TASTINGS
93 Proof
Blantons
Buffalo Trace - Single Barrel
Price I've seen: $65-$149
Tasting Style: Neat, Glencairn
Better than Blantons? It's Blantons!
Worth the Money? yes ( below 80 dollars )
Notes: Allocated and tough to find. Most stores will not put bottles on the shelves. If you want to find one, find a store that does or find a store to build a relationship with.
100 Proof
Henry McKenna 10 Year
Heaven Hill - Single Barrel
Price I've seen: $35-$80
Tasting Style: Neat, Glencairn
Better than Blantons? no
Worth the Money? yes
Notes: Allocated. This is a tough one b/c for the price Blantons is not twice as good. Having said that, this is better than anything else close to the $35 price. Beats most bourbons below $50.
116.9 Proof
George T Stagg (2019)
Buffalo Trace
Price I've seen: $99 => $599
Tasting Style: Neat, Glencairn
Better than Blantons? yes
Worth the Money? yes
Notes: Allocated. Part of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. If you can find a bottle under $299 you should buy it. If you get one for $99 dollars you should open it.
100 Proof
Heaven Hill 7 Year Bottled in Bond
Heaven Hill
Price I've seen: $40 => $99
Tasting Style: Neat, Glencairn
Better than Blantons? no
Worth the Money? yes
Notes: Only available in certain states. Really smooth. Good hang out with friends and have a few pours.
114.3 Proof
Noah's Mill
Willet
Price I've seen: $51-$62
Tasting Style: Neat, Glencairn
Better than Blantons? yes
Worth the Money? yes
Notes: Allocated. At times can be difficult to find but easier to find then Blantons. Higher Proof so you can add ice and it's still good.
98 Proof
Sam Houston 12 Year
Western Spirits - Batch #2
Price I've seen: $99
Tasting Style: Neat, Glencairn
Better than Blantons? no
Worth the Money? maybe
Notes: Allocated. This is another tough one because I like it. However, it's almost 100 bucks.
129.7 Proof
EH Taylor Barrel Proof (2019)
Buffalo Trace
Price I've seen: $99 => $199
Tasting Style: Neat, Glencairn
Better than Blantons? yes
Worth the Money? yes
Notes: Highly Allocated. Really Really good. If you have never had find a bottle for less than $200 or try and find a taste at a bar for less than $40 dollars.
100 Proof
Rock Hill Farms
Buffalo Trace
Price I've seen: $58 => $299
Tasting Style: Neat, Glencairn
Better than Blantons? yes
Worth the Money? yes
Notes: Very Good. Would pay up to $129 for this bottle even though retail is < $70. Even though same Mash Bill as Blantons, it's just better.
90 Proof
Buffalo Trace
Buffalo Trace
Price I've seen: $24-32
Tasting Style: Neat, Glencairn
Better than Blantons? no
Worth the Money? yes
Notes: Allocated. Personal preference better as a mixer than neat. If you can find a store pick ( usually late fall ) pick one up if you've never tried.
113.4 Proof
Four Roses Barrel Strength
Four Roses - OBSF
Vintage Wine & Spirits ( 2019 )
Price I've seen: $74
Tasting Style: Neat, Glencairn
Better than Blantons? yes
Worth the Money? yes
Notes: Store Pick. Single Barrel.
90 Proof
Elijah Craig 18 Year (2019)
Heaven Hill
Price I've seen: $269 => $349 ($200 Ret)
Tasting Style: Neat, Glencairn
Better than Blantons? yes
Worth the Money? yes
Notes: Allocated. Single Barrel. Really good.
105 Proof
Parker's Heritage 8 Year Rye
Heaven Hill
Price I've seen: $199 => $299
Tasting Style: Neat, Glencairn
Better than Blantons? yes
Worth the Money? yes ( at retail )
Notes: Very Good if you are into Rye's. I think it's better than Willet 4 year but is almost 4 times as much.