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
- Buffalo Trace Experimental Collection - French Oak (J)
- Four Roses Single Barrel Private Selection - Blackwell's - OESF (R)
- High West Double Rye - Bourbon Barrel (R)
- James E. Pepper 1776 Bourbon - 15 Year (J)
- Jim Beam Signature Craft High Rye (R)
- Old Medley 12 Year (J)
- Michter's Single Barrel Bourbon - 10 Year (J)
- Smooth Ambler Old Scout Single Barrel Bourbon - 9 Year (R)
Pre-Taster
We always have a known "starter" whiskey to open up the palate. John usually brings it.
- Corti Brothers Exquisite Whiskey
This was quite tasty. A little short on the finish, but probably could have been a contender in a tasting.
Round One
Ryan
| Marya
| John
|
BETC French Oak and HW Double Rye - BB moved on.
This round was fairly underwelming. Everything sort of blended together.
Round Two
Ryan | Marya | John |
Four Roses - OESF and Michter's 10 Year and Smooth Ambler SB Bourbon moved on.
This round was tough. The ones that made it were all very closely liked. With every sip, it felt like the top three changed. So they all went to the final round.
Winner's Round
Ryan | Marya | John |
The Winner
By points, Michter's Ten Year won. But it was hard. Michters, Four Roses OESF and Old Scout 9 Year were all close in profiles. John and I arbitrarily bumped up the HW Double Rye because it was really good, but obviously different, being a rye and all.
Summary
You've got to love Smooth Ambler and Four Roses Single Barrel's: reasonably priced and available. Suck it Pappy. Suck it BTAC. Suck it collectors and flippers. Also, much respect to High West.
A confession...when I got in to bourbon, I thought sourcing was evil. Now...besides Four Roses SB, Smooth Ambler and High West are doing the things I'm most excited about: very good, reasonably priced, available bourbons and ryes.