What Bourbon Are You Drinking Spring 2025?

[flahute]

3 hours ago, MSB said:

 

Interesting. I have only had a few 15ish+yr old bourbons. EC is one of them. I really loved the 1st couple pours out of 1 of the btls a couple yrs ago. After that, I wasn't that impressed. Not sure if it was my palate or what "changes" the air may have done to the flavor or as you said, I may need to learn more about myself and what my mind and palate want to drink on a particular night. 

I do find that my palate really enjoys the neck pour of most btls. Maybe that is the excitement of opening a btl or does it just taste better fresh from the btl rather than the subsequent pours. Idk.

 

One of the other 18yr old bourbons I have had is the KC 18yr. It is very good but I prefer the 12yr over it and the 15. I know, I know that that goes against the popular grain here but it is my opinion. Please dont stone me. I feel the 12yr is the sweet spot for KC. Or is it that I don't know what I don't know about myself.

No worries about any stones lol. I'm with you - KC12 is one of my absolute favorites.

[markandrex]

WTKS for the evening nightcap.  Long live the flock!

[Grady330]

James E Pepper, Bombergers 2025, Russell Reserve......YUM.............

[bayouredd]

Frontier Whiskey BiB has earned it's way into the rotation, with a Bulleit!!!

Drinking same...

[bayouredd]

3 hours ago, Grady330 said:

James E Pepper, Bombergers 2025, Russell Reserve......YUM.............

If the JEP is cask strength, then 2 outa 3 ain't bad...  

[MSB]

Sitting at a whiskey bar enjoying the view.

 

Also sippin on SFTB 131.4pf. Getting some nice sweet caramel, maybe some red fruit, definitely getting chewing tobacco, some nice oak....  I did add a small chip of ice to mellow out the ethanol after a few sips neat.

I like it.

[markandrex]

WTRB tonight stilling on the deck listening to the sounds of Spring!

[MSB]

Called in a couple birds. They were fighting for my attention so I took a shot at both of them. 

 

 

For the nose, i give the 70th the win by a beak.

 

The palate, The 70th wins with a better beard and wattle.

 

The finish, you prolly guessed it, The 70th wins by the snood and tail coverts.

 

Obviously the winner is the 70th and I give it 18 tail feathers.

 

Seeing how the 70th is basically gone, I will grab a btl or 2 of the 8yr when i find it. Would like to do a sbs with WTKS and the 70th, maybe next time I'm at the bar.

 

Then I would like to do a sbs with The Original Kicking Chicken (WT 101) and the 8yr. Note to self, I prolly should do that before I buy the 8yr.  

[Grady330]

Just bought and opened a Smooth Ambler Old Scout 99 proof. NAS. Supposedly MGP juice. Second bottle that I have considered pouring out (first was called Beams). Awful. Tastes like a weak scotch!! $40 bucks wasted. Could of bought a 1L KC9.  Might consider putting it in a quality bourbon bottle and let my many BIL's drink it with glee!! 

[Richnimrod]

1 hour ago, Grady330 said:

Just bought and opened a Smooth Ambler Old Scout 99 proof. NAS. Supposedly MGP juice. Second bottle that I have considered pouring out (first was called Beams). Awful. Tastes like a weak scotch!! $40 bucks wasted. Could of bought a 1L KC9.  Might consider putting it in a quality bourbon bottle and let my many BIL's drink it with glee!! 

Although, I understand the reluctance to offer rare pours to folx that wouldn't appreciate 'em; I do not recommend  scamming anybody the way you described (I think maybe you were shinin' us one there?). 

If you really are considering it, I say; Don't.   It's bad karma.    Offer it to 'em in highballs or some other easy-drinking combination.   If they don't know the difference anyway, they'll probably like it fine that way.

[Kepler]

4 hours ago, Richnimrod said:

Although, I understand the reluctance to offer rare pours to folx that wouldn't appreciate 'em; I do not recommend  scamming anybody the way you described (I think maybe you were shinin' us one there?). 

If you really are considering it, I say; Don't.   It's bad karma.    Offer it to 'em in highballs or some other easy-drinking combination.   If they don't know the difference anyway, they'll probably like it fine that way.

 

I certainly get what you mean, but... I mean .. if it's free...?

[Skinsfan1311]

OGD BiB in the glass....

[Grady330]

14 hours ago, Richnimrod said:

Although, I understand the reluctance to offer rare pours to folx that wouldn't appreciate 'em; I do not recommend  scamming anybody the way you described (I think maybe you were shinin' us one there?). 

If you really are considering it, I say; Don't.   It's bad karma.    Offer it to 'em in highballs or some other easy-drinking combination.   If they don't know the difference anyway, they'll probably like it fine that way.

You have to realize that these are the types that will mix SFTB or a 1792 Full Proof with Dr Pepper or coke!!

[Richnimrod]

36 minutes ago, Grady330 said:

You have to realize that these are the types that will mix SFTB or a 1792 Full Proof with Dr Pepper or coke!!

Hmmm.  I know the type.   Maybe hide the good whiskey and give 'em only the more sensible options, eh?   That's what I'd prolly do.

[Grady330]

6 hours ago, Richnimrod said:

Hmmm.  I know the type.   Maybe hide the good whiskey and give 'em only the more sensible options, eh?   That's what I'd prolly do.

I have had to do that since they check all the cabinets!! And there are not kids. 40'a and 50 yo. Now my "good" stuff is in the gun  closet !!!

[fosmith]

Last night I was sipping on a blend of Old Forester 100 and Benchmark BiB, either 60/40 or 40/60, I can't remember.  They were around the half full mark and I wasn't really enjoying either one of these so I decided to merge them to save cabinet space and use it for cocktails.  But, dang!  It's actually pretty tasty, way better than either of them on their own.  Go figure...

[Jazz June]

On 5/1/2025 at 11:21 PM, MSB said:

Called in a couple birds. They were fighting for my attention so I took a shot at both of them. 

 

 

For the nose, i give the 70th the win by a beak.

 

The palate, The 70th wins with a better beard and wattle.

 

The finish, you prolly guessed it, The 70th wins by the snood and tail coverts.

 

Obviously the winner is the 70th and I give it 18 tail feathers.

 

Seeing how the 70th is basically gone, I will grab a btl or 2 of the 8yr when i find it. Would like to do a sbs with WTKS and the 70th, maybe next time I'm at the bar.

 

Then I would like to do a sbs with The Original Kicking Chicken (WT 101) and the 8yr. Note to self, I prolly should do that before I buy the 8yr.  

 

Actually, the 8-year version of the 101 is the original. They dropped the age statement domestically around 1992, but have continued to export it. This release marks its return to our shores. I have also heard that the 70th Anniversary is a step up from this 8/101, but I have yet to crack mine to form my own opinion.

 

 

[flahute]

This qualifies as both a what did you purchase and what are you drinking since they happened within 30 minutes of each other.

First up is standard EC. My mint julep recipe calls for EC and for the past few years I've been using barrel picks but we have people coming over so I don't want to use those since I'm getting low. This is the first standard EC I've purchased since the 12 year age statement went away. I'm really happy to discover that it tastes great.

Second is 4RSiB. I had to do an exchange since the one I had bought had cork taint. New one tastes normal.

Third is WT101. Finally replaced my family size after a long time. Given the recent commentary here wondering if quality has suffered with all the 8yr old barrels being diverted to the 70th and new 8yr age statement I was curious. Still tastes good!

 

Only little sips as the Juleps will be flowing soon.

[Kepler]

27 minutes ago, flahute said:

This qualifies as both a what did you purchase and what are you drinking since they happened within 30 minutes of each other.

First up is standard EC. My mint julep recipe calls for EC and for the past few years I've been using barrel picks but we have people coming over so I don't want to use those since I'm getting low. This is the first standard EC I've purchased since the 12 year age statement went away. I'm really happy to discover that it tastes great.

Second is 4RSiB. I had to do an exchange since the one I had bought had cork taint. New one tastes normal.

Third is WT101. Finally replaced my family size after a long time. Given the recent commentary here wondering if quality has suffered with all the 8yr old barrels being diverted to the 70th and new 8yr age statement I was curious. Still tastes good!

 

Only little sips as the Juleps will be flowing soon.

Good lineup for derby day.  Enjoy those juleps!

[Kepler]

Happy Derby Day!

 

[bayouredd]

What to do while baby backs are on the smoker?

1st - JB Winter Reserve  (from the freezer)

2nd - KC12  (always an upgrade from the bottom shelf)

3rd - OGD 16  ( a step up today - sweet oak)

[Kepler]

12 minutes ago, bayouredd said:

What to do while baby backs are on the smoker?

1st - JB Winter Reserve  (from the freezer)

2nd - KC12  (always an upgrade from the bottom shelf)

3rd - OGD 16  ( a step up today - sweet oak)

 

Great lineup.  My personal favorite grilling/smoker bourbon is Baker's Small Batch.  I can't explain it but my taste buds just crave it when cooking outside.