LiquorHound's Best Spirits of 2019
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- Опубліковано 29 сер 2024
- Well, we’ve made it to the end of another year, and that means it’s time to name my favorite spirits of 2019. The bottles shown all made a big impression on me and yet are somewhat available and not considered “allocated.” So hopefully you can try/buy some of these and know they're solid selections. As always, I like to thank all my UA-cam viewers and especially my Patreon supporters that help me continue creating content throughout the year.
If you want to skip to a certain category, here’s their time marks: Bourbons - 0:58, Rye - 4:12, Scotches - 5:54, Irish - 9:35, Canadian - 13:05, Cognac - 14:50, Armagnac - 16:48, Brandy - 19:05, Rum - 22:17, Tequila - 23:53, Mezcal - 25:50, Vodka - 27:37, Gin - 29:08
Bottles shown are:
Stagg Jr. ($55), Col. E.H. Taylor Single Barrel ($65), Very Olde St Nick 12 Year ($190), Pikesville Rye ($45), Old Forester Rye ($23), Knob Creek Cask Strength Rye ($70-$80), Glengoyne 21 Year ($160), Bunnahabhain Brandy Finish Single Malt ($110), Glendronach 15 Year ($90), Laphroaig Cairdeas Triple Wood ($70-$90), Springbank 12 Year Cask Strength ($80-$100), Bushmills 16 Year ($90-$100), Redbreast 12 Cask Strength ($80), Redbreast Small Batch Cask Strength Store Picks ($150), Rare Perfection 14 Year ($140), Crown Royal Bourbon Mash 13 Year ($70-$80), Hine XO Cigar Reserve ($140), Gautier XO Pinar Del Rio Cigar Cognac ($100), Louis Royer Force 53 VSOP ($55), Rare Armagnac “Mars” 38 Year ($130), Delord 1977 Armagnac 40 Year ($120), Germain-Robin Old Havana ($140), Copper & Kings Butchertown ($55-$70), Sacred Bond Bottled-in-Bond Brandy ($25), Habitation-Velier “Foursquare 2013” ($100), R.L. Seale’s 10 Year Rum ($25), Herencia Mexicana Reposado ($45), El Padrino Extra Anejo ($50), Alipus “Edicion Especial” ($70), Mezalosfera ($100-$200 depending on type of agave), Beluga “Transatlantic” ($30), Reyka Vodka ($20-$40), Oxley London Dry Gin ($40), Gray Whale Gin ($45), Monkey 47 Gin ($40 for a 375ml).
As of December 2019, my current bottle count is over 2,500. I am a Certified Specialist of Spirits and have also been accredited by the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT). I've been actively collecting for the last two decades and what started as a small basic home bar has transformed (with the help and understanding of my wonderful wife) into what I think is a pretty nice collection. Remember, if you enjoy this content and would like even more, please join us at my Patreon channel www.patreon.com/LiquorHound. There you can check out the review library, get some secret tips, and receive a new review every Thursday (what I’m averaging). Thanks for watching and remember to please drink responsibly. Cheers! - Навчання та стиль
Thanks LH! The best spirits reviewer in the industry. Love your no nonsense approach. Your knowledge and expertise is unmatched!
appreciate you doing all spirits, not just whiskey
LiquorHound is always informative :)
Yeah you don’t get too many arminac recs.
Thanks for going on the Scotch Test Dummies year end live stream. Good to see you live with other channel's as you are the elder of the US online Whisky Community along with Ralfy in the UK. You two together on a live stream would be Epic! Cheers
Thank you! Lol, a video with Ralfy and I sounds amazing, but it also sounds loooong. ;-) Cheers!
These are by far my favorite videos. Love it
I bought a few bottles of the Beluga Transatlantic earlier this year based on your suggestion, and wow this is a great vodka! Thanks for the channel it's great to see someone who knows what they are talking about with no pretension added
Your channel needs so much more exposure than it gets. You portray the prototypical image of the “man’s” drinkers class grading. I have found no other channel that can extract flavor definitions with a basic understanding so your average guy can relate. Thank you for that.
Much appreciated! Thank you for being here and cheers!
i really appreciate that you hold up the bottle during the whole breakdown - makes it easy to scrub through the video. thanks
I love the videos, I am 24 and I have watched a few others on UA-cam who do similar style video, but you're by far my favorite. I like the way you convey your message. The way you speak, very interesting. I'm not too big into taking shots like others may age I like to sip and enjoy a drink. I digress, I would like to see a video on different types of alcohol. It could be a series. Like on one episode you could talk about whiskeys and their different varieties. Also go over some common vocabulary associated with different styles. Also talk about what you look for in these different styles
Man, I'm salivating for a lot of these! Unfortunately, I've little chance of finding them where I live. Good recommendations, though. Happy New Year and keep up the great work in 2020, Chris!
Almost forgot about this one! But mannn right on time :)
Hope if you got the time you can be more active in 2020, love the content! Would love to see more rums, liqueurs and more of you heavenly collection a a refresher!!
Chris, Great line up. After enjoying the El Padrino Extra Anejo so much, will have to look up a bottle of the Herencia Mexicana Reposado. My Delord 25 year keeps getting better and better. Thanks and Happy New Year, looking forward to 2020.
Great video Chris and great chatting with you live on the STD stream yesterday.
I had a great time talking spirits with you as well. Hopefully we can do that again soon. Cheers!
Man I'm so sad. Stagg Jr is allocated by me and if you do find a bottle it goes for $80 min. Same for Col EHT Taylor SB. Very allocated. One store by me has it for $190 per bottle. I'm so happy of the 3 Ryes that won. I can get all of them at MSRP. I shall hunt for the Glengoyne 21 year now. I was able to find the Sacred Bond too. Thanks for these suggestions.
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Me too!
Me too!
Nice to meet you today, sir!! Thanks for all you do!
You're welcome and it was equally nice to meet you John! Hopefully 2021 will be better and we can meet up again. Cheers!
Love the Stagg Jr batch 12!! I thought it was better than the 2019 Goerge T Stagg. Great choices for your whiskies of the year!! Cheers buddy!! 🥃
What you said about those 18s is correct. That Glendronach 18 reminds me a bit of some of those old Macallan Sherry releases when it was a better value back in the day.
no brainer thumbs up for me, always appreciate your content. Happy Holidays!
Been waiting on this for a few months :)
Great list, always look forward to watching your best of, cheers!
The moment you mentioned Pikesville as the best rye, I hit the bell icon👍🏽
Thanks for joining us here and cheers!
I much appreciate these videos. Your knowledge and the way you use it is so well balanced. And that collection behind you is to die for.
I'm so thankful! Ive now bushmills 21yo rare. Redbreast 12yo cask strength and springbank 12 yo cask strength. Amazing whiskies.
Great list! Appreciate all you do and look forward to your content in 2020!
Awesome stuff, as always. Cheers and all the best in 2020!
Only fitting to have 2 Canadian Whiskies that are not available in Canada :) I hope your Canadian contacts are sourcing you a Wiser's 23 year Cask Strength or the new Alberta Premium cask strength for next year. Cheers
Ugh, I just got off the live stream with Scotch Test Dummies and seeing it made me wish I had tasted it. Oh well, maybe it will make an appearance on my channel in 2020. Cheers!
@@LiquorHound the Alberta Premium CS is going to be a great price in the USA as it's only 50$CAD
@@LiquorHound Same problem in France, impossible to get them, so no awards there too, cheers !
Thanks, LH for sharing your picks. Absolutely brilliant and helpful in my narrowing down for best value spirits for every dollar I spend.
Thank you , Liquor Hound.
Excellent video. Very straightforward presentation and massively informative. Happy New Year!
Love the Mezcalosfera line! Just recently picked up a 2015 bottling of the Tobala/Verde/Madrecuixe/Cuixe/Espadin ensemble for $114. It is fantastic! Still sealed in wax and bought it with a 2014 bottling of Real Minero Largo for $118. That is mind blowing and probably my current favorite bottling. I was lucky my favorite liquor store gave me a good bundle deal. Cheers!
Great video and great job choosing your favorite spirits! Thanks for doing this, Cheers!!!
Thank you for doing such a useful review of spirits. I appreciate your adding options for each category.
Great vid as always! Can we get a collection update video? Always loved seeing those crazy rare bottles you have! Cheers
Hi Hound, great to hear from you again and thanks for the insights! Did you try the new Laphi 10 CS? Not overly medicinal, either, with a nice complexity and elegance in my view and way more refined than the Cairdeas in my opinion. For me it's been the 10 cs over the Cairdeas hands down for the last couple of years, the Cairdeas has just gotten too young and noticeably immature. Anyway, all the best for 2020!
'nother Laphi fan here wishing I could try the Cairdeas Triple Wood - too expensive for me, I have to stick to the regular Triple Wood despite the lack of AS. Still a fan. Great review Hound !
Time to hit the liquor store! Thanks again - I look forward to these every year!
Superb video! Thank you LiquorHound for all you do!
For the american rye, i would suggest wilderness trail SiB cask strength rye...pretty intense young rye, hangs right there with the KC cask strength 127pf...
Thanks LiquorHound!!!
Great rundown. I enjoy the way you put the information out without a lot of b.s.
Good thing I got that Stagg jr at 55 a few months ago which is still unopened in my cabinet
Thanks for the fantastic recommendations! Happy new year and cheers!
Another excellent video. I enjoy going through your list and picking out the ones that I’ve tried. I bought a bottle of the Foursquare a few months back, so I’m glad that it made your list. 👍🏼
I need to pick up a bottle of the Cairdeas. 🥃
Thanks for your reviews and Happy New Year! Cheers!
Thank you for making these! Just now finding you! I love your voice btw, it’s very calming 🤷🏼♀️😬😁
As always, excellent content, and extremely informative. Thank yuh.
hahaha starts video " Nothing allocated in this video" picks up first bottle.. " Here we have Stagg Jr." LOL. I do love your videos btw.
In Texas, Stagg Jr. wasn’t that hard to get in 2019 and could be found on shelves with a little searching. After Batch 12 received some hype, I agree they’ve became harder to find. Thanks for watching and cheers!
This is awesome & super informative! I should be able to pick up some of the herencia mexicana reposado, you made it sound pretty good!
oxley is FANTASTIC. really different from other gins, even other london drys. i recommend it to anyone who loves gin!
Great review of the year! It's funny, I'm not a big fan of rye whiskey but I currently have 2 bottles I really like: Pikesville and Old Forester. I think Pikesville is hands down the best rye I've ever had.
Great video. Appreciate your palate and honesty.
Love your style. Straightforward, no bullish*t. And nice that you also review white spirits. Keep up the good work!
Thank you and cheers!
You've never steered me wrong my friend. Thank you!
You’re welcome and thank you for being here. Cheers!
Great review, I would love to see your whiskey collection.
Great content as usual..happy new year!
Fantastic! Happy new year!
I been scared to buy El padrino can't find ages of there Tequila, but I trust you so I'm going to pick up a few bottles
Chris Miller very slept on brand in my opinion, incredibly smooth and flavorful
Great video! Happy New Year!
Great reviews as always!
Fortaleza Still strength Blanco
Fortaleza Winter Blend Repo. is very good as well although its allocated.
I love Fortaleza, but haven’t had either of those. I’m sure they’re great though. Cheers!
Another great video sir. I was able to get a bottle of George T. Stagg today for $125 from large regional store, already had the jr. Waiting for 2nd bottle of each before opening. Thanks for all your information. Please keep up the good work. Happy holidays.
Lucky you! Thank you and cheers!
@@LiquorHound davidoff 702 series cigar can work magic,lol. Happy new year
What a lineup! Thanks.
You should do a what you think is “next” but you still can get. You called it last year with the Old Forester 1910... could get it last year no problem. This year can’t find it.
Good idea, would love to know so I can grab some good deals before they blow up.
Come to my it's all over
Always love seeing your opinion, and I hold it in high regard. Thanks for the video. Now a recommendation to you, I think you need to try and get a hold of the Alberta premium, Cask strength in Canada. 100% rye, 65.1% abv and is very good for the $65 CAN price point.
Sounds delicious! I’ll have to put some feelers out for one of those. Thank you and cheers!
Just found your channel. Great list!
Getting to the point where you might as well call Stagg Jr and EHT Sib super allocated as well. Good luck finding either on a whim anymore. Hopefully we see that Buffalo Trace expansion start to trickle down in the next five years.
Sad but true. Thanks for the comment and cheers!
Hi Chris, as I've been challenged by Andrew (from PrestigeLiquidsWW channel) to pick up my "5 WhiskyTube channels you need to follow in 2020", I did select 5 plus 2 "Honourable Mentions" like Andrew did (...). I just wanted to let you know I've quoted your channel as number 2 (the order is mainly relevant for me for the 2 first ones) just behind the number one which is Ralfy, Cheers !
Wow, that’s some great company! Thanks for the mention and cheers!
@@LiquorHound You"re very welcome...!
Awesome that you chose the reyka for the runner up vodka. 100% agree, for the flavor you simply can't beat the price. Haven't had the opportunity to taste the baluga but definitely going to take your recommendation - you've been on point with your vodka videos. Also have taught me quite a bit about my wifes choice - whiskey (she's from Kentucky after all). Love the content, keep it coming!
Interested on your thoughts regarding Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka or Ocean Organic Vodka. To me they were terrible but there are several colleagues of mine who think they're great. Let me know if you've tried them - would love to hear your thoughts.
As a recommendation - try Ultimat Vodka. One of my middle/high shelf go-tos when I can get it.
Thank you! I like the bottle of Boyd & Blair that I have, but based on your bottle, I wonder if they’re just a little “batchy” (meaning some batches are better than others). I’ve ran into that problem with some brands. Cheers!
Love your reviews. The only thing I see differently is that when I compare old and new Glendronach I taste and feel a difference between the old and the new. I like the old bottling better of the 12 and the 15
Thank you for the comment and cheers!
Great overall review👏💪🙏🏼
Thanks again for the reviews, neighbor. From the better side of the Metroplex... Ft. Worth.
I bought a bottle of the El Padrino Extra Anejo today. And I am sorry but I can't drink it. I can't taste anything but burnt chocolate and oak. I went to a Tequila tasting at Total Wine and loved the El Padrino Anejo. Liked the Cinnamon flavor. Then fell in love with the Don Julio 1942.
I also bought a bottle of Fortaleza Blanco. I am with you about Camarena Blanco being a close substitute. I can't tell enough difference between the two to justify the price.
It sounds like your palate prefers younger tequilas, but there’s nothing wrong with that. Probably best to stick to Anejo and younger to avoid the heavier oak and cooked agave notes that were hitting you wrong. The ones you mentioned are all solid choices as well. Cheers!
Wow first like.... LiquorHound keep up the good work!!!
Amazing video.
We should be able to like videos more than once. Triple Liked! :)
Certain bottles of Stagg Jr. have been in my top 5 bourbons of all time.
A 750mL retails for $19-24 in stores around me (oklahoma) and I always find it better than similarly priced options like Titos and Stolichnaya
Awesome overview as usual. Any future plans to include Japanese Whisky in the 2020 list?
Idk, the better ones are so hard to get and they’re usually super expensive. But if stumble on one that makes a big enough impression on me, I might add that category. Cheers!
Another great video LiquorHound… Have you tried or found the Monkey 47 Schwartzwald Dry Gin 48th Botanical Distiller's Cut..? I am a bourbon guy myself but like to have different and harder to find bottles of all spirits for my friends and guests. I have been extremely lucky enough to find many of your suggestions over the past couple years and thank you for that. I have not tried the regular Monkey 47 so at $80 I hope this "Distiller's Cut" is worth it. Keep up the great videos!
Thank you and I bet that bottle will be very tasty. Cheers!
I have the Bushmills 16 year old it's great stuff👍
Have you tried Stagg Jr batch 13 yet? I'm wondering if it's as good as batch 12. Love the channel
Exceptional list! I love armagnacs and "Mars" has been #1 on my 'bucket list'. But it looks like it has been discontinued, sadly.
Regarding Glengoyne 21, that is a very good dram. But do you think that Kavalan Solist Sherry Cask could be a good replacement for that? And could it be compared to Glengoyne 25?
Enjoy and happy holidays!
Yes Solist Sherry is also great but much more on the cocoa, cinnamon, & dark stone fruit side than the Glengoyne 21 (which stays toward the honey malt and orchard fruits). The Glengoyne 25 would easily be the best of that bunch, but the price is higher as well. The Mars was only around for a few months, but the whole “Rare Armagnac” line was equally good. Thank you and cheers!
Awesome review thx godbless
Great bottles ! Wonderful best of 2019 ! 🍾🎉 My best Single Malt was the *Glenfiddich 40 years* , best Bourbon was a *Heaven Hill from the 70s* , best Cognac was the *Hennessy Paradis* , and best herbal spirit was the *Jagermeister Manifest* ! I wish you a wonderful 2020 ! 🍾🎉 Cheers , Chris from Bremen / Germany
Have you made it down to Houston to see Travis Whitmeyer lately? His latest barrel and his bourbon/ rye blend have been phenomenal. I hear that there is a single malt coming. Oh! that might be a good review for you to post, American single malts!
I haven’t but probably need to try and make it by there soon. Thanks for the heads up and cheers!
Big Fan Here! What's your opinion of Japanese Whisky's, e.g. Nikka From The Barrel which won 2018 whisky of the year from Whiskey Advocate?
Thanks! Now there are some Japanese whiskies that I think get too much hype, but that Nikka isn’t one of them. Thanks for the comment and cheers!
Great video, as always. Did you taste any Kavalans in 2019?
I reviewed two last year (on my Patreon channel). They were the port and brandy finishes. Cheers!
Love the content, did you prefer the Rare Perfection 14 a lot more than the cask strength 15 version?
I did kinda. The 15 had much more punch (flavor), but lacked some balance at 119 proof. Now with a few drops of water it got to a nice spot, but the 14 was great straight away and had the rich classic Canadian whisky flavors I was expecting. Don’t get me wrong, I’d buy and enjoy either, but that’s why I gave the nod to the 14. Cheers!
Awsome video, awsome content as usual!
In category vodka: check the Bimber distillery from London UK. It is very small distillery, but their master distiller makes magic! I guarantee you won't be disappointed. Their oak aged vodka is phenomenal. They have also gins, and first single malt in their lineup ( this was limited to 1000 bottles and is already sold out).
Go check their FB account and their online store!
I will and cheers!
What batch is your redbreast small batch cask strength? Mine was batch C. Can you review yours? I'm scared to open mine because I wasn't able to get a backup bottle and am saving it for a very special moment. Great video as always
What is the specific Redbreast 14 CS Small Batch: A,B,C or D? I don't know how many times I watch this video. Especially as my pallet evolves, I return the best spirits. Thank you
It was from Batch B. Thanks for watching and cheers!
Quick question LH: I've been really interested in exploring the world of Mezcal and I bought a bottle of Del Maguey Mezcal Vida Espadín (~$40). After trying it on two different occasions, I am learning to enjoy it but it is rather "aggressive," and I read some reviews on it afterward and many people say it's not the best for sipping, which I can understand.
Would you mind recommending me a great beginner sipping mezcal bottle that could help me get my feet wet without breaking the bank? I'd like to keep it at about $80 or less. I'd really appreciate any recommendations and it need not be limited to Espadín; I welcome any of the other types of mezcal made with the different agaves.
Thank you bro and keep up your channel; it's phenomenal what you do and I thoroughly enjoy all of your videos.
Thank you and my apologies for missing your comment! I'd recommend Tres Papalote or Yuu Baal Joven. Both are well rounded with a easier smoke profile. The Papalote does have an edge in fruitiness, but it is $10 more expensive. Cheers!
@@LiquorHound thanks man! Will look for those!!
When I was in Las Vegas over Christmas, I stoped into a Liquor Outlet to buy a bottle of Angels Envy for a friend. The owner was there and suggested a bottle of Old Forester single barrel 90 proof bottled for them. It is fabulous, and I’m more of a scotch drinker.
Thanks LH!!!!!
State of the Art Spirits of the Year review, as usual and always educational (lots of informations & expertise) 👍 I wish you would have more time to talk in the recent multi-Live where you were invited (very interesting though) as i know you'll have tons of things to say...I'll be honoured if some day you'll accept to go live on my wee channel...for more about varied spirits.
A few reflexions here :
1/ I regret all these special Bottled in Bond or just limited annual releases of US whiskeys just double their prices when they cross the Atlantic & especially when arriving in France..(115 € for instance for a Stagg Jr = US $ 128 !)
2/ I see Pikesville often quoted as a solid rye by many (i really fell in love with Rye this year, esp. with Canadian offerings but also US) so I'm adding it to my wishlist...
3/ Me very impressed by the following gins not in your list (don't know the one you talk about mind you) : Isle of Harris Gin, Ki No Bi (the "regular" Kyoto Dry gin one bottled at 45;7 %) & the Navy Strength Edinburgh Gin, between others...
4/ 2019 was also my discovery of Mezcal year ! So very curious of your reviews about them (will have to watch some I missed)
5/ Some Grappa missing there, especially for me from Nonino...I'm impressed by the whole range....just saying...
Keep up the good work & All the best for 2020, Cheers, Chris !
Let’s make that happen in 2020. Thanks for all those recommendations. Cheers!
@@LiquorHound You're very welcome...Cool, thank you very much, we're keeping in touch...Cheers, Chris !
Out of curiousity, What do you do do with all of your boxes? I have a setup similar to yours, and so far keep them all in their boxes. Just to keep them better protected from light (even though I'm in the basement) or if I decide to sell them. But I do love the look of all of the bottles.
Most of them I recycle. I just don’t have room on the shelves for them. A few of the nicer ones I keep in storage. Cheers!
Howdy buddy! Always watch your reviews with great pleasure) very, very educational stuff) I got a question to you: being a big connoisseur of tequila, what could you recommend to me as a sipper as I'm just an entrry level tequila drinker, given I ain't got very much money to spend on that? Warmest regards from Russia, Moscow
I’m trying to think of one that’s big enough to most likely be in your country, but not too expensive. Maybe Maestro Dobel or a Corralejo? Don Julio Anejo is tasty one but it’s $55 usd. Cheers!
@@LiquorHound Thanks a lot! And waddaya think of Ley 925 reposado, Rooster Rojo reposado, Cazadorez reposado, Patron reposado, Espolon reposado, Milagra, Almeca Altos, '1921",-these are all available on the Russian market. Are they all good? (or perhaps some shitty stuff?)
Loving the Knob kask rye, 80 with TAX in Ohio. No mention of the ECBP? Shame on you. L0L. Second that on the Pikesville, however if you ever come across Bone Snapper RYE ( an MGP sourced Kentucky ( bottled) Rye) is my RYE of the year. Thanks for the vids, keep do what you do..CHEERS!! Oh and YUM on the Redbreast in the little bag...
Lol, I actually reviewed the ECBP on my Patreon channel and showed it some love there. It was just a little too allocated to make this video. I’ll have to see if I can find that Bone Snapper Rye one day. Cheers!
I have a Stagg Jr #12 and #13 I think. The only difference I can see on the label is the proof. How can you tell which bottling it is?
They’re distinguished by the proof. Just Google “Stagg Jr” and the abv and there’s a few sites that match up the releases (batches). Cheers!
I have a stupid hypothetical question, could we take a blanco and if we bought French barrels, could we age our reposado/anejo ?
Hmm, if you’re talking at home (recreationally) then sure you can. Cheers!
I thought the Pikesville Rye was age stated at 6 years (in your video, you said it's at least five years which is technically correct I guess if it is still age stated). Did they go NAS now?
Also, regarding the Sacred Bond Brandy, I believe it is the first bonded "grape" brandy not the first bonded brandy. There was/were earlier bottled in bond apple brandy(s).
It is still 6 years old, I misspoke on that one. Cheers!
Could you please review dickel 12? Would be interesting to get your perspective. Thanks