RockHill Farms

[Frodo]

<u>Can anyone tell me about this bourbon</u> . I'm a huge fan of BT products, and my current favourite is Blanton's with Elmer T. Lee comming in second. I've heard that RHF uses the same mashbill, and I've heard posters talking about a resemblance between the whiskies.

I'm also not sure about prices this stuff goes for. In Ontario, Blanton's is 50% more expensive than ETL. How does RHF compare?

[Edward_call_me_Ed]

Hi Frodo,

All I can tell you about it is that I really want to try it. Really, Really.

Ed

[musher]

I'd suggest that you start here, and I'm sure there's a lot more you can find about our opinions of RHF via the "Search" page.

[Frodo]

Thanks Musher. Actually it's the thread you referred to that spurred my curiosity...

[TNbourbon]

Frodo, good to see you take a turn for 'the dark side' , even if only temporarily.

Here's some of Buffalo Trace's promotional info about Rock Hill Farms, but pretty accurate nonetheless:

Rock Hill Farms

Sweet, with very subdued alcohol heat.

[ThomasH]

Hello,

In the US Elmer T. Lee costs from 22.00-25.00, Rock Hill farms runs from 35.00-40.00 and Blantons is about 45.00-50.00. In Ohio right now, Blantons runs 38.80 a bottle, down from 48.00 a bottle when it first came out here.

Thomas

[TNbourbon]

...In the US Elmer T. Lee costs from 22.00-25.00, Rock Hill farms runs from 35.00-40.00 and Blantons is about 45.00-50.00. In Ohio right now, Blantons runs 38.80 a bottle, down from 48.00 a bottle when it first came out here.

Thomas

That should read "in parts of the U.S." I've never seen Elmer T. Lee below $28 here in Tennessee (it's more often over $30), or Rock Hill Farm below $45 (it's more often at $50 or more). And that's before we offer you the chance to contribute to the state's coffers with at least a 9.25% sales tax (can be as high as 9.75% locally).

[voigtman]

... In the US Elmer T. Lee costs from 22.00-25.00, Rock Hill farms runs from 35.00-40.00 and Blantons is about 45.00-50.00. In Ohio right now, Blantons runs 38.80 a bottle, down from 48.00 a bottle when it first came out here.

Like Tim says. Regular prices around here in western Massachusetts: ETL is $22.49 (newly available, BTW), Blanton's is $44 minimum and RHF is about $56, and only available at a shop with no sales.

Frodo: Welcome to StraightBourbon! Great folks here and lots of help.

[Edward_call_me_Ed]

Hi Frodo,

I was going to welcome you to SB.com but then I noticed that you had joined before me....

Ed

[robbyvirus]

Interestingly, and pleasantly, the price of Rock Hill Farms out here in San Francisco has dropped over the past year or so. I used to never see it for below $50, with $52 being the standard price. Then maybe six months ago I started seeing it in the mid-40s, and today I saw some at BevMo (a big retailer) for $38.99

[Frodo]

So it's not as readily available as - say Beam Black label?

[Frodo]

And thanks for the welcome all! We don't get much of a choice of bourbon up here in Ontario, but every once in a while, the state run stores (LCBO) will get a limited shipment of something good. Last year, we got a small shipment of unfiltered Blanton's for $80 Cdn (about $70 US). Still thinking about one of those bottles...

[pepcycle]

You actually have an unlimited supply of bourbons via a process called vatting. Its used in areas where only a few bourbons are available to create a fictional version of another bourbon. Try it.

[Northern_Spirit]

Hey Frodo - Rockhill Farms is really REALLY nice stuff! Not easy to find, though. You can't get it in Ontario so whenever I'm in the U.S. I try to find a bottle or two, but I'm only successfull about 50% of the time!

I think it was around $45 - $50 a bottle last time I bought it in May when I was in KY.

[ProofPositive]

That should read "in parts of the U.S." I've never seen Elmer T. Lee below $28 here in Tennessee (it's more often over $30), or Rock Hill Farm below $45 (it's more often at $50 or more). And that's before we offer you the chance to contribute to the state's coffers with at least a 9.25% sales tax (can be as high as 9.75% locally).

Tim,

FYI Update: Just about everywhere I have been lately in & around Memphis have ETL for under $30. Such was not the case a couple of months ago. For some reason the stores around here have dropped the price over the last 3-4 weeks. I bought my first ETL on Friday for $25.99 + my contribution to the state's coffers. Maybe you will see same decrease soon......but, with the distributors holding all the cards in TN, who knows?

[TNbourbon]

...in & around Memphis...

As you likely know, Wayne, Tennessee is divided into four independent distribution areas -- East, Middle, West and Southeast (Chattanooga area) -- and only a couple of distributors operate in multiple areas. Prices and product availability differ among them. In my 3-1/2 years working at a retail liquor store here in Middle Tennessee, I've NEVER known any of the five distributors to drop its price on any product without requiring the retailer to purchase quantities impossible for all but the largest stores.

As for ETL, I purchased a wax-top bottle locally 10 or so days ago for its typical $31.99 plus tax.

[ProofPositive]

I still have not 'broke down' and tried a bottle of RHF. From all that is reported here, it sounds pretty strong. Also, if you take a look at another thread here in the "General" section of the Forum entitled "Top Ten American Whiskeys", you'll see RHF appear in quite a few lists. I trust you guys so I'll have to give it a try soon.

I just wonder how it stacks up against Blanton's(?). That is another one off the top shelf I have yet to try. A large local retailer here is still selling 750ml Blanton's at their holiday price of$39.99 plus tax which makes it hard for me to pass up in favor of the more expensive RHF. Usually, it is the other way around. I probably ought to pick one up before they are gone. I have settled into a Van Winkle, WTKS, & Stagg mode of late and it has become very difficult for me to get motivated enough to spend money on other top-shelfers at present.

[ratcheer]

I love both Rock Hill Farms and Blanton's. My RHF was somewhat more expensive than my Blanton's ($52 to 46, about 12% higher), but others have reported the opposite.

Because Blanton's is a bit more sophisticated, a little tamer, I have a slight preference for RHF as I prefer a bigger, bolder taste. That said, there are very strong similarities between these two.

Elmer T. Lee is also very similar to both and, for the price, it is the hands down winner. But, for absolute top shelf bourbons, both Blanton's and RHF deserve strong consideration.

Tim

[SBOmarc]

Out here on the Left Coast I can find Blanton's at $46 plus and have seen it as hugh as $52. Rock Hill $43 at most. I agree with the previous post on the differences in the taste and flavors, but have another bottle that BT also makes that I had tried post Blanton's and before RHF. The Eagle Rare SB reminded me of Blanton's also. Has anyone else had that reaction?

[ProofPositive]

It sounds like Blanton's and RHF is nearly one in the same. The prices flip-flop back & forth, one higher here & the other somewhere else.

[Sijan]

I tend to think of Blanton's as being sweeter, Rock Hill Farms as being more spicy rye-heavy bourbon. Although I like sweet bourbons, I tend to prefer the Rock Hill Farms. However, I've had more of the RHF than the Blanton's, so it's hard to say for sure.

They are generally priced similarly, in the low-mid 40s to over $50. I have seen ETL range from low 20s to mid 30s. The new, non-wax bottles of ETL seem to be cheaper than the older wax variety.

[jburlowski]

To my palette, Blanton's has a much drier finish than RHF. RHF is one of my favorites BT products... hasn't let me down yet.

[Ambernecter]

Move Heaven and Earth to try RHF. That's all I can advise...

I like and respect all BT products but RHF is head and shoulders above anything else I've ever tried, from any distillery.

I have had several bottles of RHF over the years, and although some were slightly better than others, ALL of them were the best whiskey I have ever had.

It is 40 pounds in England and I would pay more if I had to - simply perfect!

[ratcheer]

Move Heaven and Earth to try RHF. That's all I can advise...

I like and respect all BT products but RHF is head and shoulders above anything else I've ever tried, from any distillery.

I have had several bottles of RHF over the years, and although some were slightly better than others, ALL of them were the best whiskey I have ever had.

It is 40 pounds in England and I would pay more if I had to - simply perfect!

I agree.

Tim

[KYBlue]

Light, rich, and very good.

If you're in the mood for a lighter, not hot sip.... it's a fine choice.