Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

It has to, Bob. I can't imagine the regular being consistently better than SFTB, Takara, etc....

I went back to Binny's yesterday and scored another EHT. I wish evert week was like this.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

The roads finally cleared up, so I hit up a few local shops to see what they had. Tuesdays are delivery day (Fridays too). My main B&M got their ECSB pick in. 9yr, 127.5 proof. Just had a pour, then another. Safe to say I like it. Oakey, chocolate covered cherry, maraschino cherry. For being a fairly high proof, not much Kentucky hug.

While I was there, the one store manager was showing the Heavens Door Bootleg they also got in to another person. Turns out that other guy is a friend of a friend.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

I have the Blantons ranked in that order from my experience as well. It's sad that Blantons gets the hate that it does, but I get it. It's certainly because it's so sought after (mostly because of the horses), but I really think it's one of the best bourbons at that abv. It leaves a little to be desired proof wise, but the flavor is fantastic in my opinion.

Kind of like the Yankees of bourbon I suppose.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

I was thinking the Corona Light of bourbons, Pete, but I am a douchebag. ;) :r

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Cracked a '23 Gatsby Reserve last night. 15 year aged MGP. Super delicious and packs a flavor punch for 98.1 proof.

That being said, I like the Volstead and 1st Gatsby releases better.

https://i.imgur.com/m4XLSu1.jpg

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Hey Tom...

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...pgDk5kK-XL.jpg

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

https://i.imgur.com/HUUBauD.gif

24-01, Tony?

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

23-04

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Grab me a case? :D

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

That can be arranged! -(P

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

That's a lotta Bookers, likely on par with how much comes into the entire state over here. It's crazy how rare it is to see it around here, good thing I have a few bottles open that help me scratch the itch when I feel it

A friend put together a march madness competition to determine what the best batch of ECBP is once and for all, he used all 12 year age stated bottles with batch codes, so A118-A123. First matchup was wildly different with a clear winner, second was harder to pick. I think after the first round it's going to start to get pretty tough to tell these apart but I'm super excited to find out the results

https://i.postimg.cc/MGC6CfWJ/PXL-20...0647597-MP.jpg

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

That’s a very cool idea Ben. Good luck with it. Can’t wait to hear your results.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

That is awesome, Ben. I've got a list ranking the batches I've tried, maybe 13-14 since A117. Looking forward to hearing and comparing.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

:tpd:

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Friends got me a gift card from my main local store. Used it yesterday to buy a bottle of Bowman Brothers. Gotta say, for $35, it’s a very good bottle.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

I've had that as well. It is pretty good stuff. If I remember right, there are two or three different variations and the one I was recommended was goof.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Yea, there are Bowman Brothers, Issac Bowman and John J Bowman. Idk if Michigan gets the other two.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Love me some Bowman, some of the John J Bowman single barrels have been delicious but the Brothers small batch can be right up there with them, just a little lighter on the proof. If you ever get a chance to try any Abraham Bowman's don't pass it up, their annual release that has some seriously big hitters (going back to the old days of 17yr 140+ proof "Abe Bowman" aka GTS single barrels). I got a bottle of their Gingerbread #2 in a lottery a couple years ago, they took barrels used to age Hardywood's gingerbread stout and put some aged whiskey in them to finish off, the result is the perfect snowy winter day pour :dr

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Thanks Ben, another unicorn to hunt. :D

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Most of the Abe's go out through a lottery where you have to pick up at the distillery in VA, an hour from my in-laws so they usually end up entering all the lotteries whether they know it or not :)

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

:r

I’ve polished off nearly half the bottle I bought Wednesday. Guess I must like it. :D

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Serious question for all you bourbon nerdniks ... Evan Williams: I know it's a gd cheap well brand, but I keep reading it's one of the best values to be had out there. I probably should buy it and try it, but no one is more miserly than yours truly, so I thought I'd see what the resident experts have to say. Thoughts?

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Hey Vin! Give the Bottled In Bond a try (white label), 100 proof and at least 4 years old for very cheap. The 80 proof black label is not worth the time, but the BiB can be a decent pour. Although they stopped selling them outside of KY, the Evan Williams single barrel was another solid bottle that drank well above it's price tag. They just recently stopped selling those out of the state so there might be some around

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

I second the BIB and Single Barrel. They both drink pricier than they are. However, I do keep a bottle of Black Label (which is 86 proof) on hand for an occasional end of the evening drink after I've destroyed my palette with better whiskies and smokes. :)

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

I agree with Sterns and PW assessments on the EW BIB and SiB, but that is if you want to go inexpensive. There are a lot of other bourbons out there that are good and usually in the $15-$25 range. Early Time BIB is one that I like that is around $20-$25 a bottle.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

I’ve settled on WT101 for an affordable option, but I also think Old Fitzgerald for $22-25 a bottle is worth trying.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Thanks gents - I'll try the Bottled in Bond. Just saw that a local place today.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

For budget juice, I just grab something from Benchmark. Full proof hits WAY above its price.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

I think I have a problem.

I was clearing out my Tahoe and I found 6 random bottles in the back that included a bottle of Blantons, OFSB, a couple of EHT, Old Scout and Stagg. All of them were unopened and in good condition. All of them were buried under blankets and other things as I have been moving things out of my parent's house.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

You're lucky that Blanton's didn't pop the cork or break the wax, Tony...so common for that bottle when left in the heat.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

With the exception of Wednesday, we haven’t been that hot. I did make sure everything was good on the bottles, especially the Blantons.

Nothing really dropped today, so it will be a cheap weekend. -(P

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

I've been enjoying some Wilderness Trail Family Reserve Cask Strength the last couple of nights. It's pretty damned enjoyable, although it drinks a little hotter than its 112 proof.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Last week I acquired a bottle of Little Book Chapter 3. I had a bottle a couple years back and it was so disappointing when you know the ingredients ( 9 year old Knob Creek, 9 year old Basil Hayden's, 11 year old Booker's, and 12 year old Baker's. ) . It's so universally loved, I speculated that I got a bad bottle somehow. This should be my wheelhouse and I hated it.

https://i.imgur.com/7vTuiib.jpg

Last night I cracked the Little Book Chapter 3. It's so different from the first bottle I owned, which was awful, straight black pepper. I don't know if "bad" or tainted bottles are a thing, but the difference is night and day.

I'll revisit in 3 weeks like I do with Booker's.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Well, being a somewhat recent drinker of bourbon, I saw some bottles in my trip to Long Island that I just can’t seem to get in Reno. Probably not the greatest place to buy something cheap though :)

Well, to a new experience.

https://i.postimg.cc/VNWFsckp/IMG-7531.jpg

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

It's been years since I've seen a bottle of E.H. Taylor around here.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Nice pickups, Dave. I like everything EH Taylor.

I'm curious to hear what you think of the OF 1924, haven't seen that one around yet.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Is it bad every time now I see the letters “OF” I think OnlyFans? :D

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

I would love to try that Old Forrester 1924. I've seen it around a couple times here in MN but couldn't pull the trigger.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

I have not seen OF1924 in the wild, but when it is available, it goes really fast. Not a fan of the price (roughly 115-120). I would like to grab a bottle, but I've got too many of other stuff right now. I really need a new shelving unit or two.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

I had a shot at the Birthday Forrester a couple months ago but went with Stagg instead because I'd never had it.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

I have to say after trying out the OF1924 twice, small amount each time and neat, it’s very good. I would say well worth the MSRP but paying more? Sucks. Probably not. Depends on the buyer. For a comparison, if I had to pay the same for this or Johnny Walker Blue, it’s a push.

Better than Macallen 18 because 18 is a ridiculous price.

The OF1924 is smooth, very prominent caramel flavor with oak on the finish. Add in whatever flavor nuances you feel compelled to add.

Bottom line, I can’t express adequately how impressed I am with Old Forrester as a brand and am looking forward to trying more of their products.

I would definitely buy more of the OF1924 but not at $220+.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Hit up a local store. Friend had seen these on their shelves Friday.

https://i.imgur.com/rAnzKG6l.jpg

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Regular Larceny is one of my weekly bottles. That barrel proof is great too. I’ve seen it a couple places around here.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

I had a nice pour of this new BP. I’ll say it’s unique. Very different from the other Larceny BP’s I have. Still trying to decide if I like it or not.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Brian, nice to hear your thoughts on the OF1924. Hoping to find an open bottle at one of my haunts, or one at MSRP someplace.

Curious to hear your thoughts on A124 once you've tried a bit more, Bob.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

I had some Larceny C923 last night. It's quite tasty.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Yes, that was a good batch.

I’m going to give this bottle a couple weeks, now that it’s open, and then do a blind against my other Larceny BP’s.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

This stuff is pretty good - calling it win!