What Bourbon Did You Pass On 2024

[kcgumbohead]

14 hours ago, TheFlash said:

Maker's Mark of any type - not sure why, but I just don't care for the taste...

(I've tried other wheated bourbons and it's alright.  Just MM for some reason...nope...)

I have one of the CS bottles and enjoy it every now and then as a change of pace. The standard release has always been harsh to my taste and something about MM46 renders it undrinkable for me. Wheaters as a category are often described as softer and sweeter, I never found MM to be that, it’s always been aggressive and hot to me. I have had wheaters I enjoyed, W12 and 107 used to be regular buys, the last WTr wheated I tried at the distillery seems to be coming along and was a pleasant surprise, I tried Green River recently and that was decent as was Spirits of French Lick William Dalton. At this point I just avoid MM, it’s not to my taste. Wheaters are obviously a very popular category but personally not my thing, I MUCH prefer rye and high rye bourbon. Regardless of the wheater, including the vaunted  Pappiez,  inevitably miss the layers rye brings to the party. 

[kcgumbohead]

11 hours ago, IamMatt said:

I just looked online and it looks like Grapes&Grains in Johns Creek has it.

Thanks, I’ll be in that area next week. The cleared shelves may  just be my local area. I also looked at the TW and Tower sights last week and they showed nothing so I was thinking maybe they don’t distribute in GA anymore, may also be one of those times when something disappears for awhile then one day out of the blue, everyone has it again.

[mbroo5880i]

I passed on a Kirklands (Barton) 92 proof for $18.99.  Even thought 1 liter, I just wasn't feeling it.  I might have picked up the BIB if it had been available.  

[IamMatt]

49 minutes ago, mbroo5880i said:

I passed on a Kirklands (Barton) 92 proof for $18.99.  Even thought 1 liter, I just wasn't feeling it.  I might have picked up the BIB if it had been available.  

If they follow the pattern of the last 3 years, the BIB should come out next, followed by the SiB.  I haven't their SB since it first came out 3 years ago.  At that time I thought it was pretty darn close to "regular" 1792 SB.  My brother bought some today so I may have to finagle a taste.

[mbroo5880i]

8 minutes ago, IamMatt said:

If they follow the pattern of the last 3 years, the BIB should come out next, followed by the SiB.  I haven't their SB since it first came out 3 years ago.  At that time I thought it was pretty darn close to "regular" 1792 SB.  My brother bought some today so I may have to finagle a taste.

 

Thank you! I have said this before but have failed to follow through but if I see any of the 3 at my local Costco I will pick up one of each for scientific research purposes.  I believe I would prefer the BIB and SiB over the SmB.

Edited June 13, 2024 by mbroo5880i

[IamMatt]

8 minutes ago, mbroo5880i said:

 

Thank you! I have said this before but have failed to follow through but if I see any of the 3 at my local Costco I will pick up one of each for scientific research purposes.  I believe I would prefer the BIB and SiB over the SmB.

When Costco first switched to sourcing from Barton, I bought all 3 expressions and did my best to compare them with the wife and/or friends.  We preferred the standard 1792 SB a little to the Kirkland SB but they were pretty similar.  We picked up a smoky note in the Kirkland that I had not found in the 1792.  I didn't have a bottle of 1792 BIB available, but I compared the Kirkland BIB to Very Old Barton 100 and they were VERY similar.  The Kirkland SiB was the standout and I preferred it twice in blinds over Smokewagon UCUF. 

 

I have since taken the opportunity to compare the Kirkland SB to other similar Barton offerings at bottle shares--Trader Joe's Full Proof, and 1792 Full Proof barrel picks.  There is a definite similarity, but I usually find the Kirkland to be a little creamier and maybe sweeter, kind of similar to an OF 1920 profile.

[Skinsfan1311]

On 6/12/2024 at 9:06 PM, mbroo5880i said:

I passed on a Kirklands (Barton) 92 proof for $18.99.  Even thought 1 liter, I just wasn't feeling it.  I might have picked up the BIB if it had been available.  

I bought one....and was underwhelmed enough to give the bottle to my son...along with a bottle of Bib & Tucker and Tarnished Truth.   The little shit loves it when I don't like my whiskey purchases.

 

  Disclaimer:  I'm not big fan of the 1792.  They seem to drink too hot for me, even the standard offering.   The only Barton products that I really like are the VOB 90 and 100.

[kcgumbohead]

I passed on GD BIB, the new 12yr release, and that's one of only a handful of new releases I was looking forward to....well, its because that same store had some Coopers Craft I had been looking for and there is ZERO in part of town. The new Dickle will be there so this pass is only temporary. Closer to home I passed on Weller, a DEEP shelf of SR and several Fathers day "care packages" meaning a W12/FP or 107 packaged with a shelf turd and priced no lower than 180.00 and up to 300s based on which Weller was in the package. Easy pass for me but I hate this for the genuine long standing Weller fans and am thankful that my palate centers waaaay over on the rye side of the scale.

[JT3NSB]

Iowa passes.   11 yr mgp and a “12yr” Kentucky distilled that sat for 5 yrs in port barrels..

[Cibsie]

32 minutes ago, JT3NSB said:

Iowa passes.   11 yr mgp and a “12yr” Kentucky distilled that sat for 5 yrs in port barrels..

 

Crazy to see TG getting into bourbon.  I'd try it, but that's a pretty aggressive starting asking price.

[PaulO]

15 hours ago, Skinsfan1311 said:

I bought one....and was underwhelmed enough to give the bottle to my son...along with a bottle of Bib & Tucker and Tarnished Truth.   The little shit loves it when I don't like my whiskey purchases.

 

  Disclaimer:  I'm not big fan of the 1792.  They seem to drink too hot for me, even the standard offering.   The only Barton products that I really like are the VOB 90 and 100.

I didn't like 1792 on the several different occasions I tried it either.  There is this overwhelming tannin after taste, similar to tea left to steep way too long.

Meanwhile VOB 90 and 100, I think are great.

[MyBrainOnWhiskey]

For the 2nd time in 3 days I have passed on the Peerless Double Oaked bourbon.  I've seen lots of wonderful reviews, but at $119.99 with no age statement it makes no sense to me .  

 

 

 

Edited June 15, 2024 by MyBrainOnWhiskey

[Cibsie]

5 minutes ago, MyBrainOnWhiskey said:

For the 2nd time in 3 days I have passed on the Peerless Double Oaked bourbon.  I've seen lots of wonderful reviews, but at $119.99 with no age statement it makes no sense to me .  

 

 

 

 

Bought it once at $90, and while it was good, it wasn't nearly worth that compared to other cheaper options.  Not buying it again unless I see it sub-$50.

[b1gcountry]

I saw some knob creek bourbon x rye for $53 in st louis. I'm seeing a lot of different knob creek lately, but I haven't been picking it up in favor of some other stuff.

[mbroo5880i]

19 hours ago, PaulO said:

I didn't like 1792 on the several different occasions I tried it either.  There is this overwhelming tannin after taste, similar to tea left to steep way too long.

Meanwhile VOB 90 and 100, I think are great.

 

On 6/14/2024 at 9:49 AM, Skinsfan1311 said:

I bought one....and was underwhelmed enough to give the bottle to my son...along with a bottle of Bib & Tucker and Tarnished Truth.   The little shit loves it when I don't like my whiskey purchases.

 

  Disclaimer:  I'm not big fan of the 1792.  They seem to drink too hot for me, even the standard offering.   The only Barton products that I really like are the VOB 90 and 100.

 

I am ok with standard 1792.  It falls in the standard MM tier for me.  I loved the BIB and have enjoyed the SiB bottles that I have had.  I have tried a few FP and they are just too hot and out of balance for me.  VOB 100 is solid.  I have never tried VOB 90.  The same with the Costco Barton products.  I need to try those given the price.

[Kepler]

Passed on ECBP A124 for $66 and Booker's for $85.

[FasterHorses]

10 hours ago, Kepler said:

Passed on ECBP A124 for $66 and Booker's for $85.

Dont see that price on bookers often

[kcgumbohead]

On 6/15/2024 at 1:39 AM, PaulO said:

I didn't like 1792 on the several different occasions I tried it either.  There is this overwhelming tannin after taste, similar to tea left to steep way too long.

Meanwhile VOB 90 and 100, I think are great.

Interesting as I too have always preferred the VOB line to the upmarket 1792 and for the same characteristic you mentioned. I guess my palate is a cheap date LOL!! Good for me and my wallet!!

[Special Reserve]

11 hours ago, Kepler said:

Passed on ECBP A124 for $66 and Booker's for $85.

Booker's at $85 is a clear buy around here. I've see it for as much as $179 IIRC, the state minimum is $99.

[Kepler]

6 hours ago, Special Reserve said:

Booker's at $85 is a clear buy around here. I've see it for as much as $179 IIRC, the state minimum is $99.

Yes it's a good price here as well.  It was on sale ... normally Booker's is around $100 to 110.

That said, $85 is still $30 to $40 more than I paid for all the other Booker's in my bunker, so it's still a hard pass for me.

[jvd99]

Passed in these…not a Dickle fan, but it’s neighbor I’m digging

 

 

 

 

[jvd99]

Went another Binny's before a dinner out and ran across about 100 ECBP and some aged Dickle  

 

Passed on everything

 

 

[jvd99]

[mbroo5880i]

My wife doesn't care to drive into Indy so she schedules her hair appointments on Saturdays when I can take her.  I don't mind because there are several liquor stores and groceries with great liquor selections nearby.  

 

I saw a lot of bottles of interest but the prices just seemed out of line with what they are.  I try to be realistic about pricing in today's market but two stores had ECBP private barrels for $80 and $85, respectively.  One was 8 years old and the other 9 years old.  

 

One store had several store picks of SiB versions of both major and craft distilleries on clearance.  The clearance price was still too high.  In most cases, the mark down was indiscernable since the prices were higher than I have seen for same expressions elsewhere.  

 

Geez, throw the old man a bone.  Knock off 25% and I would have walked out with a few bottles.  Just because you can't sell it because it was overpriced to begin with and now you call it clearance doesn't fool me.  

 

On a side note, not a pass but a miss.  I was in a local grocery with great prices and a nice selection.  They had a bottle or two of OF 1924 on-the-shelf this week for $102.99.  I know the liquor department manager.  This was legit.  I am not certain I would pay $100 for 10 year old Early Times but if you told me it was 10 year old Cream of Kentucky reject, I might have jumped on it.  

[PaulO]

I recently saw EC toasted barrel (several cases stacked up).  It cost around double the price of the regular version.