Show Us Your Bourbon/Whiskey/Rye/Scotch!

[BBryans3]

My wife bought this one at the local Winn Dixie here in SE Florida, and I have to say it has become one my favorites, maybe because it’s only around $25..😏..flavors similar to Makers…

[barelfly]

Excellent addition to the thread! I think a few videos I’ve watched have mentioned Coopers’, but I have not seen this at the stores here. Great to see! And comparison for others to pick up on if needed.

[Skinsfan1311]

My wife bought this one at the local Winn Dixie here in SE Florida, and I have to say it has become one my favorites, maybe because it’s only around $25..😏..flavors similar to Makers…

I didn't care for the Coopers Craft when it initially came out. I've read that the Coopers Craft 100 is very, very good and rings in at around $35.00

If you want to go the "best bang for your buck" option, Old Forester 100 is around the same price that you paid for the Coopers and Evan Williams 1783 is even cheaper and they're both very good. I have a sneaking suspicion that, if you try them, you may quit buying the standard Coopers Craft.

The "similar to Maker's" is kind of a head-scratcher, but I don't have the most sophisticated palate. If you do a side-by-side comparison, you may find that Maker's is more richly flavored and the Coopers is a little thin. That being said....as long as you like it, and the price is right, it's all good!

[Alan Brice]

I have enjoyed many a serving of the 1783 Evan William offering. My complements.

[BBryans3]

You are right about the lighter taste, I have had the Old Forester at a friends home and I thought it was good. Also have tasted the Evan Williams, didn’t care as much for that one. Thanks for the suggestions though, Cheers!

[Alan Brice]

My father, long past, was a scotch lover. I got the chance to sample a Pinch product in a triangle shaped bottle.
My oldest brother was going thru the cabinet n found this. He thinks it is over thirty years since it was opened. This stuff go bad in the bottle? Not bad, smooth w/heavy peat flavour.

[barelfly]

I’ve read that air can make the ABV decrease over time, so the headspace in the bottle. But otherwise is usually ok. Many will move liquids to 375mL bottles once the 750ml bottle is less than half, to ensure the headspace is minimal. I have not done this, just something I read.

Glad you liked the Laphroaig. I have yet to really enjoy a Scotch, but perhaps one day I’ll be able to get over the peat flavor/aroma

[barelfly]

This Widow Jane 10yr is an excellent pour. Very smooth, and a nice brown sugar aroma on the nose with hints of vanilla on the palate. This is a nice bottle to have around for nice occasions, as it’s not the cheapest bourbon but still under that $10 a year price point. A New York company brings this along with a few others that I have not tried but have heard great things about. One, being Widow Jane Decadence.

Also, got to use my new EH Taylor bar mat. My wife smiled when I got this in the mail and told her it was going to stay out on the counter….yep…guess where it goes when I’m done with it at least it served it’s purpose when I was making her a dirty martini!

[Huskee]

I want one of those! My favorite bourbon. My wife was in TN last week and hit the BT distillery on her way home thru KY last Sat, it was Blanton's day at the gift shop but they were sold out by noon when she got there. She did however get me a EH Taylor glencairn glass, so all was not wasted.

[barelfly]

Huskee - yes! That’s a nice glass to sip from! I got this mat from the Buffalo Trace gift shop website. Had it within 3-4 days! And it’s perfect to have on the counter top when making cocktails!

[Skinsfan1311]

I've always wanted to try the Widow Jane but, for whatever reason, I've always passed on it. Not sure why. Maybe it's because I'm cheap and would like to try a pour, before I buy it, which is generally what I do, whenever possible, especially for store picks. If they don't let my try it, I won't buy it. That's a sweet bar mat!

[Skinsfan1311]

Ok…so thought I would give a try to something different that I’ve read about. Mellow Corn - Many feel it’s a bourbon that punches way above its price point - $19 for a BIB. I gave it a sip as I was getting dinner ready tonight and thought it was good. Not really something I would sip though, which I thought would be the case but it will make a great cocktail. There is a bit of a zing on the palate that was interesting, but very smooth, not overly sweet and no heat.

so, I’ll give this a go in an Old Fashioned soon and make it available as a spritzer bourbon for friends that come over. I think the next lower priced bottle I’ll buy will be Old Grandad BIB, which is about $23 if i remember correctly.

Another MC fan!

Great call on the Old Grandad BiB! So many people don't know what they're missing because, "it's what their dads and granddad's drink".
Old Forester 100 is also a cheap bottle that has a ton of flavor and is more flavorful than some whiskey that costs twice as much. Same deal with Four Roses Yellow Label, Evan Williams BiB...I could go on and on...there are a ton of great whiskey's that punch above their price points.

I'm a big fan of Mellow Corn,(my bourbon buddies friends tease me about it), but it has has an oily corn forward goodness that really scratches an itch. You really want it to sing? Stick that bottle in the freezer and drink it ice-cold. Odd as that sounds, since ice-cold temps tend to mute flavors but, for whatever reason, MC really shines when it's teeth-crackin' cold. It's my "freezer" whiskey. The aforementioned Four Roses Yellow label is a good freezer whiskey too.

As an aside, (and not to be that guy...it's not bourbon...it's corn whiskey)

[barelfly]

Frozen whiskey…I use to freeze my Crown Royal Black - loved it to pour like syrup! So….maybe I’ll do just that with this! I made an Old Fashioned with the MC tonight. It was perfect! It’s a bottle that I’ll probably keep on hand

[Skinsfan1311]

Years ago, a fellow bourbon geek gave me a pour of MC as a joke. It's a Heaven Hill product and Huskee is on the mark, it's pretty close to being bourbon. The % of corn in the mash bill isn't much higher than their standard bourbon mash bill. 78% vs 80% Geek stats aside, I love the stuff: it's a freezer staple. You want a great cocktail? Equal parts lemon simple syrup, & MC & a dash of bitters, stirred & strained over a large cube in an Old-Fashioned Glass w/Luxardo cherry & lemon wedge.

[Alan Brice]

Definitely on my to do list. Thanks for this.

[barelfly]

Sipping on Smoke Wagon Uncut, UnFiltered while playing the bourbon flame Les Paul. Man this bourbon is really good! High proof that doesn’t necessarily drink like a high proof bourbon. Has a bit of spice, but I don’t think it’s hot.

really nice pour if you can find it your area.

[Alan Brice]

That is a great pic! Bluejeans, strings n libations.

[Attjack]

...

[barelfly]

Those movies are so good!

[barelfly]

Enjoying a pour of Russel’s Reserve 10yr tonight. For the price, this is such a great bottle! If you haven’t tried this before, I highly suggest it! Especially if you like the Wild Turkey brand.

[barelfly]

Starsky - it’s available at most stores where I am, but I know that’s not always the case across the country. But hopefully it is. A $40 10yr bottle, you just can’t beat! Hope you can find it!

[Alan Brice]

I was eyeballing that very choice last week then saw a 1.75 of Larceny. Kachinga!

[Skinsfan1311]

I'll piggyback on barelfly Id you like the standard 10 year, (and I do), I'd venture to say that you would love the The RR 10yr Single Barrel. It costs a little more, but worth it. Sadly, the price has been creeping up. If you see it anywhere for less than $50.00, I can highly recommend it. I've got a few squirreled away.

[barelfly]

I found this Bourbon Tasting Wheel this morning while reading a few reviews. I’m planning a few blind tastings that I want to do and this wheel will be a nice resource to have during.

Perhaps it provides some fun for you all as well!

https://www.americanbourbonassociation.com/sites/default/files/2021-07/Bourbon%20Tasting%20Wheel_2.pdf

[SheilaAnn]

barelfly cool! Thank you

[BBryans3]

I’m the worst at trying to decipher what flavors when it comes to whiskey…I shall give it a go, thanks!

[barelfly]

BBryans3 - hahah! As am I. I know if I like it, and cant pick a few things out…but otherwise….

My wife on the other hand….she is excellent at nosing the bourbons and getting these things. She doesn’t care for bourbon…although the last few days she has sipped what I’m drinking just to see what it’s like. But she doesn’t care for it yet…

[barelfly]

I picked up a few special bottles yesterday. I love Angel’s Envy - love the port finish on this bourbon! And the 1792 Full Proof is something that many say is a great bottle, so I gave it a go.



Today was a clean the patio day…and it is clean as a whistle now! So..enjoying the Angel’s Envy and watching the temp on tri tip I have on the kettle!

[Skinsfan1311]

I find the 1792 FP drinks hot. Hotter than some higher proof whiskeys, but the heat is tamed with a large cube, or a small splash of water, where it evolves into a real delicious caramel bomb. I think that you'll like it.

[Huskee]

Never been an Angels Envy fan, I just can't get into it, especially at its [ridiculous, merely my personal opinion] price point. But, 1792 Barrel Proof? Yessir!!

[barelfly]

Huskee - yes, the AE prices also got ridiculous. I stopped buying them because of it. Now, I’ve spent the same on other bottles, but now that it has gone down to the normal price before it sky rocketed, I don’t mind.

[nikolausp]

Good times at a bottle share at Friend's house last night (Sat)!

[BBryans3]

Now THATS a party!

[Jfrosty27]

My invitation must have been lost in the mail. 😕

[barelfly]

Wow!!!! That is some good stuff! Explain more on this bottle share concept if you could? I get what it is, but have not heard of one before.

[Skinsfan1311]

Happy Fryeday!

[Huskee]

I believe I have tried that but I don't remember much about it. I don't' remember not liking it! Enjoy!

[Skinsfan1311]

@barfly A friend if mine lives across the street from the distillery, and brought me a bottle of the BiB, shortly after they opened. It was love at first sip. I've had most iterations of it, and there are several, and I like them all. I always have at least a couple bottles on hand. I currently have 3, including a barrel pick that a buddy of mine did. I can highly recommend it.

[Skinsfan1311]

@barfly A friend if mine lives across the street from the distillery, and brought me a bottle of the BiB, shortly after they opened. It was love at first sip. I've had most iterations of it, and there are several, and I like them all. I always have at least a couple bottles on hand. I currently have 3, including a barrel pick that a buddy of mine did. I can highly recommend it.

[Skinsfan1311]

barelfly My current lineup of New Riff. The one in the middle is the pick that a friend of mine did. I haven't cracked it yet, but here's what the label states about the liquid inside.

The last couple NR picks that he did were stellar, and I expect this one will be too.

[barelfly]

Nice collection there! The notes are what I like in a bottle, so I’ll have to see if I can find this. I don’t think I’ve seen it at Total Wine, but I’ll have to check. Thanks for the notes and sharing the bottle pics! That is exactly what I hoped this thread would become over time!

[Skinsfan1311]

Yup!
This is a great thread.

[smokin fool]

Ta da....

[barelfly]

Excellent!!! My buddy loves FR! It has been a few years since i have had any. Will have to try it again soon!

[Skinsfan1311]

Nightcap

[barelfly]

Oh yeah! That is a good bottle! I lucked into one of these a month ago or so and really enjoy it. I’ve enjoyed all the OF stuff I have tried. As i get a few more bottles out of the cabinet, I’d like to get 1910 and the 100 proof bottle stocked to go with this and 1920.

[Skinsfan1311]

barelfly I cracked this one last night and was the 1st time that I've ever had the SiB. I enjoyed it, but I prefer the 1920. This was really hot and needed to be tamed. It did evolve nicely, but it was the last pour of the night & my palate was shot by the time I reached for it. I'll revisit it one day, and reassess. The 100, bourbon,(or rye), are both very good and some of the best "bang for your buck" whiskey's out there. I can highly recommend them. The 1897 BiB? Not so much.

[barelfly]

I had a pour of this tonight. It has opened up a bit since i last had it, and wasn’t as hot as i remember. Really enjoyed it after a pour of 1920.

But, I do agree. It’s hard to go to these high proof bottles after other pours, especially JD SBBP. But, this was really good tonight!