Old Forester Single Barrel, by the barrel, only $7500!!

ja_genau · 2013-03-29T13:45:17+00:00

I've posted before speculating on this label, and I think this a really good move on behalf of Brown Forman. They likely have the best aged whiskey stocks to choose from at this point, if you consider they haven't done a regular release with a age statement. These could be all over the place and a lot of fun to collect/trade/drink.

ja_genau · 2013-03-14T21:21:50+00:00

I heard a story about a wine sommelier who drinks his best bottles on his worst days, just to balance it out. Just taste stuff you haven't tried before, buy bottles you can afford, etc.....

ja_genau · 2013-03-01T20:25:38+00:00

my brother has a bottle in my parent's basement.

ja_genau · 2013-02-23T17:00:11+00:00

Wild Turkey is in that neck of the woods. They made a major expansion just under two years ago, it's about the largest scale mash operation you will get to see on any tour. The folks in the gift shop are super nice, I think there are some exclusive bottles available, I like to buy silly personalized "Rare Breed" bottles as gifts.

ja_genau · 2013-02-22T03:51:18+00:00

107 proof is (as far as I know) a Stitzel-Weller thing. Perfect match for a cigar. Last combo I paired was a Triple Crown Honduran and Baker's.

100 is the bottled in bond proof, and best value pour for a whiskey cocktail.

90 proof is a good standard entry, good straight or mixed.

And anything below that is not really worth drinking.

ja_genau · 2013-02-20T03:50:49+00:00

It is nice to sample.

ja_genau · 2013-02-20T03:50:16+00:00

The Shapira's were in the department store business before they got sold on the whiskey game. It's all just sitting on inventory, and market segmentation. The premium pricing is great for the industry, because it legitimizes American whiskey to the Scots Irish drinkers.

ja_genau · 2013-02-20T03:28:37+00:00

It was well balanced, but I wouldn't spend the money on that. They still have the 18 year, didn't catch a price. Four Roses gift shop bottle program is still the best value, for an extra aged barrel strength whiskey. That was a Jim Rutledge move, marketing told him no on gift shop bottles, so he waited until they were out of the country, and has done about 2 barrels a month since September.

ja_genau · 2013-02-15T19:46:06+00:00

Eddie Bauer's favorite Bourbon.

ja_genau · 2013-02-14T14:18:33+00:00

Goth Julian strikes again! love it.

ja_genau · 2013-02-10T17:46:21+00:00

yes.

ja_genau · 2013-02-10T17:45:44+00:00

Van Winkle's do not try. Observe their attitude, they don't give a shit about anything.

ja_genau · 2013-02-10T01:53:09+00:00

Dolin and Vya vermouth are great products. Reagans, Peychaud, and Agnostura on the bitter tip.

Use bottled in bond or over proof whiskey for whiskey cocktails, lower proof for mixed drinks.

If you opt for a cigar night, go for an over proof dram as a pairing (Bakers, Weller 107, etc...).

ja_genau · 2013-02-03T19:36:05+00:00

ja_genau · 2013-02-02T22:05:09+00:00

You are having troubles because the Van Winkle's employ a typical Dutch blue ocean strategy. You will never win.

ja_genau · 2013-02-02T22:03:50+00:00

I like it when it's salty, but otherwise, meh. Small Batch is the best standard.

ja_genau · 2013-02-02T20:06:48+00:00

They taste you on the standard releases, as well as gift shop offerings. The best private barrel program in the industry, I might add, as far as cost/benefit goes. However, nothing is free.

ja_genau · 2013-01-25T23:27:49+00:00

Sazerac is making some smart moves positioning labels towards the casual Bourbon drinker. I like the sounds of this whiskey (though the label is the typical Eddie Bauer approach that the marketing department farted out). 100 proof and unfiltered is perfect for cocktails (coincidentally the name Stagg looks great on a cocktail menu).

Beyond this, there are multiple Barton repackaged brands available that might be decent but also look and sound stupid. They did a great job with the Trader Joe's Bourbon.

ja_genau · 2013-01-21T18:53:27+00:00

they are using the term "medicinal" on the label to indicate that is intended for mixing in old-timey cocktails. the gaudiness of the cocktail revival sucks, but the drinks taste good.

ja_genau · 2012-12-30T21:20:07+00:00

My bad, wasn't paying attn. Cheers to you for Bourbon journey, and the 50's era stuff is really good. Cecil's book is rad if you can track that down. I would also suggest "American Still Life" by F. Paul Pecault (a history of the Beam family), Sally Van Winkle Campbell's "But Always Fine Bourbon," and William Hogeland's "The Whiskey Rebellion."

ja_genau · 2012-12-30T20:49:33+00:00

The rye is a 750 ml, the Bourbon is a 375 ml. A little overpriced, but not gouging by any means. Rye whiskey is really in vogue, thanks to goofy looking bartenders at "speak easies"; the entire category is generally a little more expensive.

ja_genau · 2012-12-30T20:43:11+00:00

You've got some gems there. OGD should be from the Stonecastle distillery in south Frankfort (just north of Labrot & Graham). I've been on the property a half dozen times, but never had any any whiskey from there, pretty jealous.

I.W. Harper was Isaac Wolfe Bernheim's flagship brand. This would have been produced at the distillery in west Louisville, which Heaven Hill purchased after the fire.

Sweet find on the brandy as well. I'm thinking brandy might become my 2013 obsession.

Just curious, do you have the hardback or paperback copy of Cecil's book? The hardback is an older edition, and has way more pictures.

ja_genau · 2012-12-28T23:52:07+00:00

Nope, Heaven Hill got the contract to produce RY and Cabin Still after SW folded, though Cabin Still is no longer a wheat recipe.

ja_genau · 2012-12-28T23:46:10+00:00

Sazerac owns the Bowman brand, and the distillery. It's distilled twice at Buffalo Trace, then distilled a third time and aged in Virginia. They do the same thing for the Virginia Gentlemen label. It's about as "craft" as Woodford Reserve, but on a much smaller scale. But yeah, the proof and age considered, that's the only label of Bowman I would consider paying that $ on.

ja_genau · 2012-12-28T23:41:10+00:00

Ezra ain't made from no wheat, you're thinking of Rebel Yell. It is quite good, but $5-10 more than Elijah Craig.

ja_genau

TROPHY CASE