Joined Sep 2003
9K Posts | 0+
Puerto Rico/NYC
After much consideration, and in consideration that the bourbon/rye season was thankfully extended by some cool nights and a cool basement, I have been able to organize and compose my thoughts enough to leave you all with a Top 25 that will probably stand until football season, unless we get some unexpectedly cool weather up here.
The two new entries into this list are Nos. 12 and 19, with comments on each to follow the 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 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. Basil Hayden’s
15. Henry McKenna 10 year old 100 proof bonded
16. Jefferson’s Reserve 15 year old
17. Wild Turkey Rare Breed
18. Blanton’s
19. Old Commonwealth
20. Elijah Craig 12 year old
21. Eagle Rare 10 year old 101 proof
22. Eagle Rare 17 year old
23. Corner Creek Reserve
24. Van Winkle Family Reserve 18 year old
(special bottling for Park Avenue Liquors)
25. Old Grandad 114
Regarding the two new entries, you have already seen the review I put up last night regarding my definitive tasting of Pure Kentucky. This is a fine, fine bourbon, with a bold, complex flavor profile that gets muddled a bit as the sipping progresses. It is for this reason that despite the fact I am mightily impressed with it, I just could not place it any higher. To exalt it above even Knob Creek, solid at No. 11 with it's rich, bouncy flavor and bottle to bottle consistency would not have been right. Nevertheless, Pure Kentucky is a worthy No. 12, and impressive placing for a bottle I paid a "walk-out" price of less than $24 for.
As for Old Commonwealth, it is another 107 proof bourbon from yet another mystery distiller, supposedly a "third generation Kentucky distiller" who is known for offering only top shelf stuff. This is less flavorful than Pure Kentucky, but quite smooth and impressive and AGAIN Small Batch bourbon, but making no other claims, heh, heh. No other claims!!! After claiming to be from a third generation master and initial capping the phrase Small Batch, plus the incredibly smooth, buttery flavor at 107 proof, what other claims do you have to make?!?!!!?
Old Commonwealth invokes distinctly thoughts of Baker's, and who knows where this no-name whiskey came from? I mean after all, we are all well aware of famous name brands who also market products under no-name brands, sometimes with the same quality, just without the famous name. You all know how I consistently say that Baker's tastes like butter. Well, Old Commonwealth tastes like butter, but with a bit more oak. And after all, it's aged three more years than Baker's.
So, same recipe, three more years??? Who knows??? Don't ask, don't tell. :wink: All I know is, this ten year old bourbon, at again a "walk-out" price of less than $24 is worthy of its placement in my Top 25 at its appointed spot.
The two new entries into this list are Nos. 12 and 19, with comments on each to follow the 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 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. Basil Hayden’s
15. Henry McKenna 10 year old 100 proof bonded
16. Jefferson’s Reserve 15 year old
17. Wild Turkey Rare Breed
18. Blanton’s
19. Old Commonwealth
20. Elijah Craig 12 year old
21. Eagle Rare 10 year old 101 proof
22. Eagle Rare 17 year old
23. Corner Creek Reserve
24. Van Winkle Family Reserve 18 year old
(special bottling for Park Avenue Liquors)
25. Old Grandad 114
Regarding the two new entries, you have already seen the review I put up last night regarding my definitive tasting of Pure Kentucky. This is a fine, fine bourbon, with a bold, complex flavor profile that gets muddled a bit as the sipping progresses. It is for this reason that despite the fact I am mightily impressed with it, I just could not place it any higher. To exalt it above even Knob Creek, solid at No. 11 with it's rich, bouncy flavor and bottle to bottle consistency would not have been right. Nevertheless, Pure Kentucky is a worthy No. 12, and impressive placing for a bottle I paid a "walk-out" price of less than $24 for.
As for Old Commonwealth, it is another 107 proof bourbon from yet another mystery distiller, supposedly a "third generation Kentucky distiller" who is known for offering only top shelf stuff. This is less flavorful than Pure Kentucky, but quite smooth and impressive and AGAIN Small Batch bourbon, but making no other claims, heh, heh. No other claims!!! After claiming to be from a third generation master and initial capping the phrase Small Batch, plus the incredibly smooth, buttery flavor at 107 proof, what other claims do you have to make?!?!!!?
Old Commonwealth invokes distinctly thoughts of Baker's, and who knows where this no-name whiskey came from? I mean after all, we are all well aware of famous name brands who also market products under no-name brands, sometimes with the same quality, just without the famous name. You all know how I consistently say that Baker's tastes like butter. Well, Old Commonwealth tastes like butter, but with a bit more oak. And after all, it's aged three more years than Baker's.
So, same recipe, three more years??? Who knows??? Don't ask, don't tell. :wink: All I know is, this ten year old bourbon, at again a "walk-out" price of less than $24 is worthy of its placement in my Top 25 at its appointed spot.