Bourbon & Rye

[HuskyHawk]

I don't drink much whiskey so I would have no idea. But if I was on a tasting tour, I think I'd go with the additional H2O. I know straight whiskey burns a little more than I like.

That's just getting used to it. I get no burn at 100 proof or less, some with barrel proof stuff. But lately I often add a small ice cube that melts simply to keep me from drinking as much of it as I otherwise might.

When tasting more critically, I try it neat first. I do that for anything new and never added water back when I was wring reviews on Reddit. I would say that barrel proof bourbon and no water makes for a slow consumption time with very small sips.

 

[Chin Diesel]

I don't drink much whiskey so I would have no idea. But if I was on a tasting tour, I think I'd go with the additional H2O. I know straight whiskey burns a little more than I like.

That's just getting used to it. I get no burn at 100 proof or less, some with barrel proof stuff. But lately I often add a small ice cube that melts simply to keep me from drinking as much of it as I otherwise might.

When tasting more critically, I try it neat first. I do that for anything new and never added water back when I was wring reviews on Reddit. I would say that barrel proof bourbon and no water makes for a slow consumption time with very small sips.

The Kentucky Chew. First sip of bourbon is most likely going to burn a bit and have some bite.
That was another thing we were introduced to on our tastings. First sip is mostly a waste as your taste buds need to get over the shock of the alcohol. Each person is a bit different but it's common to need a sip to acclimate your body to the alcohol.

 

[HuskyHawk]

The Kentucky Chew. First sip of bourbon is most likely going to burn a bit and have some bite.
That was another thing we were introduced to on our tastings. First sip is mostly a waste as your taste buds need to get over the shock of the alcohol. Each person is a bit different but it's common to need a sip to acclimate your body to the alcohol.

The other thing is air time. Just like with wine. The first pour from a bottle is always the worst. That can be mitigated if you let it sit in the glass for 20 minutes before that first sip, and it would have a bit less "chew". Not possible at a distillery tasting of course, but I did then when writing reviews, started writing while it sat.

 

[Chin Diesel]

The other thing is air time. Just like with wine. The first pour from a bottle is always the worst. That can be mitigated if you let it sit in the glass for 20 minutes before that first sip, and it would have a bit less "chew". Not possible at a distillery tasting of course, but I did then when writing reviews, started writing while it sat.

Agree on giving it time to breathe in a glass before sipping. Most of the tasting tours we did had the glasses prefilled when we walked in to the tasting room so they had time to breathe before we sampled. Only exception was the Jim Beam tour we used the whiskey thief to pull the bourbon directly out the bung hole in the barrel.

 

[Deepelm]

adding water to whiskey, yea or nay. or add some ice and let it sit a bit

Never ice, it ruins the flavor. I taste neat first, then add a few drops, and maybe a few more depending on proof.

 

[Kolumbo]

huh huh you said bung hole huh huh

breathe

 

[Deepelm]

 

[Deepelm]

 

[Deepelm]

Not a huge fan of the new look they swapped to a couple years ago but the spirit is still tasty.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Happy Thanksgiving Boneyard.

 

[Deepelm]

Happy repeal day. New labels dropped on the TTB for a re-release of the CS 12 and I cant wait.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Happy repeal day. New labels dropped on the TTB for a re-release of the CS 12 and I cant wait.

View attachment 114257

Great choice.

 

[Chin Diesel]

First holiday nog of the season.
As a kid my family was all about Canadian blended whiskies- Seageam's 7 or Club, or Canadian Club.

And I always do it with a dash of nutmeg. No chance I make my own egg nog or grate fresh nutmeg.

I'm trying this Old Forester 1920 which has a nice kick to it neat. First time trying it it in eggnog.

 

[Deepelm]

Great choice.

If I had to only have one bourbon on my shelf, it would be this one.

 

[Deepelm]

First holiday nog of the season.
As a kid my family was all about Canadian blended whiskies- Seageam's 7 or Club, or Canadian Club.

And I always do it with a dash of nutmeg. No chance I make my own egg nog or grate fresh nutmeg.

I'm trying this Old Forester 1920 which has a nice kick to it neat. First time trying it it in eggnog.


View attachment 114356

The 1920 is good but it has this medicinal cherry note I am not a huge fan of. I usually opt for their version of a DO in the 1910.

 

[HuskyHawk]

The 1920 is good but it has this medicinal cherry note I am not a huge fan of. I usually opt for their version of a DO in the 1910.

I like the 1920 better than the 1910, which I find really dry. But the 1920 benefits hugely from oxidation. Settles it down quite a bit.

 

[Northbound]

Nothing special. Wouldn’t buy again. Got a $15 decanter out of it I guess.

I’ve been eyeing the single rickhouse rr. I’ve always been a big fan of WT and the variants, but I’m having a hard time with the entry price foe that one.

I did just sell four bottle i’ve had for maybe 20 years and was never going to drink for an obscene amount of money to a bourbon broker so perhaps that should go into the bourbon buying fund.

 

[uconn1999]

How’s this collection look? Not mine

 

[Deepelm]

View attachment 114516How’s this collection look? Not mine

That Bombergers PFG is REALLY good. Nice collection of stuff, that GTS is the one bottle I dont have that I would do some stuff for lol. I have had the Willett purple top bourbon, I found it to be hot and not great.

 

[HuskyHawk]

View attachment 114516How’s this collection look? Not mine

George T Stagg is the best bourbon I’ve had. Not sure what year that is.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Wild Turkey 8 year 101.

Wild Turkey recently started an age statement 101 for the first time since 1992.
It's widely assumed the standard Wild Turkey 101 is a blend of 6-8 year bourbons.

Got this pour at the Korean Air lounge awaiting my flight back to the states.
A tasty sip. Nothing crazy, no offensive. Just a solid sip and if you see it and the price is right, getting a bottle orr two is a good choice.
I'd happily accept it if a friend handed me a glass in their home.

.

 

[AreBee1969]

Beam is shutting down their main Clermont distillery for 2026 in response to consumer demand. Americans are drinking less and exports fell last year. They'll use the time to invest in "site enhancements". Beam's other distillery in Boston, Kentucky, will continue to operate.

Effect on employees TBD.

Story here.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Willett pot still reserve small batch. Mrs Diesel got this as a gift today from one of the people she trains at a gym.

Super smooth, and the bottle is gorgeous and an obvious conversation piece. Both Mrs Diesel and I agree the flavor profile isn't overpowering and is a solid choice to introduce someone newer to bourbons.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Beam is shutting down their main Clermont distillery for 2026 in response to consumer demand. Americans are drinking less and exports fell last year. They'll use the time to invest in "site enhancements". Beam's other distillery in Boston, Kentucky, will continue to operate.

Effect on employees TBD.

Story here.

I read about them shutting down. Just a gluttony of bourbon they have barreled and have no demand for bottling. Downstream effect will be some higher aged bourbon releases a few years from now.

 

[Deepelm]

Beam is shutting down their main Clermont distillery for 2026 in response to consumer demand. Americans are drinking less and exports fell last year. They'll use the time to invest in "site enhancements". Beam's other distillery in Boston, Kentucky, will continue to operate.

Effect on employees TBD.

Story here.

It was bound to happen. The " boom " is over, and younger generations are using other substances to get a buzz that dont leave you ruined the next morning.

 

[Chin Diesel]

This semi click bait came across my social media feeds. From back in May but sheds some light on what bartenders like for their go to bourbon for a bar.


The Evan Williams Bottled in Bond intrigued me.

Kentucky Bartenders’ Favorite Workhorse Bourbons – Garden & Gun Kentucky Bartenders’ Favorite Workhorse Bourbons

 

[pepband99]

This semi click bait came across my social media feeds. From back in May but sheds some light on what bartenders like for their go to bourbon for a bar.


The Evan Williams Bottled in Bond intrigued me.

Kentucky Bartenders’ Favorite Workhorse Bourbons – Garden & Gun Kentucky Bartenders’ Favorite Workhorse Bourbons

Evan Williams BiB is an excellent cheap workhorse. You can do a heck of a lot worse

 

[HuskyHawk]

Evan Williams BiB is an excellent cheap workhorse. You can do a heck of a lot worse

A friend gave me a 1L bottle of Kirkland BiB from Costco. I think it's basically 1792, distilled by Barton. There's a lot of pretty serviceable stuff in that range. Almost nothing BiB will be bad.

@Chin Diesel The Green River Rye mentioned on that list was recommended by the woman doing the tasting at a distillery I went to down in Beaufort, SC. It's all cheap stuff and pretty decent.

 

[Deepelm]

Beaufort, SC

There is no way to say this without sounding like a hick lol.

 

[Chin Diesel]

There is no way to say this without sounding like a hick lol.

Wait til you find out Beaufort, NC is pronounced "Bofort" and Beaufort, SC is pronounced "Bufort".