I did the Jack Daniels tour last spring I agree about the Sinatra release. I like most any variety of Jack Daniels from the regular black label to the Single Barrel, "Barrel Proof" My current bottle of Barrel Proof is 138 proof and very smooth. I generally add 1 ice cube to any room temperature straight whiskey.

I'd love to try others but I probably enough booze and wine in my cellar to last the rest of my life

What's interesting is that it's all the same whiskey. Jack Daniel's has been distilling the same one recipe since at least prohibition. With the different expressions from the standard No. 7 at 80 proof to the barrel-strength SB to the Sinatra, and the 100-proof anniversary edition I'm currently drinking, all the polishing and tweaking is done with aging, warehouse and barrel selection, and release proof. Okay, and a bit of marketing

The only exception is the relatively brand-new single barrel rye they released last year. Unlike Dickel, who bottle wholesale rye sourced from MGP in Indiana, JD actually came up with and distilled their own recipe. Pricey, but good stuff.

The two Tennessee whiskeys, Jack and George, are simply too similar in every way to justify love-hate declarations, but overall I still prefer Dickel, mostly because all the Dickel expressions spend more time in the barrel, and that's noticeable. Even the pricey JD's don't appear to be near the 9 years of the Dickel single-barrel or the 10 to 12 years of the Barrel Select.

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The higher barrel proofs are hard to find down here. The one I have open now is 133. Without digging through all my stash, of the two I have on the shelf, one is 129 and the other is 130. lIIRC correctly the highest is 140 proof, so at 139 you did good. Like you I could probably never drink all my stock but as with S&W's or ammo, can we ever have enough? regards, hardcase60

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Speaking of whiskeys, has anyone tried the Winchester bourbon?


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I totally agree with what you wrote. The "aging, warehouse and barrel selection, and release proof" make all the difference. Regardless it is still Jack unlike what Crown Royal does with some of their special releases. And yes I know comparing sour mash to Canadian blended is like apples to oranges. The point being, the taste of Jack is constant and they don't try to reinvent the wheel. Don't misunderstand I still drink Old #7 but if the opportunity presents it's self then upgrade it is. Not many restaurants stock the higher end Jack's. I too have a bottle of the single barrel rye and since I'm not to the bottom of the bottle (yet) my decision is still open for discussion. Been a long time since any Dickel but has crossed my lips but perhaps it's time for a comparison. regards, hardcase60

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I drink my top shelf out of a shot glass.......

I add ice cubes to the lower grade stuff, to cut the "Fire"
in the back of my throat.

I just have to add coke and ice to the real bad stuff, that some of my friends call whiskey.

Whenever my father would go to the Eagles, American Legion or VFW, his 'usual' was Windsor and water. I wasn't enamored of it but he was very fond of it.

People like what they like. Aren't choices great?

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A good bourbon on the rock, one 2" cube of perfectly clear ice. Great way to finish the day. I like my whisky but I'm not real snobby about it. Jack is fine, just picked up a bottle of Beam Black, not bad. Good stuff in my book, Woodford Reserve or Four Roses. Someday if I'm real good maybe I get a bottle of Pappy Van Winkles. Got to have goal.

More like "Someday if you're real LUCKY ...."

While I sure can appreciate a good whisky,I'm more of a cognac drinker.I drink it with a glass of water besides it....but somehow I keep forgetting to take a sip in the clear liquid glass.
Qc

I purchased the high proof in MN where my daughter lives. I'm actually at her house now. Maybe I better check the local liquor store before I head home on Monday!

In a woman's case it is usually said "Can't have too much jewelry or too many shoes" Guilty on all accounts.

I'm kinda fussy but I'll generally try whiskey any way its handed to me. My preferences in order are:

Bourbon (Blanton's, Four Roses are my favorites)
Irish (Jameson Caskmates is my favorite)

I'll drink a rye whiskey if I have to but its not what I'd buy if there is an option.

Scotch is a last resort for me. I've tried it all, but there isn't one I'd honestly say I like.

I like most bourbons neat but will add an ice cube or a splash of water if its not my favorite. If its a bottle of Beam I'll mix 50/50 with Coke and ice.

I was having a drink in the Medicine Bow Hotel bar when a tourist came in and asked for a whiskey and water. The bartender gave him a crusty look, set a bottle of whiskey and a glass of water on the bar and said: "If you want one of them fancy mixed drinks, you gotta make it yourself!"

I love barrel proof whiskeys, my favorite being EH Taylor which comes between 128 and 140 proof depending on barrel and depending if you can even get a hold of a bottle.

Love that the flavor is so concentrated and will never water it own much.

However: Add a drop of water, just a drop with a spoon or a splinter of an ice cube and taste what happens. The flavors become way more intense. Its almost like the chemical mixture of water molecules and flavor molecules get disturbed and as they rearrange, you are able to pick up those flavors much better. It chemistry it is called water structure..

That effect lasts only short amount of time but worth a try...then when the mixture calms down, add some more drops.

Reason why those Scotts sell you a water dropper and some imported spring water with theirs.

As I've said already my pallet isn't as refined as some of these other guys. I have found Winchester quite drinkable, but honestly I can't say Winchester is any better than Maker's Mark, Bullet Bourbon, or my favorite Two Stars.

Carstairs, anyone?

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

What's your favorite? I once had a bottle of Ragnaud-Sabourin's "Gaston Briand" and I regret never having found another bottle. Hine "Antique" used to be splendid until (IMO) it's formula was changed and it was "downgraded" to an XO designation.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

Hmm. I've seen it but never tried it. I was just imagining it has a smoky, burnt gun powder finish.

One nice thing about living here is that I have had the opportunity to visit all of these distilleries. As I said before, Willett Family Reserve is my favorite, but I tell you, Pogue's up in Maysville, has a rye that is about as good as it gets. Since they only make about 50 barrels a year, you are not likely to find it at the local Liquor Barn.

Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour - Kentucky Bourbon Trail

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I generaly but not always drink alone and always at my house I never drink anywhere else but I prefer straight whiskey .This time of year I will keep a couple of fiths in my outside refrigerator as I prefer it cold but in winter I just keep it at room temperature . I started out watering down with my granddad and dad as I couldn't just go straight then I moved up to a " chaser" Canada Dry ginger ale was my preferred then after 5 years at 21 I finally acquired the taste and been drinking straight ever since .Yep just walk into my personal man cave pull out the bottle and don't even use a glass ( that's why I keep 2 fiths so not to gross out buddy's when I allow one an occasional drink ) which is reserved for truly good friends oh yea and one real good looking neighbor lady who walks over for an ocassional tot after her kids are off to school .Brand ? Lately Seagrams 7 yes I know this is all so blue collar but that's me and I truly love and enjoy my life .Oh gotta go the school busses are running might have company soon .Lol .

Living in Oregon, I see mostly small craft distilleries. Visiting your state, I have discovered the charm of the traditional large industrial distilleries.

When we were in Bardstown, we visited Barton. That was a hoot. Nothing fancy or crafty about it; you had to dodge trucks and forklifts in the yard just to make it to the visitor center. And the tour had us climbing iron ladders and crawling around the pipes and tanks with reckless abandon. And then we drew generous samples of the 140-proof white dog straight off the still ....

Fascinating in a steam-punk sort of way. Buffalo Trace was a close second. I think we'll do Willett next time around. Are they actually distilling all their whiskeys themselves now? They had to source the older bourbons from elsewhere for some time after their re-start.

Willett is distilling their own now. The warehouse and age for a few other small distillers as well. you can see Heaven Hill from Willett. The Oscar Goetz whiskey museum, also in Bardstown, is worth visit And the Prohibition display at the Frazier History Museum is good too. It had been called the Frazier Arms Musuem but apparently "GUNZ" made school districts nervous.

Next it's "I dunno dear, a little too much water, a little too much whisky, and next thing I knew the bottle was empty. But the last drink was marvelous"

Courvoisier.Really for its taste,not because it was Napoleon's favorite.When I was still earning my $$$ to the sweat of my forehead,XO but now that I'm retired,the VS'll do($$$is not coming in anymore;guess that's what Napoleon was drinking when he was at St-Helen!).Sorry,I don't know the Gaston Briand;but if you find any,please invite me and I'll bring my Courvoisier along so that we can compare.Might take a few ''balloons'' of cognac to reach a conclusion but hey!all the fun will be discussing it over.....another good cognac!
Qc