Comparing Old Hickory to some current Bourbons

[dave ziegler]

Last night I decided while I still have some Old Hickory to start comparing it to some modern Bourbons. I had a shot of Wild Turkey 80 Proof and a shot of Old Hickory 80 proof and to me Old Hickory Won hands down. Better feel in your mouth smoother going down and much more flavor. I will have to test it againest Evan Williams next. Am I alone in this thought that Vintage Bourbons are far better then todays better products for a large part? Is it the fact that cost are so high that they can't aford to go all out. All I know is my Old Hickory was way better to me then the Wild Turkey. I rest my case for your coments.

Dave Z

Old Hickory America's Most Magnificent Bourbon

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[mozilla]

Dave,

Have you talked with anyone that remembers some of the specs that Kinsey would distill to? Mash bills, fermentation time, yeast strains, distillation proof, barrel proof and char levels....are there still any of the old timers around that worked the stills?

I would guess that your getting some of the flavors from the low distilling and barrel entry proof. What was the age of the Hick from long ago?

[dave ziegler]

Jeff it is 8 year old 80 Proof and it is so darn good I wish I had many more bottles of it. I will try to ask Ludy if he knows anything about that worked there 43 years 1936 till 1983. I just plain think if it were selling today it would be called one of the Very Best!

Dave

Old Hickory America's Most Magnificent Bourbon

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[mozilla]

Since, it is 8yrs....I would think that the 101, watered down to 80 proof would probably make a better comparison. I don't think there are any current 80 proofers that will stand up to a dusty bottle. Dusties all have more flavor than most bourbons on the low and midshelf today, IMO. -or- you have to pay an astronomical amount to get that same sort of flavor profile out of a current label.

[dave ziegler]

Jeff I think I may be able to find out the Mash bill from Mr Charles Medly I talked to him about who had the Old Hickory label after he gave it up and He quoted some numbers from the formual I not knowing much did not have a clue but I would think He would be someone that would know from having bought the brand around 1980 He actually Came up to Linfield to buy labels and bottles and Brands He told me some about it said after Mr Neuman died the people who did the stock take over had some Real bad mangement there!

Dave Z

Old Hickory America's Most Magnificent Bourbon

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[mozilla]

Unless, Charles specifically bought the recipes and formulas, I don't believe that he would have all that knowledge. Sometimes all that info is given...sometimes not.

I still think that one of the Kinsey folks would know better....they made the bourbon for many years, rather than just making a purchase.