What's Your Favorite Bourbon?

They haven't had the pig ears in a while, I love them too.

The flight was $45 for an ounce of each. I was pretty impressed with the pricing, I thought that was very reasonable for all five.

It was hard to pick a favorite. The wife thought the 20 year was the best, I waivered between the 20 and 23. Both were probably the best whiskeys I've ever had. What surprised me the most was the 15.

The 10 and 12 were fairly similar with the 12 being smoother, more mellow, and some additional fruity favors. The 20 and 23 were similar with the 23 being smoother and creamier, but spicier (to my taste). The wife just found it spicier. Neither was MASSIVELY different than the 10 or the 12, but the differences were certainly there in flavor and smoothness. You could tell they came from the same family. All had a creaminess I have rarely felt in bourbons. The 20 and 23 were truly awesome.

The 15, though, was a totally different animal. It was heavy with tobacco, leather, nuts, and maybe coffee, where as the others were heavier with vanilla, caramel, and maple. The 15 still had the vanilla and caramel, but it was more in background and rounded out the taste than being right up front. A REALLY nice sipping whiskey, but much more bold (in a good way). I simply loved it.

The 20 and 23 would be my choice for the best, but the 15 REALLY close behind because of its difference and uniqueness.


Mark

 

Mark,

Sounds exactly like the Johnny Walker line with the Green being quite different.

 

Mark,

You lucky dog!!! Thanks for the report! Now, would you pay secondary market prices?

Regards,

Art S.

PS. I've been enjoying Balcones Rumble a Texas whisky. When I first bought it, I was underwhelmed but its grown on me and I've grown to like it!

 

I don't know what I'd pay for the different ages. I really did love them all, more so than any other line of whiskeys I've had, but I can get really close to that experience with something else.

I'd probably pay retail prices just for their rarity and uniqueness, but I don't think secondary prices.


Mark

 

Oh! Just saw this thread.

I've been on a Willet Pot Still Reserve kick lately. A local restaurant has a large collection of bourbons, and it happens to be where I discovered the Willet.

Since then I've purchased multiple bottles, and just recently opened a 1.75L bottle
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Whistle Pig Boss Hog

 

I need a suggestion. I am in a control state and cannot find an ABC store that has Elmer T. Lee or the Wm. L Weller. I have a good stock of rye for the guys coming in, but I could use a suggestion for a bourbon equivalent to the Lee or Weller. Thanks guys. Keith

 

If anyone wants it at cost, I picked up an extra bottle of Elijah Craig 23 Year Old today. If interested, PM me...

 

^^^ Sold immediately BTW. No more PMs!

 

Picked these up the other day. Somewhat expensive for small bottles, but really great whiskeys. They instantly went on my "special occasion" shelf.

Buffalo Trace is really doing some great stuff.


Mark
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Mark,

How do they compare to Pappy's?

Have you tried Noah's Mill yet?

Regards,

Art S.

 

When I was sampling them, Pappy 12 immediately came to mind. The two are different and have different characters. Honestly, I'd have to sample them again to remember which one I thought was better. One was very similar to Pappy 12 in terms of taste, while the other was certainly "related," but spicier. I had to stop myself from drinking them too quickly!

Noah's is one of my favorites. We usually always have a bottles on hand. That being said, the last bottle we bought was VERY grassy and earthy. Almost too much so. Still drank it all, though.



Mark

 

Mark,

Are those are half sized bottles for $60 each?

I just found some that is a rye and am about to go and get a few bottles- I hope they are worth it. They have two series, the floor series and something else. I'm getting 2 of each except floor 1 (there is only one left). I'm dealing with sticker shock though! Noah's Mill is $43 for regular sized bottle for me.

Regards,

Art S.

 

Yes, they're 375ml bottles. If they were fullsize, the price wouldn't have phased me.

I pay about $43 for Noahs as well. It's a steal for that stuff, IMO. Many peopel predict the price will start creeping up due to its popularity.

Mark

 

Mark,

Thanks for the heads up. One store still had it (unlisted). 2 hour round trip.

Got 7 little, expensive bottles. Wheated: floor 1, floor 5, floor 9. Rye 125 entry proof $60 each plus tax for half size bottles - most I've ever paid per volume.

We'll see. If Noah's wins, I'm stockpiling the stuff.

Regards,

Art S.

PS. DeLorenzo's tomato pie followed by great bourbon. A great end to the week!

 

Definitely!

Let me know how you like them. I'm just getting into rye so I'm very interested in hearing about those as well as the bourbons. Mine are floor 1 and 9. If I remember right, the store had 7(?) also, but since I was paying $110 for two small bottles, I passed. Assuming they're still there, I'll pick up one next time I'm in.


Mark

 

I should also note that I picked up a half bottle of Makers Mark Cask Strength from Caskers.com a few weeks ago. My understanding is that their cask strength is usually only sold at the factory, so when I saw it pop up online I jumped at it.

Damn good whiskey, damn good. It's only my "special occasion" shelf with the experimental Buffalo Trace bottles.


Mark

 

Mark,

They are all fantastic! The floor 1 has the best smell but is almost delicate in flavor. The floor 9 is almost too intense. The floor 5 is probably the best of the three. I would suspect that all of these barrels were used in Pappy's. The 125 rye (a bit of a misnomer as it was barreled at 125 but has been watered down to 90 proof for the bottle) is the best rye I've had and is damn good but I prefer the wheated. I'd say floor 5 is my favorite followed by floor 1.

That said, I'm ordering. Several cases of Noah's Mill and going to try other cask strength Wiskeys.

Regards,

Art S.

 

I'll have to see if my place has 5. Thanks for the notes on the rye. Sounds interesting.

Based on my two, 1 and 9, I'd agree. They're Pappy barrels. I think I liked 1 better, but the wife preferred 9. Both are excellent.

Let me know your thoughts on the Noah's. I've had 5-6 bottles I think. Only the last one I got wasn't excellent. The last one was rather grassy. A little too much for me. Still very good, but not excellent.


Mark

 

Mark,

Definitely try the floor 5. It's between the 1 and 9 but not just a blend of the two.

I've noticed variation in Noah's as well. I wasn't crazy about the previous bottle but the present one is good. I suspect their supplier is running out of the good old barrels. I'm probably going to buy a bunch and hope for the best.

Regards,

Art S.

 

Mark,

Try Russell's Reserve Single Barrel. Its 110 proof and quite good.

Regards,

Art S.

 

For an everyday sipper, I'm a fan of the W.L. Weller. Jefferson's Reserve is also a reasonable daily drinker.

I've also been into the Jefferson Ocean lately. A little different than most of what's out there.

For special occasions (or Fridays) I'm a big fan of Willett XCF, as well as Four Roses Single Barrel. And there is always the Pappy 23, though I don't really care for the other ages.

 

OK, I'll bite. Gle8, where do you get Pappy's 23?

Regards,

Art S.

 

Wherever you can find it!

The release this year in PA was awful. It was online only, with no published release date. I received an email at 10:12am on a Tuesday when I was on my way to get some coffee. I immediately turned the car around and rushed home. Made it to the computer at 10:16am (thanks to some savvy driving) and added to the cart....at which point the site crashed. After 20 minutes of heated refreshing, I made it to checkout, only to have it show as out of stock. Sigh.

That said, I have a few friends that scored bottles, and there are a handful of bars in the city that keep a secret bottle in the back. Honestly, I think most of the Pappy's are overrated. They are good, certainly, but not worth the herculean effort it seems to take to obtain them nowadays. I will put in a little extra work for the 23 though.

 

I just recently got a bottle. I like it, it's a good everyday whiskey.

If you can find it, try Bib and Tucker. It's a new release bourbon by 35 Maple Street Spirits (a California company).

http://www.35maplestreet.com/spirits/bib-and-tucker-bourbon/

It's really excellent, a good rival for Pappy 10 and 12.


Mark