2019 Top 3 Pours

[Bob_Loblaw]

For me, 2019 was a great year in bourbon.  The major exception to that is the pricing just keeps going up.  But  from a purely drinking perspective there was a lot to like.  I got to participate in my first barrel picks in 2019 and cruised through my first ever full bottle of WLW which was absolutely amazing and gone waaaay to fast. Not counting the WLW my top three pours of 2019 were:

 

1 - Little Book Chapter 3 - I thought this release was a home run.  The concept was great and all of the products are not normally offered in Beam's portfolio.  The only thing that would have made this better would be if each bottle also came with a 50ml of each of the 4 components so you could see how they were individually vs the final product.  However, this was already expensive without any additional juice.  Those who passed based on price and/or on the idea that LB3 was a bad value compared to 14-15 year KC picks missed out.  The LB3 was so much richer, smoother, and had layers of flavors that just do not exist in the KCSiB which is very one dimensional in comparison.  Well done Fred.

 

2 - WB Saffell - Another fantastic release and I think flew slightly under the radar after the previous two whiskey baron releases were subpar.  As we all know, those first two were done without involvement from the Russels and for this release Campari wised up.  Great WT flavors of barrel char, vanilla, caramel with a beautiful mouthfeel and at a nice proof.  Anyone know if this was NCF?   I drank through at least 2-3 bottles and while it was available picked up a bottle most LS trips.  I have several more stashed and think I will be very happy about that in the future.  Again, the price was not very favorable amounting to $92/750ml.   If I ever saw these discounted or on clearance it might be a shelf clearing day!

 

3 - Tough, only one spot left.  Initially I was thinking Four Roses Small Batch Select here, but then I remembered about the short RR barrel we tasted at Wild Turkey.  Eddie estimated that the barrel only would have 20-30 bottles in it and we still selected it!  Few months later we were told that there was not enough liquid in the barrel to put it through the bottling line so we did not end up getting this one.  Its probably a combination of the great memory of drinking in the rickhouse with Eddie(during a thunderstorm no less!), or the fact that we did not end up getting the barrel but in my head this was an amazing RR barrel that clearly stood out from the others and unanimously took first in the final blind.  

 

Honorable Mentions:  4R Small Batch Select - great new product; Old Forester Rye; Wild Turkey 101 - just a great year for regular Turkey and I went through numerous bottles, the $5 rebates made these a great buy at $16; Wild Turkey Rare Breed - Never Disappoints; Blaum Brothers Knotter Bourbon - The MGP sourced juice. 

 

What were your top three pours for 2019?  Maybe an old favorite you revisited or something new that you tried.  

[Clueby]

I would say the 19 4RSmB LE was the best thing I tasted in 2019.  LB3 is up there for me as well. 

[Josh]

I really enjoyed the Old Forester Rye too. It's probably my favorite new release. I wanted to love 4R Small Batch Select but it just fell short for me. Too much F yeast in the mix, I think.

2019 was the year when I discovered Wilderness Trail. I think it's now my favorite micro distilled bourbon. That's a pretty low bar, I know, but I think it's going to be fantastic in the future.

I also loved the Peerless Bourbon but it's so damn expensive.

[Jazzhead]

1.  LIttle Book, Chapter 3 - practically perfect in every way

 

2.  Remus Repeal Reserve edition #2 - like LB, chapter 3,  a blend of well-aged bourbons (from MGP) not otherwise available individually.    Balanced and delicious.

 

3.  McKenzie BIB - the best wheated bourbon I've had in years.   Some micros know their stuff.   Honorable mention to New Riff. 

Edited January 8, 2020 by Jazzhead

[Jazzhead]

48 minutes ago, Josh said:

I also loved the Peerless Bourbon but it's so damn expensive.

Me too.   I liked it better than the Peerless Rye (and it's about 15 - 20 bucks less expensive).   But price remains a concern - I don't regret either purchase,  but not sure if I'll buy that second bottle.     Wilderness Trail offers a "sweet mash" bourbon at a much better price point.   

[JCwhammie]

I enjoyed ryes pre-2019, but for whatever reason I really dove in last year. I bought a bottle of Saffel, but I haven't opened it yet. For this reason my list is rye dominated. 

 

1. Wilderness Trail SiB BP rye. I had pretty high expectations based on what I've read. I generally try to temper these expectations to prevent let downs. Fortunately for this one my expectations were actually exceeded. Of the 4 year ryes I've had (some MGP, Willett, New Riff) this one stands out.

 

2. New Riff BIB rye. I wish it were less expensive than $46 (I suppose that's stupid to say, because I'm sure we all wish every bottle was cheaper), but it hits all the right notes for me.

 

3.  WT101 rye. Like it's bourbon version, it's a no frill no nonsense pour that's fantastic at its price point. This has become my every day rye. 

 

Honorable mention: little book chap 3. I only had 1 pour (if I'd have more more it may have cracked my top 3), but I thoroughly enjoyed it. With limited exposure to it I didnt feel like it could be on the medal stand. 

I had a pour of 4R SmBS last weekend. I feel like it could definitely make my top 3 next year. I was worried I may not be a big fan since the F yeast is just okay to me, but the master blender (kudos Brent) did a great job. 

[Clueby]

1 hour ago, Josh said:

I really enjoyed the Old Forester Rye too. It's probably my favorite new release. I wanted to love 4R Small Batch Select but it just fell short for me. Too much F yeast in the mix, I think.

2019 was the year when I discovered Wilderness Trail. I think it's now my favorite micro distilled bourbon. That's a pretty low bar, I know, but I think it's going to be fantastic in the future.

I also loved the Peerless Bourbon but it's so damn expensive.

I also liked the OF Rye.  I went out and bought a second bottle of it but don't think I've cracked it open yet.

 

I was not a fan of the 4RSBS.  I've heard other people also mention the F yeast and that it was too minty.  I find that odd because the F is the yeast I like the MOST from 4R and didn't really get that at all in the SBS.  I got that musty/dirty/earthy note from it more than anything (that I also get in the regular small batch).

[GaryT]

No particular order, but aside from raiding my Dad's stash around Christmas (where that PHC 10yr Wheater was pretty @#$% delicious), I'd have go to with:

 

Old Forester Rye:  For me this was the best new release of 2019,  Delivered not only a solid new addition to rye, but a slightly different take and at a great price point.  Can't think of anything I didn't love about it.

Little Book Ch. 3:  This was just a really solid, well balanced, full flavored bourbon.  I was a bit skeptical going in, but the proof was in the glass.  

Lux Row Distiller's Double Barrel:  Not a lot of bottles sold, but looking back at my notes this stood out as pretty memorable.  Basically two 12 yr old (or older) barrels batched together - and on the sweet side for being 12 yrs old.

 

I'd throw Wild Turkey Master's Keep Revival in as an honorable mention.  I picked one up for my birthday last March and have enjoyed the hell out of every pour thus far.  With several of the WT LEs being duds in my book, this is one where I've considered getting a back-up as it really is pretty damn good.

 

As others stated, I was also disappointed in the 4RSBS (maybe my biggest 'disappointment' of 2019?)  And I feel the need to call out Dickel 13yr BIB (I mean - to release a 13 yr BIB in 2019 at $40 or less . . . even though I didn't love the whiskey, I love the fact that not everyone out there is losing their mind on pricing).

[RWBadley]

Little Book #3 for me. It pretty much left everything else behind.

 

Knob Creek Rye 2009 was pretty good value, found at C###co for 65$

 

One of the ECBP's... doesn't matter which one, they're all pretty good.

 

After that it's all not much,

 

Oh, we do have a local that surprised me in a good way. Frey Ranch Batch #1.  From the Reno NV area. Good stuff.

 

Cheers,

RW

 

 

[Kane]

This thread makes me realize I had a rather dull bourbon/rye year. I spent more time with Scotch and rum; didn't pursue unicorns or LEs, couldn't find inexpensive but good new releases like the Dickel BIB...

 

So my list of standouts is mostly old news:

 

1- Stagg Jr Batch 6

2- Knob Creek BP Rye, batch 2

3- Kirkland Small Batch Tennessee 7yr (what can I say, Costco always delivers with its mystery juice)

[Harry in WashDC]

What a great idea for a thread.  I shall have to cogitate.  Frankly, I had a heckuva time drinking bourbons and ryes in 2019.  The OF Rye 100 and the 4RSmBSelect come to mind.  For my third?  Gallons of good old OGD BIB come to mind - even the new bottles (like the one I decanted five days ago) taste as good to me as when Squire's comments circa Jan 2014 made me REALLY THINK about what I tasted in it.  That opened up a whole new world to me and made me think that all those "wine snobs" I'd made fun of were "on to something".  In other words, whiskey has a complex taste - it is not all about how many quick shots I can handle before I fall over.

 

AND - having just read what I typed, I have concluded I am through drinking for the night (OF 1897 BIB with a LOT of ice) as I am getting much too introspective.  NEXT, I'll be telling you what I see when I gaze in my navel.

[0895]

Three '19 releases that really stood out for me this year in no specific order:

 

- Four Roses Small Batch LE 2019.  Just incredible.  The best one they've done since 2015, IMO.

 

-The bottle of 2019 coded Rock Hill Farms I got last spring might be the best bottle of MB2 I've ever had.

 

-Reamus Volstead's Reserve 14y.  Yeah, the price sucks.  But as an MGP fan, this stuff just hit all the right notes for me.  I was at a party, and still feel slightly guilty about drinking 3 small pours of a bottle that wasn't mine, but it was so darn good that I decided to skip some of the other good stuff in favor of more Volstead.

[Old Dusty]

32 minutes ago, 0895 said:

 

- Four Roses Small Batch LE 2019.  Just incredible.  The best one they've done since 2015, IMO.

 

Agreed and agreed. 
 

I’ll take W.B. Saffell and WLW 2019 as my other two picks. 

[The Black Tot]

I will echo Old Forester Rye as the year's new regular-offering win.

 

I never got to try Little Book 3. It's been killing me to watch everyone pass it by here on the forum at retail.

[Kyjd75]

3 hours ago, The Black Tot said:

 

 

I never got to try Little Book 3. It's been killing me to watch everyone pass it by here on the forum at retail.

Forgive them Lord, for they know not what they do . . .

[Old Dusty]

YouTube suggested this video to me. Haven’t watched this guy before and not sure about his “New York Dude” delivery.....but I thought his picks were well curated and on topic for this thread. 
 

 

[fosmith]

Stagg Jr. batch 12

Little Book 3

ECBP C918

Honorable mentions: Knob Creek SiB Bevmo store pick. McKenzie BiB. WT101.

[PhantomLamb]

1. LB3, just perfectly balanced and aged well.  Tempted to buy another bottle.

2. WTRB, not new to me but this particular bottle continues to blow me away with how smooth yet complex it is and at a good price point.

3. ECBP, was my first time trying it this year and was wonderful.  Definitely can tell it's barrel proof, drinks pretty hot but very big and bold with a lasting finish.  

 

Looking forward to 2020!

[parksmart]

1.  Weller CYPB - lucky to discover a bar locally that had this at a reasonable price.  Surprised at how tasty this was, especially considering the hype around it.  Definitely performed at the considerable expectations for it.

2.  NAS Elijah Craig K&L pick - K&L found a honey barrel with the PS they sold through a few months ago.

3.  LB3 - can’t add anymore to the plenty that has already been said about it.

[marshall9779]

I have always enjoyed bourbon but 2019 was really my first full year of really going down the rabbit hole.

Of the new releases I’ve really only had OF rye and really enjoyed.
Of ongoing non LE releases ECBP A119 and Stagg Jr batch 13 were great.
Have had opportunities to drink some limited release stuff that was great. Had ‘17 Stagg and THH for my 40th, along with a Lot B. All very good butt the Stagg may be best of everything I had last year. Had a ‘18 WLW that a buddy shared that was also great.
Won a PVW15 through my counties lotto and cracked for Christmas. Very good but prefer BTAC offerings.

[dboland]

1. 4RSBS - LOVE this one. The small batch is fine but I mostly used it for mixing. This one I prefer neat or with a cube and is such an accessible pour. Definitely one I will be offering people looking to branch off from JB and JD.

 

2. 2019 GTS - This one seems to be polarizing and not as well-received as some previous batches. The syrupyness and long finish give me a tough choice each time I decide what to drink.

 

3. WT101 - So consistent and it tastes like it could be 10-12 years old. The 101s of the last couple of years has just tasted so good to me that I have not tried many others at the same price point. 

 

Honorable mention to the RRSiB which continues to taste fantastic to me.

[BigSkyDrams]

1) 2018 Saz 18 -- I had one 1/2 oz pour of this (complimentary) at a fancy hotel I was staying at, and it is the first advanced age rye I've ever tasted, and I though it was incredible in complexity and depth of flavor.  Stands out as one of the most incredible pours I've ever had.

2) 14+ y.o. KCSiB by local got -- can't say that much about it that would provide insight for anyone else, as it is a single barrel, but it was so good it has really reeled me in to all things Beam, which might have jumped back into my second favorite distillery (also, makes seeing all this praise about LB3 really hurt).

3) Really good WR Double Oaked SiB my local picked -- again, not much to say there that could impact other members, in light of the single barrel aspect, but it was the first WR product that I've really enjoyed. 

 

I, for one, was not a fan of the OF Rye, but given all the praise, I might have to revisit.

[mal00768]

1. RRSib

2. 2019 Stagg

3. Rare Breed

Edited January 10, 2020 by mal00768

[AndyD]

You guys are making me want to go and buy a backup little book 3.  Haven’t opened my first one.  

[Saul_cooperstein]

1. 1971 Rebel Yell (90pf)

2. 1980 OGB 114

3. 2013 Four Roses LE Small Batch