This Stuff is so Good it Brought a Smile to My Face

[mbroo5880i]

I was in another thread and it got me to thinking about regular bottles of bourbon that brought a smile to your face the first time you tried them.  

 

For me, several come to mind.

 

1. WL12 and OWA.  I remember looking at the cheap bottles with the screw caps (really, no cork?  That's so bottle shelf!)  Boy, was I wrong?  

2. FRSiB.  I had already tried FRSmB and like it but FRSiB was a spicy treat.  It continues to be so today.

3. WTR101.  I had already tried WT101 and love it.  But, the spicy rye tingle of WTR101 was different level.

4. EWSiB.  Same thing, I had already tried EW BIB.  How could I like an 86 proofer?  I found out quickly.

5. EC12.  What is this stuff?  Why hadn't I tried it before?  I remember buying my first bottle on a Fourth of July.  Instant fireworks.

 

Sure, I enjoyed first pours of other regular bottles but these actually made me smile.

[Richnimrod]

My first tastes of several come to mind.

In no particular order, and certainly not in order of preference, nor ultimate satisfaction; but, here goes...

Buffalo Trace

Parker's Heritage (from about 14 or 15 years ago, I guess)

Old Grand Dad 114

William Larue Weller

George T. Stagg

Wild Turkey 12-year

Old Weller Antique 107

Old Rip VanWinkle 10-year

Old Grand Dad BIB from the early 80's (Butterscotch BOMB!)

I could go on . . . and on, I suppose; but, this list is already too long.

[meadeweber]

I'll keep it short (although I'm sure there are many others).

 

OGD 114

WLW

FR SiBBP

[Skinsfan1311]

I'm not counting the Pappy,  Staggs, WLW and stuff like that, because you stated "regular" bottles, which I'm assuming that you mean are readily available.

 

With the exception of the 81, pretty much ever  WT product that I've ever had falls into this category,  even the Long Branch.   Same with RR.

 

I was pleasantly surprised by the first time I tried OGD BiB and I do admit to grinning the first time that I tried JDSBBP.

 

There's probably a lot more....

 

 

 

Edited July 8, 2024 by Skinsfan1311

[Harry in WashDC]

Readily availables?  Back in 2014 when I joined SB, Squire and some guys were discussing OGD 114.  I think I'd had a sip at a bar YEARS ago, and the burn and wood were etched in my head as things to avoid.  The discussion centered on small sips, how many DROPS of water to add, etc.  I bought a bottle and poured about two ounces in a small old fashioned glass.  Sipped.  BURN AND WOOD!!!  Went to the kitchen for an ice cube and a glass of water so I could follow their advice on how to calm it down.  TEN YEARS ON, I can almost quote my follow-up post on that thread.  When I walked back into the room, the perfume from the glass filled my seating/TV watching area with fruit, spices, warm caramel, and grilled steak.  AMBROSIA is what I wrote.   That thread taught me that one does NOT need to consume high proof stuff at the bottle proof to enjoy it - rather, start with the high proof and TUNE it to your palate.

 

I still smile when I think about this and the similar hints SBers have given on how to enjoy bourbon.

 

Others?  Basic BT's candy apple cinnamon notes really make me happy.  4RYL, another thing I'd passed for years until cult members here taught me otherwise - it is my wife's fave and has become our mixer, replacing the still-loved EWB 86 in our happy hour cocktails.

[smokinjoe]

Elmer T Lee was one that was a definite must have, but difficult to locate in my areas, early in my journey into Bourbonia.  When I found my first bottle 20 years ago, I was as giddy as a schoolboy meeting Dr Elsa Schneider in Venice.   The first sips from the bottle were beyond expectations great, and its unchanged bottle design and continued quality whiskey still make me smile, as it did then.   Heck, I just smile looking at the bottle!  

 

Plain Evan William's Black label makes me smile every time I drink it.  I’ll pick one up a couple times a year, and I just like myself better for doing so.  It’s solid, steady, no pizazz, and simply tastes like what I think, a bourbon should taste like.  A working man’s bourbon, and while my labor isn’t physical, I work hard as fuck, and it’s a nice reward at the end of a long day or week.  Keeps me centered, ya know?  It’s also my baseline bourbon that any craft bourbon has to match in order for me to consider it worthy.

 

Which leads me to New Riff Bourbon.  The first craft that met the EWBL standard.  I smiled when I took that first sip a couple years back realizing that this craft’s ship had found a welcome port in my belly.  And, I haven’t stopped smiling, since.  Finally, a craft bourbon that actually tastes like a bourbon!!!, I proclaimed.  Now available in Georgia, so grabbed the first one I saw a couple months ago.  A few more crafts have met the Evan Williams standard, but NR was the very first.  

[Skinsfan1311]

1 hour ago, smokinjoe said:

Elmer T Lee was one that was a definite must have, but difficult to locate in my areas, early in my journey into Bourbonia.  When I found my first bottle 20 years ago, I was as giddy as a schoolboy meeting Dr Elsa Schneider in Venice.   The first sips from the bottle were beyond expectations great, and its unchanged bottle design and continued quality whiskey still make me smile, as it did then.   Heck, I just smile looking at the bottle!  

 

Plain Evan William's Black label makes me smile every time I drink it.  I’ll pick one up a couple times a year, and I just like myself better for doing so.  It’s solid, steady, no pizazz, and simply tastes like what I think, a bourbon should taste like.  A working man’s bourbon, and while my labor isn’t physical, I work hard as fuck, and it’s a nice reward at the end of a long day or week.  Keeps me centered, ya know?  It’s also my baseline bourbon that any craft bourbon has to match in order for me to consider it worthy.

 

Which leads me to New Riff Bourbon.  The first craft that met the EWBL standard.  I smiled when I took that first sip a couple years back realizing that this craft’s ship had found a welcome port in my belly.  And, I haven’t stopped smiling, since.  Finally, a craft bourbon that actually tastes like a bourbon!!!, I proclaimed.  Now available in Georgia, so grabbed the first one I saw a couple months ago.  A few more crafts have met the Evan Williams standard, but NR was the very first.  

Aww...damn!

I forgot about New Riff.

It brought, and still brings, a smile.

 

[b1gcountry]

New Riff just released a new 8 year Bourbon btw...

[Skinsfan1311]

11 hours ago, b1gcountry said:

New Riff just released a new 8 year Bourbon btw...

Yup!

I bought one during the pre-sale in March. A friend of mine lives within walking distance of the distillery,(she's the one who turned us on to New Riff), and she picked it up for me.   Hopefully she'll be in town soon, so I can try it!