SPOILER ALERT: If I was stranded on an island and could only drink 2 whiskeys, it would be Knob Creek SBR and WT Rare Breed.......and ECBP. Great video, Chris!
Great video Chris. You picked the correct 2 bottles. Probably my 2 favorite in the whole lineup but I haven't had them all either. Quote of the video - "I couldn't agree more with myself" Brilliant! ha ha
I totally agree with Rare Breed being in your top 8. I have several bottles of Knob Creek, and tend to enjoy the cast strength store picks over the single barrel reserve. The one I have now has a Belle Meade type funk to the nose.
Two powerhouses and two of my favorites of all time. FYI, I was able to get my hands on WTBIB17yr today. I'm so stoked that I'm going back to get another bottle tomorrow, if there are any left. Awesome job Chris! Cheers!🤙
Love that you keep giving New Riff a shot in these brackets. They have amazing stuff in the works there. Have you had a chance to try the peated backsetters?
Yes sir! Those are the two I would’ve selected as well. Haven’t tried New Riff because we don’t get it here, but I’ve heard it’s still grainy so I totally agree it’s something I would like to try in a couple years. Jefferson’s Ocean isn’t bad, but at that price it isn’t good either lol. Cheers bud.
INSTANT LIKE. GREAT SHOW ! LOVE YR ST8 FORWARD + HONEST (BLIND) TASTINGS. YUP, NOTHING SURPRISING ABOUT THAT KNOB =MY REGULAR "GO-TO" ( i mean, at 40-45$USD, it is a best-banf )
Man, I SO love these blinds. Seriously well done and informative!! I agree totally on the Rare Breed and the KC....I really enjoy both and would be hard to pick between the two.....still wish I never scored the couple of bottles of Stagg Jr......it ruined me and I’ll possibly NEVER find it again. 😢😢
Great video. Interested to see which one comes out on top. My top two BP bourbons of all time are batch 9 and batch 12 of the Stagg Jr. I love both for different reasons but can never choose which one is my favorite. I've currently own batch 9, 10, 12 & 13, but 9 & 12 always hit all the notes I look for in any bourbon.
@@Bourbinsane I actually just picked up another batch 9 yesterday. One of my local liquor stores up here in nor cal had 4 bottles of it on the shelf. They must have found a few hiding in the back, can't believe they had a batch that old. Definitely worth the $99 I paid.
Great round Chris. You may remember I got a bottle of the standard Jeffersons expression and was so underwhelmed I have not had Jefferesons since. Nice story with no substance. Knob Creek single barrel reserve is awesome and my favorite.
Concur wholeheartedly on the average-ness of the Jefferson's Ocean. Half the man of Rare Breed or KC SB for twice the price. Great vid as usual. I'm slowly but surely trying all the essentials but for me right now the OF 1920 and Rare Breed are on equal footing (1920 might be slightly ahead, depends on the night). Finally have an Elijah Craig BP coming my way but need to get my hands on a full KC 120 soon. Cheers.
Love to try both the Knob Creek and WT. For the life of me, can't find the KC in the Houston area after the last Sweet Sixteen. Looking forward to get my hands on a bottle. Looking forward to see how this Sixteen works out. Peace Chris.
Another great video. Chris, this is a noob question: everyone seems to include “oak” in tasting notes for bourbon. What exactly is that?! Vanilla from the oak? barrel char? A combo of those two?
Usually the oak shows itself to me as a little bot of a "funk" sometime musty for older stuff, but alot of times it is extremely creamy with barrel tannins. That's the sign of a well aged pour!
By the book in this round. I rarely watch a review of new riff where the person doesn't share your optimism for the future opinion. Maybe in 5 years, I'll actually see new riff in Ontario. Cheers Chris 🥃🇨🇦
Dang, even the CS version?! I had one pour of the Jefferson’s Ocean (regular release - voyage 12 I believe) and it was amazing. It was like salted caramel in a glass. However, I have 17 and it is a little underwhelming. The regular version is like $130 CAD here! Glad it was a gift!
Chris I have nothing but respect for your tasting skills, major kudos bro, but for me, I believe you missed the mark with the Ocean. Not because you missed notes in the profile (tho I think you may have) but because I think you misunderstood and mis-classed it. I personally do not believe that Jefferson is crafting its Ocean products to compete directly with all the other Bourbons out there. They are not going for a classic Bourbon profile with those distillations. They are offering up a completely unique experience just for a particular audience interested in the unique profile that comes about when Oaked Bourbon makes a significant Ocean voyage. And as someone who enjoys sometimes sipping this spirit on a back deck overlooking an Ocean beach (or on an inland deck in a moment of reminiscing), I can tell you the pleasure that wholly unique and delightful profile brings is unmatched by any other. That is not to say that I don't enjoy other equally delightful offerings such as Widow Jane 10 Year and Four Roses Small Batch, but no matter how great another (Like KC you tasted) may be, they can't begin to offer what the Ocean's do, in that moment.
I completely understand and agree with that. Such a big part of bourbon and whiskey in general is about the story behind the products. Like I said during the review, Jefferson's ocean is one of the most unique stories in bourbon and I agree when you know what it is not blind, you can appreciate what's in the bottle more. I think for a lot of us, whiskey and bourbon is more about where it takes you in the moment then just drinking alcohol. More about the experience in my opinion
Store Owner down by me says that KC isn't doing single barrel picks, but are shipping out those 12 year bottles instead. They almost always had a store pick around so I'm guessing there is some truth to that.
Rare Breed and Knob Creek would have been easy choices for me. Sipping on some Knob Creek 12 yr and it is good!
That is some good stuff!
Knob Creek is amazing pour! I love it!
SPOILER ALERT: If I was stranded on an island and could only drink 2 whiskeys, it would be Knob Creek SBR and WT Rare Breed.......and ECBP. Great video, Chris!
😂🤣how can you choose just two! Cheers brother!!
You got this one right in my opinion!
Love these Shootouts! Just picked up the Knob Creek SB 120, can't wait to try it. My favorites so far: ECBP C919 and JD SBBP 65%abv. Cheers!!!
All great options! You will love that KC too!
Great video Chris. You picked the correct 2 bottles. Probably my 2 favorite in the whole lineup but I haven't had them all either. Quote of the video - "I couldn't agree more with myself" Brilliant! ha ha
😂🤣 haha ya well it was true lol. I also love those two!
You nailed it - these 2 were the clear best going in and based on your tasting notes - this was your easiest round.
Probably true. Both great bourbons!
I totally agree with Rare Breed being in your top 8. I have several bottles of Knob Creek, and tend to enjoy the cast strength store picks over the single barrel reserve. The one I have now has a Belle Meade type funk to the nose.
Yes I know that exact funk tour talking about!
love the bracketology!
Thx so much me too!
Love this series. so helpful with my future pickups
Thabk you so much brother! Really means alot. So many good options out there!
Another great show Chris and with this line up not surprising on your blind results. Two great BP’s.
Absolutley! Thx so much for watching brother!
Excellent review!
Thanks! I love all things Knob Creek.
Yessir you and me both!
@@Bourbinsane I see in the future a head-to-head, perhaps with OF 1920. Boy that is a good one as well!
Two powerhouses and two of my favorites of all time. FYI, I was able to get my hands on WTBIB17yr today. I'm so stoked that I'm going back to get another bottle tomorrow, if there are any left. Awesome job Chris! Cheers!🤙
Aweosme you were able to get it! Still waiting on it to show up here!
@@Bourbinsane good luck! Hope it gets up there soon.
Love that you keep giving New Riff a shot in these brackets. They have amazing stuff in the works there. Have you had a chance to try the peated backsetters?
I have not tried it yet. Peated bourbon scares me, hoping its mellow. I do love peated scotch tho
Great job man!!! Great content! Looking forward to elite 8!!!
Thx so much brother!
KC and Rare Breed are amazing whiskeys. Definitely two of my favorite barrel proofs.
You and me both!
Knob Creek SB 120 proof is by far the best, great value, and can always find. Mixed half with half of the 12 year and was delicious combo FYI
Will have to do that once I ge tmy hands on a 12
Good job! KC single barrel is such a great value! Cheers!
Totally agree! Thx so much!
Great review 👍. My favorites are Stagg Jr., EH Taylor BP, and ECBP. Thanks for eliminating 2 bourbons from my ever growing wish list.🙂
😂🤣the list never stops growing!
Rare breed is one of my dailies. Just love it. I haven’t connected with my bottle of knob creek sbr in quite the same way yet.
That's why there are so many whiskeys out there for all of us!
Yes sir! Those are the two I would’ve selected as well. Haven’t tried New Riff because we don’t get it here, but I’ve heard it’s still grainy so I totally agree it’s something I would like to try in a couple years. Jefferson’s Ocean isn’t bad, but at that price it isn’t good either lol. Cheers bud.
Thx so much brother!
TheKylemball I pick up licorice on New Riff SiB for some reason...
The Jefferson at Sea is a nice novelty pour! Keep a bottle at my shore house!
That makes alot of sense!
Definitely thought the KC would win this bottle! Least expensive, what a value! Will be interesting to see which comes out on top! Cheers 🥃
Going to be a good Elite 8!
Another great battle. I love me some KC
You and me both! Thx so much for watching!
INSTANT LIKE. GREAT SHOW ! LOVE YR ST8 FORWARD + HONEST (BLIND) TASTINGS. YUP, NOTHING SURPRISING ABOUT THAT KNOB =MY REGULAR "GO-TO" ( i mean, at 40-45$USD, it is a best-banf )
Couldnt agree more. Hard to find better value to juice you get in the bottle!
Man, I SO love these blinds. Seriously well done and informative!! I agree totally on the Rare Breed and the KC....I really enjoy both and would be hard to pick between the two.....still wish I never scored the couple of bottles of Stagg Jr......it ruined me and I’ll possibly NEVER find it again. 😢😢
😂🤣there are defiently bourbons out there that tend to ruin things for the rest of the bourbons out there! Stagg is one of them
KC 🤘
Great video. Interested to see which one comes out on top. My top two BP bourbons of all time are batch 9 and batch 12 of the Stagg Jr. I love both for different reasons but can never choose which one is my favorite. I've currently own batch 9, 10, 12 & 13, but 9 & 12 always hit all the notes I look for in any bourbon.
Cant disagree. Both are great. I agree batch 9 is my favorite stagg Jr I have had but 13 beat 12 in a shootout for me. Imoossobke to choose!
@@Bourbinsane I actually just picked up another batch 9 yesterday. One of my local liquor stores up here in nor cal had 4 bottles of it on the shelf. They must have found a few hiding in the back, can't believe they had a batch that old. Definitely worth the $99 I paid.
We need more bourbinsane but we understand your constraints
I wish I could do nothing but this!!
Love those knob picks
Ypu and me both
Great round Chris. You may remember I got a bottle of the standard Jeffersons expression and was so underwhelmed I have not had Jefferesons since. Nice story with no substance. Knob Creek single barrel reserve is awesome and my favorite.
I agree with you. Just not an overly complex pour
Can't go wrong with KCSBR. Always a favorite of mine.
You and me both!
Great video here. Actually haven’t had any high proof Jefferson’s before. I’d like to try one
Government her a go if you have never tried. Especially someone like who who has tried alot
Concur wholeheartedly on the average-ness of the Jefferson's Ocean. Half the man of Rare Breed or KC SB for twice the price. Great vid as usual. I'm slowly but surely trying all the essentials but for me right now the OF 1920 and Rare Breed are on equal footing (1920 might be slightly ahead, depends on the night). Finally have an Elijah Craig BP coming my way but need to get my hands on a full KC 120 soon. Cheers.
Ooh man! Let me know what you think of that Elijah craig barrel proof!
Love to try both the Knob Creek and WT. For the life of me, can't find the KC in the Houston area after the last Sweet Sixteen. Looking forward to get my hands on a bottle. Looking forward to see how this Sixteen works out. Peace Chris.
Thx so much for watching! Keep searching you will find them!
So far... I think my favorite is EC B520
I was so impressed with that release!
Those 8 should be on the shelf all the time. I’d quit there. Lol
🤣😂I know right!
Going to be a good elite 8
Cant wait!
Another great video. Chris, this is a noob question: everyone seems to include “oak” in tasting notes for bourbon. What exactly is that?! Vanilla from the oak? barrel char? A combo of those two?
Usually the oak shows itself to me as a little bot of a "funk" sometime musty for older stuff, but alot of times it is extremely creamy with barrel tannins. That's the sign of a well aged pour!
Bourbinsane thanks man! That helps! I get that funk on Eagle Rare, but it’s a good funk.
Well done Chris. No surprises in this round though.
Agreed
By the book in this round. I rarely watch a review of new riff where the person doesn't share your optimism for the future opinion. Maybe in 5 years, I'll actually see new riff in Ontario. Cheers Chris 🥃🇨🇦
Ya exactly. By then it will be really good stuff too I'm betting!
Those Knob picks love air. Pretty much every single one I’ve had tastes like a completely different whiskey by the halfway mark.
This one sure did!
Love Rare Breed but looks like Knob is going to be hard to beat plus a few other's!
Going to be a good tourney going forward!
Saw the Jefferson's Ocean Barrel Proof for $102 the other day. I had to pass at that price. Bought a Maker's Private Select store pick instead.
Dojt balmer you at all. Way too pricey
Totally agree with you on Jefferson’s. Average at best.
Yup. Just has never connected with me
Dang, even the CS version?! I had one pour of the Jefferson’s Ocean (regular release - voyage 12 I believe) and it was amazing. It was like salted caramel in a glass. However, I have 17 and it is a little underwhelming. The regular version is like $130 CAD here! Glad it was a gift!
Bought some knob Creek store pick just as good or better then bookers
Most pucks I have had I would take over bookers at half the price!
@@Bourbinsane paid 37 for a 750ml
OK, finally I get 2 / 2 on a Round. But I'm guessing most hit 2 / 2 in this round so not much progress on the field. CHEERS!!
Both great whiskeys!! Cheers brother!
Rare Breed for me wins hands down
I do love that stuff!
Chris I have nothing but respect for your tasting skills, major kudos bro, but for me, I believe you missed the mark with the Ocean. Not because you missed notes in the profile (tho I think you may have) but because I think you misunderstood and mis-classed it. I personally do not believe that Jefferson is crafting its Ocean products to compete directly with all the other Bourbons out there. They are not going for a classic Bourbon profile with those distillations. They are offering up a completely unique experience just for a particular audience interested in the unique profile that comes about when Oaked Bourbon makes a significant Ocean voyage. And as someone who enjoys sometimes sipping this spirit on a back deck overlooking an Ocean beach (or on an inland deck in a moment of reminiscing), I can tell you the pleasure that wholly unique and delightful profile brings is unmatched by any other. That is not to say that I don't enjoy other equally delightful offerings such as Widow Jane 10 Year and Four Roses Small Batch, but no matter how great another (Like KC you tasted) may be, they can't begin to offer what the Ocean's do, in that moment.
I completely understand and agree with that. Such a big part of bourbon and whiskey in general is about the story behind the products. Like I said during the review, Jefferson's ocean is one of the most unique stories in bourbon and I agree when you know what it is not blind, you can appreciate what's in the bottle more. I think for a lot of us, whiskey and bourbon is more about where it takes you in the moment then just drinking alcohol. More about the experience in my opinion
Still can’t believe you knocked Old Forrester 120, you should throw in an alternate just to see what happens!
1920 will be in the Elite 8!
Store Owner down by me says that KC isn't doing single barrel picks, but are shipping out those 12 year bottles instead. They almost always had a store pick around so I'm guessing there is some truth to that.
😭😭sad if that's true
No doubt you knew exactly which each one of these wss either on nose or taste
I didnt remeber which 4 were in this lineup tho that was the thing. After the reveal it definetly made sense lol
@@Bourbinsane but you are super familiar with the bourbons in the lineup.. i can never do blinds from my bar i pick each out every time