What are you drinking tonight? (Fall '07)

[Old Lamplighter]

While putting up the Christmas tree earlier this evening, got into the spirit of the season by mixing up some nog with a generous amount of OC12......turned out very well. Followed that up with GTS on the rocks. Now enjoying WLW 05 + 2 cubes & a splash of water.

[NickAtMartinis]

As was the protocol last, 'tis the same tonight. At the moment, I finishing my first pour of PVW15.

Between the two (WTRB and PVW15), I like the RB better. So far, I'm a bit disappointed in the PVW15. It's better than the 20 but I like the flavor (not the burn) of the 10 year much better.

Could it be that wheated bourbons don't handle age nearly as well as rye'd bourbon? It seems to me that 10 years and younger is great for wheated bourbons. As examples, Weller Antique and ORVW10/107.

Live and learn, I guess.

[Rughi]

Could it be that wheated bourbons don't handle age nearly as well as rye'd bourbon? It seems to me that 10 years and younger is great for wheated bourbons. As examples, Weller Antique and ORVW10/107.

It's likely that your PVW 15 and 20 are SW and the Antique and ORVW 10 are BT. I think you're grooving on BT's current distillate over SW - heresy!!!

Roger

[NickAtMartinis]

It's likely that your PVW 15 and 20 are SW and the Antique and ORVW 10 are BT. I think you're grooving on BT's current distillate over SW - heresy!!!

Roger

Good point, Roger. Though, I thought the PVW15 was Bernheim bourbon, though I certainly could be wrong.

Someone made a very good point earlier in another thread saying that I'm just going through a phase of not liking wheated bourbons. I think he's right.

[Rughi]

Though, I thought the PVW15 was Bernheim bourbon, though I certainly could be wrong.

My understanding is that it's a blend of distillations in the last couple of years, but we could not only both be wrong, it could be that we're not supposed to know, exactly...

Roger

[bigtoys]

Catching up on some old recorded tv shows. First WT American Spirit. Now finishing up a glass of Hirsch 16 yr old.

[gothbat]

Had a few beers (Heineken) with an old friend whom I haven't seen in quite some time, 6 or so years, and now a bit of 07' THH. A great evening!

[squire]

Bartons 1792 Ridgemont Reserve. No particular reason, it just spoke to me.

Squire

[texascarl]

Rebel Yell enhanced with a few dashes of Regans orange bitters.

[jburlowski]

After putting up the lights and tree, I lit a fire and had a couple pours of WTAS. Man I love this stuff!

[squire]

Tonight it will be a comparison tasting of two HH BIB expressions.

Squire

[mrt]

I took a few sips of Bulleit.

[polyamnesia]

Rebel Yell enhanced with a few dashes of Regans orange bitters.

carl, how does that taste w/OUT the bitters...!

would bitters help out heaven hill 4 year? how old is RYell?

never had it before. all those years in mississippi, too......

[TNbourbon]

Every time I read a review from someone I think ought to know better -- in other words, someone whose views I have some knowledge and respect for -- say they actually like the Woodford Reserve Four Grain, I dig it out again, and try to figure out what it is in it that I (and many others who've tasted it) am missing. Should tell you something that it has taken me so long to do it this time that I don't remember whose opinion it is that prompted this occasion. Nonetheless, WRFG is in the glass (boy, I'll be glad when this is gone -- only about 250ml left!):

And, this stuff still smells and tastes like something other than bourbon. The nose is full of flat grain. Nothing else, unless it's the copper from the still. The grain does not come forward as flowers and/or spice, as does rye; it is not maple or nuts, as is wheat; it is just flat grain. Maybe a pallid Graham cracker.

The Four Grain displays flashes of sweetness -- but only flashes. If you don't swallow quick, it turns souringly dry and tannic. Again, think of unleavened grain.

Don't get me wrong, I don't spit this out -- it's not that kind of 'bad'. It's 'bad' in that it does not fit into any reference range for bourbon. I realize that's kinda the point -- we don't have another four-grain to which to compare it. But, for $85 and up, any of you who can find a remaining bottle can find out why that is.

[NickAtMartinis]

Again, the same. WTRB and PVW15. And again, the WTRB wins, hands down. It's a damned fine bourbon.

[NickAtMartinis]

My understanding is that it's a blend of distillations in the last couple of years, but we could not only both be wrong, it could be that we're not supposed to know, exactly...

Roger

That doesn't shock me in the least. When our the producers of bourbon going to be more forthcoming with where the bouron is actually distilled. I mean, Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery, come on!!!!

It's so secret. It's should be federally mandated that the consumer should know exactly where his/her bourbon is coming from. And also, what's in it. What is this, HOW MANY LICKS DOES IT TAKE TO GET TO THE CENTER OF TOOTSIE ROLL TOOTSIE POP? As it states in the commercial, "The world may never know!"

[TNbourbon]

Well, I'd remind everyone, regarding Pappy 15, that it's because Julian right here admitted using Bernheim whiskey to supplement his Stitzel-Weller barrels that we even know it's been the case. It's also no secret that the last Stitzel-Weller/Old Fitzgerald bourbon turned 15 in June.

Rather than agonize over it, I'd suggest two courses of action: 1) ask Julian -- he CAN be cagey, but I've never know him to lie to us; and/or 2) taste the whiskey and decide whether or not you like it, regardless of where it was distilled.

[squire]

Evan Williams BIB and JW Dant BIB.

Squire

[NickAtMartinis]

Well, I'd remind everyone, regarding Pappy 15, that it's because Julian right here admitted using Bernheim whiskey to supplement his Stitzel-Weller barrels that we even know it's been the case. It's also no secret that the last Stitzel-Weller/Old Fitzgerald bourbon turned 15 in June.

Rather than agonize over it, I'd suggest two courses of action: 1) ask Julian -- he CAN be cagey, but I've never know him to lie to us; and/or 2) taste the whiskey and decide whether or not you like it, regardless of where it was distilled.

Tim, I'd never call any one person a fibber. But, the industry as a whole is a bit deceiving. Just be forthcoming, is all that I ask. Let me know what I'm drinking and where it derives from.

Regarding S/W, I'm in the minority when I say that I much prefer Bernheim over S/W. However, I think that has more to do with the age of wheated bourbon as opposed to wheter or not it's S/W or Bernheim.

Regards,

Mark

[fussychicken]

Hit upon a fantastic combination tonight. Cracked open my first bottle of Rittenhouse BIB. Wow, very nice light yet punchy with a flavor that is just alive. I hate to say it, but nicer than the Saz Jr. Took down one pour, and then added another. For the second pour I added just a touch of sweet vermouth (about 1:6) and two shakes of bitters. I then found a derelict tube of thin mint girl scout cookies in the fridge. A couple of these chilled cookies along with my Manhattan lite equals SUPERB!

[bigtoys]

Went to the back of the whisky shelf and pulled up the Eagle Rare 17 from last year. Have to say it was very smooth. I searched for some tasting notes, but couldn't really find any except some comparisons w/ Pappy 15. I thought I was getting a sweet or fruit taste on the palate. Emptied the space below the pull out shelf and found some dried out Fuente cigars, so I'm off to a cigar forum for some advice on re-hydrating them.

BTW, anyone have the 2007 Eagle Rare yet? I haven't seen it at any of the Binny's or Sam's and I've been in 5 stores.

[thanson]

BTW, anyone have the 2007 Eagle Rare yet? I haven't seen it at any of the Binny's or Sam's and I've been in 5 stores.

I always thought I was in the minority about this, but I love it too. I grabbed three bottles when it was available here last month. I just went to get one for a friend, and they seem to be all gone.

[ACDetroit]

I have an open 07 ER 17yr. and I found this years to have much more going on than last years IMHO. I just had the 2006 in Lexington with a buddy and though smooth I found it a bit one dimensional and very little finish. If you can find the 2007 I would love to hear a side by side as I left the 2006 in Lexington...it really did that little for me! If you do not find you PM me there are lots in MI but $59.95 plus 6% sales tax. I can get them though. I have picked up extra this year I liked it so much.

I will be pouring the 2007 tonight then! Cheers!

AC

[ILLfarmboy]

A Saz Jr. Old Fashioned as a before supper cocktail and now a small pour of WT Rare Breed.

[Luna56]

ERSB 10, fresh bottle. The last two bottles have shown a bit more variation than I've come to expect from ERSB, but not in a bad way. This one's got a bit more rye spice to it, especially into the finish. The proof doesn't hit too hard up front, either. Damn, I just love this stuff.

Cheers!