After my review of Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2007, this is the new Top 25.
Top 25 Bourbon List
1. A.H. Hirsch Reserve 16 year
2. Vintage 23 year
3. George T. Stagg 2006, 140.6 proof
4. Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve 20 year
5. The Classic Cask 20 year
6. Vintage 21 year
7. Booker's
8. W.L. Weller 19 year
9. Parker's Heritage Collection
10. Distiller's Masterpiece I - Cognac Finish
11. 2005 William Larue Weller, 121.9 proof
12. Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2006
13. Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 year, Lot B
14. Four Roses Single Barrel
15. Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2007
16. George T. Stagg Fall 2005, 141.2 proof
17. The Classic Cask 18 year
18. George T. Stagg 2002, 137.6 proof
19. Baker's
20. George T. Stagg 2003, 142.7 proof
21. Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 year
22. Knob Creek
23. Pure Kentucky (original 12 year)
24. Wild Turkey Russell's Reserve (original 101 proof)
25. Old Rip Van Winkle 15 year
The following comments are as promised in the thread reviewing Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2007. The other comments with random names remembered from those no longer in the Top 25, but still considered good and good bargains, will be upcoming in a future post on this thread.
This is a review, of that which may no longer be found, or perhaps isn't advisable to buy at current prices or "bad" releases.
Don't buy No. 1 - don't ask, don't tell, because I've done this a bunch of times. The story is here. If you don't find it, I'll try to find it for you, but the price is too high for you to buy it. I know I got spoiled on an unusually low price, but it's unusually high now, and may be the victim of a "bad" release. Don't buy No. 1, don't ask, don't tell.
Buy No. 2, as much as you can afford, ditto No. 3, which you may not find, and of course, buy as much of No. 4 as you can afford, although there's no shortage, and not likely to be.
You'll never see No. 5 again, but if you find a dusty old bottle on a shelf in Montana, buy it, and even pay $100 to walk out with it (that includes tax/shipping), but no more.
Buy as much of No. 6 as you can afford, NOW!!!
Buyer always beware of No. 7, legendary inconsistency, but like Mae West, when it's good, . . .
You'll never see No. 8 again. Leave me alone if you find it, because I'll cringe if I hear it was seen again. Also let me know how much you paid and if you'll ship, hee, hee, heee!!!
You saw my review on No. 9
Don't buy No. 10. Way too pricey, special, but don't sweat it, and move on.
You won't find No. 11, but pay anything up to a "walk-out" price of $65-70 just once to say you tried it.
Buy lots and lots of No. 12
No. 13 has gotten pricey, and I'm suspicious of late releases. Haven't had it in a while. Consider it a gamble, but take the gamble. You'll probably beat the house.
Buy Nos. 14 and 15.
You won't find No. 16, but pay up to $80 to walk out with it just once.
You won't find No. 17, and just move on. Special, but if you didn't get to taste its 20 year old cousin, not worth the sweat and money.
You'll never find No. 18, although those that still have it are gouging big time, like they didn't do that when it was released.
Buy lots and lots of No. 19, it's always good.
You won't find No. 20, don't buy it, not special enough to pay the price, unless it's a "walk-out" price of less than fifty clams.
Buy lots of Nos. 21 and 22.
You'll never, and I mean never find the REAL No. 23, so forget about it. I got spoiled on a clearing house price. Just move on, and don't buy the ten year old that has the same name. Good when they moved from 12 to 10 for this label at first, but now they're releasing crap. Move on.
You won't find the real No. 24 either, but if you can, and it'll cost you $45 or less to walk out with it, get it. I paid lots less, but that was long ago, and it's over.
You won't find No. 25, but in similar fashion as above, pay $50 to walk out with a bottle just once in your life, if you find it.