Yep. I’ll also add that the oak must be new virgin casks, there can be no fillers or flavors added ( Jack Daniel’s, etc), and there are also entry and bottling proof requirements in order for it to be considered our glorious bourbon.
Mistakenly a lot of people used to think it must come from Kentucky to be considered bourbon but that’s not the case.

Then there’s all the rabble about “finished” bourbons not truly being a bourbon.

So many semantics. Who cares. As long as it tastes good!

Last night we went to my buddy’s restaurant and they have one of my favorites back on the menu. I have to get him liquored up enough to divulge the recipe. But it’s bourbon, fresh lemon juice, a little chambord, ginger and blackberry. Fucking spectacular in taste and color.

I just got a bottle of rock hill. Not worth keeping for a good night Just open and drink?

If I’m on the same page as Nutella I believe he means it’s not worth the secondary that most people have to pay to grab it. At MSRP or close it’s a good pour. Not worth the $300+ it goes for on secondary.

I have a sentimental attachment to it but I don't think it is worth the hype. Don't get me wrong, it is good stuff, but not worth what the secondary market is selling it for. It is a good, high rye, bourbon. Same mashbill as Blantons but different rickhouse. There is also the fact that it is a single barrel so each bottle is bit different. I have had great ones but this was just ok.

Personally I would keep it for when friends visit who would be excited to try it.

Thanks. I appreciate the practical explanation. I didn’t pay secondary market so it was “ fairly priced” in todays pricing.

Then that’s a great buy! Enjoy and drink it in good health.

Nutella brings up a great point with RHF and Blantons. In terms of bourbon and the “unicorns,” there are so many different bottles from the same distillery that it makes it more enjoyable when you can play the “name game” as I call it.

So many of them share the same mash bills but are aged differently, or placed in different locations, or just “didn’t make the cut” for the “better” labels.

In your case, Blantons has become so popularized (thanks to John Wick I think?) that it’s more than doubled in shelf price and people know it: but you can say well I’ve got RHF and it’s the same juice just a different location. Blows a lot of peoples minds.

Similar story with Weller 12 and Van Winkle 12. And so many others.

Cheers

Had to be in Dallas last week for some meetings. Picked up a bottle of Pinhook 7 year and a bottle of Penelope barrel strength 9 yr. I can never find in Wichita. The Penelope is definitely the better bottle.

Anyone with any other really good bottles you found that are readily available. For me Heaven Hill bottled in bond is a very good bourbon. I need to keep a bottle of it on hand.

Heading to Nashville from Canada for the weekend.

Any suggestions for a local whiskey/bourbon I should pick up. I can bring back 2.2 Litres/80 ounces. Looking for something I can't get in Canada - doesn't have to be crazy expensive, just different and worth buying.

Welcome to town!!

Are you staying in town? If so, we have the following local distilleries: Belle Meade Bourbon, Pennington Distilling Co., Nashville Barrel Co., Corsair Distillery & Taproom, Nelson's Greenbriar (the last two are close to casa clm).

If you want a day trip: Jack Daniels, Uncle Nearest and George Dickel are all in the same general vicinity about an hour or less from downtown.

Bars: Barrel Proof, Gertie's at 404 Kitchen, The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club, Single Barrel inside Assembly Food Hall, Bourbon Sky - the bar at Bourbon Steak on the top of the JW Marriott.

Where to buy: Frugal MacDoogal, Midtown Corkdorks, Main Street Liquors.

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clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

Oh, I like me some Belle Meade Bourbon

This is great stuff. Many thanks. Staying at the Thomson - looking forward to it.

Have you tried Standard Proof?

I'm on a trade association board and a member's husband is a partner in that brand. They started in Nashville and recently opened an Austin tasting room.

I have not. I'll have to check it out.

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clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

At a project completion celebration last night. It was open bar.

They rolled out a cart with various bottles.

I got a pour of Pappy van Winkle Family Reserve Rye.

I did not realize i just asked for a $90 pour. Oops. It was very tasty.

….and???

That’s a sweet cart deal. Are you normally a rye guy? What else was on the cart?

I was gifted a bottle of VWFRR A few years ago. Probably the one bottle I’ll try and save for an occasion.

Cheers

And I didn't get fired. A couple other guys got a pour and then we were cut off.

I saw several bottles of EH Taylor, and a couple other Pappy Van Winkles. I did not get a good look at the cart as I was a bit shocked that I just ordered a $90 drink.

I'm going to have to try more ryes. I normally get bourbon.
It seemed like this had hints of vanilla.

Funny thing is we had drink tickets and I assumed the cart was included. Good thing the project had been very profitable.

They had a very tasty old fashioned.

It was a Brazilian steakhouse. I'm still in a food coma this morning. Don't think I'll be eating again until tomorrow.

You might like the Angel's Envy Rye. It is tasty. If I am looking for a rye flavor it wouldn't be what I reach for but it is a tasty whiskey drink with some nice vanilla flavors. I think it is more $90/bottle instead of $90/drink

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I'm beginning to think that we are much more fucked than I thought.

Sounds incredible all around! Love me some whiskey and Brazilians, errr I mean Brazilian steakhouses.

I think you made the right choice. If I could choose from a VW lineup I’d go for the FRR. Which I’ve yet to try and why having an unopened bottle is a tease but also builds anticipation.

It’s highly regarded as one of the better pours in the VW family especially based on hype. And fir a 12-18 year juice.

I used to shy away from rye but have come to really enjoy it.

Interestingly, I just tried Angel's Envy last weekend at a BBQ Cookoff competition. Our lead cook had a bottle.

Replying in general.

I tend to like cocktails and have not gotten into Bourbon neat.

I typically have a bottle of Elijah Craig Small Batch and Wild Tukey 101 bourbon. For Rye, I usually have Rittenhouse Rye and maybe Old Overholt.

I'm actually drinking a riff of an Old Fashion tonight:
- 1 Dash of Orange Bitters
- 2 Dashes of Angostura bitters

1 fat teaspoon of Maple Syrup
0.5 oz Smith and Cross Rum
1.5 oz Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon

Its a pretty potent drink and nice when just having one drink.

My favorite home cocktail is probably a manhattan with Rittenhouse and Carpano Antica vermouth or Midnight Marauder (mole bitters, cynar, bonal, and mezcal).

Any bottles that are better say Elijah Craig Small batch or Rittenhouse that would be better neat? 1 or 2 bottles to add to the bar for special occasions. I find that most people are good with Elijah Craig if they want Bourbon.

That sounds very in my lane. Thanks for the suggestion. I have all of the above in the pantry

I'm not a big Rye fan myself, but I've found I enjoy a glass of Redemption and it sells at a decent price point if your looking to expand.