re: Whiskey/Bourbon/Scotch Volume III

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I tell people all the time...it's a very good $65 bottle. Nothing over that, and even at that price point there are other things on the shelf that beat it. But if you are just getting into bourbon blatnons is a great way to spend $65

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I feel like i may be the only bourbon drinker that actually thinks blanton's is really good, whilst also liking other bourbons. I get the hype for Blanton's is absurd, but it really is a very good whiskey, IMO.

The hype has at the same time, garnered appreciation from your new bourbon drinkers, while also garnered hate from the connoisseurs and both may be a bit disingenuous. Yes, it's a "status" symbol, so much as to brag about it because it was in a movie and because it's near impossible to get. But, it's also a great bourbon. Yes, smooth is the first descriptor because it doesn't have an alcohol burn. Which makes it more palatable to a beginner. But, it also has some depth. I get subtle layers of caramel and vanilla, with aromas of leather.

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At the end of the day though mainly just showing people that there is other stuff out there not named Eagle Rare and Blantons that they would enjoy.

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I love Eagle rare as well. It's my favorite value bourbon out there, but it has become as hard to get as blanton's, unfortunately.

To your point on tastings, maybe you can recommend some stuff for me. I'm not a newbie, but i'm not an expert either. I'm looking for some bottles i haven't had before. Below is what's in my cabinet. This isn't a "brag" post, but based on what you do, what can you recommend as something i don't have.

EH Taylor Small Batch - absolute favorite bourbon of all time.
Old Forrester 1920 - May come in 2nd to EH Taylor
Old Forrester 1910 - It's good, but this 2nd bottle wasn't the vanilla bomb the first one i had was.
Woodford Reserve Double Oak
Knob Creek 9 year Calandro's pick - So much caramel. This is a very good bottle.
Eagle Rare
Blanton's TA pick
WT Rare Breed - Latest bottle is just ok.
Ragged Branch Rye - don't care for it
Ragged Branch acquistaspace - don't care for it
High West Double Rye Peated cask - was never a big rye drinker, and wanted to get into scotch, figured this may bridge the gap. I think it did the trick for scotch, but not yet for rye. It's an interesting and unique, and very peaty flavor, but not over the top like a laphroig scotch. Had a Balvenie 14 year caribbean cask the following weekend, and thought that was fantastic.
Weller green label - It's ok. Tastes a little sugary to me.
Buffalo Trace
Bulleit Rye - a very old bottle, that i don't like but keep it around in case someone is a rye drinker.

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It’s just not so good to warrant non retail prices.

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I'd agree with this, but i also wouldn't pay non-retail prices for any bourbon really. There are so many good bottles out there, no reason to pay a markup because of allocation.

I will overpay for things like a BTAC or Stagg Jr bottle.

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I will overpay for things like a BTAC or Stagg Jr bottle

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Yep. I’ll add Pappy to the list… but I won’t pay the extreme prices it fetches.

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Moving and dropping age statements and pushing out younger stuff to capitalize. You drink a few of the no age statement younger jobs and lay into a 10-15y used to be average bottle from yesteryear and it's apparent IMO.

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I've had some "young" bourbons from new distilleries, anywhere from 4-6 years old, and i haven't found one that wasn't harsh. Kind of makes sense, seeing as so many new distilleries opening up, and not being able to sit on barrels for 8-10 years before selling, may be the reason regular old Buffalo Trace is now hard to get.

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We did some extensive scientific studies (drunks) with the small-batch and single-barrel and determine the single barrel warrants the increase in price.

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I've read a few reviews that single barrel, in some cases, was downright bad, and small batch seems to beat out single barrel in a lot of blind tastings. I had a glass of single barrel in Tampa at the davidoff cigar shop. I couldn't tell you which was better, but drinking that while smoking a good cigar was pretty nice.

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That all went the way of the others so now 1920 is one that i'd reach for to replace.

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I just hope the secret doesn't get out on 1920, and then that goes the way of BT bourbons.

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We that drink daily if we take even just a week off things taste different...tastebuds not so smooth anymore

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Emphasis on this because I notice sometimes my tastebuds must be less awake on some nights because sometimes a bottle of mine will taste amazing and the same bottle a different night will just taste good.

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To your point on tastings, maybe you can recommend some stuff for me. I'm not a newbie, but i'm not an expert either. I'm looking for some bottles i haven't had before. Below is what's in my cabinet. This isn't a "brag" post, but based on what you do, what can you recommend as something i don't have.

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very solid line up. Id make a few suggestions on where to go next if you havent already.

Russels reserve single barrel: This is one of the best bottles on the shelf imo as far as depth goes...the fact that you enjoy OF 1920 lets me know you ready for something with some proof and I think you'll really enjoy this one. Also..if you ever see a store pick, GRAB IT.

Bakers 7 yr: Based on you enjoying KC, I think you'll dig this one. It was small batch but now comes in SiB form on the shelf. at 107 proof I find it's got that classic nutty, earthy beam profile you get from beam but turned up a bit, but not as turned up as say a bookers...which is overpriced and hard to find these days.

If you're really looking to branch into rye, Id recommend starting with knob creek rye...it's a barley legal rye meaninng it has only around 51% rye in the mashbill so it drinks like a spicier bourbon honestly.

since you mentioned liking vanilla bombs, I suggest exploring higher end makers. Makers 46 has ton of vanilla and some of the makers private selects can have big rich vanilla flavors depending on the stave profile selected.

I'll throw in Wilderness Trail

and I am a Sagamore whore.

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EH Taylor Small Batch - absolute favorite bourbon of all time.

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I just got a bottle of EH Taylor Single Barrell from a buddy who owns a liquor store. I have enjoyed that bottle

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I've had some "young" bourbons from new distilleries, anywhere from 4-6 years old, and i haven't found one that wasn't harsh.

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Most of the stuff coming out of Old Forester is only 4-5 years old. They just do temperature cycling in their warehouses, which is supposedly why it doesn't taste so young.