the bottle I have, but would be interested in trying other versions too. Thanks.

[Whiskey Lullaby]

54 minutes ago, bourbon4all said:

Of these which are your favorites to better guide everyone?

Of all the one's I have, I'd say my favorites are (in no order):

 

Blanton's

Parker's 2017

Jefferson's Ocean (my wife who drinks Manhattans, but is not a straight bourbon drinker even likes this one.)

Breckenridge (very underrated IMO)

Woodford

Elijah Craig Barrel proof

 

I drink a lot of Manhattan's and I usually use Bulleit, Buffalo Trace, and occasionally Woodford for those.

[bourbon4all]

Maybe add a few ryes to mix Manhattan's with like a sazerac rye or a dickel rye (essentially the same as bullet rye) Both good straight as well

[Mako254]

So the standard Four Roses single barrel that is widely available (for about $40 in my area) is 1) very consistent and very very good 2) 100 proof and 3) Will always be the OBSV recipe. 

 

Four Roses recipes will always read like this: O_S_ 

Second and fourth letters are the variables. 

 

Unpacking all that. The Four Roses distillery in Lawrenceburg was once owned by Seagrams—they owned multiple distilleries in the area and Four Roses was known as Old Prentice at one time. So O is for Old Prentice (that is my understanding at least). 

 

The second letter will be either B or E. 

This is in reference to mash bill. Mash bill B is 60-35-5 corn, rye, malted barley. 

 

E is 75-20-5 corn, rye, malted barley. 

 

S stands flr straight whiskey (no additives, at least 2 years old etc)

 

The fourth variable is yeast. E, F, K, O, or V. 

 

I’ve heard that OBSV is the most consistent hence being the standard single barrel offering. 

Individual stores or private barrel groups can by a whole barrel from any recipe. There will be a custom label in the side designating recipe say OESO and age, 9 years 5 months. These are bottled at cask strength. 

 

There is a ‘four roses cult’ on SB and we are always looking for new folks. 

 

Example of a side label:

 

Edited January 28, 2018 by Mako254

[EarthQuake]

+1 to Four Roses Single Barrel Store picks. My favorites have been OBSK and OESK, but every one I've tried so far has been good.

 

Pretty much anything from Buffalo Trace is easy to recommend. Stagg Jr, Eagle Rare 10 and C.E.H. Taylor (small batch, single barrel and barrel proof) are my personal favorites of the reasonably attainable options, but anything Weller, Elmer T lee, etc, is worth grabbing if you find them around normal retail prices.

 

Orphanbarrel Barterhouse is a great option if you want something older, at 20 years it has a flavor profile unlike anything else you have and is generally reasonably priced ($80-100 range) and not too hard to find. A good alternative to the ultra aged unicorns.

 

I'll echo the suggestion to try some ryes, you have a very sizable bourbon collection and rye is the other site of the American whiskey coin. Here are some quick ideas for ryes:

1. Pikesville, 6 years 110 proof Heaven Hill rye, hard to beat the quality/price/availability of this one
2. Whistlepig 10 year, 100 proof Canadian rye, the store pick barrel proofers are exceptionally good (TWCP and Stagecoach have a couple picks each currently that can be ordered online)
3. Highwest Rendezvous Rye and Double Rye - RR is a blend of 6 and 16 year old, while DR is a blend of 2 and 16 year old, both are pretty good for the price point. You can sometimes find special store picks bottled at barrel proof and finished in secondary barrels as well. HW's more limited options like A Midwinter Night's Dram and Bourye and quite nice too if you see them.
4. Russell's Reserve Single Barrel Rye - this is Wild Turkey rye at 104 proof, it's very good, the regular RRR at 90 proof is a decent buy for the money too
5. Rittenhouse, if you're looking for an inexpensive cocktail mixer it's hard to do better, this is Heaven Hill juice as well at 100 proof and has a very similar flavor profile to Pikesville

 

Edited January 28, 2018 by EarthQuake

[0895]

9 hours ago, Whiskey Lullaby said:

would love any ideas or recommendations on what else to add. 

 

Some pizza from that place in the train station would go perfectly with any of those bourbons you already have.

[PaulO]

Hi Steve, If you like Blanton's the best - you could order or have some one get some Blanton's Straight From The Barrel, or Blanton'e Gold from Europe.  Wife might not be too happy.  Rock Hill Farms, and Elmer T. Lee are also the same mash bill as Blanton's.

  Here are a few easier to find:

Anything bottled in bond

Wild Turkey - Rare Breed, KY Spirit, or 101 proof Rye

Four Roses - Small Batch, 80 proof "yellow label"

Old Grandad 114, or Bottled In Bond

[kevinbrink]

On 1/28/2018 at 11:50 AM, Mako254 said:

The fourth variable is yeast. E, F, K, O, or V. 

While there does appear to be an E yeast I don't believe they have sold any as a store pick, Q on the other hand.... 

[Mako254]

1 minute ago, kevinbrink said:

While there does appear to be an E yeast I don't believe they have sold any as a store pick, Q on the other hand.... 

 

Pretty sure I fat fingered that. 

 

K,O, and V are by far my favorites. 

[Richnimrod]

Personally, I'd add several more bottles of Henry McKenna 10-year, BIB (while it's still a 10 and still around); but, since that didn't show up in faves list... one of two reasons: either you got a mediocre barrel the first time around, or it just ain't in yer wheelhouse.

[Whiskey Lullaby]

On 1/28/2018 at 11:50 AM, Mako254 said:

So the standard Four Roses single barrel that is widely available (for about $40 in my area) is 1) very consistent and very very good 2) 100 proof and 3) Will always be the OBSV recipe. 

 

Four Roses recipes will always read like this: O_S_ 

Second and fourth letters are the variables. 

 

Unpacking all that. The Four Roses distillery in Lawrenceburg was once owned by Seagrams—they owned multiple distilleries in the area and Four Roses was known as Old Prentice at one time. So O is for Old Prentice (that is my understanding at least). 

 

The second letter will be either B or E. 

This is in reference to mash bill. Mash bill B is 60-35-5 corn, rye, malted barley. 

 

E is 75-20-5 corn, rye, malted barley. 

 

S stands flr straight whiskey (no additives, at least 2 years old etc)

 

The fourth variable is yeast. E, F, K, O, or V. 

 

I’ve heard that OBSV is the most consistent hence being the standard single barrel offering. 

Individual stores or private barrel groups can by a whole barrel from any recipe. There will be a custom label in the side designating recipe say OESO and age, 9 years 5 months. These are bottled at cask strength. 

 

There is a ‘four roses cult’ on SB and we are always looking for new folks. 

 

Example of a side label:

 

Are all of these special Four Roses recipes only sold as store picks? I live in an area where there aren't many, if any, store picks.

[Whiskey Lullaby]

2 minutes ago, Richnimrod said:

Personally, I'd add several more bottles of Henry McKenna 10-year, BIB (while it's still a 10 and still around); but, since that didn't show up in faves list... one of two reasons: either you got a mediocre barrel the first time around, or it just ain't in yer wheelhouse.

The McKenna is a new bottle and I've only had it once. It was really good, just haven't had enough of it yet to put it on my faves list. For the price, I was really impressed though. 

[EarthQuake]

20 hours ago, Whiskey Lullaby said:

Are all of these special Four Roses recipes only sold as store picks? I live in an area where there aren't many, if any, store picks.

Yes, I live in an area that doesn't get any store picks either. But you can find a number of them from shops online, then it's just a matter of finding a store that ships to your state. 

 

Wine Searcher is a really handy website, here's a search for 4RPS: https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/four+roses+prvt+select+single+barrel+strength+straight+bourbon+whisky+kentucky+usa/1/usa?Xlist_format=&Xbottle_size=all&Xprice_set=CUR&Xprice_min=&Xprice_max=&Xshow_favourite=

 

Keep in mind some of these results are the regular single barrel version, so you'll have to do a bit of digging.

[PiraSea]

A collection that big needs some EH Taylor. I read a review that was a little high brow for me but made perfect sense when I opened the bottle. The writer said imagine walking through a sugar cane field in Hawaii when you smell it, and biting sugar cane when you taste it.

 

And he was quite right.

[Whiskey Lullaby]

1 hour ago, PiraSea said:

A collection that big needs some EH Taylor. I read a review that was a little high brow for me but made perfect sense when I opened the bottle. The writer said imagine walking through a sugar cane field in Hawaii when you smell it, and biting sugar cane when you taste it.

 

And he was quite right.

I just finished my bottle of E.H. Taylor Small Batch a few weeks ago. It’s back on my wish list. I agree, it’s really good stuff. Especially for the price. 

[Charlutz]

My recommendation is that you read the three main threads in this forum:

- what are you drinking today? (Posts usually have tasting notes)

- what did you purchase today? (Get a sense of values)

- what did you pass on today? (Ditto number two)

 

It takes some time but gives you a sense of the collective mind of the board. Happy reading!

[kevinbrink]

Unless I overlooked it your list is sorely lacking any Wild Turkey products, any would do Russell's Reserve, Rare Breed, 101, Kentucky Spirit as all are great pours. 

[Mako254]

29 minutes ago, kevinbrink said:

Unless I overlooked it your list is sorely lacking any Wild Turkey products, any would do Russell's Reserve, Rare Breed, 101, Kentucky Spirit as all are great pours. 

 

I’ll second this. Single barrels from Belle Meade are also very good. 

[Whiskey Lullaby]

4 hours ago, Charlutz said:

My recommendation is that you read the three main threads in this forum:

- what are you drinking today? (Posts usually have tasting notes)

- what did you purchase today? (Get a sense of values)

- what did you pass on today? (Ditto number two)

 

It takes some time but gives you a sense of the collective mind of the board. Happy reading!

Thanks for the advice! I'll check it out.

[Whiskey Lullaby]

3 hours ago, Mako254 said:

 

I’ll second this. Single barrels from Belle Meade are also very good. 

I definitely need some Wild turkey. I guess I was under the impression (no idea where I got it?) that Wild Turkey was kind of a cheap, not so great product. Did it used to be that way years ago? I'm clearly wrong as I had some Rare Breed at my Uncle's over Christmas and it was very good. It's on my wish list.

[lcpfratn]

I definitely need some Wild turkey. I guess I was under the impression (no idea where I got it?) that Wild Turkey was kind of a cheap, not so great product. Did it used to be that way years ago? I'm clearly wrong as I had some Rare Breed at my Uncle's over Christmas and it was very good. It's on my wish list.

In my opinion, WT Russell's Reserve Single Barrel is some of the best bourbon being made, and the private select single barrels can be phenomenal. WT Masters Keep Decades, while pricey (so not cheap as you perceived) is a really complex but easy drinking bourbon...and it comes in a beautiful bottle and box.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk