What Bourbon Are you Drinking Summer 2023?

[Harry in WashDC]

 

Evan Williams 12 YR 101 proof.  This is one of HH's limited releases of its basic EW line, the other being a 23 YO which I've never seen.  For that matter, THIS 12 101 I am drinking is the only one of  Mashbill is reported as 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley.   My bourbon age sweet spot is 6 to 8 years.  Bourbons older than that (excepting some really limited releases) usually have an “over-oak” note that I am not fond of.  SOME older bourbons that are not considered LEs regardless of how hard they are to find – HMcK 10 yr BIB, various EC BPs, for example – sometimes have a suppressed oak note so I do like some of them.  Others like 1792’s 12 yr. releases and the basic EC “maybe 12” are a pass for me.  Why this disclosure?  Because I just opened an Evan Williams 12 YR 101 proof and found it to be a CLASSIC bourbon.

Given its retail price (North of $120) and its rarity (sold only at the EW store in Louisville, with limited exceptions), my tasting notes follow.

EYE - Slightly darker, reddish tinge than a typical HMcK, certainly darker than OGD BIB, close to an EC 12 YR.

 

NOSE - ALL the classic bourbon notes are here: cinnamon, vanilla, caramel, rye spice, and some charred oak in that order appear and then sort of nose blend into an ambrosia.  A second sniff after the surprise revealed by the first sniff lets me find graham cracker (!!) and a little hint of pepper.  No alcohol bloom shows up.  Do I smell a little chocolate?  I’ll sip to see.

PALATE - I taste what I smelled.  Sometimes, the first taste does not measure up.  This time, the taste beats the nose.  Caramel becomes brown sugar and cinnamon and butter (think cinnamon toast) followed quickly, and somewhat replaced by, a rye spice hit and some woody astringency.  As they blend, they tell me I am sipping on a classic example of bourbon.  The sweetness recedes but doesn’t disappear., and the rye spice does not dominate.

FINISH - Cinnamon, caramel, and some white pepper hang around awhile,  The oak can be tasted, but I had to think about it to find it.  EW 12 101 may not have the mouthfeel of a hefty bourbon, but the flavors make up for that lack.  The finish was longer than I expected.

COMMENTS - EW12 101 used to be only in Japan at a price closer to the basic EW Black 86 and EW white BIB.  It is now available only at the EW Experience in Louisville unless your state, like Wash DC, allows retailers to resell such bottles purchased at authorized retailers.

As you can see from the picture, it looks much like its brethren – same bottle shape, same label layout, same fonts, etc. – but the label color is different.

Given its price, I likely will keep this one around to share with persons wanting to try new bourbons rather than treat it as part of the rotation.  ALSO, after two days of tasting, I did some searching for reviews by others.  I was surprised at how consistent our tasting notes were.

[bayouredd]

55 minutes ago, Harry in WashDC said:

 

Evan Williams 12 YR 101 proof.  This is one of HH's limited releases of its basic EW line, the other being a 23 YO which I've never seen.  For that matter, THIS 12 101 I am drinking is the only one of  Mashbill is reported as 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley.   My bourbon age sweet spot is 6 to 8 years.  Bourbons older than that (excepting some really limited releases) usually have an “over-oak” note that I am not fond of.  SOME older bourbons that are not considered LEs regardless of how hard they are to find – HMcK 10 yr BIB, various EC BPs, for example – sometimes have a suppressed oak note so I do like some of them.  Others like 1792’s 12 yr. releases and the basic EC “maybe 12” are a pass for me.  Why this disclosure?  Because I just opened an Evan Williams 12 YR 101 proof and found it to be a CLASSIC bourbon.

 

 

Given its retail price (North of $120) and its rarity (sold only at the EW store in Louisville, with limited exceptions), my tasting notes follow.

 

EYE - Slightly darker, reddish tinge than a typical HMcK, certainly darker than OGD BIB, close to an EC 12 YR.

 

 

 

NOSE - ALL the classic bourbon notes are here: cinnamon, vanilla, caramel, rye spice, and some charred oak in that order appear and then sort of nose blend into an ambrosia.  A second sniff after the surprise revealed by the first sniff lets me find graham cracker (!!) and a little hint of pepper.  No alcohol bloom shows up.  Do I smell a little chocolate?  I’ll sip to see.

 

PALATE - I taste what I smelled.  Sometimes, the first taste does not measure up.  This time, the taste beats the nose.  Caramel becomes brown sugar and cinnamon and butter (think cinnamon toast) followed quickly, and somewhat replaced by, a rye spice hit and some woody astringency.  As they blend, they tell me I am sipping on a classic example of bourbon.  The sweetness recedes but doesn’t disappear., and the rye spice does not dominate.

 

FINISH - Cinnamon, caramel, and some white pepper hang around awhile,  The oak can be tasted, but I had to think about it to find it.  EW 12 101 may not have the mouthfeel of a hefty bourbon, but the flavors make up for that lack.  The finish was longer than I expected.

 

COMMENTS - EW12 101 used to be only in Japan at a price closer to the basic EW Black 86 and EW white BIB.  It is now available only at the EW Experience in Louisville unless your state, like Wash DC, allows retailers to resell such bottles purchased at authorized retailers.

 

As you can see from the picture, it looks much like its brethren – same bottle shape, same label layout, same fonts, etc. – but the label color is different.

 

Given its price, I likely will keep this one around to share with persons wanting to try new bourbons rather than treat it as part of the rotation.  ALSO, after two days of tasting, I did some searching for reviews by others.  I was surprised at how consistent our tasting notes were.

 

I really love your review here!!! Not because I have experience with it, but more that it's been a hopeful for me ever since 1st viewed post. Hearing that you aren't necessarily a 12-year kind of guy really makes the bottle more intriguing. Well done & thanx...

[mbroo5880i]

3 hours ago, Harry in WashDC said:

 

Evan Williams 12 YR 101 proof.  This is one of HH's limited releases of its basic EW line, the other being a 23 YO which I've never seen.  For that matter, THIS 12 101 I am drinking is the only one of  Mashbill is reported as 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley.   My bourbon age sweet spot is 6 to 8 years.  Bourbons older than that (excepting some really limited releases) usually have an “over-oak” note that I am not fond of.  SOME older bourbons that are not considered LEs regardless of how hard they are to find – HMcK 10 yr BIB, various EC BPs, for example – sometimes have a suppressed oak note so I do like some of them.  Others like 1792’s 12 yr. releases and the basic EC “maybe 12” are a pass for me.  Why this disclosure?  Because I just opened an Evan Williams 12 YR 101 proof and found it to be a CLASSIC bourbon.

 

 

Given its retail price (North of $120) and its rarity (sold only at the EW store in Louisville, with limited exceptions), my tasting notes follow.

 

EYE - Slightly darker, reddish tinge than a typical HMcK, certainly darker than OGD BIB, close to an EC 12 YR.

 

 

 

NOSE - ALL the classic bourbon notes are here: cinnamon, vanilla, caramel, rye spice, and some charred oak in that order appear and then sort of nose blend into an ambrosia.  A second sniff after the surprise revealed by the first sniff lets me find graham cracker (!!) and a little hint of pepper.  No alcohol bloom shows up.  Do I smell a little chocolate?  I’ll sip to see.

 

PALATE - I taste what I smelled.  Sometimes, the first taste does not measure up.  This time, the taste beats the nose.  Caramel becomes brown sugar and cinnamon and butter (think cinnamon toast) followed quickly, and somewhat replaced by, a rye spice hit and some woody astringency.  As they blend, they tell me I am sipping on a classic example of bourbon.  The sweetness recedes but doesn’t disappear., and the rye spice does not dominate.

 

FINISH - Cinnamon, caramel, and some white pepper hang around awhile,  The oak can be tasted, but I had to think about it to find it.  EW 12 101 may not have the mouthfeel of a hefty bourbon, but the flavors make up for that lack.  The finish was longer than I expected.

 

COMMENTS - EW12 101 used to be only in Japan at a price closer to the basic EW Black 86 and EW white BIB.  It is now available only at the EW Experience in Louisville unless your state, like Wash DC, allows retailers to resell such bottles purchased at authorized retailers.

 

As you can see from the picture, it looks much like its brethren – same bottle shape, same label layout, same fonts, etc. – but the label color is different.

 

Given its price, I likely will keep this one around to share with persons wanting to try new bourbons rather than treat it as part of the rotation.  ALSO, after two days of tasting, I did some searching for reviews by others.  I was surprised at how consistent our tasting notes were.

 

 

Thank you for sharing.  Most of us will only see this in pictures.  I will say that I have always had a thing for pretty red heads.  

[markandrex]

1792 BiB this evening.  We spent the afternoon poolside after a stormy morning.

[mbroo5880i]

1 minute ago, markandrex said:

1792 BiB this evening.  We spent the afternoon poolside after a stormy morning.

 

Living in West Central Indiana which was in a drought until recently, I can't help but notice the number of significant storm fronts that have pounded KY this summer.  It lines up with the snow you all have been getting over the past few winters. 

[IamMatt]

Drinking a George Remus store pick but it felt like it needed something so I added some ET BIB and am enjoying the hell out of it.

[WhiskeyBlender]

On 8/8/2023 at 9:39 PM, fishnbowljoe said:

NANCY!  How the heck are ya’?

@fishnbowljoe Hey my friend, I'm hangin' in there! I'm still doing my blending work but I've had to really, really had to slow down with these dang health issues. I've missed this forum terribly, but I'm so happy to see old friends on here and see that everything is 'keepin' on keepin' on!' Hope you're well too? 

[Wedelstaedt]

On 8/11/2023 at 9:30 PM, Kepler said:

Ok y'all just made it easy to decide what to pour tonight.  I fairly recently picked up this single barrel of their wheated mashbill B005.   First impression is that it's a bit too hot to drink neat and needs water or an ice cube.  It's got a very unique combination of traditional wheater flavors combined with a prickly spiciness.  Maybe it's my palate tonight but this is tasting like the spiciest wheated bourbon I've ever tasted.

But bursting with flavor!

 

I didn’t realize Chattanooga has a wheat whiskey. I will have to look into this. 
 

Cheers

[Anwalt]

16 hours ago, Harry in WashDC said:

 

Evan Williams 12 YR 101 proof.  This is one of HH's limited releases of its basic EW line, the other being a 23 YO which I've never seen.  For that matter, THIS 12 101 I am drinking is the only one of  Mashbill is reported as 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley.   My bourbon age sweet spot is 6 to 8 years.  Bourbons older than that (excepting some really limited releases) usually have an “over-oak” note that I am not fond of.  SOME older bourbons that are not considered LEs regardless of how hard they are to find – HMcK 10 yr BIB, various EC BPs, for example – sometimes have a suppressed oak note so I do like some of them.  Others like 1792’s 12 yr. releases and the basic EC “maybe 12” are a pass for me.  Why this disclosure?  Because I just opened an Evan Williams 12 YR 101 proof and found it to be a CLASSIC bourbon.

 

 

Given its retail price (North of $120) and its rarity (sold only at the EW store in Louisville, with limited exceptions), my tasting notes follow.

 

EYE - Slightly darker, reddish tinge than a typical HMcK, certainly darker than OGD BIB, close to an EC 12 YR.

 

 

 

NOSE - ALL the classic bourbon notes are here: cinnamon, vanilla, caramel, rye spice, and some charred oak in that order appear and then sort of nose blend into an ambrosia.  A second sniff after the surprise revealed by the first sniff lets me find graham cracker (!!) and a little hint of pepper.  No alcohol bloom shows up.  Do I smell a little chocolate?  I’ll sip to see.

 

PALATE - I taste what I smelled.  Sometimes, the first taste does not measure up.  This time, the taste beats the nose.  Caramel becomes brown sugar and cinnamon and butter (think cinnamon toast) followed quickly, and somewhat replaced by, a rye spice hit and some woody astringency.  As they blend, they tell me I am sipping on a classic example of bourbon.  The sweetness recedes but doesn’t disappear., and the rye spice does not dominate.

 

FINISH - Cinnamon, caramel, and some white pepper hang around awhile,  The oak can be tasted, but I had to think about it to find it.  EW 12 101 may not have the mouthfeel of a hefty bourbon, but the flavors make up for that lack.  The finish was longer than I expected.

 

COMMENTS - EW12 101 used to be only in Japan at a price closer to the basic EW Black 86 and EW white BIB.  It is now available only at the EW Experience in Louisville unless your state, like Wash DC, allows retailers to resell such bottles purchased at authorized retailers.

 

As you can see from the picture, it looks much like its brethren – same bottle shape, same label layout, same fonts, etc. – but the label color is different.

 

Given its price, I likely will keep this one around to share with persons wanting to try new bourbons rather than treat it as part of the rotation.  ALSO, after two days of tasting, I did some searching for reviews by others.  I was surprised at how consistent our tasting notes were.

 

 

Fantastic review. Thank you. Like others, I found your thoughts on age & oak quite interesting. I personally find 10-12 year to be sweet spot, but this makes want to compare against more 6-8 "just because".

 

Now I have to go & be nice to see airline/transport pilot colleagues who fly to Japan regularly. Added this one to that list. Tried WT12 and liked it quite a lot, though I don't think I could pen what you just did, still working on getting to that point.

 

Thanks again.

[Mule Skinner]

I've really been enjoying this Rebel wheated cask strength.

 

 

[markandrex]

Worked in the yard this morning.  We jumped into the pool to cool off for a few hours.  Dinner was burgers, fries and street corn. Now I’m sitting down to a WTRB and watching the rain.  Great day!

[mbroo5880i]

55 minutes ago, markandrex said:

Worked in the yard this morning.  We jumped into the pool to cool off for a few hours.  Dinner was burgers, fries and street corn. Now I’m sitting down to a WTRB and watching the rain.  Great day!

 

You had me a burgers and street corn but you done went and added WTRB. Yummy. 

 

Rain again in Central KY.  Surprise!

[mbroo5880i]

Finishing the weekend with a couple of stellar pours of KC9.

Edited August 14, 2023 by mbroo5880i

[Anwalt]

Bulleit - Meh.

 

WTMK Unforgiven - Excellent. I liked the strong rye. Endless finish. A little goes a very, very long way.

 

4R 16y - Low-proof, older, low-rye recipe, my favorite 4R ever. So much flavor without any bite. This one just keeps on giving. I consistently like this 4R profile. Higher proof or younger less so. Still deciding on high-rye recipe.

 

HH17 - won this one in a lottery, tried it twice. Thought "good" but not "wow". Opened it back up a year later. "Wow". The sweetness I like, but with so, so, so much more. Wonderful.

 

Booker's Fred's Pick 2022 - 2nd best Bookers ever (Best one was shared by our Michigan friend at the April Gathering). Unbelievable flavor. No lines to get it, released last December. The best of JB. I may actually travel to KY to get this year's release if they do one. And I'll bring friends.

 

Peerless Rye Store Pick - the best Peerless I've ever tried, 2nd is not close. Great mouthfeel, and lots of flavor, long, excellent finish.

 

Barrell Seagrass - Very good. Much better than the lesser Seagrass. Not sure it's worth the coin.

 

A very nice evening.

 

 

[GeeTen]

12 hours ago, markandrex said:

Worked in the yard this morning.  We jumped into the pool to cool off for a few hours.  Dinner was burgers, fries and street corn (my emphasis added). Now I’m sitting down to a WTRB and watching the rain.  Great day!

 

Please ignore my lack of Engrish skills, but what is "street corn"?  Is that like "roadkill"?  Brunswick stew comes to mind (maybe a Southern thang?).  Inquiring minds want to know . . . . . . 

 

 

Edited August 14, 2023 by GeeTen

[fishnbowljoe]

2 hours ago, GeeTen said:

 

Please ignore my lack of Engrish skills, but what is "street corn"?  Is that like "roadkill"?  Brunswick stew comes to mind (maybe a Southern thang?).  Inquiring minds want to know . . . . . . 

 

 

I’m gonna make a semi-uneducated guess here and say this was probably a spell check faux pas.  It was probably sweet corn. 
 

[JCwhammie]

2 hours ago, GeeTen said:

 

Please ignore my lack of Engrish skills, but what is "street corn"?  Is that like "roadkill"?  Brunswick stew comes to mind (maybe a Southern thang?).  Inquiring minds want to know . . . . . . 

 

 

 

8 minutes ago, fishnbowljoe said:

I’m gonna make a semi-uneducated guess here and say this was probably a spell check faux pas.  It was probably sweet corn. 
 

He may have been talking about Mexican Street Corn, which is great when done correctly.

https://foodwithfeeling.com/easy-mexican-street-corn/

[MM818]

1 hour ago, JCwhammie said:

 

He may have been talking about Mexican Street Corn, which is great when done correctly.

https://foodwithfeeling.com/easy-mexican-street-corn/

An LA staple! I’m throwing a party next month. I just ordered 700 beers/seltzers, 32 bottles of white wine, a taco truck, pizza truck oven, snow cone truck, and a street corn bar. $1600 worth of corn, siracha, multiple  Doritos choices, three different types of mayo and butter, and a few different cheeses. 

[Anwalt]

4 pm. Ish. 

[Obree]

Just had the new JD release, the traveller edition JD Single Malt Oloroso Sherry cask. Not a Bourbon of course (though the debate on JD being Bourbon or not is ever continuous) but if I would get it blind, my guess would for sure be a finished Bourbon, not a single malt! Quite nice!

 

 

[JCwhammie]

4 hours ago, MM818 said:

An LA staple! I’m throwing a party next month. I just ordered 700 beers/seltzers, 32 bottles of white wine, a taco truck, pizza truck oven, snow cone truck, and a street corn bar. $1600 worth of corn, siracha, multiple  Doritos choices, three different types of mayo and butter, and a few different cheeses. 

That sounds like my kind of party!

[Jazz June]

5 hours ago, MM818 said:

An LA staple! I’m throwing a party next month. I just ordered 700 beers/seltzers, 32 bottles of white wine, a taco truck, pizza truck oven, snow cone truck, and a street corn bar. $1600 worth of corn, siracha, multiple  Doritos choices, three different types of mayo and butter, and a few different cheeses. 

What is the occasion? That sounds like one helluva a good time! No tequila/mezcal (bourbon seems less on theme)?

[markandrex]

Sticking with the Russell clan again, WTKS to start the evening.

[FacePlant]

On 8/12/2023 at 4:32 PM, Harry in WashDC said:

 

Evan Williams 12 YR 101 proof.  This is one of HH's limited releases of its basic EW line, the other being a 23 YO which I've never seen.  For that matter, THIS 12 101 I am drinking is the only one of  Mashbill is reported as 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley.   My bourbon age sweet spot is 6 to 8 years.  Bourbons older than that (excepting some really limited releases) usually have an “over-oak” note that I am not fond of.  SOME older bourbons that are not considered LEs regardless of how hard they are to find – HMcK 10 yr BIB, various EC BPs, for example – sometimes have a suppressed oak note so I do like some of them.  Others like 1792’s 12 yr. releases and the basic EC “maybe 12” are a pass for me.  Why this disclosure?  Because I just opened an Evan Williams 12 YR 101 proof and found it to be a CLASSIC bourbon.

 

 

Given its retail price (North of $120) and its rarity (sold only at the EW store in Louisville, with limited exceptions), my tasting notes follow.

 

EYE - Slightly darker, reddish tinge than a typical HMcK, certainly darker than OGD BIB, close to an EC 12 YR.

 

 

 

NOSE - ALL the classic bourbon notes are here: cinnamon, vanilla, caramel, rye spice, and some charred oak in that order appear and then sort of nose blend into an ambrosia.  A second sniff after the surprise revealed by the first sniff lets me find graham cracker (!!) and a little hint of pepper.  No alcohol bloom shows up.  Do I smell a little chocolate?  I’ll sip to see.

 

PALATE - I taste what I smelled.  Sometimes, the first taste does not measure up.  This time, the taste beats the nose.  Caramel becomes brown sugar and cinnamon and butter (think cinnamon toast) followed quickly, and somewhat replaced by, a rye spice hit and some woody astringency.  As they blend, they tell me I am sipping on a classic example of bourbon.  The sweetness recedes but doesn’t disappear., and the rye spice does not dominate.

 

FINISH - Cinnamon, caramel, and some white pepper hang around awhile,  The oak can be tasted, but I had to think about it to find it.  EW 12 101 may not have the mouthfeel of a hefty bourbon, but the flavors make up for that lack.  The finish was longer than I expected.

 

COMMENTS - EW12 101 used to be only in Japan at a price closer to the basic EW Black 86 and EW white BIB.  It is now available only at the EW Experience in Louisville unless your state, like Wash DC, allows retailers to resell such bottles purchased at authorized retailers.

 

As you can see from the picture, it looks much like its brethren – same bottle shape, same label layout, same fonts, etc. – but the label color is different.

 

Given its price, I likely will keep this one around to share with persons wanting to try new bourbons rather than treat it as part of the rotation.  ALSO, after two days of tasting, I did some searching for reviews by others.  I was surprised at how consistent our tasting notes were.

 

Harry this reminds me of playing VBT with you and others a few years back. You still got it brother! I haven't had any yet....but maybe I have with your description.  Well done.

[IamMatt]

Drinking one of my summer blends:  60% KC9, 20% OF 100; 20% BM FP.