I have a new favorite! Angels Envy. Bought a bottle last week and enjoyed some on the rocks over the weekend. Very good taste with a smooth, late kick. Definitely a step up from Woodford, Basil or Makers.
Since I can't find Pappy in these parts (and I'm still kicking myself for not buying multiple bottles 2 years ago), this will be my go to bourbon.

Haven't consumed any in maybe 3 years. As i recall, AV is aged in Port barrels. Kind of a different flavor profile. Can't say I loved it or hated it. This I can say - it took me a long time to get rid of the 3 I bought for my bar. Just about all the 50 other Bourbons sold better. In fact I may have consumed most of it, being a team player & all.

If it is aged in Port barrels, it is probably not "real" bourbon?

And you are a credit to your industry, taking it for the team and making sure every bourbon finds a home. ;-)

If you ever need some help in this endeavor in the future.....I'm here for you. Just sayin'....:D

This thread is full of truly generous people. Will volunteer their time and liver without a thought ...

I found another great Bourbon bar/restaurant in London. http://www.burgerandlobster.com/

They have Pappy 12 year old Bourbon and Pappy Family Reserve Rye, 13 years old, plus Bookers and all the other top names. 12 pounds a glass for the Pappy and the glass is poured quite healthy.

The Pappy bourbon was just as smooth as you'd expect, but I was disappointed by the Pappy Rye. It was unmistakably Rye but not at all smooth, nor as good as some other Rye's I've tried recently.

Good food, great Bourbon, and now "A HEALTHY POUR" ? Today's London has nothing in common with the one I knew.

My Mother went to Oxford from 1983-1985. She tells some great stories about how things used to be :eek:

You're right. Across all of the UK and Ireland, every pub and bar pours carefully measured shots. I can only think of a few high end hotel bars, like the Four Seasons London, that allow their bar staff to free pour into a glass. I'm not sure if that's the reason this place is so popular, but it can't hurt. Get there early by the way as it fills up quickly around 6:30pm every night.

I didn't try the Pappy Rye at first since I could see the bottle was nearly empty and probably not enough there for a healthy pour. Then I noticed that there was another full bottle right behind it! Ditto for the Bourbon. No shortage of Pappy here.

Any where in the world they have those 'milking machines' behind the bar, I just automatically order a triple.

Speaking of the change in British pubs, did anyone see this article from last month's Times?

Saving an Endangered British Species: The Pub

Not to be a nit picker but there is no such thing as Pappy 12 yo Bourbon or Pappy Family Reserve... it's Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 year, Lot B and Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye, 12 yo... I know it's semantics but it's kind of like spelling it QUANTAS.....

That all being said, 12 pounds is a very very respectable price for a pour... I've always preferred the Old Rip Van Winkle 10 yo to the 12 yo but it is still quite delicious...

In the UK, look for Blantons Straight from the Barrel and Blantons Gold. Neither product is sold in the US and they are both delicious... I've also seen fairly good availability of another exceptional bourbon in the UK, the Four Roses 125 Anniversary Small Batch Limited Edition... it's quite a nice pour....

I think that Angel's Ency is just finished in port barrels. Much of the aging, as per the bourbon rules takes place in new American Oak barrels...

FDW

There is a great Bourbon Selection in London at the IC Westminster Blue Boar Bar. They have Pappy Van Winkle family reserve 20 yo at circa £22 a glass. They have Buffalo Trace in the Club Lounge too.

I like Burger Lobster but the long waits for a table tend to put me off.

just to let you guys know, an Irish bar will pour a standard measure of 35.5ml (1.2oz), whereas a UK bar has a standard measure of just 25ml (0.8oz)

This means I only need to order a double !