If I don't like 'plain old" Buffalo Trace, should I avoid the rest of the lineup?

[IamMatt]

I know BT is a fan favorite, but I'm not a fan.  It's not bad, I just find it dull and uninteresting.  So I have been a bit cautious about stretching into some of their other highly-regarded offerings:  Eagle Rare, Stagg Jr, Blanton's, and maybe some of the Weller offerings.  I know the Wellers are wheaters so I'm guessing those are different enough, but are any of these similar enough to say, "if you don't ike BT, you probably won't like XYZ?"  I don't mind taking a chance on a $20 or $30 bottle but not so much at $0, $60, $100, etc.

[JCwhammie]

To me standard BT is fine, but like you I find it fairly boring. I generally keep an open bottle for guests. ER10 has more depth, but it likely still won't knock your socks off. To me the best bottle of mashbill 1 is EHT SmB when bought for retail pricing. Stagg Jr is also really good.

 

Mashbill 2 (Blantons, EHT, RHF) has a higher rye content. I'd recommend trying them if you come across a bottle ar retail, which has basically become impossible these days. 

 

WSR doesn't do it for me, but OWA and W12 are both very good. I haven't had the other Weller products. 

 

The biggest problem with BT products is demand and gotten so high that most of their products are allocated in many markets. Thankfully there are plenty of other distilleries that are putting out incredible whiskeys that are readily available at great prices. 

Edited August 3, 2020 by JCwhammie

[PaulO]

I think regular BT is ok.  I think I like it better than ER.  Some barrels of ER were ok, but boring.  Others had an odd off note like wet basement or rotting wood.  I tried EHT and Stagg JR when they were new.  Didn't care much for either.

In the past, I always did like the Wellers and mash bill #2 brands.  Those are now treated like some expensive form of contraband in my market.  I'm really not into the games.

[IamMatt]

Excellent feedback so far.  I really appreciate the viewpoints from drinkers who are "meh" on BT like me.

 

Every time I consider a new bourbon, I always think, "What else could I drink for this money?"  Blanton's "retails" around $65; I can buy OF 1920 or EC BP for that price and I REALLY like those, so Blanton's better be at least as good as those.  I am VERY unlikely to pay much over retail for anything unless it is something I KNOW is really good.

 

I was about to buy a bottle of ER10 but I may pass now.   Curious if anyone else chimes in.

[The Black Tot]

It took me several years of personal palate development to find my way back to the pleasure that is...regular BT. YMMV.

 

I suggest you don't worry about it and chase your bliss with abandon. But don't be surprised several years down the track at the revelation, when the prodigal son comes back home.

[mal00768]

2 hours ago, IamMatt said:

I know BT is a fan favorite, but I'm not a fan.  It's not bad, I just find it dull and uninteresting.  So I have been a bit cautious about stretching into some of their other highly-regarded offerings:  Eagle Rare, Stagg Jr, Blanton's, and maybe some of the Weller offerings.  I know the Wellers are wheaters so I'm guessing those are different enough, but are any of these similar enough to say, "if you don't ike BT, you probably won't like XYZ?"  I don't mind taking a chance on a $20 or $30 bottle but not so much at $0, $60, $100, etc.

It sounds like your palate is telling you that you’re a turkey guy. Fortunately you’ve figured this out early before spending money on that boring BT stuff. 

[IamMatt]

I'll probably remain open to the Wellers if I see them at retail but put most of the rest of the BT lineup on the back burner until I can try a pour of them.  I do like WT--I just poured my 3rd evening in a row of RR10 and it has gotten better each time. 

 

Thank you.

[PaulO]

A big yes to Turkey.

 

Blanton's is a nice easy drinker in a very fancy package.  There is such a thing as a 50ml bottle, or a bar pour.

After ECBP or WT products, you're unlikely to be blown away by Blanton's.

[0895]

1 hour ago, IamMatt said:

Excellent feedback so far.  I really appreciate the viewpoints from drinkers who are "meh" on BT like me.

 

Every time I consider a new bourbon, I always think, "What else could I drink for this money?"  Blanton's "retails" around $65; I can buy OF 1920 or EC BP for that price and I REALLY like those, so Blanton's better be at least as good as those.  I am VERY unlikely to pay much over retail for anything unless it is something I KNOW is really good.

 

I was about to buy a bottle of ER10 but I may pass now.   Curious if anyone else chimes in.

I would argue that both those you mentioned are significantly more enjoyable than Blanton’s, but, it depends on your mood.  Sometimes those rich high proofers are a bit much, and I wanna sip good ole 90 ish proof around the bonfire for a few hours.

 

Regular BT has just been hitting home runs for me the past year.  I think it makes a fantastic Manhattan as well.

I don’t remember liking it in the past as much as I do now.

[IamMatt]

11 minutes ago, PaulO said:

After ECBP or WT products, you're unlikely to be blown away by Blanton's.

If there is something capable of blowing one away after ECBP, A120, it oughta be illegal.  SO much flavor.

[JakeySnakes]

I'm not the biggest fan of regular BT, but that being said, I've had some great bottles of ER, and all have been good, light yet complex. EHT SmB is consistently one of my favs for around $40, if you can find it for that. Blanton's has been solid, but i've never had a bottle blow me away.

 

I'd say 9 times outta 10 I end up leaving my LS with no BT products, although this thread has me thinking the next bottle will be regular BT.  

[FasterHorses]

If i get a bad BT i will give it away.. but when i get a good sweet one theres not much better.  Same with Blantons. The Taylors are hit or miss but ive found that adding some water makes them a different animal. EHTBP and the right amount of water is one of the best pours ive experienced. RHF was ok but truthfully I like Blantons better. Hancocks is extremely nice. ER is not in my wheelhouse but I have had a couple stellar Store picks. So yeah I would say give em all a try and if you happen upon the right batch or single barrel your whole take on BT may change. 

[Richnimrod]

I've personally never had a 'bad Buffalo Trace', though a certain private pick was "odd".   

I've also had stellar private barrel bottles of BT.   

The batch runs to be found on shelves around me (when they actually CAN be found on shelves) have been pretty consistent and pretty good to my taste buddies.

All that said, I'll offer IamMatt this advice: Don't bother buying any Bourbon you don't like; but don't write off the entire house.   Also, I agree with The Black Tot that you may have a change of heart (or taste buds) at some point; so, re-trying at some point might yield different results.

[fosmith]

15 hours ago, IamMatt said:

I know BT is a fan favorite, but I'm not a fan.  It's not bad, I just find it dull and uninteresting.  So I have been a bit cautious about stretching into some of their other highly-regarded offerings:  Eagle Rare, Stagg Jr, Blanton's, and maybe some of the Weller offerings.  I know the Wellers are wheaters so I'm guessing those are different enough, but are any of these similar enough to say, "if you don't ike BT, you probably won't like XYZ?"  I don't mind taking a chance on a $20 or $30 bottle but not so much at $0, $60, $100, etc.

As you can see, opinions are all over the map on this.  I agree with you on the regular BT but I think you should try the others for yourself, at least once.  It's the only way to know for sure what excites YOUR palate.  For me, I really love Eagle Rare.  It's everything that regular BT isn't - deep, complex and flavorful.  And for under $30 at K&L, Total Wine and even sometimes Safeway, it's a no brainer.  Col. EH Taylor Small Batch is great if you can find it for msrp of $40.  On the nose and palate, you know you are drinking a premium bourbon.  And, as for Stagg Jr., bourbon doesn't get much better than this.  It's my favorite non unicorn barrel proofer and a must buy, IMO.  On a par with Booker's and ECBP.  As for Weller, you're probably not going to find it on the shelf anywhere but, if you do, WSR, is a pretty nice 90 proof sipper...

[Clueby]

I like reg ol BT well enough but agree its not exactly complex.  Occasionally a PS of it stands out above the rest.  I like most things BT, something about the water or yeast I suppose.  Or the environment.  Whatever it is, it runs through most everything they make for me and lands in my sweet spot.  I'm fortunate that MGP bourbon just doesn't really do it for me so I've never been affected much by the clamoring for SAOS and all the other MGP sourced stuff.  I've been content with mostly BT and HH stuff.  Unfortunately almost the entire BT lineup is allocated and in high demand.  Regular BT is typically on the shelf everywhere locally but an entire PS barrel was released last week and sold out across a local chain's four stores in minutes.  ER makes an occasional appearance on shelves but also is regularly part of lotteries or heavy markups ($50+).  Anything "above" that, Blanton's, CEHT, Stagg Jr. etc....those approach "unicorn" status here.  WSR can be found, but the others...forget it.

[BigSkyDrams]

Yes, as others have said, you should try the rest of the lineup if given an opportunity.  I don't find the regular BT that inspiring these days, but it was the first bottle of bourbon that really clicked for me and drove me down the bourbon rabbit-hole. 

[StarSurfer55]

Frankly, I like regular BT but then I like all the Bt products. I haven’t had a bad one yet. I keep two standbys on my bar to cover the range of tastes:  BT and WT101.  

[IamMatt]

Well, I bought a bottle of Hancock's President's Reserve SB today so I guess I am open to BT offerings.  It started with my talking to another customer at the Bourbon section of Total Wine; we ended up exchanging numbers so we could get together for some tastings when things are more normal.  He recommended it so if I don't like it I can always give it to him.

Edited August 6, 2020 by IamMatt

[FasterHorses]

4 minutes ago, IamMatt said:

Well, I bought a bottle of Hancock's President's Reserve SB today so I guess I am open to BT offerings.  It started with my talking to another customer at the Bourbon section of Total Wine; we ended up exchanging numbers so we could get together for some tastings when things are more normal.  He recommended it so if I don't like it I can always give it to him.

I like it a lot. I wish it was available year round. Have one bunkered and gifted  two  last year. Wish I had gifted something else. I will buy 2-3 more this fall if they show up again. 

[StarSurfer55]

Frankly, I like all the BT offerings and If I was limited to two bourbons on my bar that had to be affordable and readily available, I would have BT and WT101.

[Flyfish]

On 8/5/2020 at 10:50 PM, IamMatt said:

Well, I bought a bottle of Hancock's President's Reserve SB today so I guess I am open to BT offerings.  

Hancock's used to be displayed by the pallet at Liquor Barn in Lexington for under $30. Now it is just not available. So, what are the alternatives in the BT lineup? At the Louisville TW, a staffer tried to sell me something called Black Ledge (I think) that "beat Blanton's in blind tastings. It's the same mashbill from the same distiller," she said. Using that logic, anything from BT with the same mashbill is "just as good as Blanton's--or better." I think regular BT is damn fine bourbon--when I am in the mood for it. And I really like Blanton's. And Stagg Jr. and ER10, and....

Still, these days I keep coming back to WT101 by the handle because it is readily available and, once again after a couple years hiatus, quite reliable.

[fishnbowljoe]

On 8/4/2020 at 9:40 AM, Clueby said:

I like reg ol BT well enough but agree its not exactly complex.  

I’m a fan of pretty much all BT products. Weller SR and BT are staples in my bunker, and on my “open shelf”. I also have a few other offerings open. Right now, I have more open bottles than I normally do. As Clueby stated, BT isn’t exactly complex. I agree, and I also think the same about Weller SR. There are many times when I don’t feel like deciding what bourbon I want to drink. I just want a no-brainer, easy drinker that isn’t complex. BT and Weller SR fit the bill for me quite nicely. 

 

Biba! Joe

[Clueby]

37 minutes ago, fishnbowljoe said:

I’m a fan of pretty much all BT products. Weller SR and BT are staples in my bunker, and on my “open shelf”. I also have a few other offerings open. Right now, I have more open bottles than I normally do. As Clueby stated, BT isn’t exactly complex. I agree, and I also think the same about Weller SR. There are many times when I don’t feel like deciding what bourbon I want to drink. I just want a no-brainer, easy drinker that isn’t complex. BT and Weller SR fit the bill for me quite nicely. 

 

Biba! Joe

What Joe said!  I also feel pretty much the same about Blanton's. It is more complex than a BT or WSR, but it can still seem boring at times.

[geclbxf]

On ‎8‎/‎8‎/‎2020 at 5:41 PM, Clueby said:

What Joe said!  I also feel pretty much the same about Blanton's. It is more complex than a BT or WSR, but it can still seem boring at times.

and I generally feel the same about Blantons, but then you hit a honey barrel, and it blows you away and causes you to buy more!   LOL

[IamMatt]

On 8/5/2020 at 7:50 PM, IamMatt said:

Well, I bought a bottle of Hancock's President's Reserve SB today so I guess I am open to BT offerings.  It started with my talking to another customer at the Bourbon section of Total Wine; we ended up exchanging numbers so we could get together for some tastings when things are more normal.  He recommended it so if I don't like it I can always give it to him.

Follow up:  I stopped by the same Total Wine today and they had about 8 bottles of Hancock at $50.  It is normally hard to find and expensive here.  The guy I mentioned above who recommended it said it was one of his favorites so I texted him to let him know they had some.  Last time the got some in it was gone in hours if not minutes, so he texted me back and asked  if I could grab a bottle for him.   My son was going shopping in the same center so I had him buy a bottle too and my new friend just dropped by the house to pick them up.  We had a dram together and cemented our friendship.

 

Bourbon is like a secret fraternity but without the weird handshakes and stuff.