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Bourbon guys (5 Viewers)

Definitely surprised by the results. 

Elmer T Lee for me was easily the winner and honestly wasn't even close.  My ratings were neat and may have changed if added splash etc.

 
TheFanatic said:
So all this for stuff we will never, ever be able to drink again unless you want to do this in the future. Thanks for that, tease!

:P
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Ha! Sorry! 

It was a balancing act. On one hand, I wanted to give you guys the experience of whiskies they might not have tried, or might not get to try. On the other hand, anything TOO rare/crazy and the price would have to be high. I was trying to avoid this becoming too much about money, so I went with a hybrid approach of semi-rare stuff and private barrel pics of semi-common stuff that I found to be very tasty :)  

The Barrel Proof sampler has at least one Rye thats semi-findable. :whistle:  

 
[icon] said:
Ha! Sorry! 

It was a balancing act. On one hand, I wanted to give you guys the experience of whiskies they might not have tried, or might not get to try. On the other hand, anything TOO rare/crazy and the price would have to be high. I was trying to avoid this becoming too much about money, so I went with a hybrid approach of semi-rare stuff and private barrel pics of semi-common stuff that I found to be very tasty :)  

The Barrel Proof sampler has at least one Rye thats semi-findable. :whistle:  
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Which one is that and what should I expect to pay?

 
I'm surprised I didn't care for the Eagle Rare of the bunch, as I really enjoy the Eagle Rare 10yr. Guess I'll be trying those two next to each other to see what it was that I felt was different, or if it grows on me.

And time to head down to the local store that usually has a few hard to find bottles - granted at full secondary price though - to see if there is anything interesting there for NYE.

 
Old Weller Antique 107 Proof Private Barrel Selection was my favorite.  I thought the Elmer T. Lee had a flavor that reminded me of Basil Haydens in it.  Which I also like a lot.  It has been over a year since I had a bottle of Elmer T. Lee and I don't remember it tasting like that.   Surprising. 

What is funny is that I drink Eagle Rare and Buffalo Trace all the time.  I rated the Eagle Rare my least favorite of the 5 and said it tasted like Buffalo Trace to me (Eagle is distilled by Buffalo Trace).  And I would drink it all the time (like buffalo trace).  :thumbup:

 
Doing some window shopping and noticed a few brands called out here; Larceny, Woodford Reserve, etc.  They also had a large display of Taconic whiskeys/bourbon... Maybe "too many" variations.  Gave me the impression they were small batch but "new" to the scene?  Anyone have any experience with Taconic?

 
Unfamiar with Taconic but looks like they are new (2013) and age in Maple Syrup Barrels? Not sure if that’s just one product, how long the secondary aging is? 

 
Was able to find Blantons for my gift for the Yankee Swap. Had to go to a few different very big liquor stores and one finally had it.

 
mr roboto said:
Me too. More interesting (but a Makers on the rocks is still my go to bar drink). 
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I'm still only a year or so into it, if that. Haven't explored much, but the usual suspects I enjoy are Templeton, Rittenhouse, Redemption - and Buillet is solid, inexpensive here in Texas and sold everywhere. 

 
Reading this thread for the first time is like watching porn. 

I'm here drinking Jim Beam, fantasizing that it's Blanton's.

 
Ron Swanson’s rankings are in! 

Barrel Proof Bourbon and Rye sampler results coming soon. 

Just enjoyed a nip of 2017 George T Stagg... Bourbon of the year for me. Moving on to Blantons straight from the barrel and typing up the results....

 
BARREL PROOF BOURBON & RYE SAMPLER RESULTS

1st - SAMPLE 4: Willett Family Estate 6yr Rye (Barrel #139 - 117.2pf)
This is a single barrel Rye from the Willett Family Estate series. It has been sourced from MGP of Indiana, and aged (at least somewhat) at the Willett distillery rickhouses in Bardstown, KY. Only voted 1st by 1 person, but a LOT of runner-ups. 
I think I paid about $80-90 a few years back. Secondary likely around $150-175ish. 
RANKS: 1st / 2nd / 2nd / 2nd / 2nd / 2.5th / 3rd

2nd - Sample 3: Michter's Barrel Proof Rye - Toasted Finish (Batch 17C524 - 2017 Release)
This is a new release for Michters in 2017. They start with thier standard Barrel Proof Rye (which Is among my favorites), but finish it in a second barrel made from "Toasted", not charred, oak staves... much like their "Toasted" Bourbon releases from 2015/2016. The results are interesting. The nose is very interesting...Marshmallows, Vanilla, Caramel. The candied sweetness of finishing barrel offers interesting contrast with the deep spicy nature of their rye. Somewhat polarizing with high/low finishes. Retail about $80 and semi-available. 
RANKS: 1st / 1st / 2nd / 3rd / 3rd / 3rd / 4th 

3rd - SAMPLE 1: Willett Family Estate 12yr Bourbon  (Barrel #6495 121.2pf)
WFE 6495, a Willett Distillery Gift Shop only release. is a favorite of mine... I've called it "peanut butter cups" for the flavor profile being somewhat creamy with nutty notes (which reportedly indicates a Heaven Hill source for the initial distillate). It is indeed hot, ethanol-heavy... and benefits from a splash of water (which tasting notes reflect). $165 Retail.. about $300-350 on secondary if you can find one (162 bottles total in the barrel). Wide distribution of rankings. 
RANKS: 1st / 2nd / 2nd / 3rd / 3rd / 4th / 4th 

4th - Sample 2: Four Roses - Private Barrel Selection (OESV - 11yr - Frugal MacDugal Store Pick). 
I'm not a huge fan of Four Roses, but I wanted to include one for contrast. Their barrel proof single/private barrels offer 10 possible "recipe" combinations with variances in mashbille and yeast strain. For more information on their mashbills, look here: https://fourrosesbourbon.com/recipe-infographic/  This barrel is OESV, which implies a low-rye mashbill with a "Delicate Fruit" profile in the yeast strain. It ranked just a hair behind the WFE 12yr.  Retail is about $75 on this and secondary around $100 if you can find one. 
RANKS: 1st / 1.5th / 2nd / 3rd / 4th / 4th / 4th

Image of 4 bottles in sampling

Detailed Results and individual responses

Happy to answer any questions! :banned:  
 

 
Interesting results.  My wife had a sip or two of each and liked #4 the best too, but I thought #3 was tastier.  When I tried some chilled/water with #4 it became very smooth.  I could certainly drink a lot of both

I sampled my Jefferson's Ocean Cask Strength along with these.  It was clearly beneath all but #2.  So it was interesting to me because I haven't been a huge fan of that bottle (despite loving the regular Ocean).  Now I have a better idea about why I prefer other barrel proofs over it. 

Sounds like a barrel proof rye should be my next nice purchase.

Also cool that Frugal MacDugal pick was in here, since it is one of the liquor stores I hit up the most right over the border in SC.

Thanks again for doing this, @[icon]!  I'm stoked that I still have half a sample left of each :pickle:

 
I remember about 10-12 years ago had a Michters bourbon - tasted like butterscotch and too sweet by a long shot for my taste in liquor though. I could see some folks loving it, though. 

Dont think it was any special release. 

 
[icon] said:
BARREL PROOF BOURBON & RYE SAMPLER RESULTS

1st - SAMPLE 4: Willett Family Estate 6yr Rye (Barrel #139 - 117.2pf)
This is a single barrel Rye from the Willett Family Estate series. It has been sourced from MGP of Indiana, and aged (at least somewhat) at the Willett distillery rickhouses in Bardstown, KY. Only voted 1st by 1 person, but a LOT of runner-ups. 
I think I paid about $80-90 a few years back. Secondary likely around $150-175ish. 
RANKS: 1st / 2nd / 2nd / 2nd / 2nd / 2.5th / 3rd

2nd - Sample 3: Michter's Barrel Proof Rye - Toasted Finish (Batch 17C524 - 2017 Release)
This is a new release for Michters in 2017. They start with thier standard Barrel Proof Rye (which Is among my favorites), but finish it in a second barrel made from "Toasted", not charred, oak staves... much like their "Toasted" Bourbon releases from 2015/2016. The results are interesting. The nose is very interesting...Marshmallows, Vanilla, Caramel. The candied sweetness of finishing barrel offers interesting contrast with the deep spicy nature of their rye. Somewhat polarizing with high/low finishes. Retail about $80 and semi-available. 
RANKS: 1st / 1st / 2nd / 3rd / 3rd / 3rd / 4th 

3rd - SAMPLE 1: Willett Family Estate 12yr Bourbon  (Barrel #6495 121.2pf)
WFE 6495, a Willett Distillery Gift Shop only release. is a favorite of mine... I've called it "peanut butter cups" for the flavor profile being somewhat creamy with nutty notes (which reportedly indicates a Heaven Hill source for the initial distillate). It is indeed hot, ethanol-heavy... and benefits from a splash of water (which tasting notes reflect). $165 Retail.. about $300-350 on secondary if you can find one (162 bottles total in the barrel). Wide distribution of rankings. 
RANKS: 1st / 2nd / 2nd / 3rd / 3rd / 4th / 4th 

4th - Sample 2: Four Roses - Private Barrel Selection (OESV - 11yr - Frugal MacDugal Store Pick). 
I'm not a huge fan of Four Roses, but I wanted to include one for contrast. Their barrel proof single/private barrels offer 10 possible "recipe" combinations with variances in mashbille and yeast strain. For more information on their mashbills, look here: https://fourrosesbourbon.com/recipe-infographic/  This barrel is OESV, which implies a low-rye mashbill with a "Delicate Fruit" profile in the yeast strain. It ranked just a hair behind the WFE 12yr.  Retail is about $75 on this and secondary around $100 if you can find one. 
RANKS: 1st / 1.5th / 2nd / 3rd / 4th / 4th / 4th

Image of 4 bottles in sampling

Detailed Results and individual responses

Happy to answer any questions! :banned:  
 
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Awesome info! Thanks @[icon]! This was loads of fun.

My order was 4,1,3,2. My buddy's order was 1,4,3,2. We both just did not like sample 4 at all. I thought it was a super cheap whiskey you threw in to throw us all off.

I LOVED 4 and really liked 1. I thought 3 was too sugary/mapley for me - it tasted a bit "fake" in the flavor for some reason. I really liked the nose on this one though.

We need to do this sort of thing more often...

 
kutta said:
Awesome info! Thanks @[icon]! This was loads of fun.

My order was 4,1,3,2. My buddy's order was 1,4,3,2. We both just did not like sample 4 at all. I thought it was a super cheap whiskey you threw in to throw us all off.

I LOVED 4 and really liked 1. I thought 3 was too sugary/mapley for me - it tasted a bit "fake" in the flavor for some reason. I really liked the nose on this one though.

We need to do this sort of thing more often...
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I was impressed you picked up on the finishing for the MBPR-Toasted. 

 
What about an updated list in the first post of the thread on good bourbons and ryes $0-40, $40-70, $70-$100, and $100+? I want to branch out and would love to have a go-to list that I can keep picking from.  

 
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Drinking some of Virginia’s finest... Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye. It has been my go-to lately. Pretty good stuff. I mostly mix ryes in sazeracs or old fashioneds, but this one works for me on its own too.

 
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Local liquor store is out of Buffalo Trace and Eagle Rare. Normally many bottles to be had... had to buy Bullet Rye instead.  :(

 
Tried Blantons for the 1st time last weekend. Very smooth, loved it.

The ABC stores don't near me don't keep it on the shelf for long, you almost have to be there when they get a shipment in. Goes for about $60 a bottle here.

 
I got some Eagle Rare!  I never seem to see any when I go to Total or Bevmo but they had some at the grocery store. Supposed to be pretty good, right? 

 
Brass Mug at 7 mile and Newburgh in Livonia has Wellers right now.  They have the 90 Special Reserve and the 107 proof.  I bought the 90 proof for a friend of mine..the arab owner is charging 50.00 for a MSRP 30.00 bottle.

 
Da Guru said:
Brass Mug at 7 mile and Newburgh in Livonia has Wellers right now.  They have the 90 Special Reserve and the 107 proof.  I bought the 90 proof for a friend of mine..the arab owner is charging 50.00 for a MSRP 30.00 bottle.
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Keg & Wine on Beech Daly just north of 5 Mile Rd. had 107 for a time this past October. I don't live in the area but I will occasionally drive by and check them out. At least when I was there (and I ask about Weller EVERY time I'm in there) they do not gouge on the retail pricing for that particular brand. I have stopped at Brass Mug a couple of times and they have not had what I was looking for each time I was in there but mentioned that 107 does pretty good at his store. Just FYI...

 
cockroach said:
I got some Eagle Rare!  I never seem to see any when I go to Total or Bevmo but they had some at the grocery store. Supposed to be pretty good, right? 
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Yes, great bang for the buck. Like you it's very hard for me to find in OH. When I do find it it's usually rationed (1 bottle per customer). 

 
TheFanatic said:
Place near me had Old Ripy in a 375ml for $42. Limit one per customer. Couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger.
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8-12 year old blend of Wild Turkey distillate from a very corn-heavy mashbill that is reportedly very oaky/tannic/bitter if that's your thing. I'm not huge on $85-100 bottles of non-age stated contract-distilled whiskey... but if the flavor profile hits your sweet spot, then none of that really matters, I suppose! :)   I've never personally tasted it, and likely won't unless I end up being offered a sample.  

 
[icon] said:
8-12 year old blend of Wild Turkey distillate from a very corn-heavy mashbill that is reportedly very oaky/tannic/bitter if that's your thing. I'm not huge on $85-100 bottles of non-age stated contract-distilled whiskey... but if the flavor profile hits your sweet spot, then none of that really matters, I suppose! :)   I've never personally tasted it, and likely won't unless I end up being offered a sample.  
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Not a fan of bitter. Hate peaty scotches and overly hopped beers. So it sounds like my self control was a good thing. 

 
Buzzbait said:
Yes, great bang for the buck. Like you it's very hard for me to find in OH. When I do find it it's usually rationed (1 bottle per customer). 
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What area of Ohio? I generally find it all over the Cleveland area.

 
Local store has Barton's for MSRP $60 - worth it or does someone have a "value" recommendation?

You mean Blanton's?  The spherical bottle with the little horse on top?  

There is a distillery called Barton but I don't think they have a product in regular distribution called Barton's.  These days they are trying to market everything around 1792 it seems.

 
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