I get emails from a website called "Caskers" (today@caskers.com) that sends me deals on various whiskies and liquors every day. I have never bought any, because living in Kentucky I can find just about any bourbon at my local liquor store, but it has some interesting selections for people who lived in areas with a smaller selection.

I had an excellent night. In northeast OH, there is a bourbon shortage for certain bottles. The bottle I've been seeking to buy has been unavailable for about a month and is constantly on backorder. Fortunately for me, they found an overlooked bottle in a beat up box in the back storeroom that was bottled back in January of this year. One lonely single bottle sitting on the shelf in a beat up box. Normally, they don't even keep the bottles in the box. I spied it from the entrance as I was walking past the place, and I saw it. Rushed in, snapped it up and bought it. In and out in less than 5 min. Haven't tried it yet and I'm waiting for a good time to do so. Maybe this weekend when I have more time to unwind, IDK.

It wasn't a pappy van winkle, but for those not in KY it was a pleasant surprise to find nonetheless - at least for me it was.

Blanton's I can find relatively easily at any good spirits retailer. That being said, I was just given a bottle of Booker as a graduation gift from a friend. I'm waiting for the right opportunity to test it out. ;-)

Blantons is good. For some reason in Virginia liquor stores, the 375ml bottle is markedly cheaper per liter than the 750. Like 20 bucks for the 375 and 50 for the 750. Plus I like the horsey corks.

(06-15-2016 10:55 AM)brista21 Wrote:  Blanton's I can find relatively easily at any good spirits retailer. That being said, I was just given a bottle of Booker as a graduation gift from a friend. I'm waiting for the right opportunity to test it out. ;-)

The OH LCB has thorough control over liquor sales, and they are the ones who mete out the supply to the various stores. That is how it was explained to me. Therefore, there are roving blackouts on certain brands. Scotch, OTOH, seems to be regularly stocked. You can easily get Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, Laphroig, Oban's, Langavulin and the various Irish Whiskeys out there including yellow and green spot, RedBreast, etc. I may be shifting gears and may go for Glenmorangie10 or even some Old Pulteny12. Too bad the palatable cheaper scotches are about $10+ more expensive than the equivalent bourbon.

Hell, I may opt to try out the Ron Zacapa 23. I never had a truly good rum before, so i may take a break from bourbon.

(06-15-2016 10:55 AM)brista21 Wrote:  Blanton's I can find relatively easily at any good spirits retailer. That being said, I was just given a bottle of Booker as a graduation gift from a friend. I'm waiting for the right opportunity to test it out. ;-)

Be careful with that Booker's.

(06-16-2016 09:21 AM)Tigeer Wrote:  

(06-15-2016 10:55 AM)brista21 Wrote:  Blanton's I can find relatively easily at any good spirits retailer. That being said, I was just given a bottle of Booker as a graduation gift from a friend. I'm waiting for the right opportunity to test it out. ;-)

Be careful with that Booker's.

I don't care how smooth someone says it is, it should be cut to no more than 100 proof. You may kill your taste buds otherwise.

(06-16-2016 10:05 AM)miko33 Wrote:  

(06-16-2016 09:21 AM)Tigeer Wrote:  

(06-15-2016 10:55 AM)brista21 Wrote:  Blanton's I can find relatively easily at any good spirits retailer. That being said, I was just given a bottle of Booker as a graduation gift from a friend. I'm waiting for the right opportunity to test it out. ;-)

Be careful with that Booker's.

I don't care how smooth someone says it is, it should be cut to no more than 100 proof. You may kill your taste buds otherwise.

Indeed

(06-15-2016 09:45 AM)miko33 Wrote:  I had an excellent night. In northeast OH, there is a bourbon shortage for certain bottles. The bottle I've been seeking to buy has been unavailable for about a month and is constantly on backorder. Fortunately for me, they found an overlooked bottle in a beat up box in the back storeroom that was bottled back in January of this year. One lonely single bottle sitting on the shelf in a beat up box. Normally, they don't even keep the bottles in the box. I spied it from the entrance as I was walking past the place, and I saw it. Rushed in, snapped it up and bought it. In and out in less than 5 min. Haven't tried it yet and I'm waiting for a good time to do so. Maybe this weekend when I have more time to unwind, IDK.

It wasn't a pappy van winkle, but for those not in KY it was a pleasant surprise to find nonetheless - at least for me it was.

What letter was on the stopper?

(06-16-2016 10:52 AM)Tigeer Wrote:  

(06-15-2016 09:45 AM)miko33 Wrote:  I had an excellent night. In northeast OH, there is a bourbon shortage for certain bottles. The bottle I've been seeking to buy has been unavailable for about a month and is constantly on backorder. Fortunately for me, they found an overlooked bottle in a beat up box in the back storeroom that was bottled back in January of this year. One lonely single bottle sitting on the shelf in a beat up box. Normally, they don't even keep the bottles in the box. I spied it from the entrance as I was walking past the place, and I saw it. Rushed in, snapped it up and bought it. In and out in less than 5 min. Haven't tried it yet and I'm waiting for a good time to do so. Maybe this weekend when I have more time to unwind, IDK.

It wasn't a pappy van winkle, but for those not in KY it was a pleasant surprise to find nonetheless - at least for me it was.

What letter was on the stopper?

'L'

So I've been settling into regularly drinking a dram of whiskey a night. Just one glass with about an inch to 1.5" of spirit. I have 2 unopened bottles of Blantons and 1 bottle each of Russell's Reserve and Elijah Craig small batch. The EC I bought still has the 12 year old age statement on the back of the bottle, so I got one before their change to a NAS version of the EC small batch. Honestly I'm not the biggest fan of EC. I think it tends to have a little bit of that stray alcohol odor and I think it's too much wood relative to the other flavors that should be there. At 12 years in fresh oak barrels, I'm not surprised.

Regarding favorite brands, I would have to rank the Blanton's as my favorite so far with the Russell's Reserve as my 2nd and WT101 as my 3rd favorite bourbon. Other bourbons that I also like are the Bonded OGD, Larceny and Buffalo Trace. I'm not terribly fond of the Dickel 12. I liked it at first but the more I drank, the less I liked it.

I also snuck in a Glenmorangie 10 into the mix as well. I liked it. It wasn't a WOW type of single malt scotch or even a very complex one. But it was smooth and had a bit of a citrus taste to it as well. If there ever was a summer whiskey, I'd say this would definitely be a great candidate. Otherwise, I've not imbibed in scotch or irish whiskey this year. To me it seems like a $50 - $60 scotch is equivalent in quality to a $30 - $40 bourbon. In defense of scotch, you do get a greater diversity of flavors given the heavy regulation that goes into creating a bourbon. But... IMHO I don't think the value is there in the scotches when an equivalent quality bourbon is available, unless you want to go after a peaty/smoky flavor in your whiskey.

So far, I have not tried either Maker's Mark or Woodford Reserve. Given that I tried the Larceny brand from Heaven Hill, I don't think Maker's Mark would give me anything new or exciting over that brand. Plus Larceny is cheaper than Makers. Woodford Reserve may have an intriguing taste that's distinct from the other brands I've already tried; however I don't think it's worth the price.

I'd say that my preferences are for a bourbon to have a moderate amount of rye in the mashbill. I like a bourbon that will give me flavors like pepper, cloves and cinnamon.

Bought a bottle of Four Roses Single Barrel - 100 proof. Tried it once tonight. To me, it's pretty unique. Honestly not sure if it's unique in a good way or if it's a good quality bourbon that doesn't fit my taste preferences. I know it's got a mash bill that has rye at around 35% which makes it a very high rye for a bourbon. For my first time drinking it, I've had to add an ice cube to drink it. One small cube made it taste really nice with a lot of spice. Seemed a bit much to drink it at 100 proof, although I've not had the same problem drinking WT101 or even OGD Bonded neat. With a little patience I can probably drink this neat and really enjoy it. But right now I think the rye is more than I'm used to.

(04-20-2016 09:40 PM)miko33 Wrote:  In your opinion, which bourbon/tennessee whiskey is the best for drinking neat or on the rocks? I'm looking to try something new and haven't explored much in the area of bourbon or tennessee style whiskey. I was thinking about trying a bottle of Knob Creek straight bourbon, Bulleit bourbon or George Dickel #12. My whiskey experience is mostly in the realm of scotch, irish and canadian blends.

Anyone have a preference amongst those or other brands? I've been batting the idea of the Bulleit Rye whiskey too, but thinking it would be best to stick to bourbon before venturing into a rye whiskey.

Blanton's. But then I prefer a single malt Scotch whiskey, Glenfiddich 15-18. BTW: Neat in both cases.

Kentucky Gentleman. Rocks. Topped and stirred with a spritz of choice diet cola.

Weller Special Reserve, McKenna 10, and Eagle Rare all neat are my go to for whiskeys in the affordable for frequent drinking price range.

(02-25-2018 03:26 AM)JRsec Wrote:  

(04-20-2016 09:40 PM)miko33 Wrote:  In your opinion, which bourbon/tennessee whiskey is the best for drinking neat or on the rocks? I'm looking to try something new and haven't explored much in the area of bourbon or tennessee style whiskey. I was thinking about trying a bottle of Knob Creek straight bourbon, Bulleit bourbon or George Dickel #12. My whiskey experience is mostly in the realm of scotch, irish and canadian blends.

Anyone have a preference amongst those or other brands? I've been batting the idea of the Bulleit Rye whiskey too, but thinking it would be best to stick to bourbon before venturing into a rye whiskey.

Blanton's. But then I prefer a single malt Scotch whiskey, Glenfiddich 15-18. BTW: Neat in both cases.

I have 2 bottles of Blanton's that I'm holding onto because for some reason supply is limited in my neck of the woods.

About a month ago I bought the Jim Beam Bonded bourbon to give it a try. Tried it 2-3 times so far and I'm NOT IMPRESSED. What an odd taste. I wouldn't call it swill, but...bleh. I've been batting the idea around of buying Bookers - but if it's made from the same stuff that Beam uses for their bonded bourbon then I'll pass. It's thin, smells like corn and maybe the taste is like a less sweet version of corn bread? I'm dumping this glass out and will save the bourbon for my BIL's bday party for a mixer.

(02-27-2018 07:16 PM)miko33 Wrote:  

(02-25-2018 03:26 AM)JRsec Wrote:  

(04-20-2016 09:40 PM)miko33 Wrote:  In your opinion, which bourbon/tennessee whiskey is the best for drinking neat or on the rocks? I'm looking to try something new and haven't explored much in the area of bourbon or tennessee style whiskey. I was thinking about trying a bottle of Knob Creek straight bourbon, Bulleit bourbon or George Dickel #12. My whiskey experience is mostly in the realm of scotch, irish and canadian blends.

Anyone have a preference amongst those or other brands? I've been batting the idea of the Bulleit Rye whiskey too, but thinking it would be best to stick to bourbon before venturing into a rye whiskey.

Blanton's. But then I prefer a single malt Scotch whiskey, Glenfiddich 15-18. BTW: Neat in both cases.

I have 2 bottles of Blanton's that I'm holding onto because for some reason supply is limited in my neck of the woods.

Well you danged sure don't share your Blanton's! If they are family maybe, but you run a DNA test first.

Henry McKenna single barrel bonded, aged 10 years. Think I found a favorite for frequent drinks. Easy to drink it neat even at 100 proof. Smooth, flavorful and not watery at all. IMHO, as good as Blanton’s.

(02-26-2018 12:56 PM)esayem Wrote:  Kentucky Gentleman. Rocks. Topped and stirred with a spritz of choice diet cola.

but seriously, George Dickel has some solid varieties that are under the radar.

It always cracks me up when people want to mix an expensive/very tasty whiskey.