Four Roses Small Batch is a great cheaper cocktail mixer. It did not, however, help the Astros tonight in any way, shape or form.
I'd have to do an ice ball for that and let it melt all the way. I've gotten better with higher proof stuff but 120 is about my limit before I have to water it down. As far as budget bourbons, I'm enjoying Benchmark SiB. $18 and 95 proof. It's solid. Early Times BiB is my go to, though. I recently picked up a Still Austin Cask Strength store pick (Total Wine). Pricey but at 116 proof, it's delicious. Balcones sold out to Diageo (huge alcohol bev conglomerate). It was announced today. I'm not a fan of their stuff at all. Not sure if it was because of taste or if it was because it was being pushed everywhere I went. My F-i-L recently gave me a bottle of Old Forrester 8-yr old...that was bottled in 1950. It's unopened. It was a retirement gift to his grandfather who was the former police chief for Cook County, IL...just after the Capone era (the Chief he took over for was an Untouchable). Haven't decided on what event is important enough to finally crack it...but I'm leaning towards a World Series victory (hopefully). He also has an unopened bottle of Very Very Old Fitzgerald. The last thing Pappy van Winkle made before he passed. 12-yr old bottled in 1968. Secondary market value is roughly $4k. Luckily my FIL doesn't drink but I don't think I'll be getting my hands on that one.
the when to drink that special bottle dilemma is real. my old man was a vintner on the side. had about 80 acres in grapes, and bought an old Stuckey's out on the interstate and turned it into a tasting room/winery. did not do well, but I'm not sure it was really the point. The wine was variable, and at one point I got a bottle of his champagne. Missouri Champagne. it traveled with me to NYC, and then through a series of 7-8 apartment moves, with time spent in DC as well. in and out of the fridge... he passed in '96, so it became a "special bottle". there was little likelihood it was any good, but it was too special to just pop open on a Tuesday night. Plus, it was by now 20+ years old. finally resolved to open it when our second child was born. popped it open in the recovery room with plastic cups....and for the first ten minutes, it was glorious, deep, golden straw color, like honeyed mead, with golden delicious overtones, and very little "spritz". just lovely. then it collapsed and turned into vinegar....but for those ten minutes...
Whiskey Advocates top 20 list is out: https://whiskyadvocate.com/?utm_cam...&utm_content=f841986092c2044509e5cb74f1f037a9
had read a good review of the small batch select so picked up a bottle and cracked it open for Christmas Eve. Very nice
Hot take: TX bourbon is way over priced. I mean it’s okay but not worth the arm and a leg they charge for it. I agree that Four Roses is tops right now but I also have really like Dickel too at the moment.
Spec's has their annual big BTAC drop on the 30th. Unfortunately, if you want anything, you'll literally have to camp out. As much as I'd like my shot at getting a bottle of Pappy's at retail, I'm not camping out on Smith St. for bourbon. I'd guess there will be people starting to get in line tonight. Haven't had much luck this season finding anything outside of Weller SR...which I do enjoy greatly. A new mom-and-pop just opened by my house and they have Weller SiB, 107, FP, etc...but at prices the secondary market would laugh at. So, they'll collect much dust on their shelf. Not a hot take...it's not good, IMO. Only Texas bourbon I truly enjoy is Still Austin. I'd be more interested in Garrison Bros if they weren't so damn proud of their stuff and there was more reasonably priced selections.
When did the Sazerac brands become the only bourbon to drink? That being said, I had both Pappy's 20 and Blanton's SFTB this year and they were both very good.
