Jim Beam Masterpiece

[chilidawg7]

Hey everyone -

I searched the forums but couldn't find much on this product.

When a special occasion arises, I take the wife to Ruth's Chris for a tasty steak dinner and pleasurable dining experience. One of the bourbons they offer is the Masterpiece and it is something like $50 per serving.

I have seen a bottle or two here and there for sale and have no real interest in purchasing it, but I am interested to see how many here have tried it and what your thoughts were.

Thanks in advance for your help,

Chris

[spun_cookie]

I have had the 18 yr cognac finish due to the kind gesture of a great SBer... and it was good, but over time the cognac finish overwhelmed the bourbon and became to sweet for me. Much better than the Crown Royal Cognac finish, but just not good bourbon to me...

There is a port version (20yr) that I have not had.

[AVB]

The one you are showing is the 20 yo Port finish version. I liked it but not as much as the 18 yo Cognac finish one which I conside one of the finest spirits I've ever had. You can read my review of the 18 yo one here if you want. Plus, there are some reviews posted on this board if you search.

[MikeK]

If you want to get a ballpark idea of what this tastes like, try the following make-it-yourself recipe.

Pour a small amount of good quality port in a snifter, just enough to swirl around and coat your glass. Discard (or drink) any excess. Add an ounce of your favorite high-end Beam product. Knob Creek will do. Swirl to mix, enjoy.

I tried this at the Sampler a few years back with an excellent port from the 1940's I believe. Not bad at all.

I do however feel that wine finishing a bourbon is an un-natural act...

Cheers,

[ACDetroit]

Chris, I have a bottle of this unopened, but almost empty is the 18 yr old Cognac finish and to quote;

AVB: "18 yo Cognac finish one which I conside one of the finest spirits I've ever had."

I would agree, it is a great after dinner treat and will open another 18 once I finish the current bottle on the bar.

In Michigan the 20 yr. old sells for $250 plus 6% sales tax so $50 bucks might be a bit high but 5000 of these were released in 2000 so finding them is getting harder and harder. I traded some WF4G for the 3 20 yr olds I had.

P.S. The 18 yr old was a 5000 bottle release in 1999.

Cheers!

Tony

[mgilbertva]

I do however feel that wine finishing a bourbon is an un-natural act...

I agree. I should say I disagree despite not having tried any wine-finished bourbons. I have however, tried several wine (red wine, port, chardonnay) finished scotches. I liked none of them, with the exception of sherry finished, which I enjoy immensely. To me, with the exception of sherry, wine finishes clash with scotch.

I am assuming the same would hold true for bourbon. That's one of the reasons I have had no interest in the numerous wine-finished experiments out there by Woodford and BT.

Maybe one day I'll try one and change my mind.

Cognac, on the other hand, strikes me as a nice complement to bourbon.

Just my uneducated and ignorant opinion...

[SippinJim]

I believe I saw a bottle of DMP at store nearby. I'm not sure if it's the 18 or 20yo. If it's the 18 it'll be in my cart by this Friday or Saturday at the latest.

[wadewood]

both of these are still available in Houston area. I'm not interested in buying any, but if somebody else wants them, let me know.

[mgilbertva]

Any idea what $$ they're asking?

[wadewood]

$199, although I did see one store at $219 all plus tax around 8.5%

[mgilbertva]

Those are pretty good prices. I haven't seen them for under $250.

[wadewood]

Those are pretty good prices. I haven't seen them for under $250.

It's good price compared to $250, but should they have ever been priced this much to begin with?

[squire]

I sampled the port finish when it came out and was not sufficiently impressed to spring for a bottle.

[NorCalBoozer]

It's good price compared to $250, but should they have ever been priced this much to begin with?

Probably not but it does have one of the most beautiful presentations and bottles ever.

I have a 20 yr and the glass etching is really cool. I'm sure that is part of what makes it so expensive. Also the shape of the bottle is really elegant. That probably cost a lot too, as it's not a standard size/shape.

Anyways I've not opened it yet but i do look forward to when i do.

Greg

[mgilbertva]

$250 is what I've seen in DC on the three occasions I've seen one for sale. They may have added just a tiny bit of a mark-up. :shocked:

[SippinJim]

Saw the 20yo for $269 locally. I did not get there quick enough to get it so I go me PVW 23yo instead.

[whiskeyme]

I haven't seen these in AZ anywhere :hot:.

[jburlowski]

Saw the 20yo for $269 locally. I did not get there quick enough to get it so I go me PVW 23yo instead.

Better choice..................

[mgilbertva]

At a tasting the other weekend, I got to try both. As for the 20yr, I agree, Pappy 23 is vastly superior. The 18yr Cognac wood, on the other hand, is excellent. I wouldn't mind tasting it next to some of our favorite older bourbons. I think it would show well.