Update on the Rowan's Creek: it is a real winner, just as I remember it from a tasting I attended a few years ago. I highly recommend Rowan's Creek. I will compare it to Booker's in flavor, but at a significantly lower price for "everyday" sipping. (but at a lower proof too: Rowan's Creek is 100 proof, versus 128 barrel proof for Booker's).
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Blanton's single barrel, Russell's Reserve Single Barrel, and Russell's Reserve 10-Year are probably at the top of my list. Tried the 12-yr Van Winkle once at a restaurant in Louisville and it was superb. Can't find a bottle anywhere and not sure I could afford it if I did (to say nothing of the Pappy's ...anybody know where people get the Van Winkle stuff?). I have an unopened Rowan's Creek I have yet to try but I remember it as being nice at a tasting once. For inexpensive everyday bourbon I prefer Wild Turkey 101. And 1792 Ridgemont Reserve is $21 at my local chain store. As good a $21 bottle as I've had. |
Actually, it does not have to be from Kentucky to be called Bourbon. It cannot be called "Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky" if made elsewhere - and there are now many bourbons being distilled all over the United States including here in good 'ol New York State. In order to be labeled "bourbon" all a distiller need do is have a mash containing a minimum of 51% corn no matter the state of origin. Koval from Chicago makes a superb bourbon along with many other whiskies AND all organic. Excellent Kentucky Straights (minimum 2 years old) Rowan's Creek, Willet Pot Still Reserve, Noah's Mill, J. R. Ewing, Redemption & Redemption High Rye Bourbon, Prichard's Double Barrel.... The small batch Bourbon business is totally out of control right now - every single label is experiencing difficulty keeping up with consumer demand - including the more commercial brands like Makers - and don't even try mentioning Pappy Van Winkle! Pappy at auction costs more than some equipment does! While I do have a vested interest in the labels I mentioned above the paragraph above the second, I do have a keen interest in the category overall. Fortunately in my position I get to taste/sample hundreds of whiskies during the course of the year, unfortunately I have to BUY audio equipment and then decide!! Woe is me. |
My Last comment In this thread..... Another virgin hand sealed bourbon bottle I have kicking around in my stash of quality spirits Blanton Distilling Company Frankfort KY Single barrel bourbon Registered bottle no 132 Dumped 10/21/94 from barrel # 173 stored in whse. H on Rick No. 44 Individually selected, filtered and bottled by hand at 93 proof |
"best" is a heavily biased personal value judgement at best. With a modification from "best" to "worthy" .... One more to pile onto this thread that has arguably run it's usefulness: " Very Very Old Fitzgerald" 100 proof 12 year old Bottled 1982 Still got a virgin bottle uncracked in it's " collector's item" box. |
Picked up a bottle of Widow Jane which is finished with water from the Widow Jane limestone mine. Very smooth. |
I vote that Audiogon expand their Virtual System page to include a "Virtual Liquor Cabinet" page....seems like that's where we are heading with these Best Bourbon & Best Single Malt threads. I got the cute little $5.99 bottle of Blantons - not too bad, but think I still like Eagles Rare & Woodford Reserve better....will need to A/B them before coming to a final decision though... |
Weller is fantastic. A friend of mine who has all of the Buffalo Trace bourbons likes the Weller more than Pappy or Stagg. But, all three are extremely hard to find. My bottle of Stagg, bought in November was just one of three bottles the store got in. I just recently bought a bottle of Weller Jr. (cheaper vesion of Weller), although I have not yet opened it. |
There seems to be a site for everything and I recently came across this article: http://bourbonr.com/blog/poor-mans-pappy/ Since the theft of that truck from Buffalo Trace with all the Pappy on it, prices have skyrocketed due to supply and demand and good old hype and spin. According to this gent, Weller's stuff is made the same way by the same folk who make Pappy Van Winkle (and Wellers may be reopening as well) so he did some mixing and came up with his "poor man's Pappy". Going to the home page will introduce you to all there is to know about bourbons and whiskeys: blogs, forums, constant news updates on releases, etc. Just thought this might be of use to some you guys. All the best, Nonoise |
I've "auditioned" all the Bourbon mentioned & definitely concur with most of the preceeding comments. Recently tried Spring Mill an Indiana Bourbon Whiskey at a friend's house. Upon the 1st sip, I grabbed the bottle to check it's proof because it was so smooth. It was 90 proof. After I viewed their website, I had to agree with their marketing blurb: "dangerously drinkable at 90 proof". Always nice to find/try something different/new.... |
Buffalo Trace makes some of the great bourbons--Pappy Van Winkle, George T. Stagg, and William Weller being the ones I particularly like. Unfortunately, the price on certain selections has become totally crazy. A store in Washington DC sells the Van Winkle reserve for $1400 which is well more than ten times what the list price is for that bottle. |
My new favorite bourbon is Angel's Envy which is finished in port wine casks. Read a review here. Goes for about $45. |
Just found this thread. After years of being a canadian drinker (CC, VO and CR), my oldest son (29) has finally turned me into a bourbon drinker. His standby is Knob Creek. He also has enjoyed with great admiration Booker's on the higher end and Eagle Rare on the less expensive end. Last Sept we spent two days doing the Bourbon Trail and spent a night in Bardstown KY. Highly recommended. I came away with a very strong appreciation for Very Old Barton. VOB is 6 year old bourbon from Barton's distillery in Bardstown and is bottled in 80,86,90 and 100 proof. Oddly, the 90 proof seems to be my favorite. The best thing is it is very reasonable, $22 for 1.75l, around $16 per liter. The bad news is, it is only available in about half a dozen states or so. I just found it in WI and I am thrilled. You can order it shipped to you from Binney's Beverage Depot in the Chicago area. Finally, basic Jim Beam get's no respect. As a friend said, it is the anti cable of bourbon. Their JB Black (aged 8 years rather than 4) is a good value IMHO. My son and I agree, Jack Daniels is nothing special and way over priced. Regards, Paul |
i read with some interest about the furor that erupted after makers mark announced they were planning to dilute their bourbon in order to meet demand. brilliant strategy which suggests their management has been oversampling their product. i now notice a flurry of prime-time maker's mark ads--undoubtedly an effort to repair their image--which has to be costing 'em millions. usually, it's best to leave a good thing alone--remember new coke? |
Hi Roscoe, Yes and it is fabulous - it isn't a single barrel though, it is a small batch meaning made in small batches from a select few barrels. Knob Creek does make a single barrel bourbon which is also excellent! Bulliet is 95 percent blend of rye - very nice but a little on the spicey side for me and it is not aged as long as KC. I like them both! |
Pops, I assume you are referring to the Single Barrel Knob Creek Rye. And yes, it is fabulous. Though I haven't had a chance to compare them, when I was applauding the Knob Creek rye, a knowledgeable bartender friend told me she found Bulleit Rye eve better, due to the even higher rye grain content. |
went and tried to preorder some pappy's the other day. Lady laughed out loud. Essentially zero chance. I'm about 50th on the waiting list and she says that something like 47 folks before me have to decline. Got some makers 46 as I noticed it and recalled the mention here. disappointing. for the price it should be better than the EW single cask but it's not. Keep the suggestions flowing yawl! |
Okay, first of all, dont beat me up because my recommendation isn't a bourbon; its a rye and a really, really exceptional whiskey. Now, Im a bourbon man through and through and... oh, the hell with it; Im just going to put my reputation on the line and ask you guys to trust me. Buy a bottle of Whistlepig. Just do it. |