I hope you are right Will. I’d love to try some of these unicorn bourbons, but I’m not going to get sucked in. I already need intervention for my Napa Cab spending. I’m getting my preferences dialed in, and am finding both the regular FRSB and Blanton’s to provide plenty of pleasure at a rational price.
Travis. Yes, looks like you have the 2014 4R LE Single Barrel. It’s an 11yo OESF, (at least 75% corn, F yeast).
For the new Parkers release, doesn’t seem like there’s the insanity around this relative to say 4RLESmB or certainly the BTAC or Pappy stuff, so you just need to find a liquor store that’s getting an allocation and call in advance?
BTW, had some Willett 17yo last night. Wow. Could be my all-time favorite. 60+% alcohol, but so tasty with lots of burnt caramel notes. Great stuff.
Peter Hirsch wrote:For the new Parkers release, doesn’t seem like there’s the insanity around this relative to say 4RLESmB or certainly the BTAC or Pappy stuff, so you just need to find a liquor store that’s getting an allocation and call in advance?
I just returned from 10 days in Bourbon country and stopped by Heaven Hill in Bardstown and they had sold out of their Parker’s Heritage in 2 days. Actually KY gets less of these premium bottlings than other states. NY, CA, and TX seem to get the most. There was a void of the high-end spirits and with persistence I did get some 4RLE 2014, 8 bottles of Elmer T, and 4 of Weller 12. We may not see the Weller 12 anymore since it seems it’s being aged for Pappy. I did the hard hat tour at Buffalo Trace and learned a lot. Willett was selling their ryes, including a 25 year-old at the distillery.
BTW, the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience in Louisville is worth the $12 entry. It’s a functioning mini-distillery making 1 barrel a day and set up in such a way that you can really get your arms around the process.
In Lexington at the bars of every restaurant I went to all of the Pappys were available. I was somewhat amazed at this seeming abundance. More products than last year.
The BTAC had been released there and there was not a single bottle for sale in Lexington or Louisville except for the Stagg, Jr. It seems that the only limiting factor now is the shortage of barrels. Some of the distilleries have had to cut back on production due to this shortage.
Maker’s Mark has their new visitor’s center open as does Wild Turkey and both are well done.
I like to go at least once a year and time it when the Keeneland race meets are on (April and October). A beautiful track with lots of bourbon to sip on while you bet on your favorite. And, get someone to get you into the Clubhouse. Jacket and tie required but worth it.
Went out to dinner with another couple last night. My buddy and I wanted a bourbon after the meal but they had nothing besides the usual shelf stuff. So we got huge pours of Macallan 18 for $15 each. Not a bad price and while Mac 18 is overpriced, it’s a great scotch. Came home and still needed my bourbon fix, so I poured us some of this:
First '14 BTAC opened this year. My buddy’s first time with Stagg. He loved it, me too.
Joe, thats some potent bourbon! Did you cut it with a little water or drink as-is?
Took a small taste neat first, then added a tiny cube. Like vanilla fire neat. I’m wimpy so almost everything above 120 gets cut for me.
Got a call from my retailer to stop by
They had a bottle of Stagg & Eagle Rare 17 for me.
Apart seeing the Stagg is 69% what else can i expect, are these bottles going to live up to the hype ?
In my experience, the Eagle Rare is smooth and silky and extremely well-balanced. No water/ice needed.
The Stagg is a bombshell until cut back a bit with a giant cube. It’s very complex and robust and I like pouring and just enjoying the nose for a few minutes before adding a cube. It’s a monster, but fantastic.
I’d try the ER17 before the Stagg…
I tried both yesterday and if it were me, I’d go for the Stagg in a heartbeat. That, and the Weller, are very hot on the tongue but so smooth going down. The ER17 is also very good but I feel like it’s a lot more similar to the ER10 and other “everyday” bourbon that the other two.
I love complex and robust, so it sounds like the stagg !!
I had the new stagg junior the other night and although there was power I didn’t get much complexity, I felt the 4R SB was more cpomplex
Still finding no love on the BTAC, PH, OF Birthday or FRSmBLE. State control sucks.
I just did a 50/50 mix of FR1B and Bookers. Pretty tasty!
Had Angels Envy and Calumet Farms. Both uninspiring gentle bourbons. At $50, there is much better. Curious if others feel the same?
I’d take two OWA’s over either of those anyday
I’ve had owners/bartenders around the country tell me “Angel Envy…that stuff is crap!”
You can do better for half the price!
AE was one of the first bottles I tried as I got into bourbon. My impression was that it tasted diluted, soft and soulless.
I find the AE Rye to be much more interesting than the bourbon
Anyone tried “Wild Turkey Diamond Anniversary Edition”? Saw a bottle today at a retailer. 13 to 16 year old blend from selected barrels.
I have not tried it but it’s still sitting on shelves in my area at $120 with few takers. After a while you start to figure out that your paying for a lot more than just what’s in the bottle. I have no problem paying $70-$80 for a known quality bourbon and that includes PVW 10,12 or 15 at retail. The problem comes when you compare all this hyped stuff to a good solid 16 yr old scotch which commonly sells between $50 to $80 bucks a bottle or even Four Roses single barrel or private selection for around $50. I would have been a buyer of the WT Diamond at $50-$60 but $120 is spending $60 additional for the packaging IMHO.
The bourbonr blog just reported that Pappy was released in North Dakota, so more to come.