"Duke" Small Batch Bourbon

chaparrito · May 24, 2015

I can see most of these bottles going un-opened into John Wayne collections, along with all the other schwag. Might go up in value too, I'm willing to bet it won't be around long.
Regarding the blog post, yeah he's cynical and full of himself, but the cynicism is pretty much spot on. Anybody who has been around the liquor business a while knows of the shenanigans that are pulled all the time with hard spirits and wine especially. Want Knob Creek at 35 bucks? Try Bulleit at 20. Same juice, very similar treatment. Who says you can't taste a paper label??

Absalom · May 24, 2015

S

chaparrito said:
........ Anybody who has been around the liquor business a while knows of the shenanigans that are pulled all the time with hard spirits and wine especially. Want Knob Creek at 35 bucks? Try Bulleit at 20. Same juice, very similar treatment. Who says you can't taste a paper label??

But it's so entertaining! Without the byzantine connections and the detective work necessary to disentangle who makes what in the whiskey world, so many bloggers (and blowhards, I might add) would be out of business. Have you looked at the length of SKU's list of current whiskey blogs?

Knob Creek comes out of Jim Beam barrels, by the way. Bulleit is, at least thus far, mostly distilled at Four Roses, although they have apparently also used juice bought from Brown-Foreman, Barton and Jim Beam.

But Bulleit is quite distinct in using a high-rye mashbill (almost 30%) akin to Old Granddad (another Beam product), while Knob Creek utilizes the standard Beam recipe with only half the rye, a difference you can taste. So I think that particular cross-labeling is not a thing.

chaparrito · May 24, 2015

Absalom said:
S

But it's so entertaining! Without the byzantine connections and the detective work necessary to disentangle who makes what in the whiskey world, so many bloggers (and blowhards, I might add) would be out of business. Have you looked at the length of SKU's list of current whiskey blogs?

Knob Creek comes out of Jim Beam barrels, by the way. Bulleit is, at least thus far, mostly distilled at Four Roses, although they have apparently also used juice bought from Brown-Foreman, Barton and Jim Beam.

But Bulleit is quite distinct in using a high-rye mashbill (almost 30%) akin to Old Granddad (another Beam product), while Knob Creek utilizes the standard Beam recipe with only half the rye, a difference you can taste. So I think that particular cross-labeling is not a thing.

I wasn't aware of the different mash bills. Must be my taste. I prefer Bulleit but then I like ryes. Makes sense. I liked the bloggers posts on "distillers are not whiskey makers" and "all whiskey is sourced, big deal". Right on the mark IMO.

Rogue Wizard · May 24, 2015

I like a couple of fingers of bourbon in the evening before bed. After the day is done, it's a fine way to relax and I enjoy the bourbon, not guzzle it. I have the bourbon glass and ice cubes, but on some nights I go with bourbon cubes (stainless steel or soapstone cubes that you leave in the freezer,... they keep your beverage cool without diluting it). Have not tried the Duke,... but it is now on my list!!!

the ringo kid · May 24, 2015

Cdog said:
Well, after a day of yard work I sat down with "The Duke" again.

My second visit was much like the first. It's an ok bourbon, but for my taste there are better choices for less money.

Any product associated with John Wayne should be somewhat unique.
For me this is another non offending bourbon. It has enough kick to wear the name, just no distinctive character.

I suspect there will be many like me, fans of JW that will have to try it and try to like it. Oh if offered I'll drink it, but this bottle will need to get a lot better before I see myself buying more.

Thats the way it is with me--as ive tried his Beef Jerky--and thought it almost tasteles--compared to what im used to. Guess im as finicky as a cat is?

I hope they come out with a BBQ sauce.

the ringo kid · May 24, 2015

chaparrito said:
I can see most of these bottles going un-opened into John Wayne collections, along with all the other schwag. Might go up in value too, I'm willing to bet it won't be around long.
Regarding the blog post, yeah he's cynical and full of himself, but the cynicism is pretty much spot on. Anybody who has been around the liquor business a while knows of the shenanigans that are pulled all the time with hard spirits and wine especially. Want Knob Creek at 35 bucks? Try Bulleit at 20. Same juice, very similar treatment. Who says you can't taste a paper label??

I think that's the main point to having Dukes image on bottles.Its so that they will be collected and never opened. If I could afford to do so? id buy some just for investment.

I know a guy up in Illinois--who collects every package artwrk variation of any Duke DvD that comes out. I aint kidding.This guys Duke DvD collection numbers into the five figure number.

FPrice · May 25, 2015

Well I went back yesterday and picked up a bottle (at $35) and tried it last night as I watched "McClintock". I found the taste smooth but a bit strong for my palate. In fact way strong.

Now this could be because I stopped drinking heavily about 35 years ago and since only have a drink now and then. An occasional beer when it's hot and a small shot of single-malt scotch every now and then. So this bottle may last a long, long time.

Donn · May 25, 2015

For now, I'll stick with Blanton's.

"Duke" Small Batch Bourbon

chaparrito

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Absalom

SWCA Member, Absent Comrade

chaparrito

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Rogue Wizard

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the ringo kid

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the ringo kid

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FPrice

US Veteran

Donn

US Veteran

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