The Bourbon Quest

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In the early 1990's Trader Joes carried Old Weller 107 for $7.97 in a Gift Pack, It was such a memorable Bourbon that from time to time over the years I would try to find it again, failing that I would try something else that never quite seemed to measure up (including a bottle of Buffalo Trace).

Recently wanting to make a whiskey based BBQ sauce, having a coupon from Total Wine and looking on line and seeing that they ostensibly carried the Weller brand I visited one of their stores. Seeing the shear variety of Bourbon whiskeys that they carried was staggering let alone the other spirits that they carry. Not finding the Weller brand I asked if they had or another of their stores had it in stock. Their answer was that they get it on a sporadic and limited basis, that they would text me when it came in (several months ago). At that time I bought several other competitors of Weller bourbons including a bottle of Popcorn Sutton's White "Likker" (the distillery I found is owned by Sazarac and with the Master Distillers being ex Dickle you just know something is in the works?). I found the Suttons flavor to be similar to some real non government approved moonshine that I tasted way back when, to be smooth and palatable where it was 88 proofed to open the flavor profile?

Several weeks later I received a text stating that they had some Blanton's Single Barrel in, finding that Buffalo Trace distills Blanton's and has quite a variety of other high quality bourbon offerings, I bought a bottle or two. I find that it is a "rich" tasting bourbon that is best either served neat or over several ice cubes that open the flavor. It is well worth having on the shelf. But I haven't stopped there, being curious and wanting to try a variety of bourbons in a learning curve I bought a bottle of a competitors Belle Meade Single Barrel Sour Mash 100.2 which I find complimentary to the Blanton's (you might call these Bourbons substantial with different flavor profiles, which is nice) , the Stagg Jr which comes in at cask proof has a sweet taste where the high alcohol content is surprisingly palatable. At this writing I think it is a real keeper. From there I bought a EH Taylor Small Batch which upon first tasting seemed harsh (peppery) and left me wondering if I had made a mistake? It does hearken back to the flavor of the Old Taylor that I remember from a time when a President resigned office. This is a bourbon that will probably be best served over ice cubes which will open the flavor a bit? A bottle of EH Taylor Rye which I have not opened as of yet,

[Ayles]

I find the Taylor a bit hot myself. I really like Blantons and I am longing to try their straight from the barrel offering. Its just not sold in the states which makes it challenging to get.

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Recently I bought a bottle of Old Grand Dad 114, which has the Beam taste (some surprise it is made by Beam) and is quite good but I got tired of it by the end of the bottle, on to other things, Dickle 12 which probably is a better mixer than straight up (I don't drink mixed just straight up or iced), American Born MoonShine...which is Ok but I like the Sutton's better.

Sutton played the part (hyped himself) of an old Hillbilly Shine maker...with his movie of a small still in the woods, yeah right you ain't gona make near 1000 gallons of shine on a 55 gallon still in the woods. It is fun to watch though. Just too much hype on the brand.

The Sutton legal distillery was sold to Sazarc which has retained the ex master distillers form Dickle..the Sutton brand...recipe was not included in the sale and is probably still being made under license by Sutton's distillery. You just know that they are up to something, probably very good?

In the past I have had Knob Creek, Beam, Bookers whoa... I am not a fan of the Beam flavor profile. ehhh

Jack D which I like but has been watered down...diluted to meet demand. ehhh

Wild Turkey 101 ehhhhh

I recall a brand which I believe was called Makers....???? ....a 21 year old bourbon which was quite good but at the time....I didn't care much. I do not think Makers Mark??? I think that was a find in some distillers warehouse that was bottled as a one off.

I have had Makers Mark..ehhh

McCormick Corn Whiskey in the jug... I liked it.

Long ago Georgia Moon, when it came out...ehhh it took a long time to drink that jar.

Gifted from a Pelican a coupla bottles of Elijah Craig 18..one still sitting...quite good.

Rather than go through the litany of scotch's lets just say Glenmoriange 18 is my fave.. I have had McCallan 18 and 25. Currently on a bottle of Johnny Blue label that sat for nearly 20 years in the closet real nice. Still have Glen and McCallans 18 sitting. (Along with 5 bottle of Remy XO and even a bottle of Stoli vodka made in the USSR in the early 80's). Not really a big fan of scotch whiskey.

I like Irish better and Knapogue Castle Single Malt 12 is delicious. That is a definite rebuy., but I have 2 bottles sitting in the closet for about 10 years. I will eventually get around to trying some other ones.

[Ayles]

Sounds like you might need to check out Mellow Corn by Heaven Hill its a bottled in Bond corn whiskey. I really enjoy it.

I have a couple bottles of Elijah 18 myself, really like it.

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Originally Posted by Ayles

Sounds like you might need to check out Mellow Corn by Heaven Hill its a bottled in Bond corn whiskey. I really enjoy it.

I have a couple bottles of Elijah 18 myself, really like it.

I have had Mellow Corn a long time ago...it was cheap and gud...where to find it?