Poll. If you could have only one (distiller)

[Edward_call_me_Ed]

If you could have bourbon from only one distiller, which would it be?

[Edward_call_me_Ed]

If you could have bourbon from only one distiller, which would it be?

Boy, this was a hard one. I know I started it, but still...

I voted for Buffalo Trace, but I would often be found crying into my bourbon missing all my other friends ig I really had to choose.

Ed

[Edward_call_me_Ed]

Wow. Someone was quick on the keyboard. Someone voted before I got my second post in. I know I am a slow typist, but Geeze! Oh, and sorry about the typo in the subject line.

Ed

[Ambernecter]

Wow!

That is a real "gun to the head" type question. I voted BT as well Ed; the floods of tears I would cry over no more VW and WT do not bear thinking about!

Mind you I'm sure a hefty slug of RHF or GTS could help ease the pain! (I was always a quick healer!)

[J.W.]

I had to go with Buffalo Trace but I would find someone to trade with for some Rare Breed.

[barturtle]

I wanted to go Wild Turkey, I really did! But they discontinued RR101 and don''t sell the 12yo domestically. :smiley_acbt:

I would have gone with Buffalo Trace, but they dropped ER101 and the Antique Collection doesn't come to where I live, neither does BT itself even though the distillery is owned by a company out of LA.:hot:

So give me some "other"-KBD.:grin:

[tango-papa]

While I'm still a fledgling Bourbon-Fiend, I had to vote VW.

It's just too good to go without!

~tp

[dougdog]

KBD...OTHER

Mostly, because I believe that they are positioned so uniquely to not only source good barrels from the bulk market, but to craft good whiskey when the stills come online.

With the column still and the pot still, either separate or in conjunction with each other, the combinations of spirit that can be produced is unlimited...especially when you consider the mash bill and yeast combinations that can be created.

There is an added bonus...they are not owned by a big parent company, there is no "bean counter" or marketing department telling them they cannot do something...just imagine the new flavor profiles and small batch whiskies waiting to be created.

The future at the Willett will be VERY interesting!!!!!!!

Just can't wait to taste their whiskey...

[Jake_Parrott]

KBD isn't distilling yet (sadly) and Van Winkle isn't distilling any more (sadly). Perhaps an update to the poll is necessary (sadly).

For now, BT. Let's hope the energy behind Handy and WLW translates to more 100+ proof and less 90 proof stuff in the future .

[Gillman]

Heaven Hill because:

- Bettye Jo works there

- it makes fine bourbon such as EC 18 year old, McKenna Single Barrel, EWSB

- it sells Rittenhouse BIB for very little considering its quality

- it is an independent, family owned business.

Gary

[Edward_call_me_Ed]

KBD isn't distilling yet (sadly) and Van Winkle isn't distilling any more (sadly). Perhaps an update to the poll is necessary (sadly).

I did write distiller/bottler in the actual question.

[Edward_call_me_Ed]

I did want to include KBD. but I ran out of spaces.

Ed

[jburlowski]

Gotta go with BT. Great and broad selection of bourbons, consistent quality and good value. Also fantastic customer focus and service. And, of course, the annual BTAC.

[cowdery]

KBD...OTHER

Mostly, because I believe that they are positioned so uniquely to not only source good barrels from the bulk market, but to craft good whiskey when the stills come online.

With the column still and the pot still, either separate or in conjunction with each other, the combinations of spirit that can be produced is unlimited...especially when you consider the mash bill and yeast combinations that can be created.

There is an added bonus...they are not owned by a big parent company, there is no "bean counter" or marketing department telling them they cannot do something...just imagine the new flavor profiles and small batch whiskies waiting to be created.

The future at the Willett will be VERY interesting!!!!!!!

Just can't wait to taste their whiskey...

Somebody has really drunk the Kulsveen Kool-Aid.

Don't get me wrong. I wish we had 100 companies like KBD. I also wish we had 100 distilleries and I wish they operated under a business model more like Scotland's, so that independent bottling was as dynamic and robust here as it is there.

And I hope they start distilling, either with the column or the pot, or both. Let a thousand flowers bloom.

But let's no kid ourselves. KBD is a business. Their business is putting whiskey into bottles and selling it for as much as they can get. If they have a customer who has some knowledge and taste, who wants to bottle a genuinely special whiskey, they will cater to that. If they have a customer who wants to put any old anything into a fancy bottle with a high price tag, they will cater to that. They have put some wonderful bottles into circulation. They have also put some of the most unspeakable, undrinkable drek into circulation. Whatever pays the freight.

As for the question of the day, I asked myself who makes the best whiskey across the board and that's why I voted for Wild Turkey.

[melting]

This was an absolute no brainer from where I stand. Wild Turkey hands down if only for the fact that I enjoy their flagship main bourbon Wild Turkey 101 so much more than standard Buffalo Trace.

Buffalo Trace is perhaps the most boring over $20.00 bourbon I have tried to date. Perhaps I just happened to get the 3 dud bottles produced. Kind of like getting a lemon Toyota. Just doesn't happen.

Is is possible that Buffalo Trace is benefiting from a perceived, or very real lack of availability. Folks just want to believe it's better, and believe me, the power of suggestion is quite strong. Just ask doctors who treat patients with incredible results using only sugar pills and positive suggestion.

After reading over this post it may seem overly critical of Buffalo Trace. I assure you that was not the intention. My regard for Wild Turkey is only surpassed for my disregard for BT.

Chris

[Jazzhead]

Wild Turkey for me, followed in a very close second by Heaven Hill. Those are bourbons that always satisfy, especially with their mainstream product. I am hardly an expert, but I can identify these two house styles, and each smells wonderful and drinks easy (WT remarkably so, given the proof.) I've never taken a shine to Beam whiskeys, not sure why, and my exposure to Van Winkle products is too limited for me to prefer them to my Turkey Heaven.

[CrispyCritter]

I voted for BT, but VW and WT are very, very close behind. I give BT the edge for its wide variety of offerings though - not to mention that the BTAC, even if a bit pricy, is still affordable, and all that I've tried have been top-notch.

I'd hate to only have one company available, though...

[Edward_call_me_Ed]

Heaven Hill because:

- Bettye Jo works there

- it makes fine bourbon such as EC 18 year old, McKenna Single Barrel, EWSB

- it sells Rittenhouse BIB for very little considering its quality

- it is an independent, family owned business.

Gary

All excellent reasons. And believe me Heavan Hill only lost out to Buffalo Trace by a whisker at my house. A real photo finish with Wild Turkey just inches behind. Van Winkle and Beam both finish in the money as well.

Ed

[TimmyBoston]

Personally buffalo trace suits me best, but many others are very nice as well.

[jspero]

I went with HH. It was a tough call for me. BT and VW lost out by very VERY little, though.

Jay

[NorCalBoozer]

As for the question of the day, I asked myself who makes the best whiskey across the board and that's why I voted for Wild Turkey.

To me BT makes the best range of whiskey right now. The breadth of what they have is exceptional.

I think WT makes exceptional whiskey too, but I don't think they're hitting their potential. I'm speaking just in regards to high quality whiskey, throw out the business side of it for now.

What I'm trying to say is that, I think BT is running on all cylinders and maximizing what it can do, putting out super high quality, cutting edge products, while WT is happy with the smaller range they have and not really putting too much emphasis on the high end but Rare Breed shows what WT can do.

while i feel WT is so very good at what they do right now, they could easily spend some time with crafting bourbons soley for quality and they would certainly give BT a run for it, and I think even surpase BT in areas.

How about an 8-15 y.o. WT Rye?

I had a gold foil that was probably the second best bourbon i've ever tasted.

Unfortunatly this area doesn't seem to interest them too much, maybe because of lackluster sales of RR 101. Hopefully the growth of the high end market will give WT some incentive to come up with some great new offerings. I'd love to see it, because I think WT is a great company. For now I am happy with RB and KS. Greg

[bobbyc]

Originally Posted by Gillman

Heaven Hill because:

I went with HH.

Someone forgot to vote, HH shows only 1 vote.

[lar03]

I had to go with Heaven Hill. It's my first love, and will always make me happy. I do thank God that this is hypothetical, and I don't have to remain faithful however. BT would be my second choice.

[OscarV]

I would have voted for Buffalo Trace if Van Winkle was not seperated from them for this poll.

So I voted for Wild Turkey.

I love their lineup, the 15 yo Tribute to Jimmy Russell, Kentucky Spirit, Rare Breed, Russell's Reserve 101, and the flagship 101.

Not to mention the occasional 12 year old that they release.

[jburlowski]

But let's no kid ourselves. KBD is a business. Their business is putting whiskey into bottles and selling it for as much as they can get. ...

They have put some wonderful bottles into circulation. They have also put some of the most unspeakable, undrinkable drek into circulation. Whatever pays the freight.

Chuck, with all due respect, I think you are being a little harsh here. Your words above could be applied (to some degree) to almost any distiller (or marketer) out there.

The key is to be a knowledable consumer and know what you are getting for your money. And equally important is to get what you like... from whatever source.