The Bourbon Thread

[Michael Sopher]

James Carville had some Pappy 20 in his background on his interviews in MSNBC. Plans to drink it when the election is called.

[Mel Hill]

And he said it was $200 an ounce! Must buy on the secondary market!

[Andrew K.]

Heard from my local place that the Pappy 20 and 23 this year is a fraction of the usual allocation.

[w.fu]

Has anyone tried the new Smooth Ambler 4 year rye? Have a couple bottles pending delivery. Loved their 7 year back in the day, wondering how it compares.

[Andrew Kotowski]

Has anyone tried the new Smooth Ambler 4 year rye? Have a couple bottles pending delivery. Loved their 7 year back in the day, wondering how it compares.

I have not tried that release. I recently bought a bottle of the Smooth Ambler Old Scout "American Whiskey" and thought it suitable for mixing with eggnog. Was light, thin and had a burn, rather than a "finish."

[w.fu]

Has anyone tried the new Smooth Ambler 4 year rye? Have a couple bottles pending delivery. Loved their 7 year back in the day, wondering how it compares.

I have not tried that release. I recently bought a bottle of the Smooth Ambler Old Scout "American Whiskey" and thought it suitable for mixing with eggnog. Was light, thin and had a burn, rather than a "finish."

Not a huge fan of any of their non-age stated stuff. Really enjoyed their older single barrel releases (not the single barrel select Dickel). Happy to see that they are back to their MGP stuff, albeit way younger bottles.

[Andrew Kotowski]

Re: Berserker Barrel - might make sense to see what price point works for the group here. Assuming best intent with bottle (no inflated prices, but no “insider deal”), what price point per bottle that 12 people (at 12 bottles) are willing to sign up for?

Asking, as it affects approach. If we’re looking at $40 bottles, then we’d want to leverage a retailer relationship that can score EC or maybe Eagle Rare. Example - my QFC has store picks for EC at $26.99 pre-tax. From talking to Mike, it looks like Kris’s price above is pre-tax (both Alcohol and sales) as well as a material retailer mark-up. At $85 out the door, it’s just a different level of commitment.

Personally, I’d max at the $75 price point, but largely because I’m going to fence half of them. Thoughts?

[Adam Noble]

$60-100 for me depending on the pick. But I’m also good with ER10 cause yum.

[Mike Maguire]

I’m open to anything the majority wants, I like them all, I’ve had really good BT stuff for $35 and love ER as well.
I suppose we should find a retailer or restaurant willing to participate.

[Chris.Martin]

I'm open for anything up to ~$125 price point.

[Rajesh P a r i k h]

I'd open to things around $100.

Hopefully we can do a barrel program with some decently aged bourbon and keep it barrel proof. There seems to be a lot of 4-5 year barrel picks around me that have been uninteresting.

[Christos M.]

I'd go up to $100/bottle. Really interested in getting this going and hoping it can happen.

[Brandon R]

Up to $100 here too.

[Mike Maguire]

My son picked up a bottle of Makers 46 cask strength in Orange County, $60.To me on the nose a dead ringer for Weller Antique, peanuts and Carmel for days on the taste , minute plus finish with some butterscotch showing up.A bit of heat on my tongue, could have been the Thai food I had for lunch.🌶 Solid buy! Blows the Makers
Cask strength and French stave Makers out of the water.

[Doug Hockersmith]

I’d be in on a buy. I’m in Bellevue.

[Doug Hockersmith]

I just this past week bought and tried Belle Meade. It’s worth buying and something I’ll buy again.

[Adam Noble]

Tried Uncle Nearest 1864 for the first time tonight. Not technically bourbon (TN), but pretty nice. Carries the 100 pf really well. Smooth and peanut forward, with some Graham on the back. Finishes clean. I’ve got a lot of unopened bottles but if I didn’t I’d buy one.

[Kelly Walker]

I just this past week bought and tried Belle Meade. It’s worth buying and something I’ll buy again.

The Olorosso Sherry finish is fantastic.

[Andrew Kotowski]

Five bottles of MWND at Issaquah BevMo for $109.99. Would call and confirm before you go.

[H. N o w b a r]

Up to $100 here too.

Same here. Will go with the majority vote.

[H. N o w b a r]

Five bottles of MWND at Issaquah BevMo for $109.99. Would call and confirm before you go.

Solid price. I picked up a couple of bottles for about $115 each (pre tax of course)

[Rajesh P a r i k h]

Contacted Four Roses today about their Private Barrel program, have not heard back yet.I will contact Elijah Craig and Knob Creek tomorrow.Any other suggestions?

Starlight would be interesting. I’ve been itching to try them and have some in order. Uncle Nearest? Haven’t tried them either.

My neighbor did a few Starlight barrel picks through his bourbon group. The sherry finished bourbon and rye I've had were terrific.

[Andrew Kotowski]

Eagle Rare - I have seen quite a few of their store picks online.

Picked up a Larceny Barrel Proof. Definitely needs a splash of water, but man does it open up. I enjoyed the EC BP more, but this packs a wallop at a reasonable price.

[Kris Patten]

Got another Young's 4R barrel being done in December....decided for a younger more fruit forward version this time....OBSO and 8 years 11 months old. Will update proof when bottled.

[Dave McCloskey]

I've had every offering from Van Winkle including Pappy's 20+ year old Bourbon. I've also had a boat load of other Kentucky boutique label Bourbon's. I recently bought a bottle of Weller's 12 year old and am hard pressed to identify something I like better. Unfortunately, it's super hard to find.

[RDHudak]

Got another Young's 4R barrel being done in December....decided for a younger more fruit forward version this time....OBSO and 8 years 11 months old. Will update proof when bottled.

Sounds fantastic. Please keep me in mind.

[Kris Patten]

I've had every offering from Van Winkle including Pappy's 20+ year old Bourbon. I've also had a boat load of other Kentucky boutique label Bourbon's. I recently bought a bottle of Weller's 12 year old and am hard pressed to identify something I like better. Unfortunately, it's super hard to find.

Weller 12 is hard to beat as a wheater....I certainly like Pappy 15, while the 20 and 23 just get too wood dominant vs. fruit for me.

[Dave McCloskey]

I've had every offering from Van Winkle including Pappy's 20+ year old Bourbon. I've also had a boat load of other Kentucky boutique label Bourbon's. I recently bought a bottle of Weller's 12 year old and am hard pressed to identify something I like better. Unfortunately, it's super hard to find.

Weller 12 is hard to beat as a wheater....I certainly like Pappy 15, while the 20 and 23 just get too wood dominant vs. fruit for me.

I agree on the Pappy 15. I also think the 20 and 23 are not as good. In general I tend to gravitate towards wheated bourbons.

[Edward H. Earles]

I've had every offering from Van Winkle including Pappy's 20+ year old Bourbon. I've also had a boat load of other Kentucky boutique label Bourbon's. I recently bought a bottle of Weller's 12 year old and am hard pressed to identify something I like better. Unfortunately, it's super hard to find.

I agree. And here in KY, where it's made, we have more of a chance of winning the PowerBall lottery, than of finding a bottle of Weller 12 on any store shelf.

[Edward H. Earles]

I've had every offering from Van Winkle including Pappy's 20+ year old Bourbon. I've also had a boat load of other Kentucky boutique label Bourbon's. I recently bought a bottle of Weller's 12 year old and am hard pressed to identify something I like better. Unfortunately, it's super hard to find.

Weller 12 is hard to beat as a wheater....I certainly like Pappy 15, while the 20 and 23 just get too wood dominant vs. fruit for me.

I agree on the Pappy 15. I also think the 20 and 23 are not as good. In general I tend to gravitate towards wheated bourbons.

I agree here too. I certainly wouldn't claim to be an expert, but I've tasted all of the Pappies and in retrospect, I think the 15 is the best. More than 15 years in oak is "gilding the lily".

[Edward H. Earles]

I've had every offering from Van Winkle including Pappy's 20+ year old Bourbon. I've also had a boat load of other Kentucky boutique label Bourbon's. I recently bought a bottle of Weller's 12 year old and am hard pressed to identify something I like better. Unfortunately, it's super hard to find.

I agree (except for Blanton's Gold, which isn't sold in the U.S......). And here in KY, where it's made, we have more of a chance of winning the PowerBall lottery, than of finding a bottle of Weller 12 on any store shelf.

Edit: I intended this to be an edit of my earlier post, not a separate post. Not sure what happened here. Todd, please sweep the cobwebs out of the server.

[Edward H. Earles]

Further notes: I'm enjoying a shot of Old Forester 1920 now, and I have to say, that I can't think of a corn-rye Bourbon that can beat this one on a QPR basis. Stagg, maybe, if you can find it at release price....but I've never seen it in a store.

[Mich@el Ch@ng]

Weller12.com

Wonder how long that lasts

[Michael S. Monie]

I picked up an Elijah Craig 18 yr old single barrel today. Should I expect this to be like licking on a popcycle stick?

[Andrew Kotowski]

I picked up an Elijah Craig 18 yr old single barrel today. Should I expect this to be like licking on a popcycle stick?

I gave away my only bottle

The EC Barrel Proof has been spectacular (B520), even more so in Manhattans.

[Kris Patten]

I picked up an Elijah Craig 18 yr old single barrel today. Should I expect this to be like licking on a popcycle stick?

Depends on the release, but 18 and the old 23, they no longer make, have a lot more fruit than most bourbons that age.

[Mich@el Ch@ng]

Further notes: I'm enjoying a shot of Old Forester 1920 now, and I have to say, that I can't think of a corn-rye Bourbon that can beat this one on a QPR basis. Stagg, maybe, if you can find it at release price....but I've never seen it in a store.

I really like the 1920. Stagg Jr is good but the proof is sometimes just too high.

[Kelly Walker]

Had the Pappy 15 tonight at the end of a fantastic meal. The heat stuck out a bit but it was really balanced and intensely flavored.

[jbray23]

Contacted Four Roses today about their Private Barrel program, have not heard back yet.I will contact Elijah Craig and Knob Creek tomorrow.Any other suggestions?

Willett.

Talk to Jason Bray re: Willett. 185 bottles is a lot of bottles ...

Late to reply, but yeah Willett ain’t never gonna happen. Sorry all.

[Christos M.]

Anyone try Act 8 Midwinter Night Dram? I've only been able to get one bottle and gifted it to a friend. Local place still has Act 6 bottles for $170, which is what they sold them for at release, and they wonder why they didn't get any new allocation.

[Mich@el Ch@ng]

I've had every offering from Van Winkle including Pappy's 20+ year old Bourbon. I've also had a boat load of other Kentucky boutique label Bourbon's. I recently bought a bottle of Weller's 12 year old and am hard pressed to identify something I like better. Unfortunately, it's super hard to find.

New Pappy or stitzel-Weller juice?

[James Lyon]

Willett.

Talk to Jason Bray re: Willett. 185 bottles is a lot of bottles ...

Late to reply, but yeah Willett ain’t never gonna happen. Sorry all.

Yeah, perhaps not for the wineberserker pick, but single barrel picks are available through Willett. My best buddy back home in TN was able to get a Willett barrel last year. Granted, he's in the industry, somewhat local and has a working relationship with Drew, so a few steps ahead.

[James Lyon]

Anyone try Act 8 Midwinter Night Dram? I've only been able to get one bottle and gifted it to a friend. Local place still has Act 6 bottles for $170, which is what they sold them for at release, and they wonder why they didn't get any new allocation.

I was fortunate to enjoy a few pours of the early releases that included MGP distillate. The recent and current releases are High West distillate. Some folks have a strong disdain for High West distillate. I've purchased HWMND the last 4-5 years, but there is a dramatic difference between the original/early releases and the recent/current releases. HWMND retails around $100, so I would pass at those secondary prices. I have a few unopened bottles of Act 8.

James

[Brad S c h i e r]

I would be in for a few bottles at $100 or under.

[Dave McCloskey]

I've had every offering from Van Winkle including Pappy's 20+ year old Bourbon. I've also had a boat load of other Kentucky boutique label Bourbon's. I recently bought a bottle of Weller's 12 year old and am hard pressed to identify something I like better. Unfortunately, it's super hard to find.

New Pappy or stitzel-Weller juice?

New Pappy?

[James Lyon]

I've had every offering from Van Winkle including Pappy's 20+ year old Bourbon. I've also had a boat load of other Kentucky boutique label Bourbon's. I recently bought a bottle of Weller's 12 year old and am hard pressed to identify something I like better. Unfortunately, it's super hard to find.

New Pappy or stitzel-Weller juice?

New Pappy?

New Pappy = Buffalo Trace distillate. Pappy garnered cult status on the basis of Stizel-Weller distillate. All Pappy has been without SW for a few years now. The ultra limited Pappy 25 that was released a few years ago was probably the last of the SW stock.

James

[NealW]

Saw this if helpful re: barrel pick

https://www.whiskyadvocate.com/how-to-b ... zGrlQdsBdM

[Michael S. Monie]

Any thoughts on the new release of Elijah Craig's C920 Barrel Proof?

[Andrew Kotowski]

Any thoughts on the new release of Elijah Craig's C920 Barrel Proof?

Haven't seen it yet. QFCs were still running promos on the B520 last I checked... and my thoughts on that are posted above. Still have another bottle to blow through.

[Brandon R]

What's everyone's take on Stagg "Jr."? Good stuff?