Bourbon - 6 March 2009 - 7pm GMT

[lohssanami]

Hey...thanks for the welcome Sean and Rich.

My first tasting note here. I love the nose on this Michter's, but absolutely nothing left after first whiff.

[Ganga]

Interesting to see something that isn't that impressive Tim. Really is that bad?

BTW, there are some samples with Mikey that you should be able to add to this topic when you get them. 1792 RR and Joshua Brook-plenty of both for the two of you.

[lohssanami]

Ganga...I wouldn't say it can be termed bad...just very weak after the nose. I really loved the nose, but the flavors are just bland. It doesn't taste bad, just doesn't have much taste. If that makes sense!

[Ganga]

Ganga...I wouldn't say it can be termed bad...just very weak after the nose. I really loved the nose, but the flavors are just bland. It doesn't taste bad, just doesn't have much taste. If that makes sense!

It does. I had one whisky in a bar in which it had been open too long. Tasted like water; smelled like water. It's not that it tastes/smells bad; it's just bad because of the lack of anything.

I guess the palate should be termed "very thin".

[lohssanami]

Now on to Booker's...tasting notes to follow.

[Ganga]

Weller 10
Brand : WL Weller Expression : Centennial 10 yo
Nose : vanilla and Valencia oranges, caramel, unfinished oak furniture, mixed grains Palate : Loads of caramel, honey and rye-like a nature bar mix. There are some other grains in there too. Finish : Long, beautiful. Rye declines as the sweet caramel increases. Always changing. Comment : - Colour : Amber gold Score : 0
Age : 10 Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 50% Bottler : WL Wellers and Sons	Type : Bourbon Region : Kentucky Water : - Ice : - Glass : Brandy Glass Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[Ganga]

I've decided to add a few non-bourbons here as a comparison. First the Sazerac Rye, barrel 37 for Beltramos Wine & Spirits.

[pkt77242]

Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit
Brand : Wild Turkey Expression : Kentucky Spirit
Nose : Tobacco, old leather, bing cherry, and just a hint of wood Palate : The tobacco hits hard at first followed by some cherry and leather. Finish : Mint, tobacco, and leather, on a medium finish. A little thicker than most bourbons. Comment : A great bourbon, the only one that I have tasted that is better is the GTS 07. It even just edges out the GTS 08. If you like tobacco and leather this is the bourbon for you. Colour : - Score : 0
Age : 0 Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 50.5% Bottler : -	Type : Bourbon Region : Kentucky Water : None Ice : None Glass : Riedel SMS Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

I think I might buy the WT Rare Breed as I really enjoy this. Maybe I will have to pour some GTS after all.

Sean

[Ganga]

Sazerac Rye Beltramos
Brand : Sazerac Expression : Beltramos barrel 37
Nose : minty rye, nutty toffee, harvest straw Palate : very course rye grain, thrashed straw Finish : moderate, mellowing into a caramel cream. I'd suggest a creamy chocolate appears as the whiskey spends time in the glass. Comment : - Colour : Gold Score : 0
Age : NAS Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 45% Bottler : Sazerac	Type : Rye Region : U.S.A. Water : - Ice : - Glass : Brandy Glass Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[Ganga]

I found the WT Rare Breed to be exceptional. If you like Kentucky Spirit, it's likely that the Rare Breed will be enjoyed.

[lohssanami]

Booker's
Brand : Booker's Expression : Bourbon
Nose : Hot on the nose with light vanilla and wood. Palate : Heat...maybe some fruit and a little smoke. Finish : ...more vanilla and wood on the finish...long too! Comment : - Colour : Light Red Score : 86
Age : 7 Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 62.85% Bottler : James B. Beam Distilling Co.	Type : Bourbon Region : Kentucky Water : - Ice : - Glass : Glencairn Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[lohssanami]

Ouch...I had an unexpected hiccup in the middle of my Booker's sample...ended up going down the wrong pipe!

[Ganga]

Returning to the 1792 following the rye.

Really sweet and vegetal. Also there is deft (sealant for wood projects). Maybe I'm just getting high like we did in the finish room in high school.

Palate is very sweet caramel with some menthol and grain. Rye is really reduced following the straight rye.

Yep, love this whiskey.

Edit: now I'm getting some peanut butter.

[pkt77242]

George T Stagg 2008
Brand : George T. Stagg Expression : -
Nose : Butterscotch, vanilla, and some new leather Palate : menthol, tobacco, and a little vanilla. Numbs the tongue a little Finish : Medium, with vanilla, and butterscotch. Comment : A good whisky but not a great whisky. A little water brings out more butterscotch, and vanilla. Colour : - Score : 0
Age : 15 Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 70.9% Bottler : -	Type : Bourbon Region : Kentucky Water : None initially than a few drops Ice : None Glass : Riedel SMS Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

Now I am going to try the GTS 07

Sean

[pkt77242]

George T Stagg 2007
Brand : George T. Stagg Expression : -
Nose : Tangerine, Tobacco, menthol, and sweet corn. Palate : More tangerine, tobacco, and a winertmint finish. Finish : very long and mentholy. Sweet tobacco, and slightly dry. Comment : A wonderful bourbon and the best bourbon I have had so far. In fact one of the best whiskies I have ever had. Colour : - Score : 0
Age : 15 Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 72.4% Bottler : -	Type : Bourbon Region : Kentucky Water : None Ice : None Glass : Riedel SMS Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

Sean

[Ganga]

Like I said, a little comparison of related whiskies. A Tennessee whiskey.

George Dickel 10
Brand : Dickel Expression : Special Reserve
Nose : charcoal, weeds, freshly sprouted grain stalks, freshly dugged peanuts Palate : sour corn mash, charcoal, a bit of soft drink caramel, Finish : moderate, light, caramel, sour/charcoal Comment : - Colour : Bronze Score : 0
Age : 10 Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 43% Bottler : George Dickel	Type : Tennessee Region : Tennessee Water : - Ice : - Glass : Brandy Glass Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[Ganga]

Those Staggs in the Hazmat range are marvelous. I'm not as thrilled with them when they are under 70%. The 72.4% is probably the best of the lot. Thanks for the review Sean.

[Ganga]

I'm revisiting the JB 8 before calling it an evening.

Sweetness. Better the second time around. Still, a very similar profile.

[pkt77242]

Those Staggs in the Hazmat range are marvelous. I'm not as thrilled with them when they are under 70%. The 72.4% is probably the best of the lot. Thanks for the review Sean.

No problem Ganga, I always enjoy drinking them, though the 2007 is starting to run low. Next I am going to pour some Thomas Handy Sazerac 2008 release.

Sean

[Ganga]

I'll stay up for a bit. I enjoy reading your notes.

[pkt77242]

Thomas Handy Sazerac 2008
Brand : Sazerac Expression : -
Nose : Rye, cinnamon, and vanilla. Toasted bread Palate : rye, grainy, cinnamon, More of the toasted bread but now with butter and slightly oily. Finish : Caramel, and cinnamon towards the end. Maybe a hint of eucalyptus. Comment : A good whisky and a nice way to finish the night. Colour : - Score : 0
Age : 0 Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 63.75% Bottler : -	Type : Rye Region : - Water : None Ice : None Glass : Riedel SMS Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

A very good whiskey but different. The Ridgemont Reserve 1792 was the closest to it as it seemed to have the biggest rye influence. I enjoy it but I probably should have had it before the GTS.

Sean

[Ganga]

Very interesting Sean! If you can believe it, your notes had my mouth watering. Eucalyptus!

[pkt77242]

I'll stay up for a bit. I enjoy reading your notes.

Thank you Ganga, not much fun drinking alone. I enjoy reading your notes as well. You are much better at picking out flavors than I am.
I am going to finish the night with an Old Potrero single rye. Will post notes after having a sip of water.

Sean

[pkt77242]

Old Potrero
Brand : Old Potrero Expression : 18th Century
Nose : Jet fuel, and citrus especially lemon. Rye as well but it is slightly muted Palate : Gasoline (ok I have never drank Gas but it tastes like gas smells). lemon pledge, and rye. lots of alcohol. Finish : long and lemony. Pledge, and gasoline. Comment : A very unique whiskey and one that everyone should try but truly challenges the taste buds. I really enjoy it but I have nothing to compare it too. Colour : - Score : 0
Age : 1 year 7 months Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 62.1% Bottler : -	Type : Rye Region : California Water : None Ice : None Glass : Riedel SMS Notes : Essay 10-RW-ARM-3-F 100% Rye
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

A wonderful night of tasting whiskies. Thank you to Ganga and Tim for joining in. I hope that everyone gets to try the Old Potrero as it is truly unique. I have to go to bed now as I have to work for a couple of hours before working on my house with my dad. Good night to Ganga, Tim and eveyrone else out there (though it is more like good morning to the people in Europe).

Sean

[Ganga]

I found it very interesting to venture between the rye and bourbon. Think back on your bourbons when having the rye.

[Ganga]

Well goodnight Sean. Signing off from the Bourbons for tonight. See you UKers tomorrow morning! Slainte!

[pkt77242]

I found it very interesting to venture between the rye and bourbon. Think back on your bourbons when having the rye.

I second this as some bourbons seem to have a fair amount of rye in it (if I remember correctly bourbons can have up to 49% rye in them). RR 1792 is a good example of this as Ganga pointed out.

Sean

[lohssanami]

I had to take a break from sampling after that hiccup. 62.85% really burns down the wrong way!

Nice notes from both of you...great start to the bourbon tasting!

[Willie JJ]

Great notes guys. You've got me wishing I could start now but I'm driving later, then meeting SOI in the Vaults so it'll be a while yet. Frustrating.

[pkt77242]

Great notes guys. You've got me wishing I could start now but I'm driving later, then meeting SOI in the Vaults so it'll be a while yet. Frustrating.

Sorry Willie, I will be on tomorrow (for me but I will be drinking scotch as my dad won't drink bourbon so we will have some of my special scotches). I can't wait to read everyone elses notes. Goodnight all.

Sean

[Willie JJ]

I found it very interesting to venture between the rye and bourbon. Think back on your bourbons when having the rye.

I second this as some bourbons seem to have a fair amount of rye in it (if I remember correctly bourbons can have up to 49% rye in them). RR 1792 is a good example of this as Ganga pointed out.

Sean

And I suppose since rye can have as little as 51% rye in it there may be no material difference between the mash bills. It would be nice to have more info on the mash bills, especially if the recipes they use are fairly stable. Anyone know anything?

[Willie JJ]

Goodnight Sean. Thanks for all the notes.

[Ganga]

The question is whether you'll be in anyshape to taste bourbons after meeting up with Gordon, let alone at the vaults!

I plan to be around off and on tomorrow so we shall see what everyone has to say. I think it has been a great tasting so far.

[lohssanami]

I'll be back tomorrow evening to taste a little more. Willie, don't get too crazy with Gordon...save a bit for the bourbon...hehe.

[Willie JJ]

Yeah I'm a bit worried that I wont be in great shape to write notes when I get back, but I will be getting involved in this one, because I have a good selection to try (about 12, or 14 I think). Maybe I'll just have to do a couple a night through the week.

Work is such a nuisance.