what are you enjoying tonight?

[tRidiot]

^^^ True....... But have you noticed a lot of bourbons and whiskey have dropped the age statement.... heck even a few have lowered their proof & ABV in secret. Look what Makers Mark did a few years back.....and fans of MM raised Holy Hell.

If I'm getting an 10 year old bottle of American whiskey or bourbon ....I want it to be that. Bottled In Bond assures what's in the bottle....maybe the best government control or involvement ....who knows??

I know what you mean about the lack of age labeling. It is a bit frustrating sometimes.

As for the Larceny, I do like it a lot. I'm not a boubon "guy" per se, I like my single malts, but GD, the price is just insane if you drink very much of it. lol I've become a big fan of Elijah Craig, I like that alot in my whiskey sours, and like it a lot neat or with just a splash of water, as well. I find the Larceny to be slightly better, a bit more robust, perhaps. Again, with a tiny splash, it really smooths it out quite a bit. I don't know as much about talking about the nose and the more subtle flavors and all that blah... I just know it tastes good. lol And it is a bit more "full" or rounded I think than the Elijah, or the Four Roses (either Small Batch or Single Barrel). I've developed a lot more of a taste for bourbon over the last year as I've tried to trim down my Scotch budget a bit - I know I drink too much, and should probably cut back on quantity as much or more than anything, but this is my compromise for now. I buy 2-3 bottles of single malt a month, and the rest I've been making up with bourbon.

I have a full half-gallon of freshly squeezed sweet & sour mix in my fridge right now, several new bottles of bourbon to try out and some very good ryes (the Knob Creek above is good, and some Sazerac which is my favorite) to make a proper whiskey sour from, so tonight I am definitely going to be relaxing. I've got some handmade Honduran cigars my friend brought back from a mission trip for me, I just might break out a rare cigar tonite. Don't ask how long those have just been sitting in a plastic bag next to my recliner.... it's a tragedy.

 

[Lurkerinthewoods]

Nothing posted here in like 3 weeks??? WTH?

Ok, I decided to take @Cohiba up and try some Evan Williams Single Barrel.

I haven't cracked the bottle open yet, I've been working on the Larceny this week. When did I take this picture....? I think it must have been Monday. Yeah, Monday. I'm halfway through the Larceny now, was thinking of opening up one of the Jamesons tonite... I don't know, I'm so torn... lol.

One thing I have found neat with the Evans single barrel, they put the date it was barreled on the label and I have found two different barreling dates that were two of my kid's birthday. I know it's corny, but the kids dig the bottles. Also found it on a bottle of Henry McKenna 10yr as well.

 

[O4L]

I'm cheap and broke as hell right now so forgive my poor man's drinks.

I was in the mood for something a little sweet tonight so I made some honey syrup(1part honey, 1 part water).

I have some whisky and spiced rum from nearly a year ago so I tried each separately with the honey syrup over ice, one teaspoon full to about two ounces of alcohol.

It's going down very well.

 

[chazroh]

Gotta do whatever you can!

 

[D. Hargrove]

Nothin wrong with cheap or broke! Heck, I could have millions and still be both!!

 

[tRidiot]

One thing I have found neat with the Evans single barrel, they put the date it was barreled on the label and I have found two different barreling dates that were two of my kid's birthday. I know it's corny, but the kids dig the bottles. Also found it on a bottle of Henry McKenna 10yr as well.

I agree, I noticed the bottling date and such last night when I opened it up. Very neat.

First impression of the Evan Williams Single Barrel, neat, room temp - not so great. It was a little bitter, a little acidic with a bit of a harsh finish, almost stinging. I added just a splash of water, which I found toned the acidity down quite a bit, smoothed out the flavors a good bit, as well. Sitting out on the back porch with a friend, sipping it and waiting for the Thunder to start and the thunder to start (eh?), I became a bit more enamored of it. We discussed it in the terms @Cohiba has been recommending it - the best bourbon for the price. This bottle I paid $20.99 for. When he said he pays more than that for Jack Daniels, I'd have to admit, it is head and shoulders above Jack Daniels Black Label. After a few more sips, it was noticeably smoother and the acidity seemed to have disappeared. I do like it, but I still prefer what I've been drinking a lot of lately, which is Elijah Craig and Larceny (which is a bit more cost-wise). I think that the Four Roses Small Batch and the Four Roses Single Barrel both beat the Evan Williams Single Barrel, but it is definitely a step above most of the bourbons you will find in its price range, like Black Jack.

There's my review - a little harsh at the start, mellowed up with a splash of tap water, grew on me over the course of... umm... well... "several" glasses.

 

[Cohiba]

Excellent review!!!
***Don't forget** With all single barrels...one barrel might be a little hotter while another might be a little sweeter....etc. I have definitely found this true on George Dickel SB., along with Jack Daniels SB...which vary widely!!!

***Don't kill me for the recommendation*** But as you know, different likes and tastes for different people. When I frequent the bars here in OKC I and I spy their selection of Bourbon and American whiskey I usually try to buy a half shot so as to sample it before I buy it. I even have a few bartenders give me a free sample



I wish I could like Scotch. Yes you read that correctly.....could like Scotch. I have tried numerous types and ages of Scotch and cannot stand them. I have a buddy who owns a liquor store and tried to get him to help/advise me on a bottle of Scotch.

He stated I was a Bourbon man and like my alcohol "sweeter" than Scotch. That I wouldn't like Scotch and that he hated to recommend a bottle because I would either throw it away or give it away.

He was ABSOLUTELY correct!!! I cannot stand Scotch and the only one I half way liked was a bottle of Aberfeldy...what year...who knows.

I can stand a blend like Johnny Walker but straight or single malt....OH NO!!!!



We'll keep sampling and keep each other informed.

When your at your favorite bar try a sample of this:

Jefferson Ocean Aged at Sea. This started out as an experiment with a few barrels and now has become a full fledged product.

I believe they use small barrels to force or speed up maturity and have it on a ship at sea for six months. Trying to make the best of both worlds....sea salt, ocean wave movement, fluxing temperatures with an American Bourbon. Basically an ocean aged Bourbon.


Try a sample when you can and tell us what you think(this is open to everyone). I found it to be extremely smooth...would I pay the retail price for a bottle of this.....probably not, but once in a while at the bar....sure.

 

[chazroh]

Had a rusty nail tonight and a cohiba. Life is good

 

[O4L]

My new favorite.

I modify the recipe a bit by adding less lemon juice and honey syrup.

 

[emapples]

Excellent review!!!
***Don't forget** With all single barrels...one barrel might be a little hotter while another might be a little sweeter....etc. I have definitely found this true on George Dickel SB., along with Jack Daniels SB...which vary widely!!!

***Don't kill me for the recommendation*** But as you know, different likes and tastes for different people. When I frequent the bars here in OKC I and I spy their selection of Bourbon and American whiskey I usually try to buy a half shot so as to sample it before I buy it. I even have a few bartenders give me a free sample



I wish I could like Scotch. Yes you read that correctly.....could like Scotch. I have tried numerous types and ages of Scotch and cannot stand them. I have a buddy who owns a liquor store and tried to get him to help/advise me on a bottle of Scotch.

He stated I was a Bourbon man and like my alcohol "sweeter" than Scotch. That I wouldn't like Scotch and that he hated to recommend a bottle because I would either throw it away or give it away.

He was ABSOLUTELY correct!!! I cannot stand Scotch and the only one I half way liked was a bottle of Aberfeldy...what year...who knows.

I can stand a blend like Johnny Walker but straight or single malt....OH NO!!!!



We'll keep sampling and keep each other informed.

When your at your favorite bar try a sample of this:

Jefferson Ocean Aged at Sea. This started out as an experiment with a few barrels and now has become a full fledged product.

I believe they use small barrels to force or speed up maturity and have it on a ship at sea for six months. Trying to make the best of both worlds....sea salt, ocean wave movement, fluxing temperatures with an American Bourbon. Basically an ocean aged Bourbon.


Try a sample when you can and tell us what you think(this is open to everyone). I found it to be extremely smooth...would I pay the retail price for a bottle of this.....probably not, but once in a while at the bar....sure.

I read that bourbon aged in the elements (sun,rain, wind , etc ) improves the taste...someone lost a barrels shed to a tornado and the resulting outdoor aging worked wonders for the product