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. Upping the ante is the fact that this bourbon has been distilled in Nelson County for eight generations. And it comes with a guitar pick (don’t try to actually use it) with Willie’s signature on it. What is not to like, right? Well, as much as this pains me, I cannot put this at the top of my favorites. I’ll tell you why, friends: 1) first smell heavy oak, which is a good sign; 2) first sip – excellent flavor with a hint of vanilla, not sweet; 3) aftertaste – surprisingly bitter, and not in a good way. Everything about this bourbon is great going down, but the moment when you should be enjoying your recent purchase, you get a shocker. After several tasting sessions, I must settle at a solid rating of 82, mainly for presentation and reverence to the master musician. I may purchase another bottle to try and redeem my hero, but not in the near future. If you find the correct ratio of water (or other mixer) to whiskey, please reply (but remember, the perfect bourbon stands by itself). I leave you with a taster’s quote: “A little citrus. Maybe some strawberry. Mmm. Passion fruit, mmm, and, oh, there’s just like the faintest hint of like, uh, asparagus, and, there’s a, just a flutter of, like a, like a nutty Edam cheese.” (Sideways, 2004). Keep Tasting.
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May 21, 2008
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[...] When someone names a bourbon after the song Willie Nelson has played twice every day for 50 …http://www.boysofbourbon.com/review-old-whiskey-river-rating-77/The Mint Julep American Culinary History, Part V – North Coast JournalAmong bits of acquired [...]
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April 9, 2009
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This is a response to Marcus who implied in his posting on october 18, 2007 that the guitar pick that comes with the Old Whiskey River bottle is unusable. In fact, the picks are excellent quality and very durable. I have played guitar all my life but had not picked up my guitar much for a few years when I happened to stop into my favorite bar in Simi Valley, California and saw a bottle of Old Whiskey River on the shelf. I asked the bartender/owner what that was. He said it was a new type of bourbon that he was trying out. I aksed if I could have the guitar piok and he said I had to finish the bottle first. For the next few weeks I came in a couple of times a week and slowly worked my way through the bottle. When I got to the halfway point, he gave me the pick. I went home and picked up my old Martin D28 and started playing again after a layoff of several years. The pick was exactly right for me: hard, but not too hard, a perfect shape and easy to hold. In fact, the 3-D signature on one side gives me something to hold onto so I rarely drop it.
Anyway, I continued to play, began writing songs again and started performing again with a couple of buddies. Whenever I could I would buy another bottle of Old Whiskey River and hang onto the picks. I even bought some online. I have about 25 in my little pick box and have only broken two in the last five years! Unfortunately, the bourbon is hard to find now and I have only been able to order it from a couple of sources.
So, in brief, the picks ARE usable, and in fact are just about the best I have ever used. Thanks Willy!
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April 9, 2009
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Luke: Now that is a great story!
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May 27, 2009
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I LOVE THIS STUFF!!! I am having a difficult time finding this stuff too. Anyone have any suggestions?
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February 19, 2010
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Not worth the money. Worse than Jim Beam or Jack Daniels. Stomach turner!
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February 28, 2010
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I don’t know what all the negative comments are about, I have been drinking Old Whiskey River for at least four years and find it very good. Now I am not a critic just and every day joe drinking Whiskey. I agree it is getting harder to buy it but so far I have been able to keep some on stock. I think it is smooth and no after taste for me.
Cheers,
Ron