Come on in and check out what’s in the Bourbon Hutch! Join me as I explore the world of whiskey, hunt and review bottles, dive into blind battles, and keep you up to date on everything bourbon related! Who knew following one guy’s journey to fill his hutch with great whiskey could be so much fun?
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The variation you get in single malt Scotch is so much wider than it is in bourbon. We are now starting to see a lot of finishes in bourbon and ryes but there there is something about it being 100% malt that allows those finishes to shine. You don't get the interference that you get with corn, wheat and rye. Single malt Scotch tastes cleaner while bourbon to me is richer. I love both and have all type of whisk(e)y on my shelf. I have no problem drinking a Springbank 10 and following it up with a Knob Creek 12 and later sipping on a Yoichi 10 year. Glad to see you go through this exercise. There are so many great drams out there that it's worth experiencing everything.
I beg to differ sir. I most definitely always want barrel proof bourbon 😂 wont even touch bourbons under 100 proof...just do not enjoy them whatsoever. But thats the glory of bourbon, everyone is unique on their palate!
This is an advanced line-up that would appeal to experienced Scotch drinkers. I suppose a line-up like this is a good choice for an experienced bourbon drinker, as the basic, everyday Scotch that is frequently encountered tends to be thin and watered down. Unfortunately, some of these bottles are not easily obtained. When bourbon drinkers tell me that they don't like Scotch, my response is that they likely haven't found the right Scotch yet. Scotch has a much wider stylistic range than bourbon, so it is likely that almost any spirit drinker can find a style of Scotch that works. I've observed that the Sherry cask matured whiskies tend to be popular with bourbon drinkers. This is a popular style, and there are many to choose from. Bourbon drinkers who like the high strength firewater might want to look for cask strength whiskies in order to find the intensity that they are accustomed to. I've had some luck with Signatory independent bottlings lately; many of their releases are cask strength, and some of them are Sherry bombs.
This isn't a beginner scotch blind. Never would someone new to scotch get a 16-20 year scotch to try on a new tasting. I'm sorry but this isn't a scotch blind. Some of these are scotches that you would try years into the journey.
Nice job and kudos on your willingness to try new things. I am and probably always be a bourbon guy first. However, I really like variety and always enjoy learning. I used to be intimidated by Scotch whiskies but now have at least 20 different bottles along with a dozen Irish bottles, along with English, Welsh, Indian, and French selections. They all bring something unique to the table too.
Great video! I’m a scotch guy who dabbles in bourbon, rye, rum and mezcal. I’ve picked up a few bourbons from your videos and enjoy your content. Glad to see you going for some scotch! 👍
I'm glad you enjoyed the experience; it was fun to watch. Strangely enough the Port Dundas is the only one that isn't a malt whisky: it may have been made from ‘American corn’ and therefore be the most bourbon-like! The Teapot Dram, on the other hand, is much more of a standard Scotch single malt, with more ex-sherry cask influence than ex-bourbon. The anCnoc used to be my quintessential unpeated entirely ex-bourbon cask matured Scotch single malt, but has sadly been discontinued. If you want something similar, I would now recommend Glencadam 15. I often find that I struggle with red wine finishes and that may be what put the Tormore in last place... At least you now have some idea of the range of flavour profiles available.
Andrew! Thank you so much for sending the samples along. It was a blast trying them. I do think the wine finish was throwing me off. And a shame that the anCnoc is discontinued. Good to know that the Teapot Dram is a bit more standard and I can explore that avenue happily. Thanks again. You rock!
It takes a while for a Bourbon lover to appreciate (SMS) Single Malt Scotch. Especially at the lower ABVs. I was a huge Bourbon enthusiast, but my palate got really bored with bourbon's repetitive flavors. Went for unpeated Sherry casked SMS, then moved to Bourbon casked SMS, and now I'm onto Sherry and Peat combo. So many more interesting finishes in the Scotch world that it is not possible to get bored. Yes you will discover many types of wine casks, which you may or may not love, but the fun is in the discovery process. I still can appreciate and enjoy a great bourbon, but my palate has evolved now. I now prefer SMS over bourbons in general.
I’m definitely intrigued by scotch and willing to explore more. But not sure I’ll ever completely go away from bourbon since it was my first love in the whiskey world haha. Cheers!
Andrew hooked us up with some different Scotches to try too. He’s a great guy!! He didn’t completely win us over, but he helped open up our minds to the world of Scotch whiskey.
To deploy my excuse: for most of the samples I sent you, I tried to keep as close as possible to what was in the pictures of your local shop's shelves, so I'll blame them for my lack of success in winning you over... 😄
Ive tried a few in my life. I used to keep a bottle or two in my shelf just for something different . Johnnie Walker red with a coke is all ive done in recent years. Too many deer on bottles to even remember what ive bought in the past.
Ironically I actually just got a bottle of RR15 yesterday (but had already filmed this short). It will definitely be on the list for my end of the year bracket!
James E Pepper barrel strength. Definitely one of my favorites that I can find easier than those other bottles. Tastes like peach/nectarine to me. I’ve got three bottles of batch 22 bunkered after finding it on a trip to New Jersey. Great choices! I would love to try a Bombergers.
passed on a Blanton's SFTB for $250. Price isn't bad in my area, but I didn't know if I will enjoy the high proof and there are mixed reviews on it, so passed.
I can relate with all of these ... *Not worth the high markups* : Taylor Small Batch and Weller 107. From what I've heard from those who've had 'em, not worth three figures. *Not worth the msrp* : Smokeye Hill Barrel Proof. Highly-regarded channels have said it's worth about half what it would cost me to acquire (shipping included). *Disappointment with past purchases* : Wilderness Trail. Only bottle I've ever drain poured. *Budget limitations* . I have a hard limit on what I'll spend on a bottle that I intend to consume.
4. And #4 - I have some many good bottles that I will never finish. So I regularly donate samples to my favorite local shops. Go online a buy a big box of sample bottles and be generous. Quid pro quo works!
Here are my tips on successful hunting: 1. Stop everywhere regulary. Bourbon hunting is to large degree a matter of luck. So the more stops you make the more luck you will have. Treat it like a job you love. PUT IN THE TIME! 2. If you are in a new store and you sense there is some good stuff behind the counter approach the owner/manager with a decent shelfer in hand that you intend to buy. Then ask if there is anything else in the store or in the back that isn't on the shelf. Something special or maybe allocated. 3. Create a list of 15-20 bourbons that you are hunting and know their pricing dynamics inside and out - MSRP/Secondary etc.. Know what you are willing to pay for each of them.
The older I get the less likely I’m going to spend big money on any bottle. In fact I’m pretty much a shelf stable drinker now. I stay with the basic popular picks WT101 Rare Breed Evan Williams bib Knob creek and others that I can walk in and buy. I really never hunted whiskey really never had time to just stand and wait for whatever they drop and hope it’s something you want. Just never made sense to me.
I've built up my collection to a point that I won't just buy something because it's new or sounds interesting because I have limited space to store anymore bottles. Most of my purchases now are either based on glowing reviews on the many Whiskey Tube channels or on good past experience that makes me want to buy a backup bottle. I also hold out for any special allocated bottles that I might happen to find available at reasonable prices.
For me I've changed my way of buying bourbon. I usually like bourbons proof of 90-110. I'll get a barrel proof but only if I know it will be good. I ve been doing more store picks this year especially Elijah Craig 94 proof and Buffalo Trace both never over $40 and loved every store pick. I don't give into FOMO and I stay away from blended whiskey especially when I have no clue where it's sourced. 👍🏻🥃
I keep looking for the EC non-barrel proof store pick bottles for a while but cannot find them in my market; only ever see the barrel-proof bottles and I would rather have the lower proof.
@@dustincannarella8077 bummer search for bigger liquor stores usually they will do the single barrels not the mom and pop stores. I just got one at Molly's here in Colorado it's like a supermarket big store. Also got one from Total Wine a year ago it was ok aged 8 years
Very good points, just last week I was offered Russells 15 at msrp, but my budget wouldn't allow that. Some regrets, of course, but that was how it had to be on that day.
Funny, when you said lackluster experience I immediately thought of the standard release Emerald Giant from them and would only reignite interest in Redwood Empire if I could try and like the cask strength lol good thing there are plenty of other good bottles in the world. I don’t think I’ll lose sleep over redwood.
That’s a cool coincidence. I love the regular Lost Monarch but really don’t like the Cask Strength. Overall I like Redwood Empire tho. Their bottled in bond releases tend to be very solid. Cheers!
I have the cask strength pipe dream and really enjoy it. Very approachable, drinks a little under proof with lots of dark chocolate and baking spices to me on the palate.
Great video. Living in FL can be a struggle often see EHT, Blantons, Sib store picks, and other allocated bottles for msrp and a small amounr over SRP. I now ask do I really need this when before I would buy it. I wont buy a Sib from a brand I havent had or from a store I dont know without trying it. Alot of crap out there. Also alot of allocated isnt as great as I hoped lately.
Yeah, after some 230 bottles the budget is very thin. I agree on all points and unless it's a bottle I'm absolutely waiting for it better be a reasonable price. There's always plenty of Green River and Scott's on the shelf for $55 or less. Cheers 🍻
Hmmm. A couple of my personal pass on it reasons: 1. Just don’t want to pay the $$ for it. Cannot justify a number that seems ridiculous. 2. I don’t give into fomo. Don’t chase heavily allocated and thus don’t give into fomo. 3. No secondary market for me. I refuse to get gouged thus reason #1. 4. If I cannot get any transparency from the distillery or bottle then I’ll pass. I want to know what’s in the bottle (thank you Bardstown, you’re the best for transparency). 5. I’m with you on the previous experience that’s bad. Tried Henry McKenna twice and got burned both times. I’ll never do it again.
I passed on a bottle today for a combination of some of your reasons: I've been disappointed by other things from that distillery and I'm in a ballot for something else, so it suited me to save up the money in hopes I get lucky...
I really liked the RR15, but it didn't scratch the itch for me and I do not think it comes close to dethroning some of the better barrels of president's choice.
We were only able to taste one Presidents Choice at the festival so that was our direct comparison here. It was an excellent bottle but for us RR15 had the edge. Would love to own a bottle of either! Cheers.
This was to buy an allocated bottle from Heaven Hill! I was lucky enough to grab Old Fitz 13 on Friday. This was Saturday and they were selling Heaven Hill 18 Year.
Green river - I have had the regular and wheated, but not the Full Proof. I thought those two were just ok, not buying again. Will look for the Bardstown.
Great suggestions!! The 3rd one is my favorite. Get to know your local liquor store owners. If you support them, over time they will be reaching out to you when the good stuff comes in.
last one for me. If there is a whiskey enthusiast at your local store, share samples of you collection with them. It shows that you’re more than just a speculator trying to get allocated bottles. I’ve given the last three or four pores for my bottle to a store clerk. You just have to be careful of the rules though. Talk to the clerk before giving them stuff.
With the small liquor stores in your local area what’s worked for me Is I get whatever I can from them. It builds the relationship and sometimes I’ve gotten an allocated bottle at not too crazy of a markup.
Regarding the big box, stores like Total Wine or Costco I would say if you can hit them during the day. I’ve seen them restock in the mornings and put out the allocated bottles. So if you’re on your lunch break, hit those stores in the day.
Great tips! The local route has helped me a lot. Just stop in from time to time to grab a daily sipper or mixer and say hello. Let them know you’d love to get a bottle of “x” if given the chance. Doesn’t guarantee anything, but you’d be surprised at the conversations and opportunities it can help unlock
