Best & worst Bourbon?
Dec 18, 2017, 9:55 am
#871
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
I'd rate it as both a good brand and a good value. It's one of the better mid-tier bourbons out there and it hasn't seen the dramatic price increases that we've seen in other brands within the bourbon category. You see it on these boards pretty frequently because both AA and DL serve it in all cabins (something I appreciate as a bourbon fan).
Personally I put it in the same league as Buffalo Trace (at today's MSRP), Maker's Mark, Knob Creek, Angel's Envy, and Weller 107 (at MSRP price, not secondary market price) and on a higher tier than Jack Daniel's / Jim Beam / Wild Turkey 101 / Four Roses Yellow.
Personally I put it in the same league as Buffalo Trace (at today's MSRP), Maker's Mark, Knob Creek, Angel's Envy, and Weller 107 (at MSRP price, not secondary market price) and on a higher tier than Jack Daniel's / Jim Beam / Wild Turkey 101 / Four Roses Yellow.
Dec 21, 2017, 11:34 pm
#872
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: WN A+ CP, UA 1MM/*A Gold, Mar LT Tit, IHG Plat, HH Dia
Posts: 6,284
I almost never drink whiskey of any kind but yesterday at the duty free they were giving out free samples of Woodford Reserve. Needless to say, I wouldn't be posting if I didn't think it was great. So the question is, how does it rank on the Bourbon scale? I mean, is it considered a good brand or just a value bottle. I have absolutely nothing to compare it to. I see that there are a few recent posts from others who have also bought this at the duty free.
Dec 23, 2017, 2:27 am
#874
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,273
Good day bottle hunting around here. W.L. Weller Special Reserve, 107, and 12 Year; Blanton's; Stagg Jr.; E.H. Taylor Single Barrel; and 1792 Sweet Wheat and Single Barrel.
And not bourbon, but riding alongside in the cart: a case of Bourbon County and a case of Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Stout.
Finally, at dinner last night, a bourbon flight: ORVW 12, Pappy 15, and George T. Stagg.
Think I’m in bourbon heaven this week...
And not bourbon, but riding alongside in the cart: a case of Bourbon County and a case of Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Stout.
Finally, at dinner last night, a bourbon flight: ORVW 12, Pappy 15, and George T. Stagg.
Think I’m in bourbon heaven this week...
Last edited by javabytes; Dec 23, 2017 at 2:33 am
Dec 24, 2017, 4:20 pm
#875
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,135
Still, a 25-year anything is quite a treat.
Dec 29, 2017, 3:36 am
#877
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,438
I've been drinking my bottle since Christmas and I continue to be impressed with the flavor complexity. On the other hand, seeing my interest, my MIL bought me a bottle of single malt Scotch as well. That just isn't going down, so at least I know where my tastes lie. Maybe I'll be confident enough to try some of the more expensive brands that have been noted here.
Dec 29, 2017, 2:26 pm
#878
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: MI
Programs: HH-Diamond, Delta-Diamond
Posts: 129
The older orphan barrel's are overoaked IMO. Some are OK, none are worth $120+. This is all Diageo hype and BS advertising to cash in on the bourbon craze happening as of late.
Which bottle of scotch? There are so many bottles of different varieties that it's impossible for someone to dislike scotch as a whole. You just haven't tried the right one yet!
I've been drinking my bottle since Christmas and I continue to be impressed with the flavor complexity. On the other hand, seeing my interest, my MIL bought me a bottle of single malt Scotch as well. That just isn't going down, so at least I know where my tastes lie. Maybe I'll be confident enough to try some of the more expensive brands that have been noted here.
Last edited by iluv2fly; Jan 4, 2018 at 10:35 am Reason: merge
Dec 29, 2017, 4:12 pm
#879
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,438
Perhaps so. It was Glenmorangie - the original. Too sweet for me. All I can taste are honey and citrus, plus some pungent chemical from my organic chemistry days that I can't quite identify. Not for me.
Jan 18, 2018, 8:45 am
#880
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,135
Haven't had that rye, but have had several other Orphan Barrel products. They always have some age going for them... but IMHO are a bit over-priced for what they are. Good, but more in the $50 range good vs. the $100+ a lot of their stuff commands.
Still, a 25-year anything is quite a treat.
Still, a 25-year anything is quite a treat.
It's decent drinking, to be sure. But like almost all the other Orphan Barrel I've tried, it's overpriced and overhyped vs. what it actually is. YMMV.
Feb 3, 2018, 5:03 pm
#882
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,135
Drove up to Rockville, MD, today to pick up my Buffalo Trace Antique Collection lottery winner: a bottle of Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye. Haven't opened it yet... but I did also pick up a Jefferson's Rum Cask Finish bourbon. It's quite nice, although I have to say I like their Pritchard Hill wine cask finish bourbon better (and it's $20 cheaper a bottle).
Feb 3, 2018, 7:15 pm
#883
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
I normally don't specify a bourbon for my Manhattan's, but I saw Angels Envy on the rack behind the bar so I asked for that and I have to admit it made a very positive impact on the cocktail. I think this particular bourbon is the best for Manhattans. Anyone have other suggestions?
Feb 3, 2018, 10:54 pm
#884
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: WN A+ CP, UA 1MM/*A Gold, Mar LT Tit, IHG Plat, HH Dia
Posts: 6,284
Woodford Reserve has been my mainstay for a few years and I've touted it here. Recently I bought a bottle of Bulleit after a friend poured it at a party. It's several dollars a bottle cheaper than Woodford locally, and giving the two a blind taste test I'm hard pressed to tell them apart.
Feb 4, 2018, 9:47 am
#885
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,288
I normally don't specify a bourbon for my Manhattan's, but I saw Angels Envy on the rack behind the bar so I asked for that and I have to admit it made a very positive impact on the cocktail. I think this particular bourbon is the best for Manhattans. Anyone have other suggestions?