Dram of the Day

[Jackson]

I would happily trade places with you as mine is very definitely one of the worst bourbons I've ever tastes. I hate to say that. I know someone put a lot of time and effort into the whiskey and six years of aging "should" be entering the sweet spot but I'm telling you, this stuff is bad.

I've read the reviews and it looks like I'm in the minority but you might consider giving Bib & Tucker 6 year a pass. There's an attempt at a spice note but the entire whiskey is summarized in one word.... Hollow. There's just nothing there. I smell a hint caramel yet don't taste it. It's like a vacuum quickly enters your mouth as soon as the liquid leaves. Really, bad.

Where did my daily drinker go? I hate to say it but I'm dumping this out.

J

 

[soulsea]

I would happily trade places with you as mine is very definitely one of the worst bourbons I've ever tastes. I hate to say that. I know someone put a lot of time and effort into the whiskey and six years of aging "should" be entering the sweet spot but I'm telling you, this stuff is bad.

I've read the reviews and it looks like I'm in the minority but you might consider giving Bib & Tucker 6 year a pass. There's an attempt at a spice note but the entire whiskey is summarized in one word.... Hollow. There's just nothing there. I smell a hint caramel yet don't taste it. It's like a vacuum quickly enters your mouth as soon as the liquid leaves. Really, bad.

Where did my daily drinker go? I hate to say it but I'm dumping this out.

J

View attachment 11428

Oh I'm with you on B&T, and not just the 6 ... almost everything they do is undrinkable to me.

The only one I've ever liked was a TW release of a 12 and even that was just ok and hugely overpriced.

 

[TReX-RAM]

This stuff here is not too bad, nice little treat after a long day. Thanks for recommendation folks.

 

[JayRay]

I would happily trade places with you as mine is very definitely one of the worst bourbons I've ever tastes. I hate to say that. I know someone put a lot of time and effort into the whiskey and six years of aging "should" be entering the sweet spot but I'm telling you, this stuff is bad.

I've read the reviews and it looks like I'm in the minority but you might consider giving Bib & Tucker 6 year a pass. There's an attempt at a spice note but the entire whiskey is summarized in one word.... Hollow. There's just nothing there. I smell a hint caramel yet don't taste it. It's like a vacuum quickly enters your mouth as soon as the liquid leaves. Really, bad.

Where did my daily drinker go? I hate to say it but I'm dumping this out.

J

View attachment 11428

I hear you Jackson. I'm in.the same boat with that bottle of Johnny Smoking Gun by Two James Spirts.....I just can't get past that fake liquid smoke taste it has.....it's not the beloved smoke and peat we enjoy in Lagavulin, Laphroaig and Caol Ila! I revisted the bottle a few times trying to convince myself it's ok....and it's not. This one may get poured down the drain like you mentioned! I'm going to have to grab a bottle of Hirsch! Thanks for the recommendations gents!

 

[JayRay]

Had an unexpected guest.....so, a paper plane for [email protected] now my favorite Dark Rye for me.... Cheers to a good night all...

 

[Jackson]

Can you spot the theme for the evening? (I don't work on Wednesdays so Tuesday nights I typically tie one on)

One of these is darn tasty. The other, not-so-much. Any guesses?

 

[Jackson]

Here's what gets my goat...... Listen to this flowery language written about the Heaven Hill bourbon above. These are direct quotes regarding the nose, the palate and then the finish.

"Quintessential aromas of vanilla, caramel, and aged oak come forward. A trace of leather along with even fainter hints of tobacco and honey play in the background.......... Seasoned oak and spice envelop the taste buds, bursting forth immediately. Savory tobacco and leather notes come next, balanced against graham cracker and butterscotch. It has a lightweight, and somewhat dry mouthfeel. Despite this, the intensity of flavors is just right, inviting you back for more....... Medium to long, cinnamon spice and caramel sweetness find themselves in perfect balance to start it off. Oak mingles in, along with cherries and vanilla sweetness. The dryness present in the palate tapers off, allowing the sweeter notes to echo into the final moments of the finish."

It sure makes me want that bottle. Then you buy the thing and poof..... Nada. Nothing like the description. In fact, the same reviewer that used the language above gave it this rating.

It makes no sense that you'd use that language and give a 2.5 out of 5 barrels. That really upsets me actually but I'll try to stay off of my soap box.

J

 

[marksouth]

Cheers to all!

 

[JayRay]

Here's what gets my goat...... Listen to this flowery language written about the Heaven Hill bourbon above. These are direct quotes regarding the nose, the palate and then the finish.

"Quintessential aromas of vanilla, caramel, and aged oak come forward. A trace of leather along with even fainter hints of tobacco and honey play in the background.......... Seasoned oak and spice envelop the taste buds, bursting forth immediately. Savory tobacco and leather notes come next, balanced against graham cracker and butterscotch. It has a lightweight, and somewhat dry mouthfeel. Despite this, the intensity of flavors is just right, inviting you back for more....... Medium to long, cinnamon spice and caramel sweetness find themselves in perfect balance to start it off. Oak mingles in, along with cherries and vanilla sweetness. The dryness present in the palate tapers off, allowing the sweeter notes to echo into the final moments of the finish."

It sure makes me want that bottle. Then you buy the thing and poof..... Nada. Nothing like the description. In fact, the same reviewer that used the language above gave it this rating.

View attachment 11500

It makes no sense that you'd use that language and give a 2.5 out of 5 barrels. That really upsets me actually but I'll try to stay off of my soap box.

J

Sorry it was a disappointment?.....the rye was better? I am a fan of ryes, so am curious about what you thought.....

 

[JayRay]

Here's what gets my goat...... Listen to this flowery language written about the Heaven Hill bourbon above. These are direct quotes regarding the nose, the palate and then the finish.

"Quintessential aromas of vanilla, caramel, and aged oak come forward. A trace of leather along with even fainter hints of tobacco and honey play in the background.......... Seasoned oak and spice envelop the taste buds, bursting forth immediately. Savory tobacco and leather notes come next, balanced against graham cracker and butterscotch. It has a lightweight, and somewhat dry mouthfeel. Despite this, the intensity of flavors is just right, inviting you back for more....... Medium to long, cinnamon spice and caramel sweetness find themselves in perfect balance to start it off. Oak mingles in, along with cherries and vanilla sweetness. The dryness present in the palate tapers off, allowing the sweeter notes to echo into the final moments of the finish."

It sure makes me want that bottle. Then you buy the thing and poof..... Nada. Nothing like the description. In fact, the same reviewer that used the language above gave it this rating.

View attachment 11500

It makes no sense that you'd use that language and give a 2.5 out of 5 barrels. That really upsets me actually but I'll try to stay off of my soap box.

J

Regardless Jackson.....your presentation made them both look awesome!

 

[Jackson]

The Rye was far better. In fact, we went on a tour of ryes for round two. My wife ended up seeing the sharpie on the bottom of the glasses which really weren’t needed because these were so distinctly different. All three are really enjoyable for different reasons.

 

[JayRay]

The Rye was far better. In fact, we went on a tour of ryes for round two. My wife ended up seeing the sharpie on the bottom of the glasses which really weren’t needed because these were so distinctly different. All three are really enjoyable for different reasons.View attachment 11548

I need to try the Angels finished rye and the Michters rye. I already love the bourbon bottlings from both and the Dark Rye is now one of my favorites. I'm actually going to stop at the big liquor store I frequent after work to pick up a bottle of Hirsch because of your post! Oh....and another bottle of Dark Rye since @Bambi got me addicted.....

 

[soulsea]

This guy was in the fancy cabinet at the liquor store today. Never heard of it but I’ll give it a try.

 

[JayRay]

This guy was in the fancy cabinet at the liquor store today. Never heard of it but I’ll give it a try.

Read a review on that! Very good tasting scores. Is the bottle really signed by Ed Belfour?

 

[soulsea]

Read a review on that! Very good tasting scores. Is the bottle really signed by Ed Belfour?

Yes.

I'll try not to let my NY Rangers fandom affect my enjoyment.

Although it's hard to enjoy much in life when one is a NY Rangers, Mets, Jets, Knicks fan.

 

[HiElevation]

The Rye was far better. In fact, we went on a tour of ryes for round two. My wife ended up seeing the sharpie on the bottom of the glasses which really weren’t needed because these were so distinctly different. All three are really enjoyable for different reasons.View attachment 11548

I love all three of those. Left is an all the time drink. Right is daily night cap/dessert. Middle is more of a special occasion one for me. Used to be able to find it in the 80’s. Now always over 100.

 

[TedRex]

Cheers to all!
View attachment 11501

Yum

 

[Caliche]

Pre sunset.... this afternoon.....

And now on to the more important things.... I’m pretty sure that this will make anybody a General if you dare.....


Cheers.....

 

[soulsea]

I decided that tonight is the night I am going to figure out a bourbon rumor, namely that Hancock's (giggity) President's Reserve is lower priced overstock Blanton's quietly released by Buffalo Trace to keep Blanton's scarce, and that you could hypothetically get Blanton's on the cheap.

Before I even get into the the taste comp I need to note a couple of things that are fundamental to my bourbon life.

1. Base Blanton's is good not great. It is by far the most overrated bourbon in the world. It is fundamentally a $40 bourbon at best who's great marketing and scarcity management has propelled it into a desirable thing. It is the epitome of what people who know nothing about bourbon desire. Again, it's not bad, but it's not special in any way. If you blind pour it into a glass next to base $35 Eagle Rare most people would chose the ER. People who really know bourbon won't pay for it. People who don't know bourbon gift it to me, and I regift it to people who know nothing about bourbon cause it makes them feel happy and special.

2. The Hancock (gigitty) as a secret Blanton's isn't a thing any more. First of all it's actually harder to find than Blanton's, and it trades at even more $ than Blanton's. So even if they were the identical product for all intents and purposes the Blanton's is now the cheaper one of the two. This is funny, because this price inversion isn't based on substance, it's purely based on rumor, and the fact that the thing that's supposed to copy the other thing is more expensive than the thing it's copying is a clue as to the absurdity of the market.

Aaaaaaall of that said, they are not the same thing. The Hancock (giggity) is much better. It is sweeter, deeper, more complex. If the liquid was in a Blanton's bottle it would really be worth $100. Is it worth more than $100? I'm not sure. But if you run into a bottle for around that price or less I would recommend you pick it up. Your friends won't be impressed with the label, but YOU will not regret it.

 

[JayRay]

I decided that tonight is the night I am going to figure out a bourbon rumor, namely that Hancock's (giggity) President's Reserve is lower priced overstock Blanton's quietly released by Buffalo Trace to keep Blanton's scarce, and that you could hypothetically get Blanton's on the cheap.

Before I even get into the the taste comp I need to note a couple of things that are fundamental to my bourbon life.

1. Blanton's is good not great. It is by far the most overrated bourbon in the world. It is fundamentally a $40 bourbon at best who's great marketing and scarcity management has propelled it into a desirable thing. It is the epitome of what people who know nothing about bourbon desire. Again, it's not bad, but it's not special in any way. If you blind pour it into a glass next to base $35 Eagle Rare most people would chose the ER. People who really know bourbon won't pay for it. People who don't know bourbon gift it to me, and I regift it to people who know nothing about bourbon cause it makes them feel happy and special.

2. The Hancock (gigitty) as a secret Blanton's isn't a thing any more. First of all it's actually harder to find than Blanton's, and it trades at even more $ than Blanton's. So even if they were the identical product for all intents and purposes the Blanton's is now the cheaper one of the two. This is funny, because this price inversion isn't based on substance, it's purely based on rumor, and the fact that the things that's supposed to copy the other thing is more expensive than the thing it's copying is a clue as to the absurdity of the market.

Aaaaaaall of that said, they are not the same thing. The Hancock (giggity) is much better. It is sweeter, deeper, more complex. If the liquid was in a Blanton's bottle it would really be worth $100. Is it worth more than $100? I'm not sure. But if you run into a bottle for around that price I would recommend you pick it up. Your friends won't be impressed with the label, but will not regret it.

Great write up! Cheers!