How has it been? I've seen very mixed reviews... I'd love to see it tasted blind, as I do believe there's an effect of knowing what you're drinking and what it cost.

A friend of mine who has just dropped off one of my children gave me a bottle of Jim Beam Devil's Cut 90 proof, telling me that doesn't like spirits but thought I might like it. I think he won it in some school charity raffle. Not so sure about this one but I might give it a try tonight.

I've just tried the JB Devil's Cut 90 proof. Not really my thing. Harsh and hot. Definitely one to save for the sorts of visitors who want whisk(e)y type spirits mixed with something fizzy. I've placed it next to the truly disgusting JB Apple which I stupidly bought at duty free when someone convinced me would go well with plenty of ice and tonic. Not.

There's a very flattering review of the Devil's Crap here:

http://jason-scotchreviews.blogspot....-kentucky.html

But I'll disagree...it's no Elijah Craig, with whom it shares a price point, and much less a Woodford Reserve, which to me is just fantastic value for money.

Actually getting the stuff at retail is, of course, the challenge. But it seems that there is a robust secondary market in not just Pappy and Weller but anything from the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, Old Forester Birthday Bourbon. (The latter being one I've never tried) Really anything in limited release and perceived quality...

Hope you can join us. There's already a thread in CommunityBuzz soliciting input for preferred dates for the next edition in Spring 2015 which will coinicide with Keeneland's spring horse racing meet. Lexington is always the headquarters and we fan out from there to go to the track, hit different horse farms, craft breweries and, of course, bourbon distilleries.

I believe that (almost?) every bourbon distilled at the Jim Beam distillery shares the same mashbill. I stopped by Clermont a couple weeks ago on my way to Lexington and asked the Jim Beam tour guide that question. He said he thought that all Beam bourbons including their small batch line, with ONE possible exception, all share the same mashbill.

FWIW, I've always liked most Beam product. Basil Hayden's is my go-to summer bourbon when I want a refreshing light-bodied whiskey. Knob Creek never disappoints. Tried Baker's and Booker's recently for the first time and enjoyed both of them.

Even the mid-shelf Jim Beam that used to show up on AA (AA used to serve Beam Black and Devil's Cut) was drinkable. Nothing great. Nothing I'd buy in a liquor store. But certainly not offensive (I'm looking at you, Wild Turkey).



I understand that us bourbon lovers want to have unlimited access to great bourbons at great prices but since no one seems to throw wine investors under the bus I guess I wonder why I shouldn't take an "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em" approach and buy bourbon for investment as well as consumption.

Again, wine investment (fine, call it speculation if you prefer) is an established concept. There are even hedge funds that treat investment in wine as a legitimate category of alternative investments. Why the double standard for bourbon?

In a way, price is truth. The fact that many bourbons appear to be trading at 2x-4x premia to their retail pricing indicates that these are undervalued assets.

Despicable scum seems pretty harsh. Do you feel the same way about people who invest in wine? Is it not possible to be both an enthusiastic consumer and intelligent investor in a product you enjoy?

If someone is going to exploit an arbitrage, why shouldn't it be me?

I have a fundamental problem with it because it isn't truly a free market. The market is distorted by states and/or distributors. If distilleries could bottle a product and sell directly to retail or consumers at a market-determined price, I'd have less of an issue.

I think your review is spot on. My main interaction with it has been on AA, always mixed with Coke Zero. In that scenario it performs just fine but in all other scenarios as you said I don't find it worth buying over others in the same price range.

Especially here in NC where the ABC stores sell Devil's Cut at roughly the same price as Elijah Craig and Buffalo Trace among others. If I want something to just mix with soda here might as well just grab it's cheaper cousins.

I've decide to make ribs tonight; that's where there JB Apple will get used up!

I find it to be drinkable. The very first thought I had when I tasted it was Jim Beam White Label.

I'd buy it again but for the most part, it's probably a mixer bourbon.

I am not even remotely figuring I will land a heavily-allocated release in VA. I picked up another plain-old Sazerac (VA ABCs apparently just got in more). I'm debating a Yellow Stone 7 Year bourbon ($105, pricey!) which a few ABCs have near me, and a Whistle Pig Old World Finish ($130-$140, in MD) right now.

I'll be in Anne Arundel County, MD, this Saturday, and also in Montgomery County--anywhere in particular I should stop? My wife and I have a dog Halloween party in Colombia, MD, then are going to the zombie walk in Silver Spring later in the day. I always like to check MD liquor shops for the different selection when able... any favorites in either Colombia or Silver Spring, or along the way from VA?

I saw plenty of Four Roses Single Barrel and Four Roses Small Batch at the supermarket yesterday for 17 and 14 bucks respectively. Are these any good or just run of the mill bourbon?

Down that area Perfect Pour is solid. They have had barrel selects in the past but not sure about right now. If you want Pappy hit up Pine Orchard but be prepared to pay secondary prices. Silver spring is considered Montgomery county I think so availability is searchable online.

Fdw

Solid bourbon. Those are amazing prices. Typically 30-35 here in MD.

Fdw

Same here. I can't recall seeing it under $30.

Those are fantastic prices. The only places I've seen anything similar are Costcos with sale items (e.g. a Lagavulin 16 for ~$45, which is less than half what it goes for in VA ABC shops), and courtesy of a friend who shops at "Class 6" stores (e.g. at the military PX, where apparently it's tax-free).

I really like the single barrel Four Roses, but it usually sets me back $40.