BOTM, 5/06: 1792 Ridgemont Reserve

[jeff]

The initial release of this month's BOTM caused quite a stir in the bourbon industry. While many new brands need years of product placement and marketing to insure widespread success, this bourbon catapulted quickly onto the radar with instant notoriety gained from a trademark dispute with Brown-Foreman. Although ultimately unsuccessfull in court--the name was changed and the styling tweeked--the quality of the contents remain the same. This month's Straightbourbon.com Bourbon of the Month is:

1792 Ridgemont Reserve

The friendly folks at Barton have been generous to the members of Straightboubon.com by granting access to their rarely-seen distillery and rickhouses. I was reminded again at the recent Bourbon Festival Sampler of what an excellent bourbon this is. Not simply honey-barrels of VOB, 1792 is a unique product that stands out in the crowd.

Now what do you think?

:893drillsergeant-thSound off:893drillsergeant-th

[BourbonJoe]

I agree with you Jeff, I think 1792 is a decent bourbon. I especially liked the barrel proof version that Greg Davis gave us when we toured Barton this past Sampler. That whiskey was one of the best whiskies I have ever tasted. Now if they only bottled Barrel Proof 1792. :frown: :banghead:

Joe :usflag:

[jeff]

If that's the same barrel we tasted from in September, you're right it's fantastic. It's my understanding that 1792 is a mingling of that "1792" mashbill and the VOB mashbill, so I guess they can't do a true 1792 single barrel.

[TNbourbon]

I'll say this for you, Jeff -- you keep costing me money with the BOTM:lol: . In this case, I have the choice of either going out and buying what will be a $30+ bourbon after sales tax, or opening a 'collectible' first issue which brought $80+ the last time I sold/traded one (SHHHH!!!) -- it's the only version I have in the house. I've never bought the Ridge'mont' label.

[BourbonSteve]

Jeff, how ironic! Twice last week I almost bought this bottle. I've seen markedly differing reviews on it but I held off. Now I have a reason.......................

[bluesbassdad]

Hi Time has this on sale for $23.99.

(They also have Elmer T Lee on sale for $20.99 and HP 12, an overseas spirit, for $29.99. Ask me how I know all of this. :grin: )

Yours truly,

Dave Morefield

[Virus_Of_Life]

Hi Time has this on sale for $23.99.

(They also have Elmer T Lee on sale for $20.99 and HP 12, an overseas spirit, for $29.99. Ask me how I know all of this. :grin: )

Yours truly,

Dave Morefield

How DO you know all of this Dave? Checking the website or are you in town?

Either way I appreciate the info as I was going to go to another favorite spot of mine and spend a dollar or two more, every dollar saved is a dollar towards a different bottle... I'll pick it up this weekend.

You didn't mention though that those ETLs are from two single barrels they chose, just wish they would have labeled them properly so I'd know which is which :smiley_acbt: ...

[bluesbassdad]

Christian,

To answer your question, it's all Jeff's fault. The BOTM is one that is not only not presently on my shelf, I've never tasted it. Furthermore, I'd bet there's not a bottle in the State of Arizona, much less in my little corner of the high desert.

Those circumstances led me to visit the Hi Time website. When I saw that the Ridgemont was on sale, I knew I couldn't stop at ordering just one bottle. I scrolled through all their whisk(e)y lists looking for bargains. Finding a couple of my favorite pours on sale sealed the deal.

Yours truly,

Dave Morefield

[cas]

I think I've mentioned before - this is the only bourbon I've tried since I started drinking bourbon - that I actively disliked. It was over a year ago when I bought a bottle and I was excited to see something new on the shelf. But I thought it was harsh and unpleasant. Some bourbons aren't very interesting, but this was not at all enjoyable. I paid about $25 if I remember correctly.

Craig

[nor02lei]

The friendly folks at Barton have been generous to the members of Straightboubon.com by granting access to their rarely-seen distillery and rickhouses. I was reminded again at the recent Bourbon Festival Sampler of what an excellent bourbon this is. Not simply honey-barrels of VOB, 1792 is a unique product that stands out in the crowd.

Jeff,

This is good information! I have had big problems with Barton’s in my planning for my September Kentucky visit. They nether have tourist roundabouts nor answering email or letters. If they do grant access to their rarely-seen distillery and rickhouse for SB.com members I would like to know home to contact and how to do it. By the way. I have had the same problem with Brown Forman and Willet.

Leif

[Nebraska]

Picked up a bottle at one of my favorite stops today and hazaa, it was on sale.

I really like the bottle itself, nice design. The thick base of the bottle mimics what I like in my drinking glassware.

As for the pour itself, I found it to be pleasant, not over-powering, but pleasant. I can see this being another Summer pour.

The nose (or my nose anyway) seemed like butterscotch candy, maybe with a little spice drop added in. One of the more agreeable inviting aromas that I have sensed in bourbon.

First sip and entry is smooth and even somewhat cool. sliding into orange transitioning to a hint of lemon and finally candied fruit. There's another distinct flavor I'm getting half way through, but I apologize I am unable to put a label on it.

This is something I will be revisiting and probably buying an extra bottle of. I'm not sure that I could call this a top 10 for me, but it certainly is not a bottom 20.

Thank you for picking this as BOTM. I would have not been tasting this anytime soon or at all, if it had not been for this activity.

Mark/Nebraska

[TNbourbon]

...I have the choice of...opening a 'collectible' first issue which brought $80+ the last time I sold/traded one (SHHHH!!!) -- it's the only version I have in the house. I've never bought the Ridge'mont' label.

I failed to mention that I thought the early version was excellent -- and available under $25. It was, I thought, the best thing Barton has issued. It seems to have taken a price hike, at least in Middle Tennessee, since issue.

[BobA]

I haven't had this in a while. My recollection is that when I first sampled it, fairly early in my bourbon explorations, I thought "really good." After trying a bunch of other stuff and revisiting the back half of the Rodgemont bottle, I concluded "pleasant, but not much more." I think of it as a good pour but without any particular distinction; sort of middle-of-the-road in profile. Probably need to pick up another bottle.

Bob

[AJ123]

I have a dozen unopened bottles of very nice bourbon that I was hoping that BOTM would tell me which one to open. Unfortunately this isn't one and I haven't seen it at any of my local stores. What price should it go for (I'm in Dallas).

[Nebraska]

Probably close to $25 to $30, mine was $26.49.

[Virus_Of_Life]

I failed to mention that I thought the early version was excellent -- and available under $25. It was, I thought, the best thing Barton has issued. It seems to have taken a price hike, at least in Middle Tennessee, since issue.

Is the to say Tim, that the newer version is not as good? I know, I'll judge for myself this weekend after I pick one up and get over this little bit of a nagging sore throat and cold!........ Or I might just try to kill the cold with high proof whiskey!!! :drinking:

[TNbourbon]

Is the to say Tim, that the newer version is not as good? I know, I'll judge for myself this weekend after I pick one up and get over this little bit of a nagging sore throat and cold!........ Or I might just try to kill the cold with high proof whiskey!!! :drinking:

I don't know if it's any better than the current one -- I had an original one open when the lawsuit ruling came down, and discovered another with a split wood stopper, so opened it. Those are the only two I've tasted. I've never bought the current one.

I did taste it at the recent Sampler in Bardstown and thought it pretty good, but I'm not in any hurry to buy another bottle of anything, what with the open bottles I brought back with me from tastings:

[ATTACH]2680[/ATTACH]

[Hedmans Brorsa]

I really like this one. I have to add, though, that this assessment stems from just one bottle, bought just after christmas, so it feels fairly new to me.

I´m sure that many of the Stagg devotees of this world dismisses this Bourbon as bland and undemanding but I feel that the Bourbon world must prove itself on many flavour arenas.

To me, Ridgemont fits into the same mould as EWSB and Four Roses. Best suited for a warm summer evening, perhaps?

As for the tasting notes : I found Mark´s to be really on the spot. You almost took the words straight out of my mouth!

To satisfy my curiousity : do the tasting notes on the handwritten back label differ? On my bottle it says : "RICH FLAVOR, VELVETY", Warehouse Z (or possibly 7).

P.S Tim, for some reason, that attachment of yours does not work for me.

[SBOmarc]

My impressions of this bottle come guilt free considering my loving wife found it and brought it home last month. After tasting it I can say that although it has it's moments I can't seem to like it. Especially when I compare it price wise to some others.

There are just too many other better tasting pours that I can find for less money. 1792 is $29 here in my town.

[GoodDrinkin]

Well, how do you do! I hadn't tried this BOTM and when I visited the ABC store I found that it was on sale for $23.95. Bingo!

As others have stated it is on the lighter side. A nice sweetness on the front of the tongue and cinnimon on the back. Not overly complex and I wouldn 't say it's in my top 5, but very drinkable. Comparable to Woodford Reserve IMO.

I'll be keeping it on hand when I'm in the mood for an easy drinking pour or for newbies to drinking bourbon neat.

[Virus_Of_Life]

First impressions are not good. Nothing significant on the nose and not much in the taste either just a fairly pleasant finish. Maybe it just needs to air for a couple of days... I'll withold final opinion as always until the end of the month.

BUT regardless, thanks again to Dave :thankyousign: for the tip on the sale at Hi Time!!!

[ProofPositive]

First time to get into a bottle of 1792. I was visiting a fairly new store today in town and found it for $19.99. Although I had planned to get one before the month was out, could not pass it up at that price. Everywhere else I have seen 1792 locally it has been $24.99 & up. So, it followed me home at a date in May earlier than expected.

My first impression....a little on rough side going in and a decent sized burn at the end with a definite alcohol aftertaste. I let it sit open for a couple of hours and got busy with some work. Went back for a second pour and found it much more enjoyable to my pleasant surprise! The late burn is still visible but less pronounced this time around. Although my tastebuds are very novice and pretty dulled after years of close friendship with Tabasco, I pick up a hint of cinnamon, apples and caramel on the nose with some slight licorice going away at the end. Overall, it is a great pick for BOTM. If it was not the pick for May, it would have likely been many moons before I tried a bottle of 1792. So, thanks JEFF for the selection! There's just no way I was going to open my 'Ridgewood' bottle.....even for BOTM!

[MurphyDawg]

The friendly folks at Barton have been generous to the members of Straightboubon.com by granting access to their rarely-seen distillery and rickhouses. I was reminded again at the recent Bourbon Festival Sampler of what an excellent bourbon this is. Not simply honey-barrels of VOB, 1792 is a unique product that stands out in the crowd.

Now what do you think?

:893drillsergeant-thSound off:893drillsergeant-th

Ooooooo I wish I coulda seen the Barton digs ;-).

But I think this is probably (esp with the tweaking of Russells Reserve) the best cost/quality ration bourbon you can get in central ohio. Recommended.

Tom (not dead) C

[pepcycle]

The thing that attracts me to this bourbon is the mouth feel.

It is unusually viscous and round.

I find this very appealing.

Most bourbons in this price range show a thin quality commensurate with the price.

Not oily.

Flavors of Caramel and baked apple are balanced nicely.

I like this. It stands in the upper half of my choice selections.

[bluesbassdad]

Impressions:

1. Handsome bottle. Elegant, yet brawny.
   
2. Burlap around neck looks cool in a 1958 Buick tailfin sort of way.
   
3. Plastic shrink-seal comes off easily.
   
4. I grasp stopper and twist gently.
   
5. Stopper is in my hand; cork is still in the bottle. The recessed bottom of the stopper, where the cork should be, shows glue on less than 20% of its surface. It never stood a chance.
   
6. Using a champagne cork-style of alternating thumb pressure I manage to extract the cork in two minutes.
   
7. I'm too annoyed for objective tasting right now. Recork it and wait until later.

Yours truly,

Dave Morefield