Best & worst Bourbon?
Sep 3, 2015 | 10:50 am
#511
Join Date: Nov 2009
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It's all over here in San Diego, I think it grows on the trees.
Sep 3, 2015 | 8:40 pm
#512
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Baltimore MD
Posts: 3,472
I do think there's very little effect of the port finishing evident on Angel's Envy. Now, their rye does definitely show off the effects of rum finishing (as I posted above, something I like--though I've subsequently also found I like good rye in general and my negative experiences had been with subpar ryes; even a cheap Rittenhouse BiB rye is very good IMHO).
The scary rumor is always that bourbon producers are considering 35 proof to attract "more ladies" away from the flavored vodka realms (shudder--like we need any more demand for bourbon?!--the real reason perhaps being cutting the limited supplies even further). I suspect very few are the real bourbons which will see a drop below 40; increasingly, "real" bourbons seem to be 90 or higher, bottled at "cask strength" in many cases even if just using marketing buzzwords.
The scary rumor is always that bourbon producers are considering 35 proof to attract "more ladies" away from the flavored vodka realms (shudder--like we need any more demand for bourbon?!--the real reason perhaps being cutting the limited supplies even further). I suspect very few are the real bourbons which will see a drop below 40; increasingly, "real" bourbons seem to be 90 or higher, bottled at "cask strength" in many cases even if just using marketing buzzwords.
Drinking an Abraham Bowman "rare" tonight, the July release of a nearly-9-year "high rye" bourbon (estimated around 45%). I know Sazerac/Buffalo Trace supplies the distillate, and Bowman merely bottles it in VA, but I do like several of their products and like having a "local" bourbon with some age. (There are some true local bourbon distilleries in VA, but none have much age to them yet.)
This one is not bad, but at $70 a bottle, a bit richer than my everyday budget. I've had several of their other limited editions which also were solid bourbons, though probably better-priced at $50 than $70. I am somewhat annoyed that these days, any bourbon with more than, say, 4 years of age seems to run at least $50. I understand why (and yes, there are still $30-ish bargains with 8-12 years of age to them), but I don't have to like it!
This one is not bad, but at $70 a bottle, a bit richer than my everyday budget. I've had several of their other limited editions which also were solid bourbons, though probably better-priced at $50 than $70. I am somewhat annoyed that these days, any bourbon with more than, say, 4 years of age seems to run at least $50. I understand why (and yes, there are still $30-ish bargains with 8-12 years of age to them), but I don't have to like it!
OK, now I've had a bit of time to try the Angels Envy. It definitely doesn't taste like Jim Beam, I can tell you that. 
Seriously though, their marketing claims it was an experiment by their master distiller to do the Port barrel finish and I salute the experiment. And I think they got it right. It's not at all a pronounced difference in taste, but subtle and interesting. And by distilling to 86.6 proof rather than 80, it's a serious bourbon and not a slick trick club drink.
Seriously though, their marketing claims it was an experiment by their master distiller to do the Port barrel finish and I salute the experiment. And I think they got it right. It's not at all a pronounced difference in taste, but subtle and interesting. And by distilling to 86.6 proof rather than 80, it's a serious bourbon and not a slick trick club drink.Thanks for the tip-- I'm in there all the time and must just miss it....
I had a Manhattan tonite: Sazerac rye, Carpano Antica vermouth, barrel aged biters, and Luxardo cherries.. yum!
FDW
Sep 4, 2015 | 4:49 am
#513
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OK, now I've had a bit of time to try the Angels Envy. It definitely doesn't taste like Jim Beam, I can tell you that. Seriously though, their marketing claims it was an experiment by their master distiller to do the Port barrel finish and I salute the experiment. And I think they got it right. It's not at all a pronounced difference in taste, but subtle and interesting. And by distilling to 86.6 proof rather than 80, it's a serious bourbon and not a slick trick club drink.
Seriously though, their marketing claims it was an experiment by their master distiller to do the Port barrel finish and I salute the experiment. And I think they got it right. It's not at all a pronounced difference in taste, but subtle and interesting. And by distilling to 86.6 proof rather than 80, it's a serious bourbon and not a slick trick club drink.
Sep 4, 2015 | 5:08 am
#514
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For whatever it's worth, on my bottle it says Batch #2412, Bottle #480, and the numbers appear to be hand written. If it is indeed hand written and they go mainstream, someone's gonna have a sore wrist.
Sep 4, 2015 | 6:10 am
#515
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Snooky
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I couldn't give it away in my bar 3 years ago. I think I drank it all myself, being a team player and all. Back then all the big named aged Bourbons like Pappy, Stagg, and Parker Beam were still around though. I liked it.
Sep 4, 2015 | 8:58 am
#516
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technically if it's 35 proof it isn't bourbon (gotta be above 80 to qualify as bourbon; maybe even to qualify as whiskey)... it would be flavored liquer.. bleh...sonds gross... I tend to gravitate to higher proofed expressions; the William Larue Weller and George T Stagg are also some of my favorites and they typically are min of 125 proof...
I, too, prefer the higher proofs these days, preferably over 100.
I haven't actually tried any of their stuff before... I know that they are doing some interesting finishes (Gingerbread???) but since I tend to shy away from them I've shyed away from Bowman.. I like the stuff coming out of Smooth Ambler.(WV).. they are now distilling their own stuff and yes it's young but shows great promise..
Sep 7, 2015 | 12:38 pm
#517
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Found myself with a bottle of Elijah Craig this weekend (empty now 
). I'm really impressed with the price/quality ratio, I just think it's very hard to beat for an everyday bourbon when you need the taste of a warm summer day.
). I'm really impressed with the price/quality ratio, I just think it's very hard to beat for an everyday bourbon when you need the taste of a warm summer day.
Sep 8, 2015 | 9:48 pm
#518
Join Date: Dec 2001
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Wow congrats? Just recently? That's great... i haven't opened my bottle of the 2014 Single Barrel LE; but I did really like the 2014 Small Batch LE... $100 is still a great price; considering that the retail price was $80. Also, 2014 was the last year that they made a single barrel... I'm already gearing up for this year's small batch LE- it's got a great recipe with a little more age to it... In my mind 4R is really killing it these days.. that's the release I look for most... Hopefully Jim Rutledge has the pipeline stocked for the future...
FDW
FDW
Sep 9, 2015 | 8:10 pm
#519
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Baltimore MD
Posts: 3,472
I, too, prefer the higher proofs these days, preferably over 100.
I'm planning to stop by Smooth Ambler's distillery in a couple of weeks as it's along the way to where my parents live. I haven't tried anything they've distilled in-house yet but have liked their outsourced finds under the "Old Scout" labeling.
Yeah, bought them only a couple weeks ago. It was a great surprise to find them nearly a year later, considering that they are so highly allocated and in such demand. In hindsight I probably should have bought every last bottle...but I figured I would leave some for a few (hopefully) others.
but seriously it's great stuff and that's great find.. the new small batch should hit any day now... nice of you to leave some for the next guy... my local only got 2 bottles of the limited small batch last year...
FDW
Sep 18, 2015 | 9:23 am
#520
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: DFW
Posts: 8,233
went to fairgrounds today to browse the selection and grab something for the shelf. asked about the waiting list for the fall releases and Paul was a douche about it - stated that MD's allocation was cut by ~70% and their allocation would be little to none...fair enough. I mentioned that I'd been lucky for the past few years to grab a few bottles there and asked if he would take my name just in case.
"Have you been on our list in the past?"
"Yes, so are you just carrying it over?"
"I guess, maybe" and he walked away.
I've had good experiences with them in the past with bourbons and wine special orders so I've continued to go out of my way to purchase there. My wife noted a similarly poor experience a few months back and I chalked it up to her being overly sensitive. Now I don't think I'll be back.
"Have you been on our list in the past?"
"Yes, so are you just carrying it over?"
"I guess, maybe" and he walked away.
I've had good experiences with them in the past with bourbons and wine special orders so I've continued to go out of my way to purchase there. My wife noted a similarly poor experience a few months back and I chalked it up to her being overly sensitive. Now I don't think I'll be back.
Sep 18, 2015 | 12:56 pm
#521
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went to fairgrounds today to browse the selection and grab something for the shelf. asked about the waiting list for the fall releases and Paul was a douche about it - stated that MD's allocation was cut by ~70% and their allocation would be little to none...fair enough. I mentioned that I'd been lucky for the past few years to grab a few bottles there and asked if he would take my name just in case.
"Have you been on our list in the past?"
"Yes, so are you just carrying it over?"
"I guess, maybe" and he walked away.
I've had good experiences with them in the past with bourbons and wine special orders so I've continued to go out of my way to purchase there. My wife noted a similarly poor experience a few months back and I chalked it up to her being overly sensitive. Now I don't think I'll be back.
"Have you been on our list in the past?"
"Yes, so are you just carrying it over?"
"I guess, maybe" and he walked away.
I've had good experiences with them in the past with bourbons and wine special orders so I've continued to go out of my way to purchase there. My wife noted a similarly poor experience a few months back and I chalked it up to her being overly sensitive. Now I don't think I'll be back.
Sep 28, 2015 | 2:48 pm
#523
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: WAS
Posts: 287
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.
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.
Sep 28, 2015 | 2:51 pm
#524
Join Date: Jun 2015
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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.
Sep 28, 2015 | 4:10 pm
#525
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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.