• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Bourbon...

#561
MJ5150 said:
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
Click to expand...
Fantastic review, Mike. Thanks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MJ5150
#562
This thread has been dead for a while so I'm going to breathe new life into it by showing a recent purchase. I found a store with some older inventory of the Elijah Craig barrel proof releases and had to buy them.
Got a nice Russell's Reserve store pick too.

IMG_20231224_183429.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Skip Chucker, 31HZ, 2saddleslab and 1 other person
#563
Nice haul on the EC.
This is the time of year to find deals if one knows what to look for. We had a store like that in the town I live but apparently word got out online and the crummy hoarders and third party resellers started showing up to buy everything. Now, it's a wasteland of run of the mill junk. Bummer deal.

-Mike
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hot Rats
#564
Hot Rats said:
This thread has been dead for a while so I'm going to breathe new life into it by showing a recent purchase. I found a store with some older inventory of the Elijah Craig barrel proof releases and had to buy them.
Got a nice Russell's Reserve store pick too.

View attachment 5297045
Click to expand...
For when you're in a rush to get drunk? I'm not saying I'd turn down a glass or three, but damn.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hot Rats
#565
MJ5150 said:
Nice haul on the EC.
This is the time of year to find deals if one knows what to look for. We had a store like that in the town I live but apparently word got out online and the crummy hoarders and third party resellers started showing up to buy everything. Now, it's a wasteland of run of the mill junk. Bummer deal.

-Mike
Click to expand...
Finding the seasonal releases is tough these days. These bottles are from '21 and '22, and all different batches. kind of shocked the heck out of me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MJ5150
#571
Many fine bourbons out there that beat out Pappy over and over again. By now it's just a bunch of hype created by folks with more money than sense. That Calumet that @Datsgor is indeed a mighty fine sipper.
If folks are indeed after a nice wheater, so many solid choices out there for a reasonable price. Weller, Makers, even Old Fitzgerald (some releases).

-Mike
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hot Rats
#572
MJ5150 said:
Many fine bourbons out there that beat out Pappy over and over again. By now it's just a bunch of hype created by folks with more money than sense. That Calumet that @Datsgor is indeed a mighty fine sipper.
If folks are indeed after a nice wheater, so many solid choices out there for a reasonable price. Weller, Makers, even Old Fitzgerald (some releases).

-Mike
Click to expand...
try and find an Old Forester single barrel barrel pick if you have not already. I just cracked mine at 129.8 proof from total wine and more. Whowee she is a hot one but sweet cherry, red fruit, baked apple, oak and a hint of chocolate/cinnamon on the finish. Like 1920 bumped up.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: BlacksHole and MJ5150
#573
Hot Rats said:
try and find an Old Forester single barrel barrel pick if you have not already. I just cracked mine at 129.8 proof from total wine and more. Whowee she is a hot one but sweet cherry, red fruit, baked apple, oak and a hint of chocolate/cinnamon on the finish. Like 1920 bumped up.
Click to expand...

That was one of the ones at my local grocer that I could pick up on a fairly regular basis for about $30, maybe $40. Nowadays, forget it. Gone in 60 seconds.
Contrary to some folks (not pointing fingers at anyone here, just in general), I actually drink the bourbon I buy.

-Mike
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hot Rats
#574
Rarely drink these days but when I do it has to be Ky Straight Bourbon at least 12 yo. Not to picky about the brand. (as long as it's nothing bottled by Buffalo Trace)

My fave was Old Charter 12 yo. Old Charter didn't spend a lot on marketing and it was only 12-15 bucks a fifth. Then Buffalo Trace bought the brand and discontinued the 12 and 10 yo.

Bastuds
 
#575
MJ5150 said:
That was one of the ones at my local grocer that I could pick up on a fairly regular basis for about $30, maybe $40. Nowadays, forget it. Gone in 60 seconds.
Contrary to some folks (not pointing fingers at anyone here, just in general), I actually drink the bourbon I buy.

-Mike
Click to expand...
Yep, why buy if you're not going to drink it. Both my parents died recently and now that the financials have been finalized, I've been a bit of a buying spree lately getting some bottles I never would have been able to buy otherwise. Something I'm learning now is that there are bottles that are very nice but not worth the price of admission. But I'm glad I've been able to figure that out now. I know my range and have settled on just a few staples that will be on my shelf. It has been fun though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MJ5150
#576
lowplaces said:
Rarely drink these days but when I do it has to be Ky Straight Bourbon at least 12 yo. Not to picky about the brand. (as long as it's nothing bottled by Buffalo Trace)

My fave was Old Charter 12 yo. Old Charter didn't spend a lot on marketing and it was only 12-15 bucks a fifth. Then Buffalo Trace bought the brand and discontinued the 12 and 10 yo.

Bastuds
Click to expand...
You might enjoy the Knob Creek 12, or if you can go down in years, the Old Forester 1920 is excellent. The knob Creek 9, 120 proof is exceptional.
 
  • Like
Reactions: lowplaces
#578
The Michter 10 year is exceptional and worth the MSRP splurge if you find it at that price. The 20 year is good too, but not worth that MSRP.
The secondary market blew up the prices and there ain't a chance I'm paying what they want for it.
A schwanky steak house here in town came up with a drink I like to get when we visit, the Nightshift. The bartender is a buddy of mine from high school when we'd drink Miller High Life by the case. The Nightshift is a shot of 10 year Michter in a nice Glencairn and a Miller High Life Pony, which is a little seven ounce bottle. Just the right amount of Miller. I think they get $14 for it, but he usually charges me $10.

-Mike
 
#579
MJ5150 said:
The Michter 10 year is exceptional and worth the MSRP splurge if you find it at that price. The 20 year is good too, but not worth that MSRP.
The secondary market blew up the prices and there ain't a chance I'm paying what they want for it.
A schwanky steak house here in town came up with a drink I like to get when we visit, the Nightshift. The bartender is a buddy of mine from high school when we'd drink Miller High Life by the case. The Nightshift is a shot of 10 year Michter in a nice Glencairn and a Miller High Life Pony, which is a little seven ounce bottle. Just the right amount of Miller. I think they get $14 for it, but he usually charges me $10.

-Mike
Click to expand...
very nice. I have yet to try Michter's.

Good lord, I just looked it up. Local store in Oakland wants $389.00. Whew. What is MSRP. I figured 59- 79.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back