High end Bourbon that's not worth the price

[mrt]

Maybe one day I'll see one of the "high-end" bourbons you talk about -like Stag, Elijah craig, etc.- here. But for now, as far as I know, I have to get along with the popular brands like Jim Beam, Bulleit, etc.

I'll keep searching, though...

[Gillman]

The Single Barrel of Four Roses has been available for some time in the EU and some states associated to the Union, and that is as good as bourbon gets, possibly it is available near your locale.

Gary

[mythrenegade]

I see WR here from about 25-32dollars a bottle....

The "honey barrels" are the good barrels the master distiller keeps an eye on and that are much better than all the others.

Old Forester isn't actually a bad bourbon . . . so you can imagine that some barrels were better than others. SOOOO.....just take those barrels...increase the proof just a little, put it in a nice bottle, and POOF! It's Woodfraud Reserve!

Forgive me, but isn't this exactly what Elmer T. Lee is? I thought it was "honey barrels" of Buffalo Trace. ETL seems to be one of the most popular bourbons around here if the "top ten list" threads are any sign.

Joel

[Sijan]

Being quite the fan of Old Forester 100 proof, I certainly don't see the problem with honey barrels of that bourbon being selected and bottled seperately as Woodford Reserve (though I actually don't think they taste all that similar - Woodford is sweeter, with less rye flavor, IMO). Indeed, as Joel points out, this is how small batch and single barrel bourbons are selected at some of my favorite distilleries.

[ratcheer]

Forgive me, but isn't this exactly what Elmer T. Lee is? I thought it was "honey barrels" of Buffalo Trace. ETL seems to be one of the most popular bourbons around here if the "top ten list" threads are any sign.

Joel

Yes, ETL is honey barrels with a sweet taste profile, Blanton's is other honey barrels with a drier profile. Both are from Buffalo Trace distillery and from the same mashbill, but I'm not sure if its the same mashbill as the Buffalo Trace brand bourbon. BT (the distillery) has two mashbills. The other mashbill goes to Stagg, Eagle Rare, etc.

Confusing enough?

Tim

[brian12069]

Yes, ETL is honey barrels with a sweet taste profile, Blanton's is other honey barrels with a drier profile. Both are from Buffalo Trace distillery and from the same mashbill, but I'm not sure if its the same mashbill as the Buffalo Trace brand bourbon. BT (the distillery) has two mashbills. The other mashbill goes to Stagg, Eagle Rare, etc.

Confusing enough?

Tim

Not confusing at all but surprising to me. I'm surprised that ETL and Blanton's is the same mashbill. I find them to taste quite different. What a difference that barrel must make.

[Ambernecter]

I echo your surprise Brian!

Thanks for those snippets Tim, very interesting...

[ratcheer]

You're welcome. There was an interview of Elmer Lee himself on the internet a few years ago. He stated that Blanton's came first and he was given a taste profile for it and he chose the barrels for it. But, he found other barrels that he, personally, preferred because they were sweeter. They decided to market that profile, as well, and it became Elmer T. Lee.

Its possible that that interview could still be found floating around in cyber-space.

Tim

[brian12069]

You're welcome. There was an interview of Elmer Lee himself on the internet a few years ago. He stated that Blanton's came first and he was given a taste profile for it and he chose the barrels for it. But, he found other barrels that he, personally, preferred because they were sweeter. They decided to market that profile, as well, and it became Elmer T. Lee.

Its possible that that interview could still be found floating around in cyber-space.

Tim

Wow Tim, I never knew that. It still surprises me that they are the same animal. I may have to do a "side by side" tasting this weekend. Bacause I have both.

[Ambernecter]

Hey Brian and Tim!

I know for a fact that there is an interview/profile of Elmer T Lee on the BT website. My broadband is not playing too well so I can't check it out. Maybe this is when he said it?

I'll check it out at a later date...

[brian12069]

Just for good measure I'm sampling a little ETL Single barrel 90 proof. Very good, got it on an order from HiTime Wines.