Updates on the recent . . .

Joined Sep 2003
9K Posts | 0+
Puerto Rico/NYC
spirits that have come into my life, namely the George T. Stagg 2003 bourbon, W.L. Weller 12 year old, Eagle Rare 10 Year Old Single Barrel 90 proof, and the Sazerac 18 year old rye.

Look for another major shakeup in The Bloofingtonian Top Twenty as at least two of those bourbons are likely to make it, maybe even The Top Ten!!! As for the Sazerac 18 year old rye, as I said in another post, it's so good I might choose it over any of my favorite bourbons if I were going to the guillotine. As time goes on, I can definitely foresee a Top Ten Rye list on The Bloofy Hit Parade.

Preliminary taste test results show the new Stagg, the 2003 version to be smoother and sweeter, if slightly less complex than its older cousin, the 2002 version, declared Whiskey Of The Year by Malt Advocate magazine. On stopping in at Park Avenue Liquor Shop located on (don't ask, don't tell) Madison Avenue in Manhattan, NYC one of the managers offered that it was a crashing disappointment compared to the 2002 version, but after three tastings, the benchmark for me to decide how much I like a certain bourbon, I have to say it's likely to place ahead of the 2002 version in my book. The 142.7 proof, although packing a wallop, nevertheless is deceptively gentle compared to drinking some other 100+ proof spirits.

The W.L. Weller 12 year old is a fine classic tasting bourbon, smooth, with a sweet candy apple flavor followed up by sharp oak notes, unlike it's 19 year old cousin, already in the No. 4 spot on my Top Ten. In the 19 year old version, it is sweetness all the way through, like fine sucking candy. I tend to appreciate the sharp oak notes in certain bourbons, as it lends a classic nature to the beverage, provided it is balanced with the other classic bourbon flavors such as vanilla, caramel, candy apple, etc. The Weller 12 year old is a serious contender for the Top Ten, a highly refined, rich tasting, full flavored bourbon at a gentle 90 proof.

As for the Eagle Rare 10 year old Single Barrel 90 proof version, well, what can I say, I always seem to have a problem with single barrel bourbons. I find them to be rather bland and one dimensional, although after hearing some other bourbon drinkers talk about "summertime" bourbons, I can definitely see a place for them, because I tend to completely lose my taste for bourbon or rye in the summer. The jury is still out on this one. It's smooth and sweet, no doubt, but at this point may have trouble cracking the Top Twenty.

OG114 - No, that's not some new title in The Crips or The Bloods organizational hierarchy, it's my silly acronym for Old Grandad 114. I was prompted to try this by one of my friends from "another web site" that I left on the morning of November 12th, and it is currently undergoing the Bloofingtonian Bourbonscope. A very smooth and ultra sweet bourbon with the distinct flavor of alfalfa in it. It's not likely to make my Top Twenty, but it could sneak in there, and it's definitely not diesel fuel. I'd take it over Maker's Mark any day, that's for sure, as Maker's Mark isn't within a country mile of my Top Twenty.

Having said that, let me state that I have a great deal of respect for the folks at Maker's Mark and what they do. During my first full year of bourbon drinking, I had plenty of this bourbon, but after trying about 30 others, I have to be honest, it just doesn't cut the mustard with me anymore. I have spoken to some bartenders who also dabble in bourbon tastings, and they have assured me that Maker's Mark is a fine mixer, maybe the best, and probably better suited for that, but if one wishes to enjoy bourbon the way I do, it's probably not the best for doing so. Nonetheless, many bourbon drinkers who enjoy their whiskey straight up and sipped in a nice relaxing fashion continue to rate Maker's Mark very high and I respect their opinions, even if they do have the palate of a billy goat. :D :D :D
 
One of my favorites for many years was Pikesville Rye. They released a limited run every year, sold only at the distillery. Unfortunately, they are long gone. Hopefully, fine Rye Whiskeys will once again become readily available.
 
Well Jar, looks like this is your lucky day. Don't know how much of the few posts I've put up that you've read, but I'll review briefly. You will note that three of the bourbons made by the Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery are in my Top Twenty, two in the Top Ten, and I assure you, they belong there. I haven't met any bourbon drinker who has complained about ANY product put out by that distillery.

No doubt you've seen me mention the Van Winkle Family Reserve 13 Year Old Rye and I tell you, just as I've noted in other posts, if I was going to the guillotine or firing squad, I might choose the Van Winkle 13 Rye or Sazerac 18 over any of my favorite bourbons. It isn't hard to find the Van Winkle. I discovered it at samswine.com, where I do most of my booze shopping. They currently don't have any, but when they did it was $23.99 plus 70 cents per bottle Cook County Internet %*%!@$% Nuisance Sales Tax plus shipping. Sam's has excellent prices, although a limited selection compared to another web site that I've ordered from, alcoholreviews.com.

Alcoholreviews.com has a problem which is the fact that they charge one and a half to three times the proper price range, except when they run a sale, either a general sale or a sale on certain items. They do not charge an Internet $!##@#^&%@! Nuisance Sales Tax, although even on sale their prices don't quite come down to Sam's level. Alcoholreviews.com is in fact currently listing the Rye you mentioned and they don't mention anything about going to the distillery to pick it up. You might get some ideas from looking at their rye selection, which is substantial, then you can look for those in your local liquor store or on Sam's although Sam's current rye listing is quite small.

Don't forget the two I mentioned. You will NOT be disappointed, and although the Sazerac 18 year old rye is a bit pricey for Joe Average, the Van Winkle Family Reserve 13 year old rye is priced so that Joe Average can reach out and touch it every so often. By the way, don't despair, RYE WHISKEY HAS ALREADY MADE A COMEBACK, SO GET OUT THERE AND DRINK THAT UNIQUELY AMERICAN WHISKEY FROM WAYYYYYY BACK, . . .

delicious rye whiskey.
 
I always thought the best whiskey was made in Lynchburg, Tennessee. Reckon I'll have to broaden my perspective. Maybe Amback needs a liquor link ...
 
Well Walt, that's the great thing about this world, including The Wonderful World Of Whiskey. The best whiskey is the one YOU like best, but by all means, if you're game, get out there and try some others and please get back to us with some fun discussion.

By the way, as for Jack products, I had a couple of friends who used to drink the stuff like water way back in the 70's and 80's. These guys aren't friends of each other anymore, although I'm still very close to one of them. Anyway, way back at a party I gave regular Jack a try and found it quite pleasing. A couple years ago I also had the pleasure of trying Single Barrel Jack and Gentleman Jack at a Big Smoke event and found them both very nice. The guy that I'm still friends with loves Gentleman Jack, and I got him a couple bottles last year as a gift and he shared some with me. It's great stuff, no doubt.

Hey Walt, maybe you could give us a Top Ten Tennessee Whiskey list. Might give US something to try!!!
 
My favorite is still the Van Winkle 12yo Reserve, Lot B. I prefer it over A.H. Hirsch. I had a couple bottles of Weller 19yo but sold them to some Noo Yorker. Never deal with those yankees. I am going bourbon shopping tomorrow. I noticed the Sazerac, maybe I'll try it.
 
The bourbon you mentioned is still firmly entrenched at a SOLID No. 6 on my Top Ten, the Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 year old, Lot B, a distinct, unique and fine tasting bourbon.

Go get that Sazerac rye and get back to us with your opinions. I predict you're going to love it. :wink:
 
Bloof. Awhile back I saw a bottle of Sazerac at the liquor store. I assume it's made by Buffalo Trace because of the design of the bottle. For some reason I thought Sazerac was a cocktail made from Rye & Absinthe. Am I correct with the assumption?
 
There IS such a thing as the Sazerac cocktail. I'll get back to you with the lore on that. I have to look at my bottle of Sazerac Rye because the history of the Sazerac Cocktail is on there. Right now I'm getting ready for work. Have to leave pretty early for the city right now. If I can't get to it before I leave, tomorrow afternoon I will. Thanks for bringing up this interesting part of history.
 
According to the label on the bottle of Sazerac 18 year old rye, the Sazerac Coffee House, which was really a saloon, bought rye from Kentucky and shipped it to New Orleans where some cat added his Peychaud's Bitters, Peychaud being the cat's name. He also added Herbsaint Absinthe and a lump of sugar. This became known as the Sazerac Cocktail, supposedly America's First Cocktail.
 
If I understand correctly, the Sazerac rein still belongs to the New Orleans family. Buffalo Trace turns out the product with their blessing.

A lot of people don't realize this, but maybe 12-15 years ago Wild Turkey didn't have a distillery. They had warehouses, but no distillery. Their line was produced at the Buffalo Trace facilities as well. :wink:
 
Is that about the time that Wild Turkey was bought by that FRENCH company???

A U.N. Bourbon For Food Program?!?!?!?!?!?!! :shock: :shock: :shock: :wink: