I'd say with the great bourbon rush of 2010-2024, most distillers have been rushing out product to meet the demand. Things will settle down, we'll lose some smaller distillers and thing will get back to normal at some point. Great review Myron. I do agree there are a bunch of young bourbons out there. Time to be more selective, yes?
That Limousin Rye sounds interesting with that Zebra gum note. I too at times came across a few bottles I did not like personally. Also, a few over-hyped releases I got that I didn’t enjoy, no matter how long I let them breathe. Nevertheless, I am more aware these days and don't buy as much as in the prior years. One thing I noticed too our pallets, at least IMO get spoiled. If I'm constantly enjoying some really nice hi-end or LE pours. I'm more over-critical of lesser brands new and old. Rather it's a bottom shelf or some new brand. I found it helpful for me at least, to have a few baseline pours I can use as a standard when I feel something is outta wack. Great conversation topic. 🥃
Thanks! You're so right about our palates getting spoiled. If I'm heavy into older better pours, I have to give myself a break to appreciate the lower proof stuff. 🥃
Of all the distillery tours, tastings, and the two barrel picks I've been to, the people in charge all say the same thing. The wood (barrel) is 80% of what it looks, and tastes like. I believe that with most if not all of the old growth trees gone we will find exactly what you are saying to be true. The Whiskey doesn't taste as good as it used to. Cheers Myron 🥃
I think part of the issue is most of the older stuff is going towards the "Limited/Special" releases. Plus I've heard the oak used for barrels is much younger
This was a great thought provoking video. I've started noticing the deficit with some single barrels/store picks. I like the uniqueness of a SP but it seems like the offerings from some distilleries are not that good and liquor store owners are settling for anything to just to get a pick. I had to just give away a Blue Note UCUF because it was just not even close to being good. Maybe you could blame the pick team. But I talked to a store owner who just did a pick and was disappointed with the initial barrels that were offered. Keep grinding! 🥃
Thanks, Robert! I noticed the sane thing with my last Blue Note pick and Woodinville Pick. They were both grain forward. The Blue Note was better, but not by much. Hopefully, when things cool down, everything will correct itself and we'll start to get better whiskey. 👊🏾🥃
Great video topic! You’ve been collecting longer than I but I know when I first got into Bourbon, I really thought Weller 12 was awesome. I still think it’s good but it’s pretty one note. I think most Bourbon is pretty much one note and that’s why I much prefer Rye’s. Well, at least the Bourbon friendly ones like Sagamore. So I’m not so sure Bourbon is changing as much as our palates keep evolving.
I did hit Angel's Share in Crofton/Gambrills (after stopping at Roy Rogers of course) on your suggestion on Oct 28th on my way to Duran Duran in Baltimore. Man, that place is amazing. Old Forester Store Pick, Green River Store Pick, Pepper Decanter and Old Fitz bottom shelf all came home with me. Thanks for the suggestion. I can't wait to head back up 301/Rt 3 for more picks. Thanks!
I'm always happy to help! Glad you were able to visit and get some good bottles. It's one of my favorite stores to visit when passing through the area. 🥃
Knob creek single barrel 120s are the best bottles around for the money. They are always good and have a thick mouth experience. Peanut, brown sugar, oak. Whats not to like
Yes and no. Depends on the producer. Some labels definitely are getting worse, some labels are holding and some are improving. Overall though I'd say that for the distillers that can afford to do it, they are holding back premium aged barrels for limited/special release they can jack the price up on. This comes at the cost of their mainstay labels not having premium aged juice being blended in to balance them out, which has certainly been noticeable. It's basically impossible to hide youth. Priorities, they can get distorted sometimes...
I think whiskey is getting better, personally. I think all these new distilleries are forcing the larger ones to try new things and its creating new ideas. The new brands are working with new rickhouses and are figuring things out. Like you said Myron, its all a gamble and it takes alot of time. We may have whiskey from time to time, good whiskey mostly and some terrible whiskey as well. Its all a gamble and most people dont like to gamble. If i have a bottle that i dont like 5 times in a row, its gets dumped. Dont care the price, dont care the distiller. I dont have time for bad whiskey. Too many new things coming to market.
Yeah, I think some things are starting to taste a little youthful, but I believe the legacy distilleries are holding back their aged whiskeys for their limited editions that they charge an arm and a leg for Cheers, Myron 🥃
McKenzie wheated bib is pretty good imo. Never seen the bottle that you have in my area. I will say rare breed has gotten spicier to my taste buds. Used to love it now I find myself not picking it up much
The one I've noticed that has gotten worse now is Evan Williams Bottled In Bond. That and maybe Smoke Wagon UCUF or The younger. For me unless a bourbon on sale, at retail or well reviewed I'm not buying a newer Bourbon. Seems like they're rushing things and I've got so much on hand I'll drink the stuff I got.
I’ve only been into bourbon just over 3 years now - I’ve noticed some bottles have definitely slipped in quality. WT101, OF 100, 1910, 1920 and JEP BP Decanter most recent product definitely is less than the earlier version I tried 3 years ago. I don’t think most bottles are very good - most are a hot mess, imo. Maybe 15-20% is actually good and 5% is truly great. Just my take.
Correct. Straight whiskey is aged a minimum of 2 years, but is required by law to put 2 years on the bottle if under 4 years old. The law requires any whiskey sold in the United States to carry an age statement if under 4 years, even if it's 3 yrs 364 days old. 🥃
I'd say with the great bourbon rush of 2010-2024, most distillers have been rushing out product to meet the demand. Things will settle down, we'll lose some smaller distillers and thing will get back to normal at some point. Great review Myron. I do agree there are a bunch of young bourbons out there. Time to be more selective, yes?
That Limousin Rye sounds interesting with that Zebra gum note. I too at times came across a few bottles I did not like personally. Also, a few over-hyped releases I got that I didn’t enjoy, no matter how long I let them breathe. Nevertheless, I am more aware these days and don't buy as much as in the prior years.
One thing I noticed too our pallets, at least IMO get spoiled. If I'm constantly enjoying some really nice hi-end or LE pours. I'm more over-critical of lesser brands new and old. Rather it's a bottom shelf or some new brand. I found it helpful for me at least, to have a few baseline pours I can use as a standard when I feel something is outta wack. Great conversation topic. 🥃
Thanks! You're so right about our palates getting spoiled. If I'm heavy into older better pours, I have to give myself a break to appreciate the lower proof stuff. 🥃
That four roses is a solid bottle. I like the new anniversary wild turkey. Easy drinker.
Super easy drinker! And the small batch select is so crushable! 🥃
Look for the Pinhook Vertical series distilled by MGP. 7 and 8 years were pretty spectacular. Usually about 12 bucks per year but well worth it.
I really enjoyed the 7. I didn't want to pay the high price for the 8 that the store wanted. I might have to go back and get it. 🥃
Of all the distillery tours, tastings, and the two barrel picks I've been to, the people in charge all say the same thing. The wood (barrel) is 80% of what it looks, and tastes like. I believe that with most if not all of the old growth trees gone we will find exactly what you are saying to be true. The Whiskey doesn't taste as good as it used to. Cheers Myron 🥃
@jeffkastl1290 I wondered if 🪵 had anything to do with. Even when I've tasted older bottom shelf stuff I taste a difference. 🥃
I think part of the issue is most of the older stuff is going towards the "Limited/Special" releases. Plus I've heard the oak used for barrels is much younger
Same here!! 🥃
This was a great thought provoking video. I've started noticing the deficit with some single barrels/store picks. I like the uniqueness of a SP but it seems like the offerings from some distilleries are not that good and liquor store owners are settling for anything to just to get a pick. I had to just give away a Blue Note UCUF because it was just not even close to being good. Maybe you could blame the pick team. But I talked to a store owner who just did a pick and was disappointed with the initial barrels that were offered. Keep grinding! 🥃
Thanks, Robert! I noticed the sane thing with my last Blue Note pick and Woodinville Pick. They were both grain forward. The Blue Note was better, but not by much. Hopefully, when things cool down, everything will correct itself and we'll start to get better whiskey. 👊🏾🥃
Great video topic! You’ve been collecting longer than I but I know when I first got into Bourbon, I really thought Weller 12 was awesome. I still think it’s good but it’s pretty one note. I think most Bourbon is pretty much one note and that’s why I much prefer Rye’s. Well, at least the Bourbon friendly ones like Sagamore. So I’m not so sure Bourbon is changing as much as our palates keep evolving.
Thanks! Sagamore DO is a go-to rye. for me. It's so crushable, I can't keep them around. 🥃
I did hit Angel's Share in Crofton/Gambrills (after stopping at Roy Rogers of course) on your suggestion on Oct 28th on my way to Duran Duran in Baltimore. Man, that place is amazing. Old Forester Store Pick, Green River Store Pick, Pepper Decanter and Old Fitz bottom shelf all came home with me. Thanks for the suggestion. I can't wait to head back up 301/Rt 3 for more picks. Thanks!
I'm always happy to help! Glad you were able to visit and get some good bottles. It's one of my favorite stores to visit when passing through the area. 🥃
Knob creek single barrel 120s are the best bottles around for the money. They are always good and have a thick mouth experience. Peanut, brown sugar, oak. Whats not to like
@@jonathanwright1761 So true! 🥃
Tried and true regardless of time is the Four Roses Small Batch Select. That and Russell's Reserve Store picks.
@TheReal_DeanD I can't keep SB Select around! 🤣🥃
probably all that flouride in the water
@@TorupHodl 🤣🤣
Yes and no. Depends on the producer. Some labels definitely are getting worse, some labels are holding and some are improving. Overall though I'd say that for the distillers that can afford to do it, they are holding back premium aged barrels for limited/special release they can jack the price up on. This comes at the cost of their mainstay labels not having premium aged juice being blended in to balance them out, which has certainly been noticeable. It's basically impossible to hide youth. Priorities, they can get distorted sometimes...
@@MetaPrometheus Well said! I totally agree! 🥃
I think whiskey is getting better, personally. I think all these new distilleries are forcing the larger ones to try new things and its creating new ideas. The new brands are working with new rickhouses and are figuring things out. Like you said Myron, its all a gamble and it takes alot of time. We may have whiskey from time to time, good whiskey mostly and some terrible whiskey as well. Its all a gamble and most people dont like to gamble.
If i have a bottle that i dont like 5 times in a row, its gets dumped. Dont care the price, dont care the distiller. I dont have time for bad whiskey. Too many new things coming to market.
@@Minnesota7thst I do like that new distilleries are innovative and pushing older distilleries in that direction! 🥃
Yeah, I think some things are starting to taste a little youthful, but I believe the legacy distilleries are holding back their aged whiskeys for their limited editions that they charge an arm and a leg for Cheers, Myron 🥃
McKenzie wheated bib is pretty good imo. Never seen the bottle that you have in my area. I will say rare breed has gotten spicier to my taste buds. Used to love it now I find myself not picking it up much
@billybruticus4719 Turkey can be a bit spicy. I might give the wheated Mckenzie a try. 🥃
McKenize picks are a wide range for different palates. I have had some killers and some that just don't hit.
Good to know. I might give them another chance before writing them off completely. 🥃
The one I've noticed that has gotten worse now is Evan Williams Bottled In Bond. That and maybe Smoke Wagon UCUF or The younger. For me unless a bourbon on sale, at retail or well reviewed I'm not buying a newer Bourbon. Seems like they're rushing things and I've got so much on hand I'll drink the stuff I got.
@@TheReal_DeanD If I didn't have a channel, I probably wouldn't slow down even more than I have now. 🥃
I’ve only been into bourbon just over 3 years now - I’ve noticed some bottles have definitely slipped in quality. WT101, OF 100, 1910, 1920 and JEP BP Decanter most recent product definitely is less than the earlier version I tried 3 years ago.
I don’t think most bottles are very good - most are a hot mess, imo. Maybe 15-20% is actually good and 5% is truly great. Just my take.
@brettheiner7125 OH no! I just bought a bottle of the Pepper Decanter, and I'm loving it! 🤣🥃
Straight whiskey is minimum 2Y
Correct. Straight whiskey is aged a minimum of 2 years, but is required by law to put 2 years on the bottle if under 4 years old. The law requires any whiskey sold in the United States to carry an age statement if under 4 years, even if it's 3 yrs 364 days old. 🥃
A lot of gimmicks out there
TRUE! 🥃