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Bourbon...
- Thread starter zachoff
- Start date
I been drinking Smooth Ambler for a long time. From back when John Little was still only sourcing from MGP with just a few folks on staff. Things have changed a lot over there, expectedly so when you are good at what you do, but it's still good bourbon.
If you like wheaters, give his Big Level a try. It's different from that single barrel we love. Not everyone who likes bourbon likes wheaters. I don't myself, but I can tolerate it.
So we're all on the same page, wheater = bourbon that uses wheat instead of rye in the mashbill. It's sweeter than a traditional bourbon, and some say smoother. I like the bite of the rye, some don't.
-Mike
Thanks for that info and recommendation. Like you, I prefer a relatively high rye content.
Welp, ended up visiting an old friend tonight, Mr. Drum. Johnny Drum. 101 proof and it lets you know, in a good way.
If you can hang on to it in your mouth for a few moments, the vanilla from the char really shines. Nice easy burn all the way down to it's resting place somewhere in my stomach close to dinner.
-Mike
If you can hang on to it in your mouth for a few moments, the vanilla from the char really shines. Nice easy burn all the way down to it's resting place somewhere in my stomach close to dinner.
-Mike
I really love Blanton's as my everyday drinker (though I don't drink bourbon every day....any more)
Indeed…a fine choice.
But I have not seen any on the shelves in years. (I am glad I bunkered a several a few years before that.)
It's scarce around these parts too.
Every so often 2-3 bottles show up at a local grocery store that is part of the Kroger network. I have a few buddies where we all keep track of what's available where. When we see something like Blanton's at a reasonable price, we'll text each other so we can buy it. We don't buy it as an investment to sell later. We buy it to drink it.
-Mike
Yeah. Bourbon was stupid about a decade ago and now its just STUPID. I don't chase anything anymore. I still have a bunch of really great bottles, though I'm drinking them down. I sold all my sealed bottles and slowly am ripping through it all and then...well, whatever is on the shelf is fine.
We're about to embark on some cheapo bourbon tastings. First up tonight is JTS Brown, bottled in bond.
I know what the good stuff is, and it's easy to find if you're willing to spend for it. I'm looking forward to this journey since it's going to take some work and I'm bound to stumble on some gems that won't break the bank.
-Mike
I know what the good stuff is, and it's easy to find if you're willing to spend for it. I'm looking forward to this journey since it's going to take some work and I'm bound to stumble on some gems that won't break the bank.
-Mike
We picked up a bottle for $13.50. Although it has no impact on flavor, I like the old timey look of the bottle. It just looks cool to me. I refused to let my expectations be influenced by the price we paid, and gave this bourbon the same treatment I would with something far more expensive. Neat in a Glencairn, as I always enjoy bourbon of any kind.
I poured a dram and swirled it around the glass. Dipped my nose in for a whiff after tilting the glass a wee bit and was welcomed with some vanilla. The alcohol started to take over, but I also picked up some oak and almost a tobacco smell. Still, it never had that overwhelming alcohol smell, this I really liked.
Right off the bat I tasted that smooth vanilla sweetness, and wow is it good with just a little heat. I kept waiting for the acrid bite to jump up, but it never did. It stayed smooth and warm the whole time it was in my mouth and even when I finally swallowed it, no burn on the way down. I don't dislike the burn, and at times really enjoy it, but I was pleasantly surprised how it never showed up for me. The vanilla gave way to some oaky taste and the char started to come through. One thing for sure, and I think it's because this is only a three year bourbon, was it's thin. Not a watered down taste, just thin in the sense that the mouthfeel is lacking.
If I had never enjoyed finer bourbons aged much longer, I'd likely never know better and enjoy this bourbon for all it is.
Still, this bourbon is a solid choice and I plan to keep a bottle around. I think it'll be perfect for introducing people to bourbon. It's $10-15 for a reason, but it's still a legit offering and worthy of consumption now and then.
I'm not foolish enough to compare it to some of the higher end bourbons in my stash, and I would never use it interchangeably there. This'll be fine for what it is.
I recommend it.
-Mike
