bingo Posted March 21, 2019 Share Posted March 21, 2019 Just curious, what do you prefer, small batch or single barrel. I like small batch for the consistency. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Postal Grunt Posted March 21, 2019 Share Posted March 21, 2019 There is a lot of craft and science in maintaining the flavor profile of a small batch whiskey and the majors do a pretty good job of it. On the other hand, single barrel offerings can be the best examples of a particular mash bill and aging practices. I like them both and have examples of both in my collection of bottles. Somebody here has a tagline that goes something like "every bottle is its own education" and that person is correct in my book. If you hang out here long enough, you'll find that most of us happily pay the tuition fees. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCwhammie Posted March 21, 2019 Share Posted March 21, 2019 I agree with Grunt. My favorite pours right now come from various RRSiB bottles. But I also enjoy many small batch (KC, RR 10yr, ER10) and large batch bourbons (I'm looking at you, WT101, BT, and HH6yr 90 proof). It really just depends on what my mood is, what I'm doing (grilling out or watching a movie), and the people I'm with. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinbrink Posted March 21, 2019 Share Posted March 21, 2019 1 hour ago, Postal Grunt said: Somebody here has a tagline that goes something like "every bottle is its own education" and that person is correct in my book. If you hang out here long enough, you'll find that most of us happily pay the tuition fees. Fortunately I'm still maintaining a Whiskey budget lower than college tuition prices 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flahute Posted March 21, 2019 Share Posted March 21, 2019 This question can't really be answered because it's not a matter of one being inherently better than the other. It's not an either/or situation. There are plenty of batched bourbons out there that taster better than some single barrels. Some single barrels suck. There are also plenty of single barrels that absolutely smoke the majority of batched bourbons. Each bottle, regardless of origin, stands on its own merits and is subject to the individual preferences of the taster. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeTerp Posted March 21, 2019 Share Posted March 21, 2019 I generally prefer the single barrels, but both can be quite good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Black Tot Posted March 21, 2019 Share Posted March 21, 2019 Sometimes you want an orchestra. Sometimes you want a guitar solo. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lcpfratn Posted March 21, 2019 Share Posted March 21, 2019 Fortunately I'm still maintaining a Whiskey budget lower than college tuition prices [emoji6] I think that depends on what college you’re talking about. I’ve seen all those “what did I purchase today” posts you’ve made. [emoji6] 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishnbowljoe Posted March 21, 2019 Share Posted March 21, 2019 9 minutes ago, lcpfratn said: I think that depends on what college you’re talking about. I’ve seen all those “what did I purchase today” posts you’ve made. I’m gonna say with all due sincerity that Kevin is probably not involved with the current college admission scams. Biba! Joe 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoFingers Posted March 21, 2019 Share Posted March 21, 2019 I end up with small batch more often than not. I have some favorite single barrels (e.g., FRSB) but have had some hit or miss some other products. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollywood Posted March 22, 2019 Share Posted March 22, 2019 5 hours ago, flahute said: This question can't really be answered because it's not a matter of one being inherently better than the other. It's not an either/or situation. There are plenty of batched bourbons out there that taster better than some single barrels. Some single barrels suck. There are also plenty of single barrels that absolutely smoke the majority of batched bourbons. Each bottle, regardless of origin, stands on its own merits and is subject to the individual preferences of the taster. Well stated.. I generally prefer higher proof single barrels, but for the reasons aforementioned it’s not a holdfast rule.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinbrink Posted March 22, 2019 Share Posted March 22, 2019 16 hours ago, fishnbowljoe said: I’m gonna say with all due sincerity that Kevin is probably not involved with the current college admission scams. Biba! Joe No kids as far as I know and considering that I commuted to a state school and finished 18ish years ago I'm guessing I'm in the clear 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishnbowljoe Posted March 22, 2019 Share Posted March 22, 2019 8 hours ago, kevinbrink said: No kids as far as I know and considering that I commuted to a state school and finished 18ish years ago I'm guessing I'm in the clear LMFAO! Priceless. Although I have to confess I know exactly what you mean. During my time in the Army from 1974-1980, Uhhh, never mind.. Biba! Joe 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry in WashDC Posted March 22, 2019 Share Posted March 22, 2019 I prefer 4R PS offerings to either the SmB or basic SiB. Other than those, I am more dependent on availability and taste and, therefore, pay little attention to: "Is it SmB or is it SiB?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlutz Posted March 24, 2019 Share Posted March 24, 2019 That’s not exactly fair Harry as most of the PS bottles are of higher proof or age. Or maybe that was the point you were making? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiskeyBlender Posted March 25, 2019 Share Posted March 25, 2019 On 3/21/2019 at 1:28 PM, The Black Tot said: Sometimes you want an orchestra. Sometimes you want a guitar solo. Very well said, @The Black Tot! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy Posted March 27, 2019 Share Posted March 27, 2019 Is GTS a single barrel or small batch? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CardsandBourbon Posted March 27, 2019 Share Posted March 27, 2019 A lot depends on your palate and the distiller. I love KC SiB, especially the PS picks. I'm also a huge fan of 4R SmB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Limegoldconvertible68 Posted March 27, 2019 Share Posted March 27, 2019 I can’t be the only one thinking “what the hell is small batch”. I don’t mind bourbon blended form numerous barrels to get a consistent flavor profile. I really don’t. In fact I consider it a mainstay to the bourbon industry but to call something “small batch” and give absolutely zero details on what exactly that means is just another way to charge a higher price while offering very little in return to the consumer. As such I prefer the Single Barrel just because I know what it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinbrink Posted March 27, 2019 Share Posted March 27, 2019 13 hours ago, Limegoldconvertible68 said: I can’t be the only one thinking “what the hell is small batch”. I don’t mind bourbon blended form numerous barrels to get a consistent flavor profile. I really don’t. In fact I consider it a mainstay to the bourbon industry but to call something “small batch” and give absolutely zero details on what exactly that means is just another way to charge a higher price while offering very little in return to the consumer. As such I prefer the Single Barrel just because I know what it is. In truth there is no TTB definition of a single barrel at this point and the definition of what a single barrel is might not always be what you think it is for instance if two leaky barrels were dumped into a single barrel and bottled a couple years later is that a single barrel? Woodford Double Oaked comes to mind as one that has been labeled a single barrel for store picks but I find doubtful that is is in the traditional sense for 1 it is a blend of Pot and Column still bourbon are they blending before barreling, this I don't really know maybe someone else does. 2 if they have a low fill barrel they are dumping into the 2nd cask are they topping that off with another barrel or leaving it low fill? I agree that Small Batch is a dopey catch all marketing thing and would guess that most Single Barrels are just what they are implied to be but there is no requirement for enforcing that term. a 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pyro273 Posted March 27, 2019 Share Posted March 27, 2019 13 hours ago, Limegoldconvertible68 said: I can’t be the only one thinking “what the hell is small batch”. I don’t mind bourbon blended form numerous barrels to get a consistent flavor profile. I really don’t. In fact I consider it a mainstay to the bourbon industry but to call something “small batch” and give absolutely zero details on what exactly that means is just another way to charge a higher price while offering very little in return to the consumer. As such I prefer the Single Barrel just because I know what it is. This..I've always interpreted it to mean "we used fewer but better barrels for this blend" but then what the hell do I know. FR isn't doing me any favors either with their upcoming Small Batch Select; exactly what does that mean? I intend to get a bottle of both just to see how much of a difference, if any, I can taste. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishnbowljoe Posted March 27, 2019 Share Posted March 27, 2019 I was always thought that small batch meant "more than 2 barrels, but less than 200". Biba! Joe 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whiskeythink.com Posted March 27, 2019 Share Posted March 27, 2019 18 hours ago, Paddy said: Is GTS a single barrel or small batch? not a single barrel, & they're pretty big batches now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokinjoe Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 6 hours ago, Whiskeythink.com said: not a single barrel, & they're pretty big batches now I wouldn’t agree with this. Just a couple/2-3 hundred barrels for even the largest releases, of which only 50% or less is maintained after the glutinous Angels slop up they share. This is still a very small batch of whiskey each year. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy Posted March 28, 2019 Share Posted March 28, 2019 ^^^Yep... and we even know what it is, as the spec sheet is included in every case (and posted all over the interwebs). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts