Hard Drinkers, Lets Drink Hard (Spirits, Liquors and Cocktails)

[SKT]

@T4920 I haven’t tried the Ardbeg Wee Beastie so I can’t comment but if you’re looking to try something new I had a bottle of Kilchoman Sanaig recently that I really enjoyed. I think matured in Sherry casks like Ardbeg Uigeadail  Let us know what you end up trying.

@Jett129 Just reading about your trip…looking forward to updates and pics!  Something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.

[Jett129]

Just finished our last Bourbon tour/tasting,which was at Michters. They’re all pretty similar in that they tell you what makes Bourbon…Bourbon. They also ,all, show you the various stages of their bourbon being made and then aged.They tell you why there’s is the best,and or different than all the others. They all offer tastings. We just had a surprise pour at The Michters distillery of their Barrel Strength bourbon,which I paid $25 for a pour of last night. Really great! On the Jim Beam tour they offer to sell you a bottle from a single barrel,and you get to slightly assist in the bottling,which is done right in front of you. After it’s done you can put your thumb print into the wax seal on the top. Jim Beam was the biggest distillery we visited, but they had a really great tour. Woodford Reserve was nice for the history and the fact that it’s so small. At the end of the Makers tour I got to dip my own bottle. We also visited Heaven Hill pretty much just to taste something I always wanted to try and it was on the way home. All the tour guides were really affable,and interesting,so even though I had my camera I ended up not taking many pictures. All in all a really great time. We also toured the Louisville Slugger baseball bat factory,and tomorrow we go to Churchill Downs for a tour and then home.

[goosehd]

@Jett129  Sounds like a great time.  Is there one bottle/tasting that truly stood out or any you wouldn't try again?

Did you pick up a baseball bat?

[Jett129]

I tried things in 2 categories at restaurants/bourbon bars. Bourbons that I hadn’t previously tried that I knew there was no way I’d ever be able to get them,and or afford them. Like the Elijah Craig toasted barrel,or the Michters Barrel Proof. I went to distilleries where for the most part,I knew going in that I liked their offerings. I tried a Rabbit Hole and a New Riff bourbon that I liked. I’m not a fan of Michters ryes,but I didn’t spit them out. The biggest surprise was the Michters American whiskey,which was quite tasty. Going out for Cuban food tonight and probably a Mojito has my name on it!

[ARNC]

@Jett129 I've enjoyed following your trip from a distance. Sounds like you've had a blast - shame we didn't all have samples to taste along with you :D.  If you liked the New Riff bourbon, it's worth trying their ryes. Based on what's available and sensibly priced in the UK, I usually end up going back to them.

[Jett129]

I intend to try their Rye when I get back,as you said, it’s sensibly priced and if I don’t care for it I can always use it in a cocktail.

[endo]

negroni o‘clock

[Matt]

[Jett129]

Love that bourbon. Once a year they release a Double/Double Oaked which has spent an extra year in the barrel. Pretty near impossible to get.

[goosehd]

Garrison Brothers Bourbon.  Worth it or pass?  Appreciate any feedback.

[Jett129]

I don’t know anything about them,in that I’ve never tried or knew anyone that tried any of their products. For argument’s sake…If it costs $100 and it’s the best bourbon you ever had then it’s worth it. If you can’t drink it,for that price,you’d be upset. So how much is it?

[goosehd]

Let’s just say stupid expensive, but our alcohol is taxed heavily here and the taxes go to health care…I can’t justify it, unless someone were to say it’s one of the best bourbons they have ever had.

[goosehd]

I normally buy more expensive stuff at the duty free store when traveling.  I have a trip coming up and am looking to add a bottle of something on the way home.

[Jett129]

I looked it up on their website and they’re selling it for $199. It’s a 5year old which is a little young for me and the 115 proof is definitely going to bring the heat. It’s identical, as far as proces,to what Woodford Reserve do to get their Double Oaked,which is delicious and about $50 a bottle in the US. A lot of bourbons/whiskeys win awards at these events. The problem is you don’t know who they competed against. Good Luck!

[goosehd]

I think I’m going to pass…don’t know enough about them and it better be really good for that price.

[Jett129]

Just curious…What does a bottle of Makers Mark sell for up there? I’m also hesitant to recommend bourbon, not knowing where your own personal tastes lie. Do you have a favorite bourbon?

[goosehd]

Makers Mark goes for $59.99 but you can find it for sale at $49 - $54.  As to my favourite bourbon so far:  Blantons.  Been drinking it for the last 15 years…I bought bottles at duty free stores and whenever I could find them on sale.  I may have a lifetime’s supply (about 10 bottles squirrelled away).

…and I still haven’t spelled Blanton’s yet with the tops…

[Jett129]

I love Blantons, but sadly haven’t been able to get it for a reasonable price in years. When I have seen it the price has been close to $200 a bottle. Last time I bought it I paid $46,and that was in 2014. Do you have any of the gold top bottles or the straight from the Barrel Blantons?

[goosehd]

The whole gambit:  Gold top, silver top, straight from the barrel.  Best place to buy it was duty free stores, but I haven’t travelled in two years.  The price used to be great as you mentioned, but then went through the roof here.  It’s $70 here (regular bottle) when/if you can find it.

[mclaincausey]

Hah late to the party but that bourbon is trying way too hard. It could be fantastic but the packaging is over the top IMO.