Favorite Whiskey?

Just picked this up. Waited in line for 45 minutest or so. Never seen the single barrel select version before.

 

Just noticed, bad camera shot / position. You can clearly see my reflection in the bottle. lol. Not planning on opening this one. I am not a huge fan of OWA, so I will probably trade it at some point in time to someone looking for it.

 

Send her my way, love that stuff

 

I've done that before and am now actively conscious of what will be in the pic whem I'm setting it up. PM sent regarding OWA.

 

Refill day

 

Wasn't sure about this one when I opened it, but after a few days it's opened up nicely.

 

I like a lot of different ones but recently really like Balcones Baby Blue.

 

Bourbon- Garrison Brothers, made in Hye Tx. Next would be either Basil Hayden or Longbranch
Rye- I think Whistlepig Piggyback 6yo 100% rye beats out the Michter's, but they are so different that it's easy to go with either as my fave.
Scotch- Glenlivet Nadurra cask strength. I don't drink as much Scotch as I used to, now that I can get much better bourbon for the same price.
I don't really drink Irish, but I do like The Quiet Man 8yo

 

Went back to this one. Hat tip again @DC 17_3 !

105 proof on bottle, but not on the nose. Like none. No burny. Just smooth. Floral/fruity smells. Gentle and easy.

I'm gonna talk completely out of my ass here... But I'm trying to learn myself and tastes...


By fruity, based on reading many reviews over the past however long, I want to say stone fruit notes, not super sweet. Along the line of cherries. That type of fruity sweetness if it makes sense. Doesn't touch stagg Jr 12, but trending that way.

Oak up front on taste. Not overpowering, but the first discernable flavor. Mid range viscosity. More gentle flavors mix in and carry through to the finish. Not as floral/fruity as the Balcones Mirador, but a sweet finish. Some heat in the back half. But not what I'd expect at 105. Maybe 90? Hard to say from my experience.

Fading heat and fruit on the aftertaste. Short to low-medium length of aftertaste.

I'd say this is an absolutely great intro to >100 proof whiskey for those timid of Burney. I can see myself keeping a bottle in the bunker.

Tastes are for sure subjective, but I'm curious to @bvbull200 's thoughts.

@DC 17_3 , you get any of these notes?


W.T.F. are y'all drinking?

 

Love Nikka's Taketsuru line
I also had Taketsuru 21 that I finished recently.

 

I'm a fan of Taketsuru as well. Currently have 3 bottles horded away - but not a 21, that must have been fantastic! Do you find them readily available?

 

Currently sales of the Taketsuru line is on hold/discontinued. Apparently they cannot keep up with the sudden surge in demand.
So Taketsuru and a couple other of Nikka's Whiskey is going to be rare for a while.
21 is ultra rare now, I have's seen a bottle in 7 years, so I was super sad when I finished my 21...

25 can still be gotten, but that is a crazy premium for a bottle.

 

Alright, so I know we generally talk for the most part about whiskey that we enjoy, are enjoying, have enjoyed in here but the other day my buddy had a bottle of Balcones Rye and he poured me some. I have to say I thought it was some of the most awful whiskey I have ever had. Could hardly drink it. I'm not sure if the bottle was off or maybe it was too aggressive for my palate in that its 100% rye, although I generally prefer rye's to bourbon to some degree. I just thought it tasted really young and unfinished with like astringent flavor and really heavy wood. Not good caramel, charred oak but like splintered plywood or something? I haven't tried any of their other stuff so can't speak to those. Not trying to ruffle any Texan feathers, am I wrong here? It seems to get decent reviews.

 

Someone else would have to chime in, but all I’ve ever heard is good things about Balcones. Never had it though, so have no opinion to how it is. It is interesting to me to hear a negative opinion

 

I've had the Balcones Blue, and it was very disappointing. Much better Texas bourbons/whiskeys out there, like Garrison or even Nine Banded, who makes a bourbon and an American whiskey. The Nine Banded was a little uneven, the neck pour being a little lighter and not as smooth as the rest of the bottle, but I've had worse Kentucky bourbons.

 

The only one I tried was the one with the blue label. It was one of those small airline style bottles I grabbed at TW. I couldn't finish the small amount I poured and had to dump it. Went back a week or so later to try again and it was aweful. Dumped the rest of it. Some of the other types might be very good, but I won't be taking a chance on them unless I can get an airline bottle size to minimize risk.

 

For Balcones, I've only had Texas Bock - one off bottle that is... unique... and The Mirador, which is good enough to finish but probably won't replace.

For Garrison Bros, I've only had the Balmorhea (last years) and I gave that bottle away to a friend.

Nine Banded is a pretty good cheap bottle that I recently tried.

 

Garrison can be sometimes. I remember when I first tried it over 10 years ago. It was dreck. Then I tried it again at Total Wine in Cedar Park. bought a bottle, then bought 2 bottles and then the next time bought 2 more. Just to stock up. It's pretty much become my favorite, but I am still learning bourbon.

 

I definitely agree it's deceiving for 105 proof.. the lack of burney is a great starting point!
I'm definitely not educated enough to pick out all the fine details like some of you are but it's very smooth start to finish.. easily something to sip straight up.