What would be considered the "Holy Grail" Bourbon's?

[SippinJim]

I have seen the Pappy Van Winkle 23 year old at $300 a bottle, AH Hirsch 16 year old but what are considered the real high end Bourbons? If you could have a bottle of any what would you chose for yourself? Cost is not a problem.

[barturtle]

As far as what are currently available bottlings, those are two of the highest priced bottlings on the market. My problem is the bottlings I want aren't in production and haven't been for quite some time and most weren't available in this country to begin with (as far as collector's bottlings anyway)

Neither price or nor age are what make a great bottling. Most of my all time favorites were or are available for under $50. I could care less about rarity, scarcity or some kind of "holy perfection" give me something I like to drink.

[sku]

That's the great thing about Bourbon. Even the best bottles are fairly affordable compared to, say, Scotch. Even before the dollar's decline, you could easily spend hundreds of dollars per bottle on Scotch and that's a lot harder to do with Bourbon.

[CorvallisCracker]

Cost is not a problem.

As in, someone else is buying for me? And someone who can get something not available to me where I live?

Well, for non-current bottlings, Hirsch 16 Blue Wax sealed (i.e., 1994 bottling), to replace my last bottle of that (about 60% full right now)

Current bottlings...hmm...already have GTS and PVW 15. PVW 20 I can get. William Larue Weller or ER 17 are on the list, but not at the top.

I'd have to say Wild Turkey American Spirit is what I covet the most right now.

Not that I lose sleep over it (see my tag line).

[ggilbertva]

I agree with the Hirsch Blue Wax....a really great bourbon

Stitzel Old Fitz BIB (which I'm fortunate to have in supply)

Old Rip Van Winkle 15 year 107

'06 WLW

Very Very Old Fitzgerald

....there's others but I'll stop there.

[Sijan]

See previous discussion here: http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5516&highlight=Holy+Grail

For me, Hirsch Blue Wax and the 19/20 yr old Hirsch bourbon bottlings and (original) Hirsch rye bottlings. Never had nor seen any of them.

[MikeK]

For me, Hirsch Blue Wax and the 19/20 yr old Hirsch bourbon bottlings and (original) Hirsch rye bottlings. Never had nor seen any of them.

Too bad we weren't able to get together before you left Boston. I could have helped you out on a couple of those. I've actually got the old Hirsch rye open at home. It is theoretically the same juice as VWFRR around a 'B' or 'C' letter code. It definitely has a much different and more old school flavor than any recent VWFRR I've had. Blue Wax? Got one. Maybe we can swap for a bunch of OF BIB

Cheers,

[BourbonJoe]

For me it would have to be VOF or VVOF, bottled in the sixties. I can't imagine wheaters getting any better than those.

Joe :usflag:

[mgilbertva]

I have similar preferences: VOF and VVOF, blue wax, red wax Hirsch.

In addition I salivate at the thought of older Old Forester BIBs, the 22yr Willett Ryes from a couple years back, an Old Overholt BIB.

I was most fortunate to come across two bottles on my "grail" list today: early BTACs - WLW 19yo and Saz, both 2000.

[spun_cookie]

You know... the EV anabellum has been one of the best surprises to me as a GREAT drink for so many reasons... I want another.... and the WLW 19 yr for the first time

[NorCalBoozer]

My missing "holy grail" would be a 2003 Stagg. I have a 2002 and all the others except a 2003. If anyone has a line on one............

[Old Lamplighter]

I'm a little easier to please.......WT12, if it can be considered a "Holy Grail" bourbon. If I had been around the bourbon world at an earlier point in time and had had a chance to obtain & try the Hirsch Blue Wax and VVOF, those would probably top my list. As it is though, WT12 is at the top for me.

[scratchline]

Aside from the obvious, the VOF and VVOF, I'd have to say that the Old Crow BIB is top of my list. That and any old bonded ryes.

-Mike

Oh, and that old barrel proof Weller that Chuck found a while back would be a dream come true.

[mgilbertva]

[...]the Old Crow BIB is top of my list. That and any old bonded ryes.

I've been searching high and low for the same thing. No love in DC for those so far...

[Jazzhead]

My holy grail would be a bottle of genuine Pennsylvania -distilled rye. I have yet to find such a dusty - but I have one open and one unopened bottle of Maryland-distilled WT Rye from the seventies. It is absolutely delicious and is the prize of my bunker.

[mgilbertva]

My holy grail would be a bottle of genuine Pennsylvania -distilled rye. I have yet to find such a dusty - but I have one open and one unopened bottle of Maryland-distilled WT Rye from the seventies. It is absolutely delicious and is the prize of my bunker.

Oh yeah!

I think Mike (scratchline) came up with some PA- or MD-distilled Rye last year. Care to make us jealous, Mike?