What Bourbon Are You Enjoying (Spring 2018)

[Curtis Reed]

EW1783. Not my fav, but definitely not my lest fav either


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bourbon4all]

Tonights lineup. Going for br(oak).

[Skinsfan1311]

33 minutes ago, BigRich said:

I wonder if this is essentially what became JB BIB?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[cdcdguy]

Enjoying this wonderful stuff. Batch C917

Edited April 23, 2018 by cdcdguy

[reeko]

Got off the plane,  got home, and cracked it open. It's really good.

Is that the normal single barrel version? Or a limited edition?

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[Bob_Loblaw]

First time trying this. Never would have thought it was JD. It’s very good, lots of burnt sugar and caramel. Drinks way below its 129.6 proof. Feels thin, but now I am realizing I did put it over a large ice ball. Which you will note is far from clear.  Sigh. 

 

[FasterHorses]

2 minutes ago, Bob_Loblaw said:

First time trying this. Never would have thought it was JD. It’s very good, lots of burnt sugar and caramel. Drinks way below its 129.6 proof. Feels thin, but now I am realizing I did put it over a large ice ball. Which you will note is far from clear.  Sigh. 

 

Been wanting to try it but I can't stand JD. You recommend it?

[reeko]

First time trying this. Never would have thought it was JD. It’s very good, lots of burnt sugar and caramel. Drinks way below its 129.6 proof. Feels thin, but now I am realizing I did put it over a large ice ball. Which you will note is far from clear.  Sigh. 
 
https://www.straightbourbon.com/community/uploads/monthly_2018_04/4988793A-0C44-431C-AD1C-FD0B6D842D22.thumb.jpeg.75d62b8e863aca68fc9c5eacdc836c27.jpeg' alt='4988793A-0C44-431C-AD1C-FD0B6D842D22.thumb.jpeg.75d62b8e863aca68fc9c5eacdc836c27.jpeg'>

I just got this too and I'm enjoying some tonight. It's a great whiskey. Way better than their watered down version. You're right, it definitely drinks better than other barrel proofs. Have you had it neat yet?

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[Skinsfan1311]

11 hours ago, reeko said:

Is that the normal single barrel version? Or a limited edition?

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
 

Limited.  Only available at Four Roses

[lcpfratn]

Limited.  Only available at Four Roses

Not exactly...that particular barrel obviously is only available at Four Roses, but many liquor stores have bottles from private selected barrels at cask strength of that recipe or one of the other nine recipes. The regular single barrel recipe is OBSV and is bottled at 100 proof, but it can sometimes also be chosen by liquor stores as a private selection at cask strength or at 100 proof.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Bob_Loblaw]

13 hours ago, FasterHorses said:

Been wanting to try it but I can't stand JD. You recommend it?

 

13 hours ago, reeko said:

I just got this too and I'm enjoying some tonight. It's a great whiskey. Way better than their watered down version. You're right, it definitely drinks better than other barrel proofs. Have you had it neat yet?

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
 

Not yet. I have an abundance of ice spheres on hand. Will try it neat tonight and report back. 

[Whiskey Lullaby]

1 hour ago, lcpfratn said:

Not exactly...that particular barrel obviously is only available at Four Roses, but many liquor stores have bottles from private selected barrels at cask strength of that recipe or one of the other nine recipes. The regular single barrel recipe is OBSV and is bottled at 100 proof, but it can sometimes also be chosen by liquor stores as a private selection at cask strength or at 100 proof.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I picked up an OESV this weekend that was a store pick from Gomer’s in Kansas City. Bottled at cask strength, 120 Proof. It’s excellent!

[GaryT]

23 hours ago, flahute said:

That is some great whiskey. Not as celebrated as other years but that's why I was able to find a lot more.

I must admit - I haven't done a blind SBS of multiple SmBLEs, but always chuckle when I read "Oh, this year it isn't as good" and think "Sh!t - point me to it and I'll take one (or two) for the team!"  There have been some that have been stellar, but every one I've had the privilege to try has been great (and an absolute no brainer pick-up at retail . . . ah, the good old days).

[Jav]

Store pick of Smooth Ambler Old Scout American Whiskey 107.  Tastes great!

[Radioyada]

Still working on finishing this bottle offf. Couple more drinks to go. 

 

[JCwhammie]

First pour from this one. I wish they’d go back to this bottle. I know it’s more obnoxious than their current bottle and label, but I sure love its look. The bourbon’s pretty darn good, too! 

[Bob_Loblaw]

23 minutes ago, JCwhammie said:

First pour from this one. I wish they’d go back to this bottle. I know it’s more obnoxious than their current bottle and label, but I sure love its look. The bourbon’s pretty darn good, too! 

Is there any consensus whether the juice in the orange top is better than the new bottle? Never had the orange, but being a U of I grad and Bears fan love the bright orange.

[Bob_Loblaw]

First blind tasting with my new glencairn! Very excited to not have to worry about mixing up the two glasses. The Stagg is 130pf the JD is a store pick and 129.6pf.  

 

Initial nose from SB is muted and sticking my nose in further was ill advised. The other smells “yeasty”. Going to add a few drops and return in a bit. 

 

 

 

 

[reeko]

First blind tasting with my new glencairn! Very excited to not have to worry about mixing up the two glasses. The Stagg is 130pf the JD is a store pick and 129.6pf.  
 
Initial nose from SB is muted and sticking my nose in further was ill advised. The other smells “yeasty”. Going to add a few drops and return in a bit. 
 
 
 
 

I'm looking forward to this. I haven't had Stagg Jr in a few months, but I remember liking it.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[reeko]

Not exactly...that particular barrel obviously is only available at Four Roses, but many liquor stores have bottles from private selected barrels at cask strength of that recipe or one of the other nine recipes. The regular single barrel recipe is OBSV and is bottled at 100 proof, but it can sometimes also be chosen by liquor stores as a private selection at cask strength or at 100 proof.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Thanks for the breakdown. I figured that's what it was.

I'm enjoying some regular 4R single barrel. It's pretty good too. I definitely enjoy the higher proof offering of obsv more.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[JCwhammie]

1 hour ago, Bob_Loblaw said:

Is there any consensus whether the juice in the orange top is better than the new bottle? Never had the orange, but being a U of I grad and Bears fan love the bright orange.

I need to pick up a new bottle to do a sbs. I think I’ve read that people believe the orange top tastes a little older. 

[kevinbrink]

Breaking in the new glass 

[Bob_Loblaw]

6 drops in each really opened up the SB pour. 

 

Nose - SB - Apricot, cherry and orange. Fantastic. Reg - still “yeasty” but less now.  Some leather and the wife got tobacco notes. It does trigger hazy memories of a freshly poured Jack and Coke from college. But not nearly as pungent/unpleasant. There is something else underneath, its subtle, and hard to pinpoint without getting too much ethenol, light brown sugar maybe.  

 

Pallet - Reg - Good mouthfeel, not as much caramel sweetness as when over ice. But it’s pleasant, sips a good 30pf lower than what it is. No overwhelming flavors stand out, it’s just a nice whiskey.  SB - Very strange, but sweet licorice/anise taste or maybe its more like cola. This also drinks smoothly. At first. Shortly after swallowing my mouth starts to water and I feel this burn coming. Apologies for this description, but it’s like that feeling before you vomit and the bile is coming up your throat. Not pleasant. 

 

Final thoughts. It was pretty clear which whiskey was which right away. The JD wins, but more by default then on merit. Stagg Jr. is the vanilla extract of bourbon to me.  Ironically, it’s a coin flip whether I would replace the JD when gone, and will buy more Stagg Jr. because I loved the blend with ER. Will give the JD futher consideration as air time in bottle (or lowered expectations) can do wonders.  

 

Horses, not sure this helps you much, but if you want to shoot me a PM I can get you a sample. Currently out of 100ml bottles so may be a week or two, but who doesn’t like unexpected mail? ????

 

Ok, off to make an VOB Old Fashioned using honey in place of sugar for the first time. Anyone ever tried this? 

Edited April 24, 2018 by Bob_Loblaw

[dad-proof]

1 hour ago, Bob_Loblaw said:

The JD wins, but more by default then on merit. Stagg Jr. is the vanilla extract of bourbon to me.  

Man, goes to show how different tastes (and maybe different barrels) can be. Along with a ECBP, the Stagg Jr. and JD SBBP are my absolute favorite bottles I have open at the moment.

[flahute]

4 hours ago, Bob_Loblaw said:

Is there any consensus whether the juice in the orange top is better than the new bottle? Never had the orange, but being a U of I grad and Bears fan love the bright orange.

No. It's the same. But, the orange cap is way cooler than the cork and it's easier for Harry to find on the top shelf.