Discussion
Rutter said:
Do you have any bourbons that you like so we can gauge whether you are more of a fan of a high wheat or high rye mashbill?
Choice is very limited over here unless you are prepared to spend some money at places like TWE or Gerrys etc.
Out of the readily available stuff in the supermarket you can't really go wrong with Buffalo Trace, Woodford reserve or Four Roses yellow label. All of these are available at asda, woodford can be found at other supermarkets, a lot of people will suggest makers mark too which is a good introduction to Bourbon as its very thin, its also one of the few bourbons that is easy to find over here that is a wheater or high wheat mash bourbon.
Cannot give you much to go on I'm afraid. I've had Bulleit, and if I recall correctly, quite liked it, I've also had Jim Beam, which cannot have been that bad as I cannot recall tipping it down the sink, unlike JD which I did. Choice is very limited over here unless you are prepared to spend some money at places like TWE or Gerrys etc.
Out of the readily available stuff in the supermarket you can't really go wrong with Buffalo Trace, Woodford reserve or Four Roses yellow label. All of these are available at asda, woodford can be found at other supermarkets, a lot of people will suggest makers mark too which is a good introduction to Bourbon as its very thin, its also one of the few bourbons that is easy to find over here that is a wheater or high wheat mash bourbon.
So an open book really, in the case of whisky, I tend to be into big peaty stuff,Islay etc and Springbank/Cambletown malts.
Curiously enough, I have Woodford's in my sights. Waitrose stock it, but at a silly price so perhaps an excuse for a TWE order. I was thinking of trying a bourbon costing in the lower 2o's and then a couple at higher prices, perhaps one around high 30's early 40's plus another in the early 50's, if that makes any sense.
Obviously, after some research done. Its to help with that i've posted here
Just thought I'd give an update on this.
Decision made. The three I'm ordering are Four Roses small batch, Old Grand dad 114 , and Rip Van Winkle 10 year old. The latter 2 I'd already had on radar,
so was good when they were noted on here. I could not decide between Buffalo Trace and Woodfords so cleared that up by buying neither, the Four roses SB seems highly thought of so we will see as they say.
If these go well, then I can look at others, Elijah Craig, Elmer T Lee, etc etc.
I decided against Rock Hill Farms, basically because I'm against paying over £60 for any whisky, and worst of all, found its a <$50 whiskey stateside. I know things are dearer here owing to insane taxation, but you do get the feeling that when something morphs from £32 or so to £62, that someone, somewhere is lifting your leg.
Out of interest though, does anyone know how freely available Rock Hill Farms is in the US? Thinking out loud, my daughter is an exec with a big travel company so her bringing a bottle back when she is next in the US may be an option. Anyone?
Decision made. The three I'm ordering are Four Roses small batch, Old Grand dad 114 , and Rip Van Winkle 10 year old. The latter 2 I'd already had on radar,
so was good when they were noted on here. I could not decide between Buffalo Trace and Woodfords so cleared that up by buying neither, the Four roses SB seems highly thought of so we will see as they say.
If these go well, then I can look at others, Elijah Craig, Elmer T Lee, etc etc.
I decided against Rock Hill Farms, basically because I'm against paying over £60 for any whisky, and worst of all, found its a <$50 whiskey stateside. I know things are dearer here owing to insane taxation, but you do get the feeling that when something morphs from £32 or so to £62, that someone, somewhere is lifting your leg.
Out of interest though, does anyone know how freely available Rock Hill Farms is in the US? Thinking out loud, my daughter is an exec with a big travel company so her bringing a bottle back when she is next in the US may be an option. Anyone?
Edited by Cheese Mechanic on Saturday 11th August 07:54
Engineer1 said:
Out of interest where did you order from, as sometimes I find supermarket drink selections a little samey or tame.
These people: http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/Speaking as I have found, first rate, cannot fault them.
Agree concerning Supermarket selections, Waitrose are not to bad, but the rest tend, with some notable exceptions , to stock the pedestrian ,
right across the drinks range.
Rutter said:
Sounds like some great choices, 3 different distilleries too you'll have to let us know your thoughts once they arrive.
Prices over here are silly, we tend to pay a similar amount or more in £ as they do in $.
Does your daughter visit anywhere in particular, I know there are some big chains like Binnys and the party store that will have a vast selection but it depends where she goes I guess, i'm sure there will be independents all over that will stock it though.
Pleased you reminded me about Binnys, found their site ages back, but promptly forgot their name and could not find them again! Sadly, they seem to be Illinois based , my daughter tends to east coast, mainly NY, on odd occasion Boston. We shall see,I'll quiz her, perhaps a stateside work acquaintance can help us out.Prices over here are silly, we tend to pay a similar amount or more in £ as they do in $.
Does your daughter visit anywhere in particular, I know there are some big chains like Binnys and the party store that will have a vast selection but it depends where she goes I guess, i'm sure there will be independents all over that will stock it though.
Yeah, decided on a spread, avoid the heavily marketed stuff, may cost me a bit more, but live and learn.Do like the high strengths as well, always water if too overpowering. No specialist bars anywhere near me I can try any of this stuff, so paying to learn I suppose. Having said that, a good idea to ensure not being robbed in doing so, its the same with scotch, some great stuff out there, some big pisstakes as well, so one step at a time. looking forward to it!
Edited by Cheese Mechanic on Tuesday 14th August 18:30
Dr JonboyG said:
OP: if you want to spend a lot, Pappy Van Winkle 20 year is probably the best bourbon on the planet. Is about $100 a bottle here in the US, I expect it would be significantly more in the UK with import duty and tax though. More reasonable everyday drinking bourbons I'd recommend are Woodford Reserve and Buffalo Trace.
No mate, I don't really want to spend a lot. That means *nothing* over £60. What I want to do , is find good bourbon, rye even? That I like , gives a good return for buck, and shuts me up! Just Like Lagavulin, Laphroaig cask , and Springbank has done with scotch
Here we go, this is what turned up!
Heck, not only the previously mentioned 3 bourbons, but a bottle of Jim Beam Rye hurled itself into the basket
It seems to be very well thought of, one reviewer noted it as being the "only thing of any worth with that name on". We
shall see.
See also, that on the flanks that Flor De Cana 7 yr Nicaraguan rum insisted on coming along and was joined by
a bottle of the superb Longrow 14.
Cannot wait to try some of these, maybe another week though, sadly.
Meanwhile , I'll reflect in looking at this photo , on just how easy it is to blow £200+ on a drink!
Heck, not only the previously mentioned 3 bourbons, but a bottle of Jim Beam Rye hurled itself into the basket
It seems to be very well thought of, one reviewer noted it as being the "only thing of any worth with that name on". We
shall see.
See also, that on the flanks that Flor De Cana 7 yr Nicaraguan rum insisted on coming along and was joined by
a bottle of the superb Longrow 14.
Cannot wait to try some of these, maybe another week though, sadly.
Meanwhile , I'll reflect in looking at this photo , on just how easy it is to blow £200+ on a drink!
Just thought I'd follow up on this.
Owing to a couple of days of relatively chilly weather in my neck of the woods, it made me think "whisk(e)y "
So I opened and had 2 or 3 doubles of the Four Roses Small batch bourbon.
Well, not short of presence, thats for sure. Mainly, Vanilla, Spice and Oak in the flavours. Some other notes in there, but beyond my descriptive powers.
Basically, monaural, not what you would term complex at all. Some heat, but flavoursome, and smooth. Water, does not seem to bring out anything new, just dilutes the already noted flavours.
So, Did I enjoy it? Yes. How do I see it with other whisk(e)y's? Perhaps in the same league as some of our better home grown blends and superior to some of our more basic ones, Grouse, Grants, Teachers even.
Am I likely to buy it again? Whilst, I'd have no problem in doing so, it's unlikely. At £25 , it puts it in similar ground to discounted HP12 (as example) which, to be honest, beats the pants off of Four Roses when it comes to complexity and breadth of flavours. Thats the rub unfortunately, the price. This bourbon should be in the £16 to £20 bracket, at that it would make a very good buy.
So to summarise, a good pleasant experience, far more to applaud than decry, good solid stuff. How should the reader see this? Well, if you fancy the odd whisky or Bourbon, and you have not tried this particualr one , and even if you don't buy it again, I'd recomend giving it a try, its very unlikely you'll feel it a poor experience, and every possibility you may make a new friend.
Owing to a couple of days of relatively chilly weather in my neck of the woods, it made me think "whisk(e)y "
So I opened and had 2 or 3 doubles of the Four Roses Small batch bourbon.
Well, not short of presence, thats for sure. Mainly, Vanilla, Spice and Oak in the flavours. Some other notes in there, but beyond my descriptive powers.
Basically, monaural, not what you would term complex at all. Some heat, but flavoursome, and smooth. Water, does not seem to bring out anything new, just dilutes the already noted flavours.
So, Did I enjoy it? Yes. How do I see it with other whisk(e)y's? Perhaps in the same league as some of our better home grown blends and superior to some of our more basic ones, Grouse, Grants, Teachers even.
Am I likely to buy it again? Whilst, I'd have no problem in doing so, it's unlikely. At £25 , it puts it in similar ground to discounted HP12 (as example) which, to be honest, beats the pants off of Four Roses when it comes to complexity and breadth of flavours. Thats the rub unfortunately, the price. This bourbon should be in the £16 to £20 bracket, at that it would make a very good buy.
So to summarise, a good pleasant experience, far more to applaud than decry, good solid stuff. How should the reader see this? Well, if you fancy the odd whisky or Bourbon, and you have not tried this particualr one , and even if you don't buy it again, I'd recomend giving it a try, its very unlikely you'll feel it a poor experience, and every possibility you may make a new friend.
Edited by Cheese Mechanic on Monday 3rd September 13:25
At last, my take on Old Grand Dad 114.
Well, this certainly announces itself straightaway. It just grabs the nose and sets the poor old bugle well alight, a LOT of heat.
I had to tone down my efforts, afraid I did not like the nose at all, a sort of a smelling salts experience, different smells , similar effect.
A similar result in the mouth, way too much heat, yes it is cask strength , but still too aggressive.
So, water! Now we are talking. Oak, vanilla , spicy too....not bad at all. I found around 10 to 15 mill of water in a 50 mill measure just about right. It
sees off the heat, but the flavours remain, still big and enjoyable. The finish is quite long, more Oak and other flavours beyond my powers of description.
So, not bad at all , what I first thought was going to be a disaster ended up quite enjoyable. However, I do have a preference for the Four Roses small batch, just as flavoursome , but no worries with water , plus a tenner a bottle less.
I'd still reckon its a good idea to try , if you see it in a bar , give it a go, don't forget about the water option though!
Well, this certainly announces itself straightaway. It just grabs the nose and sets the poor old bugle well alight, a LOT of heat.
I had to tone down my efforts, afraid I did not like the nose at all, a sort of a smelling salts experience, different smells , similar effect.
A similar result in the mouth, way too much heat, yes it is cask strength , but still too aggressive.
So, water! Now we are talking. Oak, vanilla , spicy too....not bad at all. I found around 10 to 15 mill of water in a 50 mill measure just about right. It
sees off the heat, but the flavours remain, still big and enjoyable. The finish is quite long, more Oak and other flavours beyond my powers of description.
So, not bad at all , what I first thought was going to be a disaster ended up quite enjoyable. However, I do have a preference for the Four Roses small batch, just as flavoursome , but no worries with water , plus a tenner a bottle less.
I'd still reckon its a good idea to try , if you see it in a bar , give it a go, don't forget about the water option though!
Unsure if its the case across the board, but my local Tesco has Woodford's Reserve Bourbon at a smidgin over £22.
I reckoned it to be that good , I bought a bottle.
Incidentally, from memory , comncerning Manhatten's , I pretty sure that one of the Rittenhouse expressions gets a good write up in that respect.
P/S edit: See that Rittenhouse is on the radar!
I reckoned it to be that good , I bought a bottle.
Incidentally, from memory , comncerning Manhatten's , I pretty sure that one of the Rittenhouse expressions gets a good write up in that respect.
P/S edit: See that Rittenhouse is on the radar!
I was told around a fortnight ago, that a friend visiting San Diego had collared a bottle of Blanton's Gold Edition .
I was well chuffed , the Blanton's was second on a long list of quality bourbons I'd asked him to look out for while over there.
They Lied! No Blanton's , What I got was this !! http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-1189.aspx
The Top Bourbon on my list, and for an entirely more preferable £35 !!
Gone into the stash, to be opened later this year.
I was well chuffed , the Blanton's was second on a long list of quality bourbons I'd asked him to look out for while over there.
They Lied! No Blanton's , What I got was this !! http://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-1189.aspx
The Top Bourbon on my list, and for an entirely more preferable £35 !!
Gone into the stash, to be opened later this year.
tvrforever said:
Anybody know anywhere currently selling a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle 20 at all?
Not entirely sure, but believe that's a release made around Christmas, or thanksgiving, whatever.Anyhow, specific times of the year, anyrate.
I get the impression, its not cheap, and not easy to get, perhaps drop an email to Binnys, they might give info, or even the
distillery itself.
tvrforever said:
I'm still hunting a bottle if anybody knows a stockist?
These people claim to be the sole importers for the UK Might be an idea to drop them a line, see whats what.
http://www.amathusdrinks.com/ourbrands/spirits/old...
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