doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com OT-Bourbon

i had some Pappy one evening after a quail hunt in early 2014, here in Jawja. I was a guest of a major energy brokerage corporation for the hunt.

I don't go to bars.

SRH

My brother and I made something of a study of the industry.

It's well worth visiting KY for the tours.

Realize, their goal is to extract money from you but they do treat their visitors well and are reasonably forthcoming with information.

It is a huge industry. They actually cooperate with each other to an extent, and there are many different ways to make and finish corn whiskey. I enjoy and appreciate most.

House grog here: Evan Williams Black. It cannot be beaten for an everyday table bourbon.

Favorite bar none: Baker's. It has intense barrel flavor due the maturation strategy. It's a style I very much like, not for everyone.

Favorite wheater: Old Weller. Buffalo trace makes the best wheat bourbons, easily beating out Maker's, although I'll never refuse a Maker's Mark.

Best Value in a premium: Evan Williams Single Barrel. This is what they used to sell as Elijah Craig until the bourbon boom. Craig is now 'no age statement' and to be avoided.

Woodford has it's place, as does Wild Turkey. Four Roses Small Batch is delicious, Buffalo Trace is a model for what a good bourbon should be.

I avoid products from converters, or anyone who does not own a still. Likewise 'serviced' brands. 'Craft' bourbons are a waste of money and time. You cannot improve on perfection, something I've learned the hard way.

A case in point is a swill labeled 'Lexington'.

Fool me once, etc.

If I could have one whiskey it would be George T Stagg it runs around 130 proof...Smooth

Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 120 proof

Clyde Mays Straight Bourbon 92 proof

Wild Turkey Rare Bread 116 proof

Henry McKenna 10yr 100 proof

Stagg is a Buffalo Trace product in short supply like the line they have serviced for Van Winkle since Stitzel Weller closed.

Blanton's is actually obtainable and is a good single barrel from the very same distillate as Stagg. They age it in a metal sided warehouse that's heated with steam in the winter so they can bring it to market sooner.

It's largely a matter of what you want to pay.

Very good bourbon can be had at the $30 price point from many sources.

You just have to ask yourself if the substantial extra cost of a super premium is worth it to you.

Personally, except for special occasions, I usually select a moderate priced product from a known good producer. I generally insist that it be 86 proof or higher, since I'm no fan of limp whiskey.

I don't think I've had a drink since turkey season...might be about time.

Oak Park, GA twice run corn liquor. "Unlabeled", and usually in Mason jars, but available through a certain contact. Spring water is no smoother. Oh, and it ain't red.

Get it from the wrong contact in Oak Park, at $20/gal., in old milk jugs, and you'll think it was made with old car batteries, which it might have been.

Point is, know who you're dealing with.

SRH

Where I came from they called it "Wildcat"...I lost my taste for shine 40 plus years ago.

The car battery in the mash barrel trick was used in cold weather to help the mash work...I actually know a Game Warden that found a still and the blue 55 gal plastic mash barrels buried in the ground contained car batteries.

Until then I always thought it was just a rumor....I do recall hearing about bad whiskey killing a few people from lead poisoning when I was a kid.
Then rumor was it was caused by car batteries or using old radiators in the distilling process.

Me too, but I don't need a special occasion like breakfast or any kind of hunt. Basically any time the spirit moves me... and yes, it is good with bourbon any time.

Don�t let your pastor see that post, Stan. Unless he�s your contact then I guess it doesn�t matter.



We call it �Vodka� around here.

I read Keith Richards got sober. Good for him.


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Cornbread and ice tea�s took the place of pills and 90 proof. Hank Williams, Jr.