BRAND NEW TOP 25, yes, DIFFERENT than . . .

the one in the post below, although you should at least read the comments on what were the new Nos. 14 and 20, which are now the new Nos. 14 and 21.

Hey, I didn't know I was going to make up my mind on Pappy's 23 tonight, quick enough to make a same-night revision to my Top 25. And after an early evening tasting of No. 11, confirming its lofty position, this time the Top 25 will not change for a while, I can pretty much guarantee that.

Here it is, the all new, get it now . . .

Bloofingtonian Top 25 of Bourbon

1. A.H. Hirsch Reserve 16 year old
2. Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve 20 year old
3. The Classic Cask Single Batch 20 year old bourbon
4. Booker's True Barrel Bourbon
5. W.L. Weller Wheated 19 year old
6. Distiller's Masterpiece I - Cognac Finish
7. Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 year old
8. George T. Stagg 2002
9. Baker's
10. George T. Stagg 2003
11. Knob Creek
12. Pure Kentucky
13. Wild Turkey Russell's Reserve
14. Old Rip Van Winkle 15 year old 107 proof
15. Basil Hayden’s
16. Henry McKenna 10 year old 100 proof bonded
17. Jefferson’s Reserve 15 year old
18. Wild Turkey Rare Breed
19. Blanton’s
20. Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23 year old
21. W.L. Weller Special Reserve 7 year old 90 proof
22. Old Commonwealth
23. Elijah Craig 12 year old
24. Eagle Rare 10 year old 101 proof
25. Eagle Rare 17 year old

And so, Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve 23 year old 95.6 proof bourbon, after four tastings finally comes in as the new No. 20, not quite as impressive as Blanton's but definitely more desirable than the W.L. Weller Reserve 7 year old, the new No. 21 and previously new No. 20.

So, what is it about Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve that anyone foolish-------, errrrrr, willing enough to fork over more than 200 bucks for this can expect? Well, if you do fork over more than 200 bucks for this stuff, you will be getting forked, trust me. Forewarned is forearmed.

This bourbon is actually unique tasting and intriguing in its flavor profile. Time after time I keep coming back to the following description. What this bourbon tastes like is if you went to the lumber department at Home Depot, or wherever you get your lumber, poured dark amber maple syrup on a board and licked it off. The finish is long and the finish is all root beer, good root beer. However, that's it, rather boring after awhile, especially when you consider the price. And the fifth and sixth sips have a muted flavor, almost as though it's meant to be drunk fast, like soda.

But it's good enough to be No. 20 on my all-time favorites list. Will I buy another bottle? No, but I'll buy a lot more of No. 21. So, is price a consideration? Not after I've tasted it, and I'm rating it as to how much I liked the flavor. But if No. 20 is all it can muster, then I'm not paying over 200 bucks for more of that. I'd rather pay less than $20 for No. 21.

Yes, Old Weller Antique is but a distant memory, and nowhere near the Top 25.

As for apples and oranges, of course. Hirsch doesn't taste like anything, and as for either of the Stagg's to date, fugheddaboudit!!!

As I live and breathe, . . .

Bigg Baddd Mahshull Clawd Weeummms hissef, all sebb'n foot fahve 'n' fo' hunnet pounds o' him, or from what Ah heerd tell these days, it's mo' lahk fahve hunnet pounds. :wink:

Pray tell Mahshull Bigg Baddd, WHICH Eagle Rare 10 year old made you feel that way, the 10 year old 101 proof in the short, fat bottle, or the 90 proof single barrel version, the famous version, in the tall bottle with the beautiful design?

Yeah, I don't like that one either. I'm not impressed and if I had a Top 30, it wouldn't be on it. That offering by Eagle Rare never impressed me much, and it dropped off the bottom of my Top 25 a few bourbons ago. The other one, which now occupies No. 24 on my list is alright, at least better to me than the one you mentioned. I think the extra proof helps it offer more flavor.

Bringing it to the top, because this is the latest, and the other one is getting all the views.

THIS IS THE LATEST BLOOFINGTONIAN TOP 25 OF BOURBON!!!

IGNORE ALL PREVIOUS, INCLUDING THE THREAD DOWN BELOW!!!

Yes, but it's still one of the biggest bang for the buck bourbons on that list. You don' wanna know whut sum o' dem cost!!! :shock:

Yeah, they'd like to hear complaints about their bourbon about as much as I loved hearing my last girlfriend telling me it was over.

Well, I must've "loved" it, she broke up with me three times!!! :?

Hey HP, how's this for a complaint?

COULD WE PLEASE HAVE A LITTLE FLAVOR? That limestone water is great, but where's the bourbon? :dunno:

I wasn't that impressed with either the 10 or 17 two or more years ago when I first tried them, so I am anxiously awaiting the re-release, ROTFLMAO!!!!!