Some recent samplings and purchases.
- High West Double Rye. I like the Rendezvous Rye, tried the cheaper one. It's ok. Better as a mixer. Sazerac is better and cheaper for a budget rye.
- Templeton Rye - Stout Cask. This is nice. $50, 6 year plus finish in stout casks. Adds a bready richness, fairly robust.
- Alberta Premium Rye. Splurged $75. Not worth it. Good, but not better than Whistle Pig 10 (also Alberta in most cases).
- Russell's Reserve 10 year and Eagle Rare 10 year. Eagle Rare is now expensive and allocated. Is the RR10 a comparable option that is still cheap and easy to find? Yes it is. I might like it slightly better.
- Tumbling Dice single barrels. I've now had 5 of these and they are all quite good. At about $55 these are great if you like the MGP bourbon profile.
I mean, it's arguably the same stuff. WP might be older, hard to know since Alberta Premium is NAS. It could be highly batch/barrel dependent. The WP store picks I've had have all blown this away. The regular WP10 I've had is pretty comparable to this AP.Agree on the HWDR. Not great neat and an OK mixer.
Have only tried the Sherry finished from Templeton and its pretty nice stuff. Recently picked up their 2022 Barrel Strength edition ( 57.3 ABV ) but have yet to crack it open.
Disagree here. I love their stuff! I did not care for the WP10 I had. Funny how palates can be so different with this stuff.
I mean, it's arguably the same stuff. WP might be older, hard to know since Alberta Premium is NAS. It could be highly batch/barrel dependent. The WP store picks I've had have all blown this away. The regular WP10 I've had is pretty comparable to this AP.
Templeton is MGP, and I think 6 year MGP rye at that price point is pretty good. I saw the barrel strength too, but this was a gift and the recipient isn't big on barrel proof stuff.
As with some other things, I found that mellowed a bit with air in the bottle. It’s woody. But not as bad as some of those Orphan Barrel things.Had a pour of Barrell Vantage yesterday, and if you like oak oh man this is the bourbon for you haha. Was like being slapped upside the head with a 2x4 of oak. Had to throw some ice in it to mellow it out and it was more palatable for me after that, but still a ton of dry lingering wood that lingered.
Because a lot of craft bourbon is released as NAS. Straight means it’s at least two years old. I’m just pleased that they didn’t cut corners.Those 9yo singles at 120 proof are really good. Why are you surprised its labeled straight on thee local one though?
Because a lot of craft bourbon is released as NAS. Straight means it’s at least two years old. I’m just pleased that they didn’t cut corners.
Bottled in Bond is 4, Straight is 2 I believe. Mmmm cheese. Used to get Lawsons beer cheese in Vermont.I thought it was 4 years? Have to look back at my book. Also this is supposed to be some good stuff.
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Pour Me A Slice
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Could be interesting though? I don't know anyone that thinks much of the Jefferson Ocean stuff, but the concept is cool. But it always seemed like it would be cheaper and more efficient to come up with a way to randomly sway the barrels in a warehouse. But what will zero gravity do? I wouldn't think it would be a good thing for the bourbon, because it would have less contact with the barrels. I can't imagine the lack of natural oxygen helps, but maybe radiation does?OK I think the industry has finally jumped the shark
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Mystic Galactic Bourbon to Be Aged in Outer Space
Mystic Farm and Distillery plans to send bourbon to outer space for a year of additional aging. Mystic Galactic Bourbon can be preordered for $75,000.whiskeyraiders.com
Technically, yes, JD is bourbon. But it becomes a TN Whiskey after they run it through the charcoal filtration process.
Been on the JD tour 3 times, live in TN and JD is one of my favorites. Really cool tour - worth the 90 minute drive from Nashville if you ever find yourself in the area!
Saw a Facebook post that a local shop had an Eagle Rare store pick for $40, so I grabbed it. Nobody at that store picked anything other than their own ass, but still it’s a good one at a good price.
Jack Daniels is just bourbon. Tennessee whiskey has no legal definition and Wild Turkey Longbranch is is also charcoal filtered @McLovin, give it a try. Much better than regular JD. The JD Single Barrels I’ve have have been good.
Not sure about those batches. I've had a few Stagg Jr. bottles. All were hot and barely drinkable at the neck pour, then rounded out after being open a long time and became very good. I've had lots of RR store picks and non picks, and all have been good, some have been great.Recently scored some true " unicorn " samples, a Stagg Jr batch 14, and a Russell's Reserve batch 2. I would pay good money for more of the Stagg, a truly amazing pour and I see why folks revere it. I would rather not drink whiskey again than have the RR a second time or pay what folks get for it. I don't get why folks revere that one. Though the couple of other WT products I have had didn't suit me either. So perhaps that distiller and myself just aren't meant to be. Anyone else have either of them and have feedback that is the same or wildly different?
Not sure about those batches. I've had a few Stagg Jr. bottles. All were hot and barely drinkable at the neck pour, then rounded out after being open a long time and became very good. I've had lots of RR store picks and non picks, and all have been good, some have been great.
I think we all likely have styles we prefer. For example, OF just doesn't do it for me. Even the single barrel store picks everyone wanted. 1920 is just ok. I find it a bit too bitter and dry. Elijah Craig BP is another I like but don't love as some do. I tend to really like the best bottles from BT, WT and Beam. Plus I often like MGP bourbon, but not always the rye (I don't like dill). New Riff has potential to be on my good list too. Dickel...that Flintstone vitamin note is off putting.