Your Top Five

[Sijan]

In rough order:

ORVW/PVW 15

WT KY Tribute

WT 12

VWSR 12 Lot B

Stagg

Runners-up:

ORVW 10/107

Clynelish 14

Talisker 10

[NickAtMartinis]

No, not hype -- inexperience, maybe? Granted, Stagg is fine whiskey. But there have been many equals and/or betters over the years. George T. Stagg is, in some ways, the 'flavor-of-the-month'. It surely is popular these days, and highly-regarded by those publications that value their own ratings so highly. Especially by those that feature Scotch whisky.

Please don't take this as criticism or insult. But, understand also that many here have tasted not one, but many, whiskeys more memorable than the latest Stagg. That said, we like it, too. But, sometimes we appreciate a kiss on the cheek over a slap in the face. Ya know?

Tim, I never take anything personally. I appreciate your candor and certainly understand where you're coming from.

Like I've said before, I'm not one of those guys that can break down the different nuances, whether it be smell or flavor, of a certain whiskey - It's just not me. That being said, since purchasing 4/5th's of the '07 BTAC (minus the Handy), I've been sitting at home in the evenings drinking both the Stagg and WLW. Let me just preface what I'm about to write by stating that I'm a big Weller fan, but to taste GTS and then WLW (BTAC) - and vice-versa - I hate to say it, but it's no contest. Stagg better, by far, and I find myself somewhat put off by Weller.

And sure, like you said, I'm a novice but if you blindfolded me and put those two bourbons in front of me, I would have no problem differentiating between the two. And, I also truly believe that I would pick the Stagg over the Weller 10 out of 10 times.

Hype is everywhere and definitely on this board and Stagg is certainly hyped majorly but that hasn't, in my opinion, affected how I feel about it. In fact, six or so months ago, I saw GTS sitting on a shelf minding its own business. At the time, I was new to this site. Upon returning from the liquor store, I immediately went to this site for guidance, asking if this was a bourbon I should pick up. I was told to snatch it up and did. That night, after purchasing the Fall '06 Stagg, I sat in my silly, flowered chair (hey, I'm married ), feet up on the ottoman and drank Stagg for the first time. I loved it! And, that is without any hype other than some members saying, "go out and buy it."

Again, I'm a novice but the flavors are many and rich in the two iterations of Stagg that I've tasted, while I find WLW BTAC to be so mild and one-dimensional. And, I have tried them out of order, in that I've tried WLW BTAC first and then Stagg and my feelings remain the same.

Can I ever answer a post in short? :bigeyes: Long storry, longer, without hype I love Stagg for its fullness of flavor! Heck, my Brother-In-Law who is a passive Whiskey drinker was over the other night and asked if I had "that really good bourbon." He was referring to the Stagg and he only had it once.

Tim, I realize that there are so many bourbons out there to experience. Never would I become so focused on one, especiallly an anual release, that I would avoid all others. And sure, there are other bourbons throughout the years that have been better, it's just that I haven't tasted them yet but hope to. And if you can help me along by providing recommendations, I certainly would appreciate it.

Again, Tim, thanks for your candor. And, don't ever think that what you say may hurt my feelings, my skin is thicker than an elephant's!

Regards,

The other Mark Brown

[T47]

I really enjoy the few Stagg's I have been able to try. It's almost a "texture" thing if that makes sense? Both Stagg, A’bunadh, even Bookers, almost hit my tongue like hot buttered rum...creamy and thick and full of flavor.

Booker's might be a sentimental favorite as the first time I tried it my wife and I were on a "date" after dropping my oldest off at college...it has some nice memories that pump it up a little. Then the first Stagg I had was sent to me by a "virtual friend"...a whole new experience for this paranoid cyber infant...maybe that has something to do with it?

I am sure it has something to do with proof, but it's more. I enjoy ODG 114 but it does not have the same texture thing working for it. Both the VW 15 and Lot B hit me as packed full of flavor, rich and overwhelming, buttery and hot.

Life is good...

:toast:

[camduncan]

Current top 5 - (in order of preference)

1. Pappy 23

2. Four Roses Yellow Label

3. Makers Mark

4. Old Fitzgerald 1849

5. Dickel No 12

I notice my top five is in a constant state of flux. It always depends on what I've got open, and what I've felt like at the time. There's also several bottles in my bunker that would likely make a top 5 list once opened.

[Gillman]

Right at the moment but factoring in some older bottlings I still have:

1) Elijah Craig 12 years old - in its current incarnation and if you get a particularly good one, the best bourbon available today IMO.

2) Old Weller Antique 107 proof.

3) Buffalo Trace/Elmer T. Lee/Rock Hill Farms (provided these and no. 2 above avoid an earthy taste but recent samplings have)

4) National Distillers Old Taylor, 1970's-80's era, for its trademark maple/butterscotch-like notes

5) Bulleit when sweet, not too woody and focusing to the max on the cinnamon red hots element.

6) Honorable mention to Knob Creek, a long-time favorite and recently seemingly improved in quality.

One can see this leaves out many expensive, quality bottlings such as George Stagg, Four Roses Barrel Strength, W.L. Weller, etc. While I enjoy these, I find I return to those listed above as a staple.

Gary

[NickAtMartinis]

Right at the moment but factoring in some older bottlings I still have:

1) Elijah Craig 12 years old - in its current incarnation and if you get a particularly good one, the best bourbon available today IMO.

2) Old Weller Antique 107 proof.

3) Buffalo Trace/Elmer T. Lee/Rock Hill Farms (provided these and no. 2 above avoid an earthy taste but recent samplings have)

4) National Distillers Old Taylor, 1970's-80's era, for its trademark maple/butterscotch-like notes

5) Bulleit when sweet, not too woody and focusing to the max on the cinnamon red hots element.

6) Honorable mention to Knob Creek, a long-time favorite and recently seemingly improved in quality.

One can see this leaves out many expensive, quality bottlings such as George Stagg, Four Roses Barrel Strength, W.L. Weller, etc. While I enjoy these, I find I return to those listed above as a staple.

Gary

Gary, Weller Antique, in my opinion, is one great bourbon!!!! One of my favorites. Never one to eat or drink the same thing to excess, I believe that my list too fluctuates. And, as much as I love Stagg - I wrote about it last night in this thread - I wouldn't drink it every night of the week. So, there is never an everyday pour for me. Besides, Stagg is an annual release and therefore it would be difficult for most anyone to have Stagg at the ready year round.

[Gillman]

I agree and I'd just like to add a comment about EC 12. I find that recent bottlings make it the best all-round bourbon currently available. It has good depth, roundness, some smoke, some fruit, good length, all very well-integrated. I would say it is the Highland Park of the bourbon world. So, this is not to say there aren't many great bourbons out there but this one seems overall to me to be the best right now.

Gary

[J.W.]

Knob Creek

Buffalo Trace

Old Forrester 100

Wild Turkey Rare Breed

Wild Turkey 101

These are the most often bought.

J.W.

[jburlowski]

Right at the moment but factoring in some older bottlings I still have:

1) Elijah Craig 12 years old - in its current incarnation and if you get a particularly good one, the best bourbon available today IMO.

Gary

But Gary, how do you know you are getting "the best bourbon available today"?

When I first tried EC12 I fell in love... But then the love became fickle. Some bottles of EC 12 were boring and mundane to a fault --- not bad but nothing special in any sense of the word. Others rekindled the excitement I first felt.

The maddening inconsistency of EC 12 is what drove me away. Has it gotten better? More reliable? If so, I'd love to love again. If not, I'll spend my dollars elsewhere.

[MissingKY]

I'll play. In no particular order:

- Four Roses Small Batch

- ND-era Old Taylor 86

- Old Charter Proprietors' Reserve

- Very Rare Old Heaven Hill 10 year old

- Elmer T. Lee

The big surprise on the list for me is the ETL. I'd read a lot about it and bought a bottle 7-8 months ago only to find it pretty underwhelming even after a half-dozen or so tastes. It kind of got pushed to the back of my bar until I had a drink about a month ago. Wow! Maybe my tongue matured, but now I see what all the fuss is about. This one's super tasty.

[NickAtMartinis]

I agree and I'd just like to add a comment about EC 12. I find that recent bottlings make it the best all-round bourbon currently available. It has good depth, roundness, some smoke, some fruit, good length, all very well-integrated. I would say it is the Highland Park of the bourbon world. So, this is not to say there aren't many great bourbons out there but this one seems overall to me to be the best right now.

Gary

I've never had the EC12 but may give it a try. What other bourbon would you liken it to? Is it more rye or wheated, etc.?

[Iluvanejos]

I will start by saying there are many bourbons I feel could have made my top five list, and some that I am probably overlooking, but this is my top five in terms of bourbons that:

I always have a bottle open on the bar.

I have multiple backups in the bunker because I fear one of these days I will not be able to find the bottle anymore.

I am confident that when I reach for one of these 5 bottles, I know the product is consistently good, I know I really enjoy the profile, and each one is cherished for what it brings to the table.

1. Old Forrester Birthday Bourbon 1989/1992

2. Pappy 15

3. WT Kentucky Spirit Pewter top

4. ORVW 10/107

5. Eagle Rare 10/101

If I were to just say the top five bourbons that I have tried, but never seen again, I would have to include WT Tribute, and SW Fitz BIB, and WT 12 splits....

Also, In my humble opinion, there is no finer SMSW than Lagavulin from the old White Horse distillery.... A nice smoky change of pace for the special occasion....

[Whiskey Willie]

Geez, I haven't even sampled a lot of the whiskies cited in your lists...My top 5:

WT 101

WT Rye

ORVW 10yr/90

BT

Weller Antique 107

[Everman75]

Geez, I haven't even sampled a lot of the whiskies cited in your lists...My top 5:

WT 101

WT Rye

ORVW 10yr/90

BT

Weller Antique 107

Don't worry about it Willie. I am in the same boat as you, but slowly hoping to change that. BTW, it looks like you have some solid bourbons on you list.

[TNbourbon]

Tim, I never take anything personally. I appreciate your candor and certainly understand where you're coming from...

Appreciate it. I trust the membership here to whom I am familiar will validate that I'm generally pretty open-minded about individual tastes. I'm non-plussed by some favorites here (Elijah Craig 18yo, Sazerac 18yo -- hmmm, maybe 18 just isn't my lucky number), and I like some things that others generally don't (Old Potrero straight rye, a variety of single malt Scotches). Part of what makes it fun, I think.

[doubleblank]

I haven't done a true statistical analysis, but Stagg appears to be on less then half of the lists. It's not on mine either. It's a unique, flavorful whiskey for sure....but there are many others I'd take to a deserted isle for a lifetime of drinking. I'm glad it's available on a regular, annual basis.....but its not in my top five.

Top Five Candidates include

1. Some of Julian's bottlings of early '70's SW. A 14 and 16yo come to mind.

2. WT Tribute.

3. Van Blankle.....well, I picked it...my barrel of Lot B.

4. Hirsch 16yo......early versions.

5. SB.com Pappy 23's

6. ORVW 15/107.

7. OF BB 2002

Stag falls into the "I want to have some open.....but if I don't, well, I'll make do" list.

Randy

[NickAtMartinis]

I haven't done a true statistical analysis, but Stagg appears to be on less then half of the lists. It's not on mine either. It's a unique, flavorful whiskey for sure....but there are many others I'd take to a deserted isle for a lifetime of drinking. I'm glad it's available on a regular, annual basis.....but its not in my top five.

Top Five Candidates include

1. Some of Julian's bottlings of early '70's SW. A 14 and 16yo come to mind.

2. WT Tribute.

3. Van Blankle.....well, I picked it...my barrel of Lot B.

4. Hirsch 16yo......early versions.

5. SB.com Pappy 23's

6. ORVW 15/107.

7. OF BB 2002

Stag falls into the "I want to have some open.....but if I don't, well, I'll make do" list.

Randy

Randy, I think you're addicted to SW.

[NickAtMartinis]

Appreciate it. I trust the membership here to whom I am familiar will validate that I'm generally pretty open-minded about individual tastes. I'm non-plussed by some favorites here (Elijah Craig 18yo, Sazerac 18yo -- hmmm, maybe 18 just isn't my lucky number), and I like some things that others generally don't (Old Potrero straight rye, a variety of single malt Scotches). Part of what makes it fun, I think.

Variety is the spice of life and we all have different tastes. What would this board be like if he we all liked the same bourbon. Just imagine the conversation:

BourbonLover1: Pappy Van Winkle 20yo is the best bourbon ever and nothing will ever come close.

BourbonLover2: You're right, BB1, the PVW20 IS the best. It's the be all end all."

BourbonLover3: I agree with BB1 and BB2. It's the best!!!!

...

...

...

...

END OF THREAD.

:grin:

We wouldn't have any conversations if we didn't like different bourbons.

[scopenut]

These have been mostly covered:

PVW 15/107

GTS 05/06

WLW 06

PVW 20

PVW 10/107

-Kevin

[gblick]

Those on my list are there because I already have some or can easily get it and for not too much money. There are some I've had that didn't make it onto my list simply because they are out of my price range (Pappy 23, Willetts, WT 15, etc....all tasted at Randy's!) so therefore I don't see myself being able to buy any. There are others in my bunker (PVW 20, FRSB, ORVW 15/107) that might have made it onto my list, but I've yet to try them (I know, I know...but I'll get around to them in my own sweet time!), but that goes against what I said in my first sentence since these are either hard to get, too hard to find, or too pricey to keep around with any regularity. With all this said, the WT12 maybe shouldn't be on my list (more than I really want to spend) but I put it there anyway, I guess because I have a bottle that I found for cheap.

[nickynick]

In no order,

Four Roses Small Batch

Elijah Craig 12 year old

Wild Turkey Rare Breed

Eagle Rare 10 year old 101(I'm gonna miss this one, but I still have some bunkered!)

Elmer T Lee

Also thought hard about putting these in:

Buffalo Trace

Eagle Rare 10 SB

ORVW 10/107

Non Bourbons:

Dickel Barrel Select

Dickel 12

Black Bush

Powers

[Mamba]

This is hard, since mine changes like everyone else's.

Saz 18

Saz Jr.

Those are my first two for sure.

WTRB

PVW20

WLW06

Those might follow.

Old, young, rye, wheat, I like it all.

[fog]

EC 12, Henry McKenna Single Barrel 10 yo, Four Roses Single Barrel, WT 101

[heatmiser]

Current Release Favorites:

1. ORVW15

2. GTS '06

3. AH Hirsch 16

4. ORVW Lot B

5. ETL

Older Bourbon:

1. Old Fitzgerald BIB

2. OGD BIB

3. Old Forester BIB

4. Eagle Rare 101

5. OGD 114

[tmas]

But Gary, how do you know you are getting "the best bourbon available today"?

When I first tried EC12 I fell in love... But then the love became fickle. Some bottles of EC 12 were boring and mundane to a fault --- not bad but nothing special in any sense of the word. Others rekindled the excitement I first felt.

The maddening inconsistency of EC 12 is what drove me away. Has it gotten better? More reliable? If so, I'd love to love again. If not, I'll spend my dollars elsewhere.

I have felt the same way about various bottles of RR 101 I've had, some being among the very best bourbons I have had, and other bottles being far less impressive. Has anyone else experienced this with RR 101? ... for that matter, are any SB folks of the opinion that this sort of variation is the rule rather than the exception, and might be a significant factor in the widely differing judgements of various bourbons by SB members? Tom V