Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

I haven't tried it yet. I passed on a bottle a few months back and of course that's the last time I've seen it.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

That bottle I brought to Shack in 2023 was meh at best, and as Tom said, he thought it was not a good product. I've tried a few since different pours since from different barrels and I thought they ranged from alright to good, but it hasn't been too high on my list to pick up a bottle. Guess I should give it a try again.

Ben, which would you pick, JD SiB BP Rye (125+ proof) or Michters Barrel Strength Rye (107-115 proof)?

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Stopped in Binny's for the Wednesday drop. Choice of 1 from Weller SR, EH Taylor Small Batch, 1792 Sweet Wheat and 1792 Aged Twelve Years. Just finished a Sweet Wheat recently, so chose the 12 Year. First pour was good, but nothing like some of their Full Proof picks I have had.

https://i.imgur.com/03iyIENm.jpg

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

I've only had a few JDBPR barrels but thought they were all great, given the choice of one at random vs a Michters BSR (if they were both priced like JD) I'd probably take the Michters because I have some great memories drinking that bottle and it's also really friggin good, but there are definitely some Jack Rye picks I've had that I'd take over the Michters

Now if only we could go back to 2020 and buy more of that first JD Rye LE, I didn't think I liked rye until I tried that. I'm still only so-so on rye as a category but have learned that there is so much variation and some can hit me in the right spot. Still haven't found a 95/5 that blew my socks off, I just don't think that one is for me

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

I used to really dig the ryes a few years back, Ben. Now older Whistlepig barrels are about the only ryes I drink regularly now.

Received my Booker's The Reserves yesterday. Not quite as an intriguing a story as the Little Book Infinite Blend's, but 8 to 14 year Booker's barrels? I'll take it. :dr :D

https://i.imgur.com/BvUp5Zj.jpg

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Dangit, I really want one of those. Hope prices come down a little when they start going out to other states

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Whoooo man, your finding some tasty bourbons.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

I have, Dave, I feel really fortunate to have the Booker's and Little Book special releases as Booker's is my jam.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Some replacement bottles.

https://i.postimg.cc/mrm3F3Gr/IMG-0354.jpg

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Good stuff, Dave! :banger

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

So got double confirmation from my other doc I don’t have to give up drinking completely. A couple drinks a week is fine. That means my collection should last me the rest of my life. I’ll only buy the occasional bottle if something catches my attention.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Part-good news is better than no good news!

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Good news considering the alternative. Got any bars near you with a decent selection? Sounds like you got doctor's orders to buy off the top shelf only :noon

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Great news. Go Top Shelf!!!!!

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Thanks guys, that’s the way I took the news too. :D

Ben, there is one place that does have a really nice selection. Expensive but nice.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

I agree with James, Ben and Dave. Good news for sure, Bob. You can't waste your pours on the mediocre stuff now, all good stuff. :tu :D

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Picked up a new Jack Daniels Barrel Proof single barrel pick. They're either good or great, never had a bad one. I celebrated with a pour of Jack Daniels 10 Year.

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

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

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Tom, have you bought many of the R/bourbon picks? Just wondering if they’re good enough to cover the extra cost of shipping.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

This is my first, Bob. I wasn't planning to open it for a couple weeks, but I'll let you know once I crack it. :tu

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Another good acquisition day, a got a bottle of Stagg Jr. Batch 15 in a trade, and my girl at my local called to say she put aside another bottle of Booker's Reserve for me at retail.

https://i.imgur.com/dro0557.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/KKYg72n.jpg

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Nice grabs Tom!

Jay doesn't pick bad barrels :tu

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Is the /R a Jay West pick, Ben?

If it is, then actually I have had several, Bob, all stellar. :tu

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

It is! Jay picks everything for R/Bourbon with very few exceptions, he also picks everything for aficionados group (non bourbon spirits). He does spirits full time but doesn't make any money off the picks, those are just for fun

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

I just got a lot more excited about my JD pick...thanks Ben! :D

Had to pick up some groceries and the supermarket had Jimmy Russell's Wild Turkey 70th Anniversary Release. 8 years and 100m proof. For $42 I figured it was worth a shot.


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

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Maybe even worth 5 or 6 shots. Just saying.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

:noon

I opened it, it's ok. Worth $42.50 even. -(P

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

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Hmm…my local B&M is releasing their 4R OBSQ pick tomorrow. Tasting notes are “If Faygo Rock & Rye and 4R has a 125 proof baby”. Might have to stop by and snag a bottle.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Hoping to get my hands on a couple but had to laugh when they were first going for $200 on secondary, they've come down but they also haven't hit stores here yet so I'm expecting to get them at under $50. Supposedly there was over 10x more of these made than any other turkey LE ever so they are supposed to be pretty attainable

Love me some OBSQ, I've tasted through the recipes blind twice with different sets of barrels and that recipe won both times :dr

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

I think the grocery store had a couple more, Ben, if you want me to try and grab one. Otherwise I might just grab anything left and offer 'em for a c-note on FB. :lr

Bob, I've only bit on the 4R is they're tier 4 or higher, now that they seem to be fetching $105-115 apiece.

Cracked my MM Heart Release last night. Not my favorite wood finished release by MM. Hoping it opens up a little with time.

https://i.imgur.com/VnpX4ib.jpg

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Still on the fence about that 4R pick. Tom, it’s from tier 6 of the rickhouse. Now that I’m having to regulate my intake, I’m not apt to just go hunting. Plus I already have two other OBSQ picks.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

I had a couple of pours of Penelope Barrel Strength tonight. I'm really starting to enjoy this one.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

That tier 6 might be decent trade bait if you already have enough 4R picks, Bob. If it's under $120 might be worth it for that?

I've only had a single barrel pick at a herf a year or so ago, but remember liking it, James. Just haven't bit on my own bottle.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

In Long Island for testing so hit the local store.

Interesting. See if I like it better tonight. Not bad and really strong port aroma. I am not sure what I expected. The dram is more unique then great.

Interesting.

https://i.postimg.cc/mrJtTLG4/IMG-0367.jpg

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

I really like the older batches, Dave, probably one of the only finished whiskeys I really enjoyed. The newer batches are just a bit too syrupy for me, I just don't dig that port finish in a whiskey anymore.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Quality cut in half and price doubled :td

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

I wish I would have tried an earlier release because this one is rather disappointing. I can see what they were attempting but the Rye whisky in this batch is so muted and flavorless that the blend is almost pure fresh young port.

Well, fortunately a few other stores in Long Island and I can post pone trying to learn to enjoy A Midwinter Nights Dram.

https://i.postimg.cc/T11BkzFC/IMG-0390.jpg

Probably save the Bookers until I’m home so Weller is a go.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Had an hour to kill while QTEE and her Mom did some antiquing, stopped into the Copper Fiddle Distillery in Lake Zurich, IL. Small but a great vibe, live music on weekends, cool staff. Their own juice is only 2 1/2 years old but shows some promise. I'll definitely be back and watch how the juice improves with age. I tried their cask strength at 121 proof. Young, but with promise.

https://i.imgur.com/1vu93dO.jpg

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

I'm almost finished with a Pinhook 6 Year sib pick from 2022 by El Cerrito Liquors that has been excellent. So I picked up the 2024 8 Year single barrel from El Cerrito to see if it matches up.

https://i.imgur.com/PRVuO90.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/zX5tJs4m.jpg

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Should be the same. 6 year 2022 and now an 8 year in 2024.

Hah.

Must be good, let me know how the 8 tastes.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

I'll do a side by side in the next couple days, Dave. :tu

Picked up a couple Makers Mark bottles yesterday, my favorite wood finished batch (FAE-02) from 2021, and a new "Lost Recipes Edition 1". I'm hoping the latter will be more interesting than the "Heart 2024" release I opened a few weeks back.

https://i.imgur.com/CZ4hcV8.jpg

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Wait I missed this post. Too busy at work.

YOU LUCKY So and So!!!!!!!!! Nice!!!!!

I just ordered a Reserve and some escorts at the regular inflated price and feel lucky to get that hah.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Looking forward to what you have to say about The Reserves, Dave. Just opened mine last night and it's special, smoky, oaky, vanilla, cocoa.

That being said, first impressions have me liking the Little Book Infinite Blend better.

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

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

First time I've seen Booker's on the shelf in quite some time. Grabbed it and some ER. And it had been a while since I've had some Four Roses, so I grabbed two.

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

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Nice Birthday pickups, James! :hb :al

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

:tu

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Oh wow. Some nice finds all around!

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Good couple of hunting days here, picked up another Little Book Infinite Blend, and 3 new Booker's (24-03, Master Distiller's Blend) at retail

https://i.imgur.com/3C2L2r0.jpg

Also grabbed another Jay West (T8ke) pick, a 9 year single barrel Pinhook.

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

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

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Ohhhh nice finds and retail at that!!!!!

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Yeah, I've been really hit and miss with the Booker's and Little Book at stores the last few years, Dave. This was a bonanza. -(P