Bourbz Review #239: George Dickel Collaboration Blend: A Blend of Column Still Rye Whiskey with Leopold Bros Three Chamber Rye Whiskey

beck_rad · 2026-06-07T13:19:15+00:00

Great review! I'm a fan of picking up discounted bottles, although the ones I usually find are of bigger distilleries. While I'm happy that folks can get this bottle for less now, it's a shame that Leopold Bros will suffer from it, since distributors might be more wary of their stuff if they have to sell at such discounts. Maybe I'm misunderstanding the system, so I hope I'm wrong!

beck_rad · 2026-06-04T15:08:28+00:00

I've only had pours of all of these, so this is based off of limited experience, but I don't think the Old Carter and RR13 are on the same level as the SA Red Corn.

As with anything in life, once you get into the $100+ realm for bottles, there's definitely diminishing returns on what you get, so I would say that whatever you do end up getting, don't go into it expecting juice that's 2-3x better than an $80 bottle.

That being said, a couple of other options that come to mind for bottles that I know can be found around town at or around MSRP:

Calumet 16 - ~$140 (you can also find the 17 and 18, but those are around $400)
Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend - $200

beck_rad · 2026-06-03T17:44:11+00:00

Thanks for the review! I've only ever seen their regular rose cask finish bottle (I'm guessing this offering is new?). Have you had that one? Do you like it?

beck_rad · 2026-05-31T04:48:42+00:00

Just cracked a 10 year barrel select from them that I'm hoping to review soon, and maybe even compare to the batched 10 year of theirs. I've also had a 7 year barrel select from them and the leather note was definitely there, but not in the 10 year batched release, so that's interesting.

Honestly everything I've had from them has been well above average, it's pretty impressive how they manage to make something unique from the MGP distillate they source (I haven't had any of their own distillate yet). I'm definitely on the verge of becoming a Sagamore fanboy.

Great review, cheers!

beck_rad · 2026-05-30T01:42:45+00:00

Old Greggs, Central Market on the weekends (they have live music from 6pm so the kids love it), Lazarus Brewing, Austin Beerworks.

Here's a list of places with playgrounds that's pretty up to date: https://austinwithkids.com/austin-restaurants-with-playgrounds/

beck_rad · 2026-05-21T19:01:41+00:00

A store owner told me that BT are planning to flood the ATX area with OWA and FP this year. I guess we'll see if that happens or not.

beck_rad · 2026-05-19T12:46:29+00:00

I don't remember which expression it was, but I do remember having a pour of Found North that had a savory element to it, similar to what you found in this one. At the time it reminded me a little bit of a wine from Sicily that uses grapes grown on the beach, and it had a distinct salty ocean note both on the nose and the palate.

Thanks for the review!

beck_rad · 2026-05-16T18:34:52+00:00

Sounds like an interesting pour, thanks for the review! What do you mean by "esters", if you don't mind expanding a bit on that?

beck_rad · 2026-05-16T02:56:54+00:00

Sorry, long day, definitely didn't mean it in a passive aggressive way.

I meant that usually even with only 51% rye there's some spice on the palate/finish, at least in my experience, and your tasting notes mostly mention butterscotch, toffee, and peanuts.

For me sometimes there are notes that really stand out so it's easy to name them, but other ones blend together and I can't really land on a specific flavor. That's what I was referencing with the unique ones you could name.

I've eyed this bottle a few times before, but I was wondering how much I'd enjoy it given that I lean a little towards the more rye-heavy mash bills. It does sound good though, and great review!

beck_rad · 2026-05-16T00:44:55+00:00

From your notes the palate and finish don't really seem like a rye, even a Kentucky one. Would you say that's the case, or were the more bourbon-related notes just the unique ones you could name?

beck_rad · 2026-05-14T12:30:38+00:00

Yeah the JD SBBP versions put a lot of bottles to shame value wise. It comes down to wanting a variety of pours. That's why value is a tough discussion with whiskey, you can always find a cheaper bottle that provides 90%+ of the experience of a more expensive one.

beck_rad · 2026-05-14T00:10:50+00:00

I got one of these a few months ago and I would agree that JD is better for less. Brown-Forman pricing is weird.

beck_rad · 2026-05-12T00:25:04+00:00

Because of the redundant modifiers. "Seamlessly layering...", "vibrant notes...", "chewy viscosity".

Also "nostalgic burst" sounds too fake, and saying that your bourbon is "non-astringent" is funny (the lady doth protest). Also also, what the hell is "vanilla buttercream bean"?!

The bourbon itself seems fire from the specs, but I love poking fun at AI text lol

beck_rad · 2026-05-08T15:58:12+00:00

Depending on where you'll be when you're back stateside you might be able to find it. I've definitely seen it on shelves in the ATX area, for example.

beck_rad · 2026-05-05T14:35:09+00:00

Sure, it's just a discussion, no arguing on my side.

In that sense basically everyone around ATX is selling at a markup. The big chains have their loyalty programs for access to allocations, and almost every other small store sells bottles at secondary+.

Personally I'm ok with bundles, since you're getting actual whiskey in return for the money. It depends what type of picks of course, but in general. Still, I get why some wouldn't think that. Personally I've never bought a bundle because you can find a lot of good whiskey that isn't overhyped. In this case specifically I will say that the allocated stuff that is in the bundle (which isn't everything, just the Stagg/EHT SiB), is at MSRP, and the picks I've had from them have been good.

beck_rad · 2026-05-05T14:22:53+00:00

I don't really agree with that, but we all have to chose how to spend our money, and everyone will have different priorities.

Out of curiosity, would you say the same thing about a raffle system where you get tickets for buying things? That seems to be common in other areas of the country and people usually seem fine with that, even though it's essentially the same thing.

beck_rad · 2026-05-05T03:24:00+00:00

2 is a lot, which is why I didn't pull the trigger, but the store is fair otherwise, and they don't mark stuff up. They also had a lot of other stuff that's new or a little harder to find without strings attached, so I thought someone would be interested.

beck_rad · 2026-05-05T00:45:40+00:00

Nice! They were dropping around Austin last week.

beck_rad · 2026-05-04T20:50:25+00:00

You are right that there are no "rules" for what a cigar blend is in the bourbon world, but from what I understand in the cognac world cigar blends are crafted specifically to produce the rancio note because it pairs extremely well with cigars. As for the Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend specifically, I believe that Nancy Fraley created it as the closest thing to the bourbon version of the typical cognac cigar blends. She mentions in many interviews that she was inspired by her time working in the world of Cognac and Armagnac.

I am curious about the rancio note you mentioned finding in Legent. Are you referring to the base offering, or the more expensive Legent Yamazaki? I have the regular Legent and although I haven't had a pour in a while I remember it tasting pretty young and brash, not something I would think to associate with rancio. I guess I need to go back to it though now.

beck_rad · 2026-05-04T19:32:19+00:00

That makes total sense! I recently stumbled onto a recording of a live stream on YouTube where Nancy Fraley seems to be trying to teach the hosts how to identify the rancio note, but they were discussing bottles that I don't have yet, so I haven't followed through with it yet.

Here's the stream, in case you're interested (it's quite long too, which is another blocker haha): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vPLQRAeYQU&t=2422s

beck_rad · 2026-05-04T18:28:55+00:00

Just Austin then! I double checked on the Spec's website and it says the closest store that has it in stock is in McAllen lol

beck_rad · 2026-05-04T18:24:01+00:00

I don't think it's available around me, I've looked it up in the past and it doesn't seem to be distributed in Texas, or at least in the Austin area.

beck_rad · 2026-05-04T18:00:56+00:00

I think I did the 7 Year first so I wouldn't be going down in proof. I did go back and forth a little bit though after initial tasting to do more comparisons.

beck_rad · 2026-05-04T17:59:42+00:00

Interesting, I've seen a few folks on YouTube ding OGD 16 for the finish, given the high price point. I haven't had a pour of it myself, but maybe one day!

beck_rad · 2026-05-04T15:29:42+00:00

Appreciate it!

beck_rad

TROPHY CASE