You like what you like. I visited the Blue Note Distillery a few weeks ago with MajorXero. Picked up a bottle of the Special Reserve Cask Series. At stores, I picked up a bottle of their Honey Cask Rye and Honey Cask Bourbon. I have 5 bottles of Weller 12 on my shelves. I agree with you on Smoke Wagon, Basil Hayden and Old Elk. Bookers are hit and miss. 🥃
I would definitely be interested in trying those BN finished whiskies. And agree 100%. This is our list we compiled. I’m sure there are plenty who love all of these. Cheers Dave!
I agree with you about Blue Note, Weller SR (Over hyped), and Basil (Low flavor). But I enjoyed Smoke Wagon Uncut but there are always going to be a better bottle probably. Also I do enjoy Old Elk but haven't had many of them. The fun part about bourbon is each person can get completely different flavors out of the same bottle. I really enjoyed the Cigar Cut the most.
Agree on the Bookers. I won’t buy another bottle. In my area they go for around $100-$120 now, and just are not worth that at all. Under 9 years old, drinks way too hot, and just seems like they’re cutting a lot of corners as far as QC is concerned. I think people are just buying them for the box and bottle. $40 for the packaging, $50 for the actual bourbon
Love Juke Joint...so I disagree whole-heartedly there. However...you are spot on with the two Wellers. Just had my first pour of it...and it was ok...I'll never buy it! Smoke Wagon Uncut are great...just got a store pick....pretty awesome! Basil Haden was marketed towards women...so they wanted to keep it basic! I got a store pick of the Old Elk Wheated and it's one of my favorite wheated...only bottle I own from them. Bookers is so batch specific. I only buy the best batch from each year lol!
The only Weller I ever had was their un Special Reserve 😅. My favorite smoke wagon was only $28--very good stuff. I like all the Blue Notes. The basil hayden was good for one half bottle, then I was tired of it.
Forgive the long post, but here goes. With smoke wagon they were good during the pandemic because I think they had good barrels then. Once that stock ran out and it became more available it just plain sucks. With blue note the one bottle I had almost burned my face off too. I think with them they have early batches from burned down warehouse and those were the good ones. Everything else sucks them now too. with bookers Think you’re right that good stuff is in the past and it was also cheaper. These were $77. It was fine. Now at $108 minimum these just sit on shelves.
Back in the day we would buy handles of Weller SR for $22 and mix it with ginger ale. That's what it is for. You are correct about the quality of bourbon going downhill over the last 15 years and especially the last 10 due to the big bourbon boom. 15 years ago you could walk into a Total Wine and see Blanton's on the shelf every time and even Old Rip 10 in season. The main issue is that back then lots of 12 to 15 year old barrels would get blended into the batches of most brands. You now won't see anything older than 8 or 9 years get blended in.
Thanks for the comment. Obviously you’ve been at this longer than any of us. That was just a thought I had. I’m glad to see someone who has actually seen it happen agrees. Cheers!!!
Completely agree on the Blue Note Juke Joint. It was just not good. A real popular one I dislike is OF 1910. Dislike is strong but I done get the love for it and I like most OF products. Many people compare it to Woodford Double Oak but I don't taste any similarity.
Agree on Weller and BH...Smoke Wagon is one of those bottles that I always see, but never can get myself to pull the trigger. OF birthday bourbon is really the only hyped bottle that I thought was just ok
Weller SR is just fine for around 25-30, depending on what you prefer it competes ok at that point. Paying up for it makes no sense. I tried a sample of Weller 12 and feel exactly the same way, just not worth the hype.
I agree on the Wellers. The entire Weller lineup other than WLW is overhyped. The best of the rest is OWA, which isn't saying much. CYPB and SiB are too thin. WFP is a funky mess. 12 and SR are just bad with nothing redeeming. I get the dislike for Bookers as it appeals mainly to proofhounds, but I disagree entirely. Kentucky Tea, Storyteller and Springfield Batches have all been great. My biggest "I don't get its" have to be Woodford Double Oaked and Jack Daniel's 10/12. DO is mediocre on the neck pour and just gets worse with air. I even have a store pick that is somehow worse than the batched product. Just miserable stuff. As for the age stated JD stuff, what I've tried has just not impressed, and the flavor notes almost tasted sour and bitter. If I blinded their ryes and SiBBSs next to 10/12, I wouldn't even think they came from the same distillery.
Interesting video, but I thought this would be a video about bottles you can’t obtain. Our tastes are similar. I don’t like Weller at all. My wife does, so she buys her own bottles. Old Elk was disappointing too. I had the standard and a store pick wheated. I have had one Smoke Wagon uncut/unfiltered, didn’t like it. Same with Basil Hayden. Haven’t ever had a Booker’s.
I've been able to hunt down Weller SR at MSRP a couple of times this year and I like it at that price. Wouldn't pay any higher. I'm familiar with most of your selections and can't disagree with any of them. The Basil Hayden has a really good nose for an 80 proofer but if you actually then go ahead and drink the stuff, it's all downhill from there.....
Total agree on the Bookers way over priced I've tried many of them just okay. The bottle i didn't see and many people love Green River for whatever reason just doesn't do it for me.
I disagree on W12 but agree strongly on Weller SR. Weller SR might be one of the most boring bourbons I’ve ever tried. All I get from it is general sweetness. Nothing even slightly interesting.
Was that Old Elk wheat whiskey the pick from Supermarket? I got the Supermarket pick and it was horrible! I had gotten an OE WW that was a BBE pick and it was wonderful. I believe those BN Juke Joints are all single barrels. The one I got from Grand was awesome.
Totally agree on Weller 12. It's just a boring bottle. It drinks like a background whiskey and the finish is nonexistent. I was "lucky" enough to get one around $50 a few years back & I won't be revisiting it.
Great video! I have a similar one coming out tomorrow. Interesting that you like the CYBP. I've never had it but I've wanted to score one for a while. I always assumed that one would be disappointing like the 12 and special reserve. Cheers!
I have not tried Blue Note. I have not tried Weller 12, and Weller Special Reserve I got for about $30, and to me it just ok. Yeah, I agree with Smokewagon. Cool bottles, but what I have tasted has not been great. Basil Hayden not good. I do like the dark rye, especially as a mixer. I have a single barrel of Old Elk it is decent. The Old Elk I did a review of - the Cognac Cask Strength Wheated was really good! And even though it was sent to me by their marketing group, I was honest and really enjoyed it. I agree with Dave Vogelsang, the Bookers seem to be hit and miss, even though I have only tried a few. The one I tried with my friend Nathan it was a 2024 release was really good
How do I know Blue Note would be the first bottle on the list!😂Weller SR, Basil Hayden 👎🏾 The last review I did with Booker's made me say I'm not buying another one until I hear that they have a phenomenal batch out. They're good bourbon. They're just not worth the price. See you tonight 🥃
For me: Knob Creek 9, has this acrid ethanol note that sits over everything. Wild Turkey 101, even though I like Rare Breed and Russell’s, this ain’t it. Penelope Toasted, sour, young, and just nothing redeemable. 13th Colony Cask Strength, just tastes young and lacks sweeter qualities. Weller Full Proof, favors wheat funk over the 107’s incredible sweetness.
I’ve only had the Weller FP once but was not over impressed. Since it was only one time I didn’t feel confident putting it on the list, but I might lean towards adding it with the 12 and the SR.
Never had a bad bottle of Bookers and I've been buying them since 1988 , that's ALOT of Bookers 😉👍, Smoke Wagon has a cool bottle though, Old Elk?🤔🤣🤣🤣👎 Cheers 🥃
The problem with Bookers lately has been poor value for money. 2020, 2021 and 2022 did not have any bottles worth above $90. 2023 was a decent year. I started buying Bookers in 95 when they were using barrels from 87 and 88. So, I am not new to this.
2:52 I don't *hate* Buffalo Trace, but I don't see what the big deal is. The only Weller I've had is the Special Reserve, and the best thing I can say about it is that it's not bad bourbon. And that's true of almost everything I've had from Buffalo Trace - only the Blanton's Straight From the Barrel struck me as being worth buying. I want to try some Benchmark, because reviews I've seen sound like that line isn't like other BT juice - but otherwise I don't plan to ever buy from that distillery again. As I said of the Weller Special Reserve, it's good whisky, but that's all it is, and there's better stuff around that's cheaper and easier to find. 6:18 Basil Hayden, the one time I bought it, struck me as Jim Beam white label in a different bottle with a higher price.
You like what you like. I visited the Blue Note Distillery a few weeks ago with MajorXero. Picked up a bottle of the Special Reserve Cask Series. At stores, I picked up a bottle of their Honey Cask Rye and Honey Cask Bourbon. I have 5 bottles of Weller 12 on my shelves. I agree with you on Smoke Wagon, Basil Hayden and Old Elk. Bookers are hit and miss. 🥃
I would definitely be interested in trying those BN finished whiskies. And agree 100%. This is our list we compiled. I’m sure there are plenty who love all of these. Cheers Dave!
I agree with you about Blue Note, Weller SR (Over hyped), and Basil (Low flavor).
But I enjoyed Smoke Wagon Uncut but there are always going to be a better bottle probably. Also I do enjoy Old Elk but haven't had many of them. The fun part about bourbon is each person can get completely different flavors out of the same bottle. I really enjoyed the Cigar Cut the most.
Absolutely! We always say, drink what you like. Cheers!!!
Agree on the Bookers. I won’t buy another bottle. In my area they go for around $100-$120 now, and just are not worth that at all. Under 9 years old, drinks way too hot, and just seems like they’re cutting a lot of corners as far as QC is concerned. I think people are just buying them for the box and bottle. $40 for the packaging, $50 for the actual bourbon
Exactly! Cheers!!!
Love Juke Joint...so I disagree whole-heartedly there. However...you are spot on with the two Wellers. Just had my first pour of it...and it was ok...I'll never buy it! Smoke Wagon Uncut are great...just got a store pick....pretty awesome! Basil Haden was marketed towards women...so they wanted to keep it basic! I got a store pick of the Old Elk Wheated and it's one of my favorite wheated...only bottle I own from them. Bookers is so batch specific. I only buy the best batch from each year lol!
I’d probably try a Smoke Wagon store pick just to see if it’s better. Thanks for watching! Cheers!!!
The only Weller I ever had was their un Special Reserve 😅.
My favorite smoke wagon was only $28--very good stuff.
I like all the Blue Notes.
The basil hayden was good for one half bottle, then I was tired of it.
Cheers!!!
Great video Bryan! I totally agree on the Weller sr and 12, the sold Elk and the Basil Hayden’s. Cheers 🥃
Cheers Carlos
Agreed. Agreed. AGREED ! . . . I keep my Weller as base-fodder for blending higher abv/higher age bourbons (older stocks at 35-50 $/bottle pre-2010)
Thanks for watching! Cheers!!!
Forgive the long post, but here goes. With smoke wagon they were good during the pandemic because I think they had good barrels then. Once that stock ran out and it became more available it just plain sucks. With blue note the one bottle I had almost burned my face off too. I think with them they have early batches from burned down warehouse and those were the good ones. Everything else sucks them now too. with bookers Think you’re right that good stuff is in the past and it was also cheaper. These were $77. It was fine. Now at $108 minimum these just sit on shelves.
That’s good info. Thanks for adding some detail. Cheers!!!
Wow, Blue Note is probably the best buy in bourbon right now.
Enjoy it! Cheers!!!
Back in the day we would buy handles of Weller SR for $22 and mix it with ginger ale. That's what it is for. You are correct about the quality of bourbon going downhill over the last 15 years and especially the last 10 due to the big bourbon boom. 15 years ago you could walk into a Total Wine and see Blanton's on the shelf every time and even Old Rip 10 in season. The main issue is that back then lots of 12 to 15 year old barrels would get blended into the batches of most brands. You now won't see anything older than 8 or 9 years get blended in.
Thanks for the comment. Obviously you’ve been at this longer than any of us. That was just a thought I had. I’m glad to see someone who has actually seen it happen agrees. Cheers!!!
Completely agree on the Blue Note Juke Joint. It was just not good. A real popular one I dislike is OF 1910. Dislike is strong but I done get the love for it and I like most OF products. Many people compare it to Woodford Double Oak but I don't taste any similarity.
For me Beam always worked and tastes good enough never need the fancy stuff
Agree on Weller and BH...Smoke Wagon is one of those bottles that I always see, but never can get myself to pull the trigger. OF birthday bourbon is really the only hyped bottle that I thought was just ok
I am torn between coveting a OF Birthday Bourbon and not. I’ve not heard many rave reviews.
Weller SR is just fine for around 25-30, depending on what you prefer it competes ok at that point. Paying up for it makes no sense. I tried a sample of Weller 12 and feel exactly the same way, just not worth the hype.
💯 Cheers!!!
And love Old Elk. Haven't had a bad bottle. Cigar cut is excellent. Had a pick that absolutely rocked! Infinity Blend. All of'm!
You gained a subscriber! I guess I’m not crazy because I’ve not been impressed with any of those bottles except for the first one on your list.
Thanks!!! Cheers!!!
Do you have a video on bottles that you love, but most others don't?
That’ll probably be a future one.
We love Smoke Wagon uncut unfiltered.
Same
I agree on the Wellers. The entire Weller lineup other than WLW is overhyped. The best of the rest is OWA, which isn't saying much. CYPB and SiB are too thin. WFP is a funky mess. 12 and SR are just bad with nothing redeeming.
I get the dislike for Bookers as it appeals mainly to proofhounds, but I disagree entirely. Kentucky Tea, Storyteller and Springfield Batches have all been great.
My biggest "I don't get its" have to be Woodford Double Oaked and Jack Daniel's 10/12. DO is mediocre on the neck pour and just gets worse with air. I even have a store pick that is somehow worse than the batched product. Just miserable stuff. As for the age stated JD stuff, what I've tried has just not impressed, and the flavor notes almost tasted sour and bitter. If I blinded their ryes and SiBBSs next to 10/12, I wouldn't even think they came from the same distillery.
And in fairness, I’ve only had the Charlie’s Batch. Just didn’t hit. We love Woodford DO. We’ve had some amazing picks of it. Cheers!!!
Interesting video, but I thought this would be a video about bottles you can’t obtain. Our tastes are similar. I don’t like Weller at all. My wife does, so she buys her own bottles. Old Elk was disappointing too. I had the standard and a store pick wheated. I have had one Smoke Wagon uncut/unfiltered, didn’t like it. Same with Basil Hayden. Haven’t ever had a Booker’s.
I've been able to hunt down Weller SR at MSRP a couple of times this year and I like it at that price. Wouldn't pay any higher. I'm familiar with most of your selections and can't disagree with any of them. The Basil Hayden has a really good nose for an 80 proofer but if you actually then go ahead and drink the stuff, it's all downhill from there.....
Cheers! And thanks for the samples!!!
Total agree on the Bookers way over priced I've tried many of them just okay. The bottle i didn't see and many people love Green River for whatever reason just doesn't do it for me.
We actually like it! Cheers!!!
Interesting video. I have a Smoke Wagon The Younger but haven't cracked it yet. 🥃
I disagree on W12 but agree strongly on Weller SR. Weller SR might be one of the most boring bourbons I’ve ever tried. All I get from it is general sweetness. Nothing even slightly interesting.
Cheers!!!
Was that Old Elk wheat whiskey the pick from Supermarket? I got the Supermarket pick and it was horrible! I had gotten an OE WW that was a BBE pick and it was wonderful.
I believe those BN Juke Joints are all single barrels. The one I got from Grand was awesome.
No. It was a shop down this way. It was wretched.
Agree 100% with all the ones ive tried... would still like to get a weller 12 to try poor mans pappy, but im sure i will be disappointed.
Totally agree on Weller 12. It's just a boring bottle. It drinks like a background whiskey and the finish is nonexistent. I was "lucky" enough to get one around $50 a few years back & I won't be revisiting it.
Great video! I have a similar one coming out tomorrow. Interesting that you like the CYBP. I've never had it but I've wanted to score one for a while. I always assumed that one would be disappointing like the 12 and special reserve. Cheers!
I have not tried Blue Note. I have not tried Weller 12, and Weller Special Reserve I got for about $30, and to me it just ok. Yeah, I agree with Smokewagon. Cool bottles, but what I have tasted has not been great. Basil Hayden not good. I do like the dark rye, especially as a mixer. I have a single barrel of Old Elk it is decent. The Old Elk I did a review of - the Cognac Cask Strength Wheated was really good! And even though it was sent to me by their marketing group, I was honest and really enjoyed it. I agree with Dave Vogelsang, the Bookers seem to be hit and miss, even though I have only tried a few. The one I tried with my friend Nathan it was a 2024 release was really good
Thanks for watching and for the comments. Cheers to you and Tina!
@@bourbonschool100 - Cheers!
To be fair I've never seen a whiskey tuber like Basil Hayden 😅
How do I know Blue Note would be the first bottle on the list!😂Weller SR, Basil Hayden 👎🏾 The last review I did with Booker's made me say I'm not buying another one until I hear that they have a phenomenal batch out. They're good bourbon. They're just not worth the price. See you tonight 🥃
Cheers Myron!
Not interested in trying Old Elk or Basil Hayden. I agree with all the rest. My number 1 hyped bottle I don't like though would be Peerless DO.
We actually enjoyed the DO, but the standard Peerless is solidly below average. Cheers!!!
For me: Knob Creek 9, has this acrid ethanol note that sits over everything. Wild Turkey 101, even though I like Rare Breed and Russell’s, this ain’t it. Penelope Toasted, sour, young, and just nothing redeemable. 13th Colony Cask Strength, just tastes young and lacks sweeter qualities. Weller Full Proof, favors wheat funk over the 107’s incredible sweetness.
I’ve only had the Weller FP once but was not over impressed. Since it was only one time I didn’t feel confident putting it on the list, but I might lean towards adding it with the 12 and the SR.
Never had a bad bottle of Bookers and I've been buying them since 1988 , that's ALOT of Bookers 😉👍, Smoke Wagon has a cool bottle though, Old Elk?🤔🤣🤣🤣👎 Cheers 🥃
The problem with Bookers lately has been poor value for money. 2020, 2021 and 2022 did not have any bottles worth above $90. 2023 was a decent year. I started buying Bookers in 95 when they were using barrels from 87 and 88. So, I am not new to this.
I think the Smoke Wagon bottle is the initial reason I bought it 😂😂😂
Green River. We don't like it. Don't get the hype.
Agreed nothing special
2:52 I don't *hate* Buffalo Trace, but I don't see what the big deal is. The only Weller I've had is the Special Reserve, and the best thing I can say about it is that it's not bad bourbon. And that's true of almost everything I've had from Buffalo Trace - only the Blanton's Straight From the Barrel struck me as being worth buying. I want to try some Benchmark, because reviews I've seen sound like that line isn't like other BT juice - but otherwise I don't plan to ever buy from that distillery again. As I said of the Weller Special Reserve, it's good whisky, but that's all it is, and there's better stuff around that's cheaper and easier to find.
6:18 Basil Hayden, the one time I bought it, struck me as Jim Beam white label in a different bottle with a higher price.