Give opinions on whether or not to buy specific Bourbons

[Mano]

If there is already a thread like this somewhere else, I apologize. I though it would be nice to ask about others opinions on some bourbons before I buy them.

[Mano]

First up.

 

Yellowstone Limited Edition 2020 is on the shelves at local liquor stores for $110. Has anyone tried this, did you like it, and is it worth the spend?

 

[Splitgrin]

I was just at limestone branch distillery last weekend. They had plenty of this still on the shelf and we’re charging I believe the same $110 per bottle. I did sample it there however and thought it to be a very hot and spicy bourbon. I enjoy my Bourbons more on the sweeter side in terms of Dominate profile.  So at the price point I definitely passed. At around $60 I probably would’ve pulled the trigger.

[DanP]

I've never had the stuff, but I would definitely buy it at twice that price, put on some boots and a cowboy hat, and tell everyone that my name is Rip while I carry that bottle around.

 

[Bob_Loblaw]

I already have enough issues with paying $100+ for the legacy distillers Limited Editions so this would be a easy pass.  That said, I have not really tried anything from Yellowstone so it is not necessarily the most informed decision, but I am ok with missing out.  Also, finished whiskey is not really my jam.  From the few I have tried the Armagnac finish (thinking of the Bardstown 12 year MGP) ends up making the final product too sweet and almost cloying.    Is this their own distillate or sourced?    

[fishnbowljoe]

Yellowstone from the 70’s was great. Yellowstone from the 90’s-2000’s, meh. I’ve only tasted their  newer products a couple of times, and what I had was somewhere in the middle. 
 

Biba! Joe

[SteveoT]

Great thread!  Anyone have thoughts on Michter's 10 year bourbon?  My local store has 1 today for $149.99 and it was just to rich for my blood without ever having tasted it.

[FasterHorses]

Do NOT buy Michters on principle. 
The limestone branch stuff ive had is mediocre but their Minor Case Rye is not bad at all.. i am a repeat buyer. 

[Marekv8]

I would pass on the tarted-up Yellowstone bottle-- even though the "Hand Selected" claim is certainly enticing.

 

In regard to Michter's 10-- it's easy enough to find on-premise (if there is such a thing anymore)-- so I would highly recommend trying bar pour first. This may sound odd, but I find that it works much better paired with food than as an independent tasting experience.

[mross]

4 hours ago, Mano said:

First up.

 

Yellowstone Limited Edition 2020 is on the shelves at local liquor stores for $110. Has anyone tried this, did you like it, and is it worth the spend?

 

I would pass. For me I will not go that high unless I know ahead of time what I am getting. If your a newbie I suggest you try Wild Turkey 101, Knob Creek, Makers Mark, Elijah Craig, 1792, Woodford Reserve or Old Forester. All are good, readily available and won't break the bank.

[Whiskeythink.com]

I would hope that its older sourced stuff based on the price. However, hard knowing that, so Id pass.

 

I did have a tasty Yellowstone store pick last year that was fabulous. It was 4 or 5 yr, their juice, lower proof at 93, & with a coupon was only $32.

[geclbxf]

9 minutes ago, Whiskeythink.com said:

I would hope that its older sourced stuff based on the price. However, hard knowing that, so Id pass.

 

I did have a tasty Yellowstone store pick last year that was fabulous. It was 4 or 5 yr, their juice, lower proof at 93, & with a coupon was only $32.

It is sourced - and I have tried it and liked it.   Yes it is steep, but I will bunker a few.   I agree on the Minor Case Rye - that is a great value for a sherry cask finished rye.

[Mano]

58 minutes ago, mross said:

I would pass. For me I will not go that high unless I know ahead of time what I am getting. If your a newbie I suggest you try Wild Turkey 101, Knob Creek, Makers Mark, Elijah Craig, 1792, Woodford Reserve or Old Forester. All are good, readily available and won't break the bank.

 

All those are fine bourbons which I have enjoyed many times.

 

I don't mind spending money on something that is really good and unique, which is why I am asking for opinions here.

[Mano]

2 hours ago, SteveoT said:

Great thread!  Anyone have thoughts on Michter's 10 year bourbon?  My local store has 1 today for $149.99 and it was just to rich for my blood without ever having tasted it.

I don't know how the bottles vary year over year, but was able to special order a case ( 3 bottles ) of it about 2 years ago, for I believe~ $100/bottle, and I thought it was delicious. YMMV.

[FacePlant]

44 minutes ago, Mano said:

 

All those are fine bourbons which I have enjoyed many times.

 

I don't mind spending money on something that is really good and unique, which is why I am asking for opinions here.

If money is no object buy anything that looks interesting, you've never had, or just curious about, and try it. I like it, he likes it, you may not? You love it but my review says it's swill. I understand the question, but only you can really decide if's it something you want to continue with. Many of us did that, and now are just happy with our affordable (money is an object), high quality, major distiller mainstay. Probably good reason they're "mainstays" and always on the bar? Happy hunting.  

[WD40]

Curious. I am trying to get my hands on the newly released 5 year BiB from Leopold Brothers. Can not find it here in Maryland DMV Area. Has anyone given it a try?

Edited October 16, 2020 by WD40

[smokinjoe]

7 hours ago, Mano said:

First up.

 

Yellowstone Limited Edition 2020 is on the shelves at local liquor stores for $110. Has anyone tried this, did you like it, and is it worth the spend?

 

$110?  No, sir.  

[smokinjoe]

3 hours ago, SteveoT said:

Great thread!  Anyone have thoughts on Michter's 10 year bourbon?  My local store has 1 today for $149.99 and it was just to rich for my blood without ever having tasted it.

$149?  No, sir.

[Mano]

1 hour ago, FacePlant said:

If money is no object buy anything that looks interesting, you've never had, or just curious about, and try it. I like it, he likes it, you may not? You love it but my review says it's swill. I understand the question, but only you can really decide if's it something you want to continue with. Many of us did that, and now are just happy with our affordable (money is an object), high quality, major distiller mainstay. Probably good reason they're "mainstays" and always on the bar? Happy hunting.  

 

I thought the whole point of this forum was to talk with others about bourbon and get their perspective and opinions on it.

If I was wealthy enough that "money is no object", sure, I could buy everything I see, take a sip and throw it away when I don't like it. I can afford to buy higher end stuff from time to time, but when it is something that looks interesting, but that I have never had nor is readily available in bars to try ( and at the moment, going out to bars to try is not an option ), I like to hear the opinions of people who have tried it.  I get that just because others like it doesn't mean I will, but if they tell me how it tastes to them, whiskeys that are similar, etc. it is better than having no information at all.  

[SteveoT]

1 hour ago, smokinjoe said:

$149?  No, sir.

Care to explain?

[StarSurfer55]

So one that I have tried multiple times but just can’t seem to like was Smooth Ambler Big Level. 

[Harry in WashDC]

46 minutes ago, StarSurfer55 said:

So one that I have tried multiple times but just can’t seem to like was Smooth Ambler Big Level. 

Years ago, I bought the SA Yearling whicI was SA’s much anticipate home made wheated.  For a 2 year wheated, it was ok - too much slippery corn, not enough complex rye spice or wheat body but still promising.  I tried to like the BL even featuring it as a VBT to see what others thought.  I bought two 750s when it came out.  I still have one unopened on the shelf.

 

 

 

 

[Harry in WashDC]

3 hours ago, WD40 said:

Curious. I am trying to get my hands on the newly released 5 year BiB from Leopold Brothers. Can not find it here in Maryland DMV Area. Has anyone given it a try?

I’ve liked the various Leo Bro’s products, especially the gins and the apple cask bourbon???  Or some such.  Their prices are premium but they don’t make crap.  If you can afford to take a flyer, do so.

[FasterHorses]

I would recommend steering clear of the newer NAS johnny drum and pure kentucky. They were hot garbage to me. May be a little harsh but i regretted buying the whole bottle of both of those.. try em at a bar if you must. I know some on here enjoy them. 

Edited October 16, 2020 by FasterHorses

[smokinjoe]

11 hours ago, SteveoT said:

Care to explain?

Pretty much the same reason you gave for not buying it in the first place.  Cost.  $150 for a bottle of bourbon is way past my comfort zone.  But, I’ve cleared that monetary hurdle before a time or two, and will do again.  However, I choke at those kind of cash outlays for unnamed sourced whiskey.  While the general specs of age and proof are solid, that pricing asked for them is 2 to 3 times what it should be, IMO.  
From a taste perspective, I don’t have any experience with this release.  I have had others in the line, as well as some of their standard bottlings.  The only one I hated was the first toasted barrel one, but the others were solid to good, so I believe Michter’s knows what they’re doing in picking whiskey to bottle.  But, that opinion does not allow me to recommend a purchase at $150 to myself, or others.