Racer, didn't you pick up the age your own whiskey from TOPO in Chapel Hill? How did it turn out?
It was a fun experiment, but the end product was only ho hum. Tasted really young and really oaky/charred. I think I ended up using most of it to make a lemonade punch for a party since I didn't really enjoy it as a sipping whiskey. I do still have the barrel. I've been meaning to make up a pitcher full of Manhattans and add it to the barrel to age a bit. Having a Manhattan on tap each day post-work sounds like a worthwhile endeavor.
What size barrel do you have? Was it a new charred barrel that came in the kit?
2 liter, and yes. I let the barrel sit for a while full of water, as per the instructions, to seal up the staves and mellow the char, but it was still too much IMO. There's no replacement for time.
Some buddies of mine that do a lot of re-barrel projects use either Everclear or vodka to season a new charred barrel. It is amazing how dark those small barrels turn a clear spirit like vodka in just a short period of time
Tried a new whiskey last night: Orphan Barrel's Barterhouse 20 year. To be honest, I didn't care for it. I almost bought a bottle on a whim a few weeks ago but didn't want to spend the money (it was like $90 I think) on something I'd never had. But the bar I was at last night has it and was able to try. It really didn't taste like much other than oak. But there was ZERO burn or bite. I got absolutely nothing out of it. They also had the older brother, Old Blowhard 26 year, but after trying the 20 year I didn't feel like wasting more money. The 20 year was $15 for a 1oz pour and the 26 year was, I think, $26 for a 1oz pour. Anyone else tried these?
I've mentioned before about how many labels today are sourced whiskey, and most ryes are made by LDI (now called MGP). Here's a pretty good article about it:
"Your ‘Craft’ Rye Whiskey Is Probably From a Factory Distillery in Indiana"
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articl...bly-from-a-factory-distillery-in-indiana.html
Is there any point to stashing unopened bottles of bourbon for the chance they might be worth some money 20 + years down the road or just cool to open a bottle of bourbon that was bottled 20 + years ago? I ask only because I have a hard time thinking of ideas when people ask what I want for birthday or Christmas gifts and since I have been getting into bourbon this past year, I think it is an easy, reasonably priced gift that I don't mind getting lots of to ask for. Or, should I just up my drinking?
Thoughts?
is willett really selling a 2-yr old rye for $45?!
Is it their own whiskey or their sourced stuff?
man... i'm LOVING this bottle of rock hill farms that i picked up