Whisky appreciation

The donkey is back! He's been off the sauce for 109 days. Been a jackass of a week and I'm feeling a bit muley. Gonna fill the Westley Richards flask and burro my ass in the recliner with a couple of "feel good" movies I think; plus, keep up with tonight's AH rumblings.

Picked up a couple of staples at good prices today. (I think I got the last of the old style 4R SBs that store had- the ones with the leatherette collar; these are the older bottlings)
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I have a small collection (around 100 bottles) of some good bourbon. Some I sip and some I mix but enjoy them all. Currently enjoying a Redwood Empire Haystack Needle Bourbon.

HH
 
Hitting the Woodford Masters Collection Chocolate Malted Rye this evening. Going down WAAAAYYY to easy.
 
Over the course of last week I missed DWB's birthday so I bumped into something at the shop that we both quite enjoyed last wee at the Big Bore shoot in KZN.

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Never had anything AE before and today, I was looking for a rye to get me through the weekend. Stumbled across a single bottle of this and remembered reviews I had seen before. Erin and Josh at Stuff & Whiskey thought it was THE definition of December and the Christmas season.

Mike F. at Bourbon Culture said, "I think it works best during the hotter summer months when tropical fruits and sweet drinks seem to fit the weather outside. So if you find yourself switching your drinks to fit the season, then AE Rye could be your next favorite summertime treat." (I double-checked his 2022 review after buying). Bourbon Culture Review

Now I'm wondering, "How can both of these opinions be true at the same time?" The short answer is I don't know, but they are. Everything that is sweet and syrupy for winter is here, as is everything that is spicy and savory in the summer. Both reviews are spot-on and there's much to like about this rye... especially if you DON'T like rye whiskey (to me, there's only a hint of rye in the finish). A paradox for sure, but let's just say it's different; a blast on the nose, light on the palate, enough heat to keep you interested, and enough proof to make it worth your while. I still paid a Franklin to bring it home, same as it was three and four years ago. Having just finished my first dram as I'm writing this, I'm hoping it holds up when it's time to fill the flask. We'll see. Give it a try- donkey approved.

EDIT: the rubber Mike F. talked about begins to emerge in dram #2. Then I found this comment from the S&W video that I might agree with; "AE Rye is an example of where a whiskey can dominate a flight blind, but isn't something you actually want to drink much of. I first had it in a blind flight in a bar, and I loved it (it was a half ounce pour). I eagerly bought a bottle. I got it home and found that a 2oz pour of it was too much to handle, much less a second glass. It took a long time to go through that bottle, but in blind matchups it was a monster." I'm on dram #3 (a pour for me is about 1.5oz) and I understand this sentiment, but it's still enjoyable and melting my cares away. Still donkey approved.

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Update to the above review: I'm now on pour #5 or #6; lost count. The rubber taste is gone and I don't think it is overwhelming like the YT reviewer said. The nose is still effective as a smelling salt; the palate is simple and the finish lingers like a peppermint. If there's issue, it's what Josh said in the video- it lacks complexity BUT sometimes complexity can beat you over the head or wear you out. What if you just want to sip all night? The rum cask finish adds interest, if not complexity, while not being wood forward or dominant. If I want that, I'm going to a Garrison Balmorhea or Laphroaig Triple Wood then switching to something else.

It's not a true rye; if that's what you want, please skip this. My favorite ryes are New Holland's Walleye Run Malted out of Michigan and (oh no!) Willet's standard 4 Year. I'll say that the day wore me out and I was on the brink. After a couple drams, DW and I actually agreed on and laughed about something we saw on TV; that's rare. At least today, this one is a winner.

Fun fact- this is my 500th post on AH.
 
TnKen said:
I like the Weller full proof just can’t ever find it
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My store has the full Weller lineup this week, along with a couple of Taylors and both Eagle Rares. I've never been compelled to purchase a BT product other than Eagle Rare 10. The Full Proof was $400 today. Eagle Rare 12 was $250 next to 10 which was $100. I've bought 10 at $60 all day at another store. My max is usually $100 for a bottle; the exceptions that I would buy again are Glenmorangie Signet and Garrison Balmorhea ($200 each). I prefer less expensive variety than big names and big price tags.
 
Kentucky stores as of this time has shown good availability of EHT Small Batch, Blanton's Single Barrel and Eagle Rare 10 at nearly MSRP pricing, with pricing dropping on Elmer T Lee, Weller 12 and Full Proof, Stagg etc. The BT Distillery has been releasing alot of Weller Antique as well, crippling the flipping market around here, thankfully.
I am blessed to live in Ohio (for bourbon). Stagg 26B showed up today, so I'll visit a local for one tomorrow. Ohio is a MSRP state, thank goodness.
 
Trogon said:
Kentucky stores as of this time has shown good availability of EHT Small Batch, Blanton's Single Barrel and Eagle Rare 10 at nearly MSRP pricing, with pricing dropping on Elmer T Lee, Weller 12 and Full Proof, Stagg etc. The BT Distillery has been releasing alot of Weller Antique as well, crippling the flipping market around here, thankfully.
I am blessed to live in Ohio (for bourbon). Stagg 26B showed up today, so I'll visit a local for one tomorrow. Ohio is a MSRP state, thank goodness.
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You posted a pic of ER12 awhile back. Have you tried it and how does it compare toe ER10?
 
DaddyFlip said:
You posted a pic of ER12 awhile back. Have you tried it and how does it compare toe ER10?
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I need to have a pour, and against ER10.
Have you been able to purchase a bottle and/or sample it?
 
I'm new at this game. I've been a Tequila drinker. A friend of mine introduced me to Basil Hayden, and then he brought a bottle of Basil Hayden Dark Rye, and I'm hooked now. :ROFLMAO: My daughter loves it, and we she visits we always enjoy some while we sit in our back patio.
 
DaddyFlip said:
The donkey is back! He's been off the sauce for 109 days. Been a jackass of a week and I'm feeling a bit muley. Gonna fill the Westley Richards flask and burro my ass in the recliner with a couple of "feel good" movies I think; plus, keep up with tonight's AH rumblings.

Picked up a couple of staples at good prices today. (I think I got the last of the old style 4R SBs that store had- the ones with the leatherette collar; these are the older bottlings)
View attachment 777799
Click to expand...
I have had Wild Turkey, Its really smooth. great choice.
 
migrabill said:
Hitting the Woodford Masters Collection Chocolate Malted Rye this evening. Going down WAAAAYYY to easy.
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That’s one bottle I haven’t been able to get into. I’ve tried it 3x hoping it’d grow on me, but it never did.

@DaddyFlip the secondary prices are coming down a bit. Those are still on the high side. Eagle Rare 17 and William LaRue Weller are 2 bottles I’ll pay well over MSRP on but not full secondary for. I personally prefer the BTACs over any of the Pappy’s. Lucked out on a TH Handy a few weeks ago.
 
Mtn_Infantry said:
That’s one bottle I haven’t been able to get into. I’ve tried it 3x hoping it’d grow on me, but it never did.

@DaddyFlip the secondary prices are coming down a bit. Those are still on the high side. Eagle Rare 17 and William LaRue Weller are 2 bottles I’ll pay well over MSRP on but not full secondary for. I personally prefer the BTACs over any of the Pappy’s. Lucked out on a TH Handy a few weeks ago.
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I will say that I do not get chocolate. I do get a sweetness, it's just not chocolate. I tend to enjoy sweeter bourbons. As much as I like bourbon, I tend to be a "wimpy" bourbon drinker sticking to sweeter bourbons 0 things like STAGG are not for me. I have recently discovered a Bourbon I love. Cavehill by Rabbilt Hole. I am going to out to Kentucky with my Army buddy next month and we will be completeing the Bourbon trail. Kaveh Zamanian (Founder and owner of Rabbit Hole) has agreed to have a dinner with us while we are out there.
 
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