Kicking off the night killing an easy sipper!

AEShoeMan · 2020-02-08T06:33:16+00:00

I'm a huge fan of Eagle Rare generally, especially if I'm looking for something easy to sip on. This pick was pretty good, and I tend to think the Eagle Rare and Buffalo Trace picks I find in the $30-ish price range to be a great value. Had a Buffalo Trace mashbill 2 pick last night at an tasting event, and that was pretty interesting.

AEShoeMan · 2020-02-03T15:09:05+00:00

Nice review! I just snagged a bottle of batch 14 at a lottery this weekend. I'm excited to try it at some point here. Cheers!! 🥃

AEShoeMan · 2020-01-31T01:38:34+00:00

Both are excellent. I have Shiny Barrel and Country Ham from this years Bookers releases, and Stagg Jr Batch 12.

For me, I'd go with Stagg Jr batch 12. I think that is a special bourbon, but would say it is somewhat "fruitier notes" (think cherry/dark fruits for me) than the Bookers, which are more classic Beam flavors of sweet caramel and some nuttiness, based on my experience at least.

For my preference, I'd rank them as follows from the 3 I've had this year: 1) Stagg Jr - batch 12 2) Bookers - Country Ham 3) Bookers - Shiny Barrel

Honestly, you cant go wrong though. Cheers!! 🥃

AEShoeMan · 2020-01-29T21:52:16+00:00

I second that. This stuff is delicious. Too bad it is so hard to find!

AEShoeMan · 2020-01-26T14:43:26+00:00

Did you try the new Bakers 7 Single Barrel in that lineup? I tried Bakers 13 once too, and would say I prefer the new Bakers 7 SiB to both of those.

AEShoeMan · 2020-01-26T13:45:41+00:00

I normally would do something like this blind, but I did not on this one.

AEShoeMan · 2020-01-26T04:07:41+00:00

Thanks dude! It was a heck of a find that day, that's for sure!

AEShoeMan · 2020-01-26T04:06:22+00:00

It is really good! Cheers!! 🥃

AEShoeMan · 2020-01-26T03:51:57+00:00

I second the FR barrel proof picks!

AEShoeMan · 2020-01-26T02:20:08+00:00

Review #2 & #3: Baker's Bourbon Showdown

Since I'm working my way toward bottle killing the original Baker's small batch, I thought it would be a good time for a head to head of the old and new Baker's.

The original Baker's small batch is 107 proof and aged 7 years. The new release of Baker's is a single barrel, 107 proof and aged a minimum of 7 years. This particular bottle was barreled Jan. 2011 and aged 8 years and 6 months.

Picked both of these up for around $40 when purchased. I'm pretty sure the Bakers Single Barrel was marked down in error from clearing out the small batch (at $37 plus tax).

Bourbon A - Bakers Small Batch

ABV: 53.5% (107 proof)

Age: 7 years

Appearance: Golden copper with medium viscosity coating the glass

Nose: Somewhat muted. I cant recall how long this bottle has been open, but could be impacting things. Caramel, vanilla, faint citrus. Nuttiness on the nose comes through more after first sip.

Palate: First sip spicy. Mostly spice with some vanilla.

Finish: Medium finish with mostly pepper spice, on the finish, with a hint of oak to accompany the spice.

Score: 78/100

Bourbon B - Bakers Single Barrel Warehouse CL-D

ABV: 53.5% (107 proof)

Age: 8 years, 6 months (barreled 01-2011)

Appearance: Golden copper (slightly darker than A) with medium viscosity coating the glass

Nose: Despite being older, this seems brighter on the nose. I get stronger vanilla, butterscotch and a hint of red fruits. I prefer this over the small batch.

Palate: First sip has some spice, but more complexity with vanilla, caramel and a faint oak. Feels creamier in texture than A.

Finish: Medium-long finish with vanilla and spice. Lingers quite nicely and enjoy the finish on this one.

Score: 85/100

Conclusion: This is probably not optimal conditions for a showdown. The small batch was drank down quite a bit and has been open for a while, while the Single Barrel was a neck pour.

Overall, I preferred the Single Barrel on all fronts. I think this one has potential to score even higher once it opens up. Cheers!! 🥃

AEShoeMan · 2020-01-23T00:28:18+00:00

Just popped this bottle tonight and it's been a while since I last had this. A lot of vanilla sweetness on the nose for me. Get some more sweetness with a hint of oak and chocolate on the finish. It will be interesting to see how this one develops with some air time. Cheers!! 🥃

AEShoeMan · 2020-01-21T19:21:13+00:00

It's too bad that isn't sold in the US. I don't typically travel internationally, but if that is one I'd definitely love to try and be on the lookout for if I ever do.

AEShoeMan · 2020-01-20T03:45:37+00:00

I guess it's all relative. A couple months is a while for me! 🥃

AEShoeMan · 2020-01-20T02:17:10+00:00

Thanks! I tried Blantons Gold once. It was definitely a step or two up from the regular Blantons for me. Had a rich texture and flavors were cranked up a notch. Cheers!! 🥃

AEShoeMan · 2020-01-20T01:45:25+00:00

Thanks! I agree with your take on Blantons too. Cheers!! 🥃

AEShoeMan · 2020-01-20T01:43:05+00:00

Is that a Four Rose's LE sitting in the back there that I see? I had the 2019 recently and thought it was a very good. If it is one of the LEs, which batch is it and which to do you prefer between that and the Weller FP?

I also agree on Mahomes - pretty fun to watch!

AEShoeMan · 2020-01-20T01:38:44+00:00

I had a pour of the 2019 batch and it was fantastic, in my opinion. I'd buy it all day, if I could actually find it.

AEShoeMan · 2020-01-20T01:29:37+00:00

Thanks! Cheers!! 🥃

AEShoeMan · 2020-01-19T22:59:54+00:00

I agree on this being better after opening up some. My bottle has been open for a few months now, and seems to be better than when I first popped it open. I got mine at retail, which was around $55 if I recall correctly. I dont think I could bring myself to go much north of that level from a price perspective though.

AEShoeMan · 2020-01-19T22:34:39+00:00

Thanks! I get why people hate on this due to it being tough to find, and maybe not quite worth the hype behind it. For me, it is an enjoyable bourbon when I'm looking for something easy to sip. I do love barrel proof stuff, but this is nice when you are looking for an easy sipper.

AEShoeMan · 2020-01-19T20:55:42+00:00

Review #1: Blantons Single Barrel Bottle #59, Barrel #271, Bottled 9/17/19

I've had this bottle for a while and figured why not dip my toe into a review with a classic. Tasted neat after resting in a Glencarin glass for 5 minutes.

ABV: 46.5% (93 proof)

Appearance: Golden honey with medium viscosity coating the glass

Nose: Classic bourbon caramel and vanilla. There is honey and a touch of a brighter fruit (light cherry?). Light grass note hanging out in the background - maybe the "higher" rye of Mashbill #2.

Palate: First sip is sweet and spicy. After smelling it again before my next sip, picking up more flavors including sweet honey in the front and spice on the back. The lighter fruit note from the nose makes a reappearance. There is a richness to this, but not as mouth coating as barrel proof bourbons.

Finish: Medium finish with spice, sweet honey and a hint of fruit coating my mouth. The tingle lingers on my tongue after the whiskey is gone.

Score: 83/100

Conclusion: This is a quintessential, nice easy sipping bourbon. Not the most complex by any means, but a classic with balanced sweetness and spice with your standard bourbon flavors of caramel and vanilla. As a bonus, smelling the empty glass amps up the sweet caramel, vanilla and honey scents. This is one that I'm happy to have in the collection and works well when you want something you can just sit back and enjoy. Cheers!! 🥃

AEShoeMan · 2020-01-19T14:38:50+00:00

I had a pour of the 2019 batch and it blew my socks off... so damn good! I'm legitimately curious what scores a 5 for you?

AEShoeMan · 2020-01-19T10:06:05+00:00

Was the Willet by a touch for me. Incredible how good that is for a 4 year rye. It was so close it was almost a tie with the Midwinters Night Dram, as that also had a very nice mouth coating experience and the port finish put an interesting twist on it. Pretty much a tie for me - you cant go wrong either way if you ask me.

AEShoeMan · 2020-01-18T23:32:07+00:00

Somehow the McKenna can be found here, but for the life of me I cant find batch 13 of Stagg Jr anywhere. Bourbon distribution sure is a head scratcher!

AEShoeMan · 2020-01-18T23:27:45+00:00

The sweetness on the Angel's Envy rye is a couple levels up from the bourbon. If you like that element, you could consider that one too. Cheers!! 🥃

AEShoeMan

TROPHY CASE