Bourbon

[After irth 1243]

On 6/18/2024 at 8:32 PM, TxTower said:

Batch Proof? Don’t know but I had a nice Barrel Proof Father’s Day.

I made the exact same score just today.  Gonna be a good weekend!

[billfromlaketravis 11377]

The Knob Creek sweet spot remains elusive. Drinking some KC 12 100 proof, and it’s a slight improvement on Benchmark Bonded.

I gave KC 12 another shot because I really enjoyed a pour KC 9 100 proof Longhorn Steakhouse pick. I’d imagine it was significantly older than 9 years and from a honey barrel. 

I think the KC sweet spot is 13-15 years and 120 proof, but good luck finding it. 

[stork642 4498]

Picked these up today.  I’ll always grab an ER.  Been looking for OFSB for a long time.  

[billfromlaketravis 11377]

Pretty good. I think I bought a couple in the Spec’s 2021 drop.

[billfromlaketravis 11377]

Cheap stuff Olympics this afternoon.

- Roma Sazerac store pick

- OF100

- Benchmark Bonded 

I’ll report back on my findings. 

[billfromlaketravis 11377]

I should blind tastes, but I don’t take myself very seriously.

1) Saz pick

2) OF100

3) Benchmark Bonded

2 and 3 were a lot closer than I expected. I’d call it a near dead heat. Benchmark is cheaper. 

[billfromlaketravis 11377]

What the hell happened with Green River Barrel Proof?

I was waiting out their single barrel to be released, so I passed on BP. I looked today and BP was gone almost every store. 

[billfromlaketravis 11377]

Always solid. 
 

[USCATX 1075]

Little Book is great again this year if you’re into rye.  It’s not quite as good as last years PHC 10 year rye, but it’s also going to be way easier to find.  

[billfromlaketravis 11377]

Not too shabby for $50.

[BigDHornfan 6542]

wtf tapa.???

Edited July 28 by BigDHornfan
wtf tapatalk

[BigDHornfan 6542]

You know you have too much whiskey when you waste 3 hours on a Sunday dusting and rearranging bottles.

not pictured are the 2 barrels full of bottles.

 

[billfromlaketravis 11377]

Buy recommendations for both Green River Barrel Proof and Knob Creek Bourbon X Rye.

Green River BP is nothing special, but it’ll beat the doors off of Benchmark Full Proof.

KC Bourbon X Rye is pretty interesting, and one of the better blends I’ve tasted.

[Bozo_Casanova 26365]

On 7/19/2024 at 7:27 PM, billfromlaketravis said:

Always solid. 
 

+ ETL and Rock Hill Farms are among the only single barrels that lives up to the hype. 

[huge 3789]

How does the newer available Cigar Blend stack up for people that have had it going back?

I recently paid $214 at TW and the bottle is fantastic but I don't really know how it compares.  I had one taste 5 years ago and remember it being awesome but I cant compare the 2.

 

I like this better than Rebecca Creek 16 at about the same price point.

[billfromlaketravis 11377]

25 minutes ago, huge said:

How does the newer available Cigar Blend stack up for people that have had it going back?

I recently paid $214 at TW and the bottle is fantastic but I don't really know how it compares.  I had one taste 5 years ago and remember it being awesome but I cant compare the 2.

 

I like this better than Rebecca Creek 16 at about the same price point.

I wish I could help you out here. It’s been a couple years for me too. Specs had some in the case a couple weeks ago and I overlooked it. It didn’t job my memory until I sitting in the driveway. 

[billfromlaketravis 11377]

I’m liking it thus far. I wish they had aged it more than 7 years to create some separation between it and Heaven Hill BiB, but the mashbills are quite different. 
 

[stork642 4498]

Anyone tried the EC Rye yet?

[billfromlaketravis 11377]

1 minute ago, stork642 said:

Anyone tried the EC Rye yet?

The toasted barrel? I passed at Total today. 

[SurlyGator 862]

1 hour ago, stork642 said:

Anyone tried the EC Rye yet?

I made an OF with the regular EC rye for the first time tonight.  Quite good.  Not earth shattering, but better than a lot of others I have tried.

[Party_Taco 3689]

How does the newer available Cigar Blend stack up for people that have had it going back?
I recently paid $214 at TW and the bottle is fantastic but I don't really know how it compares.  I had one taste 5 years ago and remember it being awesome but I cant compare the 2.
 
I like this better than Rebecca Creek 16 at about the same price point.

It’s still quite good, just not AS good as previous years. The 2020 was just otherworldly IMO.

[Bozo_Casanova 26365]

3 hours ago, stork642 said:

Anyone tried the EC Rye yet?

It makes a nice Manhattan 

[billfromlaketravis 11377]

I’m probably a buy on a Grain to Glass, but only because Kosher High Rye doesn’t exist south of Kansas City. They’re comparable. 
 

The rye is so supposed to be a banger and the wheater has been reviewed well. Please more of this Kentucky. 

[BigDHornfan 6542]

Couple of great pickups this past week.
My club did an incredible EHT SiB pick and this year’s MBSR is solid.
This still remains my favorite non BTAC annual release.
 

 

Edited August 5 by BigDHornfan

[NOMAAA 1696]

Got that michters when I was home last week. Left it with my dad. Took the hh18 back to zona instead. 

[otisdog 365]

I opened a EHT Barrel Proof when my BIL was visiting, it was stunning, in a good way.

[huge 3789]

22 hours ago, BigDHornfan said:

Couple of great pickups this past week.
My club did an incredible EHT SiB pick and this year’s MBSR is solid.
This still remains my favorite non BTAC annual release.

I had an MBSR last night.  So very good.

[Derka 5999]

On 7/28/2024 at 3:47 PM, BigDHornfan said:

You know you have too much whiskey when you waste 3 hours on a Sunday dusting and rearranging bottles.

not pictured are the 2 barrels full of bottles.

 

yeah i have a pretty similar setup:

Spoiler

 

[Derka 5999]

i re-upped today. gonna be my first time trying buffalo trace. i’ve heard good things. bout to find out.

[billfromlaketravis 11377]

2 hours ago, Derka said:

i re-upped today. gonna be my first time trying buffalo trace. i’ve heard good things. bout to find out.

Look who’s back. BT’s rye is really good too, Sazerac. Look for store picks, they usually have a gold sticker. Usually better than your standard bottle and around the same price. 

[Derka 5999]

so far, for a $40 bottle this BT is 

[billfromlaketravis 11377]

You can’t do shit anymore with a business per diem, but BT remains my go to at most steakhouses. They usually price BT pours under $12, and it pairs well with steak, pork and lamb chops. Maybe you walk into a nice pick. Most places can’t make a bourbon cocktail to save their lives, so it’s a safer and cheaper choice. 

[billfromlaketravis 11377]

Solid.

[NOMAAA 1696]

On 8/8/2024 at 9:16 PM, Derka said:

so far, for a $40 bottle this BT is 

It’s $25 and everywhere out here in zona. Come visit and load up. 

[Txslnghrns 1352]

I’m a big turkey fan. Rare breed (both bourbon and rye) is my go to. Russels is greatness. Never disappoints. I have a bottle of RR13 but haven’t opened it yet. Waiting for a special moment. Ive had trouble finding Kentucky Spirit until recently. Now I’m hitting on it fairly regular. Tonight I finished the bottom of one and am gonna open another. This is really good.

[Party_Taco 3689]

I’m a big turkey fan. Rare breed (both bourbon and rye) is my go to. Russels is greatness. Never disappoints. I have a bottle of RR13 but haven’t opened it yet. Waiting for a special moment. Ive had trouble finding Kentucky Spirit until recently. Now I’m hitting on it fairly regular. Tonight I finished the bottom of one and am gonna open another. This is really good.

Amen… turkey never disappoints

[billfromlaketravis 11377]

The Spec’s 2023 pick of Kentucky Spirit was terrific. I’d say I wish I bought more, but they were north of $70.

[BigDHornfan 6542]

Fuck Total Wine

[HRSchenker 2260]

I've been out of the bourbon game for what feels like over a year. Is it still fucking impossible to find good stuff in DFW? Are they still limiting it to insiders? 

[Yev Kassem 1030]

48 minutes ago, BigDHornfan said:

Fuck Total Wine

Aren’t they just reacting to the MSRP?  In my experience TW is about as cheap as you can find a bottle. 

[BigDHornfan 6542]

14 minutes ago, Yev Kassem said:

Aren’t they just reacting to the MSRP?  In my experience TW is about as cheap as you can find a bottle. 

TW is definitely not the cheapest anymore.  they typically are about $5-10 more than specs on any given bottle based on my DFW area observations.
Last I saw, msrp was 60-65 on these.   but it's not worth anymore than $50 IMO.

[billfromlaketravis 11377]

The $75 Mckenna 10 is collecting dust at the busiest Total in Houston. Good. 

[Yev Kassem 1030]

4 hours ago, BigDHornfan said:

TW is definitely not the cheapest anymore.  they typically are about $5-10 more than specs on any given bottle based on my DFW area observations.
Last I saw, msrp was 60-65 on these.   but it's not worth anymore than $50 IMO.

Interesting. I’m in SA and TW is always cheaper than Spec’s down here. Agree that it’s not worth retail anymore. 

[billfromlaketravis 11377]

Total has some balls selling McKenna for $75. Evan Williams SiB is $35 and very similar. 

[BigDHornfan 6542]

Specs price on the Henry McKenna

Fuck Total Wine

[thrillhammer 683]

On 8/12/2024 at 8:15 PM, billfromlaketravis said:

Total has some balls selling McKenna for $75. Evan Williams SiB is $35 and very similar. 

lets agree to disagree.  their bib is about 4 yrs old.  i believe 10 yrs is the sweet spot for all bourbons, and would compare it to russells 10 (maybe not quite as good), or eagle rare 10 (definitely not as good).  those are all around the same price point.  the ewbib is about half that price so agree on the value at least.  now heaven hills old fitz, at 10 yrs, thats a steal at double the price of the mckenna.

[billfromlaketravis 11377]

28 minutes ago, thrillhammer said:

lets agree to disagree.  their bib is about 4 yrs old.  i believe 10 yrs is the sweet spot for all bourbons, and would compare it to russells 10 (maybe not quite as good), or eagle rare 10 (definitely not as good).  those are all around the same price point.  the ewbib is about half that price so agree on the value at least.  now heaven hills old fitz, at 10 yrs, thats a steal at double the price of the mckenna.

Long winded way of saying you don’t like EW SiB. Got it. 

[Bert Orange 1115]

44 minutes ago, thrillhammer said:

lets agree to disagree.  their bib is about 4 yrs old.  i believe 10 yrs is the sweet spot for all bourbons, and would compare it to russells 10 (maybe not quite as good), or eagle rare 10 (definitely not as good).  those are all around the same price point.  the ewbib is about half that price so agree on the value at least.  now heaven hills old fitz, at 10 yrs, thats a steal at double the price of the mckenna.

10 years is most definitely not the sweet spot for all bourbons. There is no such thing as an age sweet spot in application to any liquor. 

Ever try a 10 year Still Austin?

[thrillhammer 683]

19 minutes ago, billfromlaketravis said:

Long winded way of saying you don’t like EW SiB. Got it. 

its a gluttony of riches out there for bourbon lovers.  you can walk out of a liquor store empty-handed that has 3000 bottles of bourbon on the shelf and say they had nothing.  old grand dad is another one.  its not that they arent good bourbons, or that i dont like them, just the luxury of being selective and looking for something better.

[thrillhammer 683]

10 minutes ago, Bert Orange said:

10 years is most definitely not the sweet spot for all bourbons. There is no such thing as an age sweet spot in application to any liquor. 

Ever try a 10 year Still Austin?

never got the still love thats out there, but to each his own.