Favorite Whiskey?

The guy at Total Wine said he was surprised at how it didn't drink like such a high proofer. We'll see next visit, but that neck pour was HOOOOTTTTT!

YOWZAS! And I'm a sucker for high proof.

Here's what I texted some whiskey buddies:

This stuff is absolute fire. Not in the new age "super great" way. I mean dragon's breath after eating an habanero and gargling magma, then brushing teeth with a plasma cutter.

Oye vey.

Notes... Ummmm

Smells a bit like acetone and oak. 14 years is a long nap in the cask.

Once your palate forgives you for the oral equivalent of a burning at the stake, it has a little bitterness that is reminiscent of unsweet tea. Add a drop of water and the rye spices start to flourish. Grass, mint, cinnamon.

The finish is long, but how could it not be? This stuff could clean a spark plug. You breathe oak for about 3 minutes.

Much of that is in jest. It's definitely bold, both in proof and rye spice. I'm usually reluctant to add water, but this thing needs it and benefits immensely from it.

That unsweet tea note is actually really enjoyable.

I like it. About to sample some out.

 

In another site this was posted today. Take note of the bottle in the far right. I'm going to DM him and see if he's willing to sell it. What do you think is a fair offer?

 

Weeding out bottles, I’m overflowing to the mantle in the kitchen

 

I’ve really been wanting to try Noah’s Mill, is it worth it? Also, finally tried Bookers Granny’s batch and it was definitely nutty, very tasty. Will definitely grab a bottle if I see it

 

it’s cinnamon and burny, not much else

I’d say wait to try it at a bar or a friends before you buy one. It’s definitely not for everyone

 

B520 from this year is one of my favorites. A must buy at msrp around $59-69.

 

Here's my National Bourbon month 30 bourbons in 30 days. Finishing strong today and tomorrow!
September:
1: Buffalo Trace SiB (CCB)
2: Wild Turkey Longbranch
3: Western Reserve 14
4: Hancock Reserve
5: Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby 2020
6: Jim Beam Signature Craft Soft Wheat
7: 4 Roses SiB CS OESV (Bristol Farms pick)
8: Jeffersons VSmB
9: Buffalo Trace Kosher Rye Recipe
10: Buffalo Trace Kosher Wheat
11: Barrell Batch 24
12: 1972 BiB
13: Barrell Batch 21
14: Elijah Craig SmB
15: Blanton's SiB
16: Michter's 10 Year
17: Bookers 2019-03 Country Ham
18: Cutwater Devil's Share
19: Speakeasy
20: Weller SR
21: EHT SmB
22: 1972 Full Proof (CCB Pick)
23: Oregon Spirit SABW
24: IW Harper 15
25: Beach City Stillworks Pacific Reserve
26: Henry McKenna 10
27: Basil Hayden 10
28: George Dickel BiB 13
29: Garrison Brothers Balmorhea
30: Stagg Jr. #13

 

Four Roses Small Batch tonight

 

Tarnished Truth for me right now.

 

Admittedly us admins tend to like the higher proof stuff and gravitate towards the very complex stuff. But we also have to pick stuff the masses will like too. It becomes tricky trying to decide what we like best and what the group may like more. That’s where including members on the picking team comes in. Let me know if you’d like to assist us some time...

 

I like Noah’s Mill. I say try a bottle.

 

Michter's Rye was last nights choice for the debate.

 

To be clear, it is worth every penny I paid for it. I'm a high-proof whore, too, it just had this perfect storm of boldness.

14 years aging, tends to have some extra oak in it, which can stand out. Rye in general has some spice to it, which can be bold. 71% ABV is gonna have some heat no matter how you slice it.

Put those together and the first taste from the neck it really, really big, bold, and eye-popping. One drop of water teased out a lot of nuance. I had another pour Sunday with Matt from the Whiskey Crusaders and he loved it. I started pulling out more of the complexity from it, too. It's just such a wild bottle. Some whiskies have a crazy experience due to flavors that are so unique (Amrut Spectrum 004 is perhaps the king of that for me). This one doesn't have any particularly new/different flavors vs other ryes, but the intensity is an 11, which is what makes it so damn fun to drink. I'll be saving most of this to let others experience, but I dig it.

And hell yeah I'd love to assist on a pick! Let me know if/when there is an opportunity!

 

shoot me a pm on FB so it doesnt get lost here, I will set something up soon

 

Found these sitting on a shelf at CVS in Huntington Beach, CA (like rite aid or walgreens) last night. $17 each. Better than 1792 SmB. Tastes more like 1792 BiB.

 

I see you have the new 2020 GB Balmorhea. I have the 2019 and love it. Didn't pick up 2020 due to price.

I'm in OC. Let me know if you want to trade samples of 19 and 20.

A local group is doing a barrel pick of Balcones soon.

 

Favorite cheap whiskey = Buffalo Trace

Favorite mid range whiskey = Red Breast 12 year

Currently on my shelf:

 

Just snagged this bottle. I enjoyed the 2019

 

RB 12, cask Strength is fantastic. I'm not much of a fan of most whisk(e)y from across the pond, but this is great!

 

It's definitely something that'll always be on my shelf, I love it. I still need to try this one too - https://www.totalwine.com/spirits/i...trength-12-yr/p/123351750?s=1126&igrules=true