Any recent increase in competition? We had a great little local shop but the grocery chains got into liquor in a big way - no selection, just better prices. The guy couldn't make a go of it selling top shelf to a small customer list. You need the hordes buying 1.75L Jack to make a profit. So he got crabby the last 3-4 months before he decided to go out of business. I hope that's not the case here.

doubt that's the case - it's a decently-sized, high volume store. No new competition that I know of. I'd be really surprised if it were the case.

Our regular supply train of Kentucky expats just dropped off three bottles of Ancient Ancient Age 10-year for the bunker.

The good doctor also managed to acquire a couple of bottles of Jos. A Magnus's inaugural distillation. It has a wonderful aroma, but it requires a bit of water or ice to bring out its best.

I'm guessing that's of a higher proof than the regular Ancient Age. Not sure if I've seen it. I see the regular Ancient Age for sale and it looks very moderately priced.

The 10 year Ancient Ancient Age is decent drinking, particularly considering the value. Unfortunately, I don't think Buffalo Trace puts it out any longer.

There is also a 10 Star Ancient Ancient Age (no age statement, but supposedly around 6 years old, and 90 proof), which is... well, at least it's not swill. It's drinkable, and super-cheap. I think around here it goes for $19 for 1.75L. I keep some on hand for the much-less-discerning bourbon drinkers who stop by our home. I could see it being OK as a mixer for a cocktail where the bourbon isn't the predominant element.

I haven't seen the 10 yo Ancient Age Age in years.. from what I understand it's still put out but only a Kentucky release.... it was definitely a decent drinker...

Just noticed recently that the latest bottle of Rittenhouse Rye I purchased didn't have an age statement.. not sure if this is a new change with the new labeling or something that's been around for a while... in the price range I prefer the Sazerac rye but it has turned almost impossible to find... I did just try the new Pikesville Rye with a 6 yo age statement... no real nose that I could pick up but quite a nice spicy rye finish... unfortunately it was $55 a bottle which is way overpriced....

This whiskey season should be interesting.. I've heard that there is 60% less bottles of George T Stagg released versus last year; which is one of my favorites....

FDW

This is easily my favorite thread on FlyerTalk. Much more informative and interesting than reading seventeen pages about the best carry-on luggage or someone's ego-boost of a Trip Report.

:)

Now I have to add Sazerac rye to my list. I did pick up a bottle of Very Old Barton (86 proof). Have not opened it yet.

I am also a long time fan of Sazerac Rye and I've also had problems finding it over the years. There've been long stretches when my liquor store can't get it at all, so I've learned to stock up when I see it. When forced to buy something else I've been pleased with High West Whiskey's 21 yo Rocky Mountain Rye which, while more expensive than the Sazerac, is excellent stuff.

Are you talking about the Sazerac 6 yo or the 18 yo... the 6 has been elusive; the 18 yo almost invisible.... I've tried the HW 21 yo Rocky Mountain Rye but haven't seen any of that in many years.. I know High West released a new version of the 16 yo Rye just recently...

FDW

A couple of MoCo liquor stores had the High West 21 until very recently. I made the mistake of putting off a drive around the beltway, and called to confirm availability--ah, sold out! "Maybe we'll get some more." Not likely, IMHO.

It was pricey at around $140, but for a 21 year old spirit... I'd have bought it.

Next time I find Sazerac 6, I'm buying multiple bottles. Unfortunately, my favorite rye at the moment is Whistlepig, which of course tempts me to buy a bottle of the Boss Hog and set myself back nearly $200. I did splurge on a Catoctin Creek Cask Proof rye today ($89 :eek: for Catoctin Creek), but it's quite tasty and according to the bottle 1 of 66 bottles in this batch. Not $89 great, mind you, and with no significant age to it... but still pretty nice, and I don't really like their Roundstone Rye that much. Maybe it's the pricetag effect, and I just like it more because it cost more? :D


Same here. I have noticed a few different whiskies which have very different labeling even on the shelves next to each other right now, but there's nary a trace of age statement on the Rittenhouse I got earlier this year or the one I picked up to backfill recently.

I mean the Sazerac 6. I agree the 6 is elusive, but the 18 is almost mythical -- I think perhaps I've seen it once and I regret not buying it. The 6, when I can find it, is usually under $40 so I'll buy as many as I can since there still seem to be times when it disappears for a while. At least these days there are many more ryes to choose from; it wasn't that long ago that it was tough to find anything other than Old Overholt or J Beam yellow label.

I haven't tried the Catoctin Creek before.. the Whistle Pig stuff is good but their marketing bothered me a lot before...I didn't like how they were elusive about the origin of their whiskey... I'm quite happy though that they've decided to come clean about it... I hate being the guy who cleans the shelf of Sazerac but I love it so I do the same...

I'm quite lucky that I've been drinking the brown stuff for a while so I have left a bottle of the Rittenhouse 21 yo, Van Winkle Rye and Sazerac 18 in my bunker... but for my day to day drinker, Sazerac 6 yo is #1 for me...

FDW

has anyone tried michters barrel proof rye? wondering if it's worth $75.

Signature James Beam is very smooth and widely available. I'm still very much a Bourbon tasting novice though.

Interesting Fact: If Jack Daniels wasn't filtered by charcoal, it would also be classified as a bourbon.

I have been meaning to try the Signature Jim Beam. I see there are a few different styles. Interested in their Single Barrel as well.

Black Maple Hill Small Batch Bourbon was my favorite bourbon for years. Unfortunately, it was discontinued a couple years ago. It's weird seeing a $40 bourbon sell for $300+ now. I liked it a lot but it is not $300 good...

What do people think of Michter's No 1 Bourbon? I was at Berry Bros & Rudd in London a few days ago and saw this:

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/566/2...01e984e1_z.jpg

Ahh Michter's.. what an enigmatic bottler of whiskey... where does their product come from? who knows... their aged products (both the 10 yr rye and bourbon) of yore (4-5 years ago) achieved almost legendary status... the rumor was that the contents of the bottles were much much older than the label stated... they were highly valued, especially the rye.. however, recent releases have been mostly disappointing.. the 2014 10 yr Rye is viewed as fairly pedestrian and overpriced... Then, Michter's also released the ridiculous Celebration edition, which I've been fortunate enough to try...

http://i.imgur.com/pnx0DkH.jpg

As to whether these specific bottles are worth the money? I wouldn't spend it... if you're looking for a barrel proof rye that is worth $75 then try to get your hands on the Thomas Handy Rye. It's the most widely available of the Buffalo Trace Antiques Collections and quite a nice drinker... I"m willing to bet that Michter's rye comes from the same place most of the rest of the rye sold in America is- LDI in Indiana...

I'ld also skip the bourbon... at 58 GBP I would look for something with an age statement.. I don't know if you can get Smooth Ambler over in the UK, but they are doing a nice job on their 7 and 10 yo product (also note that they these too are acquired bourbons... though they are producing their own...)

Actually Jack Daniels does meet all the legal US requirements to be called bourbon.

- Produced in the United States
- Made from a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn
- Aged in new, charred oak barrels
- Distilled to no more than 160 (U.S.) proof (80% alcohol by volume)
- Entered into the barrel for aging at no more than 125 proof (62.5% alcohol by volume)
-Bottled (like other whiskeys) at 80 proof or more (40% alcohol by volume)

Source

But Jack Daniels and George Dickel also undergo the Lincoln County Process (charcoal filtering) which they then use to call themselves Tennessee Whiskey. (note that there is no federal identification about what constitutes Tennessee Whiskey).

The legendary Black Maple Hill.. another sourced product...bottled by CVI out of California... The older small batch stuff was good... I had a chance to buy a bottle of the 16 yo small batch in 2009 but I passed because I thought it was too expensive at $160... I saw a bottle sell just recently at over $1400.... buy yes the routine small batch at $40 was a solid drinker; though many viewed it as overpriced then for a bottle without an age statement.. now many will kill to buy the bottle at $40... have you seen their new release... it's awful stuff.. out of Oregon and priced at $90-100 a bottle.. if you want to try it then buy it straight from the source at Stein Distillery...

FDW

I like their Bottled-in-Bond product. For under $20, it's quite good.


Okay, but only around $30-$40. No way is it worth 58 GBP.

I actually just saw a bottle of the michter's celebration not 10 minutes ago and passed in it. Heading to CT and stopped at my favorite store - I'm 100% over the years stopping here with interesting bourbon and/or beer. Grabbed eh Taylor barrel proof and sazerac rye. Just finished the last of my 2013 handy rye last night.

Some real bourbon experts in here. A lot of great info. I recently tried the Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve (120 proof) at lunch a couple weeks back and thought it was quite tasty. So I ordered a bottle...for $30 it's a solid value.

Speaking of Smooth Ambler, I stopped by their distillery last weekend and tried several things of theirs you can't find in VA's crappy ABC stores.

I'm a fan of their 7 year bourbon and their 7 year rye, both sourced products. Tried the 10 year bourbon, which the server claimed was typically something those who like the 7 don't like (and vice versa). It was tasty, and I bought a bottle. I can't recall if it's wheated and the 7 is high rye content or vice versa.

They also had a 9 year release of the same stuff as the 7, single barrel. Not sure it's substantially better with 2 more years to it.

Tried the Contradiction, which is a blend of their sourced 10 and their own distilled bourbon with 2 years of age. (The 10 must be wheated as IIRC their distillate is high rye bourbon.) This is available in DC and MD. Bought a bottle.

They also had a 3 year expression of their own distillate, which though definitely showing youth has promise. They said they plan a wider release of it a couple of years or so. And they're growing their own rye now as well, with their corn coming from Indiana IIRC.

Went to my liquor store yesterday and the manager, who knows me pretty well, had received some Sazerac 6 yo and set a few aside for me. $23/bottle cash price -- I was all over that like stink on a monkey! :D

Also picked up something new (for me) from a Texas distillery: Ranger Creek Rimfire, which is a scotch-style single malt smoked with Texas mesquite instead of peat. Can't wait to try it; sounds interesting.

Balcones Brimstone from Texas is scrub oak smoked, and though the smoke is overpowering, it's quite interesting.

It's funny how you mentioned that those who like the 7 don't tend to like the 10 yo product (and vice versa).. I've always been a huge fan of the 7.. the first time I tried the 10 yo I hated it... way too sweet.. I got overwhelmed by caramel tones... then one night I was eating ice cream and I poured myself a glass... holy cow.. what a perfect pairing it was...

Their own distillate is a 60% corn, 20% wheat, 20% barley mashbill.. I haven't tried the yearling yet but I have heard that it shows promise..

It's great that they show the meatballs on their website.. just realized why the 10 yo is so sweet- it's a high corn product (75%).. and yes the 7 is a high rye...

It's good stuff; a buddy of mine flies his private plane into there from time to time and keeps inviting me to come....

FDW

Today is Friday. What are you planning on drinking this weekend? Trying anything new or just the comfort of the ol' standby? :)

Last week I picked up a bottle of Highland Park 18 which, despite being a fan of the HP Valhalla collection, I hadn't tried before. It's great stuff -- why did it take me so long to try? I may need another dram this weekend.

My neighborhood is having a Octoberfest this weekend.. since I only tolerate beer from time to time I've also used it as an excuse to have a little whiskey tasting.... current plan is:
Bernheim 7 yo Wheat Whiskey
Old Weller Antique
Smooth Ambler 7 yo Bourbon
Smooth Ambler 7 yo Rye

So I figure we have a wheat whiskey, a wheated bourbon, a high rye bourbon and a rye for tasting.. should be interesting...

FDW

Excellent choice. I saw a wide variety of HP offerings at a World Duty Free shop recently. Many I would assume to be travel exclusives. Harald, Loki, etc.... Enjoy!

Been meaning to buy Old Weller Antique and WL Weller 12 in my attempt to create "Poor Man's Pappy".

Not sure if it's worth the trouble. ;)

Never had the chance to try the Harald, but the Loki is one of the Valhalla collection and if you see a bottle, grab it because I don't think they're making any more. I am still looking for a bottle of the Odin, and my liquor store says the chances of seeing one are slim. Guess I need to check duty free stores as well; maybe I'll get lucky.

you can find weller 12?

Actually, I can't. :(

I'll just use Maker's Mark.

I've never seen a bottle of Weller 12 in Maryland... or rather anywhere on the shelf.. I had someone send me a bottle from Texas... apparently it grows on trees there... I made a 60/40 antique:12 blend and let is sit for a month... it was okay but did't quite have the body that the Rip Van Winkle 10 has...

I do quite like the Old Weller Antique.. for the price one of the best drinkers out there....

FDW

I killed a bottle of Angels Envy last night. Been out drinking stout this evening but will probably crack open one of 2 bottles of 1792 sitting on the floor by the liquor cabinet. Or maybe lower the level in the Colonel EH Taylor that's already open. The old standby is Basil Haydens. I will hold off opening the next bottle until company arrives in 2 weeks.

Not a bourbon, but I've been enjoying a freshly opened bottle of Nikka from the Barrel. It does have a bourbon nose and goes down easy despite its 51.4% abv.

I just tried Hudson Whiskey's Manhattan rye, four grain bourbon and baby bourbon. The first two were very good, especially the Manhattan, but the baby bourbon was undrinkable.

I thought I'd run this one by the board for some expert opinion. I went to pick up a bottle of Elijah Craig, and saw this next to it...was going to give it a try but at £50 thought I'd better get some thoughts on it first:

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5801/...8b02238e_z.jpg

From what I've read it's a very young bourbon (2 to 4 years) and can be a bit hot. Apparently it also has a very strong herbal note. Seems like you're paying a premium due to the fact all the grains are sourced within 100 miles of the distillery. My guess is it's not worth twice the price of the EC12.

I've said it before, but EC is a great value bourbon, *hic*!