BMH 16 year

[jwrussell]

Not sure if this belongs in this forum or not. Is it worth the price tag? (Almost $80 where I saw it).

Discontinued? Still in production? Having trouble nailing down the specifics on this stuff...

[cowdery]

I'm not a fan, but I would say I'm very much in the minority on this. Most people here like it and it's frequently mentioned among the favorites of many posters here.

[jburlowski]

I like it but the price seems to be on the high side.

[camduncan]

It's on my "to buy" list when I get to KY next year....

[jwrussell]

So is it limited production, regular production, discontinued, what?

[cowdery]

It is a non-distiller brand. CVI Brands, San Jose, CA, owns and markets it. KBD ltd., Bardstown, Kentucky, produces it, but as they are not a distiller, they bottle bulk whiskey bought from distillers. KBD buys a lot of its whiskey from Heaven Hill, but who distilled any particular KBD-produced product is anybody's guess and the actual distiller may change from time to time, based on KBD's needs and what is available.

In the last couple years, it has become very difficult for this type of producer to obtain whiskey in this age range. It just isn't available on the spot market for any price. Although if anybody has some it is KBD because they have a long-standing relationship with Heaven Hill and because they have their own warehouses and age out much of their whiskey themselves. Most non-distiller producers just buy what they need for a particular product when they need it. KBD buys at least some of its whiskey in advance of need, so it has a "stock" to draw from during lean times such as now.

Is it still available? Normally, I would check the producer's web site, but CVI doesn't seem to have one. Sam's, a big retailer here in Chicago, has only the 21-year-old bourbon on their web site. Binny's, the other big Chicago retailer, shows the 21-year-old and 14-year-old bourbons as well as the 18-year-old rye. Of course, all that means is what they have in stock. It doesn't tell you what's currently in the wholesale market.

[mgilbertva]

I don't think I would buy it - it is very pricey and at that price point I gotta love it. My reasons are not because I don't think the quality justifies the price, but because it has a unique style that doesn't appeal to me as much.

I tried it at a bar called, "Bourbon" in Adams Morgan in Washington DC. Greg (ggilbertva), Mike (scratchline) and I went there a few weeks back. The BMH 16 was one of the bourbons we sampled.

From what I recall it's on the lighter side in body; "medium light" I'd say. Not as soft as the Lot B or PVW 20, in my opinion, but not a "big" bourbon either. Very pleasant nose with lots of vanilla. Color is rich amber-brown. The taste is very candied, with marshmallow the most prominent (Mike accurately called that one). Some wet wood, nutmeg and a tiny bit of cinnamon on the finish. Nothing harsh.

A couple weeks ago I enjoyed the BMH 14 yr at Old Glory in Georgetown in DC. Again, a unique and clearly identifiable flavor profile that I'm confident I could pick out in a blind tasting. It had a tad less wood and just a smidge milder.

I wonder if this set of barrels has a low rye mashbill.

On another thread, John B. described the Johnny Drum (another KBD product) in a way that makes me think there may be some similarities:

Johnny Drum 15 yr. old – 50.5% ABV

Color: Rich, coppery brown somewhat like the patina of a well-used baseball glove. Almost cordovan in hue.

Nose: Rather soft; with caramel and vanilla predominant.

Taste: Rich & delicious. A hint of char that comes across as burnt toffee. Sweeter than most. Vanilla and nougat notes as well.

Finish: Abbreviated with the slightest of burns. The oak comes through here but not as much as one might expect for its age.

Overall impression: A very good pour that will likely be a repeat purchase. Adding a little water opens up the nose and taste considerably. Certainly among the best of the KBD offerings.

So, to repeat, this is an interesting and very pleasant whiskey, but the sweet, candied style that seems to be peculiar to its profile is not my personal favorite, although you may disagree and love it.

[jwrussell]

Hmmmm...I think I'll leave it on the shelf for now. "light bodied" doesn't necessarily fit my current tastes and I just don't want to spend that much money to find out I don't love the stuff.

[BourbonJoe]

Anybody know where there is some BMH 11 y/o? I looked all over (here and Kentucky) and can't seem to find any. Any response will be appreciated.

Joe :usflag:

[mgilbertva]

Any response? Ok, I'll provide a nearly useless one.

I spoke with the owner of one of the local wine and spirit shops here in D.C. (The Wine Specialist) who told me the BMH 11yr was his favorite of the BMH bourbons. He said usually he carries the entire line, but all they had currently was the non-age statement version. He hadn't been able to get any of the others for the last 3 months or so, although he didn't know why.

Perhaps this is true elsewhere as well? Maybe the current release is out and we'll have to wait for the next batch.

[TNbourbon]

Joe, it has been around here -- and, since I'm primarily responsible for it being available in Middle Tennessee (I started asking an area retailer about the BMH line, which he then got registered with a distributor), I'll have a look about. I will report.

I suspect that age-specific whiskey is becoming scare to KBD, as it is/will to all non-distilling bottlers. As Chuck has noted, there is little 'spot whiskey' available on the market today. Thus, only current shelf stocks are extant.

[jwrussell]

If it's still around the next time I make it over to that part of town I may have to consider it. Along the same lines, assuming I find I really enjoy Rye, what's the story on the 18 year Rye? (right at $90)

[Virus_Of_Life]

For $80? No I wouldn't buy it. I lucked into a few bottles mispriced at $44 and that was a bargain. I've since bought it again right around $62 and that would be my ceiling of what I would pay.

All of these are still availabe, if only a bottle here and there, in SoCal. Joe, next time I see an 11, which I also enjoyed very much, I'll pick one up and if you want it you can have for what it cost but if not it will not break my heart to add it to the bunker.

The 18 year Rye as I recall is very similar to the Vintage, Willett, Saz as it seem they've all come from the same place. $90? Hmmm hard to do that when I've paid a lot less for Saz18 and Willett... You get the drift, if where you live dominates a higher price then maybe it is ok; being in SoCal price is incredibly variant.

Obviously the BMH is going to vary widely, but none of which I have tasted would get a 'light bodied' descriptor from me - very fine quality whiskey.

[mgilbertva]

Lower price for Willet? Well, not anymore since it's not available (unless anyone wants to sell/trade me one. Anyone?). At least the BMH Rye is still available (Binny's has a good price).

In case someone didn't know, LeNell's Red Hook comes from the same run and warehouse.

Speaking of which, anyone know where this warehouse is located?

[BourbonJoe]

Speaking of which, anyone know where this warehouse is located?

It is Warehouse "G" on the KBD property in Bardstown.

Joe :usflag:

[mgilbertva]

Where is the KBD property? When I was at the KBF last September we drove up the dirt road to the KBD distillery. The visitor center was under construction and the rickhouses appeared unused and in some disrepair. Was this just a front to keep us from sniffing around?

[cowdery]

It sounds like you got the right place. They are essentially across the street from Heaven Hill. The property is large and the warehouses are spread about. A typical warehouse will hold about 20,000 barrels. I don't know for sure, but my guess would be that KBD has, at the most, a couple dozen barrels on hand at any given time. But they do age whiskey there, just not a lot and not for long. They do not, for example, have enough to show up on the annual report of bourbon in bonded warehouses that is compiled from Kentucky Department of Revenue information.

[mgilbertva]

Yep, just a short hop down the road from HH. Took a right on the main road, past the burned-out distillery and the next (?) left up a dirt/gravel road.

I would have never guessed any of those rickhouses were holding anything. They looked rather neglected and forlorn.

[wskybnt]

I have had the 16, 14, and 11. I like the 16 yr, but I don't know if I will replace this bottle when I run out. Of the 3 I have tried, I like the 11 yr best. I am on my 3rd bottle of it, and will keep it around. Its one of my fav's. I don't like not knowing much about it though.