Tasting XIII

Lucky 13! I wasn't going to be able to top my entries from last tasting, but I had some stuff I thought John would find interesting (and one I thought would win to hedge my bets). Unknowingly, John brought all bourbon, too.

Attending: John, Ryan, Marya and Fuggles!

As usual, we did this as blind as possible. John and I brought four unknowns. Marya poured in another room. Then I mixed them up. Then for no really good reason, we put them in smell order. We didn't know what anything was until it was all over.

The Lineup

• Elijah Craig Kentucky Straight Bourbon Single Barrel 18 Years Old (J)
• Four Roses Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Single Barrel (Ledger's OBSV 58.3%) (R)
• George T. Stagg Bourbon (2015 - 138.2 Proof) (J)
• Jefferson's Presidential Select Straight Bourbon Whiskey 21 (J)
• Michter's Bourbon 10 Years (Barrel 15J809) (R)
• Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2015 (R)
• Wild Turkey Master's Keep Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (R)
• Woodford Reserve Master's Collection 1838 White Corn Bourbon (R)

Pre-Taster

We always have a known "starter" whiskey to open up the palate. John usually brings it.

• Pendleton 1910 Canadian Rye Whisky 12 Years (R)

I had bought this along time ago, but having had some Canadian whisky recently, surmized it would not do well in a tasting. Very sweet, almost maple-ly. Not much else.

• Dad's Hat Rye Finished in Vermouth Barrels (J)

John didn't realize how young this is. You can't hide youth!

Round One

Ryan Michter's 10 Jefferson's 21 Eijah Craig 18 Woodford White Corn

Marya Michter's 10 Jefferson's 21 Eijah Craig 18 Woodford White Corn

John Jefferson's 21 Michter's 10 Eijah Craig 18 Woodford White Corn

Michter's 10 and Jefferson's 21 moved on.

Two clear winners.

Round Two

Ryan Four Roses OBSV Stagg Old Forester Bday 2015 Wild Turkey Master's Keep

Marya Four Roses OBSV Stagg Wild Turkey Master's Keep Old Forester Bday 2015

John Four Roses OBSV Stagg Wild Turkey Master's Keep Old Forester Bday 2015

Four Roses OBSV and Stagg moved on.

Another two clear winners.

Winners' Round

Ryan Four Roses OBSV Stagg Jefferson's 21 Michter's 10

Marya Four Roses OBSV Stagg Michter's 10 Jefferson's 21

John Four Roses OBSV Stagg Jefferson's 21 Michter's 10

The Winner

Four Roses OBSV. Pretty handily, too. Stagg was a solid second.

Summary

Some tastings, we're pretty insync with our rankings. This was one of them. Perhaps, ryes throw us off? Anyway, it was once again pleasing to see something "get-able" (and the cheapest bourbon in this tasting) beat out a granddaddy of rarity. Another affirmation for bling tastings.

Also, another complete disaster from the Woodford Reserve Master's Collection. Terrible!