What bourbon are you drinking this Spring - 2024

[mbroo5880i]

FRSiB x 3. Just following Dr's order..no more than 2-3 pours on a given day.  She didn't say how big of a pour.    

[Kepler]

On 6/21/2024 at 9:28 PM, Skinsfan1311 said:

My favorite vacation whiskey!

Mine too!  Worry-free checked luggage.

[Kepler]

On 6/21/2024 at 9:29 PM, Skinsfan1311 said:

I tried this one on vacation and liked it so much that I brought one home. 

 

 

I'm following your lead yet again.  I'm back home again and was looking for something to pour.  I went with a RR private pick that I also picked up on vacation (a few  years ago).

RRSiB PS, this one is a whse G from Lincoln Road.

 

[Thomm]

14 hours ago, kcgumbohead said:

A pour from the Copper & Kings apple brandy finished, damn I like this!. The apple aroma is a great complement to the trio of bourbons they used and it presents on the palate just enough, but doesn’t overwhelm the base whiskies. A nice long finish lingers between sips and makes me wish I bought more as this checks the requirement of being unique but delicious. A batch 2 is in the works finished for 2 yrs instead of the 1 that this version got. I think they had the balance just right, I hope batch 2 doesn’t get f’d up as I would get more next year, or  maybe I’ll luck out and some batch 1 will be hanging around collecting dust. There’s sooooo much different “stuff” on the shelves I could see this getting lost in the mix, in fact I think it already has.

I do recall you recommending this two weeks ago.  I saw some in Louisville at a Kroger, but it was $58 and I had already bought six bottles of other various potent potables.  

Back at home in Wisconsin, I have seen this bottle, too.  It was on the shelf at a local for a similar price as the KY bottles.  

It's out there, just not for the price you paid.  I think the word is out.

[Kepler]

This is a pretty darned good WTKS CN-F that I picked up last fall.  Hard to go wrong with this rickhouse.

 

[Skinsfan1311]

10 hours ago, Kepler said:

 

I'm following your lead yet again.  I'm back home again and was looking for something to pour.  I went with a RR private pick that I also picked up on vacation (a few  years ago).

RRSiB PS, this one is a whse G from Lincoln Road.

 

Nice!

Here's a shot of the gory details from the bottle that I picked up.    I really, really, really wish that we had room for another one, but we barely made the weight limits on with our luggage.   Checking one of the carry-ons wasn't an option, because we had to stuff those to accommodate the other bottes.

 

[b1gcountry]

9 hours ago, Kepler said:

This is a pretty darned good WTKS CN-F that I picked up last fall.  Hard to go wrong with this rickhouse.

 

I picked up a cn-f bottle that was dumped 6-1-23, and it is also really good. It definitely tasted similar to wt101, but there was a lot more to the flavors and the rough edges were rounded over. I do think it's less bold because of it, and some folks will miss that. 

[Richnimrod]

Pulled from the back shelf one that got shifted during the Holidays in favor of several higher-end pours, and somehow didn't get returned to 'the rotation'.   Bowman Brothers Pioneer Spirit.    A decent pour.   Not one that'll blow one's hair back... at least it hasn't done that to my short and certainly thinning hair.   But an easy drinking neat pour at 90-pr.   I like it fine.   Somehow it reminds me more than a little bit of Buffalo Trace.  

[WhiskeyBlender]

On 6/19/2024 at 4:11 AM, Anwalt said:

Converted a buddy from scotch to bourbon & rye. For his birthday he requested in order: Lux Row 12, ECBP C923, and GTS '23. I added the ECBP from the BYO tour.

 

We both rated the bottles in the following order: ECBP from BYO, GTS, ECBP C923, LR12. The first 3 were like the Olympics - a tiny bit apart, 1/100th of a second sort of stuff. The LR12 was quite good but not close to #3...oak was a bit too heavy, felt "watery" compared to the others.

 

Once we got to smoking the flavors became more muted and the proof on the  C923 and GTS shone through.

 

I am interested in what the cigar blends do while smoking. I have and enjoy the JMCB. Others I should consider for a nice smoke?

@Anwalt Just by way of comparison, you might want to see if you can pick up a Cigare Blend Cognac to see how it compares to both JMCB, other Cigar Blend Bourbons, and just other Bourbons in general that tend to pair well with cigars. In particular, you might want to see if you can find a bottle of Frapin Cigar Blend Cognac. It's really good, and usually pretty easy to find. If not that one, you might want to try Park Cigar Blend Cognac as a close 2nd. 

 

The thing about the original Cigar Blends (Cognacs) that were created 30+ years ago is that they were distilled on heavy lees, so they tend to have a lot of fat to them. As the esters of the fatty acids oxidize over many years of maturation, this creates what is known as "rancio," which is a deep nuttiness like grilled almonds or walnuts, old polished leather, cigar box, etc. This is the "secret sauce," if you will, to making a good cigar blend spirit. 

 

Please let me know if you do manage to find and try one of these Cigar Blend Cognacs and compare it to the Bourbons. I'd love to hear your thoughts about them. 

 

Cheers!

Nancy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[flahute]

1 hour ago, WhiskeyBlender said:

@Anwalt Just by way of comparison, you might want to see if you can pick up a Cigare Blend Cognac to see how it compares to both JMCB, other Cigar Blend Bourbons, and just other Bourbons in general that tend to pair well with cigars. In particular, you might want to see if you can find a bottle of Frapin Cigar Blend Cognac. It's really good, and usually pretty easy to find. If not that one, you might want to try Park Cigar Blend Cognac as a close 2nd. 

 

The thing about the original Cigar Blends (Cognacs) that were created 30+ years ago is that they were distilled on heavy lees, so they tend to have a lot of fat to them. As the esters of the fatty acids oxidize over many years of maturation, this creates what is known as "rancio," which is a deep nuttiness like grilled almonds or walnuts, old polished leather, cigar box, etc. This is the "secret sauce," if you will, to making a good cigar blend spirit. 

 

Please let me know if you do manage to find and try one of these Cigar Blend Cognacs and compare it to the Bourbons. I'd love to hear your thoughts about them. 

 

Cheers!

Nancy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The master has spoken. Everyone read and learn.

[b1gcountry]

Some Four Roses this evening...both single barrel and small batch select.

 

Which one was better??? Which do you prefer?

[Anwalt]

16 hours ago, WhiskeyBlender said:

@Anwalt Just by way of comparison, you might want to see if you can pick up a Cigare Blend Cognac to see how it compares to both JMCB, other Cigar Blend Bourbons, and just other Bourbons in general that tend to pair well with cigars. In particular, you might want to see if you can find a bottle of Frapin Cigar Blend Cognac. It's really good, and usually pretty easy to find. If not that one, you might want to try Park Cigar Blend Cognac as a close 2nd. 

 

The thing about the original Cigar Blends (Cognacs) that were created 30+ years ago is that they were distilled on heavy lees, so they tend to have a lot of fat to them. As the esters of the fatty acids oxidize over many years of maturation, this creates what is known as "rancio," which is a deep nuttiness like grilled almonds or walnuts, old polished leather, cigar box, etc. This is the "secret sauce," if you will, to making a good cigar blend spirit. 

 

Please let me know if you do manage to find and try one of these Cigar Blend Cognacs and compare it to the Bourbons. I'd love to hear your thoughts about them. 

 

Cheers!

Nancy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nancy, thank you for the schooling, partiuclarly the concept of rancio. I will begin The Search, then the Science - sample after sample.

[Harry in WashDC]

On 6/21/2024 at 11:11 PM, Skinsfan1311 said:

@Harry in WashDC   If you like slushes, I can highly recommend this one. The  recipe has been in the family for years. I'm not sure where it came from.

 

After it's frozen, scoop it into any size glass, about 2 3rds full,  slap 3-4 mint leaves in your hands to release the oils, stick the leaves in the mixture, top with 7-Up or ginger ale and garnish with a sprig of mint.   You can top with more bourbon, if desired

Thx for this.  A couple years ago, docs made me stop drinking coffee while I was on some conflicting meds.  Didn’t say I couldn’t drink tea so I started ordering LE teas on line.  Found out I liked them.  Still have a cup of coffee sometimes now that meds are done but drink tea all day.  Definitely will try this with a couple teas I usually keep around.

 

edit - Oh, yeah, on thread.  Doing some basement back room cleaning today (put away loose tools, throw out trash papers, pick up screws and such on the workbench, etc.).  A bottle of VOB 100 just happened to be within reach.  I opened it.  Still have most of the bottle left.

Edited June 25, 2024 by Harry in WashDC

[Skinsfan1311]

1 hour ago, Harry in WashDC said:

Thx for this.  A couple years ago, docs made me stop drinking coffee while I was on some conflicting meds.  Didn’t say I couldn’t drink tea so I started ordering LE teas on line.  Found out I liked them.  Still have a cup of coffee sometimes now that meds are done but drink tea all day.  Definitely will try this with a couple teas I usually keep around.

 

edit - Oh, yeah, on thread.  Doing some basement back room cleaning today (put away loose tools, throw out trash papers, pick up screws and such on the workbench, etc.).  A bottle of VOB 100 just happened to be within reach.  I opened it.  Still have most of the bottle left.

Great!  

[markandrex]

Some MM WFS in the glass tonight.

[smokinjoe]

George Dickel Bourbon.  Been a while since I’ve had this.  It has the vitamin note (which I enjoy in Dickel whiskies), but there is a citrus thing going on along side.  It’s sorta lemony, while also dripping some orange.  Interesting.  Works well, for a change of pace.  

[flahute]

On 6/24/2024 at 5:36 PM, Harry in WashDC said:

...........A bottle of VOB 100 just happened to be within reach.  I opened it...........

This happens a lot in your house! I'd probably like it there.

[MTNBourbon]

On 6/22/2024 at 10:42 PM, Kepler said:

This is a pretty darned good WTKS CN-F that I picked up last fall.  Hard to go wrong with this rickhouse.

 

The earlier ripple bottles were cooler looking.

[Thomm]

OF 100 from the freezer tonight.  Followed it up with a short pour of KC 12, then put the rest in a decanter.  Is it just me, or is that Knob Creek bottle a bitch to pour from?

[PaulO]

I finally got around to trying the new Jim Beam Black 7 year 90 proof.  I think I like it more the second session.  It's a sort of average expression of JB, nothing wrong with it, but nothing stands out.  Now that my curiosity is satisfied, I can say several other brands in the same price range do a lot more for me.

[MyBrainOnWhiskey]

[markandrex]

I’ve been sipping on the neighbor’s 1980ish OGD bib by the pool.  Storms started rolling in about an hour ago so they bailed and went home.  I did grab a final pour before they left.

Their pool has been out of commission for a week or so.  It has been quite enjoyable having little ones screaming and splashing.  My neighbor has instructed his wife to bring a bottle over with them when they venture over if he is not home.

I believe their liner should be in and be installed Friday-Monday timeframe.  I’m gonna miss them, it is like being a grandparent when they are over.  All of the benefits, none of the responsibilities!

[Harry in WashDC]

21 hours ago, PaulO said:

I finally got around to trying the new Jim Beam Black 7 year 90 proof.  I think I like it more the second session.  It's a sort of average expression of JB, nothing wrong with it, but nothing stands out.  Now that my curiosity is satisfied, I can say several other brands in the same price range do a lot more for me.

Thx.  Wondered whether this might compete with my EW "Extra Aged" 86 nominally 8 year.  I guess not which is OK because I don't dri9nk the EW a lot anymore but do keep it on hand,.  Did the JB have that peanut note?  Some of their releases don't, and I find those worth drinking.

[fishnbowljoe]

ET BIB and Blanton’s was shared at beer/bourbon/cigar night. Nice weather, good company, great bourbon.

 

On another note, and once again, man down, man up.

 

[PaulO]

5 hours ago, Harry in WashDC said:

Thx.  Wondered whether this might compete with my EW "Extra Aged" 86 nominally 8 year.  I guess not which is OK because I don't dri9nk the EW a lot anymore but do keep it on hand,.  Did the JB have that peanut note?  Some of their releases don't, and I find those worth drinking.

I don't think I got much peanut note in this one.  It's overall really mild stuff, not much of a nose, sort of thin on the mouth feel, a little black pepper in the finish.  It doesn't show a lot of flavor for aged 7 years, except for lack of white dog notes.