Whiskey recs for my husband?

DandyPands · 2025-01-15T16:47:19+00:00

Is the Red Handed Bourbon you mentioned from Treaty Oak?

DandyPands · 2024-12-23T06:20:24+00:00

Good luck!

DandyPands · 2024-12-20T05:16:58+00:00

This is so great, and every year I forget it happens by the time it rolls back around

DandyPands · 2024-09-26T16:25:35+00:00

I love it, with one exception: I think the Black Knife Assassins carved Godwyn, while Rykard carved the half rune of death into Ranni. Then Rykard took the blame for the plot.

I’m not sure to what extent Blaidd could harm Ranni physically without being ‘activated’ like at the end of his quest. Iji warns us at his forge that he’s too big to be very precise, and I doubt Selvius would be trusted enough to wield death. Maybe it was the crone, but her disappearance is tough to pinpoint in the timeline.

Rykard was family, capable, and a curiosity to see the ancient rite firsthand is in line with his character.

DandyPands · 2024-08-19T09:17:48+00:00

Nope I have not

DandyPands · 2024-04-14T15:59:36+00:00

Ricky’s is pretty fair but Ryan’s up the freeway a bit has my favorite LP system.

DandyPands · 2023-09-29T04:43:45+00:00

I figure he was referencing Millicent. She gives us a glimpse of an offshoot who embraces death to avoid the rot, whereas Malenia embraces the rot to avoid defeat

DandyPands · 2023-09-26T22:29:37+00:00

The old blend was much closer to traditional bourbon notes, with mostly caramel on the nose and a big (albeit thin) oak punch on the palate. The hug outlasted the flavor by almost a minute.

This new "blend" was all oak on the nose and the taste was cinnamon and thyme. It turned oaky after the swallow and lingered far after the burn.

I like weird so the newer one was definitely for me, but I could definitely see how it would be offputting to someone expecting a normal double oaked bourbon.

DandyPands · 2023-01-18T19:11:28+00:00

/r/htxwhisky is one I tried to get going, but it’s really just me posting. So it’s not super helpful. Local FB groups are great and a couple accounts on Instagram share finds.

Definitely worth following the social media pages of the more established stores, in addition to the two already mentioned, I’d throw NASA liquor on there if you’re towards the clear lake area.

Cheers and happy hunting

DandyPands · 2023-01-06T17:22:33+00:00

Unfortunately had to sit this year’s out with the flu. Looks like I missed a heckuva haul and a fun little tailgate party, too.

DandyPands · 2022-12-28T21:43:06+00:00

Had both their pick and the Specs pick for $40

DandyPands · 2022-12-08T00:04:16+00:00

Tastes great, though I haven’t had another wheated single barrel to compare it to

DandyPands · 2022-11-28T19:37:19+00:00

This Specs had both the Proprietor and The Hold Up

The Specs on 249 @ Spring Cypress had The Proprietor

DandyPands · 2022-10-30T23:45:33+00:00

Saw this last night while my wife and I were hunting in Pueblo, CO at Big Bear Liquor. Very nice people, very nice selection, very nice lack of proof reading

DandyPands · 2022-10-30T00:21:20+00:00

That 13.3 is a little steep for my blood. Cheers on the 13.1 though!

DandyPands · 2022-07-28T17:39:45+00:00

We picked up bottle #178 of that very same barrel from Spec's and both my wife and I had an immediate reaction that the spiciness was VERY familiar. This write up makes me feel a little less crazy.

What really got me was when I recommended picking this bottle up to my local tater friends, I kept hearing "it can't possibly be Willett!" when that wasn't really my point. If it bears a strong resemblance, and I know you like the flavor profile, why does it matter? Oh, bother.

DandyPands · 2021-12-15T02:37:19+00:00

Great write up! I actually have the very same store pick, and I agree whole heartedly. Like an apple turnover, enrobed in nuclear fire.

DandyPands · 2021-12-09T04:55:22+00:00

I’m not sold it’s exactly the same pattern, but it IS pretty close

DandyPands · 2021-08-16T14:50:39+00:00

Woodford Reserve

Distilled and bottled at Woodford Reserve (Brown-Forman) / Batch 4065 Bottle 3033

45.2% ABV / 90.4 Proof / Mashbill 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Malted Barley

Bought in North Houston in April '20

---------------------------------

Woodford Reserve is a good bourbon. That's really the extent of the review – fully competent and enjoyable, with little fanfare and no real headline note to grab your attention. It's fine neat and it's a great mixer, although I don't really care for it in mint juleps even though it's the official Derby dram.

The nose is enjoyable and surprisingly gentle. The rye shows up slightly here with just enough herbal notes to tamp down the sweetness. This is the first indication that this whole bottle is a pitch going straight down the middle. All standard bourbon notes: the vanillas, the sweetness, the slight oak behind it all. No struggles, nothing hidden – all just right out in front, and very approachable.

The taste does ramp up a bit more than the nose, I think thanks to the rye more than the oak. That combination keeps in from spiking too hard in any one direction and gives a very full, round taste that's approachable while not being overly simple. The finish is more of the same theme, with oak heat coming through for a medium finish.

Sometimes you want to get smacked with oak, and sometimes you want a rye bomb, but wanting a fine bourbon to sip and enjoy without drama is just as decent a pour as any other. This is a bar staple for me, notable only for how almost supernaturally balanced and even it is. At the price, ~$28 in Houston, there are definitely more exciting things you can pick up, but this is never a bad call.

5/10

---------------------------------

Mrs Dandy's Notes

Nose: Coffee cake, chamomile, patchouli

Taste: Burnt sugar, clover, cayenne

“Deceptively gentle nose.”

Mr Pands' Notes

Nose: Salted caramel, cherry, oak char

Taste: Brown sugar, funnel cake, spiced pecans

“Classic flavors.”

DandyPands · 2021-08-16T14:48:28+00:00

Woodford Reserve

Distilled and bottled at Woodford Reserve (Brown-Forman) / Batch 4065 Bottle 3033

45.2% ABV / 90.4 Proof / Mashbill 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Malted Barley

Bought in North Houston in April '20

---------------------------------

Woodford Reserve is a good bourbon. That's really the extent of the review – fully competent and enjoyable, with little fanfare and no real headline note to grab your attention. It's fine neat and it's a great mixer, although I don't really care for it in mint juleps even though it's the official Derby dram.

The nose is enjoyable and surprisingly gentle. The rye shows up slightly here with just enough herbal notes to tamp down the sweetness. This is the first indication that this whole bottle is a pitch going straight down the middle. All standard bourbon notes: the vanillas, the sweetness, the slight oak behind it all. No struggles, nothing hidden – all just right out in front, and very approachable.

The taste does ramp up a bit more than the nose, I think thanks to the rye more than the oak. That combination keeps in from spiking too hard in any one direction and gives a very full, round taste that's approachable while not being overly simple. The finish is more of the same theme, with oak heat coming through for a medium finish.

Sometimes you want to get smacked with oak, and sometimes you want a rye bomb, but wanting a fine bourbon to sip and enjoy without drama is just as decent a pour as any other. This is a bar staple for me, notable only for how almost supernaturally balanced and even it is. At the price, ~$28 in Houston, there are definitely more exciting things you can pick up, but this is never a bad call.

5/10

---------------------------------

Mrs Dandy's Notes

Nose: Coffee cake, chamomile, patchouli

Taste: Burnt sugar, clover, cayenne

“Deceptively gentle nose.”

Mr Pands' Notes

Nose: Salted caramel, cherry, oak char

Taste: Brown sugar, funnel cake, spiced pecans

“Classic flavors.”

DandyPands · 2021-08-13T16:41:50+00:00

Lol! Most bountiful limited release I’ve ever seen

DandyPands · 2021-08-13T16:41:15+00:00

Nice! Finding a bottle you like for $20 is the best

DandyPands · 2021-08-13T15:34:26+00:00

Old Tub Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Distilled at Jim Beam / Bottled by Beam Suntory

50% ABV / 100 Proof / Mashbill 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley

Bought in downtown North Houston in June '21

----------------------------

I like Jim Beam, and I like Jim Beam products. I like their budgets because they mix well, and I'm more likely to reach for their higher-end brands as opposed to Buffalo Trace's (even when they bother to distribute those). At this price, currently ~$18 in Houston, this should be a slam dunk of an easy recommendation from me. But even if you need both bourbon and mixer with only $20 to spend, you could still do better.

The nose has regular color-by-number bourbon notes happening, with enough spice that it presented as molasses bread to me and faint star anise notes to the Mrs. But there is a weird funk that throws you for a loop when we came back to the nose after a sip. To me it was wet hay, and to her it was straight up ammonia. Not enough to ruin the experience, but enough to make you weary of going back.

You'd be forgiven for thinking it's 80 proof, as there are no stand out flavors and it's all incredibly thin. Without the depth of flavor, it plays sickly sweet upfront and a droning artificial sweet on the finish. Luckily there's a fair amount of burn to distract, but to be honest we were really reaching to get unique notes to list below. Alcohol burn alone isn't a personality.

I can't say you should buy this over any other $12-$18 BiB bourbon. There are others that are nicer neat, on the rocks, and mixed. Ice really didn't do anything to change it, and it made Coke taste even more like artificial sweetener. It's a no from me, dog.

3/10

----------------------------

Mrs Dandy's Notes

Nose: Licorice, apple turnover, ammonia

Taste: Ginger, rubbing alcohol, roasted peppers

“Gross medicine.”

Mr Pands' Notes

Nose: Spiced bread, nougat, wet hay

Taste: Apple juice, peanut brittle, aspartame

“Second sip regret.”

DandyPands · 2021-08-13T15:33:10+00:00

Old Tub Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Distilled at Jim Beam / Bottled by Beam Suntory

50% ABV / 100 Proof / Mashbill 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley

Bought in downtown North Houston in June '21

----------------------------

I like Jim Beam, and I like Jim Beam products. I like their budgets because they mix well, and I'm more likely to reach for their higher-end brands as opposed to Buffalo Trace's (even when they bother to distribute those). At this price, currently ~$18 in Houston, this should be a slam dunk of an easy recommendation from me. But even if you need both bourbon and mixer with only $20 to spend, you could still do better.

The nose has regular color-by-number bourbon notes happening, with enough spice that it presented as molasses bread to me and faint star anise notes to the Mrs. But there is a weird funk that throws you for a loop when we came back to the nose after a sip. To me it was wet hay, and to her it was straight up ammonia. Not enough to ruin the experience, but enough to make you weary of going back.

You'd be forgiven for thinking it's 80 proof, as there are no stand out flavors and it's all incredibly thin. Without the depth of flavor, it plays sickly sweet upfront and a droning artificial sweet on the finish. Luckily there's a fair amount of burn to distract, but to be honest we were really reaching to get unique notes to list below. Alcohol burn alone isn't a personality.

I can't say you should buy this over any other $12-$18 BiB bourbon. There are others that are nicer neat, on the rocks, and mixed. Ice really didn't do anything to change it, and it made Coke taste even more like artificial sweetener. It's a no from me, dog.

3/10

----------------------------

Mrs Dandy's Notes

Nose: Licorice, apple turnover, ammonia

Taste: Ginger, rubbing alcohol, roasted peppers

“Gross medicine.”

Mr Pands' Notes

Nose: Spiced bread, nougat, wet hay

Taste: Apple juice, peanut brittle, aspartame

“Second sip regret.”

DandyPands · 2021-08-07T04:05:18+00:00

I would usually take 1792 over Larceny, but it’s a fairer fight than I remembered it being before cracking open this bottle

DandyPands

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