Bourbon

[lohssanami]

Much has been said about George T. Stagg, but how many have tried any Van Winkle bourbon's?

[C57]

Never. In fact I've never seen any over here let alone tried them

[Nick Brown]

I've only ever had Van Winkel whiskies at the end of festivals, but I thought they lacked some of the roundness of the Stagg. Somehow the Stagg had more of a dry, sweet, mouthcoating flavour full of fruit and chocolate and coffee - the Van Winkels have a slightly oily, spirity, sour edge that feels like some of the flavours have been taken away. You get the rye, but do you get the corn?

My runner up to Stagg would have to be Bookers. That was truly wonderful stuff.

[John Lee]

I have had quite a few Van Winkles. Some of them are very, very good. One of the two of the older ones and sometimes a bit overaged but generally they are lush, complex but easy drinking. I do tend to prefer the rye versions, but this tends to be true for me for most American whiskey. I'm not sure if you asked the question in order to elicit a comparison to the Stagg or actively avoid it, but none of the Van Winkles is quite as good. Indeed Stagg, for me, is the ultimate bourbon.

[lawschooldrunk]

how about hirsch 16 (gold foil)- that's good stuff!

had the pappy 20- very nice indeed but I can't remember anything other than liking it.

[Ganga]

Plenty of Pappy here. Young uns aren't quite as good but get your mits on the 20 or 23 yo and a lot of the rye component has mellowed.

[Yello to Mello]

there are only 3 "good" burbons available where i live and maybe some really good ones on the vintage list. By good I mean only 3 that are way above the regular Jim Beam.....Woodford reserve is one of them. Never seen Van Winkle....it could have been available here at one time before I got interested.

[bamber]

I'm pretty much 50/50 with American whiskey and Scotch + Irish.

Stagg is great, I've always bought a bottle until this year and I think I'll give it a miss with the weak pound. Favourite is probably the 2004, but the 2003 is special as it's the first one I tried and is so powertful.

Van Winkle whiskeys have been a mainstay of boozy nights with friends in London and we're pretty unanimous that the 10yo 107 proof and the 13yo rye are our favourites (out of the 10 (107), 10 (90), 12, 15, 20 and rye). Only had the 23yo at Whisky Live and in a Bristol pub. Hard to evaluate it honestly as it so expensive and rare, but way better than the 20yo for me. The old (sic) old rip van winkle 15yo was really fantastic but the new 15yo is not as good and tastes a bit sawdusty to me.

I notice Jim Murray pans the 10yo 107 in his new book, but has upped his rating for the rye. I was under the impression that the rye had been tanked years ago and hence should not have really changed. Still, apparently Ballantine's Finest is worth 95.5 and one of the best whiskies in the world. Think he should take a year off.

Talking bourbon generally, I really love the standard Wild Turkey 8yo. Nothing subtle about it, but it a big, rich monster of a bourbon that always seems to hit the spot. Also some of the old Heaven Hill stuff bottled in 90's like Henry McKenna 10yo are really rich and powerful.

[peat-chaser]

I received a bottle of the 2008 stagg yesterday, but I didn´t try any Van Winkle yet.
If you ask me, I´d say I´m more interested in trying an Elmer T. Lee, but whenever
I´ll get the chance, I´ll try almost anything called whisk(e)y

[Frodo]

there are only 3 "good" burbons available where i live and maybe some really good ones on the vintage list. By good I mean only 3 that are way above the regular Jim Beam.....Woodford reserve is one of them. Never seen Van Winkle....it could have been available here at one time before I got interested.

Corner Creek is comming supposedly although I would call this a mid-shelfer as opposed to anything better. On the same shelf as Woodford Reserve or Knob Creek.

[Tim F]

I've had all the Van Winkles a few years ago - thought they were all good, but the 15yo was my fave. Disappointed to hear it's gone off the boil.

The rye was my second favourite, thought it was great. I heard that about the the rye being put into stainless steel years ago as well, so doubt it can have changed too much (although I have heard it can make a subtle difference, I think in relation to the Hirsch 16yo (another one I haven't tried yet.)).

Surprised no-one has mentioned Eagle Rare yet. For the impecunious among us who can't justify £100 for the magnificent Stagg, the Eagle has to be a good option. I think its one of the only bourbons I could justify forking out the sort of money that would get a decent malt.

Sorry if any of the above doesn't make sense, I have had a few Friday evening drams

[Malt-Teaser]

Sorry, I haven't tried any Van Winkle as yet, but I am one who thinks Stagg is brilliant stuff.
I also like the Blanton's Gold Edition (Single Barrel), but I wasn't overly impressed by Maker's Mark, Buffalo Trace or the ever-popular Jim and Jack.

[Yello to Mello]

For an early birthday present I got a duty free sized Maker's Mark and I like it...its pretty good.

[Nick Brown]

For an early birthday present I got a duty free sized Maker's Mark and I like it...its pretty good.

I remember liking the bottle of Makers Mark I had years ago. At that time, Bourbon was still relatively unknown in the UK although standard bottles could be had. Makers Mark was launched as being a cut above the others - traditionally made by hand at a small distillery or some such. I'd be interested to try it again now I have tasted more bourbons.

[Lucas]

I love Maker's Mark. But for me the best one around will always be Blanton's. Had the Gold Reserve recently and it's gorgeous!

[ras mazunga]

Bakers 7.
It's like chocolate milk.

[The Craw]

When I was in the States last year what got me was how damn cheap Bourbon is and you don't need to spend much for some real quality whisky. Mind you I was buying stuff from large supermarkets (Walmart and Publix) and at the time we were $2 for 1GBP.

I was picking up quality single barrel bourbons (Evan Williams and Eagle Rare) for less than $30 - the equivalent price of a standard blend here in Scotchland.

Also, Elijah Craig 12 for little over $20 and Jim Beam Rye for less than $15

[Lucas]

I was picking up quality single barrel bourbons (Evan Williams and Eagle Rare) for less than $30 - the equivalent price of a standard blend here in Scotchland.

Also, Elijah Craig 12 for little over $20 and Jim Beam Rye for less than $15

Envy is a sin. I am a sinner.

[The Mantis]

As I posted in another thread, I'm a real Scotch chauvinist....... but I've just come back from a special holiday over the pond (30th wedding anniversary) and I made a real effort to try a few bourbons and a couple of ryes.
However when I flew home out of Vancouver I was looking for something decent to bring home. I was kind of gutted to find nothing but Jack Daniels and Jim Beam there, although of course they had a selection of Canadian stuff. A bit disappointing compared to the excellent selection in Glasgow.

[rtp3]

Bourbon ... now that brings back the childhood memories ...

I am fond of the Van Winkles ... like many others, I prefer the 13y rye to the other bourbon's in the range, with the 13y bourbon being my second favorite.

One of my other favorites that has not gotten a mention here is Booker's Single Cask (Malt) bourbon.

Then, my bog standard ... perfect for a mint julep ... is Knob Creek. Of course, JB has a place in bourbon & cokes!

Currently, my only unopened bottle of whisky is a bottle of Woodford Reserve, which I am going to open as soon as I finish my next bottle!

[sku]

I love the 20 year old Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve. Bold, savory and chewy notes from this wheated Bourbon. Among Bourbon lovers, the 12 year old "Lot B" is one of the most loved, though I don't think it measures up the Pappy 20. Keep in mind these were made at different distilleries. The 20 and 23 year olds are still from the old Stitzel-Weller distillery while the younger versions are from Buffalo Trace, though all are made under the watchful eye of Julian Van Winkle.

http://recenteats.blogspot.com/2008/08/ ... art-3.html

http://recenteats.blogspot.com/2009/08/ ... lot-b.html

[Iain M]

Van Winkle bourbons are outstanding (there Rye as well...)
Bookers is another favourite that I wish was more available in the UK.
I dont think I have ever had a bad whiskey from Buffalo Trace Distillery.....

This has enriched my thirst for more bourbons...think ill get one as next purchase!

[WhiskyNotes]

William Larue Weller is good as well.
And Buffalo Trace, certainly considering the price.

[Malt-Teaser]

I haven't been too enamoured with Buffalo Trace, but I only tried one pretty standard example.

[Dawson120]

The only Bourbons I've had are Maker's Mark and Woodford Reserve. I though the Maker's was great until I tried the WR, fantastic stuff, and reasonably priced too. The nose reminds me of vanilla toffee, and woodsmoke on a Kentucky back porch. Lovely.