Official PCF Whisk(e)y Thread (61 Viewers)

[Billy Baroo]

Another man down! Just warming up the taste buds for tonight’s head to head with a couple of Russell’s Private Barrels

 

[Big Jilm]

Awesome! That's where I do most of my shopping but we live way out of town! Got mine in Redmond. So good. I think I read it's the same mash bill as Eagle Rare. You in Bend?

Yup!

 

[Godzilla28]

BBNAGB update

so we are at 41 bottles so far. If you know anyone else to tag please do so.

wolfpack	4​
justdave	1​
krafticus	2​
gopherblue	2​
Billy baroo	4​
big jilm	2​
jonesey07	1​
saoliver	2​
poker zombie	1​
chutracheese	4​
indyscammer	7​
bluechipspecial	8​
pinkdan	1​
labmonkey	2​

Put me down for 2 please.

 

[Billy Baroo]

Wow! These are both great and so different from each other that it’s hard to comprehend that they came from the same mashbill. Some of the differences are subtle and some are night and day obvious.

@wolfpack sent me the sample form the Stones River Total Beverages bottle. The initial nose on this was very ethanol forward compared to the other but it wasn’t harsh by any means. Light caramel and oak appeared after a little more rest time. There was a herbal tone there as well. After more resting time, the ethanol faded a bit and the caramel intensified. Great start! First sip reminded me of a barely legal rye rather than a bourbon and that suits me fine. This is very different from the more classic bourbon profile of my bottle. The vanilla, caramel and oak are there but they’re secondary to the rye forward flavor I’m getting in this. The finish is fairly long and surprisingly not as spicy as the nose and palate would suggest. This is a great contrast to my bottle and one I’d definitely drink repeatedly!

Oak and Cedar 2020…my bottle.
Initial nose is heavy caramel, vanilla and decent amount of oak. It only intensifies over time. Much lighter on the ethanol and the herbal scent is not there at all. Honestly…I can’t say which is better because it would really depend on what I’m in the mood for on that day. There is no mistaking this for bourbon upon first taste. This reminds me of Rare Breed with the rough edges smoothed out and the flavors intensified. Why they chill filter RB is beyond me, but that’s for another discussion. It’s finish is a good bit longer and it definitely is spicier as well. The finish on my bottle is the only thing that is significantly better than the other IMO.

These are both great and just goes to show how much variation you can get from different rickhouses. I’d gladly take another bottle of either and be very happy. The 2020 bottle that I have is my last of 5 that I bought. It is probably my favorite bottle I’ve had since my first taste of it and to find another Russell’s barrel that holds it’s own with mine is testament to the quality pour they’re producing for their Private barrels.

Many thanks again to @wolfpack for the sample!

 

[wolfpack]

View attachment 912027



View attachment 912028View attachment 912029
Wow! These are both great and so different from each other that it’s hard to comprehend that they came from the same mashbill. Some of the differences are subtle and some are night and day obvious.

@wolfpack sent me the sample form the Stones River Total Beverages bottle. The initial nose on this was very ethanol forward compared to the other but it wasn’t harsh by any means. Light caramel and oak appeared after a little more rest time. There was a herbal tone there as well. After more resting time, the ethanol faded a bit and the caramel intensified. Great start! First sip reminded me of a barely legal rye rather than a bourbon and that suits me fine. This is very different from the more classic bourbon profile of my bottle. The vanilla, caramel and oak are there but they’re secondary to the rye forward flavor I’m getting in this. The finish is fairly long and surprisingly not as spicy as the nose and palate would suggest. This is a great contrast to my bottle and one I’d definitely drink repeatedly!

Oak and Cedar 2020…my bottle.
Initial nose is heavy caramel, vanilla and decent amount of oak. It only intensifies over time. Much lighter on the ethanol and the herbal scent is not there at all. Honestly…I can’t say which is better because it would really depend on what I’m in the mood for on that day. There is no mistaking this for bourbon upon first taste. This reminds me of Rare Breed with the rough edges smoothed out and the flavors intensified. Why they chill filter RB is beyond me, but that’s for another discussion. It’s finish is a good bit longer and it definitely is spicier as well. The finish on my bottle is the only thing that is significantly better than the other IMO.

These are both great and just goes to show how much variation you can get from different rickhouses. I’d gladly take another bottle of either and be very happy. The 2020 bottle that I have is my last of 5 that I bought. It is probably my favorite bottle I’ve had since my first taste of it and to find another Russell’s barrel that holds it’s own with mine is testament to the quality pour they’re producing for their Private barrels.

Many thanks again to @wolfpack for the sample!

I am eager to get your sample and try both to compare notes

 

[Billy Baroo]

I thoroughly enjoyed it! Pink Dan reached out to me to see if I want his barely opened bottle lol

He’s seeing if there’s anything else I’d want to make it worth the shipping cost!

This place is awesome!

 

[Pinkdan]

I thoroughly enjoyed it! Pink Dan reached out to me to see if I want his barely opened bottle lol

He’s seeing if there’s anything else I’d want to make it worth the shipping cost!

This place is awesome!

Wait until you see the options I just sent you…

 

[Indyscammer]

I thoroughly enjoyed it! Pink Dan reached out to me to see if I want his barely opened bottle lol

He’s seeing if there’s anything else I’d want to make it worth the shipping cost!

This place is awesome!

I agree. This place is awesome!

 

[Billy Baroo]

This is sneaky good for a $27 bottle!

 

[wolfpack]

This is sneaky good for a $27 bottle!View attachment 912111

you said that the other night, I will eventually have to get a bottle. everyone says the old forester rye and the 1920 are great as well.

 

[Saoliver]

This is sneaky good for a $27 bottle!View attachment 912111

$50 for a half gallon. This and the OF 100 proof rye are my main mixers. But both are good neat too.

 

[Billy Baroo]

you said that the other night, I will eventually have to get a bottle. everyone says the old forester rye and the 1920 are great as well.

1920 is on a whole different level! If you’ve never had it, you owe it to yourself to get one!

 

[wolfpack]

1920 is on a whole different level! If you’ve never had it, you owe it to yourself to get one!

I have not had any old forester

 

[Saoliver]

I have not had any old forester

We must rectify this. I use to have everything, but didn’t replace the Statesman or 1870 when I finished them. They were ok. But I love the rest. Also, don’t have the 86 proof.

Let me figure out which samples I’ll send to you. Maybe everything that I have for you to run a blind tasting.

 

[Big Jilm]

I got him a rye!

 

[Indyscammer]

Old Forester 1897 was maybe the fastest bottle I ever drank. Need to try more. I have an SB just waiting.

 

[Highli99]

@wolfpack id do 4 bottles in the NAgB

LOVE this new glass courtesy of @krafticus

 

[Big Jilm]

If I had to rank Old Forester neat. I would say this:

1. 1920
2. 1897
3. Statesman

However, I have not yet cracked my Barrel Strength Single Barrel. Thamks again @Saoliver !

 

[Saoliver]

If I had to rank Old Forester neat. I would say this:

1. 1920
2. 1897
3. Statesman

However, I have not yet cracked my Barrel Strength Single Barrel. Thamks again @Saoliver !

Based on taste alone:

1. Barrel Strength SiB Rye
2. Barrel Strength SiB Bourbon
3. 1920
4. 1897
5. 1910
6. 100 proof bourbon
7. Statesman
8. 1870

 

[Big Jilm]

Based on taste alone:

1. Barrel Strength SiB Rye
2. Barrel Strength SiB Bourbon
3. 1920
4. 1897
5. 1910
6. 100 proof bourbon
7. Statesman
8. 1870

I need me one of those BS SiB Ryes!!!!

 

[Billy Baroo]

I need me one of those BS SiB Ryes!!!!

You and me both

 

[Indyscammer]

You and me both

You and us three!

 

[Big Jilm]

Well maybe we should get a barrel of that then.......

 

[Billy Baroo]

Well maybe we should get a barrel of that then.......

IN!

 

[Saoliver]

Well maybe we should get a barrel of that then.......

In for a case! Or two!

 

[Saoliver]

Well maybe we should get a barrel of that then.......

IN!

Not cheap. But available.

 

[Big Jilm]

Not cheap. But available.

LOL. Not a chance. What is retail?

The more questions I ask, the bigger the chance gets, lol

 

[Billy Baroo]

In for a case! Or two!

 

[Big Jilm]

Looks like $80. That said I have NEVER seen an Old Forester BS (bourbon or rye) ever hit Oregon...

 

[Saoliver]

LOL. Not a chance. What is retail?

The more questions I ask, the bigger the chance gets, lol

$79.99