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Recent Bourbon Tasting (with some reviews)
Posted on 1/21/12 at 3:39 pm
Posted on 1/21/12 at 3:39 pm
Had a recent bourbon tasting with a bread pudding contest. Here are the photos of the lineup:
Pictures didn't come out good due to the lighting and iPhone, but the lineup was Maker's 46, Jefferson's Reserve, Eagle Rare 10 year, Rock Hill Farms, Blanton's, Russel's 10 year, Black Maple Hill, and Woodford Reserve
Pictures didn't come out good due to the lighting and iPhone, but the lineup was Maker's 46, Jefferson's Reserve, Eagle Rare 10 year, Rock Hill Farms, Blanton's, Russel's 10 year, Black Maple Hill, and Woodford Reserve
This post was edited on 1/21/12 at 4:34 pm
Posted on 1/21/12 at 3:45 pm to Dr Beardface
Nice spread! Looks like a good time, where was this at?
How was the black maple hill? I almost picked up a bottle at Marcellos last week.
How was the black maple hill? I almost picked up a bottle at Marcellos last week.
Posted on 1/21/12 at 3:47 pm to Dr Beardface
I know the guy who was sponsoring the tasting, so needless to say, I could drink however much of any of it. I decided to take the opportunity to do some side by side tastings.
First one I did was the "everyday" bourbons: Woodford Reserve vs. Eagle Rare. To me, the Eagle Rare was the clear winner in this battle. It had more complexity and smoother for the $$. The Woodford had a lot of woodiness, but not much else. It's good enough, but not great.
Woodford Reserve
Nose: Charred oak, chocolate, caramel, maybe a little citrus
Taste: Mostly wood, little honey, slight chocolate, sweet corn
Finish: Somewhat short with only wood notes lingering
Eagle Rare 10 year
Nose: Vanilla, almonds, raisins, oak char, banana, tobacco
Taste: Dried fruit, vanilla, oakiness, leather, sweet corn, mildly viscous and oily
Finish: Moderate length; wood and leather hang around a while
First one I did was the "everyday" bourbons: Woodford Reserve vs. Eagle Rare. To me, the Eagle Rare was the clear winner in this battle. It had more complexity and smoother for the $$. The Woodford had a lot of woodiness, but not much else. It's good enough, but not great.
Woodford Reserve
Nose: Charred oak, chocolate, caramel, maybe a little citrus
Taste: Mostly wood, little honey, slight chocolate, sweet corn
Finish: Somewhat short with only wood notes lingering
Eagle Rare 10 year
Nose: Vanilla, almonds, raisins, oak char, banana, tobacco
Taste: Dried fruit, vanilla, oakiness, leather, sweet corn, mildly viscous and oily
Finish: Moderate length; wood and leather hang around a while
This post was edited on 1/22/12 at 12:34 pm
Posted on 1/21/12 at 3:50 pm to Uncle JackD
quote:
Nice spread! Looks like a good time, where was this at?
It was in Jackson, MS. They had a "Bread Pudding Throwdown" raising money for a scholarship for culinary arts students in honor of Craig Noone who was a local chef who died in an accident last year. LINK
It was a great time. 16 different bread puddings. 8 different bourbons and a few different coffees to taste as well.
quote:
How was the black maple hill? I almost picked up a bottle at Marcellos last week
It's a very good bourbon, IMO. It has a certain tanginess that is very different when you drink it neat. A little dilution brings out big maple syrup notes and sweetness.
This post was edited on 1/21/12 at 4:35 pm
Posted on 1/21/12 at 3:54 pm to Dr Beardface
I recently had done a review of the Black Maple Hill in my Christmas whiskey thread LINK
Here it is for your reading enjoyment.
Nose: Tanginess, forward corny notes, cocunut, maple syrup, honey
Taste: Much like it smells, tangy and corny, honey and maple flavors and black cherry flavor, sour then it becomes a little spicier and woody
Finish: Moderate length, maple syrup, smokey oak
Here it is for your reading enjoyment.
Nose: Tanginess, forward corny notes, cocunut, maple syrup, honey
Taste: Much like it smells, tangy and corny, honey and maple flavors and black cherry flavor, sour then it becomes a little spicier and woody
Finish: Moderate length, maple syrup, smokey oak
This post was edited on 1/21/12 at 4:03 pm
Posted on 1/21/12 at 5:12 pm to Dr Beardface
Dr Beardface have you tried the Jefferson Select 17 year vs the 18 year? The store close to me still has the 17 year batch number 7.
Posted on 1/21/12 at 6:01 pm to highcotton2
quote:
Dr Beardface have you tried the Jefferson Select 17 year vs the 18 year?
I've only had the 17 year. I have a review of it versus the Pappy Van Winkle in this thread.
I went to the bar looking to try the 18 year, but they only had the 17 year. Likely next time I go it will be the 18 year since they were low on the 17 year. For those I've talked to that had both, they are very similar. Probably can't go wrong with either one.
Posted on 1/21/12 at 6:03 pm to highcotton2
I tried a Woodford Reserve Old Fashion last weekend. Have never been so dissapointed in a tasting. Tasted just like Scotch/Rye. Matter of a fact, i called the bartender over to tell him that he made a mistake. He showed me the bottle. I literally had to choke it down. What a waste of $10.
Posted on 1/21/12 at 6:46 pm to joeleblanc
quote:
joeleblanc
Sometimes you have to watch out where you get the drinks made with it. Some places don't serve it often and their bottles are old which affects the tastes some. It's an ok bourbon, just not great. It was one of the first mid range ones I tried and tried a good bit of in undergrad, but this was when I was still young and dumb and mixing soda water and things in my whiskey
Posted on 1/21/12 at 6:51 pm to Dr Beardface
Next Review: Russells Reserve 10 year. This stuff is made by Wild Turkey. I have to say that this was the low point of the tasting. I had it up against Black Maple Hill which I've already reviewed and a pretty big fan of. The Russells left me and my buddy (who owns the shop) just wanting more. It had an ok flavor, but not much complexity. I expect a bit more from a 10 year bourbon (like the Eagle Rare). It's fairly cheap if I recall (a little less than Eagle Rare) and it shows. At this price range, a safer bet would be Eagle Rare or Elmer T Lee or even Knob Creek.
Nose: Cedar, leather, pepper, sour smell, mild vanilla
Taste: very woody, mildly minty, semi spicy
Finish: Short and leaves something to be desired
Nose: Cedar, leather, pepper, sour smell, mild vanilla
Taste: very woody, mildly minty, semi spicy
Finish: Short and leaves something to be desired
Posted on 1/21/12 at 11:02 pm to Dr Beardface
I have recently started drinking Bourbon in a serious manner. I have two of the ones (Makers 64 and Woodford) that are there in the original pictures. I probably enjoy Makers more, but then again, I am just learning the intricacies and differences.
Liked your posts so far, will try some of the bottles that you reviewed some time in future. Just wanted to say thanks for sharing this info.
Liked your posts so far, will try some of the bottles that you reviewed some time in future. Just wanted to say thanks for sharing this info.
Posted on 1/22/12 at 12:22 pm to ewdij
quote:
Liked your posts so far, will try some of the bottles that you reviewed some time in future. Just wanted to say thanks for sharing this info.
I think you're doing it right. Start with the mid range bourbons and get used to picking up the different flavors and how to properly taste them. If you haven't already, I'd definitely recommend getting an actual tasting glass rather than a rocks glass. The Glencairn glass is a great one especially for starting. They have a small one with good broad base. They are very reasonably priced on Amazon, etc. They have some other ones that are nicer and look nicer, but more expensive.
ETA: This is the one I'm talking about since they have a couple made by Glencairn
Good luck in your bourbon journey
This post was edited on 1/22/12 at 12:24 pm
Posted on 1/22/12 at 12:33 pm to Dr Beardface
Next match-up was the Maker's 46 vs. Jefferson Reserve. I knew from previous tastings that Jefferson Reserve was going to be the clear winner, but since they are both wheated bourbons, I decided to give the heads up a shot. The Maker's 46 actually had a little more complexity than I remembered from previous tastings and it seemed to have a little more other flavors other than the vanilla and caramel that Makers is known for. The Jefferson Reserve still had the complexity I remembered and it's just a fine bourbon for my palate. It's becoming a little more mainstream, but still unknown to a lot of folks. It has slowly gained some accolades along the way and it's definitely one that I would recommend highly in the $40-$50 range.
Maker’s 46
Nose: Wintergreen tobacco, vanilla, caramel, cinnamon, maple syrup
Taste: Mint, spice (think allspice or cinnamon spice), oak, tannins, toasted caramel, vanilla
Finish: Semi short, caramel and vanilla
Jefferson Reserve
Nose: Fruity, butterscotch, peanut brittle, vanilla, cinnamon, pecans
Taste: Syrupy, vanilla, cinnamon sugar, citrus, berries, sweet corn, white pepper
Finish: Moderate length, nice and sweet with a little spice
Maker’s 46
Nose: Wintergreen tobacco, vanilla, caramel, cinnamon, maple syrup
Taste: Mint, spice (think allspice or cinnamon spice), oak, tannins, toasted caramel, vanilla
Finish: Semi short, caramel and vanilla
Jefferson Reserve
Nose: Fruity, butterscotch, peanut brittle, vanilla, cinnamon, pecans
Taste: Syrupy, vanilla, cinnamon sugar, citrus, berries, sweet corn, white pepper
Finish: Moderate length, nice and sweet with a little spice
Posted on 1/22/12 at 6:29 pm to Dr Beardface
Last of the reviews from this tasting: Blanton's vs. Rock Hill Farm. Both of these bourbons are made at the Buffalo Trace Distillery from the same mash bill: mash bill number 2 (as does Elmer T Lee). They don't list the age of these bourbons, but theory is that Elmer T Lee is the youngest one, Blanton's is in the middle (8-10 year range), and Rock Hill Farm is the oldest (10-12 year range). I have been a big fan of Blanton's for a long time and I had recently picked up a bottle of Rock Hill Farm for my little bro for his bachelor party (before knowing what it was). After I tasted it, I was impressed and looked up the info. I was excited to see both of these side by side to do a line tasting of them. After trying them together, I have to give the slight edge to Rock Hill Farm. It's only a couple dollars more than Blanton's at most places. Blanton's will still have a place on my shelf, but Rock Hill Farm will definitely earn a place as well.
Blanton’s
Nose: Apple cinnamon, pear, rye, corn, caramel
Taste: Nice spiciness, pear , tangy corn, charred oak, little vanilla/honey flavor
Finish: Moderate length, maple syrup, some spice
Rock Hill Farms
Nose: Mint, apple cinnamon, pear, nuts, slight citrus, dried cherries
Taste: Minty, oak, apple, corn, caramel, nutty, dark cocoa, tobacco, honey
Finish: Moderate to long, sweet
Blanton’s
Nose: Apple cinnamon, pear, rye, corn, caramel
Taste: Nice spiciness, pear , tangy corn, charred oak, little vanilla/honey flavor
Finish: Moderate length, maple syrup, some spice
Rock Hill Farms
Nose: Mint, apple cinnamon, pear, nuts, slight citrus, dried cherries
Taste: Minty, oak, apple, corn, caramel, nutty, dark cocoa, tobacco, honey
Finish: Moderate to long, sweet
Posted on 1/22/12 at 7:03 pm to Dr Beardface
Do any of these taste like bourbon?
j/k
Truthfully, I'm jealous. Good reviews. I'd just slug them down and miss the highlights.But, I'd at least avoid the mixers.
j/k
Truthfully, I'm jealous. Good reviews. I'd just slug them down and miss the highlights.But, I'd at least avoid the mixers.
This post was edited on 1/22/12 at 7:10 pm
Posted on 1/23/12 at 4:49 pm to OTIS2
quote:
Do any of these taste like bourbon?
In their own ways. I think there are some flavors that do really become the "bourbon" flavors like vanilla, caramel, oak tannins and that char flavor.
quote:
Truthfully, I'm jealous. Good reviews. I'd just slug them down and miss the highlights.But, I'd at least avoid the mixers.
It takes some getting used to, but tasting these good bourbons is kind of like tasting a good wine. You learn to pick up some of the differences slowly but surely after several tastings. It's definitely not for everyone, but congrats for avoiding the mixers
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