Well after barging in on the Scottish thread with my American experiences I’ve decided to start an actual thread for American Whisky/Whiskey. I’ll be back with some of my own experiences feel free to share your own and pics in the meantime.
Four Roses has become my favorite American distillery in the last year or so. Their small batch and single barrel offerings are generally always in my open bottle rotations, and I have probably 5-6 of their barrel proof private selections sitting in my “cellar” (closet) right now. I have a hard time getting their Limited Edition releases. A shame, since the Four Roses 125th Anniversary Small Batch Limited Edition released last year is one of the best bourbons I’ve ever had in my life. Rounding out my top three are Heaven Hill and Buffalo Trace. I don’t really venture out too far into the “Craft” whiskey industry, since a lot of those products are overpriced, underaged, or sourced from MGP in Indiana. As far as my Craft/non distiller producer preferences do go, I really like High West, Smooth Ambler, and Balcones and respect their integrity/transparency.
Finally: For anyone that lives in Ohio, you owe it to yourself to check out Tom’s Foolery distillery. Their bourbon is a bit young right now, but they are doing things the right way. In 2-4 years, I think they are going to be producing some of the best bourbon on the market.
Where is that located? We have some really exciting beer being made in Ohio now as well
[QUOTE=daishi;2836055]Where is that located? We have some really exciting beer being made in Ohio now as well[/QUOTE]Somewhere in Northern Ohio: http://www.tomsfoolery.com/
As for Ohio Beer, Great Lakes Brewing Company (particularly Edmund Fitz Porter, but mostly everything they have) is one of my all time favorites.
Just grabbed a bottle of Henry McKenna 10 year bourbon while on a trip in St. Louis. Very tasty, a bit hot but very delicious.
Also tried a rye from Dark Horse Distillery (Kansas City), and that was quite enjoyable.
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Crown Royal XO
Was like not even drinking Whisky so good but sadly only 80 proof. Cheap 30-35 worth it for the experience.
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1792
Taste great very smooth hardly any burn at all but still has the kick 93.7 proof for less than 40 bucks. Great deal and more than worth it surprised me and shot ahead of a lot of brands in my book.
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Jim Beam Signature Craft
86 proof so it had a nice kick and it tasted good for Jim Beam. I was very happy with this offering one of the best tasting products Beam offers. Pricing was 45-50 if I recall and worth every penny.
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Jim Beam Single Barrel
Now this was Jim Beam highlight 95 proof and tasted great. Well for Jim Beam that is very smooth going down and plenty of kick. Price was close to 40/45 but well worth it.
Today I had a glass of Jefferson’s Presidential Select 21 year old Bourbon, batch one. I got it on sale a year or two ago; finally opened it a month or two ago. Some days I’m in the mood for it, some days I’m not. Today I was. Got lots of nice oaky vanilla, chocolate, and banana notes from it, and the bitter finish didn’t bother me. It’s one I have to be in the mood for, but I really enjoy it when I am.
Disclaimer: Due to the climate it is usually aged in, bourbon is typically at its peak aged 6-12 years, with some significant outliers on both sides of the equation. Please don’t assume older bourbon is better bourbon. Most of the time, it isn’t. For example, Pappy Van Winkle 23 is a tired out over oaked bourbon that only exists because the Van Winkle Family couldn’t sell their 20 year old barrels in enough quantity to use them all up (this was back prior to the bourbon boom, celebrity chef attention, and Van Winkle partnership with Buffalo Trace). I’ll let you guess why the 20 year exists . . . But feel free to mortgage your house to buy a bottle of either.
Explains why I didn’t like Buffalo Trace speaking of which.
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Terrible I was so glad to be done with it had an awful after taste if you have 30 dollars there are much better whiskey’s to try.
[QUOTE=danharr;2836203]Explains why I didn’t like Buffalo Trace speaking of which.
http://i2.cdscdn.com/pdt2/a/c/e/1/700x700/buffalotrace/rw/buffalo-trace.jpg
Terrible I was so glad to be done with it had an awful after taste if you have 30 dollars there are much better whiskey’s to try.[/QUOTE]I liked Buffalo Trace when it was $17 and they were putting a lot of better bourbon into it. Now that bourbon is popular, most of the honey barrels from Buffalo Trace’s Mashbill #1 are probably being held back for future George T Stagg or Eagle Rare 17 releases. Or being released as Stagg Jr., E.H. Taylor Single Barrel, Small Batch, Barrel Proof, or other future Taylor releases. Eagle Rare 10 has taken a marked nosedive in quality in the past year as well.
Don’t worry though, Heaven Hill’s mid shelf premiums - Elijah Craig 12, Henry McKenna 10, and Evan Williams Single Barrel 10 yr are all still outstanding, though the McKenna store pick barrels tend to be of slightly higher quality than the regular release.
[QUOTE=Cassius;2836211]I liked Buffalo Trace when it was $17 and they were putting a lot of better bourbon into it. Now that bourbon is popular, most of the honey barrels from Buffalo Trace’s Mashbill #1 are probably being held back for future George T Stagg or Eagle Rare 17 releases. Or being released as Stagg Jr., E.H. Taylor Single Barrel, Small Batch, Barrel Proof, or other future Taylor releases. Eagle Rare 10 has taken a marked nosedive in quality in the past year as well.
Don’t worry though, Heaven Hill’s mid shelf premiums - Elijah Craig 12, Henry McKenna 10, and Evan Williams Single Barrel 10 yr are all still outstanding, though the McKenna store pick barrels tend to be of slightly higher quality than the regular release.[/QUOTE]
I used to really enjoy Eagle Rare 10, but tried it a couple of months ago, and it wasn’t at all what I remembered. I guess this might explain it.
MCAllen 12 year, got a bottle from my buddy for having my first son.
[QUOTE=Cassius;2836063]Somewhere in Northern Ohio: http://www.tomsfoolery.com/
As for Ohio Beer, Great Lakes Brewing Company (particularly Edmund Fitz Porter, but mostly everything they have) is one of my all time favorites.[/QUOTE]
There are plenty great breweries in Ohio but here are some that are among the best in the country:
Thirsty Dog
Mt Carmel
Jackie O’s (amazing)
Indigo Imp (I’ve only had one of their beers)
Fat Heads
Great Lakes
I was able to get away from family stuff for the day, so I did a tour at Four Roses Distillery. Had a great time, and continue to enjoy their outstanding products. The Bourbon Heritage Center (Heaven Hill’s touristy thing) happens to be on the way home, so I stopped by there as well. Did their tasting tour, which was quite fun since I was the only taster present. Got to try a lot of Heaven Hill products I haven’t bothered to try yet, and was pleasantly surprised by almost all. I tasted Bernheim Wheat, Larceny, Very Special Old Fitzgerald 12, Henry McKenna 10 (I am not sure why the tour guide insisted I taste this since I have probably killed 3-4 bottles of this in the last year), and William Heavenhill (Heritage Center exclusive). The McKenna beat the pants of the 4x more expensive Heavenhill, and I actually enjoyed all the wheated offerings as well. This was surprising, since I don’t like Buffalo Trace / Van Winkle wheated bourbons.
Also, I bought a whiskey thief. Because they are awesome.
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35 bucks went a long way cause this stuff is good. Whiskey in prime time I was over joyed to see their commercials during SNL. Strong with a great taste and after taste.
I don’t have access to the good craft stuff (like I do with the Irish and Scottish), but drink more Jack Daniels than I did in the States because it reminds me of home!
I’m curious about this Henry Mckenna stuff I saw on the first thread. Next tine I’m visiting home (St. Louis), I’ll be sure to pick up a bottle. I was impressed with the craft beer boom last I was over.
[QUOTE=Ulsteryank;2840930]I don’t have access to the good craft stuff (like I do with the Irish and Scottish), but drink more Jack Daniels than I did in the States because it reminds me of home!
I’m curious about this Henry Mckenna stuff I saw on the first thread. Next tine I’m visiting home (St. Louis), I’ll be sure to pick up a bottle. I was impressed with the craft beer boom last I was over.[/QUOTE]The Henry McKenna 10yr Single Barrel Bottled In Bond is a favorite of mine, and quite cheap. It’s fairly rye forward, so if you like a sweeter bourbon you may not immediately cotton to this. Folks claim that the quality can vary a lot, but I’ve gone through three bottles in the last year that were all purchased at different times and locations, and all three were excellent.
[QUOTE=Cassius;2840958]The Henry McKenna 10yr Single Barrel Bottled In Bond is a favorite of mine, and quite cheap. It’s fairly rye forward, so if you like a sweeter bourbon you may not immediately cotton to this. Folks claim that the quality can vary a lot, but I’ve gone through three bottles in the last year that were all purchased at different times and locations, and all three were excellent.[/QUOTE]
Sweet, I’m definitely looking forward to cracking into some of that stuff!