Great review Judge! Bought cause of the hype expecting a dud, boy this did not disappoint, definitely no GTS. Much brighter, sweeter, drinks way below its proof and a great finish. 8.5/10. Cheers everyone!
GTS is older and that has the edge for some. Those that don't like oak the Smoke Eye Hill is a great quality high proof option. 13th Century is another Colorado distillery using MGP and aging it in 30 gallon barrels. They get high proof. They put it in char#2 to char#5 and then blend it. The bourbon was 141 and drank much lower with a taste of milk chocolate.
I just got my bottle a couple of days ago, and I gotta say it's GOOOOOODDD! I've never tasted GTS to compare but the Smokeye Hill BP is a great whiskey! Cheers!
I think the batch Fred reviewed was the 131 proof. Not sure if that particular batch was the sweet spot vs the current one at 134 proof. Hard to see this would give GTS a run for its money.
I'm drinking Smokeye Hill CS Blue Corn right now. It's the bomb. I bought two (drink and backup) at under $90 each. Don't have any GTS to compare, but always open to samples. 😜 Fred rated the Nashville Barrel Company products very high two years in a row. Love those too.
Smoke Eye Hill is aged and bottled at “Private Label Distillery” just down the road from me here in Colorado Springs. Nice to go get a bottle there and have a Hickory Smoked Old Fashioned made with it. Really cool place.
Nice review! I bought the standard and cask strength bottle a couple of months ago and really enjoy both. The cask strength is like a Stagg jr with its punchy kick. Different flavor than GTS but really nice. I think it’s GTS and Stagg jr’s long lost brother! Cheers!
Just opened a Smokeye Hill (134.2). It’s great, and even better when you take value and availability into account. For my palate, there’s no way it’s a GTS “killer” though. I really look forward to it opening up a bit.
You have to try Savage and Cooke Cask strength finished in Zinfandel barrels, VERY TASTY and it was in the top 100 list this year. They also have several other expressions that are Awesome and they distilled them at their California distillery 👍💯😋
Great comparison Judge. What whiskey would you say is more comparable to George Stagg? I ask because it's impossible to get a bottle at or near retail. At least in Florida it is. I've never had one, and I'm sure as heck not paying $800-$1200 for a bottle.
Benchmark Full Proof is a cheaper and younger option. Same family just a younger brother. Better quality brands that are sourcing older barton a really good single barrel. Ie lucky seven
One of my favorites of 2024 for sure, don't care about who likes it or where it placed on a list, VERY TASTY and a replacement is on its way 😋👌👍💯 Cheers 🥃
Heard about it because of Fred. Bought it because it’s just good. Whether it’s a killer or not, not that big of a deal. Finished 18th out of 100 at the end of the year. That’s not too bad.
The blue corn on this is strong. The finish isnt my cup of tea, it's kind of white wine / champagne. It has mellowed a bit after a couple of weeks. Would be much better at 7+ years.
After watching the prideful goat gentleman talk about how Minnick shamed people into picking Smokeye I have no trust in his recommendations. I've had it and it's not even close to being a stagg competitor let alone a stagg killer.
@@yanksrule311 Doesn't matter there are too many people that agree it's not even in the same league as GTS. Minnick flexed his influence and it's disappointing. My palate has nothing to do with it.
Great review Judge!
Bought cause of the hype expecting a dud, boy this did not disappoint, definitely no GTS. Much brighter, sweeter, drinks way below its proof and a great finish. 8.5/10. Cheers everyone!
Ive been waiting for you to review this! Just got mine in the mail yesterday can’t wait try it tonight.
Lmk your thoughts
Thanks for keeping it real Judge!!
Salute 🥃
Always Ben👏🏾🥃
GTS is older and that has the edge for some. Those that don't like oak the Smoke Eye Hill is a great quality high proof option. 13th Century is another Colorado distillery using MGP and aging it in 30 gallon barrels. They get high proof. They put it in char#2 to char#5 and then blend it. The bourbon was 141 and drank much lower with a taste of milk chocolate.
Nice job Judge
Thnx Tony
I just got my bottle a couple of days ago, and I gotta say it's GOOOOOODDD! I've never tasted GTS to compare but the Smokeye Hill BP is a great whiskey! Cheers!
I think the batch Fred reviewed was the 131 proof. Not sure if that particular batch was the sweet spot vs the current one at 134 proof. Hard to see this would give GTS a run for its money.
I'm drinking Smokeye Hill CS Blue Corn right now. It's the bomb. I bought two (drink and backup) at under $90 each. Don't have any GTS to compare, but always open to samples. 😜 Fred rated the Nashville Barrel Company products very high two years in a row. Love those too.
I enjoyed this bottle but not a GTS killer! You beat me to the release by a day! Nice review!!!
Smoke Eye Hill is aged and bottled at “Private Label Distillery” just down the road from me here in Colorado Springs. Nice to go get a bottle there and have a Hickory Smoked Old Fashioned made with it. Really cool place.
Thanks for sharing!
Nice review! I bought the standard and cask strength bottle a couple of months ago and really enjoy both. The cask strength is like a Stagg jr with its punchy kick. Different flavor than GTS but really nice. I think it’s GTS and Stagg jr’s long lost brother! Cheers!
Good stuff Nick..
I never heard of this before Fred Minnick
I need to try it
Lol
Just opened a Smokeye Hill (134.2). It’s great, and even better when you take value and availability into account. For my palate, there’s no way it’s a GTS “killer” though. I really look forward to it opening up a bit.
You have to try Savage and Cooke Cask strength finished in Zinfandel barrels, VERY TASTY and it was in the top 100 list this year. They also have several other expressions that are Awesome and they distilled them at their California distillery 👍💯😋
I’ve heard great things about them. Will do
Nice comparison, sounds like the Smokeye is awesome, just not quite GTS level.
Absolutely
I personally compare it to ECBP C924 but with heavy maple notes!
Great comparison Judge. What whiskey would you say is more comparable to George Stagg? I ask because it's impossible to get a bottle at or near retail. At least in Florida it is. I've never had one, and I'm sure as heck not paying $800-$1200 for a bottle.
Benchmark Full Proof is a cheaper and younger option. Same family just a younger brother. Better quality brands that are sourcing older barton a really good single barrel. Ie lucky seven
@BourbonJudge Thanks for the tips. Cheers🥃
I saw that brand at Seelbachs, had one saved to favorites. I think it’s now sold out
Remind me to send you a sample Tony. Email me
One of my favorites of 2024 for sure, don't care about who likes it or where it placed on a list, VERY TASTY and a replacement is on its way 😋👌👍💯 Cheers 🥃
It's probably the only "GTS" I will ever get so I think the Smokeye Hill is fabulous. Costco was only $68.99 I think it was.
Wow nice
smokeeye hlll is da bomb
Heard about it because of Fred. Bought it because it’s just good. Whether it’s a killer or not, not that big of a deal. Finished 18th out of 100 at the end of the year. That’s not too bad.
Just curious, never saw that video. How do you shame judges if they are blinding all their samples?
GTS is just that good
GTS killer is way too bold of a statement to start, but I like the comparison. Cheers Judge
Indeed
We would never judge the Judge. Looks like our Raiders are going to bring in some big names
Lol
Did I hear you right - 5 year MGP for about a hundred bucks??? Geezuz!
Lmao yup
It's good but no where near GTS
The blue corn on this is strong. The finish isnt my cup of tea, it's kind of white wine / champagne. It has mellowed a bit after a couple of weeks. Would be much better at 7+ years.
C'mon Judge. Blind taste 'em. Cheers!
Next time
It’s a great bottle at a good price. It’s not remotely close to GTS - especially this year’s…
It isn’t even a Stagg Jr. killer.
agreed, and so did everyone else but people like clicks.
Only aged 5 years????
I'm really not a fan of it. I know I'm the odd man out, but its possibly my least favorite high proof bourbon I've had
Judge, you have to compare the 23’ GTS to the Smokeye. That’s the key. 23’ GTS is, IMHO, terrible. Very off profile. Taste like mulch.
I agree. The GTS 2023 isn't great. Many Stagg batches that are better. Unfortunately it's the only GTS I've ever tried.
Smokeye was super overrated, its good but its not even close to GTS, and this topic ended in 2024 when everyone said the same thing.
If i took a drink every time you say "we shall see" I'd be dead... from alcohol poisoning. Diversify your vocabulary.
Lol 😂
After watching the prideful goat gentleman talk about how Minnick shamed people into picking Smokeye I have no trust in his recommendations. I've had it and it's not even close to being a stagg competitor let alone a stagg killer.
Ever consider your palate may be different?
@@yanksrule311 Doesn't matter there are too many people that agree it's not even in the same league as GTS. Minnick flexed his influence and it's disappointing. My palate has nothing to do with it.