World of Whiskey

[morecoffee]

I walked into a small shop over the weekend and found my first bottle of Blanton's. WOW. It's good. Bulleit has been my go to for a couple of years now. If you haven't tried Noah's Mill, I highly recommend it.
This small cabinet used to be my whiskey stash. It's since spilled out and has probably multiplied by 5.

Congrats on the Blanton's snag! I grabbed my first bottle back in February. Once COVID-19 hit, I was walking in every week grabbing one until I finally figured I had enough (bad mistake). The next 2 or 3 weeks I passed on them and now for the last 6 weeks or so, I haven't seen anymore. How's the Stagg? Haven't been able to get my hand's on one yet to try.

Grabbed Michter's Small Batch Sour Mash Whiskey to try today (I've only had the Small Batch Unblended American Whiskey) and I really liked the Sour Mash. Much better than the SBUAW IMO. I like my whiskey smooth with not a lot of spice/burn.

I have never seen Blanton's on a shelf before this past weekend. I bought two bottles. They were $61.00. I was blown away by it. I got really lucky finding it and definitely at that price. The problem with Jersey is that the stores are privately owned and prices aren't regulated. You can buy Eagle Rare for $32, but most stores sell it for a lot more. Even at that, it doesn't last long on the shelves. I bought the Stagg Jr. in late December '18. It's excellent, very strong. I am on the hunt for this year's second release, which I think is due out now or within the next few weeks.
This is the bulk of my collection.

[Irishman12]

Blanton's is a $60 bottle. Anything more is just greed (but I've seen it anywhere from $150-$200 by me at Mom & Pop shops). That's why I stick to the big retailers - they don't price gauge (but harder to find as well). I've got the Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch (my second favorite behind Blaton's), Buffalo Trace (my favorite daily sipper), Weller Special Reserve, and Eagle Rare.

[Irishman12]

Speak of the devil. Was just talking about this yesterday, went to my spot to see if they had any Colonel E.H. Taylor 18-year marriage as I've heard they're starting to get released and this was the only bottle they got and I snatched it. Makes 7 bottles I have now and I have letters B, L, N, T, O. Just missing letter A & another N.

[Irishman12]

Tried Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch for the first time a few months ago and it quickly shot up towards the top of my favorites list. Tried the Rye last week and it was good but I overpaid for it. Has a little more spice than I like. Picked up the Single Barrel today and liked it. Not as much as the Small Batch but better than the Rye. Have not been disappointed in a Colonel Taylor yet (and I even grabbed a few bottles of the Taylor 6 year and that's good too for the price).

[jjbehren]

The Single Barrel varies by bottle. The one I have open right now is one of the best obtainable whiskeys I've had. But others are just average.

What is this Taylor 6 year you speak of? Are you referring to the old stuff from 10+ years ago? 80 proof, I believe

[Irishman12]

Not sure how old it is but it is 80 proof and $20 a bottle for a 1.75 liter. It'll get the job done.

[morecoffee]

The Taylor Single Barrel is amazing. I haven't tried the small batch yet.

[Irishman12]

Taylor's supposed to release a new one: 18-year marriage. It's available in some states already but heard it might not be available by me until the 4th (at least that's what the owner of the store said when I picked the SiB up last night).

[Irishman12]

Not a bad haul today. First time grabbing both. Tried the 12 and I liked it but don't see what all the hype is about? Good, but not great. Probably in my top 5. Going to try the Elmer this weekend.

[Bryman]

Those are both on my very small bucket list. I’ve got the Special Reserve and the Antique(which is excellent) and my guy was holding a bottle of the Full Proof for me last week that I had to let go. The Elmer still eludes me.

[Bryman]

Congrats on the finds btw!

[Irishman12]

Thanks Bryman. I like the OWA more than the reserve. Had to choose today between the 12, OWA and Full Proof and had to go with the 12 just to try it. Still want to try the Full Proof and Single Barrel!

[Bryman]

Oh, way more. I think reserve is fine, but for the minimal $35 I pay for it there’s better bottles. The Antique is probably in my top 5. I would have made the exact same call on the 12 though man. That’s part of the reason I passed on the Full Proof. My guy had it priced at $118 and he sells the 12 for $150 when he has it in stock. I’ve heard for the price difference, just go with the 12 so I let the Full Proof go.

[Bryman]

The 12 year, Full Proof, Stagg Jr and Elmer are the four main bottles on my list. Plenty of other stuff I’m on the lookout for, but those four are the main ones(not counting the obvious stuff like Pappy and the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection).

[Irishman12]

Oh, way more. I think reserve is fine, but for the minimal $35 I pay for it there’s better bottles. The Antique is probably in my top 5. I would have made the exact same call on the 12 though man. That’s part of the reason I passed on the Full Proof. My guy had it priced at $118 and he sells the 12 for $150 when he has it in stock. I’ve heard for the price difference, just go with the 12 so I let the Full Proof go.

Dang he's gouging you! I paid $33 for the 12 and $40 for the Elmer, which I just tried and it's delicious! As of now, from what I've tried in Weller, I'd rank them:

1) OWA
2) 12
3) Special Reserve