Hey, Cam. If I'm not mistaken, you have said in the past that the older ECBP batches have a dusty quality to them that the more recent batches lack. What would you say was the last dusty batch? Something in the 2020s? Or would the last dusty be *before* the 2020s?
C920 is the last of them that had a dusty-ish note in the profile. As you go back in time it gets more pronounced. I wouldn’t say it’s a linear relationship necessarily, as some batches have more or less than others, but it’s at least enough of a trend that 2020 and earlier are pretty reliably going to have more of that kind of profile.
I remember the very first time I did a blind with a sticker on the bottom of each glass and the bottle identifier written on the sticker in black pen. Tilted the glass up to take the first sip and it hit me that, "This is *not* gonna work." 😁 I imagine we all go through that the first time.
Misses existed before 2021 for sure. I had a b10 (2016) and finally gave the remainder of the bottle to my father, because it just didn't do it for me. Musty, wet forest floor, grassy, dank oak...clearly they blended in barrels that had taken up too much oxygen over the years. Fun proof point and visually it was dark as can be, but it fell short from a sensory standpoint. At one point I was using it for cocktails just to try and burn through it...and still didn't finish the sucker. I agree that it would be great if they leaned into ECBP a bit more by providing some context for what they were hoping to achieve with each respective blend; think notes along the lines of Four Roses SmB LE over the years. In reality, HH is bigger than that, which is all the more reason we should at least expect consistency.
The only issue with not buying certain batches as a way to send a message is that many store owners will stop bringing in ECBP if it sits on the shelves. I talked to 3 store owners this week who have B523s still sitting on shelves and never brought in C923s and won't get any 2024 batches. It's a delicate ecosystem lol.
Maybe it's intentional? Release 1 good batch a year. Dump the worse barrels in the other 2 batches that people have to buy to keep their store stocking it for when batch 3 drops... I mean it's crazy, but with how the bourbon market is? It may work.@@DaveH8905
It would help while editing if you put the bottles up (in text) while you are describing them for the listeners. Edited to add - I just went to the end, wrote down the results and then went back and listened.
This was recorded live. Usually on some streams I’ll hold up notecards, but on these shorter more focused tastings I haven’t been doing that. It’s good to know that I should make this change! Thanks!
The blind is the best way to do it. Just watched a couple guys fawn over a bottle of OF 1924 and I’m 90% sure it’s because of the bottle and not the whiskey because everyone else says it’s basically 1897
I know what you're talking about. I might have a tenth of your collection but I feel that I have too much and need to be selective in my purchases. People say "drink more" don't really understand how much you have and the quantity that's been purchased in a short period of time. I have 5 batches of Larceny BP on my shelf and for me to get another the reviews need to be phenomenal and even then, it might be a pass. Unfortunately, this has turned me in to a unicorn hunter but recently I have come in to some samples for my channel and this might be the way I determine if I want a bottle.
I love B520. 521 was a huge letdown, so I’m shocked how it did in this flight, but it makes sense that chose the higher age - I just generally prefer an older profile
Hey, Cam.
If I'm not mistaken, you have said in the past that the older ECBP batches have a dusty quality to them that the more recent batches lack.
What would you say was the last dusty batch? Something in the 2020s? Or would the last dusty be *before* the 2020s?
C920 is the last of them that had a dusty-ish note in the profile. As you go back in time it gets more pronounced. I wouldn’t say it’s a linear relationship necessarily, as some batches have more or less than others, but it’s at least enough of a trend that 2020 and earlier are pretty reliably going to have more of that kind of profile.
I’m having a pour of b523 and enjoying every sip of this pour when I came to this video:) I really like this bottle! Cheers
You didn't like A124 by itself and you ranked it last among the mediocre batches. This is how you do it. Excellent blind and discussion. Keep it up!
Great blind! Love the results too!
totally agree. Great video as always
Thank you!
Its funny how you mentioned using double stickers and pencil. I do the same thing with pencil because I actually wanna know what I like blind.
I remember the very first time I did a blind with a sticker on the bottom of each glass and the bottle identifier written on the sticker in black pen. Tilted the glass up to take the first sip and it hit me that, "This is *not* gonna work." 😁 I imagine we all go through that the first time.
Misses existed before 2021 for sure. I had a b10 (2016) and finally gave the remainder of the bottle to my father, because it just didn't do it for me. Musty, wet forest floor, grassy, dank oak...clearly they blended in barrels that had taken up too much oxygen over the years. Fun proof point and visually it was dark as can be, but it fell short from a sensory standpoint. At one point I was using it for cocktails just to try and burn through it...and still didn't finish the sucker. I agree that it would be great if they leaned into ECBP a bit more by providing some context for what they were hoping to achieve with each respective blend; think notes along the lines of Four Roses SmB LE over the years. In reality, HH is bigger than that, which is all the more reason we should at least expect consistency.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with b523. 70 bucks for a barrel proof almost 12 y/o whiskey from a legacy distillery is a buy everytime
On paper, yes, but in practice and given the legacy of the brand, I think it comes up short
Dang, just missed it, lol. Thanks for the inside scoop!
Interesting - Minnink had B523 as #13 on this too 100 list. Guess I need to crack one and see…
Huh, I like the A124... You must have the wrong laser code
😂😂
Loved the blind battle. Private barrels are now better than batched barrel proofs
The only issue with not buying certain batches as a way to send a message is that many store owners will stop bringing in ECBP if it sits on the shelves. I talked to 3 store owners this week who have B523s still sitting on shelves and never brought in C923s and won't get any 2024 batches. It's a delicate ecosystem lol.
That is Heaven Hill’s fault, not mine. Make a good product and I’ll buy it.
Maybe it's intentional? Release 1 good batch a year. Dump the worse barrels in the other 2 batches that people have to buy to keep their store stocking it for when batch 3 drops... I mean it's crazy, but with how the bourbon market is? It may work.@@DaveH8905
A battle of the sucky ECBP I love it lol.
It would help while editing if you put the bottles up (in text) while you are describing them for the listeners. Edited to add - I just went to the end, wrote down the results and then went back and listened.
This was recorded live. Usually on some streams I’ll hold up notecards, but on these shorter more focused tastings I haven’t been doing that. It’s good to know that I should make this change! Thanks!
The blind is the best way to do it.
Just watched a couple guys fawn over a bottle of OF 1924 and I’m 90% sure it’s because of the bottle and not the whiskey because everyone else says it’s basically 1897
I know what you're talking about. I might have a tenth of your collection but I feel that I have too much and need to be selective in my purchases. People say "drink more" don't really understand how much you have and the quantity that's been purchased in a short period of time. I have 5 batches of Larceny BP on my shelf and for me to get another the reviews need to be phenomenal and even then, it might be a pass. Unfortunately, this has turned me in to a unicorn hunter but recently I have come in to some samples for my channel and this might be the way I determine if I want a bottle.
First the code fiasco and now blinding to find the worst batch? All for your favorite distillery? Brutal.
😂
We want them to do better! lol
Brutal but truthful
B520 and B521 were terrible. B523 blew them out of the water. Imo
I love B520. 521 was a huge letdown, so I’m shocked how it did in this flight, but it makes sense that chose the higher age - I just generally prefer an older profile
Throwing shade at IBN lol
Actually no haha. Didn’t watch their vid
Braggadocious!?😂
Yeah idk 😂
Who are you talking to off camera? Haha just talk into the lens
This was live. I’m reading the chat on screen which is just under the lens. For prerecorded and edited content, I talk into the lens.