Single-Barrel/Small-Batch Bourbon

H

HornGrad'01

250+ Posts
The vodka thread got me thirsty, and Kerbouchard inspired a similar small-batch bourbon thread. And it makes me feel more American than watching Michael Phelps.

I am VERY knew to this all-too-often-overlooked gem (have been drinking single malt for a long time), and have only experimented with a handful - and with overwhelming success, might I add. Tasty stuff. Big fan of sipping it neat, with just a splash of water to open 'er up a bit.

Have now tried:

Knob Creek
Baker's
Maker's (not sure which one, though)
Woodford Reserve
Jefferson's (not reserve - really liked this one)

Any others that I need to hit up? What are generally regarded as favorites among the 'bourbs?
 
Bookers is very good.

And I'll second Blanton, our bartender at the chophouse at the planet hollywood casion suggested it as I was drinking Bookers or Bakers. It was VERY good.
 
I agree with Puddle Cruiser on his point re: Maker's Mark and the price/quality ratio. I really think it's the best value out there, particularly if you pick it up at Costco. One thing I don't like about it is that it isn't aged for a specific number of years (like seven or whatever) and, from time to time, I've had some from a bottle that tasted green.

I'm also a big fan of Woodford's Reserve but many people do not like it at all. It has a very distinct flavor that people either fall in love with or detest. I've found nobody who is neutral. One friend told me that it tastes like paint thinner smells.

The Pappy Van Winkle Family reserve is also a fantastic whiskey but, really, it's for special occasions.

For everyday drinking, Maker's Mark and Knob Creek ( I know, I know: it's a Jim Beam product, just like Bookers, but what are ya gonna do?) are probably the two best choices.
 
The green batches you have tasted are because of the popularity of the Whiskey. The problem being, let's say you start a new Bourbon Distillery. Well, you have to age the Bourbon for seven years. That means seven plus years before you sell your first bottle. Now, your company takes off. You have been on a shoestring for seven years, and had no idea how much you would sell... Now it is selling like crazy, and you don't have enough product ready for the market. Out comes the six year old, and so forth.

That is why Tito makes Vodka, you Distill it, put it in a bottle, and sell it. period. you are done.

That is also the reason for the blends. It is easier to achieve a balance of flavors from multiple barrels than it is to get the same flavor from various barrels.

I love the Maker's Mark as well, but I still love some Jim Beam on the rocks, with a coke back, for the occasional sip. I have found that even the worst bartender cannot screw up Beam on the rocks, and they usually pour you a good sized drink! Party on hornfans!
 
Maker's is a good place to start for bourbon, but I hardly think it is the best value out there. A lot of ones in the $20 range kick its ***. I drink the hell out of Old Grand Dad 100 proof. It's ******* awesome.

Booker's is a monster. I love that heat. My favorite in the under $50 bracket.

Best bourbon out there is George T. Stagg. Severely small batch stuff, comes out once a year in Octoberish, and is immediately snatched up.

I don't get the comment about rye whiskeys being crap. They are not crap. They just aren't bourbon. Try Wild Turkey Rye (the bottle with the green trim). The Van Winkle rye is outstanding. The Van Winkle anything is outstanding.
 
OK, in the last 48 hours, I have tasted two more of Beam's offerings - Booker's and Basil Hayden's

Some impressions:

Booker's (first drink at a bar) - HOLY MOLY does this stuff kick and stick!! I felt like I was drinking liquid smoke syrup the way it coated my esophagus. VERY oaky and smoky flavor and a wonderful scent of oak and vanilla (and weirdly enough, overripe peaches). The flavor was INTENSE! Felt like I should have been smoking a cigar. Not for the faint of heart or those on bourbon/scotch training wheels.

Basil Hayden's (blind bought a bottle) - EXTREMELY light-bodied. Was not expecting that (had not heard anything about it before trying). Not bad, just light. Sweet quality, but subtlely sweet, and a good bit of spice on the tongue - I swear I tasted mint too. Very dry finish. I liked it, but I'm discovering I am more a fan of the headier, medium-to-full body/intensity varieties.

Tomorrow I buy bottle no. 2. I've finished Beam's stuff - so was thinking about picking up some of the Blanton's endorsed above.

Oh, and I think I am seriously hooked on this stuff!!! I think I may like it more than scotch.
 
old van winkle special reserve...i've been buying it for years, and it was only $35...someone let the cat out of the bag, apparently.
 
Orangebones, you aren't kidding!! Can't find the stuff anywhere. Would love to get my hands on some.

Anyone try either the Rowan's Creek/Noah Mills offerings?
 
Right now I have the following at the house:

Woodford Reserve
Bookers
Blantons
Jefferson's Reserve
20 year Van Winkle

I like them all for different reasons. The Pappy is not something I can afford to drink regularly though.

If I had to pick one for regular drinking, it would be between the Blantons and the Jefferson's. The Blantons tastes a little more smokey, while the Jefferson's is sweeter.

Bourbon = good
 
As the best man in a wedding I got a bottle of Black Maple Hill Kentucky Straight Bourbon and it is absolutely the best thing I have ever tasted. It's pretty hard to find. It seems that it's a independent bottler that reclaims older stock from other distilleries. So what I had may not exist because that stock is now gone...but damn...it was awesome!
 
I like scotch--single malt, highland especially

My sister bought me some knob creek-- and it was awful to me--I gave it to my brother in law

Reminded me of moon shine ( deer lease in TN 20 miles from Lynchburg)--by that I mean strong sour mash taste-- thought I was drinking corn

I will have to try a couple of the others mentioned
 
I drink Bourbon every single day of the year. At my bar in my office and in my house I always keep Knob Creek, Maker's Mark, and Wild Turkey 101. I am aware that they are not the top tier of Bourbon's, but when you drink in volume, $ comes into the equation. I have been told by my friends that I like everything. So I realize that my taste buds have been neutered from birth. However, despite my shortcomings in being able to detect the finer nuances of the BEST drink in the world, the drink that I am sure GOD himself enjoys, my experience tells me that personally I do enjoy the Bourbon's that have been aged longer. You can go to sites likeThe Link and they will list the Bourbon's and how long they are aged.

Nevertheless, I am honored to be on a UT board with men/women who enjoy the only American Whiskey!

BOURBON!!!
 
I am not a fine connoisseur of bourbon but I have some in my spirits cabinet. What are your thoughts on Weller Bourbon?
 
You want a fine tasting, inexpensive bourbon, it's hard to go wrong with McAfee's Benchmark Bourbon. Made at the Buffalo Trace Distillery.
 
I have a bar in my office b/c I own my own company. Drinking is allowed for my salespeople. I don't allow it for the warehouse people unless they are drinking with me at lunch.

It has been mentioned by a previous post, but I do enjoy Jefferson Reserve. It has been aged 15 years and I love it's smoothness and aroma.
 
Ok. Got lucky and found the last stash of Van Winkle 12 yr Lot B and 10 yr 90 proof in Houston. The Lot B is seriously the best bourbon I have ever tasted. Haven't opened the 10 yet, but for the price I'm sure it will be a winner.
 
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