Any Whiskey Lovers Out There?

[Suzukian]

I know this stuff was made by a very knowledgeable distiller somewhere out in the woods, many decades ago. I had a friend bring up some Moonshine from Tennessee, it was excellent, but nothing matched that batch of "Sippin' Whiskey" I got. That the nature of things. It may be why the guy held onto it for so many decades. I told my wife I'd like to try and make a little still. I have a Mig, and Tig welder, and small machine shop., I'm sure I could make a still with some good plans, nothing fancy, and just for personal consumption, 20 gallons or so. Thanks

[hank2]

I've had a taste for various whiskeys for a long time although I only rarely partake these days. Bourbon had been my favorite for decades. I largely switched to good Canadian blended. Also, a Scotch now and again. I had worked in the wine and spirits business at the retail and restaurant wholesale end for about 17 years from 1980 to 1998. I saw many booze fads come and go.

Just a few thoughts on some of the brands mentioned in this thread. First of all, what had been mid-level, or even lower, brands command premium prices today on types that are experiencing popularity. Evan Williams Bourbon was and to a point, still is a good product. What is sold today is not what it was decades ago. Nationally (US) Evan Williams was a 7 year old whiskey. In my home state only, with a state operated liquor distribution system, it was exclusively an 8 year old. Their legal minimum 3 year old bourbon (same thing) was sold as Heaven Hill. Not sure if that still exists. Their 12 year old version of Evan was called Elijah Craig. I don't know if that's still on the market. The Evan Williams sold today has no mention of age on the label which pretty assuredly means that it's likely only the legal minimum of 3 years old. My state had exclusive production supply of the original Makers Mark. The only place you could buy it for a very long time. That's long gone. It was originally produced on horse ranch by a serious hobbyist. I believe the name was sold to someone else long ago, but not sure anymore.

My favorite bourbons were Old Fitzgerald Prime and another version of that that was very long aged. Also, Wild Turkey and Old Forrester. Rebel Yell before they made it overly wheated. Bottled in Bond bourbons were still around. 10 years cask aged in a locked and sealed warehouse. The proof had to be 100 minimum. Favorite Canadian was always Canadian Club. Seagram's VO (when it was still Bronfman family) and the real ringer, Canadian Mist. Canadian law requires a blended whiskey to be a real blend of all whiskey. US blends only have to be a minimum of 20% minimum actual whiskey with the rest water and grain alcohol. Seagrams 7 and Four Roses were the sole quality US blended rye's. Some of the bottom Canadian brands would be distilled in Windsor, then trucked to a US bottling work. To my taste, Canadian Club is not what it used to be. VO is a bit off. Canadian Mist is still fine and a bargain. I know it used to be the second biggest seller in the US after VO.

[trent]

Over last year been on two jobs building large hog production barns, and at first I thought it was just a novelty drink a lot of construction crew drink this stuff called "Whistle pig"

I look at some at a well stocked liquor store
...bottles of whistle Pig go from fifty bucks...up to $500 at this store...
employee said some people order much more expensive bottles of the stuff.

[GS1150Pilot]

That's what I was thinking. I know of Nikka, but didn't know that they did a coffee whiskey at all. If this is at all similar in the idea of still house "black bourbon", I will be very happy. That said, in my somewhat limited experience with japanese whiskies, it would be best on the rocks or in a cold brew irish coffee.

The Coffey still is the world’s first patented continuous still invented by Aeneas Coffey in 1830. While Masataka Taketsuru was staying in Scotland, he had an opportunity to learn how to distill grain whisky in a Coffey still firsthand from craftsmen at James Calder in Bo'ness in 1919. Masataka valued the feature of this type of still and installed two sets of Coffey stills after he established Nikka Whisky. The first still was imported from Scotland to Japan in 1963, followed by the second still in 1966. These traditional Coffey stills are not easy to operate and not efficient to obtain spirits. However, they retain flavors originating from ingredients and deliver a distinctive creamy texture.

https://www.nikka.com/eng/brands/coffey-grain-malt/

[Suzukian]

We've had a few tasting parties at the Brown County Rally over the years. A couple bottles of Blanton's included.

Scott's right about Evan Williams. It is my go to, everyday bourbon. Also my preferred mixer for Bourbon and Lemonade.

If you really want to try the Blanton's, get to know your local liquor store owners, and their delivery schedules.
Blanton's is really hard to find these days, like Weller and so many others. I bought my first bottle about 5-6 years ago for $37, the last one I got, earlier this year, was $100.

One bourbon I find very similar to Blanton's is Bowman Brothers small batch, about $30.

Aside from the bourbons, I like the Japanese whiskeys. Current favorite would be Suntory Toki.

And a photo for ya...

Bourbon Shelf by R John Thieda, on Flickr

That pic kind of makes me want to come over and say "Howdy neighbor!".

[GS1150Pilot]

A coworker gave me a bottle of the common variety Jefferson's Bourbon this week. I'm taking it with me for a Thanksgiving toast with family and friends.

[marvinsc]

Had to drag this thread back up again. My 66th Birthday was last month and my Son who lives in Orlando usually sends something but it doesn't always arrive by my Birthday. A couple of days ago he calls and said my Birthday present was awaiting pick up at a store in Paducah KY 35 miles away. I thought "Cool" he has sent me a bottle of Bourbon". I called and they said, yes it is paid for we just need a signature. I went over there today and told the clerk I had a bottle to pick up. She asked my name and I told her my Son in Florida sent it and she asked his name. Then she smiled and said "you have more than a bottle". She turned around and handed me a box. 5 bottles of Whisky, some bourbon, some not and none I have had before. I called my Son and told him I was expecting a bottle, not a case! He laughed and said he thought I needed to expand my collection. Guess I did something right.............:-)

[LAB3]

Sampled some local watermelon water last night fresh from under the drip tube. The burn wasn't near as bad as expected, it had a cardboard like nose to it then finally WATERMELON which stuck around a good long while. I'm not complaining considering what I paid.

[Baatfam]

Had to drag this thread back up again. My 66th Birthday was last month and my Son who lives in Orlando usually sends something but it doesn't always arrive by my Birthday. A couple of days ago he calls and said my Birthday present was awaiting pick up at a store in Paducah KY 35 miles away. I thought "Cool" he has sent me a bottle of Bourbon". I called and they said, yes it is paid for we just need a signature. I went over there today and told the clerk I had a bottle to pick up. She asked my name and I told her my Son in Florida sent it and she asked his name. Then she smiled and said "you have more than a bottle". She turned around and handed me a box. 5 bottles of Whisky, some bourbon, some not and none I have had before. I called my Son and told him I was expecting a bottle, not a case! He laughed and said he thought I needed to expand my collection. Guess I did something right.............:-)

That's outstanding, Scott! And happy birthday, old man!

If you have the inclination, give us a list of what you recieved.

[marvinsc]

That's outstanding, Scott! And happy birthday, old man!

If you have the inclination, give us a list of what you recieved.

Sure thing Bob. Courvoiser Avant-Gard Cognac finished in Bourbon Barrels, Airem 14 year old Single Malt (Spanish), Devils River Bourbon, Bower Hill Rye and Chicken Cock Bootlegger.

[Baatfam]

Sure thing Bob. Courvoiser Avant-Gard Cognac finished in Bourbon Barrels, Airem 14 year old Single Malt (Spanish), Devils River Bourbon, Bower Hill Rye and Chicken Cock Bootlegger.

I've never heard of them either....Can't wait to hear a report...

[marvinsc]

I've never heard of them either....Can't wait to hear a report...

I just tried the Chicken Cock Rye it sips pretty well with a light taste for 90 proof. The burn comes after the swallow.

[trent]

Friend gave this to me, he was moving and didn't want to take it.

Forget what he said he paid for it online several uears ago.

20230902_171921.jpg

[LAB3]

Last night the same guy who brought out the watermelon had some 120 proof corn liquor he aged in a charred oak barrel that was suspended from a tree for six months, this supposedly makes it pick up the flavor quicker. Gotta admit, once you get past the 120 burn it's every bit as good as Crown Royal which may not be good in the eyes of a connesour but does just fine at the campground.

[marvinsc]

Opened the Airem 14 year old Single Malt (Spanish) this evening. Very smooth, not much burn at all. It is an 86 proof Whiskey.