Eagle Rare 17 YO 90 proof-Old Fitz

[sionilli69]

I stumbled upon two bottles of Eagle Rare 17 yo 90 proof at a local store and picked them up for about $55 each. Never have had ER but based upon everything I've read here, it seemed like a good deal. Any thoughts on what to expect taste-wise?

Also, the same store had a few bottles of Very Special Old Fitz 12 yo, 90 proof I believe. Again, any thoughts about whether or not I shold pick these up?

Thanks,

Dave

[CorvallisCracker]

Also, the same store had a few bottles of Very Special Old Fitz 12 yo, 90 proof I believe. Again, any thoughts about whether or not I shold pick these up?

I too have been eyeballing VSOF 12yo and would like to hear (well, read) some opinions.

[StraightBoston]

ER 17 depends on the year -- it is often regarded as the poor child of the BTAC because of its relative smoothness and low proof compared to the others, but I've read elsewhere that the 2007 was the best of its class (I haven't yet opened my bottle to verify!) I've always found it an excellent sipping whiskey -- great as an aperitif with one cube.

As for VSOF 12, I've sampled it twice and found it the least interesting Old Fitz expression. YMMV.

[sionilli69]

Thanks Kevin, good info.

Dave

[BourbonJoe]

As for VSOF 12, I've sampled it twice and found it the least interesting Old Fitz expression. YMMV.

Was this the BHC Louisville version or Heaven Hill?

Joe :usflag:

[mozilla]

I have had the VSOF BHC and find it to be an excellent bourbon. Much more interesting than any of the Bib Fitz's that I have tried. The amount of oak and....going to go have a sip and refresh my memory.....be right back....

Oh yeah...sticking my nose in the bottle...smells just like the inside of my Old Fitz barrel. Smooth and sweet!

Wow, it has got to be one of the smoothest bourbons on the planet. Its pallet is very comlex...lots going on there, but not in an overwhelming way. ....you ever just finish off some waffles and then lick the syrup off you face....that lingering flavor that reminds you of your breakfast for a few hours....thats how this acts. Lingers forever.

I say go for it! Buy it before I find it....

Just took a pull off some OF 1849 from HH....this is a totally different product. Much more bourbon like than the VSOF. The VSOF was much more VW like.

[StraightBoston]

Joe and Jeff--

I'm embarrassed to say that I misspoke -- the BHC wheater that I did not care for was the Weller Centennial! I have an unopened miniature (well... it's opened now) of the VSOF 12 from UD and I just put it up against:

• Old Fitzgerald BIB 1969
  
• Van Winkle Special Reserve Lot B 12yo
  
• Old Weller Antique 107pf 7yo (gold-vein Louisville bottle)
  

Great nose with that characteristic S-W smell (I call it burnt butter) -- the '69 BIB beats it handily with its sherry overtones and the Weller Antique edges it with sweetness, but it is far more robust than the Lot B at the same age.

Tastes follow the same ranking... the VSOF 12 is penalized by a burn down the throat that is not present in the BIB nor the Antique (and how the 107 proof avoids that burn is a marvel to me.) The Lot B -- which I like by itself -- is too flat and smooth to keep up with the others.

Of course, this still refers to a dusty bottle, but I take back my disparaging comments about the VSOF 12. (The Weller Centennial is a different problem, since I have a Julio's 13yo bottling waiting for its chance in the cabinet! The 10yo BHC mini just doesn't have the sweetness and that cherry/vanilla/almond thing that the better S-Ws have...)

[mozilla]

The 10yo BHC mini just doesn't have the sweetness and that cherry/vanilla/almond thing that the better S-Ws have...)

With the one bottle that I have opened of the Cent. ... I have found the same. Just to dry for my flavor. I much prefer the 107 to the Centennial. Makes me wonder why the Cent. is so overpriced?

I did not find any burn in the VSOF....I would think it hard for a 12 yr old bourbon to burn especially at 90 proof. Seems as though it should be fully tamed by then???

[jburlowski]

ER 17 depends on the year -- it is often regarded as the poor child of the BTAC because of its relative smoothness and low proof compared to the others, but I've read elsewhere that the 2007 was the best of its class (I haven't yet opened my bottle to verify!) I've always found it an excellent sipping whiskey -- great as an aperitif with one cube.

As for VSOF 12, I've sampled it twice and found it the least interesting Old Fitz expression. YMMV.

I concur... some years (like 2007) are really good... others (I think 2006 is an example) are, IMHO, terribly over-oaked.