Fighting Cock

[swampguy]

Does anyone know anything about this bourbon? I saw it in the store today and wanted y'all's opinion on this one before I bought. It was only 15.99 and I think 103 proof. Let me know what you can.

[cowdery]

Heaven Hill product, so it's going to be pretty similar to Evan Williams black label. A little bit younger and higher proof. Not bad. It is what it is, i.e., a pretty decent expression of Heaven Hill whiskey.

[gothbat]

That one was my regular pour for a while but then I got tired of it so it's been a while since I've had any. Not a bad bourbon by any means, in fact I've been missing it and thinking about picking up a bottle lately. A good value for that price, proof, and taste imo.

[craigthom]

Given the name and the packaging I had assumed that this was a recent label, but last year I found a tax stamped (and aged two years longer) bottle, so I guess it's been around for a while.

[ggilbertva]

I consider FC to be a decent bourbon for the price and given its 103 proof a good value. I mostly use it for mixing and such but at times do drink it neat.

[whiskeyhatch]

Used to be a good value bourbon but the price has gone up a bit. It's a young tasting bourbon with lots of corn husk. I drank it neat with some spring water and found it to have a lot of flavor but it just wasn't my cup o' tea. I'd recommend you give it a try, though. Oh, and $15.99 is still not a bad price. It's pushing 20 bucks here in the metroplex.

[ggilbertva]

I wait for it to go on sale and usually pick it up for around $14. $20 is getting a little high. VA increased all liquor sales in February so everything here has gone up unfortunately.

[camduncan]

I'm about a third of the way through my first bottle. It's not a great bourbon, but not a bad one either. It has a bit too much burn for my liking, even when I put a few cubes of ice in it. I tried it with Coke, but that didn't help either. I've been meaning to try it in a Mint Julep for a while now, but haven't gotten around to it yet.

As an FYI....

Scott (Hightower) and I went out this time last year and purchased the last 5 (known) bottles in Australia before this product disappeared from our shelves. It has been dropped by the Aussie Heaven Hill Distributors. It cost us $45 AU per bottle, which was the normal retail price.

[jeff]

Heaven Hill product, so it's going to be pretty similar to Evan Williams black label. A little bit younger and higher proof. Not bad. It is what it is, i.e., a pretty decent expression of Heaven Hill whiskey.

It's not often that I disagree with Chuck, but in my opinion this bourbon is nothing like EWB. There is a cloying sweetness to it that makes it undrinkable to me. And correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Fighting Cock a wheater?

[DoubleT]

It's not often that I disagree with Chuck, but in my opinion this bourbon is nothing like EWB. There is a cloying sweetness to it that makes it undrinkable to me. And correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Fighting Cock a wheater?

I enjoy Fighting Cock, but I haven't met a bourbon yet that I haven't liked, just some more than others. I like the robust flavor and bite of this bourbon when served on the rocks.

As for the bolded question Jeff, its a Rye recipe bourbon. I direct you to their site, http://www.fightingcock.com/index-flash.html

Bourbon is like anything else, each to their own tastes, and all tastes are different. You may or may not enjoy FC but you'll never know until you try it. Cheers.

[jeff]

I enjoy Fighting Cock, but I haven't met a bourbon yet that I haven't liked, just some more than others. I like the robust flavor and bite of this bourbon when served on the rocks.

As for the bolded question Jeff, its a Rye recipe bourbon. I direct you to their site, http://www.fightingcock.com/index-flash.html

Bourbon is like anything else, each to their own tastes, and all tastes are different. You may or may not enjoy FC but you'll never know until you try it. Cheers.

Interesting that it states that "most" bourbon is made with wheat and that by using rye it is somehow different. Thanks for the link. I'm not sure where I picked up the idea that it was a wheater. Regardless, it has to be the sweetest-tasting bourbon on the market IMO. I guess I'm not enough of a "Bourbon Man" to enjoy this one:lol:

[cowdery]

The comparison to EWB was pretty casual, simply based on them both being HH rye-based bourbons of about the same age, but there's always that barrel selection thing and I believe HH selects FC for a little more burn. It never struck me as excessively sweet, but nothing ever has, so that's just me.

[swampguy]

Thanks for all the info. It seems it is worth a try. I think my next bottle will be FC.

[MikeK]

I actually picked up a miniature of it in Bardstown one day and drank it in a snifter in the parking lot of the HH visitors center. Oops, did I say that out loud?

I found it quite hot, and with nothing else to interest me. I would definitely give it a second chance though given the opportunity.

My favorite HH products are actually the 4/6/10 yo BIB's, so I am not rejecting it on any snob basis...

[cowdery]

My favorite HH products are actually the 4/6/10 yo BIB's, so I am not rejecting it on any snob basis...

I'm with you there. How good is JTS Brown BIB? And at half the price of FC.

[jeff]

I'm with you there. How good is JTS Brown BIB? And at half the price of FC.

How good is it?

[HighTower]

I'm with Jeff on the sweet factor.

Cam and I both found this to be incredibly sweet which is why Cam thought it may be good for Mint Juleps.

Scott

[ILLfarmboy]

To my taste it isn't really any sweeter than Weller Antique but I can see where it's thinness and perhaps the fact that it is a bit hot for it's 103 proof can make it's sweetness objectionable.

[cowdery]

How good is it?

I'm very fond of JTS Brown BIB. I think it's terrific.

[OscarV]

a Fighting Cock thread, and 2 pages of it at that.

It is not worth that much, but I do have to admit that maybe some people may think that this boubon is unique, I have yet to, as they say, walk a mile in there shoes.

[Dr. François]

a Fighting Cock thread, and 2 pages of it at that.

It is not worth that much, but I do have to admit that maybe some people may think that this boubon is unique, I have yet to, as they say, walk a mile in there shoes.

I managed to walk a mile in the shoes for a buck-oh-nine!

I picked up a mini bottle today. I like it. Granted, I prefer EWB at 11 bucks or EC12 at 20 bucks, but FC103 has some charming elements that I haven't found elsewhere.

First, the proof is astounding for a mid-shelf bourbon. I also don't know of any other bourbons bottled at 103. A random numer! And a prime number! Seriously, though...I'm guessing HH decided on this proof to compete with WT101. For reference, the following prime numbers are unclaimed whiskey proofs: 83, 89, 97, 109, and 113.

Plus, adjectives + birds seem to make people thirsty. It works for WT and Famous Grouse. I propose a new 15-20 dollar bourbon: Salacious Pheasant. Or Corpulant Goose. Or Ill-Tempered Eagle. Or Feisty Quail. I've got a million of these.

Second, this is a sweet bourbon, but lacks the thick viscosity of other "sweeters." This is a good reason to try it, too.

Third, I'm picking up the most prominent honeydew melon flavor I've ever experienced (outside melon flavored vodka) from a spirit. This interesting flavor profile might be fleeting or capricious from bottle to bottle, but I'm impressed.

Fourth, I like the lack of snob appeal. The Kickin' Chicken ain't trying to impress nobody. And the plastic bottle isn't making any friends. According to the HH website:

"Fighting Cock appeals to both male Gen X-ers and serious Bourbon lovers alike."

Hey! Creepy! It's like they have my dossier!

[polyamnesia]

since i haven't TRIED it and it's not available HERE, i am dying to give it a shot. preferably, a good pour. i like to be surprised.

it is available in my neighboring states of MD, DE or NJ (or even NY)????

is it feisty and rye-ish in the Old Grand Dad 114 sense?

[bvscfanatic]

I've had it, but it's been awhile. I have another bottle of it now, but haven't opened it yet as I am trying other bourbons. I personally liked it alot, but it's NOT a drink for the faint of heart. I learned quickly that the name and logo alone were very intimidating to most of my drinking companions. They weren't willing to try it.

It has a dark reddish amber color very similar to WT101, and I have every reason to suspect that it was created as a direct competitor. If I am not mistaken, this is a bourbon with a fairly stout rye content. The bird on the bottle tells the story. This stuff has an attitude. If you enjoy bourbon with an attitude, then it's well worth a try for the price.

[Dramiel McHinson]

I bought a 375 ml bottle a while back because it was glass with a clear label that showed the bourbon nicely. The Angry Chicken was just too interesting to pass up. The price was $9.00. I put it on the shelf as bourbon art and let er sit for a while. Later, in a weak moment, I cracked it open to give it a try. It was sweet but it had plenty of flavor and kick to it. I was entertained by the label and the bourbon and the price was not bad for 51.5 ABV. So, it wasn't a bad deal at all for me.

To be honest though, the little woman tried it and turned a sommersault inside her bloomers. After she caught her breath, she was concerned she had permanently scared her inward self. It's not for everyone.

[Josh]

In Bourbon, Straight (sorry, I got two copies for my birthday) the aforementioned Chuck implies that it is almost a parody of WT 101. Anybody who has actually had the stuff have an opinion on that?