Top Ten American Whiskeys...One More Time

[Scorpius]

The only reason your list is short is because you've only made one trip to my bunker so far...:slappin::icon_pidu:

This of course, will change....

By the way, welcome to SB.com! Another St Louis bourbonian is now here. Ya'll make him welcome please, either because of or in spite of me.....

You do not lie my friend! Give me time, I will have me own bunker.

I do have a bottle of Bookers and a bottle of Woodford Reserve- but I have not opened either and tasted them yet.

[brian12069]

Here's my top ten based on what I have had. Pretty much in order based on taste.

ORVW 15yr 107(this probably surprises no one)

ORVW 10yr 107

WL Weller 12yr 90

Old Weller Antique 7yr 107

Van Winkle Lot B 12 yr 90.4

Old Fitzgaralds 1849 8yr 90 (this stuff is a bargain & delicious)

Old Grandad 114

Rowan's Creek 12yr 101.1(had one bottle & I need to find more!)

Joshua Brook 8yr 90 (price not considered, another bargain!)

Bookers True Barrel 126

There's a few more I could have thrown in there, tough to get it down to ten. I have sampled around 40 to 50 different kinds.

[T47]

nor02lei,

It must be difficult for someone who has tried a large variety, I have not and find that already my list would have changed since I posted it on this thread only a few weeks ago.

This weekend I tried Bookers for the first time in a bar while visiting my son. Wow! I really like that one, Had to have another try the next night to see if it tasted the same to me, and it did. None of the Bourbon I have tried so far has tasted quite that way to me. It warmed my tongue without burning so much that I had to dip my finger into it because I thought for sure it was heated up! It was like warm syrup spreading across my tongue, I am going to have to buy a bottle for myself and see if it remains as good to me.

As far as the Top Tens go, well I take it all with a grain of salt. For a newbie like me it is nice to see what people have put down, so when I walk in a store and see a couple bottles, maybe one has been mentioned and I can try that one first. Of course I am going to have to try them all eventually, just gives my shopping some direction!

I already have to add a new shelf to accommodate my growing bunker, which has busted my self imposed 20 bottle limit and is now at 24 with no end in site :grin:

So far I have enjoyed them all!

[brian12069]

Isn't it great???, I just counted and only have 39 different bourbons on my shelves now.

[T47]

Oh yea, I think its great...my wife, she is not so sure! I picked up what appear to be the last 2 bottles of Rittenhouse Rye in the State of WA. when we were over visiting my son at College. The nice thing about State run stores, they have one web site, that list's everything available, which store has it, and how much stock is remaining. This liquor store with the Rittenhouse was one block from my son's school, all the way across the State from where we live. She of course thinks I am up to something, she wants to know what the odds of that "really" happening are! Lucky for me they were not pricey bottles! Of course, now I need to save up for the Bookers. Here in WA it goes for $53.95.

[gr8erdane]

Brian, you mean Joshua Brook is actually for drinking? I bought a bottle at a local discount liquor and cigarette store for I think about 6 bucks from the bargain bin and the guy at the counter shuddered as he asked me if I was actually going to drink it. Scared the bejezzus outta me so I haven't even opened it. Figured he might have heard someone went blind on the stuff or something...:stickpoke:

[1holegrouper]

101 (my everyday, I get it out the door $17 flat, and nothing comes close for the $$$. I have paid 3x's as much for less satisfy'n bourbon

You are very right on this one. WT101 comes close to Knob Creek in taste yet is $10 less in price where I live.

[brian12069]

Brian, you mean Joshua Brook is actually for drinking? I bought a bottle at a local discount liquor and cigarette store for I think about 6 bucks from the bargain bin and the guy at the counter shuddered as he asked me if I was actually going to drink it. Scared the bejezzus outta me so I haven't even opened it. Figured he might have heard someone went blind on the stuff or something...:stickpoke:

I didn't base anything on price, just my taste buds, that stuff is a bargain!

[gr8erdane]

Well, you convinced me to give it a try. Maybe during Thursday night chat so that if I drop out for a while someone can dial 911....

[brian12069]

Your funny, let me know how you like it.

[Ambernecter]

Not even read what you guys have posted... I'll do that after I post my picks, pretty much in order of my faves.

1. RHF

2. GTS '03 (I still have 2 bottles of this!)

3. VW Lot B

4. Booker's

5. VWFRR 13 YO

6. Hirsh 16

7. WT 12 YO

8. WT 1855 Reserve

9. ORVW 10YO/107

10. Elmer T Lee.

Honourable mentions go to...

Bakers, Eagle Rare 17, Rowan's Creek, George Dickle 12YO and ORVW 15YO/107 - this last one is very good but the finish is way too dry for me compared to it's younger cousin.

I'm off to see what all the rest of you chose. I'll likely kick myself when I see what I forgot!

[T47]

I realize this thread is not an exact science, and that since people have posted their lists, they probably already want to change them.... but I just can't stop myself! So hear it is in all its fallibility, after 42 voters and 110 different bottling's;

1) ORVW 15 (16 votes) Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery

2) WT RR 101 (15 votes) Austin Nichols Distillery

3) Van Winkle Lot B (14 votes) Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery

4) Elmer T Lee (13 votes) Buffalo Trace

5) WT RB (12 votes) Austin Nichols Distillery

6) George T Stagg (12 votes) Buffalo Trace

7) WT 12 (11 votes) Austin Nichols Distillery

8) Pappy Van Winkle 15 (10 votes) Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery

9) Pappy Van Winkle 20 (10 votes) Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery

10) Bookers (11 votes) James Beam

:toast:

[T47]

I see I need to move Bookers into position 8, but my computer boots me from the net every time I hit the edit button

[photogjunkie]

Don't know if I can pick just 10, but I'll try.

HIGH DOLLAR

A.H. Hirsh 16yo

Distillers Masterpiece

Pappy 20yo

MID-PRICE

Bakers

Bookers

Sam Houston 10yo

George T. Stagg

BARGIN-PRICED

Buffalo Trace

Elijah Craig 12yo

Virginia Gentleman

[ProofPositive]

I realize this thread is not an exact science, and that since people have posted their lists, they probably already want to change them.... but I just can't stop myself! So hear it is in all its fallibility, after 42 voters and 110 different bottling's;toast:

Great Job!!! Appreciate very much you keeping up with this long running post. As we have discussed in the past, I enjoy seeing the rankings and watching them change from time to time. What is interesting - but not surprising, is the #1 position remaining unrelinquished thus far by ORVW15. It only surprises me that the lead is not greater. Being a huge fan of VW and WT, I cannot disagree with either one being on top!

Thanks again for your diligence in this regard,

Wayne

[ProofPositive]

I see I need to move Bookers into position 8, but my computer boots me from the net every time I hit the edit button

That's OK. I think your computer is deliberately refusing to make the change. They say that computers do not make mistakes and though the sheer numbers dictate that you move Booker's to #8......I for one will go along with your computer and keep it where it is. In fact, I fail to understand how it made the list. Must be some folks up at Beam stuffing the ballot box! Just kidding! I guess I'm too hard on Beam at times!

[Ambernecter]

Lordy!

After seeing just how crazily popular ORVW 15YO/107 is I feel foolish putting it into my honourable mentions list. Can't believe RHF is not in the top 10 either!

I really do prefer the 10YO VW though - well maybe one more snifter of each, just to be sure...

Super work on keeping the scores Todd!

[T47]

Ah, Rock Hill Farms, another that should be on the list at tied for 10 position with 10 votes...I really need to get Adobe on my Computer so I can copy and paste the list. I have Word, so I have to go back an forth and when I put it on here, re-write it each time. I will switch the list over to Adobe at work today, so I can straighten that out.

[nor02lei]

Lordy!

After seeing just how crazily popular ORVW 15YO/107 is I feel foolish putting it into my honourable mentions list.

I really do prefer the 10YO VW though - well maybe one more snifter of each, just to be sure...

Super work on keeping the scores Todd!

Well than we are 2 and I would also put ORVW 15 into my honourable mentions list if I had one. I’m also impressed of Todd’s work on the al together list.

Leif

[Geo]

Update on Top Ten for me:

1. George T. Stagg Fall '05

2. George T. Stagg Spring '05

3. William Larue Weller

4. Pappy Van Winkle 15yr

5. Old Weller Antique 107

6. Bookers

7. Buffalo Trace

8. Old Rip Van Winkle 10yr

9. Wild Turkey 101

10. Eagle Rare 101

[brian12069]

Well, you convinced me to give it a try. Maybe during Thursday night chat so that if I drop out for a while someone can dial 911....

Well...how did you make out???

[T47]

So now I find out that ER 10 and ER 101 are the same thing...creates a little shift along with a couple people who chose to change some votes. Our new current top ten is as follows;

1) Van Winkle Lot B (16) Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery

2) ORVW 15 (16) Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery

3) WT RR 101 (15) Austin Nichols Distillery

4) George T Stagg (15) Buffalo Trace

5) Bookers (13) James Beam

6) Elmer T Lee (13) Buffalo Trace

7) Eagle Rare 10 (12) Buffalo Trace

8) WT RB 912) Austin Nichols Distiller

9) Pappy Van Winkle 15 (11) Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery

10) Pappy Van Winkle 20 (11) Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery

If its true that Pappy 15 and ORVW 15 are the same thing, that's the run away favorite with 27 Votes. I really need to try some Stagg...between all the different releases it has 24 votes (Thats covers those who just voted for GT Stagg, any year, and the 9 folks who like a certain year better [2002 through fall of 2005] than others.

In my region, the least expensive bottle with the most votes, EC 12 (10).

114 Different Bottles, 44 Voters

:toast:

[bluesbassdad]

So now I find out that ER 10 and ER 101 are the same thing...

I have both on my shelf right now.

Eagle Rare Single Barrel is ten years old and 90 proof. It's packaged in the same tall, elegant bottle as the Antique Collection (Stagg, Saz, etc.).

Eagle Rare is also 10 years old, and it's 101 proof. My bottle happens to be plastic and 1.75 l. capacity. I understand from others on this board that this bottling has been discontinued.

I suppose the bourbon might be the same as it is/was dumped from the barrel, but it is different in the bottle.

Yours truly,

Dave Morefield

[T47]

A couple voted for ER SB, the others just listed at ER 10 (which is 101) or ER 101 (Which is the 10 non SB version) so what the heck...It's not really scientific anyway!

The EC 12 is $19.00 here in WA. The ER 10 (non SB version) is only $20. The only other "near 20 or less" bottle that had a bigger group of votes was BT which is also $20 here when you can get it.

For me it just helps me to recognize bottles when I walk in the store and helps to narrow my shopping. I don't think I have seen unanimous dislike of any brand yet, seems at least one person always has something good to say.

[ThomasH]

I decided to put a different spin on the top 10 list: I have picked out my favorite american whiskies from each distillery, including Tennessee and rye. there might actually be a few more than 10, but you get the basic idea. Not all are the oldest or most expensive, just my favorites based on taste and price:

Pappy Van Winkle 15/107

Buffalo Trace

Jim Beam Black label

Wild Turkey Russells Reserve 101

Gentlemans Jack Daniels

Woodford Reserve

Wild Turkey Rye

Bulleit Frontier bourbon

Johnny Drum 15

Evan Williams 1783 10yr.

Makers Mark mint Julep

Colonel Lee 100

Now before anybody takes any good natured pot shots at my list or declares me insane, a few notes on the above list. I just plain love the Van Winkle 15, eespecially considering the price of the other Van Winkles. the Buffalo Trace is easy to get, tastes great and is an excellent value. Jim Beam black is like an old friend, its been with me since the beginning of my legalized consumption ( way back in 1986). Wild Turkey Russells Reserve 101, my current favorite bourbon, enough said. Gentlemans Jack Daniels, my favorite of this overhyped, underproof group. if you notice, there is no George Dickel on the list, mainly because I haven't found one I like yet, and I've tried them all. Woodford Reserve, another one I just liked from the 1st taste. Wild Turkey rye, a good balance between taste and texture, sort of rough and tumble, the way I like rye. Bulleit, good taste and price, available everywhere in my area. Johnny Drum 15, the only KBD whiskey I've had and bought this for the incredible price of 21.88. Evan Williams 1783, not a big HH fan, but this is excellent value for the money. Makers Mark mint julep, my favorite whiskey liquer type drink, not easy to get, but I wisely bought a case after first taste and before the price doubled. last and maybe least, Colonel Lee 100, at 6.65 a bottle on closeout in the great state of Ohio, this is the perfect, economical fuel to add to my favorite mixer, ginger ale. OK everyone, not that I let my cats out of the bag, give it your best shot!

Thomas