Fighting Cock

[kickert]

I tried this for the first time the other day. I gave it a 7.5 out of 10 (much higher than I expected. I found it didn't have the flavor you would expect from 103 proof / 6 years. But with a splash of water it was very drinkable.

[ILLfarmboy]

For some reason all of the bigger Hy-Vee grocery stores are now stocking Fighting Cock. It use to be hard to find around here.

Its just too bad they don't do the same with some of the really sought after mid-shelf stuff.

[cas]

I wonder how it would fare if it had a more dignified name. Fighting Cock sounds a bit untamed and lowbrow. And the picture on the label reinforces that image. On the other hand, bourbons named after individuals, or even Wild Turkey, hint at something a bit more noble and traditional.

I do like the notion of selecting proofs based on prime numbers. Perhaps a 13 year old 103 proof bourbon could be considered really prime whiskey...

Craig

[polyamnesia]

still, does anyone know if it can be had in NJ, DE or MD?

is there a website where one can see where anything is and isn't available?

[barturtle]

still, does anyone know if it can be had in NJ, DE or MD?

is there a website where one can see where anything is and isn't available?

None of those states are control states, so there isn't going to be a "Master List" of what you can and can't buy like in PA.

However a quick websearch shows FC in Maryland, at least

[polyamnesia]

None of those states are control states, so there isn't going to be a "Master List" of what you can and can't buy like in PA.

However a quick websearch shows FC in Maryland, at least

[Jaysus]

I am just sharing this picture for the sake of sharing it:

[barturtle]

I'm not sure what that Crown Royal is doing in the picture, but good call on the Bell's Two Hearted Ale

[PAspirit1]

still, does anyone know if it can be had in NJ, DE or MD?

is there a website where one can see where anything is and isn't available?

According to their website, State Line Liquor in MD carries it. It might be a good idea to verify that it is in stock ahead of time.

[shoshani]

I am just sharing this picture for the sake of sharing it:

Interesting. When did Fighting Cock go from 8 years old to 6?

[mozilla]

I know it was after 89. I have one with a Gov warning on the back.

[Attila]

What, no mention of the Fighting Cock 15 year old. Virus of Life, input?

[polyamnesia]

According to their website, State Line Liquor in MD carries it. It might be a good idea to verify that it is in stock ahead of time.

wow. thanks! i just might be able to procure a bottle and know for myself

(and now, upon finding the site http://statelineliquors.com/liquor/liquor.htm happy to see they have several things i haven't tried)

[PAspirit1]

wow. thanks! i just might be able to procure a bottle and know for myself

(and now, upon finding the site http://statelineliquors.com/liquor/liquor.htm happy to see they have several things i haven't tried)

[Virus_Of_Life]

What, no mention of the Fighting Cock 15 year old. Virus of Life, input?

[sotnsipper]

I picked up another bottle of this just yesterday, it has been a while since I have had any. I remember always drinking this with ice so decided to try it neat. I poured it in the glass and let it warm up a little to room temp. I nosed it a little while it was warming and really thought I was going to be disappointed. It seemed to be a closed book, not letting itself open up:searching:. After about 15 min I nosed, no changes, then sipped. Thank goodness my nose was lying to me. It has a very robust mouth feel to it. Lots of pepper and cinnamon. It does have a lot of burn:hot:, but it is 103 proof, so that was expected. After about 30 to 45 min, the nose started to open up. Even though this stuff is on the bottom shelves in my area, I would rate it a mid-shelf-er. Now I am sorry I haven't picked up a bottle of this lately:frown:.

[p_elliott]

I got a bottle of this for Christmas I really liked it! It has a lot of Pizazz to it. It's not a boring bourbon to say the least. Not a refined review but accurate.

[sotnsipper]

It has a lot of Pizazz to it. Not a refined review but accurate.

Well put! Sometimes the simple reviews explain a lot! Good review!

[kickert]

FC is certainly something worth trying. It won't blow your mind, but for the price it is a steal!! I love how the deep red color challenges you to find the complexity of its burn.

-bk

[ILLfarmboy]

I think It has been a two or three years since I bought a bottle and the bottle I bought had probably sat on the shelf for quite some time before I found it. I remember it as sweet and thin without much depth. Perhaps the brand has improved. I certainly don't recall a "robust mouth feel".

Has anyone who regularly or infrequently buys this bottling noticed a change for the better, say, from four or so years back to the most current bottling from stock purchased at a store with a fairly high turn-over rate?

kickert, sotnsipper, and p_elliott's reviews have got me wanting to try it again.

[sotnsipper]

Has anyone who regularly or infrequently buys this bottling noticed a change for the better, say, from four or so years back to the most current bottling from stock purchased at a store with a fairly high turn-over rate?

kickert, sotnsipper, and p_elliott's reviews have got me wanting to try it again.

[polyamnesia]

this is going to be my next buy (if that special order of stagg doesn't come in soon!)

[ILLfarmboy]

I picked up a bottle of this today. I'm drinking some right now.

The nose is HH all the way. Reminds me of Evan Williams Black, though I haven't had any EVB since before they dropped the 7 year age statement two or three years back.

Both the nose and the taste is less sweet than I remember, though that may just be the power of suggestion. I was kinda expecting it to be a bit less sweet. The nose is better than the taste which is blunted a bit by alcohol, especially on the finish. I do have to say the nose is better than what I remember. Its not bad. I think it would be better at 7 or 8 years. After spending a couple sessions with it, it will go unused for a while but this bottle, like the last one I bought, will eventually get drained.

[bvscfanatic]

Ha, ha! I'm wearing my red Fighting Cock shirt (complete with the kickin' chicken) that I purchased at the Heaven Hill Bourbon Heritage Center just yesterday. We made a road trip to Bardstown for something totally unrelated to bourbon (a photo shoot at the Jailer's Inn), and I managed to convince my crew to tour the Heaven Hill facility. Loved it. We got to taste the EC 18 year and Evan Williams single barrel. Loved 'em both. Didn't buy 'em though. Got the shirt.

In future, I'm thinking of getting my entire wardrobe from Bardstown.

[polyamnesia]

I picked up a bottle of this today. I'm drinking some right now.

The nose is HH all the way. Reminds me of Evan Williams Black, though I haven't had any EVB since before they dropped the 7 year age statement two or three years back.

Both the nose and the taste is less sweet than I remember, though that may just be the power of suggestion. I was kinda expecting it to be a bit less sweet. The nose is better than the taste which is blunted a bit by alcohol, especially on the finish. I do have to say the nose is better than what I remember. Its not bad. I think it would be better at 7 or 8 years. After spending a couple sessions with it, it will go unused for a while but this bottle, like the last one I bought, will eventually get drained.

i agree, totally. i am a BIT disappointed, but then, that's partly my fault for expecting more when i knew there is no way it could be MORE at that price ($16.50 or so). i just left a review on the other, less traveled bourbon site...

i am still hanging on to hope...and will let it sit, air out, see what happens. no, it isn't bad at ALL! but it's not stellar like WT rye which is barely more (depending on where you are) or Weller SR or Antique...

it's too Heaven Hill....thin, vegetal. that's the worst of it. the high proof and rye spice are what save it.