That's how i got my most recent bottle of Defiant. Co-worker didn't like it. My Jefferson's Ocean was finished tonight. I didn't realize it was a Voyage 3, or that they numbered the bottles like that. I've had that bottle for years.... sjd
Eagle Rare is good, So is the Jefferson's. I have not had the others on your list. One shocker for me was an inexpensive 1792 (including the small batch) and OYO small batch. Very smooth, easy to drink bourbons.
Nice! The local liquor store I go to had three each bottles of 10 and 12 year for $400 and $500 respectively. I passed. The 10 and 12 are great, but not THAT much better than others for far less.
Tried two new bottles this last weekend; Yellowstone and Henry McKenna 10 Year. Image Unavailable, Please Login I loved the Yellowstone. The nose was terrible, very cardboard like, but the taste was great. It had a lot of maple syrup, leather, and oak, which is a combo I like very much. The flavors were quite complex. It’s pretty similar to Bib and Tucker (if you’ve had that), but with stronger leather and oak flavors. If Pappy 20 is a 10/10 for for me, this was a solid 8+/10 Image Unavailable, Please Login The McKenna was also very good. Nose was sweet, and so was the taste. It was classic bourbon combo of caramel and vanilla. The flavors were definitely not as complex or strong as the Yellowstone, but good; especially for the price. I’d give it a 7/10 I was with three other people, and they all preferred the McKenna to the Yellowstone. Two of the three were not “bourbon drinkers,” so I understand why they’d like the gentler, sweeter flavors of the McKenna.
Picked up a fantastic bourbon last night. I saw a couple of bottles of Stagg Jr at the local store, and knowing the heritage I bought one. It's Stagg Jr Batch 9, 131.9 proof. I decided to pop it and try a little. I threw a few ice cubes in a glass and poured a shot in. I was prepared for heat, but instead I got a mouthful of sweet cherry followed by vanilla and then spice. It was not what I was expecting, in a really good way. It's sort of like a grown up, more sophisticated Eagle Rare. If you see a bottle of this, I highly recommend it.
I have been able to get access to a lot of bourbon thanks to being a frequent at my local liquor store. I’ve had a couple pappys but seem to like the old rip van winkle 10 year the best. Michters 10 year is good, but a lot of bourbon seem to be pretty linear compared to scotch.
Recently did some of the Bourbon trail. I really like some of the Willet products (Noah's Mill, Rowan's Creek, and the Pot Still reserve) but my favorite was the small batch rye. Tried a bunch of other things (nothing was bad) but also liked the Weller Reserve and Weller 12.
So I went to the liquor store today to stock up on white wine for the misses. While there I asked my standard question, “Do you have any Blanton’s?” Answer: Nope! So I went over to the whiskey section and talked to the rep. I tried a few other bourbons decided to buy two bottles of Bowman Brothers. Lo and behold, “Let me check in back on the Blanton’s, one bottle limit.” I guess buying bourbon has become the same as buying cars....
I was at Binnys. Tried the Irving Park location and then the one at Pulaski and Diversy. I was only planning on buying wine for my wife, but when opportunity presents itself... I’ve been working my way through a bottle of Corsair Triple Smoked as well. Kinda like a scotch/bourbon cross. Mostly G & T season, so the bourbons will have to wait for cooler weather.
I suggest warehouse liquors on wabash, lots of good bourbon. I frequent there when I get free time to grab some beer/scotch/bourbon.
Had to laugh... Found this tongue-in-cheek(I hope!!) review on Bevmo..."Eagle Rare and Buffalo Trace are not too far out in comparison. Perhaps around two to three year difference in aging and distillation. Now does that make a big difference? Well, I think I should let you be the judge of that. Honey gold in color. Sweet french vanilla cake, lots of it; loads of toasted oak; some muted sherry notes, and dried california raisins on the nose to begin with. Indeed, full bodied and robust mouth feel followed by a sweet creamy lasciviously oily almost chewy texture with leathery accents, some home baked oatmeal cookies, and vanilla coated slightly sweet crispy almonds in the entry palate. simultaneously; hints of succulent melon, dried shredded coconuts, thick maple syrup and some sugar cane, complimented by delicate sherry notes; rich caramel toffee, and a variety of peppery spices entertains the palate even further giving way to; loads sweet roasted corn; layers of creamy charred oak; some nuances of rye, and notes of lemon peels and green apples that brightens up the mid palate. Eagle rare definitely has its own unique characteristics and complexities, though as I mentioned earlier, it is not very far in comparison to buffalo trace - which is less expensive. The finish is long and dry and it lingers in your mouth for a little while, layered with that awesome rich buttery home baked southern corn bread aftertaste."
I don't think this has been shared here yet but should be helpful, given all the choices out there now. http://recenteats.blogspot.com/p/the-complete-list-of-american-whiskey.html?m=1