Favorite Bourbon

[nbarber]

To celebrate our engagement (after 22 years of "dating") my fiance and I went to a John Howie steak house last night and capped the evening with a shot of Blanton's, neat. Not for everyday drinking, at least not on my budget, but my favorite for a special occasion.

 

[HB3]

Something else that is for special occasions.

 

[RT Fan]

Old reliable, Woodford Reserve. Got the bottle at an etching giveaway, I just refill it from the 1.75 in the bunker.

 

[bigcaddy64]

This weekend might turn out to be an interesting one. I was out hitting yard sales and ended up missing some beautiful JBL Lancer 44 speakers for 10 bucks but did get a sealed bottle of Ezra Brooks from the 60's or 70's

Ill have to check the tax label but since its considered "bottom shelf" stuff, i've got no problem opening it to verify Mr. Brooks claim of it being "Sipping Whiskey". I've got a feeling its going to be spitting whiskey but i will see.

 

[audiotemp]

This weekend might turn out to be an interesting one. I was out hitting yard sales and ended up missing some beautiful JBL Lancer 44 speakers for 10 bucks but did get a sealed bottle of Ezra Brooks from the 60's or 70's

Ill have to check the tax label but since its considered "bottom shelf" stuff, i've got no problem opening it to verify Mr. Brooks claim of it being "Sipping Whiskey". I've got a feeling its going to be spitting whiskey but i will see.

That's pretty obscure, to me at least. I found some early Ezra Brooks history here.

 

[whoaru99]

Whiskey doesn't age (as in improve) in the bottle. It can stay the same, or degrade due to poor storage, but doesn't improve. So I've read anyway.

 

[bigcaddy64]

Whiskey doesn't age (as in improve) in the bottle. It can stay the same, or degrade due to poor storage, but doesn't improve. So I've read, anyway.

Yup. Any magic contained in the whiskey entered the bottle when it was filled. I have very set a low bar for this stuff since i don't know the mashbill (i prefer sweet or wheated stuff) so if its bad i can always use it for mixers at a party.

 

[jimbofish]

Lots of perfectly good spirits live on those 'bottom shelves'. The challenge is in finding them. EB is one, IMO.
The unknown factor is what's happened to that bottle over the last 50 years.

 

[bigcaddy64]

For those that are watching, might as well give it a try. The cork looks a little discolored from the inner portion of the bottle.

 

[bigcaddy64]

The label was narrowed down to 1961-1977. The actual bottle has 1965 on the bottom so that’s good enough for me.

 

[bigcaddy64]

Wow. It was aged 12 years before bottling so it was finished in 1953-ish.

The contents have reduced considerably. I would say there is 1-2/5ths left inside. It’s not cloudy or full of junk.

smell is good, kinda spicy so not a wheated blend.

 

[bigcaddy64]

It’s not bad. Is spite of the reduction, it’s a bit watery but spicy. The tiniest sip covered every inch of my mouth with spice and warmth.

I don’t do any sort of wine/liquor tasting so I’m not quite sure how to describe it. It’s not my first pick but better then lots of other budget brand drinks.

when I saw Rebel Yell for 9.99 a bottle I was really curious. Now I understand the phrase “curiosity killed the cat”.
This is far from that and I won’t have a problem serving to people if they want to try it

 

[BillyBatts]

I'd probably go with Makers 46. It's what I usually reach for when pouring.

Typically, I don't prefer high octane Bourbons. Wild Turkey 101 and beyond are just too hefty for me. I'd do a regular Wild Turkey 81. Makers 46 is a bit too high octane for me, but it's still my favorite.

A friend send me a bottle of a 100 percent corn Bourbon distilled in Logan, Ohio. "Hocking Hills Bourbon". It's available in 110 proof, although the website say 90 may be available as well. I read that they won (if I recall correctly) the NY State Bourbon tasting of the year award? Something like that. You can tell from the 80 percent emptied bottle that I did not like it. Pleasantly surprised.

 

[ACHiPo]

Been enjoying Basil Hayden Dark Rye (ok so not bourbon) and Peerless small batch bourbon.

 

[hornbostel]

I don't think some y'all ever had Wild Turkey in a Mickey Mouse glass and it shows
View attachment 2504147

+1 on the Turkey 101. EASILY the best bang for buck out there. My daily driver.

 

[finnbow]

+1 on the Turkey 101. EASILY the best bang for buck out there. My daily driver.

Wholeheartedly agree.

 

[Man in Cave]

First sips. Don't that beat all. Smiles.

MIC

 

[ACHiPo]

Peerless again tonight. Pretty yummy.

 

[Man in Cave]

I loved that first blast of caramel. Wow!

 

[MitsuMan]

View attachment 2578516

I loved that first blast of caramel. Wow!

I have 2 bottles of the 1897 Bottled In Bond in my cabinet right now. My favorite 100 proof at this time.