Bourbon: What are you sipping on?

[TheDude73]

Just opened the Four Roses 125th last night. Wow. Awesome dram. Much like the 2013 FR Single Barrel Limited, but a bit more body thanks to the combinations of the recipes that are in the 125th (OBSV 18 year, OBSK 13 year, OESK 13 year). Jim Rutledge is a master. Thanks to Kirin for letting him loose back in 2007 after that mess they were dealing with under Seagrams.

 

[ModernThirst_Bill]

Rutledge is pretty much the rock star of bourbon these days.

 

[TheDude73]

Bill, I went to your whiskey / booze site and had something to say about the Willett Rye you reviewed. I just opened a bottle from barrel 119 and it was quite bad. Went to a bottle from barrel 11A and it tasted much better. Opened a second 119 - same taste - not good. Has almost a medicinal, cleaning-product-like finish that is just not bearable.

Would love to get more, but here in CO all I've seen on the shelves are - you got it - barrel 119.

Have you tried barrel 119 and compared it to others?

 

[ModernThirst_Bill]

I haven't. The barrel select program makes it hard to find specific bottles. the way the program works is that a retailer tells Willett they want to buy a private barrel. They can provdie some direction on what kind they'
re looking for, or take Willett's Suggestion. Willett then provides samples from a selection of barrels (usually 3-4) and the retailer chooses one. Willett bottles them and sends them to the retailer to sell.

So if, say, Liquor Store XYZ is selling barrel 1005, then they're the only retailer selling that barrel, because they chose it out of a lineup and sold it privately.

It wouldn't hurt to send a note to the guys at Willett...they may have had some feedback on it. the main problem is that a retailer purposefully tasted and tried that barrel, and selected versus others (that's how the program works). So i'd also take it to the retailer for an explanation.

It isn't specifically stated, and this is (Cough Cough) off the record, but I beleive the bourbons were distilled by a certain distiller that begins with the letter "H" and ends in "eaven Hill." The Rye is all from LDI in indiana.

If you know where I can sample the 119, I'll be happy to taste it versus mine from 33. All in all, it's disappointing to hear that barrel isn't good. I've become a big fans of Willett lately.

If you want to find a different barrel, you'll need to find a different retailer willign to take part in the program, or wait until whichever one bought barrel 119 is out of those bottles and makes a second purchase (and hope they do a better job choosing a barrel next time).

On an unrelated note, I picked up a bottle of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof today. Pretty happy about that.

This post was edited on 5/15 4:00 PM by ModernThirst_Bill

This post was edited on 5/15 4:14 PM by ModernThirst_Bill

 

[John Barleycorn]

The Willett Rye is only retail specific if it has the retailer logo sticker on the top of the back side of the bottle.

If no retail logo, then KBD shipped that/those cases to the distributor who then sold to the general market.

You see both here in KY and both are scarce these days.
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[kyrockhunter]

Having a couple pours of Old Grand Dad BIB distilled by National Distillers from the 1970's as the tax strip is faded and I can't read. As compared to the current Beam OGD, it is much darker, has more dark fruit and a touch of butterscotch. The finish is long and the legs are nice and thick. Not the best bourbon of all time but pretty damn good. Pretty much what a upper mid shelf bourbon of today should taste like.

 

[ModernThirst_Bill]

I opened the Willett 8 Year Family Estate Bourbon last night. It took a few drops of distilled water to really bring out the aromas I was looking for, but when I finally got it opened up, it was an excellent bourbon.

 

[John Barleycorn]

Willett Family Estate is usually solid. Liquor Barn has had a bunch barrel picks from KBD the last couple of weeks on the shelves. 7/8/9/12/23. Pricey but good.
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[ModernThirst_Bill]

Missed the 12 and 23 by a day, but I got the 8 and the blue-wax 9. My wallet is a tad sore this week after that and the EC barrel proof. But hey, I work so I can drink, right? (Don't tell my wife I said that).

A 10 year Willett from Westport Whiskey & Wine earlier this year was one of our better scoring bourbons of the year. Really good juice, so i was pretty thrilled to see several bottlings at once at Liquor Barn this week.

I tried the 8 year last night, and I haven't finished a full review, but it opens up with a few drops of distilled water into a really nice bourbon. It almost certainly has Heaven Hill roots.

This post was edited on 5/16 9:57 AM by ModernThirst_Bill

 

[ModernThirst_Bill]

Anyone had the Evan Williams 23 Year? I have a bottle from their heritage center in Bardstown and haven't opened it yet...was planning to save it, but patience is not my virtue.
This post was edited on 5/20 9:24 AM by ModernThirst_Bill

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Been hearing great things about rock house farms. I've never tried it and don't remember seeing it mentioned in this thread.

Anyone tried it?

 

[Beavis606]

Originally posted by bigblueinsanity:
Been hearing great things about rock house farms. I've never tried it and don't remember seeing it mentioned in this thread.

Anyone tried it?

I'm assuming you mean Rock Hill Farms. Here's a thread about it

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Ahhh maybe that's it. Thanks!

 

[ModernThirst_Bill]

Rock Hill Farms is another of the High Rye Buffalo trace bourbons with the same mash bill as Blanton's and Elmer T. Lee, among a few others.

It's a good recipe.

 

[ModernThirst_Bill]

Liquor Barn in Louisville on hurstbourne Pkwy got 12 bottles of the barterhouse today if anyone is still lookong. They may have a few left yet.

 

[Los Gatos]

Has anyone in the Louisville area run across any Old Pogue lately?

I've been looking for several weeks to no avail.

 

[John Barleycorn]

Old Pogue is unavailable right now. They lost their source of barrels. It will probably be some time before you see it again. Their rye is available but they are actually making that themselves.

 

[anon_aawvduncd4ay0]

Have you tried Westport Wine & Spirits off Westport Rd? I recall seeing it there recently. Their barrel selections of other more common brands are always excellent as well.

 

[ModernThirst_Bill]

We started our reviews of "bottom-shelf" or "budget" bourbons this week, and I can safely say that I have been surprised at the quality of both Very Old Barton bottled-in-Bond and Old Fitz Bottled-in-Bond.

I can't say the same about Old Grand Dad BiB. Next up is Old Crow.

 

[dgtatu01]

Originally posted by TheDude73:
Just opened the Four Roses 125th last night. Wow. Awesome dram. Much like the 2013 FR Single Barrel Limited, but a bit more body thanks to the combinations of the recipes that are in the 125th (OBSV 18 year, OBSK 13 year, OESK 13 year). Jim Rutledge is a master. Thanks to Kirin for letting him loose back in 2007 after that mess they were dealing with under Seagrams.

Four Roses blended is my at home drinker. It tastes great and at $31 at Costco for a 1.75 it is perfect to sip on anytime. To me the 40 proof needs nothing. Their Single Barrel/Barrel Strength they release every year around Thanksgiving is awesome as well. I would buy it to impress. I guess I am a Four Roses kind of guy.

 

[ModernThirst_Bill]

4R is garning a really big following these days. Jim Rutledge knows his stuff. I'm not a big fan of hte yellow label, but the single barrel stuff is great.

The fall limited edition stuff is gold, and the barrel strength stuff you can usually find from barrel select programs are excellent as well.

 

[TheDude73]

Originally posted by Los Gatos:
Has anyone in the Louisville area run across any Old Pogue lately?

I've been looking for several weeks to no avail.

I have an opened bottle in my bar at home. Pretty decent, but nothing to run out and worry over getting again (especially since they source their barrels rather than distill their own in KY - one of my pet peeves).

 

[Los Gatos]

Finally picked up a bottle of Woodford Double Oaked. It certainly has a unique flavor, and I thoroughly enjoyed it...just not sure it's worth the $50 price tag. Will have to wait until I finish the bottle before making a final judgement.

 

[ModernThirst_Bill]

Originally posted by Los Gatos:
Finally picked up a bottle of Woodford Double Oaked. It certainly has a unique flavor, and I thoroughly enjoyed it...just not sure it's worth the $50 price tag. Will have to wait until I finish the bottle before making a final judgement.

I'm not a big fan of anything Woodford produces, to be honest. It all has a metallic taste to it that's off-putting.

Ironically, B-F does a fine job with Old Forrester, mainly the signature (100 proof) and especially the Birthday Bourbon. The Single Barrel selections can be nice, also.

 

[GrandePdre]

Originally posted by ModernThirst_Bill:

I'm not a big fan of anything Woodford produces, to be honest. It all has a metallic taste to it that's off-putting.

Ironically, B-F does a fine job with Old Forrester, mainly the signature (100 proof) and especially the Birthday Bourbon. The Single Barrel selections can be nice, also.

You know that Woodford and Old Forrester are practically the same recipe, right?

From Chuck Cowdery:

It's also true that Woodford and Old Forester share the same recipe, i.e., the same mash bill and yeast. The portion of Woodford that is distilled at the Brown-Forman Distillery isn't distilled separately as Woodford. Some of each batch of Old Forester white dog goes into the Shively warehouses and some portion goes into the Versailles warehouses. (Although it may still spend its first couple of years in Shively. They try to pick only honey barrels to finish aging at Woodford.) Every bottle of Woodford except the Master's Collection contains some whiskey from each distillery, though the proportions vary batch to batch. When they restored Woodford they set out to make the spirit made there taste as close to the Old Forester new make as possible.[/I]
This post was edited on 6/3 5:18 PM by GrandePdre

 

[ymmot31]

At the moment, this particular individual is drinking James Beam 7 yr. It's got electrolytes.

 

[ModernThirst_Bill]

Originally posted by GrandePdre:

Originally posted by ModernThirst_Bill:

I'm not a big fan of anything Woodford produces, to be honest. It all has a metallic taste to it that's off-putting.

Ironically, B-F does a fine job with Old Forrester, mainly the signature (100 proof) and especially the Birthday Bourbon. The Single Barrel selections can be nice, also.

You know that Woodford and Old Forrester are practically the same recipe, right?

From Chuck Cowdery:

It's also true that Woodford and Old Forester share the same recipe, i.e., the same mash bill and yeast. The portion of Woodford that is distilled at the Brown-Forman Distillery isn't distilled separately as Woodford. Some of each batch of Old Forester white dog goes into the Shively warehouses and some portion goes into the Versailles warehouses. (Although it may still spend its first couple of years in Shively. They try to pick only honey barrels to finish aging at Woodford.) Every bottle of Woodford except the Master's Collection contains some whiskey from each distillery, though the proportions vary batch to batch. When they restored Woodford they set out to make the spirit made there taste as close to the Old Forester new make as possible.[/I]



This post was edited on 6/3 5:18 PM by GrandePdre

So are Pappy/Weller, Blantons/Ancient Age, George T Stagg/Benchmark 8, Beam/Bookers, etc. Each pair have identical mash bills (recipes), same yeasts, different aging locations/times/techniques, and different flavor profiles as a result.

Aging times, lcoations, and barrel selections are hugely important to bourbon flavors. That's why I said it was ironic that they do a good job with OF.

This post was edited on 6/4 10:56 AM by ModernThirst_Bill

 

[jacksonisawesome]

Passed on a bottle of the 2014 Four Roses LE today at $105...had an itchy trigger finger on that one. Did grab another Elijah Craig Barrel Proof. First time I'd seen a bottle of Barterhouse in person, too. Strangely light in color/body for a 20 year old bourbon.

 

[ModernThirst_Bill]

It's watered down to 90 proof.

Would probably be loads better at barrel strength, but then they'd have less of it to sell.

 

[martinsm30]

Originally posted by jacksonisawesome:
Passed on a bottle of the 2014 Four Roses LE today at $105...had an itchy trigger finger on that one. Did grab another Elijah Craig Barrel Proof. First time I'd seen a bottle of Barterhouse in person, too. Strangely light in color/body for a 20 year old bourbon.

Where? I would like a bottle of this. Thanks!

 

[ORCAT]

4R Single Barrel tonight.

 

[ModernThirst_Bill]

Over the weekend, I had some Willett family estate 10 year (barrel 2070) that is just outstanding whiskey.

Also, since I keep missing the Four Roses Limited Edition, I bought the Liquor Barn private selection single barrel of the same recipe (OESF). That's a fantastic bourbon, and a really good value at $53 for a barrel-strength bourbon like that.

 

[jacksonisawesome]

Originally posted by martinsm30:

Originally posted by jacksonisawesome:
Passed on a bottle of the 2014 Four Roses LE today at $105...had an itchy trigger finger on that one. Did grab another Elijah Craig Barrel Proof. First time I'd seen a bottle of Barterhouse in person, too. Strangely light in color/body for a 20 year old bourbon.

Where? I would like a bottle of this. Thanks!

beaumont liquor barn..it probably didn't last through the day, though. of the three i mentioned, barterhouse would be the easiest to track down.

 

[John Barleycorn]

Barterhouse keeps appearing in KY as some shipments from other states get rounded up and sent to markets that are doing well with it vs markets where it's sitting there.

As for the Liquor Barn 4 Roses barrel proof, they did all 10 recipes this time. Some good ones like Modern thirst said for $53.
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[makersmarkambassador]

Originally posted by martinsm30:

Originally posted by jacksonisawesome:
Passed on a bottle of the 2014 Four Roses LE today at $105...had an itchy trigger finger on that one. Did grab another Elijah Craig Barrel Proof. First time I'd seen a bottle of Barterhouse in person, too. Strangely light in color/body for a 20 year old bourbon.

Where? I would like a bottle of this. Thanks!

If you're in Louisville, just about every liquor store has a couple of bottles sitting on their shelves. They are ranging in price from $85-$100.

 

[ModernThirst_Bill]

I went to 5 or 6 stores in Louisville Friday and Saturday as saw no signs of them (including Liquor barn at Hurstbourne and Springhurst). Actaully, I checked the LBs all last week.

 

[C.W.1]

Big fan of Four Roses. Love the Single Barrel, Limited Editions and the private selected barrels you can find. Bru in Lexington has a private selected barrel of Four Roses Single Barrel right now that is excellent. Could tell the GM, Matt, is really proud of the barrel they selected and he should be.

 

[ModernThirst_Bill]

Originally posted by C.W.1:
Big fan of Four Roses. Love the Single Barrel, Limited Editions and the private selected barrels you can find. Bru in Lexington has a private selected barrel of Four Roses Single Barrel right now that is excellent. Could tell the GM, Matt, is really proud of the barrel they selected and he should be.

4R probably has the best private selection program out there, now that Willett is running low on stock. Everyone else is scaling back their programs, it seems, but 4R's just keeps getting better. It's a testament to their warehousing methods that if pretty much any two barrels are the same recipe and same age, they usually don't have much perceptible variation in flavor at all.

And having all their private selections at barrel proof? Awesome. They clearly know what consumers want.

It's a big reason Four Roses is the "it" distiller right now.

 

[ModernThirst_Bill]

Celebrating my first father's day as a father with pappy 15. Grabbed a bottle of Elijah Craig barrel proof and stagg Jr. at a fathers day sale today as well

 

[Beavis606]

Originally posted by ModernThirst_Bill:
Celebrating my first father's day as a father with pappy 15. Grabbed a bottle of Elijah Craig barrel proof and stagg Jr. at a fathers day sale today as well

Shouldn't you be getting hooked up with free bottles for having a website and doing reviews? Sounds like you are doing it wrong.