Inconsistent tasting bourbon.

[d_nelly78]

I have bought three bottles of Elijah Craig 12yo over the past couple of months and two have been bad and one was phenomenal. Even my wife liked it. It was worth the 96 rating Jim Murray gave in his book. I just loved the stuff. The other two are horrible with a strong metallic after taste. Has anyone else experienced this?

[TNbourbon]

I have bought three bottles of Elijah Craig 12yo over the past couple of months and two have been bad and one was phenomenal. Even my wife liked it. It was worth the 96 rating Jim Murray gave in his book. I just loved the stuff. The other two are horrible with a strong metallic after taste. Has anyone else experienced this?

I think we've ALL experienced this!

[d_nelly78]

Yes, but to this degree? This went from phenomenal to undrinkable. It's madness!!!!!!!!!:hot:

[TNbourbon]

Yes, but to this degree? This went from phenomenal to undrinkable. It's madness!!!!!!!!!:hot:

Yes, to this degree -- Elijah Craig 12yo is somewhat notorious for it.

For example, I experienced my first bottle much like the two you describe as execrable. It was quite awhile, reading many positive comments about the brand by others, before I bought a second bottle. It was stellar, nothing like the first, and rich in all the right HH flavors.

I bought a third bottle a year or so ago, which recently accompanied many glasses of ginger ale. While it wasn't as bad as the first, it wasn't near as good as the second, either.

I shrug when asked whether or not I'll buy it again. The price is great for a 12yo -- but, only if you happen across a good batch. For the bad ones, I'd rather spend my money on this month's BOTM, Ten High, to go with my ginger ale.

[JamesW]

I haven't tried the EC12 since I got burned on a horrid bottle of EC18. If they want to sell such inconsistent crap I'll spend my money elsewhere.:hot:

[ILLfarmboy]

I stopped buying any EC12 for just this reason.

[smokinjoe]

I've purchased several EC12's, and have had good experiences with all. Kismet, maybe. And, my current bottle of EC18 is one of the best in my current rotation.

Just goes to show ya...

JOE

[d_nelly78]

Tim,

I Agreee I Would Rather Have A Low End Mixer Than The Bad Ec 12. But If You Can Get A Hold Of The Good Ec12, It Is Outstanding.

[mgilbertva]

I had that problem with EC18 too. Woody, metallic, astringent and painfully dry. It turned me off to all EC (12 or 18) until reading some positive posts here, and getting to try a very good EC12 I broke down and bought one of each. I guess EC is something of a gamble, so unless you're stocked up on other whiskeys you may want to skip this one.

I haven't opened mine yet, and they were older dusties (1980s) so we'll see...

[jburlowski]

I recently bought a bottle of EC12 after a long abstinence. Must have been memories of an earlier romance. Man, when will I learn. Not just disappointing --- but downright boring.

I swear, I swear I will never do this again.

EC 18, on the other hand has never disappointed. Extraordinarily dry finish that is remarkably improved with just a splash of water. Not an every day taste, but a mighty fine one.

[SBOmarc]

For what it's worth, The bottles I have bought have all been lacking.

The ones given to me as gifts have all been Heaven Hill jewels.

Bourbon Karma.

[Mamba]

I've only purchased one bottle of EC12, but it tastes real good to me. I wasn't aware of the consistency problems when I purchased mine; I'm just glad mine isn't 'off.'

[Dr. François]

EC12 is one of my favorite pours. I've had three or four different vintages. All have been good, though different.

The standard fifth at my local grocery was outstanding. Seriously top notch. However, I bought them all, so there are no more left from that batch.

I bought an older (late 90's) 1.75. It is a different profile. It has much more fruit and much less of the toasty flavor. I prefer the current release to the older release.

I also tried the EC12 at the sampler and found it to be very similar to the fifths at my grocer.

I keep rolling the dice, hoping I never find that awful bottle.

Moral: Most liquor stores have stock of a single batch. Find one you love, go back, and buy them out!

[mgilbertva]

Maybe we should start a thread under tasting or premiums on how the various vintages of EC12 and EC18 measure up.

[Whiskey Willie]

I think we've ALL experienced this!

Bingo...The very reason I no longer buy EC12.

[CorvallisCracker]

Though I've never had a bad bottle, I've had a couple that didn't seem quite up to par. It was a standard pour for me for a while, but BT has replaced it (in the corn/rye category) because of its quality and consistancy.

[smokinjoe]

Though I've never had a bad bottle, I've had a couple that didn't seem quite up to par. It was a standard pour for me for a while, but BT has replaced it (in the corn/rye category) because of its quality and consistancy.

Scott, it sounds like you're lucky, and missed "The Great BT Funk of 2005-6". There was a period there, when it seemed a fair amount of folks, including me, detected a very dank, musty, just plain yukky taste in the BT. BT had been one of my favorites, but I went through approx 4 -5 bottles of the stuff, from various retailers throughout the country that had this funk. Fortunately that passed, and like you, am again enjoying the superb BT as a regular player in my lineup.

Cheers!

JOE

[voigtman]

Never had any bottle of EC 12 or EC 18 that was off in any way or less than excellent. Based on the saved corks, this is not a small sample set, either. Guess I'm either very lucky or have a lead palate, but it works out the same. BTW, my current open EC 18 is barrel 1432, barreled on 6-3-81. I bought it, and 5 more of the same, for $21 each the last time I found it on sale. I should have bought far more, but still have 2 bottles left.

[scubie02]

I've had some bottles that were better than others, but never an awful one--maybe a mediocre. The worst bottle I have had was still better than several others I've tried.

[CorvallisCracker]

Scott, it sounds like you're lucky, and missed "The Great BT Funk of 2005-6". There was a period there, when it seemed a fair amount of folks, including me, detected a very dank, musty, just plain yukky taste in the BT. BT had been one of my favorites, but I went through approx 4 -5 bottles of the stuff, from various retailers throughout the country that had this funk. Fortunately that passed, and like you, am again enjoying the superb BT as a regular player in my lineup.

Cheers!

JOE

Interesting.

I tried a single bottle of BT back when my favorite liquor store in TLH started carrying it, which I think was late 2004 or early 2005. I liked it, but didn't buy anymore. EC 12 remained my choice in under $25 ryed bourbon.

After arriving in OR at the beginning of 2007, I went through two bottles of EC 12. The second was a little off, so that's when I switched to BT.

[spun_cookie]

I have found that the early 80's EC18s are good to great... The 89 version (both I have tasted) were terrible, undrinkable.