Your most disappointing purchase?

[TNbourbon]

Plainly, my most disappointing bourbon/whiskey purchase remains the Woodford Reserve Four Grain (Parts I and II). No matter how many 'whiskey of the year' notations it garners, or how many Scotch lovers care for it, the simple fact is that I don't like it -- and I don't like it at nearly $90 a bottle.

The only good news is that I've managed to 'dump' all of my bottles but the one I have open, for something near my cost.

That fact that I bought it, I hope, signals my willingness to support new products and encourage new thinking by the distilleries (I bought several overpriced Rittenhouse 21yo ryes, too). But, buying a product a second time is the 'seal of approval', and I haven't fallen victim again on this one (these).

[squire]

I've sprung for the high priced stuff but at some point decided I wouldn't buy anything that wouldn't be consumed within the foreseeable future. So, no more "collectibles" for me.

Squire

[Jazzhead]

I know this will irk some people, but here goes...Very Old Barton 100. Nasty! Tasted like rubbing alcohol with a drop of maple syrup. What was so disapointing about it is that it gets great reviews. I would understand if I bought a 750ml bottle of "Big Al's Bourbon Whiskey" for $6.99.

Just not my thing I guess.

I just finished off this weekend my lone bottle of Very Old Barton 100, that I obtained in a trade with a fellow SBer about a year ago. It has been savored slowly and well, for who knows when I'll ever see it again. Sorry you didn't care for it; I think it's one fine dram! Shucks, I miss that late veteran already.

[cigarnv]

Woodford Reserve.... I have just never figured out this bourbon. Also Makers has never done it for me...

[capodice]

Without a doubt, Michter's American Whiskey. I was so excited for this 'unblended' old-style brass bolts whiskey. Two thick rocks glasses in a backyard gazebo on an autumn night.

Such a bad break. It was sweet, cloying in fact, and finished up like a bad mushroom. This is the first and only whiskey that I could not finish. Broke my heart. Didn't get out of bed for a week. Waved the servants away, unplugged the phone. Only after a bracing week of eating boiled chicken and sipping beef-broth mixed with Eagle Rare was I able to enter the world again

[cigarnv]

Like you I am not sure how one could drink Michter's American Whiskey

[B1bomber]

I know this won't be popular with a lot of people but I was greatly disappointed by Four Roses Small Batch. I have to confess that I didn't even finish my glass. Got about half-way through and concluded I really wasn't enjoying it at all. I actually love the FR Single Barrel and figured the Small Batch would be a close relative, albeit slightly cheaper. Instead I found it rather bland and not worth finishing considering there's so many others in my cabinet that I enjoy so much more.

[JRomain]

Booker's - One-dimensionally bitter with charred wood and unclean to boot.

Lots of others like Kentucky Vintage, Pure Kentucky XO, Eagle Rare, WT American Spirit. Here's to hoping my unopened Parkers Heritage isn't a dud.

[cowdery]

Back in the day, I think someone reported that Michter's American Whiskey tastes a lot like that Conecuh Ridge Alabama Whiskey.

[ACDetroit]

I know this won't be popular with a lot of people but I was greatly disappointed by Four Roses Small Batch. I have to confess that I didn't even finish my glass.

I'll second that Bomber! I'm half way through a glass as I write this and it is very disappointing!! I too love the Single Barrel but the Small Batch just ain't cutting it with me (just weak)!

Cheers!

Tony (I'll finish it) Curtis

[spun_cookie]

I'll second that Bomber! I'm half way through a glass as I write this and it is very disappointing!! I too love the Single Barrel but the Small Batch just ain't cutting it with me (just weak)!

Cheers!

Tony (I'll finish it) Curtis

The small batch seems to be diverse from bottle to bottle and region to regions (I am sure certain bottles hit certain regions).

I found the small batch to be quite pleasant with decent complexity.

Neither the small nor the single touch that of the 40th that I have had, but they are at least as good as the worst bottle of WLW Centinal I have and that's not bad....

Emerald (I did finish it) Adair

[mathews]

I just purchased a bottle of Evan Williams No. 10. It is not much better than their typical 7 yr. bottling. Fortunately, it was only 10.99, so I will use it as a base for mixing.:shocked:

[Sijan]

Hirsch 16yo Gold Foil

EC18

OGD BIB (National)

The latter wasn't bad, but was extremely disappointing too this fan of OGD BIB, esp. given that I've acquired several half gallon jugs of it on a road trip but found out afterwards that it was far too woody for my taste.

[tsangster]

Blanton's - incredibly average with a premium price tag.

[wadewood]

Corner Creek

[darkluna]

Tangle Ridge is high on my list of most disappointing. I was interested in it because it is apparently made from 100% rye and aged 10 years. But apparently they then re-barrel it in sherry casks and then blend it with "flavorings". How does it taste? Overly sweet and vanilla flavored! Not recommended.

[Rughi]

OGD BIB (National)

The latter wasn't bad, but was extremely disappointing too this fan of OGD BIB, esp. given that I've acquired several half gallon jugs of it on a road trip but found out afterwards that it was far too woody for my taste.

Dan,

Upon how many bottles do you base your opinion? I've had ND OGD from the '60s through the '80s and can't say any of them were particularly woody. I seem to remember from one of the many times you've dissed on the ND OGD that your bottle was labeled as an 8 yo, which I believe was a special edition when they had a serious backlog of aging inventory.

On second thought, yes sirree Bob, that OGD sucks donkeys, you'd better offload it on some sucker. Feel free to PM me, cause I'm your fool.

Roger

[shyster512]

Dan

I will agree to take the Hirsch Gold Foil off your hands. It should be disposed of properly.

[ggilbertva]

Hirsch 16yo Gold Foil

EC18

OGD BIB (National)

The latter wasn't bad, but was extremely disappointing too this fan of OGD BIB, esp. given that I've acquired several half gallon jugs of it on a road trip but found out afterwards that it was far too woody for my taste.

I agree, the Hirsch Gold Foil is just plain funk. I thought it had mellowed out over time but I tried it again a couple weeks ago and it has such a bitter almost metallic mid palate that I find it undrinkable. I've had the blue wax and it was outstanding so something definitely happened between blue/gold wax and gold foil.

[spun_cookie]

I agree, the Hirsch Gold Foil is just plain funk. I thought it had mellowed out over time but I tried it again a couple weeks ago and it has such a bitter almost metallic mid palate that I find it undrinkable. I've had the blue wax and it was outstanding so something definitely happened between blue/gold wax and gold foil.

I'm not sure I would call it funk. The one I have is not bad, but not as good as the previous two. It is not worth the $100-250 that sells for... but funk seems a little harsh... though you could have a bottle that is contaminated...

[ggilbertva]

I'm not sure I would call it funk. The one I have is not bad, but not as good as the previous two. It is not worth the $100-250 that sells for... but funk seems a little harsh... though you could have a bottle that is contaminated...

Well, I thought of another 4 letter word (:shithappens:), but didn't want to be vulgar. It's possible I have a bad bottle but considering the feedback from others, I'm not sure that's the case. Taste is certainly subjective and in my case...that whiskey is doo doo....or.....:shithappens:

[spun_cookie]

Fair enough....

[Sijan]

Dan,

Upon how many bottles do you base your opinion? I've had ND OGD from the '60s through the '80s and can't say any of them were particularly woody. I seem to remember from one of the many times you've dissed on the ND OGD that your bottle was labeled as an 8 yo, which I believe was a special edition when they had a serious backlog of aging inventory.

Just the one half-gallon bottle that I've opened. This OGD is from the '90s, I think. The 8 year old label isn't really part of the main label, I don't think. I think it is on the cap or elsewhere on the bottle. I'll have to take a look when I get home.

[NickAtMartinis]

Frotunately, I haven't had too many dissapointing purchases but the one that sticks out in my mind is EWSB 1997. Although it grew on me a bit, I haven't touched it in months. Also, I was a bit displeased to find out it was only 86 proof.

Lot B I found a bit dissapointing as well but I still feel it's pretty good bourbon, just not for $42.99 which is the average around here. Though, I have found it for $38.99 which prompted me to pick up a bottle. Again, it comes down to where it fits in the Van Winkle family. When it comes down to it, Lot B is the odd man out.

[birdman1099]

Yhe only one I've bought and found to be undrinkable was Ezra B. 12 yr.

I can't seem to give that stuff away !!!!:grin: