re: Whiskey/Bourbon/Scotch appreciation thread

I started to buy a bottle of the small batch yesterday

quote:

---

I think there are 6 different versions? I have only tried the barrel proof version. I believe it was in the 80-100 a bottle range depending where you find it. In that range I would put other bottles in front of it. I like the antique collection better for the same price range.

---

I guess that just shows everyone is different. I have a bottle of the barrel proof, and its my favorite bottle in my cabinet. The single barrel is also very very good. Both bottles cost me $70. I would like to try the warehouse C tornado version, but I haven't found it. Of course there are some great whiskeys in the BTAC, but they are also much harder to find than the Taylors.

quote:

---

I guess that just shows everyone is different. I have a bottle of the barrel proof, and its my favorite bottle in my cabinet. The single barrel is also very very good. Both bottles cost me $70. I would like to try the warehouse C tornado version, but I haven't found it. Of course there are some great whiskeys in the BTAC, but they are also much harder to find than the Taylors.

---

Only one I've tried was the Single Barrel and I thought it was very good. I dont know about 80 bucks good but it is what it is....

this is why i have been trying to procure Jefferson presidential select 17,18 or 21. With the main focus 17 or 18

the going price on BX is $200/bottle. I havent pulled the trigger yet

I hope they release a similar or equal bottle this fall

Aside from those old Stitzel-Weller pints on BX, I can't see myself putting out scalper prices on stuff other people can find in other parts of the country.

Plenty of other good bourbon to be had here...

Feel great about the 18 for $89...best deal around in bourbon...

2 years ago I got the 17 for $79, couldn't believe how good it was...

If you bought JPS 18 for $89 you stole it. It's worth gold now. JPS 21 over 100 is paying too much.

Long and shitty day at work so if I say anything dumb excuse me. Finished half a bottle of bakers so far

quote:

---

Sort of a dumb question, but, what separates the older bourbons (15yr, 18yr, etc) from the other bourbons? Taste? Smoothness?

---

Long...bear with me....

More people like you should ask these questions...there aren't enough people asking WHY they should try a new bourbon...

I'm no expert here, but my view is that extra time in the barrels allows the bourbon to further develop characteristics of the subtleties each bourbon brings with each sip. You may taste oak, or cinnamon, or cherry, or banana, or anything. Those little tastes grow a bit with a longer aging; not necessarily a stronger flavor profile, just deeper.

Keep in mind...the older the whiskey doesn't necessarily mean the better. I have a bottle of Jack that is more than 30 years old that I was going to open on my wedding night (until my wife got me 2 bottles of Pappy 23). I have no idea if that Jack will be the best whiskey I've ever tried or if it will taste like the most rot-gut stuff you can imagine.

The older bourbons being discussed on the last few pages are tried & true for most sippers. A clean finish is extremely important with vodka. It can also be key to a delicious bourbon, but it's not the only thing that matters. I love a smooth bourbon, but if there's no depth or body to the bourbon to enjoy, what's the point? Some of the barrel-strength and higher proof offerings aren't exactly smooth, but that doesn't make them bad.

quote:

---

Is there a big enough difference that the amount of money is worth it? Or are you better off sticking to your preferred house bourbon (woodford, elmer, etc)?

---

You'll have to decide that for yourself by trying different bourbons, no easy way around it. For most of us, something that takes more time to age and develop is a much better product than something that was rushed through an assembly line.

To me, the more you spend on a bourbon, the less you should mess with it. I'll gladly take a Maker's old fashioned or mixed with equal parts water...stuff like Booker's or Blanton's I may drop an ice cube in to open it up a bit...this Jefferson's Very Old Very Small Batch I'm sipping now, I wouldn't touch with anything. Same goes for many of your 15-23 year bourbons...I want to enjoy every bit of what's in that bottle with nothing else affecting it.

My suggestion would be to keep buying your Elmer, Woodford, Basil's for the house, and when you get the chance to sample the more pricey bourbons (whether at a bar or at a group tasting--a great idea if you have friends who want to get into bourbon the same way, chip in for 3 or 4 higher end bottles), find out if it's worth more to you to spend more for an older bourbon.

Sorry I was so long-winded. I have my price for Pappy, JPS 17/18, and Stagg/Weller/Handy...so should you, but take a little time to explore what you like, and what you think is worth it.