There are fantastic new whiskeys being released all the time, not to mention the great “mainstays” on the market. I’ve assembled this list by answering the question, “What am I enjoying right now?” It includes some of the finer or more unique expressions of american whiskey on the market today. Many of them are new releases or recent allocations. Obviously how a whiskey resonates with you is purely subjective – everyone has a different flavor profile preference, but these have my attention. The list will change frequently as I taste new whiskey. Enjoy!
The New or Notable List: October 30, 2011
2011 Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year Bourbon, 53.5 abv (107 Proof), $75 (SMM Rating: 9.7) Watch Review
Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year Bourbon, 53.5 abv (107 Proof), $75 (SMM Rating: 9.4) Watch Review
Parker’s Heritage Collection (Cognac Finished) Bourbon, 50% abv (100 Proof), $80 (SMM Rating: 9.6) Watch Review
St. George Single Malt Whiskey, Lot 10, 43% abv (86 Proof) $50 (SMM Rating: 9.2) Read Review
Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey (Bottled in Bond) , 50% abv (100 Proof) $21 (SMM Rating: 9.3) Watch Review
Breaking and Entering Bourbon, $33.00, 43% abv/86 Proof (SMM Rating: 8.9) Watch Review
Don’t forget about the E.H. Taylor which is absolutely delicious!!!
Great format here Jason! Assuming you will always put the highest rated at the top…You gotta try Prichard’s DB. Great stuff! I’m anxious to know what your thoughts on it are. It’s the best I’ve had to date. It easily makes it into the 9+ catagory for me.
Thanks for all the time and effort you put into compiling all the info!
I agree with Robo: the E.H. Taylor is unique and ravishingly good. Not quite like anything else out on the market. The aged Willett bourbons are also superlative.
I’m in search of a “sweet” sippin’ bourbon/whiskey. Any suggestions?
You certainly can’t go wrong with Evan Williams SB. The 2000 vintage is the smoothest. Jason gave a great review on these also. He was right on the money. I’ve found EWSB for $20, so that puts it at the top of my list for all around value/taste.
I’m probably in the minority here, but I think Evan Williams SB is overrated. At that price point, I’d much rather have Rittenhouse Rye, Elmer T. Lee, or Elijah Craig 12.
James, I feel the 98 and 99, two recent vintages, were certainly overrated. If you look at my review of the EWSB 2000 you’ll notice I make mention to a “return” to glory so to speak. When it’s “ON”, EWSB is outstanding whiskey to me. The 2001 I felt was quite different than the 2000, which I rated higher. But it’s still has a great spicy, rich flavor to it that I found very appealing. Again, that’s just me. You mention 3 great ones that bring loads of quality AND value to the table, and I wouldn’t disagree with any of them.
Thanks for the comment!
Fantastic Blog! Please add Noah’s Mill and Rowan’s Creek to your list when you can. I find both of these to be a great value.
GenghisJon – I will definitely get to these for sure. Stay tuned!
I’m looking for a rated list of the best bourbons. Do you know of one?
Eileen, are you looking for a comprehensive list? I have rated a number of bourbon’s. To the right side of my website there is a list of the ones I have rated. If you are looking for more, a “list” is a little hard to come by. John Hansell’s webstie, Malt Advocate, might be a good place to start.
What I want to do is buy a really nice Bourbon for a gift. I had no idea there were ryes, corns, and wheats, and which is considered the best. I guess I’m looking for a recommendation from someone who knows.
Do you know of any online bourbon societies? I am a member of one through my local package store.
Noticed you reviewed a single malt. I just bought my first scotch single malt the other day (Highland Park 12yr)…haven’t cracked it yet. Would love to see you do a short series on single/blended malts. Hopefully it wouldn’t upset any of the hardcore bourbon folks out there. Bourbon is at the top of my list, but am interested in trying out a couple of decent scotch whiskies. Just a thought…
Alan, I love Scotch and other Global Whiskies. I do drink them quite regularly. However, my focus is squarely in the American Whiskey segment. It’s what I can get my hands on most, it’s focused, and frankly I think what’s going on here is more exciting than anything in the world. Certainly i will be doing some Scotch reviews down the line just to mix it up a bit, but I don’t believe it will ever be a mainstay of the site. There are so many great ones out there I’d recommend checking out for Scotch. Namely Ralfy. I enjoy what he does immensely. I do appreciate the thoughts and suggestions – keep em coming.
Jason, when are you going to update this list? Or is this still what you’re drinking? I don’t believe it’s changed in a while.
Ryan
Ryan, to be honest, I’ve not drank anything until the other night worth of the list. Some solid pours, but nothing spectacular. We’re getting into some new releases this fall so the list will evolve for sure soon.
Jason,
Have you by chance tried the Van Winkle Reserve Rye? If so, what did you think of it? I scored a bottle of this a few weeks ago and just cracked it last night. It’s good, but not great. For comparison I diluted the Abraham Bowman 10 Rye down to approximately the same proof, and I enjoyed the Bowman quite a bit more. Feels more cohesive than the VWRR.
Also, that will probably be the last time I dilute the Bowman. It’s just too good at full strength.
Ryan, I wholeheartedly agree with you on this. No contest between the two. Van Winkle Reserve Rye is very good stuff, but Sazerac is better also. So too is Willett Single Barrel Rye.
I’ve been reading your reviews and have greatly benegitted from thm! I don’t understand why you havn’t said anything about Jefferson’s Presidential Select 18yo. It’s from the SW distillery and very lucious! I am a huge fan of Pappy 15 and Larue Weller. I also love this stuff! What do you think?
Hey Jason, I have been watching a few of your videos and I think they are awesome. It is because of some of your reviews that I have purchased some different bourbons and whiskeys. I am really interested in trying one bourbon that I have not yet been able to get my hands on. It is called corner creek. I am just wondering if you have heard of it/ tried it, or if you could make a review of it sometime in the future? I really like what you do and keep reviewing.
How about Palm Ridge Reserve. It’s a small batch whiskey made in Florida. Have you reviewed that one?
Hi Jason,
I enjoy listening and reading your reviews very much. Coincientally I am also a Technical Recruiter for a major Healthcare Client here in the Bay Area and enjoy bourbon. My question/request: I have read alot of reviews and blogs on the Pappy Van Winkle 15 and 20 year Family Reserve, but have not found any real comments on the 23 year. The 23 year received a Wine & Spirits “Spririt of the Year” award a few years back and I am surprised there havent been any reviews on it (that I can find). Any way you can do a review….maybe if I send you a bottle? LOL. Thanks so much!
Anthony, I do hope to get to a 23 year Pappy review soon. It’s been tough one for me to track down so far. I hope things are well with you in the Bay Area. We have an office in Fremont so I get out there quite a bit.