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Bourbon.

gnatty8

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Originally Posted by denning
Anyone try the Knob Creek single barrel reserve? I will probably pick a bottle up this weekend. 60 % and pretty decent reviews as far as I can tell.

I picked up a bottle about a month ago. It's a good bourbon, very distinct, but seemed to have more heat than it's ABV would have implied, so I usually dropped in a cube to bring it down. I would buy again.
 

denning

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Originally Posted by gnatty8
I picked up a bottle about a month ago. It's a good bourbon, very distinct, but seemed to have more heat than it's ABV would have implied, so I usually dropped in a cube to bring it down. I would buy again.

I'm a fan of high alcohol bourbons like William Larue Weller for example. I just bought 12 year El Dorado rum so I will have to wait until next week (I limit myself to one bottle per week).
 

PITAronin

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Normally my brown liquor consumption is restricted to Irish and a few single malt scotch whiskies, but last weekend at a high school reunion one of the classmates who lives near the plant in Iowa where Templeton Rye is produced/bottled brought some. No basis for comparison, but I found it to be pretty tasty. Anyone else had experience with this throwback to Prohibition, and what was your reaction?
 

Thomas

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This weekend I worked on the wife's car at a friend's place and I wound up trying a new bourbon: Jim Beam Devil's Cut. It was surprisingly good - though that could have been influenced by the fact that we had been outside scraping our knuckles in 100+ heat for a few hours. Still, I plan on buying a bottle.
 

denning

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I brought a bottle of 17 year Vintage Bourbon back from SF a couple weeks ago. Made from some of the last remaining stock from Van Winkle's old Stitzel Weller distillery.

Woodier than I generally seek out, but overall really nice. I haven't had a sip for a few weeks, so i should taste again and provide notes. Here is a review from http://www.connosr.com/reviews/vintage/vintage-bourbon-17-year-old/bourbon-with-a-soul/

Distiller: Vintage

Bottle: Vintage Bourbon 17 Year old

ABV: 47%

Colour: Amontillado Sherry

Review:
I had been passively looking for Vintage 17 Bourbon, and its cousins from the same distillery, for quite some time. Then while recently traveling, I decided to stop in for a browse at a spirit store whose only means to lure in customers was an indelicate billboard next to the expressway. Surprisingly, this seasoned old store turned out to have a very well-stocked collection of liquor, which not unlike a candy store (a few years back), caused tingles of excitement, and a drop in my vigilance of controlled spending. It was also a treat to also have discovered some of the cousins, such as Rowan’s Creek and Noah’s Mill.

Vintage Bourbon 17 is produced by Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, Ltd, Bardstown, KY, where they also distill Johnny Drum Old-fashioned Sour Mash Whiskey, the Old Bardstown series, and the Small batch collection: Noah’s Mill, Rowan’s Creek, Pure Kentucky XO, and Kentucky Vintage

Vintage Bourbon 17 is a Limited Edition vintage bourbon, aged 17 years. According to the distiller, it is selected from the very rarest lot of barrels, each hand-picked for taste, aroma and bouquet. The bottlings are very limited, and in my opinion, could very well differ between themselves. The color is deep amber, and there is also a 21 and 23 year expression. You would not think to find such a fine whiskey in such a plain bottle, with glued-on labels. If you can find it, the cost appears to vary widely, becoming higher the farther away you are from Kentucky.

Adding water seemed to mess with the soul, and flatten the depth, and so these notes are based on tasting without water. Prime the palate first with some other bourbon, then if you take small sips and let the nectar slowly percolate down, you should experience no burn in this one.

Bottle Nose: It is often rewarding to smell the open bottle before the pour, perhaps to capture a whiff of the dried residue (applies to the empty glass as well). Here we have a luscious assertive nose of dried fruit (prunes, dates, figs, apricot), toasted butterscotch, brown sugar and caramel. A very fine sniffing bourbon … which may very well be all you need for an occasional healthy and cost-free morsel of enjoyment.

Glass Nose: Rich piney, sugary caramel with bananas and perhaps a note of Oolong tea. The alcohol fumes are nicely controlled, thus yielding a pleasant nose without sharpness.

Palate: Deep and flavorful blast of sweet, toasted brown sugar, dried fruit, and some leathery notes, then drier toward the finish, with spiced almonds … reminds me a little of Bulliet bourbon, but with lots more going on. There is no bitterness or distracting harshness, and the structure is always smooth and syrupy.

Finish: Take your time and you will be rewarded by a long, creamy smooth and flavorful finish. You will develop a soft, warm and lasting glow … followed by ecstatic and satisfying feelings of amazement, well-being and suspended animation.

Conclusions: I have now tasted Vintage 17 many times, and each time I have concluded that this is a unique ultimate bourbon (higher than top-shelf), and probably the strongest contender for “if-you-can-only-choose-one-on-the-island”. This is a highly-engaging, satisfying and easy to drink bourbon which has a character of accomplished maturity and class. It is like meeting a dear old friend who you cherish, and who offers many old meaningful stories. Save this for special occasions … such as when you need cheering up after being stranded on a desert island.

The Vintage line also includes a 21 and 23 year old bourbon and a 21 and 23 year old rye. The 23 year old rye is apparently amazing.
 

alexg

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I have a bottle of 18 Year Jefferson's Presidential Select Bourbon. I've never drank any kind of bourbon before other than the cheap crap to get drunk. Tell me about it.
 

denning

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Buffalo Trace announce new Antique Collection to be released shortly. http://bourbondork.blogspot.com/2011/08/buffalo-trace-antique-collection-2011.html

Sazerac Rye 18 Year Old
Last year’s release was given a liquid gold award and a 97.5 rating in Jim Murray’s 2011 Whisky Bible. This 2011 rye whiskey release is described as “intense spice with underlying sweetness and dry finish.” Hopefully critics agree this batch is just as good, or better!

Eagle Rare 17 Year Old
The previous edition of this bourbon was honored with a Gold Medal at the 2011 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The 2011 edition was distilled in the Spring of 1993 and has been aging on the 2nd, 3rd and 6th floors of Warehouses I and K. After 18 years and 7 months of aging under its belt, it brings to the table notes of leather, vanilla and tobacco.

George T. Stagg
The 2010 release of this long-time favorite was named “Spirit of the Year” by F. Paul Pacult in the 2011 Spirit Journal. The 2011 George T. Stagg was found in Warehouses H, I, and K. This uncut, unfiltered bourbon was distilled back in the winter of 1993 and weighs in at 142.6 proof—some bold stuff! This whiskey tastes of espresso, chocolate and vanilla.

William Larue Weller
William Larue Weller is the Antique Collection’s uncut, unfiltered, wheated recipe bourbon. The previous edition was named “Bourbon of the Year” in Jim Murray’s 2011 Whisky Bible. The 2011 offering was distilled in the summer of 1998 and aged on the fourth and fifth floors of Warehouses N, O, and P. This William Larue Weller release registers in at 133.5 proof – a lot stronger than last year! It tastes of honey, caramel, light toffee and pipe tobacco.

Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye
Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye is an uncut and unfiltered straight rye whiskey. The 2010 edition was named “Rye Whiskey of the Year” by Jim Murray in his 2011 Whisky Bible. This year’s Handy was distilled in the spring of 2005, aged on the sixth floor of Warehouse K and weighs in at 128.6 proof. The flavor has been described as “Christmas cake and allspice. Bold and yummy.”
 

Gus

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I have been trying a lot of different ones but keep coming back to Bulleit. I am surprised how inexpensive it is in my area $19.99

 

Kyoung05

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After over a year of casually searching, I finally found a bottle and bit the bullet:

29kw3h0.jpg


I haven't gotten around to opening it - still waiting to share it with someone who will at least appreciate it.

Also, I brought this to a family BBQ, but they were too busy ooh-ing and ahh-ing over a bottle of Johnny Walker Blue Label that it hardly got touched. I was told by the hosts that I should bring it back home (since they wouldn't drink it).

2ldzxgl.jpg
 

gnatty8

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I have been trying a lot of different ones but keep coming back to Bulleit. I am surprised how inexpensive it is in my area $19.99



Y'know, I want to like Bulleit because the packaging is just so damn cool, in an RRL sort of way.. However, what's inside is just so blah and uninspired, I cannot justify the shelf space it takes up.. Glad you like it!
 

denning

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ama

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Got my preorder in for a George T. Stagg, Thomas C. Handy, William Larue Weller and a Sazerac. I am skipping the Eagle Rare this year as I still have bottles of 2007 and 2009 .


September is early for the release. I'm excited.
 

gnatty8

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Yeah, September does seem early doesn't it? Still, I'm not complaining. I still have at least 5 bottles of ER 17 and 4 GTS left over from last year, but I am probably good for a few more of each this year!!

Kentucky Bourbon Festival next week. Anyone going? I may drive up for a day, two if I end up getting shitfaced.. :embar:
 

denning

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duofold

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Eagerly awaiting the BTAC. Looked around for some PvW 15/20 stragglers, but absolutely no luck. Sad since I finished the 20 without replenishing the supply when I had the chance.

Since the season's ramping up, I bought a bottle of Elijah Craig 18 at Costco here in the Twin Cities to prime my palate (impulse buy at $40). No past experience with this one.

Not a bourbon, but since I'm here--Costco also carries a wheat whiskey, Bernheim. Sold out but receiving more cases this Monday. Odd thing...Costco sells it for ~$40, where maker's own srp on its site is $30.
 

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