Ben's Blind Bourbon Reviews

[icehog3]

So Ben (stearns) has a box dropped on my porch today, with samples of my second vice....Bourbon!

But the rub? I don't know what they are, get to try them blind, which is super cool ...maybe I'll find a new fave!

https://i.imgur.com/A8oPWHn.jpg

Of course, Ben had to send a couple tasty palate cleansing smokes! :ss

Thank you so much, Ben, looking forward to trying these! And of course, you know what I will do with the empty little bottles, right? -(P

[stearns]

I bought one can of Bud Light and one can of Coors Light, shook them up until they lost all carbonation, then filled 3 of the jars with Bud Light and one with Coors Light. Your mission is to tell me which is the Coors

:D

[massphatness]

Awesome!

So does it go Kristen, Bourbon, Cigars? Would have thought cigars were second, but I apparently don;t know you as well as I thought.

[AdamJoshua]

Nice hit and great idea!!!

[icehog3]

Awesome!

So does it go Kristen, Bourbon, Cigars? Would have thought cigars were second, but I apparently don;t know you as well as I thought.

Oh sure, get me in trouble. Nice. :lr

Of course, if you continue to misspell Kristin's name, you could be in the doghouse with me. ;)

I am allergic to Anheuser Busch beers, so this should be a cinch, Ben! I'll give you the answer as soon as I recover. :D

[4WheelVFR]

Oh man, this is a great idea! Can't wait to see some reviews.

[Porch Dweller]

What a great idea!!! I will be following this thread closely.

[Old Sailor]

:po

[longknocker]

Great Hit & Great Idea, Ben!:noon:sl:tu

[4WheelVFR]

I can see interest for a Blind Bourbon Pass forming......

[Snook]

Nice! Keep us posted on the sampling, Tom.

[icehog3]

Planning on sampling at least one tonight. :al

[icehog3]

Pour #1

Very subtle nose, hints of dried fruit is the most I’m picking up.

Amber color, lighter mouthfeel. First sip brings on a surprising sweetness, not like a “finished” bourbon, but certainly could be wheated. Very balanced and smooth, but doesn’t give the impression of being a higher proof. The finish is short and doesn’t pack a lot of heat.

My guess: Jefferson’s Ocean.

And it was:

https://i.imgur.com/uMgnMbv.jpg

Thank you, Ben, happy to have tried it, and don’t feel like I was too far off.

[BigAsh]

I am allergic to Anheuser Busch beers, so this should be a cinch, Ben! I'll give you the answer as soon as I recover. :D

So, if I'm reading this right your favorites, are cigars, bourbon then bush (phrasing)???....Cool idea Ben!!

[Steve]

So Ben (stearns) has a box dropped on my porch today, with samples of my second vice....Bourbon!

But the rub? I don't know what they are, get to try them blind, which is super cool ...maybe I'll find a new fave!

https://i.imgur.com/A8oPWHn.jpg

Of course, Ben had to send a couple tasty palate cleansing smokes! :ss

Thank you so much, Ben, looking forward to trying these! And of course, you know what I will do with the empty little bottles, right? -(P

:banger:banger

[icehog3]

So, if I'm reading this right your favorites, are cigars, bourbon then bush (phrasing)???....Cool idea Ben!!

Not particularly in that order though. :D

Sample #2 on deck for tonight. :al

[Flynnster]

Oh, I love this idea! I'm a big bourbon fan, but no way I could even fathom a guess at what brand something was out of thin air like that! Maybe something about mashbill and proof, but this is impressive.

[icehog3]

Oh, I love this idea! I'm a big bourbon fan, but no way I could even fathom a guess at what brand something was out of thin air like that! Maybe something about mashbill and proof, but this is impressive.

Albeit an incorrect guess, Flynn! :D But I felt fairly good about getting in the right ballpark. Watch me trash my confidence tonight with #2. :r

[RevSmoke]

:po

[yourchoice]

Looking forward to the rest of the reviews!

:po

[icehog3]

Pour #2:

Dark amber in color with a much stronger nose than the 1792. Strongest of the aromas for me was tobacco.

Heat precedes flavor on this one. Definitely a higher proof than the 1792. The flavors that come through the heat included oak and tart berries.

Finish was longer and lots of heat on the tongue. More heat than spice though.

My guess for this one is Larceny Barrel Proof. This is mostly based on the heat, as I’ve never sampled any Larceny product

And I am 0 for 2. :lr

https://i.imgur.com/6gc3ycy.jpg

Thanks Ben, another interesting pour that I enjoyed more than the 1st. :tu

[Gabe215]

Love this concept, maybe rate them 1-10 blind as well!

[The camaro show]

Great reviews!!

[icehog3]

Pour #3

Light amber in color with a subtle nose, a touch of sweetness but very light.

The taste has the same subtle sweetness, a touch of caramel and candied apple. The finish is short with slight white pepper spice. Overall a bit light for my palate.

This one has me completely stumped. No guess because I don’t feel any confidence this round.

Ben told me this was the one he least expected me to get. ;)

https://i.imgur.com/78Q0k3S.jpg

[RevSmoke]

Well, that was fun to watch!

Enjoyed it!

[stearns]

I don't really expect you to get any of them, but if you were even close on that one I woulda sent you the bottle :)

This has been fun, there's too much out there in the world to be able to really guess any without making it multiple choice but I like hearing the blind thoughts. For anybody watching along, I'm not sending him the picture of what each are until after he said he's tried it

[icehog3]

Well, that was fun to watch!

Enjoyed it!

Taint over yet! #4 coming this evening. :al -(P

Ben, I never would have got #3. I had always heard Japanese Whisky drank more like Scotch. I can see some small similarities there, but no peat (which is good for my palate, I hate peat). :r

[stearns]

While sending something peated would have been fun, I figured I'd stick with an oddball that you'd at least enjoy enough to drink the whole pour

[icehog3]

While sending something peated would have been fun, I figured I'd stick with an oddball that you'd at least enjoy enough to drink the whole pour

And I did. :D

Yeah, if it was heavily peated, I may not have even made it past the nose to try a sip. I might have thought you snuck me in some Johnny Walker. :r

[Snook]

Standing by for the final tasting....:po

[icehog3]

Pour #4

https://i.imgur.com/nDHXdlo.jpg

Copper colored juice with a sweeter nose, exhibiting scents of dates and citrus fruit. Stronger nose than the 1792 and Nikka.

The palate had sweetness too, molasses and fruit at the forefront. Not a lot of heat initially. The heat comes through on the finish, which is relatively long. Baking spices dominate that finish.

This was my favorite of the 4, and something I would seek out depending on price. I’m going to guess Larceny BP again, while repeating that it’s a guess as I’ve never had any Larceny product.

And I was incorrect again...in fact, this was the first of the 4 that I have previously had and even have an open bottle.

https://i.imgur.com/hpTCFV2.jpg

Ben, this was so interesting and so much fun! Thank you again. I'll be putting together your tasters this weekend, and look forward to being on this side of the fun next week. :D

[RevSmoke]

Pour #4

And I was incorrect again...in fact, this was the first of the 4 that I have previously had and even have an open bottle.

Ben, this was so interesting and so much fun! Thank you again. I'll be putting together your tasters this weekend, and look forward to being on this side of the fun next week. :D

Fun stuff. This last shows that evening knowing something, do we truly know it? I often say that sometimes flavors change according to what I am eating/smoking/experiencing/drinking besides the thing I am trying to "taste" that may effect and colour the flavors of that thing.

Sometimes, as I get older, it is just flat out - a failing memory.

[icehog3]

Fun stuff. This last shows that evening knowing something, do we truly know it? I often say that sometimes flavors change according to what I am eating/smoking/experiencing/drinking besides the thing I am trying to "taste" that may effect and colour the flavors of that thing.

Sometimes, as I get older, it is just flat out - a failing memory.

Lot of truth to the variables and how much of an effect they have, Todd. I have made sure to try and cleanse my palate after eating and always having Ben's samples be my initial pour, but I am smoking and who knows what else to affect the experience. I was truly pleased, being a relative bourbon rook, how I was in the ballpark for 3 of the 4.

[icehog3]

So I ordered a mini-funnel for filling the sample bottles, turns out my funnels are too wide and I am going to spill too much. It arrives Sunday from Amazon, so the samples will go out Sunday or Monday.

Sorry for the delay, Ben, but I didn't want to spill all that Pappy and Stagg.... :eek:

[yourchoice]

A lot of fun to follow. Thanks Tom and Ben!

[stearns]

So I ordered a mini-funnel for filling the sample bottles, turns out my funnels are too wide and I am going to spill too much. It arrives Sunday from Amazon, so the samples will go out Sunday or Monday.

Sorry for the delay, Ben, but I didn't want to spill all that Pappy and Stagg.... :eek:

New challenge idea. You send me Pappy 12, 15, 20 and 23 and I try to guess which is which

[Steve]

New challenge idea. You send me Pappy 12, 15, 20 and 23 and I try to guess which is which

:noon:noon

[icehog3]

New challenge idea. You send me Pappy 12, 15, 20 and 23 and I try to guess which is which

I can do this as soon as a get a Pappy 23. :tu






And a 20. -(P




And a 15. :llp





And a 12. ;s

[icehog3]

Mini-funnels have arrived, putting together Ben's sampler tonight. :al

[stearns]

:dr

[stearns]

Samples are in, looking forward to drinking Hog's booze :D

[IBQTEE1]

Awesome!

So does it go Kristen, Bourbon, Cigars? Would have thought cigars were second, but I apparently don;t know you as well as I thought.

The real order:

Tom, Kristin, cigars and bourbon. When we are not fighting!! LOL:noon

[icehog3]

Samples are in, looking forward to drinking Hog's booze :D

Like suckling at the icehog's teat. A treat not many will enjoy in this bourbon journey.

Or all of you can if you just stop by. :noon

[Steve]

The real order:

Tom, Kristin, cigars and bourbon. When we are not fighting!! LOL:noon

Ahhhh, ain't love grand! :D:D

[icehog3]

Ahhhh, ain't love grand! :D:D

Yeah, my last one was about 65 grand. :hn :r

[stearns]

#1 went down last night. The nose was fantastic, green apple peel and apple juice. The pallet was all cinnamon and baking spices, on it's own hardly any apple but when I took a big sniff just before tasting I got a combo that can best be described as a refined apple pie shine like Mac used to make (although the cinnamon in his stuck to your tongue, not the case here). The finish was relatively short and full of more baking spices.

I think this is a 100 proof rye on the younger side, guessing New Riff Rye

Actual bottle:

https://i.postimg.cc/rwdSgz5D/IMG-8904.jpg

Willet Family Estate 4 Year Rye - 108.2 Proof

We don't get a lot of Willett around here, I have never actually seen a bottle of the Family Estate on the shelves but if I do I'll certainly be buying. Drinking this was an experience for sure, thanks Tom!

[icehog3]

Great job on #1, Ben, and really in the ballpark with your review and your "guess". Hope you enjoy the next one, I have a sneaking suspicion you may actually call #2 correctly. :tu

[stearns]

No hints!

[icehog3]

No hints!

Nope, that was the closest you will get to one. -(P :al

[stearns]

#2 last night. Light wood on the nose, a familiar profile but I can't put my finger on it. Pallet was smooth, a little sweet but an earthy overtone. I was able to move it around my mouth without too much burn, which I assumed meant low proof, but the finish was great and lasted longer than something 90 proof would have provided so I think it's a little higher. My guess is Henry McKenna 10 Year BiB

Actual:
https://i.postimg.cc/vByy6fY5/IMG-8905.jpg

This one tricked me good, I was thinking something around 90 proof when I first poured it but the finish got me to change my mind to something closer to 100. Very cool, this one has already been on my "buy if you see it" list (after passing on one a couple months ago at the end of a particularly expensive buying streak) and this confirmed it will stay there. Not as unique as #1, but a solid drinker

[icehog3]

Nice review and pretty close, Ben....looking forward to #3. :)

[icehog3]

Oh, Benny Boy...….. :D

[stearns]

Posting up soon! #3 was the one that made me realize I have no idea what I'm talking about :sl

[icehog3]

Posting up soon! #3 was the one that made me realize I have no idea what I'm talking about :sl

Not true! And you're gonna nail #4, I'm pretty sure of it. :D

[stearns]

#3 last night. Color is a dark amber, the nose is sweet with some fruit notes, no specific fruit in particular, and a little bit of ethanol if I really breath in but never overpowering. After sipping it really coated my pallet in a good way but I was having a hard time pinpointing a particular flavor, the finish is long and enjoyable. I felt like it was something I recognized but wasn't sure of, I guessed a Knob Creek 120 proof store pick. I was wrong

https://i.postimg.cc/pdQ3x9Kr/IMG-8906.jpg

I don't know why but I had it in my mind that this was a bourbon not a rye, probably the sweetness on the nose. I have never had this before, I enjoyed it as a change of pace but I think I liked the first two just a little more. Looking forward to #4 this weekend :dr

[icehog3]

Great inotes, Ben! Looking forward to hearing what you think about #4 this weekend. :al :ss :wo

[stearns]

Just finished up #4. Nose has notes of leather and fruit, I can tell a higher proof than the others. The pallet is bright with a small sip coating my mouth, but the proof while not overwhelming makes it a little hard to make out any particular flavors but it still feels in the fruit spectrum. The finish is where some cinnamon starts to come through, it's not super long but it's there for a few seconds. I added a little splash of distilled water to see what would happen, and the cinnamon has come from a note on the finish to a red-hot-esque note on the pallet. I gave it another splash but it didn't enhance anything, so I stopped there.

My guess - Booker's...

...is where I should have stopped

But stupid me guessed "Any Booker's release other than Country Ham"

https://i.postimg.cc/SK89BR2Q/IMG-8908.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/XYtF1dvD/IMG-8910.jpg

[icehog3]

Awesome, Ben! Even if we call you "half correct", you still beat me 0.5 to 0! :D

I had so much fun with this, hope you did too! I'd love to see other guys pair up and do this, or maybe we'll have to do this again later this year. :tu

[stearns]

I agree, very fun both on the guessing side and on the "I wonder what they think of the whiskeys I love" side

Well now I have four little bottles with numbers still on them, anybody want me to fill them up and play the game? We'll call it four American whiskeys, max of one review per day, shoot to have all 4 reviews posted within 8 days of receipt? No high end bottles are expected, just enough variety to make it exciting

[Snook]

Very entertaining thread. I'm a novice when it comes to bourbon, so its fun to read the lingo.

[stearns]

After reflecting back on the samples Tom sent, I think the coolest thing was the cinnamon in the Willett compared to the cinnamon in the Booker's. One was from an apple pie, one was from hot cinnamon candy. Both things I've seen in other reviews but not anything I've tasted myself

[icehog3]

After reflecting back on the samples Tom sent, I think the coolest thing was the cinnamon in the Willett compared to the cinnamon in the Booker's. One was from an apple pie, one was from hot cinnamon candy. Both things I've seen in other reviews but not anything I've tasted myself

Great contrast/comparison, Ben. I'm going to have to try them side by side this week.