Any good bourbons I am missing?

[SFBourbonDrinker]

I have been building a bourbon/American whiskey collection. I am curious if anyone can think of an additional bourbon(s) that would add to my collection. Rock Hill Farms, Old Forester Birthday and Pappy 20 are three that come to mind. Anything else?

The list:

Woodford Reserve

Virginia Gentleman

Blanton's

Kentucky Spirit

Rare Breed

Elijah Craig 18

Jefferson's Reserve

Sazerac Rye

George T. Stagg (2004)

Eagle Rare 17

Dickel #12

Gentleman Jack

Jack Daniels

Jack Single Barrel

Knob Creek

Elijah Craig 12

Buffalo Trace

Elmer T. Lee

Old Charter Proprietor's Reserve

Old Grand Dad 114

Old Weller Antique

Bulleit

Bookers

Wild Turkey Rye

Van Winkle Lot B

Pappy Van Winkle 15 yr

A.H. Hirsch 16 year

Wild Turkey Russel's Reserve

Old Forester 86 proof

Old Forester 100 proof

Corner Creek

Old Fitzgerald 100 proof

Evan Williams Single Barrel (1994)

Phillips Union

Any input would be helpful

Thanks.

[MDV]

A favorite of mine is Wathen's (http://www.wathens.com/)... It is not the exceptional super premium brand that would come to the mind of most (its under $20 here in KY), but for whatever reason, the taste just suits me... Very warm and smooth. A great choice for an inexpensive everyday bourbon that is not all that common. Not sure about the availability out west...

[TNbourbon]

A few that come immediately to mind are Pappy 23, any of the Old Rip Van Winkle bottlings (10yo/90 proof, 10/107, 15/107, 12yo rye) whenever you find one/any available, Van Winkle Family Reserve rye, and W.L. Weller 12yo.

[RedVette]

Bakers is my favorite of the Beam small batch collection, and Elijah Craig 18 is a very unique bourbon. I second the motion on the ORVW's as well, no collection is complete without them, and they are going to start getting rare soon.

Wild Turkey freedom, WT 12 yr old, and Blantons Gold and single barrels, are export/duty free only items that can add to a collection.

Nice bunch of Bourbons there.

[mobourbon]

You have a great collection as it is! You should get the Evan Williams Single Barrel (1995). As good as the '94 is the '95 is so much better. I agree with RedVette on the Bakers. It's very good.

[chasking]

You don't have anything on your list from Barton. Try Ridgemont Reserve 1792, or Very Old Barton. Both good.

[bluesbassdad]

I'd say you're well on your way to having just about every mid-to-upper range bottling anyone could ever want.

However, unless my eyes are failing me, Eagle Rare Single Barrel is missing. (I haven't tried ER17 yet. Perhaps it's all one needs from that lineup.)

A case could also be made for Eagle Rare 101, 10 y/o, but perhaps that journeyman pour doesn't make the cut, depending upon your definition of "good" bourbon. (The presence of Old Fitz and Old Forester seems to open the door.)

Personally, I can't imagine being without WT 101, as well. Of course, if the cost of Russell's Reserve, Rare Breed, Kentucky Spirit were not an issue, I might never get around to revisiting WT 101.

Then there's Hancock's President's Reserve (which I've never tried), Old Grand Dad BIB, W.L. Weller 12 y/o, W.L. Weller Centennial, Ancient Ancient Age 10 y/o (not 10 Star). . . Where does one stop?

Has someone mentioned Baker's yet? Just for the sake of completeness, you might even add Basil Hayden's, in spite of its lightweight character.

Yours truly,

Dave Morefield

[Hedmans Brorsa]

I might be booed off the stage immediately but may I be so bold as to suggest, er, Old Potrero? Believe you me, it is much better than you might be led to believe by reading comments on this forum.

Both expressions are well worth taking up an acquaintance with but If you have to choose one, go for the one aged in new barrels.

Also, if you ever get the opportunity : try the Maker´s Mark black seal. You won´t regret it.

[sharkman]

Well, for starters, Rittenhouse Rye. Wonderful stuff. You have Old Forester but no Ancient Age. Get the 10 year old. Considered one of the best... Here's my list of "to gets":

Rittenhouse Rye BIB

Ancient Age (especially the 10yr and the BIB)

Kentucky Vintage

Johnny Drum 15yr

Bakers

W.L. Weller 19yr Wheated

W.L. Weller 12yr (awesome for the price)

Four Roses Single Barrel

McKendric Western Style (leather label - great stuff!)

Old Charter 12yr

Ezra B Single Barrel (if still made)

and build on the lines you have. Like all the Jim Beam Small batch, all the different Wild Turkey bottlings (a must have to any collection), all the Wellers, etc...

You have a great collection thus far anyway you look at it.

[pepcycle]

Ditto on the Wathen's and its back again after a short disapperance.

[bluesbassdad]

Ezra B Single Barrel (if still made)

In a different thread others more knowledgeable than I have stated that the 15 y/o, which I like(d) a lot (as did Chuck Cowdery in a review in Bourbon Country Reader), is no longer available.

The 12 y/o that has replaced it is allegedly not even similar, much less as good.

Yours truly,

Dave Morefield

[Sloop]

I don't see Basil Hayden listed--very pleasant.

[musher]

Probably because many of us refer to it as brown vodka.

[brian12069]

I don't see Basil Hayden listed--very pleasant.

ahhhgggggggg

[gr8erdane]

Guys, to appreciate BH you have to drink it in Clermont sitting in the living room/sample room. It helps to drink it with a friend you've just met for the first time face to face (right Bobby?). At least that's my personal experience. It's not my favorite but in that place, at that time, with that company it was hard to beat.

[idpa2000]

Old Grand Dad BIB 100 proof. Good stuff @ a great price.

[tmas]

Picked up a bottle of Sam Houston last summer which my brother and I finished off during a couple of fishing trips. We thought it was real tasty with a lot going on. I haven't seen it since but intend to pick up a bottle when I do, worth putting on your list.

[Bob]

I think Very Old Barton 100 Proof is a damn good bourbon, and a super value.

[nysquire]

They are all good Bourbons !!!!

or All Bourbons are good !!!

[SFBourbonDrinker]

Thanks for all the advice.

Some of the ones people mentioned are not readily available around here. Wathen's, Very Old Barton, and Ridgemont 1792 are good examples.

I recently picked up Baker's, Old Potrero Rye, Evan Williams '95, Rip Van Winkle 10yr 90 proof, and WL Weller 12yr.

I saw a Pappy 20, but am not sure it is worth the money. The store owner said he thought the 15 yr was better.

Other ones I will keep an eye out for:

Old Forester Birthday

Rock Hill Farms

Basil Hayden's (always see it, but it never seems to enter the cart)

Other ones I have recently seen include:

Peter Jake's Private Keep

Old Whiskey River

Hancock Reserve (Seems expensive)

Black Maple Hill 16yr (expensive...not sure it is worth it)

Michters Bourbon and Rye

Any comments on the last few?

Thanks.

[monte]

I saw a Pappy 20, but am not sure it is worth the money. The store owner said he thought the 15 yr was better.

Both the 15 and 20 are great whiskeys. I like both of them, and think the 20 is a very fine whiskey indeed. To me, it seems really well balanced, and while it's pricey, I know of few bourbons like it. The new 15 is a good whiskey, but it is a lot more forward and smokey than the 20. I guess it depends on what you like...

Peter Jake's Private Keep

A nice Heaven Hill bourbon that's a little pricey but a bit more refined than other HH spirits of similar age. I like it and think it's a good representative of the HH bourbon style.

Old Whiskey River

Some folks around here think it's positively undrinkable, and those that like it think that it's overpriced. I think you'd be happier with the Peter Jake's or a plain old 10 year old Heaven Hill BIB. Evan Williams 1783 is better than this, and a lot cheaper...

Hancock Reserve (Seems expensive)

I used to like this a whole lot more back in the mid-late 90s, but these days, I know of other bourbons of this style that I like better for the same or less money. It still is good though, but perhaps not worth the money?? Has my taster changed, or was this bourbon much bettter 7-8 years ago??

Black Maple Hill 16yr (expensive...not sure it is worth it)

This is a very nice bourbon - it went over really well at a recent tasting party of mine, and most folks put this one on their short list of favorites. I think it's worth it personally.

Michters Bourbon and Rye

Not a big fan of Michters stuff personally, but some folks like it. I think the bourbon is not very well balanced and sort of pricey, but I'm sure someone likes it.

Have fun,

-monte-

[chasking]

Keep your eyes open for the Ridgemont Reserve; I get the impression that Barton is going to be pushing it. If it's not around now, it may be soon.

Of the others you listed, I actually like Peter Jake's, and with the exception of EWSB I don't ususally like Heaven Hill bourbons much. (That's just personal preference; I'm not saying they're bad---lots of other people here swear by Elijah Craig.)