Did you know that a ball of glass will bounce higher than a ball of rubber (if it doesn't break on impact that is)? It sounds like total bullsh#t but it isn't. That random fact, one hundred percent blew my mind. I really heard it and thought, well, that's malarkey! In today's world of "I saw it on the internet so it must be true" it seems like facts are distorted and diluted and there's just no telling what's legit and even worse, the time it may take to sort it out just feels like it's not worth it.
As it relates to mistruths that are floating around on the interwebs, some people still believe rather interestingly, that the more you spend on bourbon, the better the bourbon is. I would hope by now that folks are wising up to the fact that this is totally not the case. Moreover, we all approach bourbon tasting differently and are armed with our own unique sense of taste, which comes from a lifetime of trying different foods and experiencing different smells. We draw from that library every time we take a sip. As I drew from my own personal library, I pulled together the below list of six different bourbons that I think may blow your mind. These are all within reason on price and have undergone intense vetting by a discerning set of my neighbors at my garage bar, none of whom wear an ascot, so proceed at your own risk though I don't expect you'll find disappointment with any of these.
John J. Bowman Single Barrel
I picked up the couple bottles I have of this release while on a road trip travelling through Illinois. Admittedly, I overpaid but it was a small shop, I hadn't even seen it to purchase in my market and there it was now sitting feet away from me. I'm glad I bought it, and glad that I have a backup. Produced in Virginia, this bottle has no age statement, but it clearly has some maturity to it. It's a rich smooth pour and I can't imagine many would find anything disappointing about this one!
Rebecca Creek Double Barrel Spanish Oak
Bringing the heat to the party at 122.8 proof, Texas's Rebecca Creek Distillery delivers a unique double oaked bourbon with its Double Barrel offering. Aged for four years in Spanish oak before taking another two in American oak, the distillery attempts to impart a taste and color of a whiskey that's twice it's age. The Spanish oak is a softer wood with wider grains that absorb more bourbon than the typical American oak, helping pull forward a stronger wood palate. What you can expect is a pretty complex bourbon that packs some heat with a strong vanilla and oak presence, with the oak not being overdone.
Gold Bar Rickhouse
You may have seen the rather odd-looking gold bar decanter sitting on shelves and thinking, that's pretty gimmicky and passing on by to find something north of random. The same distillery under a slightly different brand name (moving from Gold Bar Whiskey to Gold Bar Spirits Company) now has this cask strength offering...which, isn't weirdly packaged. At 103 proof, this bourbon was finished with French oak staves and distilled using "California's legendary Hetch Hetchy Water." If you have zero idea what that means, you're not alone. Within Yosemite National Park you can find a man-made reservoir, the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir which provides the San Francisco area it's water supply, which, unsurprisingly is some of the cleanest municipal water in the United States. Expect a really earthy nose and a complex palate - it's one of those you sit around and really think about given the nuance to the dram.
Remus Repeal Reserve VI
Remus Repeal Reserve is a part of a limited-edition bourbon series from the Ross and Squibb Distillery in Indiana. When I think of bourbon, and Indiana, I often think of MGP, which, this is unsurprisingly a brand name under their auspices. The brand is now on its seventh release, but the focus today is on last year's offering which is a blend of five bourbons aged between eight to 14 years old. A high-rye style bourbon, it's really unique in a lot of great ways. Probably worth a pickup if and when you see this or any of its relatives in this lineup out on the shelf.
Redwood Empire Pipe Dream
This is an easy breezy bourbon right here. For the value shopping Bourboneurs in the room, this is your jam. It delivers a very traditional bourbon flavor profile that has a buttery and even-keeled consistency that will certainly score some points with many. The price point and the value it brings is what's most mind blowing about this bourbon, and one to add to your shelf if you've not already!
The Clover
Fore!!!!! A traditional warning in golf that you've got an incoming ball headed your way, or in short "watch out!" Consider yourself warned here that this is one to watch out for! This golf themed bourbon and the brand et large is a tribute to Bobby Jones' accomplishments in the sport. "The Clover" refers to a medallion which Bobby's mother gave him for luck. Sourced from Indiana, the nose on this certainly peaks your interest and at barrel strength this is a robust yet pleasing sipper. I consider this to probably be the top of The Clover lineup to-date.
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