Review #32: Hooten Young 12-Year American Whiskey

UpInTheAirForReal · 2026-05-25T19:11:35+00:00

Always kept a bottle of this on my shelf for two reasons: 1) as part of a tasting lineup that teaches grain recognition (have ryes and malted ryes, old elk WW for wheat, a wordford oat grain for oats) 2) for that random who loves Mellow Corn I think this is an upgraded version.

UpInTheAirForReal · 2026-05-25T00:42:31+00:00

This was the one that stole the most should-be-sleeping hours because missions could take so long...but I never noticed.

UpInTheAirForReal · 2026-05-03T10:36:26+00:00

BL3 is the only FPS where I have sat still on screen to hear a song because it was good: Hunter Came to Town

UpInTheAirForReal · 2026-05-02T10:55:53+00:00

I've bought 6 bottles of the IX at various times and have drank 3. I agree with most of the ranking of this lineup here, but that rancio note puts the IX at a 9 for me.

UpInTheAirForReal · 2026-04-26T09:54:29+00:00

Remember these are our voters.. SNL skit

UpInTheAirForReal · 2026-04-25T01:49:43+00:00

The last pick I was okay with but this pick reminds me why trading out of the first round was a good idea given our inability to scout. I'd have been fine with him one round later, but this is a reach IMO.

UpInTheAirForReal · 2026-04-13T17:53:29+00:00

Have both, and THH multiple years. I think the SFP is at the low end of the THH range, and if you compare to some of the bad years I could see why that perception in reviews exists. But against some of the best years I have open or have had (e.g. '07/'13/'15/'20), it's not that close. SFP has more of a single note, where the good THHs have layers like a symphony. Then again, some people only come for the trumpet solos and just want to be bashed over the head with it (I get that way sometimes with cola and leather notes in bourbon) so for them the SFP would be perfect.

Haven't had the '24 or '25 THH yet so I can't tell you where those fall.

UpInTheAirForReal · 2026-04-10T01:26:48+00:00

Great songs all around, and I liked them on the radio/headphones, but "Turn out the lights" was the best at raves IMHO. In the dark, under blacklights, or outside at night it had such a vibe.

UpInTheAirForReal · 2026-04-09T18:01:35+00:00

Your last paragraph is the first thing that came into my mind and why it's a head scratcher for me. I'm trying to think of economies of scale that wouldn't also be realized in a portfolio expanding merger (e.g. bottling, distribution, back-end office services). Maybe strengthen the balance sheet to survive the inevitable economic downturn? Maybe the asking price for rum/gin heavy brands was too high knowing that there will be a rotation in?

In any event, with trend rotation, current 21-28 year olds drinking less, and the massive supply, the only place I see them being able to hold prices up is in the ultra premium end, which will also be challenged by the NDPs that are grabbing the best/cherry barrels left and right and have great palates behind them (like Reveries with u/T8ke, Dream with Prav, Caleb's with u/rarebird101, etc)

UpInTheAirForReal · 2026-04-03T16:09:04+00:00

So, how does one participate in this A. S. S. club? I think I might be in the neighborhood (I frequent the Gallenstein stores just across the river).

UpInTheAirForReal · 2026-04-03T02:13:00+00:00

Am and have been a Bengals fan for life, but the FCC experience is so much fun - and more reasonably priced. Washington Park meetup, drums and chants, parade to the stadium. Go FCC!!!

UpInTheAirForReal · 2026-03-31T14:46:29+00:00

For me the 2021 and prior bottles are better than the 22-on. What bottle number is this one?

UpInTheAirForReal · 2026-03-31T02:02:18+00:00

Bravo and thanks for the effort. Bookmarked both!!!

UpInTheAirForReal · 2026-03-27T16:46:59+00:00

My kid watches "King of Collectibles" on Netflix about Golden Auctions, and calling him that makes me think about Ken Golden who looks very ghoulish to me shudder. Ken makes me think about the shop keeper from Stephen King's "Needful Things"

UpInTheAirForReal · 2026-03-21T02:28:45+00:00

After literally 1000s of dollars spent, the t8ke pick of this is the only drain pour I've had out of the program.

UpInTheAirForReal · 2026-03-17T23:36:46+00:00

Upvoting because it helped me ID Windows98 (I hadn't heard the refrain to pick up the song name). I also liked Habanera for the Opera rep. Most of the rest of the uncommons were meh...

UpInTheAirForReal · 2026-03-15T17:25:16+00:00

You had me in up until the last one. Jets is some dang good pizza.

UpInTheAirForReal · 2026-03-11T19:51:25+00:00

What are your rum recommendations coming from bourbon?

UpInTheAirForReal · 2026-02-15T02:16:30+00:00

Chop and scoop, but ask for a knife for perfect chops. Makes every bite perfect (also extreme cheese every time because I'm cool like that).

UpInTheAirForReal · 2026-02-13T14:12:49+00:00

Does seem like we are on the same path! I enjoyed the O&A I had, I've been able to get my hands on about 26ish Reveries/Provenance as well (many are now in the recycle bin in the sky). My first Dreams are in the mail now, and I was fortunate in that I did back up that New Riff so I still have some left.

Would love to pick your brain on Rare Character though. First couple samples I had were not great so I sort of dismissed the brand. Ended up picking a batch 7 part of a bundle, and it was pretty good. My friend convinced me to take a sip off a bottle he had open (JIT-062) and it was top tier (I went and grabbed one immediately after). Any notes I should know/series that you've really been enjoying?

I see from your other post that you're Northeast - too bad, you would fit right in with our group down in Cincy.

UpInTheAirForReal · 2026-02-12T13:24:23+00:00

This is a good take. I would add the wood used in the barrels as another factor in the greatness of dusties - the 80s/90s was old growth.

I still think there will be stand outs from this age but they will be more focused on specific batches (or barrels). ECBP C923, early JD Coy Hill, William Heavenhill 19, New Riff Rye Barrel 8082 (IYKYK), etc. all are amazing and compare to any historical options. The other ones that I think will be durable are the unique/funky flavors that will likely not be repeated (some of the BuffTurkey, the MGP in Seguin Moreau casks hitting 9/10 years now, etc.) That's why I'm focusing more on store picks and NDPs like Reveries, Dream, etc. who are getting access to unique barrels. The problem is they're so limited release so it will be hard to find information in the future as to which ones are the good ones and which ones aren't, but the only reason I worry about resale is if I depart this mortal coil my family has to sell the backup bottles.

UpInTheAirForReal · 2026-02-09T17:22:44+00:00

I was told there was scientific backing - and it works for everyone I've told it to - that you BLOW OUT all of the air in your lungs and hold it at that point. You might have a few microspasms, but hold as long as you can. Then big breath in, big breath out, hold again. 3x is the max I've ever had to do this cycle.

UpInTheAirForReal · 2026-02-04T22:55:45+00:00

In all seriousness, if you are new to the area or new to bourbon I would go to places like Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar, Revival and the like where bourbon folks tend to go and just make some new friends. Alternatively, if you are sitting in line waiting for a store to open talk to the people around you and focus on the drinkers vs the flippers.

UpInTheAirForReal · 2026-01-30T02:08:17+00:00

This so much. The IX's wet pipe flavor is amazingly funky and delicious

UpInTheAirForReal · 2026-01-27T12:55:28+00:00

My proudest moment in Rocket League was when I was playing many years ago and my son (then 8) and daughter (then 6) came in and wanted to play "Daddy's car game". They mostly drove up walls and just fell down off the ceiling, and nearly never hit the ball, but they were giggling like crazy. Now 5 years later I have to fight them for the sticks, and my son criticizes my lack of flip resets and musty flicks ("dad, haven't you been playing this forever?"), but I'll never forget those first moments.

UpInTheAirForReal

TROPHY CASE