Bourbon

[NOMAAA 1696]

13 hours ago, BigDHornfan said:

Talk about shit whiskey

i hear it starts hot but has really soft notes but a weak finish.

Edited September 22, 2023 by NOMAAA

[billfromlaketravis 11510]

Liquor Source on San Felipe has an Elijah Craig store pick for $75. 129.9 proof, 10 years. Very solid store. They’ll treat you right. 

[burns_312 353]

Snagged an Antique for $61 and a Blantons for $92 this morning off the shelf. Hopefully the rest of the weekend plays out this way.

[USCATX 1078]

Time to crack this 13.5 yr Elijah Craig BP tonight.  I haven’t had one open in a minute and reviews haven’t been good. 

[NOMAAA 1696]

Pumping the proof back up again.  Nice

[Txslnghrns 1353]

I just continue to piggyback off all of the recommendations. This was the last bottle at Two Bucks liquor off of 35 in south FW. I asked if they carried it. Wasn’t with the RC products. The guy said, “Well. I guess we are out of it.” I actually walked right past it and my 9-year old daughter said, “This one says Rebecca Creek. Is it this one?” It was about 10-15 bottles down from all the other RC product. She got to pick a candy of her choice at the checkout line.

[KeysPhoneWallet 807]

That’s a good one

[Guest]

Finally got one of these.  Have looked in Dallas, San Antonio, LBK, AMA, Denver, and Cleveland-Akron to no avail.  Finally walked into my local shop this morning after a week in Ohio, and there are 4 bottles on the shelf, as if to say, 'we've been here the whole time!"

No you haven't bitches... but one a y'all comin home with me.

Now to decide when to open it.

[Bozo_Casanova 26474]

I'm going to say something I don't think I've said about a single barrel bourbon on this thread before - the Shaker pick of Stellum Cygnus is a contract SB that's actually worth it.  

Honey, Cinnamon, vanilla, clove, white toast.  DANGEROUS at cask strength. Run out and get it. 

[BigDHornfan 6549]

Bringing out a great one to toast my wife on our 12 yr anniversary

[Yev Kassem 1031]

On 9/23/2023 at 5:29 PM, slorch said:

Finally got one of these.  Have looked in Dallas, San Antonio, LBK, AMA, Denver, and Cleveland-Akron to no avail.  Finally walked into my local shop this morning after a week in Ohio, and there are 4 bottles on the shelf, as if to say, 'we've been here the whole time!"

No you haven't bitches... but one a y'all comin home with me.

Now to decide when to open it.

Haha thanks for using my pic in your post. The JD BP rye is a great pour. Enjoy!

Edited September 25, 2023 by Yev Kassem

[Carl Spackler 3485]

On 9/10/2023 at 9:55 AM, tokamak said:

Surly whiskey drinkers, what’s a good mid priced rye? My wife has gotten into Manhattans in a big way. She’s been drinking Bulleit, but I started googling and looks like it’s just made in a big factory in Indiana with a bunch of other brands. Feels like fuckery to me. What can I get that’s more authentic in that price range?

I don't drink a ton of straight rye, so I don't have the comparison baselines that some other posters have.  That said, the Frey Ranch straight rye ($50-60) has grown on me.  The nose is still funky, but I've grown to like how it tastes after initially thinking it was merely okay.  I get a fair amount of caramel and vanilla, which suits me. 

And as an added bonus, the bottle can be used as a weapon once you drink the juice.  Seriously, whacking someone upside the head with that heavy bottle might kill a mofo.

[BigDHornfan 6549]

I don't drink a ton of straight rye, so I don't have the comparison baselines that some other posters have.  That said, the Frey Ranch straight rye ($50-60) has grown on me.  The nose is still funky, but I've grown to like how it tastes after initially thinking it was merely okay.  I get a fair amount of caramel and vanilla, which suits me. 
And as an added bonus, the bottle can be used as a weapon once you drink the juice.  Seriously, whacking someone upside the head with that heavy bottle might kill a mofo.

An empty Frey Ranch bottle weighs the same as a full Weller bottle.

Killed a great one tonight.

[Carl Spackler 3485]

26 minutes ago, BigDHornfan said:

An empty Frey Ranch bottle weighs the same as a full Weller bottle.

I believe it.

[billfromlaketravis 11510]

I still haven’t seen the Old Forester SiBBP Rye in the wild. The last time I even heard about it in Houston was when Spec’s Midtown got a 6 pack a few years ago. 

[Party_Taco 3734]

I still haven’t seen the Old Forester SiBBP Rye in the wild. The last time I even heard about it in Houston was when Spec’s Midtown got a 6 pack a few years ago. 

Only seent it twice and walked away happy both times despite paying MSRP for one and $225 for another.

[RichUT 1832]

I still haven’t seen the Old Forester SiBBP Rye in the wild. The last time I even heard about it in Houston was when Spec’s Midtown got a 6 pack a few years ago. 

Oak Liquor got a case and posted it to Instagram about a month back. I was shocked to see Raj just offer it up to the world like that. I got up there in time to scoop one but they were gone in a flash.

[huge 3793]

The one I got is gasoline.  Reminds me of early Stagg Jr.  I need to revisit.

[tokamak 6431]

Y'all are really out here drinking 130 proof whiskey neat? That's some manly shit.

[BigDHornfan 6549]

shit at this point, I piss 115

[Herbie Hancock 7357]

shit at this point, I piss 115

You could probably bottle that and sell it to our resident tater as long as Fred Minnick or Texags has something nice to say about it.

[BigDHornfan 6549]

Not quite 130 but it’s damn good neat.
Herbie can testify to the goodness of the Blue Gill.

[billfromlaketravis 11510]

10 hours ago, huge said:

The one I got is gasoline.  Reminds me of early Stagg Jr.  I need to revisit.

I’m starting to wonder if 110 proof is the sweet for a barrel strength rye? That’s the proof of everybody’s favorite Michter’s. 

Handy is a notable exception. JD Special Special Release Rye was also great. 

I’m cooling on the JD SiBBP Rye which is north of 130 proof. The last couple bottles I’ve opened have tasted very hot and young. 

I do enjoy most high proof bourbons.

[Party_Taco 3734]

I’m starting to wonder if 110 proof is the sweet for a barrel strength rye? That’s the proof of everybody’s favorite Michter’s. 
Handy is a notable exception. JD Special Special Release Rye was also great. 
I’m cooling on the JD SiBBP Rye which is north of 130 proof. The last couple bottles I’ve opened have tasted very hot and young. 

I do enjoy most high proof bourbons.

First one I had was around 118 and I thought it was perfect. Second is right around this 130 mark and I have yet to open her up. First is a Zykan special and the latter most certainly isn’t, though I’ve softened on her “impact”.

Honestly, it takes a lot for me to crack anything north of 115 on a weeknight.

[huge 3793]

Most of my pours at home are not neat.  

[Longhornfan1024 1707]

Won a bottle of KC18 in the TW lottery. KC hits my pallette just right so I'm looking forward to trying it.

[BigDHornfan 6549]

The fact that’s a prize winning bottle just solidifies Total Wine.

[stork642 4498]

Quick trip to Dallas and found this sitting on the shelf at Preston Rd Spec’s.  Spec’s isn’t totally worthless I guess.   There were at least 2-3 more FYI.  

[Longhornfan1024 1707]

15 hours ago, BigDHornfan said:

The fact that’s a prize winning bottle just solidifies Total Wine.

I'm not going to complain.  I can't even find a bottle of KC12 on the shelf anymore and I'm pretty sure the days of higher age statement single barrels are over.    

[Jimbaround 975]

Most of my pours at home are not neat.  

You usually mix with Fanta right?

[4th&Five 41558]

[huge 3793]

1 hour ago, Jimbaround said:

You usually mix with Fanta right?

diet Mountain Dew Baja Blast

[billfromlaketravis 11510]

I cracked the Liquor Source ECBP this evening. 
 

[billfromlaketravis 11510]

Quite good. Nice oak, some cherry upfront, appropriate amount of burn on the finish. Everything you’d expect in a good ECBP pick. 
 

I love the edition to EC’s lineup. I don’t have to hunt the A,B, and C barrel proof releases. If I really want Blackwells has them for $20 mark up, or I’m content in just drinking store picks. 

[huge 3793]

36 minutes ago, billfromlaketravis said:

Quite good. Nice oak, some cherry upfront, appropriate amount of burn on the finish. Everything you’d expect in a good ECBP pick. 
 

I love the edition to EC’s lineup. I don’t have to hunt the A,B, and C barrel proof releases. If I really want Blackwells has them for $20 mark up, or I’m content in just drinking store picks. 

Premier has ECBP for $150 but the private for $70.

 

12 vs 8 on the age statement but I've enjoyed the 8 I bought.

[billfromlaketravis 11510]

1 minute ago, huge said:

Premier has ECBP for $150 but the private for $70.

 

12 vs 8 on the age statement but I've enjoyed the 8 I bought.

The Premier guy has jumped the shark. It was once a pretty good store. 

[huge 3793]

14 hours ago, billfromlaketravis said:

The Premier guy has jumped the shark. It was once a pretty good store. 

What, you dont like seeing Knob Creek 20 on the shelf for $1499?

[BigDHornfan 6549]

Forgot how good this one is.

[BigDHornfan 6549]

Old Forester
king ranch has hit again
With a $20 price hike.

[TxTower 652]

I’m starting to wonder if 110 proof is the sweet for a barrel strength rye? That’s the proof of everybody’s favorite Michter’s. 
Handy is a notable exception. JD Special Special Release Rye was also great. 
I’m cooling on the JD SiBBP Rye which is north of 130 proof. The last couple bottles I’ve opened have tasted very hot and young. 

I do enjoy most high proof bourbons.

Looks like the JDSiBBP Rye finally hitting shelves in Texas. Looks young and hot. Pass.

Based on your rec, I triedJDSiB store picks and liked them. Will look for those.

[billfromlaketravis 11510]

1 hour ago, BigDHornfan said:

Old Forester
king ranch has hit again
With a $20 price hike.

Yikes. $90 now right?

[Buzzrock 14922]

It’s not always about the high dollar bottles.

But damn I’m jelly of yall finding Blanton’s Gold. Maybe my all timer. And I think SiB is kind of unremarkable.

[BigDHornfan 6549]

Yikes. $90 now right?

TW has it for $70
GG has it for $86. wtf gg?

I paid $49 for the first batch at specs last year

[H_Boogie 80]

TW has it for $70
GG has it for $86. wtf gg?

I paid $49 for the first batch at specs last year

Man, going to cut down on those out of state margins! Is it still limited release? I never grabbed one myself but was actually impressed with the tastes I had.

[billfromlaketravis 11510]

4 minutes ago, H_Boogie said:

Man, going to cut down on those out of state margins! Is it still limited release? I never grabbed one myself but was actually impressed with the tastes I had.

It was always $70 at Spec’s Houston. I think I bought 1 of the first 6 they put on the shelf. 
 

Boogie, it’s a Texas only release, not supposed to be limited, and OF says it’s in the permanent lineup. However, given that’s 7 years old and 105 proof Old Forester, it’s been damn hard to find. I love it. 

[billfromlaketravis 11510]

42 minutes ago, TxTower said:

Looks like the JDSiBBP Rye finally hitting shelves in Texas. Looks young and hot. Pass.

Based on your rec, I triedJDSiB store picks and liked them. Will look for those.

I’m not ready to write JDSiBBP Rye just yet. I do think it needs to breathe some. I drank some two weeks ago, and revisited it this past weekend. It was quite good. I think a wider glass than a Glencairn helps some too. 
 

Norlan is quite good, but any bar glass will work. 

[BurgleBro 795]

Not bourbon but tried this guy out: 

https://www.frootbat.com/product/4833153/Hakata-12-Year-Old-Sherry-Cask-Whisky-750ml-Bottle/united-states?oid=4&affid=2

 

Was not ready for this.  Maybe should have tried the 10 first.  Had to sip on it with an ice ball.  

Anyone tried? 

 

Apparently too strong for them to sell in Japan bc of shochu rules so only sold here. 

 

[Carl Spackler 3485]

1 hour ago, Buzzrock said:

It’s not always about the high dollar bottles.

But damn I’m jelly of yall finding Blanton’s Gold. Maybe my all timer. And I think SiB is kind of unremarkable.

I've got a bottle of the 100 proof VOB.  It's very respectable for its price and a good mixer.  I don't think I've had the 90.  And OGD 114 always punches well above its price.

[BigDHornfan 6549]

Bill,
You got a pappy 20?
You could get 18 King Ranch’s

[billfromlaketravis 11510]

2 hours ago, BigDHornfan said:

Bill,
You got a pappy 20?
You could get 18 King Ranch’s

I played some roulette with Total’s online store tonight and lost. They let me check out with a couple bottles of King Ranch and cancelled my order about 5 minutes later. 
 

Bold move by that fella to buy 3 cases of King Ranch. I don’t think it’ll ever be a shelf turd, but it should be easier to find than the OF single barrels. 

Edited October 4, 2023 by billfromlaketravis