This is an older brother of the Vintage 17 year old which I reviewed recently. I am pleased to tell you there will be no descriptions of a bourbon that tastes like salted fish here.
First, let's review the world of American whiskey production. We all know that there are only a precious few distilleries left, what with mergers, consolidations by giant corporate parents, and who knows whatever other factors are present in the industry. So, how come new labels keep popping up all the time? Why is it that every time we turn around we see that there's a fancy new label, with a legend all its own, extolling the virtues of what lies under the cork in your privileged purchase?
Well, there are a number of factors that lead to this phenomenon, and I'm no expert. While I do hear certain things which I'm privy to tell, I don't hear or know everything, and there might be some things I can't tell. I also don't frequent the forums which are inhabited by real industry insiders, and as a result, can't speak with the kind of authority that someone like, oh, say our own Hollow Point can.
One thing I can say about certain bourbons and ryes, is that reading labels can tell one a lot. What it can't always tell you is the name of the actual distillery that made what's in the bottle. That leaves the obvious assumption of third parties who step in, buy up lots of whiskey, and then slap their own labels on them. Perhaps the distillery can't be bothered with marketing and distribution expenses and machinations. Perhaps a lot of things.
Perhaps there are people out there who give the impression that they're in the whiskey business, but are really venture capitalists, who provide certain distilleries with a steady cash flow, by automatically contracting for certain amounts of product, and then marketing the product under their own labels. Mysterious? Sure. What happens? Does a distillery have product that it has rejected and is glad to sell to these people at cut rate prices? I sure don't know the thinking or philosophy.
What I do know is when I do and don't like something that is in the bottle. And I make my reviews based on whatever label is on the bottle, regardless of my suspicions or actual knowledge of its origin. So, if I go into a liquor store, and see a bottle of something called Vince's Olde Underwear :wink: , which happens to be the same age and proof as one of my favorites, and comes from the same town as that old favorite, what do I think? Well, I might buy it, and if I do, I'll give credit to whoever's label is on it.
So, back a few months ago, one night at work, I go to LeNell's web site, because I can no longer get it on my home computer, and see a listing in her whiskey section for "Vintage 21" and "Vintage 23." Knowing that a bottle of Pappy's 20 can't be had for any less than $69.99+ shipping, and the current release of the 23 is $249.99+ shipping, I was impressed that the 21 was listed at $77+ tax, and the 23 at a strikingly impressive $110+ tax.
Ahhhhh, but what's in the bottle? Diesel fuel? Dog weewee? Water with a touch of honey? Okay, my eye was gotten and so was my long term attention. And then I discovered the 17 and 21 at Warehouse Wines downtown in Manhattan. And we all know that I wanted to like the 17 year old but couldn't get past the salted fish. But what a wonderful, smooth, fine wood taste lay underneath all that salted fish! Why, oh why, could not that taste be more prominent, and the overall profile more complex?
Well, I am pleased to report that after my third or fourth tasting of the bottle of 21 year I bought, that not only is that beautiful wood flavor expanded on greatly, but this is a bonafide, TOP flight heavyweight contender that has landed a coveted spot near the top of my list. Time and again I have looked over at the row of empty bottles on my den shelf that signify the favorites, the best of the best, the ones I have rated the highest, and put this fine sleeper of a bourbon right into the ring with them. Time and again, this bourbon, Vintage 21 year old, from Vintage Bourbon Company (yeah, right! :cryinlaugh: ), a wonderful 94 proof offering from a very mysterious "new" label, stood up against the best, and won respect.
I think there's a Vintage Bourbon Company, that REALLY MAKES this whiskey the way I think there's a Tooth Fairy. There's SOMEONE who puts the money under the kids' pillows, but c'mon, a brand new bourbon company? :roll: The labels on these bourbons have mucho bling, enough to conjure up images of Christmas trees. What's in the bottle isn't kidding around, because it went toe to toe with such notables as the Pappy's 20 in my mind, and in the end earned my lasting favor.
This bourbon is consistent sip after sip, with a delicious, smooth wood flavor, like wood wet with apricot nectar and clover honey, no sharp, tangy spice, just totally smooth and pleasant, but with three distinct flavors, never disappointing, and crisp, never indifferent. If there is one criticism, and I hesitate to call it criticism, it is that the flavors could just be a WEE bit bolder. They are so prominent and good tasting however, that this bourbon affords NO complaints overall. I got it for $69.99+ tax, which means a walk-out price of $75.85.
I'm going out on a limb here, with an old reminder. Everything I write is about what I like and don't like, which might be completely different from your tastes. But I really, really, REALLY like, LOVE this bourbon. This bourbon can walk up to the likes of Pappy's 20, punch it in the mouth, dance all night and win 7 out of 15 rounds, even scoring a knockdown or two. This is good stuff, and very well priced, considering its age. Whoever picked this out of the distillery, to make their bling bling label for and slap it on to, chose a sure fire winner. This, after much thought and very careful consideration, shakes the heck out of my Top 25 and lands in . . .
the No. 4 position, just behind The Classic Cask 20, and pushing Booker's down to No. 5. I must say that this compared very favorably with The Classic Cask 20 and Pappy's 20, which holds on to the No. 2 spot. There isn't much difference between these three, when it comes to which I'd have at any given moment. As for the Hirsch 16, that still stands in a class by itself. The Vintage 21 certainly stands among my elite, however.
Top 25 Bourbon List
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
4. Vintage 21 year old
5. Booker's
6. W.L. Weller 19 year old
7. Distiller's Masterpiece I - Cognac Finish
8. William Larue Weller 121.9 proof
9. Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 year old, Lot B
10. The Classic Cask Single Batch 18 year old
11. George T. Stagg 2002, 137.6 proof
12. Baker's
13. George T. Stagg 2003, 142.7 proof
14. Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 year old
15. Knob Creek
16. Pure Kentucky
17. Wild Turkey Russell's Reserve (original 101 proof)
18. Old Rip Van Winkle 15 year old
19. The Classic Cask Single Batch 17 year old
20. George T. Stagg Spring 2005, 131.8 proof
21. Basil Hayden’s
22. Noah’s Mill
23. Henry McKenna 10 year old bonded
24. Rowan’s Creek
25. Jefferson’s Reserve 15 year old
First, let's review the world of American whiskey production. We all know that there are only a precious few distilleries left, what with mergers, consolidations by giant corporate parents, and who knows whatever other factors are present in the industry. So, how come new labels keep popping up all the time? Why is it that every time we turn around we see that there's a fancy new label, with a legend all its own, extolling the virtues of what lies under the cork in your privileged purchase?
Well, there are a number of factors that lead to this phenomenon, and I'm no expert. While I do hear certain things which I'm privy to tell, I don't hear or know everything, and there might be some things I can't tell. I also don't frequent the forums which are inhabited by real industry insiders, and as a result, can't speak with the kind of authority that someone like, oh, say our own Hollow Point can.
One thing I can say about certain bourbons and ryes, is that reading labels can tell one a lot. What it can't always tell you is the name of the actual distillery that made what's in the bottle. That leaves the obvious assumption of third parties who step in, buy up lots of whiskey, and then slap their own labels on them. Perhaps the distillery can't be bothered with marketing and distribution expenses and machinations. Perhaps a lot of things.
Perhaps there are people out there who give the impression that they're in the whiskey business, but are really venture capitalists, who provide certain distilleries with a steady cash flow, by automatically contracting for certain amounts of product, and then marketing the product under their own labels. Mysterious? Sure. What happens? Does a distillery have product that it has rejected and is glad to sell to these people at cut rate prices? I sure don't know the thinking or philosophy.
What I do know is when I do and don't like something that is in the bottle. And I make my reviews based on whatever label is on the bottle, regardless of my suspicions or actual knowledge of its origin. So, if I go into a liquor store, and see a bottle of something called Vince's Olde Underwear :wink: , which happens to be the same age and proof as one of my favorites, and comes from the same town as that old favorite, what do I think? Well, I might buy it, and if I do, I'll give credit to whoever's label is on it.
So, back a few months ago, one night at work, I go to LeNell's web site, because I can no longer get it on my home computer, and see a listing in her whiskey section for "Vintage 21" and "Vintage 23." Knowing that a bottle of Pappy's 20 can't be had for any less than $69.99+ shipping, and the current release of the 23 is $249.99+ shipping, I was impressed that the 21 was listed at $77+ tax, and the 23 at a strikingly impressive $110+ tax.
Ahhhhh, but what's in the bottle? Diesel fuel? Dog weewee? Water with a touch of honey? Okay, my eye was gotten and so was my long term attention. And then I discovered the 17 and 21 at Warehouse Wines downtown in Manhattan. And we all know that I wanted to like the 17 year old but couldn't get past the salted fish. But what a wonderful, smooth, fine wood taste lay underneath all that salted fish! Why, oh why, could not that taste be more prominent, and the overall profile more complex?
Well, I am pleased to report that after my third or fourth tasting of the bottle of 21 year I bought, that not only is that beautiful wood flavor expanded on greatly, but this is a bonafide, TOP flight heavyweight contender that has landed a coveted spot near the top of my list. Time and again I have looked over at the row of empty bottles on my den shelf that signify the favorites, the best of the best, the ones I have rated the highest, and put this fine sleeper of a bourbon right into the ring with them. Time and again, this bourbon, Vintage 21 year old, from Vintage Bourbon Company (yeah, right! :cryinlaugh: ), a wonderful 94 proof offering from a very mysterious "new" label, stood up against the best, and won respect.
I think there's a Vintage Bourbon Company, that REALLY MAKES this whiskey the way I think there's a Tooth Fairy. There's SOMEONE who puts the money under the kids' pillows, but c'mon, a brand new bourbon company? :roll: The labels on these bourbons have mucho bling, enough to conjure up images of Christmas trees. What's in the bottle isn't kidding around, because it went toe to toe with such notables as the Pappy's 20 in my mind, and in the end earned my lasting favor.
This bourbon is consistent sip after sip, with a delicious, smooth wood flavor, like wood wet with apricot nectar and clover honey, no sharp, tangy spice, just totally smooth and pleasant, but with three distinct flavors, never disappointing, and crisp, never indifferent. If there is one criticism, and I hesitate to call it criticism, it is that the flavors could just be a WEE bit bolder. They are so prominent and good tasting however, that this bourbon affords NO complaints overall. I got it for $69.99+ tax, which means a walk-out price of $75.85.
I'm going out on a limb here, with an old reminder. Everything I write is about what I like and don't like, which might be completely different from your tastes. But I really, really, REALLY like, LOVE this bourbon. This bourbon can walk up to the likes of Pappy's 20, punch it in the mouth, dance all night and win 7 out of 15 rounds, even scoring a knockdown or two. This is good stuff, and very well priced, considering its age. Whoever picked this out of the distillery, to make their bling bling label for and slap it on to, chose a sure fire winner. This, after much thought and very careful consideration, shakes the heck out of my Top 25 and lands in . . .
the No. 4 position, just behind The Classic Cask 20, and pushing Booker's down to No. 5. I must say that this compared very favorably with The Classic Cask 20 and Pappy's 20, which holds on to the No. 2 spot. There isn't much difference between these three, when it comes to which I'd have at any given moment. As for the Hirsch 16, that still stands in a class by itself. The Vintage 21 certainly stands among my elite, however.
Top 25 Bourbon List
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
4. Vintage 21 year old
5. Booker's
6. W.L. Weller 19 year old
7. Distiller's Masterpiece I - Cognac Finish
8. William Larue Weller 121.9 proof
9. Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 year old, Lot B
10. The Classic Cask Single Batch 18 year old
11. George T. Stagg 2002, 137.6 proof
12. Baker's
13. George T. Stagg 2003, 142.7 proof
14. Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 year old
15. Knob Creek
16. Pure Kentucky
17. Wild Turkey Russell's Reserve (original 101 proof)
18. Old Rip Van Winkle 15 year old
19. The Classic Cask Single Batch 17 year old
20. George T. Stagg Spring 2005, 131.8 proof
21. Basil Hayden’s
22. Noah’s Mill
23. Henry McKenna 10 year old bonded
24. Rowan’s Creek
25. Jefferson’s Reserve 15 year old
mg: :cryinlaugh: