What is your favorite bourbon?

[Blackkeno]

Are you crazy asking a question like this? Pick one! I've been up at night thinking about this post for days (not just thinking though). Seriously this evolved into one of the best threads on this great forum. It also gave me an excuse to try all my favorate bourbons at the same time! My favorate changed at least three times in the past two days--usually it was whatever I was drinking.

I am a big fan of Kentucky Spirit (2-19-98, barrel # 01, warehouse E, rick number 25) and thought this might be my number one. But I followed it with Hirsch 20 which evolved over an hour or so in a way I had not previously noticed. Hirsch edged out in front for depth and complexity.

On the other hand I'm partial to wheaters and so I also thought that Weller Centennial might take my top spot, but another wheater pulled out ahead.

Now I want to point out that I don't have Blantons, and I haven't opened my Hirsch 16 or Pappy 23 yet so they weren't in the running this time.

But now is where I lose all my credibility (did I ever have any?). My top bourbon is Maker's Mark Limited Edition (50.5% abv duty free). It has a fullness and complexity on the nose and palate that trumped by beloved Weller and even my recently hightened appreciation for Hirsch 20. It posesses all that I love in wheaters as well as a different type of sweetness that I found addictive. This is my favorate--as I'm typing this today. Who knows tomorrow?

[Ekki]

Hi Tim,

is it (exclusive) ?

Thought the 'Rye' was part of their standard product range.

http://www.wildturkeybourbon.com/flock/us.htm

I mean, you can't buy this whiskey at every kiosk over here but overall availabilty is good.

I also like the Rare Breed and the 101 is next on my shopping list. Btw, there was in interview with Jimmy Russell in the latest issue of Whisky Magazine. Obviously a great guy.

Best,

Ekki

[Guest **DONOTDELETE**]

Ekki,

The WT rye isn't that widely available. I've only seen it in Kentucky. Oh! and Ekki rye is whiskey but it's not bourbon. The only bourbon you listed in your previous post was Woodford Reserve. An excellent bourbon and a great choice.

Jimmy Russell is a truely great man. One of the best things about going to the Bourbon Festival is you get to meet many of the master distillers. Two guys from Whisky Mag were handing out free copies of the issue with Jimmy on the cover. I got one and then my wife, Vickie, found Jimmy walking in front of Spaulding Hall and got got his autograph. We first meet Jimmy on a distillery tour at Wild Turkey two years ago.

Linn Spencer

Have Shotglass. Will Travel.

[Blackkeno]

I'm not sure if there is more than one version of WT Rye, but I picked up my bottle at a standard liquor store here in Las Vegas. In general, because of the wholesaler system (out of California) we don't have a great selection of spirits here in Nevada.

[rwilps]

As far as I know, there is only one version of WT rye (I checked their website just to make sure), and it is widely available in the Pennsylvania LCB stores. It's not priced or packaged as a premium product - it's lined up with WT 101 here. But now that you mention it, I'll have to get a bottle again - it will be interesting to stack it up against the really high-end ryes which are now becoming available.

Ralph Wilps

[Ekki]

There's just one version but they changed the label some time ago.

[cowdery]

The Wild Turkey Rye is pretty easy to find here in Chicago.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://cowdery.home.netcom.com>--Chuck Cowdery</A>

[Guest **DONOTDELETE**]

OK It looks as if Wild Turkey Rye is available everywhere except; Alabama, North Carolina, and Virginia. If it's not available in all 50 states then I would say that it is not widely available.

What does 'widely available' mean? Does it mean anywhere in the U.S.A.; in any European country, and in Japan? Or does it mean in any of the 50 states?

If it is not on my ABC store's shelves or isn't available by special order then it is not widely available.

Linn Spencer

Have Shotglass. Will Travel.

[Guest **DONOTDELETE**]

Hi Folks,

Linn, Im very glad you said it is that simple.

Im brand new to this group, and basically joined to learn and enjoy. Unfortunately drinking bourbon neat is not currently a subject I can contribute to. I like bourbon and coke, and I dont know anything about my great grandma boots, but I still remember as a child, my grandfather telling me to always drink a straight whisky, and never partake of a blended brand. I still standby this advise in whisky. But, whisky is made mostly from corn (meant to feed cattle) and some barley (a dreadful waste) or some other grains. Forgive me, but when drinking anything neat, I can think of nothing better than a single malt scotch. Basically, thats why IM here, not to argue, but to learn of something that might change my mind.

thanks, and please dont boot me out, just yet.

[Guest **DONOTDELETE**]

Amalegen first let me welcome you to the forum which we call 'Bourbonia', and second let me tell you that I'm just a forum member and can't boot anybody off. Only Jim Butler can do that. He owns StraightBourbon.com

We don't talk scotch or canadian whisky here. That can be done on other websites. Straight Bourbon Whiskey is what we're all about. All straight bourbons are by definition 'single malts'. We take this for granted as nothing special. Most scotchs are blends, and therefore inferior. So all this 'single malt' stuff is just a bunch of hoopla or marketing hype.

Corn is a gift from God. It has always fed people as well as animals. Corn is good and sweet. Most bourbon is made from corn; rye, and malted barley. Some is made from corn, wheat, and malted barley.

Do yourself a favor and take some time to explore the many different topics and read the different threads available here on the forum. Also if you don't have any bourbon at home do go out and buy some. Please stop drinking that nasty scotch.

Linn Spencer

Have Shotglass. Will Travel.

[ratcheer]

Maybe it is a regional thing. We real southerners probably wouldn't buy rye whiskey even if it was on the shelves.

Tim

[Guest **DONOTDELETE**]

I do believe that you are right Tim. I have tried three ryes; Jim Beam, Old Overholt (also by Jim Beam), and Wild Turkey. I was not impressed to the point that I would rather have a straight rye over bourbon. I prefer bourbon made with a traditional rye recipe, and that is never going to change.

Linn Spencer

Have Shotglass. Will Travel.

[Creggor]

Hello, Linn. Please do try some of Vanwinkles 12 & 13yr Ryes and give us your opinion of these. Julians 13yr Rye is one of my top 5 whiskeys. Speaking of top five here are mine. Not in any particular order. Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit. 16yr Hirsch, Vanwinkle 13yr Rye, Vanwinkle 15yr 107 Proof, and 1990 or 91 Evan Williams Single barrel. Now I did not include the 20yr (new) Pappy Vanwinkle Family Reserve as It my all time favorite as it is out of most folks price range and one I will only drink with special friends or ocassions. All the others I can usually afford to drink when the urge occurs. This selection allows me some of the best Wheaters, Rye whiskey and Rye flavored Bourbons available today. Its been at least 8 months maybe more since we have had a top 5 list. Maybe we can get some more opinions of top 5's seems there are always some new bourbons coming on the market and some that just keep getting better all the time. Creggor..

[Creggor]

Hello, Linn. I might have to think your somewhat correct. Tonight I opened a bottle of Vanwinkle 15yr 107 Proof and Kentuckey Spirit 3/1/00 Barrel #5 warehouse F. Rick #46. I really like Julians 15yr 107 Proof but in all honesty the Kentucky Spirit would win out. I had 2 bottles of the kentucky Spirit both with the same lots numbers etc so I decided to open one and try and do an honest comparrision. Hard to do after your feeling the effects of 2-2oz drinks of Julians Bourbon. But the overall balance of the Kentucky Spirit really came thur. I really like this Bourbon that is why it is on my top 5 list actually both are on my top 5 list. I like both for different reasons but if I had to take one over the other I would take the Kentucky Spirit. Really a very hard choice. This coming week I expect Kentucky Spirit to go on sale and I will see if I can afford to add 2 bottles to my holdongs. Creggor

[Guest **DONOTDELETE**]

Creggor,

Henry's last contribution to the forum was the "Top 5 Bourbons" thread that is now on page 8 of the general topics board. I just reread it and it is still very much a viable thread. I would encourage all of our newer members to read through it. If anyone should feel like making a comment then please do so as the forum software will reactivate the thread and bring it forward to the top of the order for all the world to see.

The thread we're in now "What is your favorite bourbon?" Is just a slightly different version of that old game "Let me tell you about the bourbon I really love". I thought it would stir up a little interest and encourage others to post. It has brought forth two new registered forum members that either were or would have just been anonymus readers. I must say that this has worked remarkably well.

Linn Spencer

Have Shotglass. Will Travel.

[MurphyDawg]

Thats right!!!!! If I CAN'T buy it (which by the way I cant buy WT RYE in ohio), the it sure as hell ain't widely available, in my humble opinion.

TomC

PS to throw you guys a loop, as of 06-10-02 my absolute favorite bourbon is Ancient Ancient Age 10 year, followed closely by Rare Breed, but this has changed 4 times this week !!!

[Guest **DONOTDELETE**]

That's right Tom! Life in a 'controlled' [read state owned or socialist] liquor state isn't all that grand. I do have to say that I do get some deals now and again that the 'free liquor' boys don't, but they a few and far in between.

If I want Wild Turkey Rye I have to damn well go to Kentucky and get it! That and more than just few other whiskies. Oh well I always enjoy my trips to Kentucky. Beautiful state. Good people. Fine food. Great whiskey! Pretty women. Fast Horses. Oh yeah did I mention great whiskey?

If you live in a 'controlled state' that's all the more reason to come to Kentucky for every Bourbon Festival. It's a good time.

Linn Spencer

Have Shotglass. Will Travel.