What bourbon are you drinking this Summer - 2024

[markandrex]

MM WFS - Lee project for the bottle kill!

The glass is a little grubby from an earlier freezer pour of HH 6  and yard work hands.

[mbroo5880i]

WT101 on a humid Indiana evening.  Anyone who lives around corn fields in Indiana can tell you all about humidity close to the Fourth of July. Inside getting ready to watch the women's gymnastics trials.  Hey, it makes the wife happy.  W101 makes me happy.  

[MyBrainOnWhiskey]

Wilderness Trail single barrel bourbon after a crappy day at work.  I'm feeling better , the stress of the day is melting away.  Hooray for good bourbon!  

[Harry in WashDC]

Celebrating the beginning of Summer, the fixing of our kitchen ceiling leak (from the bathroom above it for the last 80 years which finally ate through the cast iron pipe), a successful grocery run today (got EVERYTHING on our lists!!), and a satisfying lunch.

 

Of course, OGD BIB - something I never get tired of,

 

[smokinjoe]

Returned from the beach, and enjoying a pour of Buffalo Trace watching the set up for the Alabama Bar Association Hootenanny, tonight.  I would really love to Dress up like my Cousin Vinny Gambini, and join the party.  I got a hundred one liners from the movie to drop.  Hey. I’m Jerry Callo.  Jerry Gallo is dead!  

[Kepler]

I'm all over the place this evening.  First 2 short pours were MGP ryes (Bulleit 12 and Redemption BP).

 

Now I'm in the mood for a "different" bourbon, so I poured myself some Chattanooga wheated bourbon from their single barrel series.   It's an interesting pour for sure.  It's probably the only "spicy" wheater that I've ever tasted.  It's a weird one.  But still pretty good.

 

 

 

[MyBrainOnWhiskey]

I started the evening by opening a bottle of Chattanooga BiB , and the high malt mash bill prompted me to grab an already-open bottle of New Riff Malted Rye .  

Edited June 30, 2024 by MyBrainOnWhiskey

[Thomm]

A little HMK 10, courtesy of @Anwalt.  Sounds cliche, but this is a well balanced and easy-going pour.  A little less oaky than I expected with 10 years in the barrel, but again that may just be my inexperienced palate.

Now on to a pour of Thirteenth Colony.  This is growing on me.  A real sweet one with vanilla on the nose and dark fruits, pecan pie on the taste buddies.  I bought this bottle in Kentucky.  Going to have to find a place closer to home that carries it.  

 

[Anwalt]

8 hours ago, Thomm said:

A little HMK 10, courtesy of @Anwalt.  Sounds cliche, but this is a well balanced and easy-going pour.  A little less oaky than I expected with 10 years in the barrel, but again that may just be my inexperienced palate.

 

I find it to be pleasantly sweet. Agreed, the oak is present but a bit light, "smooth" if I dare type that. I enjoy them and find that people new to bourbon (and some who are not) do too.

[Richnimrod]

Having an early-day "starter pour" or William Larue Weller, from 2013.   A fine Bourbon.    Rich and intense.   I just love it!!!!!!!!!  (Wish I had more bottles; but, this one is the last WLW from '13, and it's about half-gone.)

[Harry in WashDC]

Nats at Rays (yeah, could be on the baseball thread, but I was already HERE so live with what this old faht does. )

 

High temp yesterday (90+) but low humidity (under 45) so working most of yesterday outside in the shade (like, on a riding mower, fixing a leaky garden hose so I got sprayed a lot, cleaning bugs out of a sprinkler head so ditto on the spray) earned me a day of rest and indulgence.  HENCE! I refilled my orange screwcap OGD BIB trash can bottle with OGD BIB, cracked a KC just in case I NEED it, and settled in to BASEBALL.  Grilling a ribeye tonight for dinner.  Cocktail of choice is Manhattan on the rocks.

 

LIFE IS PHAT (sometimes).

 

ASIDE - ever notice how some of these "What are you drinking . . " posts approach the mundane entries on Facebook?  My fave (which is why I got off FB) was posted by a co-worker and said, "Today, I am wearing my yellow socks."  Complete with picture.  Only difference I see is: WE TALKING BOURBON HERE!!!

[MyBrainOnWhiskey]

2 hours ago, Harry in WashDC said:

ASIDE - ever notice how some of these "What are you drinking . . " posts approach the mundane entries on Facebook?  My fave (which is why I got off FB) was posted by a co-worker and said, "Today, I am wearing my yellow socks."  Complete with picture.  Only difference I see is: WE TALKING BOURBON HERE!!!

So I'm now confused and curious... is short, sweet and to the point not what this thread is intended to be?  I peruse the thread to see what folks are putting in the glass for sipping.   I enjoy the pictures, give some thumbs up and move on.  Sometimes the posts inspire a particular pour, sometimes I just live vicariously through the indulgences of others.  It's not "edge of your seat" excitement, but I like it.   

 

As for tonight's pour, I'm comparing WTRB to WTKS from Camp Nelson - E.  These CN-E bottles have been prevalent in my area, so I grabbed one for research purposes .  I like both, but the WTRB is my strong preference when drinking these on separate days.  We'll see if a direct back-to-back comparison yields a different outcome.  I expect the WTRB will still win by a comfortable margin.  I love Rare Breed!     

 

[FacePlant]

5 hours ago, Richnimrod said:

Having an early-day "starter pour" or William Larue Weller, from 2013.   A fine Bourbon.    Rich and intense.   I just love it!!!!!!!!! 

To follow up with my cigar and the 17WLW (that's where Rich got his idea) I'll tip my hat to Steve with the 17KING!    

 

[flahute]

19 minutes ago, FacePlant said:

To follow up with my cigar and the 17WLW (that's where Rich got his idea) I'll tip my hat to Steve with the 17KING!    

 

Atta boy!

[flahute]

3 hours ago, Harry in WashDC said:

Nats at Rays (yeah, could be on the baseball thread, but I was already HERE so live with what this old faht does. )

 

We will allow it. AND encourage it.

[0895]

As much as @Bob_Loblaw loves to participate in my bottom shelf sbs tastings, I’m doing this one on my own.

 

Been working on getting this together for awhile, and my recent work trip to KY finally made it possible.  All of these are age stated as a minimum of 36 months, and KY straight bourbon whiskey.

 

 

Ancient Age 80p :

Oddly enough, the darkest color of the 3.  Aromas of vanilla and maybe a little buttercream cake frosting, but not much else.

The sip is delicate but basically just vanilla.  Not much else going on.  Finish is more or less nonexistent.  It’s fine.  I don’t see myself ever needing to buy a bottle of this as long as 4RYL 80p is available.

 

 

Ancient Age 90p :  

KY is the only place I’ve ever seen this available.  I get quite a bit more out of this than the regular 80p version.  The nose is vanilla & caramel, with hints of milk chocolate.  The taste is more complex, with what comes across to me as a light butterscotch flavor.  Definitely some vanilla and buttercream frosting mixed in as well.  Slight hug on the back, gives this one an overall pleasant finish with a slight kick.  A nice step up from the 80p version.  Slight vibes of “baby Blantons” if you use your imagination.

I would buy this periodically, especially as a hotel room bargain bottle while visiting KY.

 

 

Ancient Ancient Age 10 star, 90p :

Ohio is the only place I’ve ever seen this and full disclosure it’s been awhile since I’ve looked.  Pulled this liter out of the bunker as a summer sipper.

Slightly darker than the AA90.

The nose is mostly vanilla again with some of that BT mustiness mixed in.  Probably the most Blantons like smelling of the group.

Taste is light mustiness and slightly more complex than the other two, with lots of vanilla and light caramel.  It’s decently good for the price point and probably would make a good summer freezer bottle for hot days.

I would buy this periodically if it was available.

 

Summary:

The AA90 and AAA 10 star are both decent enough to buy.  It probably boils down to which profile fits into your wheelhouse more or what’s available in your locality, but both are nice options if you’re looking for a lighter summer bourbon.

[MyBrainOnWhiskey]

1 hour ago, MyBrainOnWhiskey said:

As for tonight's pour, I'm comparing WTRB to WTKS from Camp Nelson - E.  These CN-E bottles have been prevalent in my area, so I grabbed one for research purposes .  I like both, but the WTRB is my strong preference when drinking these on separate days.  We'll see if a direct back-to-back comparison yields a different outcome.  I expect the WTRB will still win by a comfortable margin.  I love Rare Breed!     

 

RESULTS: Rare Breed for the win... but it was closer than I expected.

 

Many of the same aromas and flavors in both.  WTKS was sweeter on the nose and on the palate, and also softer on the palate than WTRB.  The nose on WTKS was more focused and more organized, so a slight edge to the WTKS I suppose.  The palate and finish is where WTRB pulled ahead.  Nothing wrong whatsoever with WTKS.  I just prefer the less sweet, slightly more oak flavor profile of WTRB.   

 

Edited June 30, 2024 by MyBrainOnWhiskey

[markandrex]

WTRB tonight.  It has been awhile and hits all the right notes for me.  The SBS sounded good but I’ve been in the new shed (followed by the pool) yesterday and today and just wanted a no effort evening.  Cheers!

Edited June 30, 2024 by markandrex

[b1gcountry]

1 hour ago, MyBrainOnWhiskey said:

 

RESULTS: Rare Breed for the win... but it was closer than I expected.

 

Many of the same aromas and flavors in both.  WTKS was sweeter on the nose and on the palate, and also softer on the palate than WTRB.  The nose on WTKS was more focused and more organized, so a slight edge to the WTKS I suppose.  The palate and finish is where WTRB pulled ahead.  Nothing wrong whatsoever with WTKS.  I just prefer the less sweet, slightly more oak flavor profile of WTRB.   

 

I have a bottle of wtrb that I don't really care for, and I keep trying to drink it down, but it's a little off compared to other bottles I've had. 

[b1gcountry]

1 hour ago, 0895 said:

As much as @Bob_Loblaw loves to participate in my bottom shelf sbs tastings, I’m doing this one on my own.

 

Been working on getting this together for awhile, and my recent work trip to KY finally made it possible.  All of these are age stated as a minimum of 36 months, and KY straight bourbon whiskey.

 

 

Ancient Age 80p :

Oddly enough, the darkest color of the 3.  Aromas of vanilla and maybe a little buttercream cake frosting, but not much else.

The sip is delicate but basically just vanilla.  Not much else going on.  Finish is more or less nonexistent.  It’s fine.  I don’t see myself ever needing to buy a bottle of this as long as 4RYL 80p is available.

 

 

Ancient Age 90p :  

KY is the only place I’ve ever seen this available.  I get quite a bit more out of this than the regular 80p version.  The nose is vanilla & caramel, with hints of milk chocolate.  The taste is more complex, with what comes across to me as a light butterscotch flavor.  Definitely some vanilla and buttercream frosting mixed in as well.  Slight hug on the back, gives this one an overall pleasant finish with a slight kick.  A nice step up from the 80p version.  Slight vibes of “baby Blantons” if you use your imagination.

I would buy this periodically, especially as a hotel room bargain bottle while visiting KY.

 

 

Ancient Ancient Age 10 star, 90p :

Ohio is the only place I’ve ever seen this and full disclosure it’s been awhile since I’ve looked.  Pulled this liter out of the bunker as a summer sipper.

Slightly darker than the AA90.

The nose is mostly vanilla again with some of that BT mustiness mixed in.  Probably the most Blantons like smelling of the group.

Taste is light mustiness and slightly more complex than the other two, with lots of vanilla and light caramel.  It’s decently good for the price point and probably would make a good summer freezer bottle for hot days.

I would buy this periodically if it was available.

 

Summary:

The AA90 and AAA 10 star are both decent enough to buy.  It probably boils down to which profile fits into your wheelhouse more or what’s available in your locality, but both are nice options if you’re looking for a lighter summer bourbon.

Want a dusty sample for the next sbs?

[0895]

5 minutes ago, b1gcountry said:

Want a dusty sample for the next sbs?

I can’t believe you still have that!

[b1gcountry]

Just now, 0895 said:

I can’t believe you still have that!

It reminds me of my dad so I keep it around

[jvd99]

12 year WT101 - so good, criminally good 

[Harry in WashDC]

3 hours ago, MyBrainOnWhiskey said:

So I'm now confused and curious... is short, sweet and to the point not what this thread is intended to be?  I peruse the thread to see what folks are putting in the glass for sipping.   I enjoy the pictures, give some thumbs up and move on.  Sometimes the posts inspire a particular pour, sometimes I just live vicariously through the indulgences of others.  It's not "edge of your seat" excitement, but I like it.   

 

As for tonight's pour, I'm comparing WTRB to WTKS from Camp Nelson - E.  These CN-E bottles have been prevalent in my area, so I grabbed one for research purposes .  I like both, but the WTRB is my strong preference when drinking these on separate days.  We'll see if a direct back-to-back comparison yields a different outcome.  I expect the WTRB will still win by a comfortable margin.  I love Rare Breed!     

 

 

Nice write-up.

[Cibsie]

I've heard so many good things about Kentucky Tea, I decided I'd wait until I found one for my first Bookers.  Definitely not at all disappointed!  I put myself on a bourbon timeout like I always do, but there's always a reason to break it.