taste is a funny thing. I like the Heaven Hill 7, but I am a Heaven Hill fan. if you told me I could only get whisky from one distillery, it would probably be Heaven Hill. between the Evan Williams lineup, and Elijah Craig I'd be pretty happy. Throw in some Henry McKenna 10, the Parker versions. lets not forget Rittenhouse for a very affordable and sippable bottled in bond rye. Larceny and Old Fitz. count me in.
I'm not a fan of Knob Creek, I've tried pretty much all of theirs except the 18 year and the maple stuff. I'm not much on flavored stuff, and I'm not spending on an 18 when I don't care for the rest of your lineup. but lots of people do like it, so it is what it is.
there is a lot out there, but I dont think its hard to find quality stuff, just need to find stuff that fits your style. I've been lucky to get to Kentucky twice in the last year or so and had the chance to do tastings at about 40 distilleries. Not too mention another 8 to 10 distilleries in or closer to Virginia. A great way to be able to try stuff and not have to spend on a whole bottle or overpriced taste at a restaurant/bar.
I think there is a good bit of truth in people shopping expensive labels, and I think there are a lot of collectors that are just stockpiling this stuff for one reason or another. I've had the chance to taste some high dollar stuff, and most of it has been good, if not great, but I'm not sure any of it worth $250+ per bottle.
There are some younger brands that are putting out some good stuff too, and it will be interesting to see what they can do when they get some years under the barrels.
I've tasted very few that I couldn't find atleast one good thign to say about them.
Salute @I1ranger ! I can literally repeat your post, except for my love for KC
Not related to Knob Creek but same basic Bourbon line - Beam was very popular in Europe when I lived there and JB and Coke was popular mix in a can,
along with JD and Coke in a can. Neve even tried those...
White label Jim Beam was the only decent Bourbon we can get ahold of before early 90ies, even in Germany, where I was visiting often, relative of mine. Scotch was the "thing" aside of
local shnaps and amazing biers (Licher and Warshtainer were my favorites).
Of course all brands owned by HH are very good, I 'cant single out one of them. I just want to mentioned - 8yeas old Evan Williams Single Barrel. Used to be around $30+. Amazing pour.
10 yo Henry McKena. If you get to the right version as you mentioned, I will absolutely prefer it before the 10yo Eagle Rare. Let me be wrong, send all McKenas you don't like to me !
I should check the label of my only remined bottle of McKena, purchased probably 3 years back.
EC Toasted Barrel and 7yo BIB HH are the one I would always buy when not on a hunt for segmenting else. I'm so glad those two are fairly priced these days and not such a rare birds as other hyped distilleries products.
I was fortunate to be drinking bourbon for at least a few years before this pricing f***ery happened. I used to buy Pappy 20yr for $100/bottle...and, with a little effort, I was able to get mine at each release. I remember Weller products sitting on shelves at $28-45/bottle. Parker Heritage, BTAC, and Four Roses Limited Edition for $75-89. I don't deny that I was typically somewhat disappointed when I sprang for a $250 bottle. Not that they weren't good...I just didn't think they were that good, especially when compared to some of the more affordable gems.
Today, I'll admit to balking at higher prices. I'll still pay $100 is it's something I know I really like; and I'll occasionally splurge on something special up to $150...maybe $175. Above that, and I find myself needing to justify it to myself; which doesn't come easily because at those prices I'm reluctant to open the bottle.
Good times. I remember Blanton's, Eagle Rare and Buffalo Trace being on Total Wine Shelves and nobody was touching it...
It was probably the basic bar selection. Like Tullamore Dew, Paddy's, or the basic versions of Jameson or Bushmills; or scotches like Cutty Sark, J&B, Johnnie Red, etc,; it's a blend cut with industrial whiskey at minimum age. It's not like I haven't drank a lot of that kind of stuff over the years or I didn't enjoy it at the time. They're just a bit like Budweiser, PBR, or Coors Light versus richer beers.
Green Spot and Redbreast are both pure or single pot stills. Pot still is a unique type of whiskey made in Ireland from a mixture of malted and unmalted barley. Powers Three Swallows is an affordably priced single pot still with no age statement. It's a little sharp, especially when first opened, but decent. Powers John Lane is the aged version. Overall, I probably prefer the John Lane to Green Spot, but Redbreast 12 over either. Coincidental to their names, Greenspot has a distinct green apple note whereas Redbreast 12 has more of a red fruit character.
Some of the cheaper blended Irish Whiskeys contain a little pot still. (That's what helps Paddy's hold up the low end at just under $20 a bottle.) The Irishman Founder's Reserve is a notable blend as it does not contain the industrial whiskey. It's 70% Single Malt and 30% Single Pot Still.
Thank You ! We are happy to be here. This Country gave gave us everything we got and if I was in better condition I'd probably be a tripper, believe or not, but unfortunately I can't.
Not happy with what this Country became right now but here is not the place to spill my anti-communism and woke hatred.
I will definitely look for all three drinks from your picture. Redbreast is a name that most of my friends who are more familiar than me with the Irish drinks are recommending, I'm only familiar with Tullamore Dew and I like it.
Very interested of the Irish Rye, probably this will be the first one to grab, maybe even this week... I got some birthday parties lined up for the weekend and I'll need an IV infusion to survive it but I'm a "trained professional" alcohol tester so will see
Cheers Gents, it is my pleasure to carry such conversations, especially in the knife forum !
It was gorgeous, cool weather in FL, great time around my friend's pool.