The finest bourbon I have tasted. Yet.

[swerve]

^^ Ill try and remember to do this. Pappy 15 is great, havent tried the Weller 12 yet.

[bagtagley]

Weller 12 = Van Winkle 12 (allegedly), not Pappy 15.

[mt_wilson]

Afaik weller is wheat backed and pappy is heavier on the rye, but I have heard the comparison before... Haven't compared myself.

Surprised nobody has brought up Parker's heritage (current release is 7th edition.) This stuff is seriously good! ~$100 so it better be. Probably the best high mark I have tasted. Another masterful whisky from heaven hill.

My favorite bourbon, especially considering the value, is Evan Williams single barrel. 10yr single barrel usually 27-30$
Also really big fan of Russell's reserve 10yr bourbon (also ~30$) and eagle rare and wild turkey rare breed

For ryes... Rittenhouse is my favorite... 100° bottled in bond and 25$. Perfect for manhattans or sippin

[BmillsSkier]

Kentucky Distilleries? There's a map for that.

http://chuckcowdery.blogspot.com/201...-kentucky.html

Click on view larger under the small map.

So the day after I post this I find this guy contributing to the WSJ article about the Tennessee state law regulating what can be called Tennessee Whiskey. As much as I color myself a Kentucky Bourbon fan/lay-connoisseur, I haven't run across this dude - he apparently knows his shit. Cool.

It's Diageo vs. Brown-Forman and interesting to say the least.

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/...?mg=reno64-wsj

[Crass3000]

For those on Facebook there are bourbon groups. Lots of good info there. Lots of pics of nice hauls to make you jealous that they have way too much disposable income (guess I am there with beer). You can learn a lot and likely hook up with people in your area for tastings. I know I met some cool people on there. I'm sure there are many groups. Some are regional.

[Crass3000]

Weller 12 = Van Winkle 12 (allegedly), not Pappy 15.

Not what I've heard but I've never had Weller 12. I'm trying to get all of the antique collection (owned by Buffalo trace like Pappy). If you go on the Buffalo Trace web page they show all the stuff they own. They own quite a bit of high end stuff including Pappy, etc...... Buffalo Trace itself is OK but nothing special. You can get it anywhere.

[Crass3000]

They actually say any of the Van Vinkle and most Pappy isn't the same anymore. Since Buffalo Trace bought them there really isn't much pappy that is aged "sazerzac juice." From my understanding only the Pappy 23 and maybe the 20 are from the juice I mentioned the last time they were released. Other than that it's slightly different from my understanding. All the van winkle and pappy I have had (all except 23) this year was really smooth and really not that hot compared to other stuff. They are still really smooth with less alcohol burn in the nose. They do something right.

[Crass3000]

So the day after I post this I find this guy contributing to the WSJ article about the Tennessee state law regulating what can be called Tennessee Whiskey. As much as I color myself a Kentucky Bourbon fan/lay-connoisseur, I haven't run across this dude - he apparently knows his shit. Cool.

It's Diageo vs. Brown-Forman and interesting to say the least.

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/...?mg=reno64-wsj

It's either Kentucky or Tennessee (I think Kentucky) that the price of bourbon/whisky is set by the government so no stores can legally screw you over and charge twice or thrice the regular price as they sometimes do in some states/shops. I have been fortunate and everything I have bought has always been at retail but I'm starting to think about paying high to get the rest of the antique collection.

Edit: I still haven't opened any of my Van Winkles (one 10 and two 12 year Lot Bs). I am hoping to trade up but I think my liquor store will hook me up this year anyway. I did open my Thomas H Handy Sazerac that I got a few months ago. That stuff is REALLY smooth as will. I wouldn't pass it up for a bottle of the van winkles. In fact, the Thomas H Handy was 69.99 where the other bottles were 45 and 55 respectively.

I think after I finish my Founders Imperial Stout I'm gonna break out a little bit of the Handy. I want to make that bottle last. I usually just buy other stuff and save my good stuff. Kind of like my beer.

If anybody has any of the other antique collection or pappy 15 I have cash or some good beer to trade if you are reasonable. I can start out with a RARE if you want to start. I have others to put on top of that of course. I even picked up some double barrel Huna at Hunapuh Day in Florida. I have some decent bottles of beer to trade.

Edit: Thomas H Handy Sazerzac is only (handwritten) 128.4 proof. Pretty smooth for 64.2%

[stapes]

For ryes... Rittenhouse is my favorite... 100° bottled in bond and 25$. Perfect for manhattans or sippin

Yep. After just starting to get into ryes a little (trying to cut back on the beer for my belly), I was recommended Rittenhouse by a guy at my local liquor store. Great value. I'm sold. Been keeping a bottle of it and Bulleit Rye on hand lately. Some Templeton from time to time as well.

[grskier]

They actually say any of the Van Vinkle and most Pappy isn't the same anymore. Since Buffalo Trace bought them there really isn't much pappy that is aged "sazerzac juice." From my understanding only the Pappy 23 and maybe the 20 are from the juice I mentioned the last time they were released. Other than that it's slightly different from my understanding. All the van winkle and pappy I have had (all except 23) this year was really smooth and really not that hot compared to other stuff. They are still really smooth with less alcohol burn in the nose. They do something right.

This has been asked and answered several times... differently, but answered. Most think that the old juice is gone up to at least the 20 year if memory serves.

[grskier]

Oh, and the Weller and Pappy 12 are pretty close cousins...

Both being nice wheaters.

[BmillsSkier]

It's either Kentucky or Tennessee (I think Kentucky) that the price of bourbon/whisky is set by the government so no stores can legally screw you over and charge twice or thrice the regular price as they sometimes do in some states/shops. I have been fortunate and everything I have bought has always been at retail but I'm starting to think about paying high to get the rest of the antique collection

Definitely NOT Kentucky. Kentucky is like the dream state for booze - up to a few years ago you had no tax and now all the outlets counter the measly 6% tax with discounts.

Living in Cincinnati I never once bought booze in Ohio when you have glorious Costco sized temples of booze across the river like this magical place:

Thepartysource.com

[swerve]

^^ I was always a fan of cork and bottle. Its been a few years since Ive been around though.

[BmillsSkier]

^^ I was always a fan of cork and bottle. Its been a few years since Ive been around though.

Another solid booze house. I guess it always depended on what bridge you took across the river that determined where you were getting your cheap hooch.

[Cruiser]

This has been asked and answered several times... differently, but answered. Most think that the old juice is gone up to at least the 20 year if memory serves.

Yeah, I believe that 2 years ago the 15y switched over to the Buffalo Trace stock from the Stitzel Weller stuff. So now only the 20y, 23y, and the rye are coming from Stitzel Weller barrels.

Also, the way I understand it Julian Van Winkle selects individual barrels from stock that was distilled to his specifications for the Pappy 12. What doesn't meet his taste criteria for that blend is used for other things, one of which has been the Weller 12.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using TGR Forums

[Benny Profane]

Willet(?) Rye. Don't know if it's in this thread, but, I like it.

God bless 9 maple. And Scotland, too.

[Crass3000]

So the day after I post this I find this guy contributing to the WSJ article about the Tennessee state law regulating what can be called Tennessee Whiskey. As much as I color myself a Kentucky Bourbon fan/lay-connoisseur, I haven't run across this dude - he apparently knows his shit. Cool.

It's Diageo vs. Brown-Forman and interesting to say the least.

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/...?mg=reno64-wsj

Yah he's on the Facebook Whiskey/Bourbon group I'm on. He seems to be treated as though his word is the last on the subject.

[ColoMike]

Have to say that I am liking Templeton Rye very, very much. Agree with Cruiser re the Noah's Mill too.

Cruiser is there any Weller 12yr in Denver metro these day? Haven't seen any.

[Cruiser]

It's been a couple of months since we were able to buy it so I'd guess it would be difficult to track down. Some smaller store probably has a few dusty bottles hanging around but I seriously doubt any of the big shops will. Last year we were buying liters of it for like $17 wholesale on inventory reduction but the word is out and now we can even get 750s at regular price.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using TGR Forums

[soylent green]

I made a trip to my Not So LLS today and got some advice from Cruiser. I'll report back on the bottle of Noah's Mill after the weekend. Thx Cruiser!

[BmillsSkier]

Cruiser, when do you guys typically see your BMH come in?

[Cruiser]

It's been sporadic at best over the last couple of years. A small distributor represents them in Co and the allocation they receive for the state isn't anywhere near enough to keep up with demand. So we'll typically only be offered 3 bottles out of each shipment they receive (and we sell a good bit of bourbon). As you can imagine, those 3 go fairly quickly. I'm sure that's the case at most Co shops that are on the list to receive some of it. Other states are undoubtedly different, but I'd be surprised if cases of it were just sitting around in anyone's stock room these days.

Good to see you sg! Hope that puts a smile on your face.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using TGR Forums

[soylent green]

Bourbon blogs are a dime a dozen. I just found this one while I was looking up the Maple Hill. Its a must read if you live in Coloraddy.
http://redwhiteandbourbon.com/
I especially like the Craft Whiskey reviews and TR's.

[stapes]

Bourbon blogs are a dime a dozen. I just found this one while I was looking up the Maple Hill. Its a must read if you live in Coloraddy.
http://redwhiteandbourbon.com/
I especially like the Craft Whiskey reviews and TR's.

Thanks for linking that soylent. Interesting read about Tincup. I was eager to give them a shot, but now not so much. I was under the impression, like many it seems, that it was actually distilled in CO. Guy gives a good run down of how that is not the case. OTOH, I've tried some of Feisty Spirits offerings and found them enjoyable. Well, actually only tried the blue corn and rye on the morning of a chicken slaughter, but it tasted damn good. Stranahan's seems to be hit or miss with me, but I'd like to give more CO distillers a try.

ColoMike - I'm on a rye kick lately myself. Templeton being one of them. Along with Rittenhouse which was mentioned earlier, Michter's, and Bulleit. Been keeping those on hand and looking to expand and try more.

[Meadow Skipper]

.ColoMike - I'm on a rye kick lately myself. Templeton being one of them. Along with Rittenhouse which was mentioned earlier, Michter's, and Bulleit. Been keeping those on hand and looking to expand and try more.

Try Masterson's rye. Thank me later.