Basil Hayden's
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My go-to for a highball (bourbon-ginger-lime) for the last 20 years has been regular Old Forester 86. My brother-in-law bought a barrel he selected (from 6 available) a few years ago. That's some of the best stuff I've ever had. Including all the fancy-pants stuff.
Last summer, three of us did a blind test of std Old Forester, std Woodford, Four Roses Single Barrel, Jefferson Groth Cask, and std Bulleit. The lowly Old Forester was second for each of us (at about half the price of the others). Probably due to familiarity. The most expensive bottle - Jefferson's Groth ($80) - was universally despised and cursed.
After the testing, we had a sip of BiL's single barrel OF. I thought it was much better than my #1 (Woodford). Complex honeyed spice and smooooth at 90. We'll throw it into the mix with the Buffalo Trace ones above and the Angels Envy for the next test.
Never had Angels Envy. Highly touted by some, but my expectations are pretty low due to aging in French oak Port wine barrels which sounds very similar to the Jefferson Groth process.b]Beach Audio[/b]: Rega RP6 (mods) - AT33PTG/II - Parks Budgie SUT - PSAudio NPC * Eversolo DMP-A6 * Topping D90iii * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Pass Aleph 30 * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl (mods) * PSAudio PPP3
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I felt i need to treat myself to something nice today!
I have not tried any Rye yet, so today I pick up some "Knob Creeks" Straight Rye Whiskey- Small batch! Not to bad
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@vcwatkins When Woodford reserve got in the biz 20y ears ago, or so, they started out buying, and blending, barrels from Old Forrester. I've always thought they shared similar characteristics since. OF may be the best buy in bourbon.
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You rye fans might try Rittenhouse Rye, incredibly complex with huge flavors and is one of the best values in whisky world. As far as Bookers goes, it really needs a lot of air-time, and although I rarely add water to my pour a little bit of water, or a melted ice cube really opens it up nicely. Mmmmm. It all goes well with some good Audio.
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Tasted the Angels' Envy for the first time earlier tonight. Smooooth & complex pear and bananas foster. Fantastic... if it just didn't finish so doggone salty. Probably a deal breaker for me unfortunately.
We decided to compare it with another complex smoothy, Col. Taylor SB. Taylor won that head-to-head pretty clearly for both of us. That stuff's just hard to beat.
Also revisited the Jefferson Groth Cask which sounds similar to Angels' Envy in aging process. Hated it in last year's blind test. Tonight I thought it wasn't as bad as my memory of it but the loooong finish turned unpleasantly bitter. Will leave this to others.b]Beach Audio[/b]: Rega RP6 (mods) - AT33PTG/II - Parks Budgie SUT - PSAudio NPC * Eversolo DMP-A6 * Topping D90iii * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Pass Aleph 30 * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl (mods) * PSAudio PPP3
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Tasted the Angels' Envy for the first time earlier tonight. Smooooth & complex pear and bananas foster. Fantastic... if it just didn't finish so doggone salty. Probably a deal breaker for me unfortunately.
We decided to compare it with another complex smoothy, Col. Taylor SB. Taylor won that head-to-head pretty clearly for both of us. That stuff's just hard to beat.
Also revisited the Jefferson Groth Cask which sounds similar to Angels' Envy in aging process. Hated it in last year's blind test. Tonight I thought it wasn't as bad as my memory of it but the loooong finish turned unpleasantly bitter. Will leave this to others.
I know it's a late reply, but I don't really care.
Angels Envy can be VERY tricky. There are A LOT of custom bottling's done that all taste completely different from each other.
The last one I had was done for my local place that was OUTSTANDING. Mike hand picks all of his stuff and requests specific blending. Sad part about that, now it's gone...
However, I did just get my fingers on a bottle of Angels Envy Rum Finished Rye.
It's one of my favorite bottles I've ever purchased. -
I'll have to give it a try. Rye is all I drink. I can't stomach any type of Bourbon.Another tasty under rated and widely ridiculously cheap option (in Rye whiskey) is Old Overholt...
Better than ryes costing 3-10 times as much.
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ken brydson wrote: »Me and whiskey don't get along well. Makes me do/say things my old arse can't back up anymore...
The smell just makes me hurl.... I thank Jack for that. Too much at too young of age ruined me for life.
Give me a good naval strength gin or premium vodka anyday.
Tequila as in Cabo Wabo now thats good sipping spirits. -
Basil Hayden's is very nice and a good entry into bourbons for those interested in getting into bourbons due to it's lighter, spicier profile, although it is quite pricey. It has a higher Rye content in the mash bill - still a minimum of 51% corn as it must to be a bourbon. It also used to be aged 8 years which brings the ability to price it higher but is now labeled as "artfully" aged. No price reduction though... Most manufacturers are getting away from providing an age - it is expensive to lay down bourbon. Basis 2200 Signature, Vector 4, Transfiguration Proteus, Allnic H3000, Meridian 200/563, CJ ET5, McIntosh 501's, Thiel CS6, 3.6, Polk SDA SRS 2.3tl, MIT EVO, KS/Wywires PC's
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The Rum finished was very deep and complex. More along the lines of a cognac, with a sweeter taste. Was about the only rye I could ever sip.
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Did any of you guys at LSAF get a chance to try the Basil Hayden's or TX? I failed to bring it out when I was there, but I was hoping you guys from other parts of the country could give the TX a shot.
On another note, I was in Vegas about a month ago and thanks to this thread and the talk of ryes, I gave Bulleit Rye a taste. Liked it so much I got home and bought a bottle. I'm about to go pour another glass before bedtime:)Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden -
Did any of you guys at LSAF get a chance to try the Basil Hayden's or TX? I failed to bring it out when I was there, but I was hoping you guys from other parts of the country could give the TX a shot.
On another note, I was in Vegas about a month ago and thanks to this thread and the talk of ryes, I gave Bulleit Rye a taste. Liked it so much I got home and bought a bottle. I'm about to go pour another glass before bedtime:)
Have you ever noticed my aviator pic? Its a picture of when I took the tour at the TX distillery.
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I love TX whiskey! Basil Hayden's was pretty good, but doesn't really compete with TX for my money.
Balcones, distilled right here is waco, is head and shoulders above TX, especially the Balcones single malt: but you pay for it! So I usually stick with TX for every day drinking...Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es
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I'm one that isn't big on spicy bourbon, but along with the Basil Haydens which is my go-to neat sipper, I also keep a couple bottles of Woodford (we bottled our own blend with them at a place I used to work - stashed a bottle or two of that...) as well as a Blantons, very good that stuff when I'm feeling more man-ly. (and If I'm feeling really man-LY, I break out the Lagavulin - or Aberlour A'Bunadh - the AA is my favorite high proof beverage)...VA HT HK AVR20II, Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD, Polk Audio RC80i / Polk Audio CSi3, 60" Panasonic Plasma, Nordost / Signal Cable A2 / Wireworld / Pangea / Magic Power
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TX is not spicy, very smooth and slightly sweet with strong vanilla notes.
The Balcones Baby Blue is a little spicier, but it really mellows as it opens up. Much more complex than the TX, with the vanilla notes beings pushed in the background.
The Balcones Single Malt is just insane, simultaneously more complex and smoother than the baby blue. Not as sweet as TX, but just as smooothhhh...
I liked the Woodford as well.Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es
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I tried the TX that Skip had in his room it really was pretty good! though I like Basil Hayden, it wasnt open so I just kept sampling the TX
I saw some Colonel Taylor there also.
I had a bottle of Four Roses' Small batch in my room the whole time.2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge
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Did any of you guys at LSAF get a chance to try the Basil Hayden's or TX? I failed to bring it out when I was there, but I was hoping you guys from other parts of the country could give the TX a shot.
On another note, I was in Vegas about a month ago and thanks to this thread and the talk of ryes, I gave Bulleit Rye a taste. Liked it so much I got home and bought a bottle. I'm about to go pour another glass before bedtime:)
Have you ever noticed my aviator pic? Its a picture of when I took the tour at the TX distillery.
How was the tour? I toured Witherspoon's in Lewisville and while I'm not a big fan of their whiskey, the tour was pretty cool. I've told my wife more than once that I need to take the TX tour.Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden -
If you can come across any of these you should treat yourself. The last couple of years I was still drinking bourbon I was pretty much exclusively one of the above. Probably drank the Antique as a standard along with Col. Taylor. The two uncut and unfiltered ones were harder to get so didn't get drank as much. Never tried the TX, hate I missed that. -
I just picked up some "Knob Creek" Single Barrel that is 120 proof!
Can you say "Danger Will Robinson Danger!!!" for $50
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Nice...pretty good price as well.
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kharp1 - Does the George T. Stagg live up to the hype? That's one I'd like to try.SDA 2B-TL (Sonicap/Solen/Mills, Erse Super Q, Rings, Spikes, No-Rez)
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I think it does, but, to each his own. If you can find it. It's very low production and release is often trickled. You'll probably have better luck finding it in higher end steak houses or other places like that. If you can find a bottle of it for sale grab it without hesitation. They go for $750 and up on the secondary market. Very few bourbons really make me say "Wow" when I taste them, buy, this was one of them.
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I've had a few bottles of the Knob Creek 120. Good stuff for the price!
I'm exploring a bit more, I was VERY disappointed with the Jeffersons Groth. I'm letting it sit and I'll revisit it in a few months, but I don't see what someone could possibly enjoy about that whisky.
However the Glenfiddich 15 year Solera is VERY nice! -
Hehe, yeah that Jeff's Groth is just wrong.
Stagg Jr and Willett Pot Res on order. Enjoying Angel's Trace right now.
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Uh... make that Envy. Angel's Envy, hehe.b]Beach Audio[/b]: Rega RP6 (mods) - AT33PTG/II - Parks Budgie SUT - PSAudio NPC * Eversolo DMP-A6 * Topping D90iii * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Pass Aleph 30 * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl (mods) * PSAudio PPP3
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Damn your eyes, Craig. I miss NC beaches. Soon my friend.
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Hehe, yeah that Jeff's Groth is just wrong.
Stagg Jr and Willett Pot Res on order. Enjoying Angel's Trace right now.
Have you tried the Angel's Envy Rum Cask Finished Rye?
It's OUTSTANDING!
I'm afraid to drink it because I know I'll have a hell of a time finding another bottle... -
Grabbed a bottle of Rowan's Creek and a bottle of Journeyman's Corsets, Whips whiskey.
The Rowans is just a great drink for the price. The Journeyman's is a great cask strength whiskey. -
Alrighty ehhh ....where's the toe
What's up with you Canadien's
Human toe used for cocktail at Canadian bar is stolen
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/06/21/human-toe-used-for-cocktail-at-canadian-bar-is-stolen.html
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erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a -
look like a case of Frost bite! If they had Some Basil Hayden that might not have happened!2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge
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