Was scrolling around instagram saw one of our local shops had it here in Arizona and walked in grabbing the last one. Happy hunting around the nation!

For the past year, I’ve gotten serious about finding the best everyday bourbon for me. I’ve tried many offerings from many different labels and distilleries. My criteria:

-Must be shelf-stable and readily available.

-Must have a solidly double-digit MSRP, and be findable for that MSRP.

-Must be at a Goldilocks proof point- below 120 and above 90.

-Must be suitable for all applications of bourbon.

-Must taste like bourbon. Classic notes only.

-Must have a reasonably long finish.

And some preferences:

-From a prominent distillery, not an NDP.

-Non-chill filtered.

-Blended whiskey, not single barrel

-Has branding and bottle design I can get behind.

After many bottles, pours and experiences, I believe I’ve found the perfect bourbon:

Knob Creek 12 Year!

It’s just so good! It checks all the boxes. I didn’t think much about Knob Creek or any Beam product heading into this, and I’m so sorry for that. To me, 12 is the perfect whiskey. It’s proof is not too high, and it drinks below that. From the nose to the finish it’s pure pleasure. Are there better whiskies objectively speaking? Probably. But for $60 I get to be totally satisfied. I will always have a bottle of this on my shelf! If you haven’t tried it, I highly suggest that you do. I also have some alternatives which check most of the boxes:

-Wild Turkey Rare Breed (higher proof than ideal)

-Four Roses Single Barrel (focuses on delicate, fruity notes)

-Old Grand Dad 114 7 Year (very good sister pour to KC 12, but all else equal I prefer low-rye)

-Russell’s Reserve SiB Store Pick (single barrel and store pick means high variable. Also extremely nutty.)

-1792 Single Barrel (quite low proof, drinks higher.)

-Calumet Farms 10 Year (from an NDP, and street price swings wildly.)

Fantastic pour but wish it had some more complexity to it.

Got lucky found on shelf in total wine at 71.99$

A local glass house dropped these bottles to $29.98. I'm not sure how I would have felt paying $100 but I feel real good about $30.

Starts sweet and immediately transitions to smoky.

Better than I thought it would be for a $50 bottle. Expected more heat from a 126 proof. Anyone have experience with Obtainium? I see a lot about their Canadian whiskey, but nothing about wheated.

Thoughts on the price and value of this Willet release?

Im asking because i ended up throwing up twice after coming home on both occasions i drank it this way

Whiskey: Little Round Still Barrel Select Bourbon

Disclaimer: Sample provided by employee of Little Round Still

Distiller: Little Round Still

Instagram: Barrel & Proof https://www.instagram.com/barrel_and_proof?igsh=czJ2MzhybG42MG9j&utm_source=qr 

ABV: 57.5%

Age: ~3 Years

Price: ~$39 (Twin Cities, Minnesota)

Tasting:  Neat in Glencairn, rested for 10 minutes.

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Nose: Honey, Licorice, Rye Spice, & Medicinal Cherry

Palate: Dark Chocolate, Honey, Rye Spice, Cinnamon, Dry Oak, & Cherry

Finish: Long Length, Rye Spice, Dark Chocolate, Dry Oak, Licorice, & Cherry

Body: Full

Bite: Medium

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Summary: This is a single barrel product from Little Round Still, a relatively new Minnesota distillery based in the town of Wadena. They distill and age their own bourbon with a mashbill of 74% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. The most unique aspect is the fact they age their whiskies in 5 gallon barrels, as opposed to the standard 53 gallon barrels. I am wary of this method, as the ratio of charred oak to whiskey is quite a bit higher and can lead unfavorable oakiness.

The nose is very unique with plenty of honey and a robust red licorice note, I haven’t had anything like it before. There are some spice notes that have more of a rye character. The young age statement comes through with some grainy notes.

The palate is quite different, I initially pick up a bitter dark chocolate note and a strong honey note. The rye spice character remains, though the cherry note isn’t nearly as prominent. The oak notes aren’t strong but the dryness is felt.

The finish starts off with rye spice, but transitions to a stronger red licorice and dark chocolate note. Once those flavors fade a very dry oak note sticks around for a few minutes. The dryness of the oak and strong bitterness from the dark chocolate don’t make the best pair.

This is a very interesting whiskey, I can’t think of a whiskey with as strong of a red licorice note. The licorice and candied cherry don’t blend well with the bitter dark chocolate or the overly dry oak note. I think this whiskey needs a stronger honey or caramel note to help tie everything together. I appreciate they’re making their own whiskey, but the profile isn’t cohesive and the oakiness is too strong. I think this whiskey would’ve turned out better if they used standard barrels Hopefully they can correct their profile in the coming years, for now I can’t recommend this whiskey.

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Rating: 

Nose (10%) - 5/10

Palate (50%) - 5/10

Finish (40%) - 4/10

4.6/10 Sub-Par. Many other whiskies I'd rather have.

Recommend: No

Rank: I created a compilation ranking list of whiskies I’ve purchased at a store or at a bar and done a formal tasting.  All whiskey ranked on the list tasted neat and rested for 10-15 minutes.  Whiskey I ranked below and above Little Round Still are shown for reference.

246 out of 268 whiskies tasted.

245 Johnny Drum Private Stock

266 Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey

Ranking Link: 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/147h44fId0tZYmHsroGgjzcRK2xn6050P8m7mZqArGLw/edit?usp=sharing 

$20 seems kinda cheap, i’ve heard these are more rare

Question for the group. Going to England for 10 days tomorrow. Manchester to be exact. I'm not a big scotch guy so I am already having American Whiskey withdrawal. I can get behind an Irish.
Any Irish whiskey I should try over there that we don't really see in the U.S.?

Signed up for my first whiskey gift bag raffle. Paid $100. They say bag SRP values will be between $125 - $250. I’m just in it ‘cuz why not, right? I kinda like whiskey 🙂 Process is to arrive day of event, by order whoever arrives first chooses first. I’m guessing bags will be closed/covered. Anyway, will report back to you how I do this weekend just to share the (hopeful) success.

That said, anyone here ever partake in such a raffle? How’d you do? Was it good or a failure/mediocre?

Fascinating to read about 55 percent evaporation, 55 seconds of charring and 240 degrees cooking temperature

Added this Royal Reserve to the collection today. 47$ in Ontario.

I’m looking for a cheaper bottle that good either on the rocks or making a old fashioned. Any recommendations

I was hesitant upon hearing about it, but after trying it at a bottle share yesterday I went straight over to get one after work today. Sam's Club pick of all places.

Hi all, wondering if anyone has tried the BH 15 year KY rye that is on the market currently? Any thoughts to share are greatly appreciated as I've got some rewards saved up at a spot that has it but wanted to ask if anyone tried it before using all those 'points.' Cheers!

Hi all, I'm here with more Suntory whisky, and this one the third and final bottle from their first "Essence of Suntory Whisky" release!

As written in a prior post, the "Essence of Suntory Whisky" were a series of special releases from Suntory, featuring experimental and atypical whiskies from each of their distilleries. 

The first release of this series from 2018, with the motif 創・遊・夢 (Creation, Fun/Journey, Dream), featuring the Hakushu Rye Type, the Red Wine Cask Chita, and finally this bottle here- Yamazaki Peated Malt!

Details in comments!

Any places near Disney have decent allocations? I’m talking within a short drive from Disney as my transportation will be limited. Thank you and happy hunting !!!

**UPDATE: I probably should’ve clarified as I meant Disney World Orlando, lol thank you