hughewil Posted June 21, 2022 Author Share Posted June 21, 2022 Whiskey madness B1 v B9 B1-Nose: strawberry, mint pallet: peppermint, citrus zest, mild finish b2-nose: oak, vanilla pallet: oak, peanut, bitter, medium finish B2 was stronger, but B1 was very tasty winner: B1 B2 v B3 B2: nose: banana, cinnamon pallet: cinnamon, oak on finish, smooth drinker, medium finish B3-nose: wood, caramel, grass pallet: oak, brown sugar, good mouth feel, medium finish. this was very close and both are easy drinkers. winner: B2 on taste Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaryT Posted June 21, 2022 Share Posted June 21, 2022 Love this idea. Once we get fully moved and unpacked, need to look at doing something like this (although maybe a few different brackets - like putting all BT distilled in one, all Four Roses in another, etc - and then a 'World Cup' of sorts with the distillery winners). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hughewil Posted June 21, 2022 Author Share Posted June 21, 2022 4 hours ago, GaryT said: Love this idea. Once we get fully moved and unpacked, need to look at doing something like this (although maybe a few different brackets - like putting all BT distilled in one, all Four Roses in another, etc - and then a 'World Cup' of sorts with the distillery winners). I thought about something like that, but in the end went with a total blind bracket rather than knowing I was trying all BT, or all Rye, ect. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hughewil Posted June 21, 2022 Author Share Posted June 21, 2022 Whiskey Madness wow what a contrast tonight B4 v B5 B4- nose: bandaids, punky wood pallet: plastic, bitter, fungus covered driftwood B5- nose: Vanilla, earthy pallet: light, vanilla, spice on the finish, medium finish Winner: B5 B8 v B6 B8-Nose: caramel, grain pallet: nice taste, caramel, bread, good mouth feel, medium finish B6-Nose: brown sugar, oak, cherry pallet: very cherry on front, vanilla, spice on the finish, good mouth feel, long finish. Both of these were good, but B6 had it all and is very good. winner: B6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaryT Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 On 6/21/2022 at 9:23 AM, hughewil said: I thought about something like that, but in the end went with a total blind bracket rather than knowing I was trying all BT, or all Rye, ect. Great point! I was thinking that I could group them and have the wife not tell me which group it was, but after a few it would likely stand out as Beam or Heaven Hill. Trying to figure out how to create some kind of 'wild card' for the losers (especially when you have two that are really close, and others where the winner is dominant). Although this could easily be one of those "the more you think about it, the less fun it is" situations Can't wait to see who takes it all!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hughewil Posted June 22, 2022 Author Share Posted June 22, 2022 4 hours ago, GaryT said: Great point! I was thinking that I could group them and have the wife not tell me which group it was, but after a few it would likely stand out as Beam or Heaven Hill. Trying to figure out how to create some kind of 'wild card' for the losers (especially when you have two that are really close, and others where the winner is dominant). Although this could easily be one of those "the more you think about it, the less fun it is" situations Can't wait to see who takes it all!! When I have two really good ones go head to head I just plan to make a note (star by it n the bracket) of it being excellent but just getting edged out. That way I'll know what it was later. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hughewil Posted June 22, 2022 Author Share Posted June 22, 2022 Whiskey Madness D1 v D10 D1-nose: spearmint, proof pallet: brown sugar, spice, good mouth feel, long finish. this is really good D10-nose: Vanilla, earthy pallet: oak, slight bitterness, medium finish winner: D1 D2 v D3 D2 - nose: Vanilla, caramel pallet: smooth, vanilla, oak, mild finish D3- nose: strawberry, oak pallet: caramel, red fruit, banana, mild finish winner: D3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flahute Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 Oh we are getting close! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaryT Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 Interesting that so far, nothing has won two rounds yet (of the 5 that have gone through two rounds). If my calculations are right, there's 17 more 'head to head' before you've got a winner! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hughewil Posted June 23, 2022 Author Share Posted June 23, 2022 (edited) 2 hours ago, GaryT said: Interesting that so far, nothing has won two rounds yet (of the 5 that have gone through two rounds). If my calculations are right, there's 17 more 'head to head' before you've got a winner! well to be fair the 1st round was a play in so not every bottle has head a second had to head. 2 more head to heads left and i will be down to the sweet 16. Edited June 23, 2022 by hughewil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hughewil Posted June 24, 2022 Author Share Posted June 24, 2022 Whiskey madness D4 v D5 D4-nose: Great nose, caramel, vanilla, earthy, floral pallet: dark chocolate, tart, good mouth feel, long finish D5- nose: Cherry, brown sugar, proof pallet: vanilla, cherry, oak, spice, great mouth feel, great finish. this was a very tough decision. Both of these were great pours and I am sure that a popular selection was eliminated here. First real tough head to head and someone is losing their horse in the race. Winner: D5 D8 v D6 D8-nose: cinnamon, caramel, oak, proof pallet: cherry, vanilla, cinnamon, great mouth feel, long finish, wow. D6- nose: brine, wood pallet: bitter, tannins, short finish winner: D8 with a knockout. I present to you your sweet 16. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hughewil Posted June 25, 2022 Author Share Posted June 25, 2022 (edited) Whiskey madness sweet 16 A1 v A2 A1- nose: baking spice, mint, oak pallet: oak, pepper, dill, good mouth feel, long finish A2: nose: grass, citrus pallet: bright/young, citrus zest, dry, medium finish Winner: A1 A4 v A6 A4: nose: vanilla, peppermint, grass pallet: baking spice, cinnamon, sweet, good oily mouth feel, long finish, mellow no burn. lingering after taste like a candy cane, A6- nose: cinnamon, char, vanilla, earthy pallet: cinnamon, citrus, oak, good mouth feel , long fish with some spice. Wow this was a heavy weight bout, both are fantastic. A6 seems stronger proof, but A4 is over 100 itself and the the taste and lingering aftertaste from A4 is just to good to pass up. winner: A4 Edited June 25, 2022 by hughewil 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hughewil Posted June 26, 2022 Author Share Posted June 26, 2022 Whiskey Madness B1 v B2 B1- Berry, vanilla Brown sugar, strwaberry, good mouth feel, short finish, very mellow B2-caramel, dark chocolate, char oak, brown sugar, medium spicy finish This one was close. Winner: B1 on taste B5 v B6 B5 - Dill, mint, cinnamon, grass mint, great mouth feel, spicy pepper and bitter finish B6 - Cherry, vanilla, proof oak, cherry, brown sugar, long mouth tingling finish. both of these were very good and the loser still gores on the superior pour list. Winner: B6 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hughewil Posted June 26, 2022 Author Share Posted June 26, 2022 (edited) Whiskey madness C1 v C3 C1 - Cinnamon, spice, cherry cinnamon, caramel, pepper, medium finish c3 - earth, plum oak, earthy, medium finish winner: C1 C5 - mint, grass, red fruit sweet berry, mint, pepper on finish, tasty, short finish mellow with no burn c6- caramel, proof, grass dill, brown sugar, pepper on finish, medium finish these were both pretty good, but C5 just has a better taste winner: C5 Edited June 26, 2022 by hughewil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hughewil Posted June 28, 2022 Author Share Posted June 28, 2022 Whiskey madness D1 v D3 D1 - earthy, proof, spice pepper, oak, mint, long finish, good mouth feel D3- dark chocolate, strawberry earth, oak, caramel, short finish Winner: D1 D5 v D8 D5- Caramel, proof, red fruit caramel, vanilla, pepper, oak, long finish D8- best nose through the competition, vanila, brown sugar, cherry, proof vanilla, oak, spice, cherry on finish, long finish, oily mouth feel this has been the closest of the competition its like a 5 outof 5 and a 4.99 out of 5. winner by a faction: D8 I present your elite 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hughewil Posted July 2, 2022 Author Share Posted July 2, 2022 Whiskey madness Elite 8 A1 v A4 A1-Dill, mint, oak, proof Oak, mint, baking spice, oily, oak on the finish, long finish slightly bitter A4-peppermint, grass, caramel, chocolate mint, wintergreen, pepper on the finish, slightly sweet on finish, long finish It is getting really hard to pick a winner at this level because they are all so good. It could change day to day depending on how I am feeling and these are very close. Winner: A4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hughewil Posted July 3, 2022 Author Share Posted July 3, 2022 Whiskey Madness Elite 8 B1 v B6 B1- earth, caramel, cinnamon cinnamon. oak, chocolate, medium finish B6- proof, brown sugar, cherry cherry, oak, dark chocolate, oily, long finish these were both nice pours and i would happily drink either, but the oiliness and long finish of B6 really put it over winner: B6 C1 v C5 C1- peanut, cinnamon, citrus cinnamon, orange zest. pepper, medium finish C5-mint, grass, oak peppermint, oak, floral, short finish Again both of these were good drinkers. C1 had a better finish, but the great taste of C5 put it through even with a short finish. winner: C5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hughewil Posted July 3, 2022 Author Share Posted July 3, 2022 Whiskey Madness Elite 8 D1 v D8 D1- caramel, proof, floral Oak, mint, pepper, long finish D8- Cinnamon, proof, peanut, caramel, oak cinnamon, brown sugar, oak on finish, oily, long finish At this level they are all so good I can't make a wrong decision winner: D8 welcome to your final 4 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hughewil Posted July 6, 2022 Author Share Posted July 6, 2022 Whiskey madness Semi finals A4 v B6 A4- Strawberry, mint, proof, pepper mint, red fruit, oak, long finish, very tasty B6- caramel, earth, proof Oak, cinnamon, long finish Both of these were amazing pours. In the end I went with the one that tasted almost like a cocktail straight from the bottle. winner: A4 C5 v D8 C5- fruity, grass red fruit, mint, wintergreen, short finish D8 - cinnamon, caramel, earth cinnamon, brown sugar, spice on finish, long finish, oily mouth feel C5 tasted amazing, but the finish is immediate. I am guessing it is 85-90 proof, I would love to have a stronger version of this. D8 tasted great like a classic bourbon and has the best mouth feel and finish. Winner: D8 your finalists 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cibsie Posted July 8, 2022 Share Posted July 8, 2022 On 7/5/2022 at 7:29 PM, hughewil said: Whiskey madness Semi finals A4 v B6 A4- Strawberry, mint, proof, pepper mint, red fruit, oak, long finish, very tasty B6- caramel, earth, proof Oak, cinnamon, long finish Both of these were amazing pours. In the end I went with the one that tasted almost like a cocktail straight from the bottle. winner: A4 C5 v D8 C5- fruity, grass red fruit, mint, wintergreen, short finish D8 - cinnamon, caramel, earth cinnamon, brown sugar, spice on finish, long finish, oily mouth feel C5 tasted amazing, but the finish is immediate. I am guessing it is 85-90 proof, I would love to have a stronger version of this. D8 tasted great like a classic bourbon and has the best mouth feel and finish. Winner: D8 your finalists The suspense is getting to me. I definitely plan on buying the winner if I don't already have it. And if it's obtainable. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hughewil Posted July 8, 2022 Author Share Posted July 8, 2022 9 hours ago, Cibsie said: The suspense is getting to me. I definitely plan on buying the winner if I don't already have it. And if it's obtainable. I am going to kentucky today to do a private barrel selection. I will do the finals with the guys I am doing the selection with tonight. I 'll post a full breakdown tomorrow night. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FasterHorses Posted July 10, 2022 Share Posted July 10, 2022 Dude.. this is cruel. I gots to know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hughewil Posted July 10, 2022 Author Share Posted July 10, 2022 3 minutes ago, FasterHorses said: Dude.. this is cruel. I gots to know. had a super hangover all day yesterday after the private barrel selection and night of drinking, including the finals. Working on finishing everything for a huge write up now including full head to head breakdown. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hughewil Posted July 10, 2022 Author Share Posted July 10, 2022 (edited) Whiskey Madness: The Final Chapter Ok this will be a long post, here we go. A4 v D8 A4: fruity, mint, oak, long finish D8: cinnamon, dark chocolate, oak, oily, long finish These were both fantastic, I was sure A4 was a rye and D8 a bourbon, so really I had 2 winners! However for the sake of the competition there had to be a winner. A4 was like a premade cocktail with it's red fruit, mint flavor so that is the way I went Winner: A4 For the record my official guesses on the final 2 were A4: Whistle Pig 10 year D8: Rare Breed Full break down below . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Head to Heads Play in round Evan Williams SiB v 4 roses SiB Winner: 4 Roses SiB 1205 4 finger rye v Old Forester 100 Rye Winner: Old Forester 100 rye Old Grandad 114 v Old Overholt 114 Winner: Old Grandad 114 Redemption Rye v Eagle Rare Winner: Eagle Rare Henry McKenna BiB v Evan Williams BiB Winner: Henry McKenna BiB Rare Breed v Brothers Bond Winner; Rare Breed Round of 32 Old Pepper SiB rye v 4 Roses SiB Winner: Old Pepper SiB Rye Old Grand Weller 4 Grain v Black Irish 4 Grain Winner: Old Grand Weller 4 Grain Sagamore Spirit Private Barrel Selection v Larceny BP C921 Winner: Sagamore Spirit Private Barrel Selection Russel Reserve Private Barrel v Buffalo Trace Winner: Russel Reserve Private Barrel 1792 Small batch v Old Forester 100 Rye Winner: 1792 Small batch EH Taylor Small Batch v Willet Small batch Winner: EH Taylor Small Batch Highway 17 select v Whistle Pig 10 Year Winner: Whistle Pig 10 Year Old Granddad 114 v Old Forester 1920 Winner: Old Forester 1920 Wild Turkey 101 v Eagle Rare winner: Wild Turkey 101 Resurgens Rye v Woodford wheat Winner: Woodford Wheat Corn Whiskey (moonshine) v Sazerac Winner: Sazerac Jim Beam v Rittenhouse BiB Winner: Rittenhouse BiB Pikesville Rye v Henry McKenna BiB Winner: Pikesville Rye Weller SR v Blue Note Winner: Blue Note Weller Antique v Bookers Winner: Bookers Rare Breed v River Hill winner: Rare Breed Sweet 16 Old Pepper SiB Rye v Old Grand Weller 4 Grain winner: Old Pepper SiB Rye Sagamore Spirit Private Barrel Selection v Russel Reserve SiB Winner: Sagamore Spirit Private Barrel Selection 1792 Small Batch v EH Taylor Small Batch Winner: 1792 Small batch Whistle Pig 10 year v Old Forester 1920 Winner: Old Forester 1920 Wild Turkey 101 v Woodford Wheat Winner: Wild Turkey 101 Sazerac v Rittenhouse BiB Winner: Sazerac Pikesville Rye v Blue Note Winner: Pikesville Rye Bookers v Rare Breed Winner: Rare Breed Elite 8 Old Pepper SiB rye v Sagamore Spirit Private Barrel Selection Winner: Sagamore Spirit Private Barrel Selection 1792 Small Batch v Old Forester 1920 Winner: Old Forester 1920 Wild Turkey 101 v Sazerac Winner: Sazerac Pikesville Rye v Rare Breed winner: Rare Breed Final 4 Sagamore Spirit Private Barrel Selection v Old Forester 1920 Winner: Sagamore Spirit Private Barrel Selection Sazerac v Rare Breed Winner: Rare Breed Championship Sagamore Spirit Private Barrel Selection v Rare Breed The Champion Sagamore Spirit Private Barrel Selection Notes The ones I identified as exceptional that didn't make the championship Old Pepper SiB rye Russel Reserve Select barrel 1792 Small Batch Whistle Pig 10 Year Old Forester 1920 Sazerac Pikesville Rye Bookers Surprises Sagamore winning. I only tried a pour from this bottle once before the competition. I never even gave it a thought 1792 small batch, wow this is good, I kept getting Cherry and fruit, it ran into a monster though and didn't have a long finish. I think I need to blend this with some OF 1920 Sazerac, like 1792 tastes great, just doesn't have the finish to go further. Redemption had a great taste, but the finish was immediate. i would like this profile at BiB. The Bad I think I have a couple of bottles that have gone bad somehow. the River Hill and 4 finger rye both tasted like rotten wood, and that isn't what they were when I bought them. Highway 17 tastes like bandaids, I have actually said that everytime I try it. Here is the completed bracket with codes Here is the key A1 Pepper Distillery single barrel A2 Grand Weller 4 Grain A3 Black Irish Barrel Proof 4 Grain A4 Sagamore Spirit single barrel A5 Larceny Barrel Proof A6 Russel Reserve Select Barrel A7 Buffalo Trace A8 4 roses single barrel A9 Evan Williams single barrel B1 1792 small batch B2 EH Taylor Small Batch B3 Willet Small Batch B4 Highway 17 Select B5 Whistle Pig 10 year B6 Old Forester 1920 B7 Old Overholt 114 B8 Old Grand Dad 114 B9 Old Forester 100 B10 1205 4 finger rye C1 Wild Turkey 101 C2 Resugens Malted rye C3 Woodford Reserve wheat C4 Corn Whiskey (moonshine) C5 Sazerac C6 Jim Beam C7 Rittenhouse BiB C8 Eagle Rare C9 Redemption D1 Pikesville D2 Weller Special Reserve D3 Blue Note D4 Weller Antique D5 Bookers 2022-01 D6 River Hill D7 Brothers Bond D8 Rare Breed D9 Evan Williams BiB D10 Henry Mckenna BiB Filled in Bracket Edited July 10, 2022 by hughewil 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FasterHorses Posted July 10, 2022 Share Posted July 10, 2022 (edited) Pretty shocked about a lot of those. Extremely interesting results. Besides the dark horse that won the whole thing.. i may be personally most surprised by Bookers beating OWA. was your final tasting done before or after your hangover from yesterday Edited July 10, 2022 by FasterHorses Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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