What Bourbon Are You Drinking? (Winter 2020)

[smokinjoe]

The ET BIB checks every box for me in what I consider a great every day drinker, and also is in the running for the best value in Bourbonia.  

[RWBadley]

I wish we got that here. Looks tasty. Here in the Bourbon Desert of Nevada we sometimes miss out on a thing or two, Bourbonwise...  But at the least we have to pay more for it.. haha

[bayouredd]

10 minutes ago, RWBadley said:

I wish we got that here. Looks tasty. Here in the Bourbon Desert of Nevada we sometimes miss out on a thing or two, Bourbonwise...  But at the least we have to pay more for it.. haha

hehehehe  

[fishnbowljoe]

Odd day at work today. Not bad, not good, just kinda off/different.  Blanton’s in the glass this evening.

 

Biba! Joe

[lemonman]

1 hour ago, smokinjoe said:

The ET BIB checks every box for me in what I consider a great every day drinker, and also is in the running for the best value in Bourbonia.  

 

 

I'm really impressed with ET BiB; it's everything I wish OF100 was (but isn't). Not overly complex, but no bad notes anywhere.

 

That said, the KC is hitting all the notes tonight; no wonder it's my go to!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[smokinjoe]

Newly purchased 2013 Evan Williams Single Barrel to close out a crazy week, and mosey on in to the weekend.  As has been said recently on these boards, EWSB is an under-rated whiskey that delivers a lot for its cost.  Personally speaking, though it is younger, lower proof, and in the price ballpark of Elijah Craig, I enjoy its profile more, and reach for it over the EC.  This particular barrel has a distinctive floral element to the nose and early palate entry, with a unmistakable unsweetened cocoa powder thing going on mid to late palate.  Oak kicks in nicely on the back.  All of this, without punching me in the mouth with proof overload.  I think this is going to go well with my soon to be lit up CAO Gold!  

[Kjbarth]

Finishing this. Need to go to liquor store to restock. 

[Kepler]

On 2/26/2021 at 6:32 PM, Kjbarth said:

Finishing this. Need to go to liquor store to restock. 

Me too, but when I got there they were out of stock.  I can find it at other stores however if I make the effort.

[Kepler]

I cracked open a 1792 Ridgemont Reserve and sipped on that while me and the missus watched the first episode of the Ken Burns Baseball documentary.  It's spring training season after all, ... so time for my training  

After the show now, so time to get serious. I decided to compare the older Ridgemont Reserve NAS (2015) to a slightly more recent 1792 "Small Batch" bottling (2016) with the current dark red neck band. Both are 93.7 proof so in that respect it's fair, but not a true fair comparison because this 2016 SmB is actually a local store pick single barrel. 

 

I give the Ridgemont "burlap" the edge on the nose and the Small Batch PS the edge on the finish. The palate/taste I will call it even.  Basically a wash.

These are essentially $25 bottles and they both drink like that. But both are well-balanced and deliver the core experience of what I consider to be what a good bourbon should taste like.  I can think of several more expensive bottles from major distilleries that don't. 

[Wedelstaedt]

33 minutes ago, Kepler said:

I cracked open a 1792 Ridgemont Reserve and sipped on that while me and the missus watched the first episode of the Ken Burns Baseball documentary.  It's spring training season after all, ... so time for my training  

After the show now, so time to get serious. I decided to compare the older Ridgemont Reserve NAS (2015) to a slightly more recent 1792 "Small Batch" bottling (2016) with the current dark red neck band. Both are 93.7 proof so in that respect it's fair, but not a true fair comparison because this 2016 SmB is actually a local store pick single barrel. 

 

I give the Ridgemont "burlap" the edge on the nose and the Small Batch PS the edge on the finish. The palate/taste I will call it even.  Basically a wash.

These are essentially $25 bottles and they both drink like that. But both are well-balanced and deliver the core experience of what I consider to be what a good bourbon should taste like.  I can think of several more expensive bottles from major distilleries that don't. 

Thank you for a well thought out comparison & an informative review. Inspiration for me to Bunker dive. :-))

 

Cheers

[smokinjoe]

Did some moving around in the bunker over the weekend, and came across this ETL .  Meant to get to it yesterday, but that had to wait for today.  Nice finish to a long day.  

[smokinjoe]

This whiskey is pure luciousness. Juicy, velvety, rich, perfectly crafted...and insanely expensive...what the hell was I thinking... . Though, I’m a fan of finished bourbons in general, Beam takes the finishing craft to another level with this, IMO.  

[Radioyada]

7 minutes ago, smokinjoe said:

This whiskey is pure luciousness. Juicy, velvety, rich, perfectly crafted...and insanely expensive...what the hell was I thinking... . Though, I’m a fan of finished bourbons in general, Beam takes the finishing craft to another level with this, IMO.  

That one is fantastic.   The best Beam product out there in my opinion. 

Edited March 3, 2021 by Radioyada

[markandrex]

Working on some OGD 114.

[mbroo5880i]

A couple of decent pours of a store select RR Single Barrel while watching the Pacers getting beat by the Cavaliers.  

[flahute]

6 hours ago, smokinjoe said:

This whiskey is pure luciousness. Juicy, velvety, rich, perfectly crafted...and insanely expensive...what the hell was I thinking... . Though, I’m a fan of finished bourbons in general, Beam takes the finishing craft to another level with this, IMO.  

This is one of those ones where you were going to be a bad influence on me but then I couldn't find it so I was saved from myself. 

Not to worry though, you have corrupted me plenty!

[Kepler]

6 hours ago, smokinjoe said:

This whiskey is pure luciousness. Juicy, velvety, rich, perfectly crafted...and insanely expensive...what the hell was I thinking... . Though, I’m a fan of finished bourbons in general, Beam takes the finishing craft to another level with this, IMO.  

Agreed. I had 2 pours of it at a bar and was suitably enough impressed to want a bottle of my own.  Passed the word to my drinking buddy out of state and he was able to find me a bottle.

[robertckim]

On 2/25/2021 at 3:57 PM, RWBadley said:

I wish we got that here. Looks tasty. Here in the Bourbon Desert of Nevada we sometimes miss out on a thing or two, Bourbonwise...  But at the least we have to pay more for it.. haha

 

You are so right, stores dominated by chains and few local operators + casinos = little selection for all of us!  

[BigSkyDrams]

On 2/25/2021 at 3:46 PM, smokinjoe said:

The ET BIB checks every box for me in what I consider a great every day drinker, and also is in the running for the best value in Bourbonia.  

What is that Weller in the background? That looks like quite a prize!

Edited March 4, 2021 by BigSkyDrams

[smokinjoe]

5 hours ago, BigSkyDrams said:

What is that Weller in the background? That looks like quite a prize!

It’s Weller Centennial.  A fantastic 10 yr 100 proof whiskey from several years ago.  On a side note, in an attempt to replicate it after its discontinuation, folks here on Straightbourbon.Com went about mingling OWA and Weller 12, and eventually came upon a 60:40 split (OWA/W12), which got pretty close.  Thus, the legendary SB Blend of Bourbonian fame was born.  

[GeeTen]

29 minutes ago, smokinjoe said:

It’s Weller Centennial.  A fantastic 10 yr 100 proof whiskey from several years ago.  On a side note, in an attempt to replicate it after its discontinuation, folks here on Straightbourbon.Com went about mingling OWA and Weller 12, and eventually came upon a 60:40 split (OWA/W12), which got pretty close.  Thus, the legendary SB Blend of Bourbonian fame was born.  

 

And fishnbowljoe's 2018 Weller Blend (3xWA107:W12::WSR) comes pretty darn close, too!

Edited March 4, 2021 by GeeTen

[BigSkyDrams]

28 minutes ago, smokinjoe said:

It’s Weller Centennial.  A fantastic 10 yr 100 proof whiskey from several years ago.  On a side note, in an attempt to replicate it after its discontinuation, folks here on Straightbourbon.Com went about mingling OWA and Weller 12, and eventually came upon a 60:40 split (OWA/W12), which got pretty close.  Thus, the legendary SB Blend of Bourbonian fame was born.  

Ahhh, thanks for the info. I’ve tried the SB Blend in the past. Next time I get my hands on some OWA I’ll have to give it another go.

Edited March 4, 2021 by BigSkyDrams

[fishnbowljoe]

7 minutes ago, GeeTen said:

 

And fishnbowljoe's 2018 Weller Blend (3xWA107:W12::WSR) comes pretty darn close, too!

Thanks Frank, but...... My 2018 Blend suited me more readily, but in all honesty, I’d have to say that the 60:40 ratio SB Blend does come closer to copying the Centennial.  What can I say?   

 

Biba! Joe

[GeeTen]

32 minutes ago, fishnbowljoe said:

Thanks Frank, but...... My 2018 Blend suited me more readily, but in all honesty, I’d have to say that the 60:40 ratio SB Blend does come closer to copying the Centennial.  What can I say?   

 

Biba! Joe

 

OK, so sue me!   

 

[fishnbowljoe]

22 minutes ago, GeeTen said:

 

OK, so sue me!   

 

Here, hold this for me.