[M_Six]

Finished in sherry casks? That sounds good. Have to keep an eye out for that one.

[UncleWede]

A year or two in either sherry, or the way the Japanese finish in a plum wine barrel can make for a smooth sip!

[PINeely]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

A year or two in either sherry, or the way the Japanese finish in a plum wine barrel can make for a smooth sip!

Those Japanese whiskeys are a force to be reckoned with.

[UncleWede]

Someone here mentioned Hibiki 12 in one of the other threads, so I bought a bottle on a whim. I have one wee dram left in the bottle even while a Christmas bottle of A'bunadh sits on the shelf next to it.

[Red Bread]

Hibiki and Suntory are both excellent. I still prefer Islays, but for accessible, non freakish whiskey, the Japanese get it right.

[bkM3]

Originally Posted by M_Six

Yellow Tail Merlot. I like it.

Blind taste test a Balvenie 14 Caribbean Cask and a Laphroaig. I guarantee the difference will be obvious. And they're both top shelf quaffs. One is smooth and slightly sweet and the other is runoff from a barn fire.

mmm i love that barn fire taste.

[GunderM5]

I had a nice glass of Hibiki 21 last night

[UncleWede]

Haven't seen a 21 offering, but would guess my wallet isn't prepared for that either. . .

Seems my eyes are smaller than my glass. I had a wee dram last night to celebrate my nephew's 34th (he doesn't imbibe other than in Vegas) and there is one more left in the Hibiki bottle.

Either that, or the whiskey fairies liked that I was speaking so nicely and put another one in there.

Also funny, when I took down the Hibiki last night, GJ was hiding, all lonely by himself, behind it.

[ShocknAwe]

1792 Ridgemont Reserve. Right price. Right flavor and texture. Can't lose in the sub $80 price bracket. You know, since we're talking about everyday browns here.

Never been a big fan of any of the Jack D distillery products. Overpriced mediocrity.

To bring up Irish blends, I like me some Wolfhound. Switched to that recently from Jameson 18 year, couldn't be happier with the change.

[PINeely]

Just had some Knappogue Castle 12 at the bar. Incredibly smooth.

[M_Six]

Interesting article in The Boston Globe about bourbon and Tennessee whiskey.

Read it here.

[gonzo]

Someone mentioned 4 roses.
Bought a bottle yesterday and let's just say not for me.
Spicy with alcohol tongue finish. Almost gamey.
Just my palate maybe.

Back to Buffalo trace.
Vanilla and caramel finish. Ahhh.

[bkM3]

Originally Posted by gonzo

Someone mentioned 4 roses.
Bought a bottle yesterday and let's just say not for me.
Spicy with alcohol tongue finish. Almost gamey.
Just my palate maybe.

Back to Buffalo trace.
Vanilla and caramel finish. Ahhh.

im also tempted to pick up a bottle of four roses. which one did you try?

[gonzo]

^
Called small batch I believe.
In a small cabinet now. Don't think I'll have anymore of it.

[paradoxical3]

Originally Posted by gonzo

^
Called small batch I believe.
In a small cabinet now. Don't think I'll have anymore of it.

Try the single barrel, I prefer it to small batch.

The thing about four roses is that they have 10 different mashbills, so you have to keep track of what you are buying. It is listed on the label of the single barrel bottles (OESF or OESK for example).

It is truly one of the best pours under $100 right now. That's why the price keeps skyrocketing, they keep winning double gold medals. Vanilla and caramel are the predominate notes of most single barrel mashbills, so I was surprised you didn't pick that up. The small batch is much less pronounced and in some ways complex (more flavors I would say, but less intense), but I prefer the single barrel exactly for those big caramel notes and a super long finish.

[playground]

Originally Posted by GunderM5

I had a nice glass of Hibiki 21 last night

I need some now.

[GunderM5]

I picked up the 21 last yr at Narita

[1fastdoc]

Originally Posted by gonzo

Someone mentioned 4 roses.
Bought a bottle yesterday and let's just say not for me.
Spicy with alcohol tongue finish. Almost gamey.
Just my palate maybe.

Back to Buffalo trace.
Vanilla and caramel finish. Ahhh.

I was at a party a while back and someone brought a bottle of Four Roses small batch. I was really looking forward to it after hearing so much about it. From the beginning, to the middle, to the finish, I kept wondering why everyone like it so much.

I would pretty much agree with your assessment. Caramel and vanilla I did not detect. It felt too young and raw.

[PINeely]

Small Batch and Single Barrel are two very different things. The stuff you want is in the square bottle.

[Bavarian Beast]

JD silver select is pretty good as is Makers 46. I still prefer a good single malt though.

[upstatedoc]

Walked into the "package store" to buy a bottle of wine for the wifey and there was this hillbilly dressed in carpenter pants asking me to try his "moonshine". So I did. Wow this stuff has a unique taste. It made my ears warm and fuzzy too.

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by paradoxical3

Try the single barrel, I prefer it to small batch.

The thing about four roses is that they have 10 different mashbills, so you have to keep track of what you are buying. It is listed on the label of the single barrel bottles (OESF or OESK for example).

It is truly one of the best pours under $100 right now. That's why the price keeps skyrocketing, they keep winning double gold medals. Vanilla and caramel are the predominate notes of most single barrel mashbills, so I was surprised you didn't pick that up. The small batch is much less pronounced and in some ways complex (more flavors I would say, but less intense), but I prefer the single barrel exactly for those big caramel notes and a super long finish.

I wish I had access to the post earlier today. I saw a bottle of 4 Roses single barrel, but I remember reading what you posted here a few weeks ago. I knew there were some pointers about which type to buy, so I held off until I could get home and read this again. But it was at Sam's Club, so it'll be there when I go back. I ended up with a MacAllan 12.

As for Doc's "Climax" Moonshine....ummm, I'd be worried about how he came up with the name...