Favorite Whiskey?

You just articulated all the underpinnings of my skepticism.

 

I was trying to meet you halfway, but you just underpinned your bias.

I guess I simply want to complain and my concerns are invalid

 

Not at all.

Your points about the subjectivity are exactly correct, and also exactly why I sideye a little whenever someone says "It's not as good as it used to be".

If there had been appreciable changes in production method, age statement, etc. I'd be more inclined to consider the point, but Booker's hasn't changed a wit in...ever. They're still pulling barrels around the same age from the same warehouses/locations they always have.

So yes, subjective is as subjective does. Perhaps your tastes *have* changed. Or maybe Fred Noe is losing his touch. Maybe both. I'm not sure, so I'm not making a declaration on Bookers-Now vs. Bookers-Dusty.

But I like the stuff, all of it, myself.

 

It's all at least GOOD stuff, no doubt. Of the near infinite variables that could change the direction of one batch to the next it's impossible to pinpoint what changes have occurred over time.

All I'm saying is that a direct comparison of a 2015 bottle to a modern bottle is eye opening. If tastes have changed, then surely reexperiencing previous batches would result in observable changes to their taste as well. I don't find that to be the case.

 

Most of the time I'm either just salt/pepper and a reverse sear or Salt/Pepper/Garlic and reverse sear. Every now and then I will add something for a glaze but that's usually when I'm doing like a sirloin or something.

 

Do you have a 2015 Booker’s and you’ve recently tasted that next to a recent batch?

If you do have one, and it’s been open since 2015, it’s likely the taste of that bottle has changed depending on how much is left in the bottle.

 

Yes, I take care of my older bottles accordingly. I have killed most of my open older stash (because this stuff is delicious and is meant to be drank), but I do still have some sealed '15-'18 bunkered away. I've done this experiment before. I have '21 and '22 sealed bottles as well. Once again I'll crack one along side a previous batch after I whittle down some of my other open bottles. I don't mind recreating the experiment with even newer bottles, but what is that going to do other than verify my own existing biases? You guys clearly don't want to entertain the idea that things can change over time for one reason or many.

Again, I'm not saying this bourbon is bad! The profile is just different now. Booker's used to be my favorites. They tick all the boxes for me. Once upon a time in a glorious age of whiskey availability, these were on shelves all the time. I don't regret buying older batches OR newer batches by any means!

The pursuit of the perfect bourbon is a journey that will hopefully take all of us through many distilleries and last many years of whiskey enjoyment. If you already have your favorite, great! One man's opinion doesn't make your favorite any less great.

I should have ignored the 'some people like to bitch and complain for fun' comments. Considering I'm the only one in this thread over the years to have ever had any slight criticism of this untouchable bourbon - I assumed it was directed at me. My mistake. You know what they say about assuming.

 

Who’s you guys? I was just asking an honest question. Having never enjoyed a Bookers bottled prior to 2021, I don’t have an opinion to offer. The newer batches could be worse, I have no idea. Over the last couple years I’ve noticed so much variety in my own taste, even between pours from a single bottle over several months, that all I can reliably tell you is how each pour tastes.

I wouldn’t mind at all living in the bourbon world of the 2010’s, when everything was attainable and affordable (and Booker’s apparently was better )

 

My bad, I'm all defensive now It's wild how much taste can vary! It's even heavily dependent on glassware, too. The glencairn seems like a pretentious whiskey accessory, but I'll be damned if it didn't change the entire experience for me years ago.

The 2010s and prior were great for availability of the big guys, but now we have much more variety. Modern distilleries keep innovating to create new and exciting things to keep our glasses full. MGP is now a powerhouse in it's own right. Small town distilleries grow and expand with each passing year. We truly are living in a whiskey renaissance, so I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts!

 

@JoeySauce - finally cracked this open tonight! 18yr Knob Creek to celebrate my 18yr work anniversary yesterday. Really enjoyed this first small pour - wasn’t sure what to expect with a neck pour, but it is good and I’d imagine will be better with a few more pours!

 

Kudos on 18 years! Good idea matching the age statement to your anniversary

 

having to live vicariously thru you guys right now.... on the wagon while trying to get the heart stuff squared away.

to stay on topic though= gave the daughter that fancy Japanese whiskey graduation present we talked about a few months ago. She was over the moon that dad had thought of her & her hobby in that way.

 

I do like seeing distilleries pop up, particularly if they’re making the effort to age the whiskey themselves.

I just wish the inflation hadn’t hit this sector SO hard.

 

Haven't properly celebrated a FRyeday in quite some time. Cheers gents

 

I think a lot depends on what your palate has done that day/prior to imbibing as well.

Listen man, to be clear, I ain't criticizing or calling you wrong in any way. I'm just speaking to my own thoughts. If you disagree, that's legitimate and no hard feelings about it. We can both be valid in our positions at the same time.

 

Same here man. I don't hold grudges these days, and I always enjoy thoughtful discussion. You tend to bring a lot of that to this thread my friend. Cheers, hope you're getting into something good tonight.

 

@VXEric
@barelfly

congrats boys! This one’s for you, KC15 the hard way

 

Now this is a photo! And thank you!!!

 

Nice one. How was it?

 

it was actually really good, kept getting this peanut s’mores note in the finish