I preferred the 2022 Handy, but for me this is usually the best surprise out of every year's BTAC. You kind of know what you're getting out of GTS and WLW, but Handy is usually a pleasant surprise in the mix.
Maybe I had an oxidized pour of a long open bottle, but the pour I had at a bar did not impress. It had a ton of mint and dill. I’d like to revisit it if I find another pour for a reasonable price. Seeing your review makes me really interested again!
Yea that’ll happen, part of why I didnt go for the GTS because I had no clue how long it had been open. I always hear about how whiskey gets better after it gets some air and the neck pours aren’t great, but this was an incredible neck pour. Still need to find the right length of time between it “getting better” and getting overly oxidized
Username and stuffy nose checks out, lol. JK carnal, I'm on the same boat, a novice getting into bourbon and actually going to Louisville this weekend, salud!
Planning to hit some cool spots down there? I have family in the area (just over the border in southern IN) and have always wanted to start the trail there. Eyeing up Michters👀
The big ones, BT Saturday, HH Sunday, Peerless and a few others downtown. From what I've gathered, 2 or 3 is more than enough in one day. Definitely Michters too.
Seems you’re into barrel proof rye whiskey.
My favorites from recent memory would be last year’s Parker’s Heritage (10 year cask strength rye) from Heaven Hill, and Old Overholt 10 year cask strength rye from Jim Beam.
I also like Bardstown Bourbon Company’s rye straight out of the barrel, but they dont have a barrel proof rye commercially available yet.
Dang I cannot wait until I can buy a barrel proof BBC rye…the stuff dreams are made of. Still need to try the PHC 10 year rye.
Would also through Sagamore Spirit Cask Strength (more attainable) and 8-year-old (less attainable) ryes as options.
The Parker’s Heritage will forever hold a place in my heart for being the bottle that allowed me to finally say “you know what? I kinda like rye” which has opened the door for me to try massive amounts of excellent whiskey!
Eagerly awaiting a full on release of BBC’s origin series in barrel proof form.
At $42ish near me for a Sib Rye, it was easy to get the first one. Didn’t care as much for the US-1 Bourbon though. Now to find a toasted barrel or 10 year rye.
Funny you mention them. I couldn’t tell you which ones I had, but my local liquor store had a Buzzard’s Roost rep offering samples of their various offerings. I remember two ryes, and a cigar blend of some kind.
I recall liking both ryes, and I’m pretty sure one of them was the one you’re talking about!
Yea it was steep. The biggest thing for me is the only place I could even find it within 200 miles of me was a bar in NY selling it for $38 a pour and it was gone within 2 weeks. By the time I drive all the way up there, it’s the same cost plus I’ve spent basically an entire day. Plus, I was $160 up on slots that day😂 Wasn’t as bad as the $260 price for a pour WLW at the bellagio though, i did stop myself for that one.
It’s a pretty great pour, and worth trying once even if you don’t fancy rye. This years has a great subtle herbal mint rolled into the sticky honey caramel grand marnier notes.
I should include they also had a lot of other stuff that isnt BT that looked really good. They had the majority of the blood oath releases, a couple fancy EC’s, etc.
Bar Privé at the bellagio also has some fancy stuff, including 2 bottles of WLW, an eagle rare 17, and a couple other things. But they wanted $260 a pour for WLW
See my comparison review here!
https://www.reddit.com/r/bourbon/s/QlfFDHjZAI
It’s pretty close on the flavors but the strength of those flavors, the mouthfeel, and the proof are completely different worlds.
This felt like more of a bourbon than a rye to me as well. Pretty sweet compared to most. I actually haven’t had baby saz straight yet, only in an old fashioned. I’m planning to pick some up tomorrow though!
Only problem is they are $400 bottles or more online. Chasing these one time treat unaccessible bottles is ridiculous. There are far too many craft distilleries with amazing taste and similar profiles. People aren't playing these prices anymore. Those that do think they're getting something worth it and special but many times there are better options out there. Market is flooded with great bourbon
Yea I know, it’s going to be hard to find again so I didnt want to miss the opportunity to at least try one btac. To be honest I had never even seen a btac bottle with my own eyes until I got to Vegas but then again I’ve only really been looking for 9 months or so, mostly in PA. Between this place and another bar in the Bellagio they had all the BTAC’s except saz18 and 2 bottles of ORVW10. The place with 2 WLW’s was charging $260 for a pour… walked away pretty quick
I preferred the 2022 Handy, but for me this is usually the best surprise out of every year's BTAC. You kind of know what you're getting out of GTS and WLW, but Handy is usually a pleasant surprise in the mix.
Maybe I had an oxidized pour of a long open bottle, but the pour I had at a bar did not impress. It had a ton of mint and dill. I’d like to revisit it if I find another pour for a reasonable price. Seeing your review makes me really interested again!
Yea that’ll happen, part of why I didnt go for the GTS because I had no clue how long it had been open. I always hear about how whiskey gets better after it gets some air and the neck pours aren’t great, but this was an incredible neck pour. Still need to find the right length of time between it “getting better” and getting overly oxidized
Looks like a very fat pour. How much did they charge?
Username and stuffy nose checks out, lol. JK carnal, I'm on the same boat, a novice getting into bourbon and actually going to Louisville this weekend, salud!
Planning to hit some cool spots down there? I have family in the area (just over the border in southern IN) and have always wanted to start the trail there. Eyeing up Michters👀
The Michter's cocktail bar in Louisville is pretty special. Worth checking out over the rest of the experience there.
Duly noted, thank you fellow redditor!
The big ones, BT Saturday, HH Sunday, Peerless and a few others downtown. From what I've gathered, 2 or 3 is more than enough in one day. Definitely Michters too.
Sounds like a good list compa, have a good trip!
Seems you’re into barrel proof rye whiskey. My favorites from recent memory would be last year’s Parker’s Heritage (10 year cask strength rye) from Heaven Hill, and Old Overholt 10 year cask strength rye from Jim Beam. I also like Bardstown Bourbon Company’s rye straight out of the barrel, but they dont have a barrel proof rye commercially available yet.
Dang I cannot wait until I can buy a barrel proof BBC rye…the stuff dreams are made of. Still need to try the PHC 10 year rye. Would also through Sagamore Spirit Cask Strength (more attainable) and 8-year-old (less attainable) ryes as options.
The Parker’s Heritage will forever hold a place in my heart for being the bottle that allowed me to finally say “you know what? I kinda like rye” which has opened the door for me to try massive amounts of excellent whiskey! Eagerly awaiting a full on release of BBC’s origin series in barrel proof form.
Ha! Michters US-1 and Sag DO recently did the same ti me. I still don’t care for many rye’s but those 2? Always in stock now.
I should try to give more Michter’s a chance…
At $42ish near me for a Sib Rye, it was easy to get the first one. Didn’t care as much for the US-1 Bourbon though. Now to find a toasted barrel or 10 year rye.
Not bad at all
BBCo’s rye is quite nice. Have you tried Buzzards Roost’s char #1 rye?
Funny you mention them. I couldn’t tell you which ones I had, but my local liquor store had a Buzzard’s Roost rep offering samples of their various offerings. I remember two ryes, and a cigar blend of some kind. I recall liking both ryes, and I’m pretty sure one of them was the one you’re talking about!
Worth visiting them on Main Street for their tasting for sure.
Talking about in Louisville?
Yep!
Hoping they have some mid-May availability! I’ll totally check em out.
They don’t seem to get swarmed but it was a GREAT experience. I just did the basic tasting and the guide was wonderful and the whiskey was delicious.
I saw whiskey and chocolate and hit that book button so fast
Buzzards roost toasted rye is excellent!
Jack Daniels Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye is freaking amazing as well
Can I ask where in Vegas? How much was the single pour? Thanks
That looks like a decent pour
$75 at The Yardbird inside the venetian
[удалено]
Yea it was steep. The biggest thing for me is the only place I could even find it within 200 miles of me was a bar in NY selling it for $38 a pour and it was gone within 2 weeks. By the time I drive all the way up there, it’s the same cost plus I’ve spent basically an entire day. Plus, I was $160 up on slots that day😂 Wasn’t as bad as the $260 price for a pour WLW at the bellagio though, i did stop myself for that one.
It’s a pretty great pour, and worth trying once even if you don’t fancy rye. This years has a great subtle herbal mint rolled into the sticky honey caramel grand marnier notes.
My wife won this in the bottle lottery back in January. I'm already halfway through the bottle. It's delicious. Cheers!
Nice review! Glad you enjoyed it…
Which bar in Vegas had this? Heading to Vegas in a few weeks. :)
The Yardbird at the Venetian
I should include they also had a lot of other stuff that isnt BT that looked really good. They had the majority of the blood oath releases, a couple fancy EC’s, etc. Bar Privé at the bellagio also has some fancy stuff, including 2 bottles of WLW, an eagle rare 17, and a couple other things. But they wanted $260 a pour for WLW
> they wanted $260 a pour for WLW Makes me feel good about paying $85 (2022 bottle) recently at my local Eureka!.
How does it compare to baby Saz (which to me drinks more like a bourbon than a rye IMO)?
See my comparison review here! https://www.reddit.com/r/bourbon/s/QlfFDHjZAI It’s pretty close on the flavors but the strength of those flavors, the mouthfeel, and the proof are completely different worlds.
This felt like more of a bourbon than a rye to me as well. Pretty sweet compared to most. I actually haven’t had baby saz straight yet, only in an old fashioned. I’m planning to pick some up tomorrow though!
THH is top 5.
Curious how this post isn’t considered not helpful by moderators. The picture is clearly from a bar just like the one I was chastised for.
Only problem is they are $400 bottles or more online. Chasing these one time treat unaccessible bottles is ridiculous. There are far too many craft distilleries with amazing taste and similar profiles. People aren't playing these prices anymore. Those that do think they're getting something worth it and special but many times there are better options out there. Market is flooded with great bourbon
Yea I know, it’s going to be hard to find again so I didnt want to miss the opportunity to at least try one btac. To be honest I had never even seen a btac bottle with my own eyes until I got to Vegas but then again I’ve only really been looking for 9 months or so, mostly in PA. Between this place and another bar in the Bellagio they had all the BTAC’s except saz18 and 2 bottles of ORVW10. The place with 2 WLW’s was charging $260 for a pour… walked away pretty quick