Where IS everyone tonight.... Am I alone?

[Nevill]

I'm back in Louisville, been here for a week, got 2 1/2 months to go (December 16), already have 8 bottles stocked up to go back to California with me. At home I have -

1.75L Buffalo Trace

Four Roses Single barrel

Elmer T. Lee (opened...)

Elijah Craig 12 (opened...)

Wild Turkey rare breed

Wild Turkey 101

Old Forrester B-day

Maker's (yeah yeah, hand dipped, had to have it)

In the hotel room I have, ready to go back -

Elijah Craig 18yo Single Barrel

Wild Turkey Russell's Reserve (signed by Jimmy Russell)

Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit

Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select

Eagle Rare 10

Knob Creek (signed by Fred Noe)

Old Rip Van Winkle 10yo 107

Blanton Silver Edition

Old RVW 10yo 90 (open and in progess, mmmmmmm)

Ancient Ancient Age (almost gone, also mmmmmmm)

Old Heaven Hill BIB 100 open (what exactly is Bottled in Bond, anyway? Pretty good, light on flavor though)

And I have already killed off a Very Old Barton 86 (glad THAT one is gone, yikes!)

I went down to Liquor Barn and reserved 2 bottles of Stagg, and when the time comes, I want to also pick up an Eagle Rare 17 if I can, as soon as they get in. Also on my list to take home is -

Another B/T 1.75 (so I have one to share)

Another A-A Age

A 1.75 Eagle Rare 10

Maybe another Elijah Craig 12? Evan Williams S/B? Bookers? Bakers? Rock Hill? Jack Green Label?

Looking for suggestions here, feel free to chime in. So far the Buffalo Trace is #1 on my favorites list, followed closely by AAA (as a price point to share), Elijah, Elmer and another Knob Creek. What am I missing here?

Jim

[barturtle]

That silver edition is not the real one that is export only, Liquor Barn came and bought a bunch from Buffalo Trace, saw the box and asked for theirs to be boxed in it.

Should have gotten the 100 proof VOB

Never heard of Craig 10

Recommend Old Fitz 1849 (fills a big age/mashbill hole in there)

Also Old Charter 12

[Nevill]

Yeah, I noticed when I took it out of the box it was not the silver silver edition.I looked at the Old Fitz, anyone else agree there? I plan on taking some serious time getting through all these, I need to stock up while I can and enjoy the fruits of my labors later on, could take a while to get through what I already have, should be a good time though. Is there enough of a difference between the 86 and 100 VOB to justify picking it up? Also, what exactly is "Bottled in Bond"?

[monte]

Should have gotten the 100 proof VOB

Indeed... The 100 proof is mighty fine. A really good whiskey. I much prefer higher proof whiskeys - less dilution.

VOB is _only_ 6 years old (or more), but sometimes a "young" whiskey like this is perfectly ready to drink. People sometimes put too much emphasis on age, and sometimes young whiskeys like this really shine. My advice: don't be an "age snob" and enjoy a young whiskey.

Recommend Old Fitz 1849 (fills a big age/mashbill hole in there)

Also Old Charter 12

I'll agree on both counts. 1849 is a fine whiskey in all of its versions over the years. It's a relatively "budget friendly" bottle too. I have a serious soft spot for almost every Old Charter version as well. Great whiskeys...

Cheers,

-monte-

[BourbonJoe]

Yeah, buy the Old Fitz. Highly recommended. To find out about bonding, just use the search function here. It has been discussed in detail.

Joe

[kbuzbee]

To find out about bonding, just use the search function here. It has been discussed in detail.

Joe

One thread can be found at:

Bottled in Bond

[squire]

Morning Nevill,

VOB is available locally so I use the brand regularly. I always choose the 100 proof because it has noticably more of the Barton characteristics. This is due to the higher proof and prehaps more age as some of our other posters have mentioned.

The increase in price is very little and in fact all Barton whiskies are a bargain.

Regards,

Squire

[dougdog]

My advice: don't be an "age snob" and enjoy a young whiskey.

I couldn't have said it better...

Sometimes whiskies "peak" at younger ages...youth is not "bad" it might just be the optimum time to enjoy it.

[kbuzbee]

"Sometimes" younger Bourbons can be quite good AND everyone has particular things they like most in Bourbon.

BUT _All_ of my very most favorites are 15yo or more. Is this being 'snobbish'?? No it's just the way my taste buds function. I wish I could afford to drink only GT Stagg and WT Tribute (or even just find them) but the reality is I usually have Buffalo Trace (since our recent visit to the distillery), WT101 or Russell's Reserve (just tried the new 90 proof, btw. It's very good, but pricy for a 90 proof). Someday I'd like to try VO Barton's, I like RR 1792 alot. Ditto Old Charter(s). Someday. I take ocassional trips into the Colonel Lee, GTS Brown's of the Bourbon Isle. They're okay but surely lacking some of the things I like most.

Ken

[lakegz]

My four roses single barrel is only 7 years old as they "brag" on the box but it is one of the most refreshing and delicious bourbons out there. ill say this even though ive only had one taste of it.

[smokinjoe]

I have become a big fan of the 1849 as well. Interestingly enough though, after returning home with 2 bottles I picked up at the Festival, I noticed some changes in the bottle labels when compared to a bottle that I have had for a few months. Whereas the old bottle has "8 Years" inside the red shield on the neck label, the new bottles have only the red shield with nothing in them. Also, on the front, main label, to the left of the big "1849", the old label says "Aged In Wood Eight Years". The new bottles have a sticker placed over that. The sticker says "Charcoal Filtered". There is no age statement at all on the new bottles. I have not done a side by side tasting yet, but I fear there may have been a change in the bourbon. Anyone know what's up here?

JOE

[doubleblank]

We heard several distilleries comment that they are removing age statements from their whiskeys as there is a shortage of aged bourbon. For example, Evan Williams being bottled during the Fest did not have a 7yo designation as it normally does (HH hopes this is temporary). It wouldn't surprise me that OF 1849 is also missing an age statement. Barton also is low on aged whiskey.

Randy