I essentially have Starlight on my "never buy" list at this point. Here's why (this is stolen from a very, very knowledgeable blogger): ---- "Starlight whiskies have been hit or miss for me due to their ridiculous practice of having 3 different family members operate as “Master Distiller for a Day.” This creates very little consistency - which could be a good or a bad thing depending on the people in your barrel pick group. But that’s the way the Huber’s run their distillery. All three of the family members that do distillation, Ted, Christian, and Blake, have a different method of distillation. Here is a list that is just the tip of the iceberg that show why each barrel produced at Starlight will be different: - Starlight starts each batch with a sweet mash, which means there is no backset added from the previous batches which helps consistency - As far as bourbon is concerned, all three family members admit to using slightly tweaked recipes. There are two standard bourbon mash bills that their distilling crew produces most other days including a three-grain bourbon using 60 % corn, 20% rye and 20% malted barley and a four grain bourbon which uses 51% corn, 20% rye, 20% malted barley and 9% wheat. - Each family member makes different cuts on their pot still - Each family member ferments at different temperatures - The distillery utilizes a total of six different cooperages to source their barrels from. Within those six cooperages, they specify the full range of char levels from #1 to #4 as well as toasted heads or charred heads - Barrel entry proofs vary per batch. Sometimes it’s as low as 108 and sometimes it’s as high as 125. And once again, I’m just scratching the surface on some of the differences. Read through any group’s experiences selecting a single barrel from Starlight and you’ll run across one consistent theme: that there is no consistency." ---- I don't need or want 100% consistency in flavor profiles, but there needs to be SOME consistency in order to be able to confidently buy bottles. Now if Starlight was using aged up spirits and consistently delivering bangers, that would be one thing... but they're not. They're using young distillate, and have made their name on trying to impress people with [possibly wet barrel] finishes. Admittedly, they deliver a good bottle here and there, but overall, I'm not a fan of the way they operate and even less of a fan of the products they deliver.
kda, I'm glad you mentioned this all about the way Starlight operates! I had no idea. I've had some curiosity about trying their stuff but just now crossed-off a couple Starlights I had on my "possibles" list.
I always like hearing what people’s pass bottles are. Everyone’s pallet is different but for me, someone who will impulse buy and has big time FOMO- I do t feel so bad on the ones I’ve passed on. I was chasing the 4 Roses for a bit!
I can confirm the 2024 Four Roses LE was pretty average. I won a sample from you and Deb. Deb where are you? I shared it with my neighbour after having Brothers Bond bourbon(I know a celebrity whisky) and we both like the Brothers Bond better. In no way do I not appreciate your sample but if I am putting my cards on the table after tasting the Four Roses I'd probably stay away from that distillery. Thanks for the samples and thanks for taking one for the team.
@@BuffaloBourbonEnthusiasts YES! We sampled the Peerless Double Oak batch #11 and Michter's Toasted batch 24. Let me say that all the samples were very good . I have an appreciation for what you do. The order in which you sample greatly affects the outcome. After doing a couple 108 proofs we dropped down to the 91.4 proof Michters then up to 130.4 proof George T Stagg then a BiB Old Forester. All of these samples were something I won and I'd never be able to find them in Canada. I really appreciate your generosity. Between you and the Bakers New Years Eve was an epic event
@@Canadian_Chris Troy and Laura are awesome! It's tough when you drink a bunch. I don't know how Minnick, Jason C, & the Junkies can do it. I appreciate their skills. I'm glad you enjoyed them!
Thanks for watching!! This is all entertainment. Find someone that you like to watch and also someone that has a palate that aligns with yours when heeding their advice.
Not a fan of Starlight. I have a decent 1792 BIB Store Pick. I didn’t think HH Grain to Glass was bad, just not worth $100. Not a fan of any Angels Envy. Four Roses 2024 LE was okay, but not as good as 2023. Happy New Year! 🥃 where’s Deb? 😊
I'll put last years Geroge T Stagg and this years Handy on that list. I paid double msrp for both and have regretted both. Would love to have the 500 dollars back because both weren't worth a hundred. I've never had the 4 roses LE but I'm done with the special release bs that distillers are using to gouge people.
I beleive its all over hyped , there is alot of good whiskey out there, too much to probably ever try that is more avaiblable and more reasonable price. If I saw Russels 15, Four Roses LE, Birthday Bourbon etc at MSRP i would not buy them to drink them, I think the pricing for these things is just out of hand.
No argument with your list. I learned to stay away from Angel's Envy long ago. 1792 BiB is definitely a disappointment, I'd have that bottle at the head of the list.
I essentially have Starlight on my "never buy" list at this point. Here's why (this is stolen from a very, very knowledgeable blogger):
----
"Starlight whiskies have been hit or miss for me due to their ridiculous practice of having 3 different family members operate as “Master Distiller for a Day.” This creates very little consistency - which could be a good or a bad thing depending on the people in your barrel pick group. But that’s the way the Huber’s run their distillery. All three of the family members that do distillation, Ted, Christian, and Blake, have a different method of distillation. Here is a list that is just the tip of the iceberg that show why each barrel produced at Starlight will be different:
- Starlight starts each batch with a sweet mash, which means there is no backset added from the previous batches which helps consistency
- As far as bourbon is concerned, all three family members admit to using slightly tweaked recipes. There are two standard bourbon mash bills that their distilling crew produces most other days including a three-grain bourbon using 60 % corn, 20% rye and 20% malted barley and a four grain bourbon which uses 51% corn, 20% rye, 20% malted barley and 9% wheat.
- Each family member makes different cuts on their pot still
- Each family member ferments at different temperatures
- The distillery utilizes a total of six different cooperages to source their barrels from. Within those six cooperages, they specify the full range of char levels from #1 to #4 as well as toasted heads or charred heads
- Barrel entry proofs vary per batch. Sometimes it’s as low as 108 and sometimes it’s as high as 125.
And once again, I’m just scratching the surface on some of the differences. Read through any group’s experiences selecting a single barrel from Starlight and you’ll run across one consistent theme: that there is no consistency."
----
I don't need or want 100% consistency in flavor profiles, but there needs to be SOME consistency in order to be able to confidently buy bottles. Now if Starlight was using aged up spirits and consistently delivering bangers, that would be one thing... but they're not. They're using young distillate, and have made their name on trying to impress people with [possibly wet barrel] finishes. Admittedly, they deliver a good bottle here and there, but overall, I'm not a fan of the way they operate and even less of a fan of the products they deliver.
I am strictly "try before I buy with them"
kda,
I'm glad you mentioned this all about the way Starlight operates! I had no idea. I've had some curiosity about trying their stuff but just now crossed-off a couple Starlights I had on my "possibles" list.
I always like hearing what people’s pass bottles are. Everyone’s pallet is different but for me, someone who will impulse buy and has big time FOMO- I do t feel so bad on the ones I’ve passed on. I was chasing the 4 Roses for a bit!
@@ericwindover436 you can try it when you pick up your PVW15 😎
I can confirm the 2024 Four Roses LE was pretty average. I won a sample from you and Deb. Deb where are you? I shared it with my neighbour after having Brothers Bond bourbon(I know a celebrity whisky) and we both like the Brothers Bond better. In no way do I not appreciate your sample but if I am putting my cards on the table after tasting the Four Roses I'd probably stay away from that distillery. Thanks for the samples and thanks for taking one for the team.
@@Canadian_Chris thank you for your support. Hopefully the other stuff was better!
@@BuffaloBourbonEnthusiasts YES! We sampled the Peerless Double Oak batch #11 and Michter's Toasted batch 24. Let me say that all the samples were very good . I have an appreciation for what you do. The order in which you sample greatly affects the outcome. After doing a couple 108 proofs we dropped down to the 91.4 proof Michters then up to 130.4 proof George T Stagg then a BiB Old Forester. All of these samples were something I won and I'd never be able to find them in Canada. I really appreciate your generosity. Between you and the Bakers New Years Eve was an epic event
@@Canadian_Chris Troy and Laura are awesome! It's tough when you drink a bunch. I don't know how Minnick, Jason C, & the Junkies can do it. I appreciate their skills. I'm glad you enjoyed them!
Been hearing several channels recently saying that they're not aligning with Minnicks tasting notes.
Thanks for watching!! This is all entertainment. Find someone that you like to watch and also someone that has a palate that aligns with yours when heeding their advice.
Haven't had a Starlight whiskey I've liked
The 7 year SiB I have is good!
Not a fan of Starlight. I have a decent 1792 BIB Store Pick. I didn’t think HH Grain to Glass was bad, just not worth $100. Not a fan of any Angels Envy. Four Roses 2024 LE was okay, but not as good as 2023. Happy New Year! 🥃 where’s Deb? 😊
She needs a break once in a while!!
I'll put last years Geroge T Stagg and this years Handy on that list. I paid double msrp for both and have regretted both. Would love to have the 500 dollars back because both weren't worth a hundred. I've never had the 4 roses LE but I'm done with the special release bs that distillers are using to gouge people.
We all get caught up in the hype.
I beleive its all over hyped , there is alot of good whiskey out there, too much to probably ever try that is more avaiblable and more reasonable price. If I saw Russels 15, Four Roses LE, Birthday Bourbon etc at MSRP i would not buy them to drink them, I think the pricing for these things is just out of hand.
I actually love this years Handy.
@@alleckssadler7379 I don't have it and haven't opened last year's :(
Good. Serves you right. 😂😂😂
Yup, i agree with you on the 4R LE. Meh
Re: HH GtG: i keep saying, yhis is what I keep hearing about this series. They're good, just not worth the cost of admission.
You did enjoy the rye and the wheater though ... not worth $100
AE BiB... Yeah, it was underwhelming. And Minnick also said EC SBBP A124 was his #15 on the year. Ive lost all respect for him.
I hate when I buy into the hype!
No argument with your list. I learned to stay away from Angel's Envy long ago. 1792 BiB is definitely a disappointment, I'd have that bottle at the head of the list.
Thanks for watching! The cost of the Four Roses forced it to #1!!