Archive for the ‘Bourbon Reviews’ Category
Posted on March 15, 2008 - by Nic
Old Charter | Rating 87
On a recent trip up to the Texas panhandle to see my parents we decided to have dinner at “the club.” The club is full of wood paneling, 1970’s carpet, club chairs with wheels, and delicious steaks. It is almost like a trip back in time. In its hay day during the oil boom this was the place to be on a weekend. Of course it is still my parents favorite place to eat dinner. Having never had a glass of bourbon at the club I decided to see what unusual selection they might have.
I headed over to the bar to take a look. More of a scotch selection than anything else. Finally I spotted something called Old Charter. That sounded like a bourbon since a good rule of thumb in naming bourbons is to choose any word and add “old” in front. On delivery everyone asked what I had chosen. I said, “something I never heard of called ‘Old Charter.’” That resulted in several of these baby boomers nearly spitting Yellow Tail merlot out their nose. Apparently Old Charter is a classic bourbon they had been drinking all their life, and I was an idiot for not knowing anything about it.
Here is what I found out. These people knew what they were talking about. Literally this is a classically styled bourbon. I found it to be very fruity with significant amounts of caramel and charring. The alcohol is a manageable 90 proof that for me did not require anything but ice to easily enjoy.
Overall I say this is a terrific bourbon. A poor man’s Woodford in some ways. Pick it up for less than $12 a bottle, but make sure you never suggest to someone over 50 years old that you never heard of it. buy lukol порно зоофилия бесплатно порно тв порно геев
Posted on March 6, 2008 - by Marcus
Buffalo Trace | Rating 89
I know many of you readers agree with the Boys that good bourbon is best enjoyed with a good story. Most distilleries recognize this and present their whiskeys with a nostalgic label or grand tale. I’ve noticed the real story has to be in the taste. Buffalo Trace combines both of these in the right way. With a great aroma, nearly sugary taste even with water, and a smooth finish, I was highly appreciative of this gift bottle and toasted each glass to fellow connoisseur and gifter, Broseph. No wonder these guys (also responsible for Blanton’s and Weller’s) were named Distiller of the Year for the past three years by several industry publications. I give it a solid 89. But, Marc, what’s so good about that story? I was so distracted by this bourbon’s easy drinking, I didn’t have time to make one before it was gone. Check out a well spun yarn at buffalotrace.com under Adventurer’s Diaries or buy a bottle and send us one of your own.
Posted on January 17, 2008 - by Nic
Booker’s | Rating 99
I’m not going to lie that smells like pure gasoline.
Those are the words that go through your head when you pull the wax off the top of a bottle of Booker’s. I guess I should have known to expect a stout bourbon when the guy working the cash register at the bottle store said I better buy some bottled water to go with it.
Some background info is in order. I bought the Booker’s because I am from a town called Booker. Hopefully they are marketing this stuff to more than just people from my hometown who think the novelty is just too good to pass up, even at $55 a bottle.
Packaging:
As you can see in the picture, it is rather plain looking. Apparently they used some sophisticated computers to make the label look hand written as though you might believe that these bottles are in such limited supply that someone hand wrote everything out. I might have been fooled, but I don’t think anyone could write on the curve of a bottle that good. I must admit, I like the wood box it comes in. Some how it seems like if you spend over $50 on a bottle of bourbon they should include a box. Since I was giving this to my buddy as a graduation present, it made it easier to wrap.
Taste:
The taste is very bold. So much so it almost burns your lips. I can’t imagine trying to drink this without water. I have never spoken to anyone who has either. Or at least that enjoyed it that way. Its over 120 proof, and you feel every bit of it. Apparently this is “uncut” and not in a Jewish way, but rather they stuck a spout in the barrel, poured it in to the bottle, and stuck a wax top on it. I love this. Hands down my favorite bourbon. Several of us here at the the Review, consider Booker’s to be the measure for all other bourbons. Since it is such a pure form of bourbon it makes for a good measuring stick. Most of the taste is at a particular extreme. Still, someone with the right amount of water it manages to be both oaky and sweet at the same time. In my mind, this is the perfect bourbon.
Posted on October 18, 2007 - by Matt
Knob Creek | Rating 90
Knob Creek…one good whiskey. I had it with water and I must say that it is better served straight on the rocks. The water masked the full flavor of the whiskey and it tasted flat. Knob is a smooth enough whiskey not to have to mix it with anything to take off the edge.
This brings me to a important factor in drinking whiskey: the mix. It is
crucial that you have an experienced and knowledgeable bartender to mix a fine whiskey with anything. If the mixture is correct the full flavor will brought out in the drink. On the other hand, if you have a bartender who commonly mixes other drinks with the sole purpose of seeing how much liquor can be added to a mixture, the whiskey will turn out all wrong and the experience of a good high end whiskey will have been ruined due to the inexperience of the bartender.
I believe that was a major part of the problem with my Knob and water yesterday evening. Even with the wrong mixtures, Knob is still a very fine whiskey and I would recommend it to anyone looking to expand there whiskey experiences beyond the Jim, Jack and SoCo standards. It is a step up in quality so be prepared to take a step up in price both in the bar and at the store. The extra coin is well worth it in my opinion. On this particular evening I was enjoying a Knob and water when the atmosphere was suddenly picked up by a couple of older gentlemen who came driving up to the bar; one was driving a completely refurbished 1962 Corvette and the other a restored 1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk with a rebuilt engine that would make the old Chevy 454 cry like a baby. If the Knob and water wasn’t enough, the addition of two classic automobiles to the scene at the bar was enough to make the evening a success in my book. Its not everyday that you get to enjoy a fine whiskey while checking out two classic cars. Turns out the two older gentlemen were also quite the comedians and kept the bar going for quite some time with their material. I feel obligated to share one of the jokes with you at this time.
Older Gentleman #1: Have you ever heard of a carnival woman?
Older Gentleman #2: No, what is that. *As he wipes off his face* The kind of woman who sits on your face so you can guess her weight.
While the Knob and water was not the best I had ever had, the rest of the
evening made up for it and all is well that goes down as smooth. It if is whiskey too, all the better. I give Knob Creek a 90 on a 100 point scale. It is a must have in my regular rotation.
FYI: 100 Proof
Posted on October 18, 2007 - by Marcus
Sam Houston | Rating 91
Coincidence brought me face to face with this very small batch bourbon. Soon after moving to Houston, I stumbled upon a bottle of bourbon named after the the city’s namesake. The distiller also bottles Jefferson’s Reserve and carries a handwritten label. Good start, and an even better finish. Although 90 proof, the initial nose is not overpowering. A dash of water brings out an excellent palate – sweet, but not sugary or fruity – the sweetness only found when aged by an expert. The finish only accents those flavors and leaves you wanting more. Being hand crafted, I highly doubt you will come across a bottle belonging to the same batch. However, I would bet the attention each bottle receives will reward you as well as it did me. I intend to find out soon for myself. Treat yourself and I’m sure you’ll agree, Sam Houston should always be stocked in your private collection. Price: $25 Rating: clariti91
Posted on October 18, 2007 - by Matt
Phillips Union | Rating 40
It states on the bottle that its a blend of Canadian whiskey and Kentucky bourbon. That’s the biggest load of fickle matter I’ve ever heard. They should have labeled it a woman’s whiskey that captures the perfect blend of Malibu rum and (insert a flavored vodka here). It was like I was drinking a white Russian all night long. Needless to say I was very disappointed in it. It does however go very well with coke as it has a very vanilla/hazelnut taste to it. It goes down very smooth. A good selection if you are wanting to break-in the old lady on the art of whiskey drinking, but never would I be caught dead with a bottle of this in my hands around the boys. Not a huge dent in the pocket book as it only cost $18. Like I said its a woman’s whiskey. I like women and whiskey all the same but never at the same time, only one after the other.
Like I said its a woman’s whiskey. I like women and whiskey all the same but never at the same time, only one after the other.
Preferably the whiskey then the woman because then you would be getting lucky at the end of the night, but I’m sure we’ve all been there where a fifth of whiskey was needed to remove any memory of the woman that came before the bottle or had a figure that looked like the bottle.
Rating: I give Phillips Union whiskey a 40 on a scale of 100. Its in that category of “Only drink it if its free or if it will get you laid, anytime else is just not worth it.”
Posted on October 18, 2007 - by Jason
Basil Hayden’s | Rating 90
This spicy bourbon with a hint of honey flavor and the right amount of oak is my new favorite 80 proof of all. BH is perfectly distilled and aged to drink with a little ice, no water needed. The first glass finishes as smooth as the tenth glass with little to no bite and a smooth after taste. The bottle will look as nice as any other bourbon on your shelf, if you need the look to go with your taste. This bourbon doesn’t get the bar calls it deserves. From now on when Maker’s, Knob, and BH are on the shelf, Basil Hayden’s is my choice every time.
Age: 8 years
Proof: 80
Price: gift, ?
Rating: Excellent (i.e. 90)
Posted on October 18, 2007 - by Marcus
Old Whiskey River | Rating 82
Old Whiskey River presents a lot of expectation. When someone names a bourbon after the song Willie Nelson has played twice every day for 50 years, you can’t help but root for the damn drink to blow your doors off. (more…)
Posted on October 18, 2007 - by Eric
Old Grand Dad | Rating 75
Old Grand-dad bourbon is one that will make your eyes bulge out and you’ll exclaim “POHHEE!! “ My first taste, as in all my reviews, was made with a healthy portion of Old Grand-dad straight over ice. Now I love bourbon, you can’t stop me loving bourbon, but this one made me pucker up like I just swallowed a lime. It is not sour like a lime, but it provides a shock to the system. At 114 proof, its no wonder it packs quite the punch. There should be a warning label on the front that says, “Old Grand-dad should not be enjoyed near any open flames.” But let’s move past the fact that this jet fuel of a bourbon is hard to drink straight up on the rocks. After a few sips straight up, I cut the distilled pleasure with a splash of water. Wow, what a difference! Old Grand-dad comes alive with full flavors of smoke and caramel. Caramel, yep, that’s what I said. I sat and enjoyed a few glasses of the water cut bourbon while in the biggest little town in the Texas panhandle with two other bourbon connoisseurs. With friends or sitting in a blizzard by yourself, this is a good bourbon–just drink cautiously.
Price: $23/750mL
Rating:75
Posted on October 18, 2007 - by Marcus
Dickle | Rating 85
At first you may just giggle at the name. After pouring a glass you may change your tune. This 90 proof Tennessee medal winner with the funny name has a serious taste. A connoisseur will appreciate the initial heavy oak and earthy flavors. (more…)
