Tasting XV: Best of Bourbon?

So we decided to have a few rounds of "best-ofs." This one was bourbon. We were supposed to each bring four of our winners from previous rounds. Can you tell which one of us can't follow instructions?

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 Barrel Proof 138.8 (R)
• Ezra Brooks (circa 90's) (J)
• Four Roses Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Single Barrel (Ledger's OBSV 58.3%) (R)
• Michter's Bourbon 10 Years (J)
• Old Rip Van Winkle Kentucky Straight Bourbon (2014) (J)
• Parker's Heritage Wheat Whiskey (J)
• Stagg Jr. Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Barrel Proof - 129.7 (R)
• Van Winkle Special Reserve Lot "B" Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (R)

Pre-Taster

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

• A Friend's Moonshine (J)

I usually write this stuff right after our tasting...this time not so much. Don't really remember this.

• Masterson's Old Straight Wheat Whiskey - 12 Years (J)

Decent stuff. Bourbon smacks it down, though.

Round One

Ryan Elijah Craig BP Stagg Jr. Parker's Wheat Michter's 10

Marya Stagg Jr. Elijah Craig BP Michter's 10 Parker's Wheat

John Elijah Craig BP Stagg Jr. Parker's Wheat Michter's 10

Elijah Craig BP and Stagg Jr. moved on.

Notes say: all good! Even if one was a wheat whiskey!

Round Two

Ryan Four Roses OBSV Old Rip Van Winkle Van Winkle 12 Ezra 90s

Marya Van Winkle 12 Four Roses OBSV Old Rip Van Winkle Ezra 90s

John Four Roses OBSV Old Rip Van Winkle Van Winkle 12 Ezra 90s

Four Roses OBSV and Old Rip Van Winkle and Van Winkle 12 moved on.

There was one clear loser in this whole tasting...can you guess which it was?

Winners' Round

Ryan Old Rip Van Winkle Stagg Jr. Four Roses OBSV Elijah Craig BP Van Winkle 12

Marya Old Rip Van Winkle Elijah Craig BP Stagg Jr. Four Roses OBSV Van Winkle 12

John Stagg Jr. Old Rip Van Winkle Four Roses OBSV Elijah Craig BP Van Winkle 12

The top four were pretty close. Van Winkle 12 was the clear loser.

The Winner

Old Rip 10! John gets one into the final round and it wins!

Summary

Well, I as a little disappointed when I found out John had brought a wheat whiskey and the 90s era Ezra to our "best of bourbon." He said he didn't have much to choose from. I couldn't believe it. But I just looked and I guess I've been whooping him in the bourbon department. Plus, he's been bringing a lot of rye. Which is good, because next up is our "best of rye."