Mainly what I’m looking for from you gents is what holes I have in my bourbon experience to date. This review represents the whole of my bourbon experience save Makers Mark which I don’t find pleasing. I almost bought a bottle of MM 46 the other day, but I've read mixed reviews. I don't find MM to be very compelling.
I hope you enjoy reading our remarks below as much as we enjoyed transcribing them. Suggestions are welcome.. I’m curious where that next-level bourbon experience lies.. Our top 8 in order from best to worst are at the bottom.
As a side note I ran into a gentleman (didn't get his name) at the Hamburg Liquor Barn in Lexington KY (Friday 1/20) at around 11am. This dude knew bourbon and spent 20 minutes with me explaining differences across LB's very large selection. He said he spent a bit of time on this forum, and I just want to send a thanks!
Thanks!
TheEther
Old Fitzgerald 12 year
Paid: $30.99
Nothing to speak of on the nose, alcohol and oak.. My sniffer may not be that refined..
Taste is a 3 trick pony, slightly sweet on the front immediately giving way to what I perceive is a dry musty rye in the middle (even though this is a wheated bourbon) then slowly tapering off to a glorious long light vanilla way in the back. The front and middle are bit uninteresting, but the vanilla is worth waiting for. When I want my vanilla fix, this one has the most overt vanilla I’ve found so far. It reminded me of Yuengling Lager. You drink it for the finish..
Is this a 30 dollar bourbon? I’m still struggling with that one but I do like the vanilla…
Very Old Barton 6 BiB
Paid: $11.99
On the nose I get alcohol and a licorice/honey type scent.. Alcohol is stronger on the nose than the Weller 12.
My first drink really impressed me for a cheap bourbon. The sweetness lingers then dry rye, then strong toasted oak.. love the wood flavor. My only issue here is the finish, there really isn’t much to the finish besides a slightly dry sweetness on the back of my palate. I almost get a light tobacco/espresso taste through the nose on the finish but it’s ever so subtle. My very last drink there was a peat moss type flavor with the sweetness on the front. Excellent value..
Bernheim Original (Wheat Whiskey)
Paid: $29.99
A high sweetness on the nose very little alcohol and maybe a wine like smell, is this Angels Envy? (I jest of course) but yes, I do get that from it.
Taste is almost no bitterness, slight sweetness, nothing to grap your attention. Does have a weird alcohol bloom toward the end. There’s nothing here for me.. this might be a good whiskey for a beginner with an undeveloped palate. Sorry dear, I don’t think this relationship will work.. but thanks for the $10 rebate, it takes away the sting a bit…
Old Weller Antique 107
Paid: $20.99
I can’t say enough about this bourbon. Is it one of the best bourbon values in the business? I think so. To be 107 proof, it’s smoother on the palate and going down than some of the other 90 proofers here.
Love the long sweet note up front, in the middle strong wheat then light sweetness on the back.. not über complex but nice and welcoming like an old friend.
Old Weller 12 Year
Paid $22.79
On the nose I get high sweet toasted oak.
Very sweet, creamy then dry I would say a more prevalent dryness that Bufflao Trace. Frankly I think this would be a completely different bourbon at a higher proof. I really hate to say it but I’m still gravitating toward the OWA 107, there’s just more there. I’m also probably an idiot for saying that..
Buffalo Trace
Paid $21.99
On the nose I get little alcohol which is surprising, but I do get a orangey/citrusy note and what I think is sweet prunes… Impressive..
Very sweet on the tongue on the front, slightly creamy, slightly dry, a little tart, mild rye kick, alcohol doesn’t bite too much. The finish is dry rye, once that dissipates I get a light/very light hint of the citrus again and poof it’s gone leaving vestigial dryness in my mouth waiting for the next drink
Old Forester Signature 100
Paid $16.79
On the nose it’s very very sweet, walking through a honeysuckle patch sweet
Wow, did they add sugar to this? Can someone check on that? (just kidding) This sucker is sweet.. Love it. Sweet citrus red old style licorice is what I get.. but that’s about it, maybe the lightest bit of the nutty barrel oak. The finish just tapers off real smooth. I’m very impressed. Woah, 2 minutes later, are you fricken kidding me? Vanilla shows up! Not bold and not long like the 12 year Old Fitz, but it surprises me again.. This is one of my top 4 bourbons right now. I’m just shaking my head in disbelief.
Eagle Rare 10
Paid $28.99
On the nose sweet maraschino cherries. Shamefully I also get a hint of Vicks 44D cherry.. It’s pleasant.. but funny.. I smile wryly a the 44D thought..
Sweetness is quick up front and gone.. hey hey, welcome gods of sweet rye carrier wave that brings a little mint along. Not bad.. Finish slightly sweet, just chillin’ then hello soft vanilla. Yeah, for me that vanilla gives it street-cred. Love the vanilla. Not a long finish but nice.
Angels Envy
Paid ~$42.99
On the nose I can definitely smell those port barrels, unique but not so unique that I didn’t catch a hint of that on the nose of Berhneim. Probably the highest frequency of sweetness on the nose that I’ve experienced yet.
The first drink the sweet left the party so quick it almost started me then immediately the rye kick.. bang.. hold it, hold it, a little sweet tobacco like grandpa’s pipe back filling the room of my mouth. Ya know it reminds me of Woodford and about as boring as the Bernheim. Feeling like I was just sold a bill of goods at the price.. My Dad puts it a step above Woodford.
Angels Envy doesn’t exactly scream what it is, it’s asking you to search deep down to figure it out and honestly I don’t feel like I should have to.
Sorry yall, overhyped
Russell’s Reserve 10
Paid $31.00 (I think)
High alcoholic sweetness couldn’t put my finger on what, but what I’m smelling honeysuckle high though.
Has more body, much like the viscosity is higher, thicker, creaminess. Very sweet similar but not quite as sweet as the Forrester Signature. Definitely a mid palate rye punch that lingers and mellows for nearly 45-60 seconds then once the rye is gone, a dry, very very light sweetness.. Smooth.. a keeper for those times when that rye punch is good for what ails ya.
Ancient Ancient Age 10
Price Paid Less than $20
On the nose a very pleasant minty cinnamony sweetness
First taste, loads of sweet oak sugar on the palate then immediately a bitterness that dissipates about as quick as it showed up. Then, back to sweet. Finish is short for me and if not a bit dry, I wouldn’t consider my batch as “mesmeric” but definitely pleasant. I’ll keep it around for when I’m looking for a change but not one of my favorites.
Woodford Reserve Distillers Select
Price (you all know what it costs
)On the nose oaky whispy sweetness with a slight earthiness..
Disclaimer, my bottle is half full and is about a year old. Very sweet up front then about 5 seconds of nothing right after the sweetness is gone. Rye shows up just a bit and tapers with some caramel… then a slow fade with a light-sweet taste but not really inviting me back to dance with the ole gal.. Leave my palate feeling clean though, not dry. Meh.. Pretty bottle?
Four Roses Single Barrel – Barrel 52-G Warehouse NN
Price Paid $32.00
Nose has more alcohol than I expected, lighter than most on the nose
Sweet and velvety honey right up front, the rye kick is lightning fast then yields to more dried muted fruit levels of sweetness. It kind of blooms in your mouth (no pun intended) from front to back. Just really really nice and not confusing. Keeper..
Our Top 8
1. Four Roses Single Barrel
2. Old Forrester Signature
3. Russell’s Reserve 10
4. Old Weller Antique 107
5. Buffalo Trace
6. Eagle Rare 10
7. Very Old Barton BiB 6yr
8. Old Fitzgerald 12
