Bourbon (and Rye) Tasting VI

After last time, I was determined not to get shut out of the final round. So I pulled a John and snuck some rye in. I also picked a high-proof bourbon (knowing John's a sucker for the heat).

Attending: John, Ryan, Marya and Fuggles!

As usual, we did this as blind as possible. John and I brought four unknowns. Marya poured. Then I mixed them up. We didn't know what anything was until it was all over.

The Lineup

• Four Roses Single Barrel PB (where?) - OESK
• High West American Prairie Reserve
• Hudson Maple Cask Rye
• Kings County Bourbon
• Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve (BevMo)
• Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve (Ledgers)
• Masterson's Rye
• Whistle Pig Rye

Round One

Ryan 1. Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve (BevMo) 2. Four Roses Single Barrel PB - OESK 3. High West American Prairie Reserve 4. Kings County Bourbon

John 1. Four Roses Single Barrel PB - OESK 2. Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve (BevMo) 3. High West American Prairie Reserve 4. Kings County Bourbon

Marya 1. Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve (BevMo) 2. Four Roses Single Barrel PB - OESK 3. High West American Prairie Reserve 4. Kings County Bourbon

Four Roses and Knob Creek moved on. Although it should be noted the Prairie Reserve was very close. The Kings County was unanimously unloved.

Round Two

Ryan 1. Whistle Pig Rye 2. Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve (Ledgers) 3. Masterson's Rye 4. Hudson Maple Cask Rye

John 1. Whistle Pig Rye 2. Masterson's Rye 3. Hudson Maple Cask Rye 4. Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve (Ledgers)

Marya 1. Masterson's Rye 2. Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve (Ledgers) 3. Whistle Pig Rye 4. Hudson Maple Cask Rye

Whistle Pig and Masterson's moved on.

Winners' Round

Ryan 1. Four Roses Single Barrel PB - OESK 2. Whistle Pig Rye 3. Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve (BevMo) 4. Masterson's Rye

John 1. Masterson's Rye 2. Four Roses Single Barrel PB - OESK 3. Whistle Pig Rye 4. Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve (BevMo)

Marya 1. Four Roses Single Barrel PB - OESK 2. Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve (BevMo) 3. Masterson's Rye 4. Whistle Pig Rye

The Winner

Four Roses SB PB - OESK. I love me the OESK. I can't pick it out when I'm drinking it blind, but I always pick it towards the top. I guess it doesn't matter so much the barrel or proof, either.

Summary

The interesting thing about this tasting was the similarity in our pickings. We both brought the Knob Creek. We also both brought over-priced, over-hyped, sourced Canadian rye packaged as American. It was also interesting how the Knob Creek (BevMo) was more well received in the tasting than the Ledgers pick.

Also, I guess I need to accept I like Rye. And I swore I'd never buy Whistle Pig. Or young bourbon again. Or gimmicky cask finishes (again). Dammit.