What Bourbon Did You Purchase Today (Fall 2019)

[silverc]

First time I've seen the KC 12yr at VA ABC. Grabbed it for $60 and a backup of the OF 1910 at $50.

 

 

[KyleCBreese]

Went to a BTAC/PVW raffle and while I didn’t win anyone of those, I was able to snag a Four Roses 2019.

[0895]

On 12/5/2019 at 8:17 PM, HoustonNit said:

 

Like to hear how it compares to the standard bottle.

 

Full disclosure, I’m typically not a big Beam fan.  Baker’s has always tasted different to me and thus probably why I enjoy it.

As a note of reference, I’ve never had a Bookers bourbon that I’ve liked, including the LE’s.

Little book 3 I thought was good.

 

Presentation wise, I prefer the new single barrel.  It’s a great looking bottle that stands out and opens easily, compared to the wax top wine bottle on the old batched bottle.

While I always appreciated the sleeper that Baker’s was, from a marketing standpoint, it definitely needed a refresh to get people interested again.

So, they smell rather different.

The old batched smells more complex and elegant.  It’s a harmony of aromas that I’m not quite able to separate.  There’s a caramel apple that dominates the nose.

The single barrel is more beam like.  The peanuts are lingering in the background, with caramel and something else I can’t pinpoint taking the lead.  
Batched takes the win on smell.

Tasting, they flip for me.  The older batched liquid is much more Beam like.

Slight peanuts followed by a good whack of heat across the tongue.  Caramel apples on the back for a moment and then it’s gone, leaving the middle of your tongue ablaze for a bit to remind you it’s 107p.  Delicious!

 

The single barrel is more heat up front.

Like a punch in the front of the tongue.

Once you get past it though, the remainder of the ride is fantastic.

Granny smith caramel apple dominates for the rest of the journey, and the finish is more moderate than the batched version.

Some slight cinnamon comes in right at the end (think red hots candy or big red gum).

My bottle is 8y,6m by the way.

My personal preference on taste is this particular single barrel.  It doesn’t taste a lot like Beam bourbon to me, and I like that.

 

In conclusion, both bottles are very good.

If I could only pick one, I’d take the new single barrel.

 

I paid $49 for the small batch and $50 for the single barrel (before tax).

 

Happy Sunday.

 

 

Edited December 9, 2019 by 0895
Whoops. Guess I put it in the wrong thread.

[0895]

1 hour ago, KyleCBreese said:

Went to a BTAC/PVW raffle and while I didn’t win anyone of those, I was able to snag a Four Roses 2019.

Yeah, but you still won...more than you may realize...

Its super good this year.

[HoustonNit]

Went to a BTAC/PVW raffle and while I didn’t win anyone of those, I was able to snag a Four Roses 2019.

Yeah, but you still won...more than you may realize...
Its super good this year.

Almost make this sound like a bad team, I’d been super excited for the FR.

[HoustonNit]

Full disclosure, I’m typically not a big Beam fan.  Baker’s has always tasted different to me and thus probably why I enjoy it.
As a note of reference, I’ve never had a Bookers bourbon that I’ve liked, including the LE’s.
Little book 3 I thought was good.
 
Presentation wise, I prefer the new single barrel.  It’s a great looking bottle that stands out and opens easily, compared to the wax top wine bottle on the old batched bottle.
While I always appreciated the sleeper that Baker’s was, from a marketing standpoint, it definitely needed a refresh to get people interested again.

So, they smell rather different.
The old batched smells more complex and elegant.  It’s a harmony of aromas that I’m not quite able to separate.  There’s a caramel apple that dominates the nose.
The single barrel is more beam like.  The peanuts are lingering in the background, with caramel and something else I can’t pinpoint taking the lead.  
Batched takes the win on smell.

Tasting, they flip for me.  The older batched liquid is much more Beam like.
Slight peanuts followed by a good whack of heat across the tongue.  Caramel apples on the back for a moment and then it’s gone, leaving the middle of your tongue ablaze for a bit to remind you it’s 107p.  Delicious!
 
The single barrel is more heat up front.
Like a punch in the front of the tongue.
Once you get past it though, the remainder of the ride is fantastic.
Granny smith caramel apple dominates for the rest of the journey, and the finish is more moderate than the batched version.
Some slight cinnamon comes in right at the end (think red hots candy or big red gum).
My bottle is 8y,6m by the way.
My personal preference on taste is this particular single barrel.  It doesn’t taste a lot like Beam bourbon to me, and I like that.
 
In conclusion, both bottles are very good.
If I could only pick one, I’d take the new single barrel.
 
I paid $49 for the small batch and $50 for the single barrel (before tax).
 
Happy Sunday.
[emoji16]
 
 

Very interesting, yeah I think I’d definitely prefer the SB based off your description. If I can get it for roughly the same price of the older small batch I’ll definitely give it a try.

The Baker’s brand definitely needed a revamp. It’s without question the forgotten step child. The label was in serious need of a revamp, straight up early 90’s style and very dated. The bottle style though, shared with Booker’s is one my favorites. I find it to be a practical bottle type to handle, pour and store and I find the wine bottle style pleasing. I also find opening the wax easier than most plastic on the typical screw top. Maybe I just get lucky.

[0895]

Just now, HoustonNit said:

I also find opening the wax easier than most plastic on the typical screw top. Maybe I just get lucky.

 

 

When you’re OCD like me, you have to get a knife and carefully cut the wax/tear strip, so that when it’s closed it still looks perfect.

For us kinda guys, there’s nothing worse than gnarly looking torn wax from using the “rip cord”.

 

[CardsandBourbon]

In the passed on it portion I passed on a Stagg 2019, at $350  but did pick up a bottle of the new OF 100 proof rye.

[HoustonNit]

When you’re OCD like me, you have to get a knife and carefully cut the wax/tear strip, so that when it’s closed it still looks perfect.
For us kinda guys, there’s nothing worse than gnarly looking torn wax from using the “rip cord”.
[emoji23]
 

Ha that’s hilarious. It’s annoying when the pull tab doesn’t pull off perfectly. However that pull tab sticking out after opening would bother me.

[KyleCBreese]

21 hours ago, HoustonNit said:

 

 

Almost make this sound like a bad team, I’d been super excited for the FR.

 

 

I’m a huge 4R fan, so I’m excited about it. Going to open it with a neighbor on Saturday. 

[yobber76]

Found a bottle of ER 10yr for $30, another Walgreen's find.

[Richnimrod]

12 hours ago, HoustonNit said:

 

Ha that’s hilarious. It’s annoying when the pull tab doesn’t pull off perfectly. However that pull tab sticking out after opening would bother me.

 

I thought that, as well, HN!   

If I were really feeling my OCD at the moment, I'd take a razor (or really sharp knife) and trim it as cleanly as possible, then strike a match and melt the surface to match so that trimming isn't noticeable.  ...But that's just me.   

[Guss West]

I'm not a hunter or buyer on this year's LE market but I did pick up some new private selections and bottlings today for my holiday score.  

ER10-PS, BT-PS, OWA-PS, ECBP B519, FR-PS OBSK, and LEGENT.  

 

I've reached my BZZ in 2019.  2020 spirits goal is to acquire armagnac.  

[0895]

2 hours ago, Richnimrod said:

If I were really feeling my OCD at the moment, I'd take a razor (or really sharp knife) and trim it as cleanly as possible, then strike a match and melt the surface to match so that trimming isn't noticeable.  ...But that's just me.   

hmm...

[elmossle]

Managed to add another OBSK selection to the group of bottles  in the bunker as well as a bottle of Buffalo Trace store pick.

[fosmith]

10 hours ago, Guss West said:

I've reached my BZZ in 2019.  2020 spirits goal is to acquire armagnac.  

Yes.  Lately, I've been more excited to acquire a new Armagnac than an allocated bourbon.  Right now I've got a 20 yo, cask strength, single cask Armagnac open that is just amazing and it was under $80 to buy.

[cchog]

Purchased a Little Book 3 sitting on the service desk counter. 

[Galvin0791]

This one followed me home today. Not sure what retail is, but the sticker said $53. I guess pricier age stated stuff is the new norm??? *sigh*

[Vosgar]

40 minutes ago, Galvin0791 said:

This one followed me home today. Not sure what retail is, but the sticker said $53. I guess pricier age stated stuff is the new norm??? *sigh*

 

If it makes you feel any better, it's $59.99 at Binny's

[flahute]

On 12/8/2019 at 8:55 PM, 0895 said:

When you’re OCD like me, you have to get a knife and carefully cut the wax/tear strip, so that when it’s closed it still looks perfect.

For us kinda guys, there’s nothing worse than gnarly looking torn wax from using the “rip cord”.

 

I'm pretty darn OCD and I've never thought to do this. Well done. Well done I say.

[flahute]

On 12/8/2019 at 7:12 PM, KyleCBreese said:

Went to a BTAC/PVW raffle and while I didn’t win anyone of those, I was able to snag a Four Roses 2019.

'19 4R is damn fantastic so you still win.

[Clueby]

Here's a couple for all you OCD guys.

[AndyD]

On a 4r kick, most of this acquired in the last month or so.

 

 

[PaulO]

On 12/9/2019 at 10:12 PM, Richnimrod said:

I thought that, as well, HN!   

If I were really feeling my OCD at the moment, I'd take a razor (or really sharp knife) and trim it as cleanly as possible, then strike a match and melt the surface to match so that trimming isn't noticeable.  ...But that's just me.   

I have to get a paring knife and trim enough wax off the mouth of the bottle.  No whiskey must touch any wax while pouring, because then it would be contaminated.

If the wax looks wrong, all of it has to be removed. 

[FasterHorses]

Weller Full Proof PS..wife was at right place right time!