Sunday, February 15, 2015

Bourbon Tasting - wheater line-up

For the last couple of years I've traveled down to North Carolina to conduct a whiskey tasting to a group of bourbon enthusiasts.  I was invited down initially by my brother-in-laws father.  The first year I brought along a variety of selections to include OTS, dusties and private picks.  The favorite among the men the first year was a 1987 Old Grand Dad 86 proof.  When they asked where to purchase this bottle I responded "in 1987". 

Last year I lined up a rye tasting that spanned OTS and private pick with a focus more on what's currently available.  I had nine selections so we took our time tasting through all the bottles.  The selections included Thomas H Handy, Jim Beam Rye, Sazerac Rye, High West Double Rye, Jefferson Rye, Rittenhouse Rye BIB and a couple others.  This was a large venue with about 40 people in attendance to include the ladies who had a separate table to sample wine.  By the end of the evening, many of the ladies had joined the men tasting through the flights of rye.

This year I am bringing selections only found in the retail market; no dusty's or private picks.  For this tasting I'm presenting Makers Mark 46, Heaven Hill Larceny, Heaven Hill Old Fitz BIB, Old Weller Antique, W.L. Weller 12 and Jim Beam Red Wheat.  Some of these selections may be harder to find than others but at least it's all current production.  One of the tasters actually sits on the local ABC board and as a result of these tastings has championed getting some of these selections on the shelves.  Up until 2013, Four Rose Single Barrel was not carried in that market.  Now it is. 

Looking forward to spending the weekend visiting family, eating NC BBQ and drinking whiskey.

11 comments:

  1. Richnimrod said;
    JimBeam Red Wheat???? I've never heard of this brand. Is it widely available? Having done the Jim Beam Distillery Tour a couple times, including last Fall, I don't remember them ever mentioning it during any part of tour. Just curious, and being a fan of many of the wheaters, I'd like to try it.

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  2. Great post! What does "OTF" mean?

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  3. Sorry folks...sometimes I forget to elaborate on acronyms. OTF is Off The Shelf, e.g. retail offerings. I reported back in May of last year that Jim Beam was going to release bourbons using various grains. You can read it here http://bourbondork.blogspot.com/2014/05/jim-beam-signature-crafts-going-all-out.html. I believe these will be one off releases and once distributed will be gone. These come in 375ml bottles and run nearly $50 each....a little steep but in the spirit of reporting on these unique offerings, I'll make the investment.

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    1. Correction made to my bad oversight....OTS vice OTF.

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  4. Wouldn't that be "OTS" then?

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    1. Yes, Sam. It would be. That's what I get for posting at 1:00 in the morning. I even proofed the post twice. Sorry folks....bad oversight.

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  5. As someone who lives in NC and is always hoping for an expanded product range from the ABC stores, Thank you!

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  6. You are doing God's work. But if you want really good BBQ you need to come to SC.

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    1. I was in Charleston back in Oct and I chose poorly for dinner one night and had bad BBQ. Next time I'll seek out a better selection. As for good BBQ? The smoker on my back deck does a pretty good job smoking meaty goodness.

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  7. What was their favorite last year during the Rye tasting?

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