Two Bobs Bourbon

[Gillman]

Those interested in the rare and exotic might keep their eye out for this one, reviewed in the new issue of Whisky Magazine.

It is 13 year old bourbon, apparently sourced from Barton, bottled as a single cask (the term used in the reviews).

Different casks are essayed and rated.

It seems an importer brought the casks to the U.K. and bottled them there so I doubt this will see light beyond the U.K.

I am trying to think what in the Barton range available here it might correspond to. 1792 is not I believe 13 years old. Any thoughts?

See reviews at www.whiskymag.com

Gary

[cowdery]

I noticed that in WHISKY but didn't pick up the Barton connection. If anything that old from Barton is being sold in the USA, it's another NDP brand. Nothing Barton itself sells is close to that old, with 1792 being its only entry in the premium segment.

[Gillman]

Re Barton source, see the advert at www.royalmilewhiskies.com (and the atmospheric ad copy about Scots ancestors going to America, the whisky coming home, etc., I liked that ).

Gary

[cowdery]

I'm a bit surprised they got 228 bottles out of a 13-year-old barrel, especially at 63.6% ABV.

[Hedmans Brorsa]

Perhaps not unsurprisingly, I own a bottle of this. Mine is from cask 65, distilled in June 1994 and bottled in August 2007.

I got it friday two weeks ago and so far I have only tried it twice. I like Ridgemont reserve but this comes off as much more complex and decidedly "darker" in taste. I´m not sure if I´m focusing too much on the forthcoming festive season but I got a definitive gingerbread cookie theme on the palate.

As for the number of bottles: I have a couple of single cask barrel proof scotches in my collection and the two I checked listed over 200 bottles made on the label. Being a European release this of course comes in 700 ml bottle (as opposed to a 750 one). I´m certainly no math genius but maybe this could make a difference regarding your calculations?

[Jake_Parrott]

I'm a bit surprised they got 228 bottles out of a 13-year-old barrel, especially at 63.6% ABV.

Maybe they consolidated before shipment? It appears it was bottled in the UK.

[Gillman]

Interesting Lennart that you detect a gingery taste: a ginger note is a definite characteristic of Very Old Barton. It seems it continues in the product even when well-aged.

I would like to try this product, I always wondered what Barton would be like at double the age of VOB.

Gary

[Hedmans Brorsa]

Interesting Lennart that you detect a gingery taste: a ginger note is a definite characteristic of Very Old Barton. It seems it continues in the product even when well-aged.

I would like to try this product, I always wondered what Barton would be like at double the age of VOB.

Gary

Well, Gary, if you happen to be travelling in northern Sweden some time in the near future, I´d be happy to treat you to a glass.

Failing that, I think that Royal Mile whiskies ship worldwide. If so, you better act now. Only around 660 bottles made in all, and they appear to be going fast.

A classy packaging, as well (it comes in a wooden box). I could be wrong on this, but I think it is the first time that Ian Macleod ventures into bourbon.

I have, by the way, never tried VOB so it was interesting to note that possible similiarity in terms of, er, gingery-ness.

[Gillman]

Indeed! Well, not planning to be in Sweden yet, I think it's probably quite similar topographically to parts of Canada from what I've heard. Maybe one day you can visit us at KBF though!

Hey Lennart, in that summary online I mentioned of Bergman's Summer With Monica, it said the film represented well parts of the old quarter of Stockholm, the working quarter of the early 1950's.

Does that area still exist, or has development changed all that completely?

Gary

[Hedmans Brorsa]

Aaargh! Bergman.

I´ll PM you later about this, Gary. I think we´re veering off topic, somewhat.

[Gillman]

Okay thanks.

Gary

[TBoner]

Oh, man, can't we just take the Bergman discussion to Off-Topic?

I read a great James Baldwin piece this summer on an interview he conducted with Bergman in the early 1960s. Interesting insights into Bergman's view of Stockholm: as a village playing at being a city (a view apparently commonly held by many old-line Stockholm residents at the time...again, per Baldwin's remarks).

I'd be interested in hearing more from someone with insight into the city and this filmmaker, with whom I've only lately become fascinated.

In other words, if you guys do start talking Bergman over in OT, I'll mostly listen and learn, but I'm sure other folks have input and would like to hear what you two have to say...

[craigthom]

It's always appropriate to talk of Bergman. I've only seen a couple, though.

It says the "casks" were shipped to Scotland, so is it possible the extra aging took place there? It is still bourbon if it is aged outside the U.S.?