TSC Celebrates Bourbon Heritage Month Sept. 2021

[BarberDave]

Day #5

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List:
1. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9/10
2. High West Prairie Bourbon 7/10
3. Buffalo Trace 9.3/10
4. Wolcott Bottled in Bond 7.5 / 10
5. Knob Creek 9-yr 8.5 / 10
Roasted Peanuts galore, bright Toffee to the nose and peanut brittle. some heat on the tongue and palate, some sweet and spicy at the finish. Stupendous!

 

[NurseDave]

 

[CVargo]

Day 6


Look it's delicious. And yes I know that the market has caused it to get crazy expensive. For the record all my Blanton's is purchased at retail. I would not pay more for it. It's a solid single barrel bourbon at the suggested retail price. Is it worth $100? Absolutely not. But it is delicious and I do enjoy it. This gets a solid 8.2/10

List:
1st: Old Grand Dad Bottled in Bond 6/10
2nd: Maker's Mark 101 8/10
3rd: Buffalo Trace 7.5/10
4th: Bulleit Bourbon Single Barrel 6.5/10
5th: Old Forester 1920 9.3/10
6th: Blanton's Single Barrel 8.2/10

 

[BarberDave]

Day #6 09.06.2021

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List:
1. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9/10
2. High West Prairie Bourbon 7/10
3. Buffalo Trace 9.3/10
4. Wolcott Bottled in Bond 7.5 / 10
5. Knob Creek 9-yr 8.5 / 10
6. Basil Hayden's 5.0 / 10

At 80 proof I did not expect a powerhouse, and it was sadly confirmed. Flavor is good, but wanes very fast, as does the nose. No heat to speak of nor ethanol hit, initial notes to my snozz are orange burnt sugar, and maybe an apple note, a bit sweet on the palate with very little pepper or spice. On the tongue maybe some caramel and something else. Very linear in my opinion, but Very, very light. Smooth but uneventful and easy drinker and probably good as a mixer. Saving grace was the packaging, probably not a regular in the stable, but glad I tried, as it was very inexpensive

 

[Fenster]

Just getting caught up.

Picture "borrowed" from the internet as I failed to get a picture of my own.


List:
1. Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 9 year, 120 proof 8/10.
2. Elijah Craig Small Batch 94 proof, 6/10.
3. Woodford Reserve Distillers Select 90.4 proof 7/10
4. No Bourbon – Went out with Wife and hit a couple local Craft Breweries. Why on earth are these places still making so many IPA’s .
5. No entry - Played poker at Brother in Laws and drank Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 9 year again, cause it's delicious.
6. Wild Turkey 101. 7/10

 

[CVargo]

Day 7:



I love Evan Williams and the price point on their products is always ideal. The Single Barrel while not my favorite offering of theirs it's solid! Great tropical fruits in the nose, caramel, and a slight hint of peanut. The bigger knock is the proof. I right this a 6.7/10

List:
1st: Old Grand Dad Bottled in Bond 6/10
2nd: Maker's Mark 101 8/10
3rd: Buffalo Trace 7.5/10
4th: Bulleit Bourbon Single Barrel 6.5/10
5th: Old Forester 1920 9.3/10
6th: Blanton's Single Barrel 8.2/10
7th: Evan Williams Single Barrel 6.7/10

 

[BarberDave]

Day #7

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List:
1. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9/10
2. High West Prairie Bourbon 7/10
3. Buffalo Trace 9.3/10
4. Wolcott Bottled in Bond 7.5 / 10
5. Knob Creek 9-yr 8.5 / 10
6. Basil Hayden's 5.0 / 10
7. Wild Turkey 101 7.0 / 10

I know the 101 is a staple in most cabinets due to price, easy drinking ETC. for me however either neat or with ice it is a bit hot for my liking compared to the other 100+ proofs, it is a bit harsh to my palate, reminds me a bit of High West, and I prefer it with ice, No where near as smooth as BT, nor EJ, or KC, but one to keep around for company or the help, LOL The price is great as well, but to me tastes like a $20.00 liquor. Nice for some not for me everyday

 

[CVargo]

Day 8


So this is a new release this month. And I must absolutely delicious. Easily the best I've had this month so far. The cherry, vanilla, and blueberry on the nose are a welcoming treat. Mouth feel is great too. If you see this it's a buy for sure. First impressions and neck pour it gets 8.4/10

List:
1st: Old Grand Dad Bottled in Bond 6/10
2nd: Maker's Mark 101 8/10
3rd: Buffalo Trace 7.5/10
4th: Bulleit Bourbon Single Barrel 6.5/10
5th: Old Forester 1920 9.3/10
6th: Blanton's Single Barrel 8.2/10
7th: Evan Williams Single Barrel 6.7/10
8th: Remus Repeal Reserve Batch V 8.4/10

 

[BarberDave]

Day #8

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List:
1. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9/10
2. High West Prairie Bourbon 7/10
3. Buffalo Trace 9.3/10
4. Wolcott Bottled in Bond 7.5 / 10
5. Knob Creek 9-yr 8.5 / 10
6. Basil Hayden's 5.0 / 10
7. Wild Turkey 101 7.0 / 10
8. Evan Williams 86p 8.0 / 10

1st ever go around with the EW86 and it is very smooth . The Nose to me is somewhat fruit laden. I get Blueberry, Rasberrry maybe, some sugar syrup and something else pleasant I cannot describe, Tongue and palate are just sweet enough with some caramel and wood, with just enough heat, but not as harsh as some. Initial impression is very good.

 

[Spider]

Wait… Evan Williams is Bourbon? I guess I take back that i’ve never tried a bourbon that I liked. I just never realized it was a bourbon. Same goes for a Wild Turkey 101.

I like those two because they are smooth. Everything else I’ve tried (Elijah Craig, Woodford Reserve, Knob Creek, and others) I find too harsh.

But I especially love Evan Williams because it’s $8 a fifth! Although, I’ve tried 3 different EWs and I only like the black label….. the more expensive “better” ones are harsh.

I just don’t understand bourbons…. The more expensive they are the less I like them.

 

[NurseDave]

I just don’t understand bourbons…. The more expensive they are the less I like them.

Could it be they tend to have more cask flavor and you don’t like that? More wood, tannins, etc.

 

[Fenster]

Wait… Evan Williams is Bourbon? I guess I take back that i’ve never tried a bourbon that I liked. I just never realized it was a bourbon. Same goes for a Wild Turkey 101.

I like those two because they are smooth. Everything else I’ve tried (Elijah Craig, Woodford Reserve, Knob Creek, and others) I find too harsh.

But I especially love Evan Williams because it’s $8 a fifth! Although, I’ve tried 3 different EWs and I only like the black label….. the more expensive “better” ones are harsh.

I just don’t understand bourbons…. The more expensive they are the less I like them.

Both good choices. I prefer the Evan Williams Bottled in Bond white label but the black label is good too, and at that price it's very good.

 

[Spider]

Both good choices. I prefer the Evan Williams Bottled in Bond white label but the black label is good too, and at that price it's very good.

We tried the BiB and did not like it at all.

 

[Fenster]

I thought I remembered you saying that before. That's cool, stick with the black label and enjoy the savings.

 

[BarberDave]

We tried the BiB and did not like it at all

Could be the proof, othter than the 101 most of those that you enjoyed are between 86-90 proof could be that. Much more heat with the proofier ones

 

[BarberDave]

09.09.2021
Day #9 Bourbon Heritage Month

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LIST:
1. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9/10
2. High West Prairie Bourbon 7/10
3. Buffalo Trace 9.3/10
4. Wolcott Bottled in Bond 7.5 / 10
5. Knob Creek 9-yr 8.5 / 10
6. Basil Hayden's 5.0 / 10
7. Wild Turkey 101 7.0 / 10
8. Evan Williams 86p 8.0 / 10
9. Lazy River 90p 6.2 / 10

This one is interesting. Very smooth and unique in a couple of ways. Spoke of as a "bottom shelf" bourbon it is surprising, even after coming out a plastic bottle, which indeed would effect taste, so I poured it into crystal and let sit for an hour or so at room temp. Most of the rest of the month's tastings will be neat, for eval. The nose is very light but cinnamon is the star here and with the vanilla and caramel it smells a bit like a cinnamon roll. First roll in the mouth brings some other flavors like some fruits, some almond and Praline with a bit of heat on the tongue. Down the gullet you get baking spices, but very little throat hit. A tad sweet for my liking, but really smooth, with cinnamon being the overall star all the way through. Is it worth the 34.99 for 750 is a bit high, and probably would not be a purchase, still a good one to try. In doing some research it is distilled and bottled by Frank-lin Distillers out of Fairfield, CA however it does show a 4-yr aging in Kentucky, however where is a mystery, and even Frank-Lin does not list it in their brands. So a Ghost, but still worth a dram.

 

[CVargo]

Day 9



Well for the first time I'm opening the Colonel. In the form of small batch. Mmmm what a tasty bourbon. Chocolate cake on the nose, with a sweet subtle vanilla hidden with some oak. Then the finish is long real long. Right on the tongue I get grape soda. Delicious! 8.3/10

List:
1st: Old Grand Dad Bottled in Bond 6/10
2nd: Maker's Mark 101 8/10
3rd: Buffalo Trace 7.5/10
4th: Bulleit Bourbon Single Barrel 6.5/10
5th: Old Forester 1920 9.3/10
6th: Blanton's Single Barrel 8.2/10
7th: Evan Williams Single Barrel 6.7/10
8th: Remus Repeal Reserve Batch V 8.4/10
9th: Colonel E H Taylor Small Batch 8.3/10

 

[BarberDave]

Day #10
09.10.2021

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LIST:
1. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9/10
2. High West Prairie Bourbon 7/10
3. Buffalo Trace 9.3/10
4. Wolcott Bottled in Bond 7.5 / 10
5. Knob Creek 9-yr 8.5 / 10
6. Basil Hayden's 5.0 / 10
7. Wild Turkey 101 7.0 / 10
8. Evan Williams 86p 8.0 / 10
9. Lazy River 90p 6.2 / 10
10. Oregon Spirit 94p 4yr 8.4 / 10

Another new one to try from an Artisan Distiller in Bend, OR. Some folks would argue this is not bourbon, as it is not Kentucky Born. I say Bollocks, as IMHO, not withstanding being relatively new to the "Bourbon World" This bad boy can complete at the 4-yr golden copper elixir, although 94 proof acts like a 100+ proof whiskey. The Nose is a slap with Kettle Corn, some fruit and a Huge Ethanol hit. Surprisingly it is light on the palate, a bit oily, and with notes of Vanilla and again the kettlecorn with some caramel it is very nice. Hold on Skippy however, as the finish is long, hot, peppery and with a clear your nostrils, wasabi finish that lingers. The most unique bourbon I have tried so far. Honestly in makes WT101 look like a baby chicken. You "high proofers" ought to give this a try. They also have a Bottled in Bond at 100 proof and I can just imagine what that may be like. This was a good one and came in just under KC9.

 

[NurseDave]

Interesting. I tired that and the rye from them. Strong notes of cardboard for me.

 

[CVargo]

Day 10



One of the best daily sippers ever! Love the banana note
List:
1st: Old Grand Dad Bottled in Bond 6/10
2nd: Maker's Mark 101 8/10
3rd: Buffalo Trace 7.5/10
4th: Bulleit Bourbon Single Barrel 6.5/10
5th: Old Forester 1920 9.3/10
6th: Blanton's Single Barrel 8.2/10
7th: Evan Williams Single Barrel 6.7/10
8th: Remus Repeal Reserve Batch V 8.4/10
9th: Colonel E H Taylor Small Batch 8.3/10
10th Old Forester 100 Proof 8/10