It was a hard choice, but after kicking out the last of the Eagle Rare products from my Top 25 bourbon list, I had to kick out the Elijah Craig 12 year old. It is nice bourbon, and in the "classic" mode, at least for me, that being oak, candy apple, maybe one or two other flavors, but Jim Beam Black, which I tasted recently at Beekman's Liquors made the No. 25 spot on the list.
Jim Beam Black Label is in fact a re-release, it first being released as a 7 year old 90 proof bourbon about three years ago. Fred Noe, who presided over the tasting, made regular references to a very "rye heavy" mash bill, and I noted that this new release is 8 years old and reduced to 86 proof. So, for one additional year's worth of storage, they recoup their labor and other costs by adding enough water to bump it down to 86 proof.
Fred Noe is the son of the famous Booker Noe, Jim Beam's grandson. Booker Noe created Booker's True Barrel bourbon back in the 80's and passed away earlier this year at age 75.
Not having ever tasted the 7 year old 90 proof version, I am impressed with this 8 year old 86 proof bourbon. It leads off with spicy oak which imparts a slight "burn", almost like the burn from a hot sauce, and then leads directly into a nice maple syrup and clover honey flavor, with the spicy oak finishing off each sip very nicely. This bourbon is tangy, crisp and does leave your mouth somewhat dry. I'm finding that ryes or bourbons with a lot of rye in the mash bill can leave one with a bit of a dry mouth, and this can sometimes play with the finish, or after-taste enough to affect one's judgment.
In this case, I could use a little less dryness, but this bourbon makes me sit up and take notice, whereas the Elijah Craig 12 year old is a solid bourbon, good and very inexpensive sipping whiskey, but the Jim Beam Black is a slightly more exciting product.
Please note that because I have now tasted at least 40, and probably more like 50 bourbons, I had to stop my list somewhere at a Top 25. I honestly think that there are only four or five that I really don't like, those being Woodford Reserve, Maker's Mark, Black Maple Hill 16 year old and Evan Williams Single Barrel 1991 version. There are others that have not really excited me, but please know that there are far more than just my Top 25 that I like. I just don't see getting ridiculous by going for a Top 30 or 35.
When one compiles a "Top" anything list, they intend it to be a compilation of what they view as elite products in that category, and I cut this list off the way the college football poll goes, at a Top 25. In reality, there are at least 35 bourbons at this point that I would readily drink. Please also note that this is my own opinion, and the list is for your perusal, and perhaps to act as a suggestion guide, but if you think I'm full of it, by all means remember, whatever YOU like is the "best" bourbon, cigar, etc. There is no right or wrong when it comes to what people like to eat or drink. If you think that Maker's Mark is the world's greatest bourbon and you've also tried 50 of them, then it IS the world's greatest bourbon, plain and simple.
Please note this list supersedes the one posted this past weekend.
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. Booker's True Barrel
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. Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 year old
12. Knob Creek
13. Pure Kentucky
14. Wild Turkey Russell's Reserve
15. Old Rip Van Winkle 15 year old
16. Basil Hayden’s
17. Henry McKenna 10 year old bonded
18. Jefferson’s Reserve 15 year old
19. Wild Turkey Rare Breed
20. Blanton’s
21. Fighting Cock 6 year old
22. Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23 year old
23. W.L. Weller Special Reserve 7 year old
24. Old Commonwealth
25. Jim Beam Black 8 year
Jim Beam Black Label is in fact a re-release, it first being released as a 7 year old 90 proof bourbon about three years ago. Fred Noe, who presided over the tasting, made regular references to a very "rye heavy" mash bill, and I noted that this new release is 8 years old and reduced to 86 proof. So, for one additional year's worth of storage, they recoup their labor and other costs by adding enough water to bump it down to 86 proof.
Fred Noe is the son of the famous Booker Noe, Jim Beam's grandson. Booker Noe created Booker's True Barrel bourbon back in the 80's and passed away earlier this year at age 75.
Not having ever tasted the 7 year old 90 proof version, I am impressed with this 8 year old 86 proof bourbon. It leads off with spicy oak which imparts a slight "burn", almost like the burn from a hot sauce, and then leads directly into a nice maple syrup and clover honey flavor, with the spicy oak finishing off each sip very nicely. This bourbon is tangy, crisp and does leave your mouth somewhat dry. I'm finding that ryes or bourbons with a lot of rye in the mash bill can leave one with a bit of a dry mouth, and this can sometimes play with the finish, or after-taste enough to affect one's judgment.
In this case, I could use a little less dryness, but this bourbon makes me sit up and take notice, whereas the Elijah Craig 12 year old is a solid bourbon, good and very inexpensive sipping whiskey, but the Jim Beam Black is a slightly more exciting product.
Please note that because I have now tasted at least 40, and probably more like 50 bourbons, I had to stop my list somewhere at a Top 25. I honestly think that there are only four or five that I really don't like, those being Woodford Reserve, Maker's Mark, Black Maple Hill 16 year old and Evan Williams Single Barrel 1991 version. There are others that have not really excited me, but please know that there are far more than just my Top 25 that I like. I just don't see getting ridiculous by going for a Top 30 or 35.
When one compiles a "Top" anything list, they intend it to be a compilation of what they view as elite products in that category, and I cut this list off the way the college football poll goes, at a Top 25. In reality, there are at least 35 bourbons at this point that I would readily drink. Please also note that this is my own opinion, and the list is for your perusal, and perhaps to act as a suggestion guide, but if you think I'm full of it, by all means remember, whatever YOU like is the "best" bourbon, cigar, etc. There is no right or wrong when it comes to what people like to eat or drink. If you think that Maker's Mark is the world's greatest bourbon and you've also tried 50 of them, then it IS the world's greatest bourbon, plain and simple.
Please note this list supersedes the one posted this past weekend.
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. Booker's True Barrel
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. Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 year old
12. Knob Creek
13. Pure Kentucky
14. Wild Turkey Russell's Reserve
15. Old Rip Van Winkle 15 year old
16. Basil Hayden’s
17. Henry McKenna 10 year old bonded
18. Jefferson’s Reserve 15 year old
19. Wild Turkey Rare Breed
20. Blanton’s
21. Fighting Cock 6 year old
22. Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23 year old
23. W.L. Weller Special Reserve 7 year old
24. Old Commonwealth
25. Jim Beam Black 8 year