How do I drink "undrinkable" whiskey?

[wrbriggs]

Well, I feel really guilty... I recently received a bottle of Very Special Old Fitzgerald as a gift from my wife, because she knows I like hard-to-find bourbons. I just cracked it open and am halfway through my first pour, and I have to say that I can't taste anything except for a very astringent alcohol burn. This whiskey is neither smooth nor flavourful, so I'm not quite sure what I should do with it. I guess I can try to let the bottle grow on me, but this is without a doubt the worst bourbon I've ever tasted (although my experience is somewhat limited). Both the Weller Special Reserve and the Eagle Rare 10yr that she got for me, while much less expensive, are (in my humble opinion) better than the VSOF.

Does anyone have any tips on how I might be able to choke this down? I don't want to hurt my wife's feelings. Should I mix with coke? With ginger ale? I don't usually like to mix when there are so many fine bourbons that are sippable.

Thanks,

Will

[bobbyc]

Let it air out in the glass for a while and see if that helps.

[greenbob]

In these situations I add one teaspoon of water to a drink of whiskey. By "drink of whiskey" I mean 40-45 ml of whiskey.

[Gillman]

I agree. Also, swirling the spirit continually for some minutes (another form of aeration), often works wonders.

Otherwise, buy any regular rye whiskey out there and mix 3:1 bourbon to rye.

You will have an instant classic.

Gary

[camduncan]

Serve it to 'friends' who pop over for a drop or two..

And, (as are my favourite options..) marinate steak in it, or drown it in coke

[wrbriggs]

marinate steak in it

Hmm, not a bad idea. My wife is a chef, and has carefully trained me to not use anything in cooking that I wouldn't drink straight (usually in reference to wine, but she seems to apply it to all spirits that can be used in the kitchen).

[pepcycle]

Don't struggle with it.

Seal firmly and forward to the Brisket Plug Institute for Retired and Lame Whiskey. (BPIFRLW for short)

We treat every whiskey with respect and care for it until its time has come.

At that time, we thoroughly filter through glomerular tissue and deposit for recycling back into the water table.

[wrbriggs]

Well, the only rye whiskey available here is Jim Beam rye. I've heard bad things. Is it still worth getting to try and mix with the VSOF?

[Gillman]

People have different feelings about Jim Beam Rye. Personally I am not a fan. (It needs more age, in my view). I think the best thing to do with a bottle of indifferent bourbon is to use it for mixed drinks. Most mixed drinks taste good with any whiskey, especially Manhattans and bourbon and coke.

Gary

[ej178]

I gotta admit, I bought a bottle of Rebel Yell the other day after reading it was the daily pour for several people on this site. I did not even make it through 1/2 a glass.

Fortunatley my wife likes bourbon and 7-Up

[camduncan]

I guess it all comes down to personal taste... Most here love Wild Turkey Rare Breed, but I just can't seem to develop a taste for it, no matter what I do to it.

As for the Jim Beam Rye...it's one of my favourite whiskeys neat..

[pete_d]

Seems the opposite of my experience.

Re: the Rare Breed, do you attempt it neat, or try it with ice. I've found (along w/ EC12) that they taste FAR better with crushed ice.

If you're not a fan of RB and you haven't already, try the WT8yo 101 proof. It's more of the traditional WT taste that "goes to 11!"

BTW, Have you tested the BT yet? Is it as good as they say?

[squire]

Evening wr,

Well its sorta like living out in the country and dating the girl on the next farm. Prehaps not your first choice but she is available.

About a decade ago my neice's new husband called me for a minor legal document. Told him I didn't charge family but would require he come by the office after 5:00 on Thursday to pick it up and serve as bartender for a tasting I was hosting. When he showed up he saw a bunch of middle-aged guys sitting around the table in my office kitchen with a line of parallel expression bottles. His eyes bugged a bit and he said, "Those look like top of the line stuff". Told him to have a seat and what would he like. He said, "I drink Jim Beam". Asked if he liked the white label and the question seemed to puzzle him so I asked if he'd tried the yellow label Rye version. He hadn't so I located a bottle and bartended for him. "How do you like it"?. "Do you have some coke"? No, would ginger ale do? "Yes".

Ten years later I am reliably informed he entertains his guests with the "Yellow Label Jim Beam Rye", telling them, "This is my favorite and I know ya'll will like it. Our family lawyer turned me onto it".

So go ahead and give it a try. There are better Ryes but Beam is consistant and the cost is less than a meal for two at a fast food joint.

Regards,

Squire

[camduncan]

Re: the Rare Breed, do you attempt it neat, or try it with ice. I've found (along w/ EC12) that they taste FAR better with crushed ice.

If you're not a fan of RB and you haven't already, try the WT8yo 101 proof. It's more of the traditional WT taste that "goes to 11!"

BTW, Have you tested the BT yet? Is it as good as they say?

I've tried the RB with ice, water, coke and neat. I don't dislike it, but it just doesn't grab me either... As for the EC12, It is something I really like

(sidenote - I've been informed by the HH NZ distributors that we should start seeing EC 18yo in Australia soon )

I cracked the BT last week. It was a damm fine drop! I tried it and the Blantons Original.. Both neat. The BT was a much smoother sweeter drink. I'm in the process of trying them whilst checking out reviews in the tasting forum and trying to pick the different charactaristics..

[greenbob]

Okay, I've got a new idea. I started coming down with a sore throat yesterday, and tonight I'm getting stuffed up. So I'm wondering what I'm going to have tonight. And it occurs to me that since I'm losing my ability to taste maybe I'll have some Charles Dickel or the new horrible Johnny Walker Red that I talked about in another thread. So maybe we should save the bad stuff for when we're sick and can't taste.

[squire]

Evening Cameron,

Fortunately I'm within range of procuring any of the Bourbon expressions but if I was limited to just the one while exiled on an island the EC 12 would suit me just fine.

Regards,

Squire

[squire]

greenbob I feel your pain. May I suggest a rum or vodka of any brand with any mixer and save your taste buds for when you recover.

Regards,

Squire

[greenbob]

Thank you Squire. But all I've got here is bourbon and scotch (and of course Tennessee Whisky).

[wrbriggs]

Just an update. I've tried two pours of this bourbon tonight, one I drank neat, but I let it sit for about 20 minutes and "air out" first, and then swirled it while drinking. I detected a few hints of green corn, but this was still pretty foul. I'm not very good at tasting notes, so I really have no clue what the taste that I don't like is.

The second time I drank this, I tried it diluted 1:1 with bottled water. This cut back the taste I didn't like, but didn't really "open it up" like I've experienced with other whiskies (Rare Breed or Eagle Rare 101).

I was hoping that after soldiering through two pours I might have a greater understanding as to why some members of this forum hold the VSOF in high regard (although I think I've seen some comments indicating that there are others here who feel as I do). I just don't get it, I guess. I don't understand how this can be part of the same Heritage Collection as the Old Charter Proprietor's Reserve, a whiskey that I cannot say enough good things about.

Oh well. As I've seen other folks here say, it's "horses for courses". There are plenty of other bourbons I love, and even more just waiting to be tried.

[squire]

wr I beg to differ. I think you actually did "get it". Our body chemistry is as unique as our fingerprints and what works well for you, me, or someone else is a matter of choice based on our subjective tastes. If a guy shows up at one of my tastings loudly proclaiming that "Old Washtub" is the best thing on the planet I will politely accept that as his choice. Even if I know the stuff is only six months old and gets its flavor from being filtered through sweat socks.

We are fortunate in that so many expressions are avaliable for our enjoyment. Cycling through them to find favorites is the fun of the journey.

Regards,

Squire

[TNbourbon]

Don't worry about it. I have the same reaction to Elijah Craig 12yo, which many here adore, while I'm in a smallish minority that just can't choke it down. It happens. Every bourbon you see in the bottle shop is somebody's favorite. Each doesn't have to be yours.

[bobbyc]

some members of this forum hold the VSOF in high regard

Very Special Old Fitz gets mixed reviews. There is a Very Very Old Fitz that was a Stitzel-Weller product from the '50s and '60s that you will see often referred to as maybe the best single Bourbon example produced so far.

Check this thread for a discussion of the different Old Fitzgeralds.

[RedVette]

I am so far unable to locate a bottle of "Old Washtub", do you have any suggestions as to where I might find a bottle?

[wrbriggs]

Send me a check or money order for $49.95, and I will make you some Old Washtub, filtered through only the finest of gym socks.

[jeff]

I tried VSOF for the first time at the EWSB '95 preview. I had it on ice and I thought it was pretty good. It was a little thin but otherwise a decent bourbon.