Bourbon Live Tasting - 1st Quarter 2009

[Willie JJ]

I'm game for sending packages onward to the UK, I have no problem with it at all. Depending on how many people partaking, I can do it in 1 or 2 packages tops I think.

In the flat rate int'l box, and I can easily fit 14-16 50ml samples in there I'd say. I think it would be easiest for me to ship them to Willie or someone else who'd be willing to split the box up and foward samples to the rest of the group, does that sound ok?

I'm quite happy to redistribute samples.

[Ryguy]

I'm game for sending packages onward to the UK, I have no problem with it at all. Depending on how many people partaking, I can do it in 1 or 2 packages tops I think.

In the flat rate int'l box, and I can easily fit 14-16 50ml samples in there I'd say. I think it would be easiest for me to ship them to Willie or someone else who'd be willing to split the box up and foward samples to the rest of the group, does that sound ok?

I'm quite happy to redistribute samples.

Ok sounds good Willie. I'll talk with Ganga and we'll work it out. We do need to get more of a list of interested particpants for both US/Can and the UK going.

[Ganga]

Ryan, we can discuss tonight. We also need input from the Bay Area participants.

I would also say that the FIVE are merely the ones for the group as a whole. If others would like to have something in addition, please feel free to add thoughts on other Bourbons.

[Ganga]

Roll call. The question is how many bottles of each do we need for this tasting.

I'd also like to add that this needs to be pushed out into February or March. February 6, 7, 13 or 14. March 6, 7, 13 or 14. Any of these look good? Bad?

[Ryguy]

Ganga, we can discuss this tomorrow night, and work out more of the details. As far as the date, it's a bit far in advance, but looking at it quickly, Feb 14th is Valentines Day, so that day could possibly cause problems.

Tasting list so far:

Eagle Rare 10yo
Elijah Craig 12yo
George T Stagg (any)
Ridgemont Reserve 1792
Wild Turkey Rare Breed

Plus whatever other bourbons you may have.

[Ganga]

I'll try to be on early Ryan. I like those 5 as a base for the Bourbons. Right now, I think a bottle of each could be split between the States and Euro.

You are correct about the 14th for some of the folks. Me, We'd be done before I got "the call". So let's throw that weekend out. When I posted the dates, I was thinking in terms of keeping the second half of the month open for the monthly tastings. Any other holidays I've missed?

[Willie JJ]

I'm not aware that any of those dates are problematic at the moment, but they seem very far away. (I'm really looking forward to this one.)

Is there any real clarity on the numbers for this tasting? Recent history has shown that folks are inclined to pile in at the last minute.

[Ganga]

I picked up a Bourb yesterday that could replace one. Our current thoughts have been:

Eagle Rare 10yo
Elijah Craig 12yo
George T Stagg (any)
Ridgemont Reserve 1792
Wild Turkey Rare Breed

Potentially the first two weekends in January would be open as well. Third Saturday, I will be in Las Vegas. Yes, consumption of whisky. So do either of these work better than say February and March?

[TreacleSponge]

Ganga, what are you thinking of as a possible additional/replacement bottle?

January is good for me because (a) I don't like waiting for anything and (b) I think of bourbon as sweet and strong and big flavours, so it would be nice to have the tasting in January when it's so dark and dreary and you want something to help you feel snug and warm.

My open bottles on that list are Eagle Rare 10, EC12, and I've got about 1½ inches of 2007 Stagg left which I'm happy to share. Willie, due to my suffering from acute laziness, is there any chance you would distribute samples if I get some to you?

[Ryguy]

I'll be purchasing an Elijah Craig 12yo and also a George T Stagg (2008) for distribution. Ganga and I will probably get together on this and forward a package or two of samples to Willie for distrubution, and we'll be dispersing samples here in the US as well.

Now we just need to get people to sign up here, so that we know who's participating in this one.

[cathach]

I'm not aware that any of those dates are problematic at the moment, but they seem very far away. (I'm really looking forward to this one.)

Is there any real clarity on the numbers for this tasting? Recent history has shown that folks are inclined to pile in at the last minute.

I'd certainly like to pile in now, however the amount of bourbon I can get in Ireland is very limited. Wild Turkey 101proof is about all I could manage.

[Ryguy]

Ok it's time to revisit this one, and start planning/purchasing bottles. I have a bottle of the George T Stagg 2008 and also Elijah Craig 12yo for sending samples out.

The entire lineup consists of:

Eagle Rare 10yo
Elijah Craig 12yo
George T Stagg
Ridgemont Reserve 1792
Wild Turkey Rare Breed

Plus any other bourbons people may have kicking around. The 5 listed above are intended to be the common bottles.

As far as participants, I'd like to get an updated list going, and also get together to pick a date. I'm thinking early February, possibly Feb 7th if it works for everyone. Suggestions and roll call please.

Currently I have the following people listed as possible participants, if I've missed anyone please do speak up, the more people the merrier.

Willie
Ryan
Ganga
Mikeymad
Lohssanami
TreacleSponge
Collector57
lawschooldrunk
Ras Mazunga
Lagadrinker
Wave
Secesh
Cathach

[Ganga]

I'll work on the Ridgemont Ryan.

[mikeymad]

RSVP....

Might have some stuff to share as well..

Cheers,

[UUNetBill]

Well, the only bourbon I have on hand would be a run-of-the-mill Jim Beam (don't ask me why) and a Four Roses Single Barrel.  I have a few American whiskeys, like a Hirsch Reserve 20 yo and a Stranahan's Colorado, but that's about it.  I haven't quite officially branched out yet. . .I've looked around Colorado Springs for a GTS but no one has even heard of it     let alone have it in stock.

[Ryguy]

Bill, if you want to take part, even if it's not on the exact day of the tasting, let me know and I'll make sure you at least get some GTS and EC12.

[UUNetBill]

Ryan, thanks - like with the Irish tasting, I'll know more for sure as the date nears. I'd be happy to swap some GTS and EC for some Four Roses Single and some mystery batches. . .

Will let you know as the calendar counts down - thanks again!

Bill

[LagaDrinker]

Defiantely still up for this one, Some samples of GTS and EC would be very welcome.

[Ryguy]

Updated list of particpants:

US:
Ryan
Ganga
Mikeymad
Lohssanami
lawschooldrunk
Wave
Secesh
UUNetBill

Euro:
Willie
TreacleSponge
Collector57
Ras Mazunga
Lagadrinker
Cathach

If there are anymore people that are interested, please let us know here. I know that this tasting is not until Feb, but in order for the US folk to get packages together to send to Willie (who has very generously volunteered to distribute samples), I want to make sure we have enough time to do so.

[Ryguy]

Ryan

Let me know the US guys who are contributing samples. I'll want to send something over in return....

No worries Nick, we'll figure something out. I'll be in touch.
After all, we may need a favor from you someday!

[randall fairbrook]

hey there..sorry i did not respond sooner, i am down for this!

how can i help?

[Ryguy]

hey there..sorry i did not respond sooner, i am down for this!

how can i help?

Sounds great! Ganga or myself will be in touch!

[sspolv]

Hey guys! If possible, I'd like to get in on this. If you'll have me, I'll see about getting a few bottles of Tuthilltown Distillery's Hudson Valley Baby Bourbon. While technically not a "real" bourbon, its a whiskey made by the first distillery in New York since pre-prohibition. Might be an interesting drink.

[Ganga]

Still time.

[Willie JJ]

Hey guys! If possible, I'd like to get in on this. If you'll have me, I'll see about getting a few bottles of Tuthilltown Distillery's Hudson Valley Baby Bourbon. While technically not a "real" bourbon, its a whiskey made by the first distillery in New York since pre-prohibition. Might be an interesting drink.

That sounds really interesting. Also, as has been mentioned above, the more the merrier.

[randall fairbrook]

hey there..sorry i did not respond sooner, i am down for this!

how can i help?

Sounds great! Ganga or myself will be in touch!

kool...

bourbons i have on hand and can provide samples of:

van winkle family reserve 12yr lot b 90.4 proof

geo t stagg - 144.8 proof - getting low on this one, plan to buy a bottle of the new one next week

buffalo trace barrel no. 51 bottled for hi times - 90 proof

joshua brook 8 yr 90 proof

sazerac rye barrel 212 bottled for hi times - 90 proof (yes, rye)

elijah craig 12

and i may be buying more soon, i live only 15 miles from hi times


just lemme know

[pkt77242]

I will try to make it but it I don't know for sure. I can probably get my hands on most of the bourbons between my stocks and some friends.

Sean

[Ryguy]

Updated list of particpants:

US:
Ryan
Ganga
Mikeymad
Lohssanami
lawschooldrunk
Wave
Secesh
UUNetBill
randall fairbrook
sspolv
pkt77242


Euro:
Willie
TreacleSponge
Collector57
Ras Mazunga
Lagadrinker
Cathach

[cathach]

This looks to be great and you can leave off the Stagg sample for me as i just got a bottle there. in fact I can send a sample to those in Europe who'd like one.

[Ryguy]

This looks to be great and you can leave off the Stagg sample for me as i just got a bottle there. in fact I can send a sample to those in Europe who'd like one.

Thanks cathach, that's very helpful! We'll keep you posted as things go forward.

[Willie JJ]

This looks to be great and you can leave off the Stagg sample for me as i just got a bottle there. in fact I can send a sample to those in Europe who'd like one.

Thanks cathach, that's very helpful! We'll keep you posted as things go forward.

Yes that's a nice one Micheál

I also have a bottle of Blanton's Gold that I can distribute as well as something else the name of which I can't remember (actually I have no idea where it came from ).

[cathach]

Whats up with this? When will we start sending out the samples?

[Ganga]

Good question. Well, have we selected a date yet? I now January seems a bit too busy. Last weekend in February, first weekend in March? Who has gotten what from the list? Looks like about 17 if all will confirm.

[LagaDrinker]

Let me know when we have a date and I would like to get something to distribute

[Ryguy]

From the list below, I have enough GTS at home for the US members, and Cathach has mentioned that he can take care of the Euro group with this bottling. I also have a bottle of EC 12 at home for dispersing. I'm ok with late Feb, as the month looks pretty wide open for me right now.

Eagle Rare 10yo
Elijah Craig 12yo
George T Stagg
Ridgemont Reserve 1792
Wild Turkey Rare Breed