Bourbon

[Guest]

On 4/21/2023 at 8:35 PM, Txslnghrns said:

Just poured the last of last years batch. Thankfully I’ve never had to pay more than $70 for any of the 3 bottles I’ve gotten.

That's about what I paid for mine a couple of months ago.  It is a great bottle, but not for freaking $130 retail.

[BigDHornfan 6547]

Rebecca Creek’s MGP bottles have really impressed me. Does anybody speak RC? It’s pretty tough to tell if a bottle is MGP based on the label.
I hope they keep sourcing and don’t get cute and start mixing in Texas distillate. 

Says it on the back label.

[BigDHornfan 6547]

Says it on the back label.

If it doesn’t say distilled in IND, don’t drink it. It’s trash if not.

[billfromlaketravis 11466]

12 minutes ago, BigDHornfan said:

Says it on the back label.

Gotta read the fine print, haha. 

[USCATX 1078]

3 hours ago, BigDHornfan said:

If it doesn’t say distilled in IND, don’t drink it. It’s trash if not.

All my favorite Texas bourbons are distilled in Indiana. 

[BigDHornfan 6547]

Texas whiskey is great if you stick to IronRoot, Balcones, or Still Austin.  Lone Elm is ok.
Garrison Bros can suck it.  

[Bozo_Casanova 26451]

It’s shocking how good Still Austin is. They punch waaaay above their weight class. 
Their labels and branding are just aggressively terrible and are going to hold them back beyond a certain point but the whiskey is very good. 
I wonder if they would do a contract run…

[billfromlaketravis 11466]

17 minutes ago, Bozo_Casanova said:

It’s shocking how good Still Austin is. They punch waaaay above their weight class. 
Their labels and branding are just aggressively terrible and are going to hold them back beyond a certain point but the whiskey is very good. 
I wonder if they would do a contract run…

How’s the rye? I skipped it when I saw the recipe, 100% rye. North of 95% rye just isn’t my thing. 
 

The cask strength is terrific for a 2 year old bourbon. They made something in a few years that Balcones couldn’t do in 20+ years. Their aging technique is pretty innovative and they seem to have a good distillate recipe dialed in. Their stuff should continue to get better.

That said, the cask strength is $68. The store picks are around $80. It’s not Garrison Bros price gouging, but it’s not really competitive in their category. Most of the Rebecca Creek MGP bottles are in the mid $50 range. You have to really want a pure Texas bourbon to pay more for inferior/younger product. 
 

I wish Still Austin well, it’s just not something I’ll buy regularly. 

[BigDHornfan 6547]

If the whiskey tastes good, I don't give a fuck how young/old it is.  

[CycleTex87 2970]

Or what the label looks like. 

[Bozo_Casanova 26451]

13 hours ago, billfromlaketravis said:

How’s the rye? I skipped it when I saw the recipe, 100% rye. North of 95% rye just isn’t my thing. 
 

The cask strength is terrific for a 2 year old bourbon. They made something in a few years that Balcones couldn’t do in 20+ years. Their aging technique is pretty innovative and they seem to have a good distillate recipe dialed in. Their stuff should continue to get better.

That said, the cask strength is $68. The store picks are around $80. It’s not Garrison Bros price gouging, but it’s not really competitive in their category. Most of the Rebecca Creek MGP bottles are in the mid $50 range. You have to really want a pure Texas bourbon to pay more for inferior/younger product. 
 

I wish Still Austin well, it’s just not something I’ll buy regularly. 

The Rye is OK, but not on the level of the Bourbon. 

Agreed with your takeaway, but to your point - they are pretty clearly trying to cultivate a customer base that really wants a pure Texas bourbon, from Austin Texas, and are willing to pay for it. That was really the relevance of my point about the label - at some point their targeting will limit their market share, but their bet is pretty clearly that the benefit of being THE Austin bourbon brand outweighs whatever negatives accrue to them as a result. 

 

1 hour ago, CycleTex87 said:

Or what the label looks like. 

If this is true, this puts you in an incomprehensibly small category of buyers, especially when it comes to what you'll decide to buy off the shelf the first time, before you've tasted it. 

Edited April 24, 2023 by Bozo_Casanova

[billfromlaketravis 11466]

1 hour ago, Bozo_Casanova said:

The Rye is OK, but not on the level of the Bourbon. 

Agreed with your takeaway, but to your point - they are pretty clearly trying to cultivate a customer base that really wants a pure Texas bourbon, from Austin Texas, and are willing to pay for it. That was really the relevance of my point about the label - at some point their targeting will limit their market share, but their bet is pretty clearly that the benefit of being THE Austin bourbon brand outweighs whatever negatives accrue to them as a result. 

 

If this is true, this puts you in an incomprehensibly small category of buyers, especially when it comes to what you'll decide to buy off the shelf the first time, before you've tasted it. 

I assume Still Austin is going for the corn/grain to glass thing? 

[Bozo_Casanova 26451]

2 minutes ago, billfromlaketravis said:

I assume Still Austin is going for the corn/grain to glass thing? 

So they tell me

[conVINCEd 21469]

Texas is good at a lot of things.  Producing a tasty bourbon at an appealing price point is not one of the things we are good at.  I’ll assume it’s government red tape driving up the cost of doing business.  But for the foreseeable future I’ll be sticking with the folks in Kentucky that have been doing it for centuries and can deliver a quality bottle for half the price.

[Bert Orange 1120]

2 hours ago, conVINCEd said:

Texas is good at a lot of things.  Producing a tasty bourbon at an appealing price point is not one of the things we are good at.  I’ll assume it’s government red tape driving up the cost of doing business.  But for the foreseeable future I’ll be sticking with the folks in Kentucky that have been doing it for centuries and can deliver a quality bottle for half the price.

We don’t have the climate suitable for aging bourbon. Indian (Amrut) whiskey ages in 3-4 years what Scotland does in 10-12. Angels share in India is mind blowing. Similar here. It ages rapidly, harshly, and doesn’t yield a product that can compete with KY 99% of the time. The best analog we have is Brown-Forman which heat cycles their warehouses to create what we have naturally. And even then it doesnt have our spikes / amplitudes. Texas just can’t compete. Just like our wine cant. Some climates are just not suited to this craft. 

Edited April 25, 2023 by Bert Orange

[Yev Kassem 1031]

The Rebecca Creek Bottled in Bond is actually pretty damn good for $50. It’s their own juice and I had a sampling of it a few weeks ago at the distillery. There’s a hint of the “Texas funk”, like a mesquite note, but it fades quickly.

I’m definitely not a huge fan of Texas whiskey outside of Still Austin and most of RC’s own juice isn’t great, but give the BiB a shot if you’re looking for something new to try. 

[billfromlaketravis 11466]

Marylanders, what’s the latest on Sagamore Bottled in Bond? I believe they’re finally selling their own distillate. 

[BigDHornfan 6547]

Sagamore doesn't source anymore.  Everything is now their own distillate. 
Just finished a bottle of their double oak which was pretty dang good.  If you can find one of their sherry finished bottles, it's a damn good MWND substitute.

[Bozo_Casanova 26451]

On 4/24/2023 at 10:49 AM, billfromlaketravis said:

assume Still Austin is going for the corn/grain to glass thing? 

I looked into this, and it’s apparently true for the Rye as well. I’m impressed with what they are doing and attempting to do.

[KeysPhoneWallet 807]

Some Garrison bros is delicious what are y’all talking about? The guad/balmorrhea/cowboy are awesome and the small batch and single barrel and honey dew are not delicious.

[billfromlaketravis 11466]

47 minutes ago, Bozo_Casanova said:

I looked into this, and it’s apparently true for the Rye as well. I’m impressed with what they are doing and attempting to do.

Have you tried the Unbendt BiB Malt Whiskey? 

[Bozo_Casanova 26451]

55 minutes ago, billfromlaketravis said:

Have you tried the Unbendt BiB Malt Whiskey? 

Nope, should I?

[billfromlaketravis 11466]

Just now, Bozo_Casanova said:

Nope, should I?

I mention it because they also claim grain to glass out of Lewisville. I’m almost to the point where I want to call the distillery and ask what Houston bars serve it. It’s 60:40 malt/red winter wheat aged 5 years. Bourbon Pursuit gave it a well above average rating. They do go grade on a curve for products outside of Kentucky/Lynchburg. 
 

It’s pretty low risk at $54.99 a bottle. If I don’t like it, throw it in the cocktail bottle pile, but I worry the Texas funk rears its head. And they also distill that Witherspoon crap. 

[Party_Taco 3726]

Marylanders, what’s the latest on Sagamore Bottled in Bond? I believe they’re finally selling their own distillate. 

The BiB is their least impressive offering IMO. It’s basically their standard bottle with a higher price point… there’s no discernible, or worthwhile difference.

Do wish I was back in Baltimore for their anniversary right now though… they have some fun distillery-only options right now.

[billfromlaketravis 11466]

12 minutes ago, Party_Taco said:

The BiB is their least impressive offering IMO. It’s basically their standard bottle with a higher price point… there’s no discernible, or worthwhile difference.

Do wish I was back in Baltimore for their anniversary right now though… they have some fun distillery-only options right now.

Is the 8 year, 115 proof their best widely available product? 
 

[Incredulity 11669]

Personally with are so many options in all categories of alcohol word of mouth/online is more important than kick ass labeling.  When I find myself in front of a shelf without an intended purchase I more often than not go with what I know.  I have been burned way too many times by an attractive package with a dogshit product.

 The Still Austin branding looks much more like a wine brand than a whiskey.  I assume that’s intentional to stand apart on the shelf.

[BigDHornfan 6547]

The third Origins finally hit.
This one is damn solid.
It’s a 95/5 rye, so Bill is not gonna like it.
It’s got a ton of layers to it.

[Bozo_Casanova 26451]

I still prefer regular Old Overholt to most ryes, and I really like rye whiskey. 
OO is very underrated.

Edited April 27, 2023 by Bozo_Casanova

[Herbie Hancock 7347]

The third Origins finally hit.
This one is damn solid.
It’s a 95/5 rye, so Bill is not gonna like it.
It’s got a ton of layers to it.

Bill will only like it if someone with a blog says it's good. If it has an age statement. If it says distilled in Indiana. If someone with a podcast and/or blog says it's good

[huge 3793]

Stay on target!

[billfromlaketravis 11466]

1 hour ago, BigDHornfan said:

The third Origins finally hit.
This one is damn solid.
It’s a 95/5 rye, so Bill is not gonna like it.
It’s got a ton of layers to it.

Ha. You’re probably right. I’m surprised they went with a 95:5 mashbill. I was hoping for a more traditional, barely legal Kentucky rye. 
 

The cherry wood finish is mildly interesting. Another try it before you buy it for me. 

[billfromlaketravis 11466]

1 hour ago, Bozo_Casanova said:

I still prefer regular Old Overholt to most ryes, and I really like rye whiskey. 
OO is very underrated.

Probably my favorite for old fashioneds. 

[Party_Taco 3726]

Is the 8 year, 115 proof their best widely available product? 
 

Double Oak

[RichUT 1832]

Ha. You’re probably right. I’m surprised they went with a 95:5 mashbill. I was hoping for a more traditional, barely legal Kentucky rye. 
 
The cherry wood finish is mildly interesting. Another try it before you buy it for me. 

Isn’t it like a $50 bottle? What are we really worried about at that price point?

[billfromlaketravis 11466]

13 minutes ago, RichUT said:

Isn’t it like a $50 bottle? What are we really worried about at that price point?

$70. 

I didn't particularly care for the Origin bourbons, and I really don't like the direction of Discovery is headed,  so I'm being cautious with the brand. 

[BigDHornfan 6547]

1 hour ago, billfromlaketravis said:

$70. 

I didn't particularly care for the Origin bourbons, and I really don't like the direction of Discovery is headed,  so I'm being cautious with the brand. 

What is disconcerning about the Discovery series to you?
#10 looks very promising.

[billfromlaketravis 11466]

Just now, BigDHornfan said:

What is disconcerning about the Discovery series to you?
#10 looks very promising.

I’d like for them to bring back the all Kentucky blend, or the Kentucky-Indiana combo. I understand sourcing is difficult and expensive, but the brand has suffered. Discovery is a shelf turd in Houston now. 

[Longhornfan1024 1707]

Just picked up my Weller 12 from TW and managed to grab a SWUU from Specs while down south.  I'm interested to see if it lives up to the hype.  For those on the SW train, Specs Brodie had multiple bottles of what looked like the full line up.  

[Hank Kingsley 20926]

2 hours ago, billfromlaketravis said:

 Discovery is a shelf turd in Houston now. 

This is sadly true.

[RichUT 1832]

Most bottles at that price point are "shelf turds" right now, but that's a byproduct of recessionary fears and a pull back in discretionary spending vs. the whiskey not being good.

BTW, the shelf turd mindset only proves the argument for intentionally making a product scarce. People are such fucking sheep. If it's hard to find it's because everyone else wants it so it must be great, which only perpetuates something being hard to find. If there is plenty of supply, it must mean that people don't want it so it must be a turd and then it sits around. 

Other than number 5, I've never had a Disco I didn't love.

[NOMAAA 1696]

51 minutes ago, RichUT said:

Most bottles at that price point are "shelf turds" right now, but that's a byproduct of recessionary fears and a pull back in discretionary spending vs. the whiskey not being good.

BTW, the shelf turd mindset only proves the argument for intentionally making a product scarce. People are such fucking sheep. If it's hard to find it's because everyone else wants it so it must be great, which only perpetuates something being hard to find. If there is plenty of supply, it must mean that people don't want it so it must be a turd and then it sits around. 

Other than number 5, I've never had a Disco I didn't love.

whats the price now?  Last one i got was 7 i think and it was overpriced at 130.  very overpriced.

[BigDHornfan 6547]

whats the price now?  Last one i got was 7 i think and it was overpriced at 130.  very overpriced.

TW has it priced at $139.
It’s high but I’ll pay it.
I’ve liked all of them.

[Hank Kingsley 20926]

1 hour ago, RichUT said:

Most bottles at that price point are "shelf turds" right now, but that's a byproduct of recessionary fears and a pull back in discretionary spending vs. the whiskey not being good.

BTW, the shelf turd mindset only proves the argument for intentionally making a product scarce. People are such fucking sheep. If it's hard to find it's because everyone else wants it so it must be great, which only perpetuates something being hard to find. If there is plenty of supply, it must mean that people don't want it so it must be a turd and then it sits around. 

Other than number 5, I've never had a Disco I didn't love.

I don't think that's the particular issue with Bardstown right now. The "problem" is they are shelving almost their entire lineup at Spec's. There aren't one or two options. Closer to 8 or 9. Most in the $125-150 range. Which one do i pick? I'm not spending over $1000 to get them all. 

Starting to notice whiskey brands mimicking the vodka world by offering too many products in order to dominate the shelf space. IMO it's not a well thought out plan. 

A year or two ago, I would just by the newest Disco they dropped if I saw it on a shelf. Now I don't know what the hell to do. 

[RichUT 1832]

1 hour ago, Hank Kingsley said:

I don't think that's the particular issue with Bardstown right now. The "problem" is they are shelving almost their entire lineup at Spec's. There aren't one or two options. Closer to 8 or 9. Most in the $125-150 range. Which one do i pick? I'm not spending over $1000 to get them all. 

Starting to notice whiskey brands mimicking the vodka world by offering too many products in order to dominate the shelf space. IMO it's not a well thought out plan. 

A year or two ago, I would just by the newest Disco they dropped if I saw it on a shelf. Now I don't know what the hell to do. 

And a year or two ago you were unlikely to find it more than 2-3 weeks after the drop. The "gotta catch em all" mentality definitely needs to be broken. That's the kind of shit that leads to all the hoarding and secondary market shenanigans. When it comes to Discovery, there is a finite amount of it they can make given that it's 100% sourced. So the line expansions of products that have comparable quality help to increase aggregate supply.

You seem to view this as a problem, where I view it as ideal. Sure, you have to do a little bit of homework to figure out which one bottle to buy, but at least you have options. 

[billfromlaketravis 11466]

I think Bardstown is in a tough spot. They’re of course transitioning from sourcing to distilling. I’d imagine this frayed their relationships with MGP and the big contract distillers in Kentucky. Probably why they had pick up barrels from Georgia. Origins was much better than that shit Smooth Ambler distilled in West Virginia, so they’re off to a good start. 

 

Hopefully they can produce a consistently good 8 year old and up high rye and wheated bourbon priced around $50. Origin High Rye Bourbon opened up pretty well and was a nice supper. The wheater needs some work. I like that they’re open to experimentation with the infrared and cherry wood finishes. There’s a lot to like there, but I’m currently fading Discovery. 
 

I loved Discovery 2-4. Bring it back! 

[billfromlaketravis 11466]

This is why I love this thread. Everybody has a soft spot for certain distillers. 
 

I love Jack. I acknowledge I got the Jack 2022 Special Release wrong. Damn that was good. It won’t happen again. 
 

Rich loves Bardstown. 

Greenspoint is off somewhere in the Heights boot chugging $200 bottles of Garrison Bros.

Party Taco is our resident DMV expert.

Yev is our pick guy. 

Bert is our dusty guy. 

BigD is hard to nail down given the size and variety of his collection. I’d say anything that pairs well with a cigar will get it done. 

[BigDHornfan 6547]

I love Whiskey.
My go to is MBSR. Love it.
I too love JD. Have my whole adult life.
I am also a Balcones Single Malt and a Bardstown whore.
I’ve got pretty much everything they have released except for the fusions. Those just weren’t my jam.
Been on a big Old Forester Barrel Strength SiB kick lately with cigars.
They pair nicely.

[billfromlaketravis 11466]

56 minutes ago, BigDHornfan said:

I love Whiskey.
My go to is MBSR. Love it.
I too love JD. Have my whole adult life.
I am also a Balcones Single Malt and a Bardstown whore.
I’ve got pretty much everything they have released except for the fusions. Those just weren’t my jam.
Been on a big Old Forester Barrel Strength SiB kick lately with cigars.
They pair nicely.

Yeah after refreshing my memory, I’d say the Michters Barrel Strength Rye is your bottle. Outstanding choice. I’m sad that I didn’t buy a couple cases when Village Liquor Houston had it behind the counter for $80. 

[RichUT 1832]

Rich loves Bardstown. 

And:

Still Austin
Bookers/Little Book
Barrell
Remus Repeal
Michter’s

Not to mention all the usual suspects.

I really only steer clear of Jack Daniel’s (the 12 year is good) and anything Elijah Craig.

[billfromlaketravis 11466]

5 minutes ago, RichUT said:

 

And:

Still Austin
Bookers/Little Book
Barrell
Remus Repeal
Michter’s

Not to mention all the usual suspects.

I really only steer clear of Jack Daniel’s (the 12 year is good) and anything Elijah Craig.

 

Yikes on Jack and EC. Different strokes for different folks. I feel we can work some trades.