Author: Bourbon Truth

Don’t get scammed buying whiskey!!

Blog post directly from “@whiskeyscam

Follow him if you don’t already-

I’ve been on Twitter since 2009 and like most of you, I use it to discuss trends and hobbies, keep up with others, stay on top of emerging news, and to enjoy communicating with a wider audience. Being active on such a huge platform with over a 100 million daily users has pros and cons. One of the bigger issues is authenticity. How do you know the person you are communicating with on Twitter is a good faith account?

Twitter has always had an issue with misinformation, scams, and fake accounts but recently, especially over the past 3 years, instances of targeted fraud have sharply increased. Social media in general is now a gold mine for scammers. According to recent 2021 FTC statistics (https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/data-visualizations/data-spotlight/2022/01/social-media-gold-mine-scammers-2021), more than 25% of those who reported losing money in online fraud stated that it started on social media.

Over the years, there have been many communities develop among groups of people with similar interests on Twitter. This includes the whiskey community and, at one time, there were lots of accounts swapping samples, trading bottles, buying and selling; it was a real online marketplace for a while.

Back in 2020 during the start of the pandemic, I started to notice targeted accounts supposedly selling bottles of bourbon. These accounts started to gain a large following and, it was clear that many people were being scammed. Replies to tweets indicated dissatisfied customers, reports of non-delivery, and accusations of fraud.

These accounts were following me as well and when I enquired about things like pricing, shipping, location I started to notice inconsistencies and red flags. I also started to see trends between accounts, such as the phrasing used and images shared. Most were very similar and using images stolen from other legitimate accounts and websites. When these issues were brought up, I was promptly blocked.

After confirming scams with some of their victims, I decided to create Whiskey Scam Alert (@WhiskeyScam on Twitter) to try and help track and expose these scammers targeting our community. Initially, I thought this issue was quite small. However, over the past two years and through collaboration with other like-minded individuals and groups, I determined that these scams are part of large multinational criminal networks involved in all sorts of fraudulent online activities targeting every type of product and activity possible.

These social media accounts are the leading edge of the whole network, enticing victims deep into specialized merchandise scams (like bourbon and other whiskies), firearms, online adult content, cryptocurrencies, cannabis, illegal drugs, pharmaceuticals, even taxidermy and hay supply. You name it, there’s a scam for it.

About Typical Whiskey Scams on Twitter

I discovered that most of the whiskey scam accounts on Twitter are operating out of western Africa (Cameroon, Nigeria, etc). Some of these scams are desperate kids trying to make a buck, but many of the more successful accounts are part of organized networks that have set up sophisticated operations involving websites, sales, intermediaries, and bank accounts. The scams will often involve more than one country in order to confuse victims and complicate investigations. Most involve what’s referred to as a non-delivery scam, where you pay for a product that does not exist and will never be shipped. Some scam accounts simply set the bait and wait for their victims to contact them, while others actively pursue their marks.

On Twitter, scammers create profiles with false identities using fake photos to attract potential victims. They steal images and video of rare whiskies and then offer them at reasonable prices to bait people into buying. The social media accounts are often set up to direct traffic to their larger website operations. These scam websites often look completely legitimate.

Scammers prefer to use direct messages (DMs), SMS, WhatsApp, or email and anonymous payments such as crypto, gift cards, wire transfer, Zelle, Venmo, and Cash App. If you push for more secure payments, they will have pre-planned excuses at the ready. Then, when you’ve already paid, they often introduce a fraudulent shipping company or insurance arrangement. This is another scam to get more of your money. They will appear legit with login credentials, tracking numbers etc. All fake. You may be asked to continue paying invented fees until you realize you’ve been had. Some folks are taken for thousands. Scams constantly evolve and they change tactics once they stop being effective.

Avoiding Common Whiskey Scams Online:

There are often 3 major red flags in these types of scams:

The 1st is unsolicited contact. Sellers jumping into your mentions or DMs to sell you bottles on Twitter is not something a legit seller would usually do. At this point you should be asking yourself: Did I initiate this contact? Do I know this person? Did I ask for this?

The 2nd is urgency. Scammers want to get the deal done quickly. Boiler room tactics are a major red flag. Take your time and think the deal through.

The 3rd is that at some point they’re going to demand payment, usually through unconventional means such as gift cards, wire transfer, or apps like Zelle, Venmo, and Cash App.

Don’t Become a Victim:

The first tip is - do not buy bottles on Twitter or other social media! But if you must, then:

Do your research! Purchase from reputable dealers. Check Twitter accounts selling whiskey before you make any purchases.

Avoid those too-good-to-be-true offers. This should be common sense but so many people get hooked. Scammers rely on the open and trusting nature of this community as well as the attraction to rare bottles at good prices. Legitimate businesses run sales, but if a deal is hard to believe, you need to take a second look.

Don’t buy a bottle from a stranger online without confirming it physically somehow. That seller who says he’s in Louisville has never even been to Kentucky. On Twitter, most of these scams are run out of African countries and there is no product at all.

Watch out for sellers initiating contact, especially via social media. That new account with the loads of pretty photos of hard-to-find bottles that just DM’d you? Very likely it’s a scam. Legitimate businesses rarely contact first, and if they do it’s usually through a clear form of direct marketing.

Conduct a reverse image search of the picture of the bottle you are considering. If the same picture appears on multiple websites or social media posts, it’s a fraud. You can also search for distinctive text from ads or testimonials, to see if the seller copied it from another website.

Watch for a sense of urgency. Scammers want this deal done quickly so they can run off with your money. They want to strike fast before you’ve had any time to think it through carefully.

Think before making unconventional payments. Scammers prefer gift cards, wire transfer, or apps like Zelle, Venmo, and Cash App. When using these apps, transfers are not protected unlike payments on a traditional credit or debit card. These payment methods offer no way to get your money back if you are the victim of fraud.

Determine the fair price for the bottle you are considering. If someone advertises rare bottles at deeply discounted prices, it’s a fraud.

What to do if You’ve Been Scammed

If you’ve been a victim of these scams, in the US you can report the site or account to the Better Business Bureau, your State Attorney’s General office, and contact your credit card company about its fraud protection policies.

Contact your bank as soon as you know you’ve been the subject of fraud. Advise them and ask for guidance.

If you paid using apps like Zelle, Venmo, and Cash App, you’re likely out of luck. Transfers are not protected and these payment methods offer no way to get your money back if you are the victim of fraud.

If you paid using a credit card, call your bank’s customer service (on the back of your card) and tell them you would like to start the chargeback process to dispute a charge. Your bank will tell you the next steps.

If you used PayPal, open a dispute in the PayPal Resolution Center. The payment in the seller’s account will be frozen until the dispute has been resolved.

When you come across an amazing deal or bottle for sale on social media, step back for a moment and think. Some profile clicks. A quick 10-second search of replies and mentions. That’s all it usually takes to research an account before getting sucked into a scam. The speed of social media has people out of the habit of investigating before spending. If you do some basic research and ask yourself some questions in these situations, you’re very unlikely to get scammed.

Better yet, Don’t buy whiskey on Twitter!

Watch your money!

~WhiskeyScam

My #1 pick for favorite whiskey of 2022. Part 2

All 2022 Batches

ALT

I scratch my head when I see these “Best of” lists from people that couldn’t pick the rotten Apple in a bucket with two Apples in it. Let’s ignore that fact that they may not have the background, nose, expertise, or any legitimization they should to even pick a heavily chlorinated water sample from one that was 100% pure from distilled. But how and why does a bottle rise above all others for that year? Rarely do we get an in-depth explanation which I’m about to dive into. So let’s get into my

Anatomy of my favorite Whiskey of 2022–

I will guarantee you that I have put more time and effort into my favorite whiskey of 2022 than anyone am aware of. It’s been a 11 year journey and a bit of a waiting game. Of course I had no idea until recently how this would all culminate to this point. Toward the end of 2021 I noticed that what would become my 2022 favorite was hitting its stride in getting better and better. In 2022 I tripled my effort in trying dozens of 2021 and 2022 batch’s of this one. Yes, every bottle has a very easy but often overlooked identifiable year and batch number label attached. When I started to notice a significant change in the quality of the brand in 2021 I was asked by the powers that be at the brand not to make a big deal of my thoughts on it. Throughout 2022 it just got better and better and more ironic that this stuff was sitting around in most stores and decent bars at $50-$60 a bottle. The brand is made up of a Small Batch of prime 6, 7, and 8 year single barrels that customers happily lineup to often pay well marked up prices of $500-$800 for it in single barrel form. The brand was already on allocation but sustainable and holding its own for supply and availability. Quietly, I gave people a heads up on it and these Whiskey geeks agreed with me and this little secret nugget of greatness. I mentioned it several times over 2022 to the brand and I basically got “ Please, if you make a big deal about it will only cause us supply problems we can’t fix and we’re already selling what we can ship with no problem. They simply didn’t want stores to go through the insanity happening with very average bottles we are now seeing. Endless phone calls looking for things of baseless or real fame and desire have become common place of stores. Many stores have taken the greedy tactic of asking for insane markups rather than the right thing to do of simply taking care of their best customers at fair prices.

Let me take you back in time 11 years for a bit of a back story. In the 1970’s, Willett aka Kentucky Bourbon Distillers (KBD) make their last drops of Whiskey prior to the shutdown of the stills by the family in the 1970’s. Martha Willett Kulvseen and husband Even Kulvseen purchases the property in 1984 going into the brand and bottling business with no mashing, fermentation, or distillation happening. 28 years later, January 27th, 2012 the stills at Willett start back up at the Bardstown property and they are back in business making Whiskey. Somewhat ahead of their time as a small craft distillery, but only at a capacity of 10k-20k barrels a year, a typical amount a big distillery makes in a week.

I was impressed by Willett’s operation and rekindled effort to begin distilling again in 2012. In actuality, restarting saved the business as the distilleries they had been sourcing Whiskey from for decades would soon cut off this supply due to the Bourbon Boom. What they had left of the sourced whiskey would only last a few more years. They were forced to use their own younger aging whiskey a bit earlier than they would have preferred. Noah’s Mill was my Whiskey of the Year in 2015. I had been told by Willett that since much of their sourced well aged whiskey was depleted, they had to use older whiskey stocked they would have normally not done in their brands. Although it was never confirmed to me, I suspected that the 2015 Noah’s Mill had higher concentrations of this older nicely aged whiskey in it. I knew that with Willett running low on the dwindling supply of sourced whiskey that they would need to make adjustments. It only made sense that some of the older barrels they had would have to be used in the higher end brands like the flagship Noah’s Mill. It had been a few years since Willett had removed the 15 year age statement and use of Wheated Bourbon in the blend for Noah’s. My enthusiasm for the 2015 makes much more sense to me now. Not long after some of those awesome 2015’s Willett started blending their own Whiskey into what was sourced. Average age became younger and younger until eventually all of the Noah’s Mill blend and all of Willett’s small batch blends were their own Whiskey.

From 2012 I tasted the Willett Whiskey several times a year. I tasted it as young as new make directly off the still. I tasted the whiskey aging in the barrel. I tasted multiple recipes. They had a few recipes such as their Wheated Bourbon, Rye Whiskey, High and Low Rye recipe, etc. Each was developing differently in general as well as the barrels located higher and hotter vs lower and cooler in the warehouses. Single barrel bottles of the Willett Family Estate from the newer barrels started to be sold at the visitor center, stores, pours at bars etc. I kept trying and tasting off the still and aging barrels. The new make was very nice as far as new make can taste. What I found to be a sort of a citrus note would develop into a signature “cinnamon” thing the younger Whisky would become noted for. Very pleasant tasting compared to bad or standard boring, simplistic tasting new make. This would later evolve into more complex spicer notes. The best Master Distillers will tell you that Whiskey doesn’t start hitting its peak sweet spot until around 8-12 years old and I totally agree. Because I was tasting the Willett over an 11 year period and eventually witnessing the transitioning to 100% Willett made in the barrel and bottle I could taste the gradual improvement as it aged. I clearly understood what was happening to the Noah’s Mill brand. My guess was that the shift from older barrels out of necessity to much younger ones as a necessity was a fairly short and more noticeable jarring change for Whiskey geeks. Newer consumers of Noah’s noticed the newer graininess with only enough experience to realize they didn’t like it. There weren’t many people singing the praises of Noah’s Mill for a few years. Understandably, some gave up on it totally or moved on to other things. I knew what was happening and it would take time.

Every bottle of Noah’s Mill and many other Willett brands have a label on the side with a simple road map to tell you the year bottled. Two digits for the year and a progressively higher two digits as the number of batches progressed during the year. An example is that a batch number of 21-05 was fairly early in 2021 where a batch with 22-40 would be later in 2022, perhaps one and a half years apart.

In 2021 and 2022 a funny thing happened. Noah’s Mill started to click. It was good again but progressively getting better and better. When I tasted the 6-7 year Willett barrels aging they were getting much much better, especially the rye based Bourbon.

In 2022 I was curious of the ages of the barrels now being used in the Noah’s batch blends. I was told that Noah’s Mill was now using a blend of 6, 7, and 8 year old barrels in this small batch blend. I was tasting single barrels at Willett of this age and bottles of rye based Willett Family Estate Bourbon and the tide had turned from youthfulness to entering their prime, that 8-12 year age range seasoned Master Distiller’s love. The Willett Visitor Center typically is selling its brands batches of bottles a 3-6 months before those same batches make it to stores and bars. I have tried or own around 6 batches of Noah’s from 2021 and around 10 batches from 2022. They are really good, even great. BUT here is the thing, many in the Bourbon community are a few years behind and have perhaps even gave up on Noah’s. They aren’t very shy and don’t hold back on the fact that the Noah’s they had a couple years ago wasn’t good. To add to this, let’s recall that Noah’s is a tad bit over 114 proof, nearly Barrel Proof. When a higher proof Bourbon with less water and more youthful flaws gets drank it stands out more and your likely to remember it, especially when it’s memorable in a bad way.

I’m an admitted fan boy of Willett for some personal but more so respect for the tradition, pride and quality. I’ve never held back from discussing the rough edges. Through 2022 I discussed the bad rap Noah’s was still getting with Willett. People I had turned onto the 2022 batches were in awe and WOW of it much expecting the opposite. As the end of 2022 approached I had struggled to name the 2022 Noah’s Mill batches my Whiskey of the Year. Was I to close to it? Had I lost my perspective. How did it hold up blind and by memory to other great ones of the year? I went back to Willett and simply said that people needed to rediscover the brand and get credit where credit was due. Still no thanks. The Kulvseen’s are a modest group and family. They don’t flaunt things or toot their own horn. Proud yes, show off no. They certainly don’t care about trophy’s or awards. Other than Even Kulvseen Sr’s ( Mr. E) Bourbon Hall of Fame Tribute proudly displayed in the Visitor Center.

https://www.kentuckybourbonwhiskey.com/news/even-kulsveen-to-be-inducted-into-the-hall-of-fame/

You won’t see them rated, reviewed or winning anything because they don’t enter Competitions or even send samples for review. They don’t advertise. All word of mouth and let the consumers decide. I’ve spoken to many people that have no idea Noah’s Mill is from Willett. Willett is on the back of the bottle once buried in small type. I once asked why they didn’t want to put Willett on the front label in big letters. I wasn’t surprised that the answer was “ We don’t need to, we sell every drop just the way it is”. They aren’t flashy. In fact if you’ve visited or toured Willett you may have seen or said hi to a super sweet elderly shy gentleman drinking a cup of tea at the bar or pushing a broom around the visitor center or distillery, that would be Mr. K the boss, Drew and Britts dad, Husband of Martha Willett Kulvseen. They certainly don’t care about my Whiskey of the Year choice. They preferred I not blog a piece on Noah’s before. So a few weeks ago I’m at my favorite store surrounded by some great famed whiskey palates and we start discussing Noah’s Mill as it was on sale for $50 and I laughed at the sign. They were curious what was so funny. “Because the Willett was on-sale for $50 and there are cases of it”. I began to tell them this story, where it’s at in my mind and how I’ve turned some others on to how good it’s gotten in the last year or so. I take one bottle right then and buy it, open it and there we all try it. All are very impressed and surprised. They had somewhat written it off too in their minds. I call Willett while at the store on speaker phone tell them what’s going on and I’ve decided to make it my Whiskey of the Year with encouragement from the group, Drew reluctantly gives up and says to write what I want. The store’s owner asks me to wait a few weeks so he can order many more cases of the brand so he will have more of it to sell. He knows that sooner or later the word will get out and his phone will start ringing and the madness will finally will rightfully catch some daylight and the brand can rightfully have its day in the sun again.

My apologies in advance for those of you that had already figured out that one of the best bottles available from one of the most desirable and sought after distilleries is hiding in plain sight for a year or so. I suggest you not wait to get your hands on some bottles of the 2022 batches before stores crank up the price or it simply can’t be found. The 2022 batches of Noah’s Mill are my Whiskey of the Year, 2022.

PS

I was at Willett a couple weeks ago beginning of February 2023. I was with Drew and said, OK my piece is almost finished but I want to taste the Noah’s Mill one last time. He gets me the last bottle of 2023 that he pulled from the bottling line to try before it went out. Gets the open bottle from his office desk that he just tried. He gave me the open bottle and not having a chance to try it, I wrapped it up, taped the top, and shipped it home. I write this review live of the last batch of Noah’s Mill of 2023, batch 64. 22-64 FYI-I had brought him a bottle of Booze so this wasn’t free, it was a trade.😉

Review

No ice or water-15 minutes of airtime in Willett tasting glass, sort of a squared off Glencairn glass.

Nose-a slight fading mint like a broken open Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookie as my first impression. Obviously cookie, Vanilla , Chocolate. Some Cedar wood. A bit of floral, maybe red roses. Fairly complex and I could go on as it opens up more.

Taste-wow, all of the above plus tree fruit, maple, honey, the thin mint is still there in a very nice not pushy way or over powering. The mint is subtle but I’ll go with spearmint definitely not cinnamon. Cedar, some spice but certainly more corn endured sweat notes.

Finish-No bullshit here, the finish is fireworks. 114.3 proof in the best way possible. Not much of a surprise as flavors are very consistent with nose and taste. Not an unpleasant or overpowering burn. Like a friends firm hand shake. I want more. At 50 seconds it’s still there with a tingling tongue. Fades until my timer says 1.20.19, that’s two minutes folks.

The sensation of a menthol honey lozenge with no medicinal trait. The spearmint is a bit more like menthol but in a nice way, not overpowering and like one instrument in an orchestra at the same volume. Sweet all the way with a tad bit of nice cedar, zero bitterness no negative traits. I’ll add that the prior batches of 2022 were all great but a tad bit different in all good ways. I’m not a big fan of mint but I’m fine with the subtle and gentleness of this being very slight in the background. I didn’t pick this up in other batches that I can recall. It also faded more with time. I suspect a drop of water would make it gone entirely but I liked it and left it “naked” with nothing added.

Odd that the wood notes aren’t oaky but cedar, go figure? I want two cases of this really, I do and I’m pretty sure I’ll regret only getting two. If I had to score this out of 5 points let me say I rarely go above 4. My perfect Bourbon would have Cherry, tree fruit, Juicy fruit, and complex spices. Although this has tree fruit it’s more of a blend and no juicy fruit. Purely personal preference that I take a little off this as some people easily could score this higher. It’s changed a bit in 20 minutes I’ve been writing this. Less mint and the sweeter notes are a bit more noticeable. Very interesting pour. I’ll say this is 4.25-4.50 depending on when you sip.

Whiskey of the year 2022 Part 1

My top 3 favorite finalists for 2022

If you don’t want to read my commentary or Best of lists, skip a few paragraphs to the heading: “My favorite American Whiskeys of 2022”.

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it lots more, Best Whiskey lists have become like grains of sand and more or less “suggestions”. If you really like or trust someone, especially if they are some sort of globally accepted authority then maybe go with it, but always with this grain of sand. Now with hundreds (I’d not thousands of self professed or implied “experts”) my issue has always been that a “Best Whiskey list” is dependent on:

1. The geek having a clue.

2. The geek having no ulterior motive/s.

3. The geek not being on the utter, payroll, or beholden in someway to those on their list or at least those high on it.

4. The geek gets or takes nothing of value from the very brands they have/are rating/reviewing/commenting on.

5. How they accessed the sample they are reviewing/rating?

6. Did/do mortals and muggles have easy msrp access to the stuff still or at least when sampled?

If it was tried on some sort of free junket or given to them as a brand sample this can influence the decision. If it’s a free provided brand sample this could influence the decision or even a rigged sample that is especially good. So basically beware of a flawed system. Similar in many ways to how competitions are flawed. One popular Whiskey Geek that makes a living on tasting provided and free stuff now has a Top 100 list. WTF I say! If you don’t know why a top 100 list isn’t ridiculous already, you might want to stick to beer or White Zin. Bottom line is no one is trying even a fraction of the available Bourbons and Rye for a true.y comprehensive and meaningful “Best of” pick to make it very relevant in any case. Even then, it’s subjective and subject to my 1-6 list above. With that said, I attempt to take a whack in 2023 to my favorite American Whiskies of 2022.

My Favorite American Whiskeys of 2022- in no particular order

I very rarely take free samples from brands. When I do I try and reciprocate in someway to even things out. And yes, through relationships I still sip a thing or two that slips through the cracks but I try my hardest to be honest to the Bourbon Truth. Unlike many people getting/taking free samples, I’m not afraid or fearful that a negative review will

• Piss off the brand

• Hurt the possibility of getting other samples from the brand

• Refusal of the brand to advertise

• Provide interviewees or guests to the blog, podcast, etc doing the review/rating.

Whiskey popularity in 2022 builds on the same rampant confusion and viral nature of American Whiskey appreciation as a lifestyle, hobby, or serious interest. I’ll go to a store, bar, friends home, my basement with hundreds of open bottles and I find myself being drawn back to the whiskey equivalent to your favorite comfy slippers, coat, rusting dented frying pan or whatever. To me that bottle is movie equivalent like “Shawshank”, “Holy Grail”, “Dumb and Dumber (of course), or a dozen movies that rewatching hundreds of times and never get old. We take for granted the great bottles always available practically everywhere in the USA, even on a plane at 30,000 feet. You always know what your going to get and it’s ALWAYS going to be good to great. It’s going to be a great value and a ton of time and effort has gone into that bottle to make and keep it really good.

My 3 favorite everyday sippers in 2022

MAKERS MARK

This stuff has been around since 1958! 65ish years! Wheated Bourbon that many consider to be a close clone to the original Stitzel Weller/Van Winkle family process and recipe. A respectable 90 proof. Maybe even the SW yeast if you study up on the history. Yes, a bit thin at times and admittedly about 4-6 years short of greatness, I’m drawn to it when I want a good value pour without much mystery. The consistency over my drinking lifetime is amazing. My favorite go to for a free pour in several post pandemic trips to Las Vegas in 2022. Maker’s is a welcome friend and always a very nice pour. While the masses are going crazy over the usually spotty quality, often tainted all things Weller for its “Wheated’ ess”, Maker’s is my subtle winner 7 days a week for Wheated Bourbon.

WOODFORD RESERVE

1996, 26 years the good old Woodford Reserve is derived from the standard Brown Forman Old Forester Bourbon Mashbill of 72% corn, 18% Rye, and 10% malted barley. A slightly altered version of the Old Forester Yeast. Lincoln Henderson, Chris Morris, now Elisabeth McCall have kept this on a consistently great path for a long time. Again, great value, always on the shelf and you know you’ll get the same flavor year after year. Sweat Nilla wafer, Maple syrup, Chocolate, with just the right amount of woodiness. A little spicer than a wheated Bourbon so add cinnamon, floral, allspice notes, 90.4 proof that holds up well to a big cube or ice ball (never use small cubes in a whiskey you don’t want over diluted).

ELIJAH CRAIG SMALL BATCH

Used to be 12 years old with an age statement. Now thought to be 8-10 year average without an age statement. 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Malted Barley. This one will be sweeter due to 78% corn. The longer aging is what really shines through on this one. Like the other two above, this is a long time recipe that draws much of its superior complexity from its longer aging. I hope that the suits at Heavenhill draw the line on 8 year being the youngest that goes into this standard Elijah Craig. It will seriously lose its mojo younger. This would wreck my love for the brand. At $25-$35 a bottle and 94 proof I haven’t come across a better accessible Bourbon at such a reasonable price. Since 1986 the original Bourbon standard Bourbon Mashbill has endured. Over 30 years it’s been a safe bet.

Put Woodford, Maker’s, or Elijah against things twice+ as expensive and much harder to come-by. In blind tastings you’ll see why I’m giving credit where credit is due to these solid, safe, accessible favorite everyday bottles for 2022. See my favorite #1 pick whiskey for 2022 in my next post.

Here are my 2021 favorite Whiskey options you can find for every budget. You can’t go wrong with these. They’re reliable, won’t ever let you down mixing or neat. Gifts or not. You should be able to get these in most of the US or acquired from other areas easily if not. They should also be on shelves at normal msrp or lower.

Barrell Bourbon/Whiskey

Many options and variations but I love the Bourbon Batches most. Expect $80-$100 for regular releases, more for extra special things. Keep an eye out for the private selections done by stores with great private barrel reputations. Stock up because it’s inevitable consumers will catch on that the brand keeps getting major awards and big ratings. I love the no BS transparent presentation too.

Makers Mark

A classic. Very nice Wheated Bourbon doing things right for more than 50 years. Put it in an empty Van Winkle 10 bottle, no one will know the difference. Great price with legendary consistency.

Woodford Reserve

So solid, so consistent and good. Super job blending this. It doesn’t get the credit it deserves amoung whiskey geeks. Gift or an everyday drinker, it’s every versatile. One of my top go to’s at bars without many whiskeys or for a nice value. If you’re a fan of fruity, sweet, caramel profile this is it.

Elijah Craig

A long time favorite. My everyday drinker that can easily fool most whiskey snobs at costing twice the typical $30ish price.

Angels Envy Bourbon

Great for gifting, newer Whiskey people that want a more approachable sweater profile. Created by Lincoln Henderson, one of the greatest whiskey minds we’ve had.

Basil Hayden 80 Proof

Best Bourbon for the new Bourbon fan. At 80 proof it’s very friendly and smooth. I personally prefer this regular original version over the new or older versions. Don’t add water, ice or dilute in cocktails. Makes a nice gift for the non snob or pouring an 80 proof blind to one.

Old Forester 1920

Not a Bourbon fan secret any longer. Very solid great high proofer for all uses. Has become a store shelf favorite to so many.

Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon and Rye

The WT brand rarely gets anything wrong. You’ll never go wrong with these higher proof bargains that should cost 2x.

Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit

Nice for gifting and a very nice 101 proof hiding in plain sight.

Wild Turkey Russels Reserve 10 Year Bourbon

An awesome 10 year Bourbon for $30-$40, who can’t love that!

Wild Turkey Russels Reserve Single Barrel Rye

Best Single Barrel Rye you’ll ever find sitting on most store shelves waiting for smart people to buy them.

Four Roses Small Batch

90 proof. 6-7 year great everyday for everything at $30-$35. It will hold up to just about anything blind.

Four Roses Small Batch Select-see above, just add non-chill filtering and 7% more abv. Limited Distribution States are expanding.

Lot 40 Rye

If you find an old 2012 bottling grab it. Even the current release is solid for $35-$40. A rare Canadian Rye that’s 100% rye. This one is often in the store’s Canadian Whisky section rather than with the Rye’s.

Wilderness Trail-all types

The more I learn about them and their plans, I get more giddy over what’s coming. They have a million+++ dollar lab testing to make sure everything is as close to perfect as possible —it shows. Shane, Pat and staff are fanatics to make the best. Tomorrow’s Van Winkle and Willett. Get it until you can’t. In about half the states but expanding.

Hillrock-all types

Small true craft place on a New York farm growing grain and making Bourbon, Rye and Single Malt. Quality and tasty. Makes very nice gifts especially for those seeking something different with a rich look. Around $100.

Willett Noah’s Mill

Defies logic. The world is going crazy for Willett, especially Willett Family Estate (WFE) bottlings. January 2021 Willitt’s 100% own house made Whiskey turns 9 years old. Noah’s is currently pulled from Willett’s own best 7-8 year old barrels- soon to be a year older (written 12/20). When WFE rarely drops at retail or the Visitor Center, they are $200-$300 and sell out in minutes, not hours. At near barrel proof of 114.3 and around $45-$55 a bottle, how is Noah’s Mill on the shelves at all? Like I said, “Defies logic” and should. One of the best, most accessible bottles you can find today. Near barrel proof is a bonus. Half the cost of the similarly age/proof Bookers. Noah’s is allocated and if the label simply said “WILLETT Noah’s Mill” stores would be charging $300 per bottle for it. It won’t take much for this to be the next one you wished you bunkered a few cases of while you could.

Charbay R5 Whiskey

This one is the most interesting and unique whiskey you’ll ever have. US Regs require them to call this “Hop Flavored” but there is no flavoring added. Double distilled from bottle ready Bear Republic’s Racer 5 IPA. There is no way to accurately describe it. People tend to love it or not. Read up on it but having or gifting it will show your depth and appreciation for different styles of Whiskey. If you’re a hop head get it. Well stocked stores are likely to have it in distribution states. Ask a manager if they have it as I’ve tended to see it in many sections other than whiskey. Charbay’s one of the oldest craft distilleries in the US. Doing Brandy since 1983 and hop whiskey since 1999.

Larceny

A nice Wheated Bourbon from the legacy of the Weller brand and Stitzel Weller distillery. Made by Heavanhill in Louisville at the distillery built to replace the aging Stitzel Weller plant. Larceny was rebranded from Old Fitzgerald, this $25-$30 Bourbon is a great bargain. If your searching for Wheated Bourbon, Weller, and your good with 92 Proof, 6-9 years old, this is it. Every bit as good or better than Weller. Note-They have a full proof version that is much less likely to be on the shelf at MSRP.

Buffalo Trace

Good solid everyday Bourbon with the same mashbill and recipe of it’s sister brands at higher proof like the Stagg’s people are nuts for right now. One of the few Buffalo Trace made Bourbons that you can find and is good in taste and price.

Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream

Another weird one to be one of my favorite Whiskies. Many people don’t know it exists. It’s got loads of uses for desert, in coffee, baking and just something different to the Bourbon lover. A great nightcap to decompress or to have “one more” especially before driving. Cheaper and much better than Bailey’s, a nice substitute to stick to Bourbon but a variation. Great gateway to the non-bourbon drinker also.

Old Forester 100 proof

Tasty $20-$25 choice with a good proof kick. Very solid and hiding in plain sight. Here’s the thing— truly authentic Whiskey aficionados don’t judge each other on the expensive over the top cult booze that they have/drink. They judge on their depth, choice and guts to drink something great that’s not cool or pretentious like this one. Well known to good bartenders as their secret weapon for an inexpensive Bourbon.

Rittenhouse Rye 100 Proof Bottled in Bond-

Everything I just said about Old Forester 100 is true for this one but in a Rye. If it were ever discontinued, American Bartenders would start crying. You won’t find a better $20-25 rye or whiskey. Super versatile.

Fathers Day and other gifts 2020-Pick 3 for $100 at the end. Best 3 bottles for $100

Time for my not so famous 2020 gift guide. Fathers Day, Holidays whatever.

Let’s start with some stuff that I like or think is cool. Then I’ll get to bottles with some commentary. Let’s start with some successful Kickstarters I’ve done over the years I like and can no be purchased in-stock. Sorry if photo links aren’t working.

At some point everyone needs ice and water for you Whiskey so ice ball/cube gadgets-

The Polar Ice Tray-they aren’t cheap for ice ball or cube trays but nice clear ice is every whiskey geeks dream.

https://ucubecreative.com/

How about an inexpensive ice press, not $1000 but $200, also not Copper-

https://youtu.be/yw-X_hsx-zo

https://bevratech.com/products/glacious-le?variant=8116588773484

VSSL is a company that built a 9 Oz. Flask with flashlight, bottle opener, and shot glasses. You can customize it more for first aid and other things-

https://www.vsslgear.com/products/flask

How about the perfect jacket for a fire pit, football game or stumbling around a rickhouse? “The Drinking Jacket”-

Besides being comfortable, durable and designed to keep you warm, this hoodie is jam-packed with “drinktacular” features: bottle opener zipper, neoprene koozie pocket (to keep your beer cold), hidden flask pocket, and slip resistant mitts. It also sports a sunglass holder,snappable I.D. and money pocket, optional metal-detector-proof flask, and deep pockets (to carry more booze goods). The drinking jacket boasts a cool looking reflective logo, and it’s available in 3 different colors: Charcoal , Merlot and Charred Oak.

https://ksr-ugc.imgix.net/assets/011/932/541/41c67d50fe1344977e65e87bae2e5f20_original.jpg?ixlib=rb-2.1.0&crop=faces&w=1024&h=576&fit=crop&v=1463716718&auto=format&frame=1&q=92&s=c1e6b36bb7238075c640923bade7a62d

Watch “The Drinking Jacket” on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/115282987?ref=em-v-share

https://mensgear.net/2014/12/drinking-jacket.html

My favorite Whisky glass right from the source, the Glencarin. But did you know you can get it in a mini, cut glass, engraved or logo’d, mixer glass that has no foot at the bottom, Stemmed Copita. Nice decanters also—

https://www.glencairnwhiskyglass.com/glencairn-packages/glencairn-whisky-glasses

Glencairn Glasses

Wanna screw around aging your own white dog in an Oak bottle one at a time, here it is-

https://oakbottle.com/

Ouita Michael Midway Bakery Cookie Box $37 shipped!!) 24 awesome cookies and other things.

https://www.ouitamichel.com/shop

My $100 Whisk(e)y hoard. Pick any 3 that should be readily available and can be found. I’ll follow with some wild cards that you might not be able to find due to release area or increasing popularity and allocations but still relatively easy with a little effort.

Any of these would stand on their own as well at between $25-$45. The 3 for $100 will range from $85-$115 depending on sales, taxes, and other variables. Marked with * are my favorites or especially good value for consistently very good taste.

Bourbon

Buffalo Trace Straight Bourbon $27

*Elijah Craig Straight Bourbon $28

*Evan Williams Straight Bourbon Single Barrel $28

*Wild Turkey Russell’s Reserve 10 year Straight Bourbon $33

Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon $38

Four Roses Small Batch Straight Bourbon $35

Makers Mark Wheated Cask Strength Straight Bourbon $45

*Wild Turkey Rare Breed Straight Bourbon $44

Basil Hayden High Rye Straight Bourbon $37

Old Bardstown Bottled in Bond Straight Bourbon $22 Willett product

*Wild Turkey 101 Straight Bourbon. $22

Old Forester 100 Proof Straight Bourbon $23

Old Grand Dad 100 High Rye Bottled in Bond Straight Bourbon $23

Old Grand Dad 114 High Rye Proof Straight Bourbon $28

Larceny Wheated Straight Bourbon $25

Makers Mark Wheated Straight Bourbon $28

Bourbon Finished

Angels Envy Finished Bourbon $45

Noah’s Mill 114.3 Proof Bourbon from Willett $55-If Dad is nuts to get his hands on Willett this is it. Willett’s best regular brand, closest to barrel proof when you can’t get a private barrel bottle. Readily available!

Johnny Drum 101 Straight Bourbon another Willett product $28

Rowens Creek 101 Proof Straight Bourbon Willett product $32

Scotch

These scotch’s are all fairly mild with low peat/smokiness. Great Values-Smooth

Chivas Regal Blended Scotch Extra 13 year $39

Glenmorangie* Original Single Malt Scotch 10 Year $43

Glenfarclas 12 Year Single Malt Scotch $40

*Highland Park Single Malt Scotch 12 Year $43

Glenlivet Founders Reserve and 12 Year Double Oak Single Malt Scotch $40

Auchentoshan American Barrel Single Malt Scotch $40

Glengoyne 12 Year Single Malt Scotch $44

Old Pultney 12 Year Single Malt Scotch $45

Glenfiddich 12 Year Single Malt Scotch $42

Rye

Lot 40 Canadian Rye $40. Try to find the 2012 edition if possible

Wild Turkey Russell’s Reserve Straight Rye $35

Pikesville Straight Rye 110 Proof $42

*Rittenhouse Straight Rye 100 proof BiB. $25

*Wild Turkey Russell’s Reserve 104 Proof Single Barrel Straight Rye $50 but priced higher in some places

Wild Cards—Due to increasing popularity and brand hype these are getting harder to find in some areas. Within a year I expect them to be hard to find in most areas. Ask store to hold one for you.

EH Taylor Small Batch Straight Bourbon $42

Eagle Rare 10 Year Straight Bourbon (getting harder to find in some areas)

Bowman Brothers Straight Bourbon Single Barrel $35

John Bowman Straight Bourbon $50, May be harder to find, more costly.

thebourbontruth:

I’m not a Entomologist but I’ve heard their busy at work in Kentucky’s Rick Houses used to store the millions and millions of barrels aging. These Whiskey Warehouses are being slowly eaten, some faster than others. An Entomologist is a bug scientist and for the last several years the Powderpost Beetle have been slowly destroying many of Kentucky’s Rick Houses. Years of ignoring the issue have come to a head rendering more and more of these buildings structurally unsound.
One source has told me that a major Kentucky distillery has a Rick/Rack/Warehouse used for its tours that is very unsafe “I’d never go in that place” he says. It’s been said that the infestation problem is so bad before tours enter they need to sweep up the dust left behind from the Beetles. These Beetles are boring into the wood at an astounding rate leaving a telltale sign of a very fine wood powder/dust. He’s unsure why visitors are even still in this Rick House when it needs to be emptied out, rid of these pests and torn down or have a major rebuild.
The Powder Post Beetle likes moist environments which tends to be the bottom cooler sections of most Rick houses that makes the structure that much more dangerous as it must support all of the weight above.

There are varying degrees of this problem but it’s growing and growing and has gotten so bad that the Barton Distillery sent a warning notice around at the beginning of March 2015 of the extent/extreme to its competitors telling them just how bad it has become. Barton was told by its experts that the major infestation of just one building will require a minimum of a quarter of million dollars in just materials. This is after the entire warehouse is emptied, the bugs are cleaned out and major work is done to repair and replace the wooden beams that have been severely deteriorated and eaten over the years. They have been consulted by a major college’s scientists on this issue.

The thought of dozens if not hundreds of Rick Houses being emptied of barrels, removal of the infestation, and mass repairs done is very frightening. It is not thought that barrels will be effected but I can’t be certain at this point. It’s possible that many structures are unsafe.

My sources felt it was necessary to let me know what’s been going on because it seems as though this has been very hush-hush among everyone. It’s unknown if any in the media have knowledge or are being held back on reporting this.
I expect that now that I have reported it, it will come out from the typical Monday Morning Quarterbacking that happens in the “Journalism” community of Kentucky and Distillary Controlled Whiskey trade writers.

I am getting more information and expect to have the memo that Barton released in my hands very shortly and hope to have it posted if I’m not beat into it.
I’m not sure what the implications of this are but they can’t be good. This is the worst time for something like this to have grown to the severity that it’s has. With the huge increase of production and filling of these Rick houses I have no idea how they’re going to handle all these barrels that may need moving. I would imagine that much of this infestation mitigation can’t be done with barrels in the Ricks for logistical reasons as well as the possible use of chemicals to treat and fumigate the buildings. I expect you’ll be hearing more information from others now that the Beetle is out of the bag. I’ll post more as I get it.

http://www2.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef616.asp

Here is my 2019 Fathers Day Bourbon Buying Guide/List. It’s somewhat an “evergreen list” though that should hold up for a bit. Its also a “Reality List”. Its my belief that a Whiskey favorites buying list is worthless if you can’t buy it. For this reason, I’m leaving off things that are too limited to buy at a reasonable price, poor value, over rated or unfortunately not distributed to enough places to make it easy to find.

1792 Barton Small Batch, Single Barrel and Full Proof Bourbon’s are all good buys for their respective taste and price of $30-$50

Angels Envy Bourbon I’m not a big fan of wine barrel finishes but this is a rare exception. The Port is well balanced and doesn’t try to compete with the Whiskey. It’s especially nice for a before/after dinner sip and for the novice as it’s not an “in your face” high proofer. At $50-$60 it’s a fair value and makes a nice gift.

Barrell Bourbon These have been coming out regularly the past few years. Alternating or blending Dickel and MGP barrels these are well aged and range from good to great. Currently up to around Batch 20. Bottled at barrel proof. They have been experimenting with various barrel finishes but I’m happy to stick with their regular Straight Bourbon. Gift one or bring it to a party to look like an expert since this isn’t a common bottle. $80-$90

Basil Hayden Bourbon Its weakness is its strength. It’s one of the only low proof (80) true premium brands. My recommendation for the novices and beginners. This is not however something you want to mix or put ice cubes in. It’s from the higher rye recipe so it will be a bit spicier but not hot. It will get easily diluted and lost. $40-$50

Blanton’s This is really a Mirage and not a recommendation but a explanation. Too hard to find, hefty price increases and slipping quality put this once list contender off the island.

Bookers Bourbon This one can at times be “batchy” in good or bad ways. On average it’s a great whiskey that’s the original mass marketed almost barrel proof. Best to read up on some of the highly rated batches and look for those. When it’s a good one, its good but when its average or worse it can be nasty and bitter. Its high proof holds up to water and ice well but too strong for most cocktails. Some batches will blast you out of your seat while others can be so smooth the actual proof will shock you. Again, IS NOT for a novice or a beginner. It’s a lot to handle if you’re not prepared and it WILL fuck you up quickly if you treat it like Kool-aide. $60-$80 this one has a “Price Creep” and is going up little by little. Beam sees it at $100 a bottle in the not to distant future. If you find a good batch at the lower price, stocking up isn’t a bad idea.

As a side note speaking of barrel proof/high proof whiskey. I avoid gifting or bringing over 100 proof to people that aren’t used to it. It can easily sneak up on them. Same goes for people newer to Bourbon. I’m puzzled when I see newbies go for high proof and things like barrel proof Willett that is not only way past their capability to taste and enjoy but it is jumping off the deep end of the whiskey pool before they can swim. Same goes for starting the journey with expensive and rare things they haven’t learned to taste or appreciate. Work up to them eventually. I’m not a happy camper when friends are over that are Jack drinkers and go right for the Van Winkle because they saw it on TV. Same thought process goes for gifting at Fathers Day etc. Don’t over do it, most likely you’ll waste your money and they won’t enjoy it.

Buffalo Trace Bourbon the same mash bill as so many more expensive and limited options from the distillery. Good value for the price. One note of caution is that this one seems like its getting batched and bottled younger than it has been. It can show up like Pee Wee Herman, a bit light and wimpy. Younger Whiskey also has more flaws too. Short or bitter finishes and chemical notes. I wouldn’t call these common but more so than what they had been. $25

Cleveland Whiskey –Just kidding! Buy this only to disinfect toilets at the train station, NOT your own as it might strip off the enamel. Good for keeping Coyotes away from campsites and vermin out of your garden. ONLY bring this to a home you never want to be invited back to! ONLY regift it to someone actually sitting in a good Emergency Room. As for Straight Up gifting for Fathers Day, I guess there are Fathers that deserve this stuff but chances are they haven’t been seen in 40 years or they are in jail where they cant have toxic chemicals. $30-$40 (if you hate money).

Eagle Rare no longer single barrel but still 10 years old. A very good buy for this standard Buffalo Trace Mash Bill. Pretty consistent and makes a nice gift. $30-$35

EH Taylor Small Batch and Single Barrel Solid choices although the Single Barrels can be off at times. Makes a nice gift due to presentation but the quality can back this up which I cant say with many cool looking bottles. This is the standard familiar Buffalo Trace Mash Bill. $40 for Small Batch, $60 for Single Barrel.

Elijah Craig Small Batch Until recently this one had an age statement of 12 years. With the age statement now gone its still up there in the perfect age range of 8-12 years. This has been one of my long time ultimate favorites due to its consistent quality and being underpriced. It’s my first recommendation for a Bourbon and a great option at a bar when your watching your pennies. A very respectable 94 Proof. It’s a shame its Cask Strength brother isn’t something you can easily find at the retail price in a store. Wishing for the day they make the Barrel Proof available as a private pick. Until then this is a best buy at $25-$35 depending what state and if it’s on sale.

Evan Williams White Label Bottled in Bond —Possibly the best Bourbon out there when your broke. Its 100 proof and at least 4 years old. Ice and Coke is its friend and good for a party without Whiskey snobs. At $15-$20 you won’t find anything better.

Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage Bourbon Historically a good buy year after year. Although it has gotten younger, still a solid single barrel at the price point. $26-$35

Four Roses Small Batch one of the best small batches for the price. Some prime barrels go into this one. $30

Henry McKenna Bottled in Bond Single Barrel this has been scooping lots of awards in blind tasting competitions. At 10 years and 100 proof you won’t find a better bottle with such a good mix of what you want in a bourbon. My two concerns however are the price increases by brand and stores and some inconsistency in some bad and average barrels getting to the shelf in bottles. $30-$40

IW Harper 15 Year one of the few decent older options at a fair price. Consistent quality and makes a nice gift. Fair warning that the price of this keeps going up. I’ve seen it around $100 which is too much and $65 which is a steal. I still have a hard time recommending a Diageo Bourbon implying something is made at the long-closed Stitzel Weller Distillery. Dishonesty aside, this one is still a good buy.

Larceny Small Batch Bourbon Its always nice to have an accessible Wheated Bourbon at a great price and good quality. 92 proof helps this one too. $22-$28

Makers Mark Cask Strength Another Wheated Bourbon that is more often then not a good pour. Can get batchy which stands out more at high proof. I wish the brand stopped the nonsense about not believing in overaging its Bourbon. Makers is around six years old and with another 2-4 years it could be really good. In the meantime you’ll usually get a good batch and a nice bourbon. A tad pricey at around $60.

Noahs Mill The Flagship of Willett’s regular offerings. At or near barrel proof this has lots in common with Bookers at a much better price. The high proof and longer aging make this a good value for the Whiskey Veteran. Holds up well to ice and a splash of water but can be over powering in a cocktail. $50

Old Forester Signature 100 A solid buy with good consistency at 100 proof. Little brother of Woodford at half the cost. $20-$25

Old Forester 1920 one of my favorites. Good consistency and very tasty. Seems stronger than its 115 proof so this is not for the faint of heart or the beginner. A nice ice ball will help. Priced on the high end of being fair at $55-$60.

Old Grand Dad 114 This is a higher rye recipe Bourbon which will be a bit spicier less sweet. Long time bargain best buy of many. This heritage brand wont let you down at near barrel proof. A good bottle to bring to a party with people that can handle high proof. Even with the price inching up to around $30, it’s still a bargain.

Rowens Creek little sister to Noah’s Mill from Willett. At 101 proof still holds up well to just about anything and a bit younger than Noah’s. At around $35 its priced right as a nice gift.

Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Bourbon very solid and a great price for a 10 year old from Wild Turkey and the Father and Son Master Distiller Team at Wild Turkey. This one is a hidden gem that should get much more attention than it does. $30-$35

Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Pretty much everything I wrote above at 115 proof non-chill filtered. $55- $65 on the cusp of being over priced.

Wild Turkey Rare Breed at Barrel Proof this is another hidden gem and perhaps the most under appreciated American Whiskey in existence. It’s the Swiss Army Knife of Bourbon for the veteran whiskey people. Great whiskey, Yes. Great gift, yes. Made by the most experienced Master Distillers in America, Yes. Holds up to ice, water, strong cocktails and blind tastings, Yes Yes Yes Yes. 6-12 years. As past barrel entry proof of this brand has gone up the bottling proof has also risen over the last several years. Keep an eye out for older bottlings with old labels 108.2 proof, 112.8 proof, newest is 116.8 proof. The older bottlings might be dusty, but they are around, often with old price tags and I prefer the older softer ones. $45-$50

Woodford Reserve The extensions of this brand are getting a bit out of hand, confusing and too pricy. I like the good old original. Very well blended for consistency year after year. You’ll get what you expect. I’m not sure what some Whiskey geeks see wrong with this one as its one of the most easy drinking pleasant pours going. Easy to find at stores and bars for a decent price. Makes a nice gift, works as well by the glass as it does in a cocktail. $32-$38

Each year that goes by Van Winkle Bourbon and Rye gets more and more difficult to get while Quality plummets. One can easily guess that the once plentiful stocks of Stitzel Weller made it so easy to pick a great barrel that a chimp could do it. Speaking of chimps it reminds me of a short email conversation I had with Julian Van Winkle III a few years back about how he can pick 90 barrels a day without the palate fatigue any Master Distiller would get after a fraction of that. His answer was that he did it by smell. It would have been funny if not such a stupid answer. One first must accept that the Van Winkle Family was blessed with some sort of magical whiskey palate sense, they weren’t. Nothing could be further from the truth and every year that passes that there are no more Stitzel Weller Barrels (they closed in 1992) the worse Van Winkle gets. To make matters worse Ringo Van Winkle (Preston) the incredibly lucky son of Julian III is now “selecting” the Van Winkle Barrels. This brings us back to a chimp picking the barrels because most of the new 2018 releases I tried today were not that good. One would think with the diversion of more barrels meant for Weller they could do better but they aren’t. One would think that the shrinking allocations, even with production increases of Van Winkle, would help but it doesn’t. All of this in the face of many stores being forced to buy lots and lots of other Sazerac products to get some bottles of the shrinking Van Winkle and Buffalo Trace Antique allocations. Stores follow suit by marking up these bottles 6x-10x the suggested retail price. I’ve now heard of distributors skimming bottles off the top never to see a bar or store. This while Sazerac claims they have no idea it’s happening which makes them stupid and liars. Some day groups of stores will revolt reporting them to the State Liquor authorities or suing for illegal trade practices as forced sales are illegal.

Consumers must be flipping the bottles, not drinking them or have no clue what good Bourbon and Rye taste like because the game and chase gets worse every year. Today as I tasted the 2018 line up I couldn’t understand as I drank from small samples with 70 other people that many of them were in gleeful trances as if they were drinking the Elixir of life and youth. It’s not surprising because it’s become label madness and I see so many blind tastings that include Van Winkles where they fail horribly. It’s really a shame because many years ago it was Van Winkle got me into loving Bourbon. Not so much any longer. So here are some short tasting notes I took today of the Antique Collection, Van Winkle and Weller CYOB. Missing is the Van Winkle Rye they did not get nor the Eagle Rare 17 that supposedly 3 bottles came into the state, two were skimmed by the distributors owners.

Buffalo Trace Tasting 2018

Van Winkle 23

Nose-Carmel, Oak, Butterscotch

Taste-Plastic like model glue, bad maple syrup

Finish-Oak, glue, plastic sweetness

This is not good unless you want to be brought back to being 12 years old when you were building model planes.

Van Winkle 20 Years

Nose-Light nose. Maple, Nila wafers

Taste-Very little taste, vanilla, rubber

Finish-After taste a little bitter, sweet, short finish.

Van Winkle 15 Year

Nose-Maple, smoke, Vanilla

Taste-Medicinal, dry, maple

Finish-Long finish, maple, chocolate chip cookies 2nd best of the Van Winkles

Van Winkle 12 Year

Nose-Birthday cake, Vanilla,

Taste-light sweet, unremarkable

Finish- Light sweet, One dimensional

Van Winkle 10 Year

Nose-Herbal, burnt Carmel

Taste-Maple, leather

Finish-Nice long pleasant cookie finish best of the Van Winkles

Buffalo Trace Antique Collection

William Larue Weller

Nose-Buttered popcorn, maple

Taste-Maple, medicinal

Finish-long burning finish without much flavor.

Dry.

Buffalo Trace Weller Cyob

Nose-Light nose. Tiny Sweetness.

Taste-Cedar, vanilla,

Finish-Cedar, vanilla, root beer, short finish

Thomas Handy Rye

Nose-Butterscotch Herbal, cookies

Taste-Herbal, maple

Finish-Juicy fruit, Forest, Herbal, nice long finish. The best of the Antique Collection

Sazerac 18 year

Nose-Root beer, herbal

Taste-One dimensional, simple

Finish-Spice, dirty mop, medium finish

George T Stagg

Nose-Medicinal, sweet

Taste-Medicinal, somethings off, ball sweat?

Finish-Bitter, not good, sweet not in a good way.

The one thing about saying that Whiskey is a hobby is people instantly think, “Well, He must be an alcoholic”. Nothing could be further from the truth though. I may have 3-5 drinks on average per week. I don’t need one. I’ll often go out with people drinking and don’t have one. What I’m saying is I never need to drink and I’m lucky that way.

I’m a bit hunted by a friend that was not so lucky. His name was Penn and he had a facebook group that is now a ghost never used. He was active in the Bourbon community. He’d call me late and keep me on the phone for hours blabbering about Willett or that latest bottle to chase. One particular night he was especially drunk and said he had mixed sleeping pills. I told him to call 911. His newlywed wife was upstairs sleeping as she was often before she left him. Eventually what he had to say I had no interest in hearing and he stopped calling. A year later I found out he had died, and I was shocked. No one wanted to say how so I had figured that the deep depression he had when his wife left him and my urging for him to get straight never happened. I’m pretty sure he took his own life. I miss talking to him and he was a good guy, just deeply troubled beyond what I could do for him.

I tell this story because many of you out there aren’t far from being him and others of you know someone you can help. This is supposed to be fun and never a burden. If you know someone that needs help or need it yourself get some or help them find it. If you think you had too much to drink or might, don’t drive and plan accordingly with a DD, Uber or taxi.

I’m past due to come up with my favorite Whiskey for 2017. My own rule is something that can be bought at most stores introduced after 11/2016 through 2017. I don’t take free industry samples so I haven’t had most of the new selections but have had most of the major ones.

First, there weren’t many and second I wouldn’t recommend any of them. That’s right, there were no new ones. 2016 had the Old Forester 1920 and Rebel Yell 10. Masters Keep was there and a few others. No real shortage of ones to pick. I went with the 1920 because I liked it better and more accessible. 2017 no such luck. Not having one is a bit of concern and telling. How can such a big industry not have ONE new remarkable or even stand out selection that’s easily obtainable? 1920 made me go out and buy a case with ease but in 2017 not so much. I had some more limited bottles but I won’t use limited bottles that aren’t easily bought. If someone put a gun to my head maybe Wild Turkey Decade comes closest. It’s limited, easy to find but I wouldn’t buy a bottle after I tried it at a bar. So that gets shot down. Little Book— I didn’t think it was bad, even on the upside at a 2.25 of 5 but not a American Whiskey of 2017 by far. A few more that stand out didn’t come close which brings me back to nothing. I hope this isn’t a telling trend. People got a little excited in 2016 with the 1920 but really nothing last year (2017) but an empty feeling.

My official 2017 favorite is nothing.