Four Roses Single Barrel or WT RB

[kress]

What is to recommend for a beginner in the world of bourbon,

Four Roses Single Barrel or Wild Turkey Rare Breed ?

[TNbourbon]

Assuming you have access to Four Roses Single Barrel -- it's only available in Kentucky -- I'd think that would be more approachable (not to mention its lower proof) than Rare Breed.

[kress]

Tank’s for your suggestion. Four Roses Single Barrel is possible to order in the state run liquor store “Systembolaget†44$ a bottle (0,7l).

[PFC]

Hi Kress, nice to see another Swede on the forum.

The Four Roses Single Barrel available at Systembolaget is the european version, not the one recently launched in Kentucky. The european FRSB is 86 proof (43%) as opposed to 100 proof (50%)for the new one. The european FRSB is very mild and gentle for a bourbon, I actually find it rather boring, If I need gentle I pour a glass of Irish. WT Rare Breed is a totally different animal, big, bold and spicy. Personally I would pick Rare Breed over FRSB nine times out of ten. If it's a bit overpowering you can always throw in a cube of ice or water it down a bit.

There is actually a third option I strongly recommend. The "Buffalo Trace"-bourbon is vanishing fast from the standard assortment. It's gone in Stockholm, but you can order it from other stores where they still have it.

http://www.systembolaget.se/SokDrycker/VarFinnsVaranExternt.htm?ArtikelNr=1060101&LanNr=00&SokVarugrupp=Sprit

It's about ten years old and actually cheaper than both WTRB and FRSB. Considering price and quality, I would go for that one.

Better still, go to the Saddle & Sabre in Stockholm (http://www.saddleandsabre.com/) and taste them side by side, then you would know for sure.

Cheers

Mats

[Ambernecter]

I agree with what you said Mats - the 4 Roses can be a tad bland compared to something like RB.

However I feel Tim is on the money with his observation.

Anything of quality below 90 proof is a great newbie friendly intro. RB at around 108 proof could well be too hot to handle. I remember on frequent occasions friends (newbies to Bourbon) unable to finish a slug of WT 101 let alone anything stronger.

Your suggestion of BT is spot on as well Mats. Real good value, great flavour at a perfect 90 proof - great intro Bourbon IMO.

[kress]

Better still, go to the Saddle & Sabre in Stockholm (http://www.saddleandsabre.com/) and taste them side by side, then you would know for sure.

Cheers

Mats

Tank’s! I’ll visit that establishment as soon as possible. Beside Buffalo Trace, is there something else, from systembolaget, which you can recommend? I’ve already tried Evan Williams Single Barrel 1995 and was very pleased.

Kress

[PFC]

Well, even though the the special order assortment "beställningssortimentet" contains some very fine bourbons (like Blantins Gold, Hirsch 16, Pappy van Winkle 15, Elmer T Lee), it's difficult to recommend any of them due to the ridiculous pricing. Elmer T Lee is listed at about 80 US$, Hirsch at 140$. Unless money is not an issue for you, it's simply not worth it. The only one I can recommend even though it's not a favourite of mine is Elijah Craig 12. It costs the same as the FRSB and is liked by many. Great value anyhow.

/Mats

[Hedmans Brorsa]

Well, whaddayaknow! Yet another Swede on this board.Welcome Kress! (Barring Americans, I think there are now more Swedes here than all the other nationalities put together!).

I have no idea what you already have tried but among those not so pricey from the "Beställningssortiment" I definitely think you should try Knob Creek and Wild Turkey 8yo (Rare Breed is better, though).

I prefer RB to Knob Creek, too, but maybe the latter would be a more logical follow-up to EWSB? KC is not so heavy as it used to be, perhaps filling in the middle slot between lighter Bourbons like F. Roses and EWSB and heavyweight champs like RB and the Van Winkles.

It has to be said, though, that the European version of the F. Roses SB has a lovely nose! Must be experienced!

[nor02lei]

Better still, go to the Saddle & Sabre in Stockholm (http://www.saddleandsabre.com/) and taste them side by side, then you would know for sure.

Cheers

Mats

Mats,

You are lucky to have near (I got 230 km from Borlänge) to Sadle&sabre and all the other fantastic bars and restaurants in Stockholm. I must say I have never seen such drink culture anywhere else of the places/city’s in the world that I have visited. I got several of favourites places there and S&S is one of them. Very big assortment of bourbon and American micro brewery beer and a charismatic owner. If I should complain about anything I must say that the prices are a bit high. By the way. One of my other favourite places is on the other side of the street a little closer to Sveavägen. Broncos bar which have very good food and you won’t go hungry from there!

Leif

[nor02lei]

Kress,

Must say I am also pleased to see one more Swede on this forum.

Leif

[kbuzbee]

Assuming you have access to Four Roses Single Barrel -- it's only available in Kentucky -- I'd think that would be more approachable (not to mention its lower proof) than Rare Breed.

Tim, you cut me to the quick recommending 4R over RB! How could you? (not that I disagree with your analysis but I'd have to recommend RB - of course)

ciao,

Ken

[PFC]

You are lucky to have near (I got 230 km from Borlänge) to Sadle&sabre and all the other fantastic bars and restaurants in Stockholm.

Yeah, I know. S&S is just a 10 minute walk away from where I live, and I truly appreciate my situation. Another favourite is Glenfiddich Warehouse nr 66, it's perhaps a bit upscale, but the have some fantastic swedish microbrews I haven't found anywhere else (Landsorts, Nynäshamns Ångbryggeri).

If I should complain about anything I must say that the prices are a bit high.

You're right about that. Sometimes Rob's prices doesn't make sense at all. When I told him that Ridgewood had been forced to change name to Ridgemont he jacked up the price to a ridiculous 99skr/cl (12$/cl) as if someone would pay collector prices for a drink at a bar. Sure, if he sold a full bottle att e-bay, but I mean, the whiskey didn't change, only the packaging. I have two problems with this, one is that people not in the know forks out huge amounts of money believing they're drinking the finest Kentucky has to offer when it's possibly a quite ordinary pour. The other one is that I can't bring myself to pay up for a taste on my own...

By the way, Leif, thanks for your advice on Macha. Yesterday I got a bottle of Lottas Home and two ORVW15. I opened up one ORVW15 and it really lived up to my (rather high) expectations, wonderful.

/Mats

[Hedmans Brorsa]

Must say I am also pleased to see one more Swede on this forum.

Strange, though, isn´t it?

Why don´t we see any Danes, Norwegians or Finns on this forum? (Not to mention Germans). I´ve got the impression that Bourbon is much more popular and visible in Denmark than here.

I know for a fact that four or five years ago, Sweden was heads and shoulders above the rest of the world when it came to broadband connections per capita. But surely the others should have caught up by now?

[nor02lei]

Another favourite is Glenfiddich Warehouse nr 66, it's perhaps a bit upscale, but the have some fantastic swedish microbrews I haven't found anywhere else (Landsorts, Nynäshamns Ångbryggeri).

Mats,

I have been there ones when it was named Ardbeg room. There beer assortment was as you said real impressive but they did serve the draft to cold for my personal taste. Perhaps it has been better since then.

Leif

By the way, Leif, thanks for your advice on Macha. Yesterday I got a bottle of Lottas Home and two ORVW15. I opened up one ORVW15 and it really lived up to my (rather high) expectations, wonderful.

/Mats

I did mail him about the Lottas Home again as well but he said it was sold out. Perhaps you bought the last bottle or else he won’t sell more than one bottle per customer.

Leif

[nor02lei]

Strange, though, isn´t it?

Why don´t we see any Danes, Norwegians or Finns on this forum? (Not to mention Germans). I´ve got the impression that Bourbon is much more popular and visible in Denmark than here.

I know for a fact that four or five years ago, Sweden was heads and shoulders above the rest of the world when it came to broadband connections per capita. But surely the others should have caught up by now?

Lennart,

The Germans have there on forums and I also think they don’t like the English language very well.

Leif

[kress]

Better still, go to the Saddle & Sabre in Stockholm

I’ve visited S & S last night. The selection of Bourbon was outstanding; I’ve tried Jim Beam Black but was not so impressed.

Nose: almost anything, winey.

The palate: vanilla sweet with a very distinct taste of banana.

The finish: remarkably short.

The strange thing was that the owner of the establishment meant that Jim Beam black is one of the most underestimated bourbons on the market.

I’ve also tried Woodford Reserve, quite nice, and Blanton’s gold, so far the most magnificent Bourbon I’ve ever tasted. Amazing!!

[gr8erdane]

Why don´t we see any Danes, Norwegians or Finns on this forum?

Now Lennart, isn't one Dane enough for any forum? Oh you mean from Denmark......:slappin:

[PFC]

The strange thing was that the owner of the establishment meant that Jim Beam black is one of the most underestimated bourbons on the market.

Well, it is rather cheap, and I think it beats JB White and JD hands down. But for a few bucks more (if you can find them..) you get the likes of Weller 12, Elmer T Lee, Buffalo Trace, Ancient Age 10 Years and Elijah Craig 12. Then we're talking underestimated... (not by SB'rs of course..)

I’ve also tried Woodford Reserve, quite nice, and Blanton’s gold, so far the most magnificent Bourbon I’ve ever tasted. Amazing!!

No FRSB or WT RB? You're taste is getting a bit more expensive I believe. The sad news is that Blanton's Gold recently was pulled from Systembolagets special assortment. Now you have to order from England or Germany to get one.

[Hedmans Brorsa]

Now Lennart, isn't one Dane enough for any forum?

Probably. :grin: