Boys, I think I finally found a decent Texas Bourbon - and it is distilled in College Station of all places! Went to take the kids to lunch last Saturday (Parent's Weekend is a zoo so we waited a week). My son suggests we check out New Republic Brewing Company. So we head over there and as we park in the little industrial park I see a sign for Rio Brazos distillery. I have to go check it out. Free sample - and it doesn't taste like a leather boot! It's pretty good - a little woody, a little butterscotch, a little heat - it's tasty. Talked to the distiller, Nathan Barkman, he starts his juice in 36 gallon barrels and moves them to 53 gallon barrels after 9 mos, thus the age statement. Still pricey at $51 a bottle, but it's actually decent bourbon. Drinking some now - trying to find a comparable taste - it's kinda close to Willett Pot Still - but not quite the same flavor profile...

Check it out the next time you are in town! Oh, and New Republic Brewing Company does not suck - try the Damn it, Jim!

Edit - yeah, it's a little "lighter" than the Pot Still. Still, not bad!

How's the mouthfeel?

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How's the mouthfeel?

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Pretty smooth. Not oily. A little heat at the end, not overwhelming.

Just picked up a bottle of Bookers "Noe Secret".

Not sure of it's part of the Bookers special edition series or not, but i figured i like regular Bookers anyway, and it's the same price. So I went ahead and got it.

Anybody know anything about it?

It's good stuff. If you spot Bookers Center Cut, or Bluegrass, definitely grab them if you're a fan of Bookers. They're really great pours.

Saw a review of Noe Secret when it hit the market and the reviewer said it was the best Bookers he's ever had. Picked up a bottle a few weeks ago and it's certainly worth purchasing again

I agree with Noe Secret - it's the most enjoyable, complex bourbon I've had to date

I couldn't wait. I cracked it open late last night and it was phenomenal. Almost tastes like it has some sort of cherry wood influence. Extremely rich. I may have to go get one or two more for the stash before they're gone.

I'm waiting to get on next months budget and am doing the same thing

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Just picked up a bottle of Bookers "Noe Secret".

Not sure of it's part of the Bookers special edition series or not, but i figured i like regular Bookers anyway, and it's the same price. So I went ahead and got it.

Anybody know anything about it?

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There is no "special edition" series, Bookers just started naming each batch. They used to use batch designation like C06-K-8, then moved to 2014-01. Now they add a different name and logo for each batch. "Noe Secret" is also 2015-06.

Bookers does do a number of "Roundtable" batches, where they bring in various whisky writers and reviews to help them choose the lots of barrels for each batch. 2014-06 was roundtable, and believe the 2015 roundtables were Big Man Small Batch, Center Cut, and Noe Secret.

The roundtable batches are not necessarily better, but they are usually pretty solid.

Center Cut was lauded, but I enjoyed Big Man Small Batch a little more. Haven't cracked my Noe Secret yet. Now I'm intrigued.

There's actually a 25th Anniversary Bookers, get it if you can find it

The 25th Anniversary Booker's is pretty good, but that was a one time release. Right afterward, Booker's changed the packaging and naming convention of their standard small batch releases. Many people assumed these were special or limited releases as well, which I am sure was completely unintentional on Booker's part.

Christmas in April for a Four Roses fan boy like myself! Introducing J.W. Rutledge Distillery and an end to retirement!

http://www.jwrutledgedistilleryllc.com

Wow. He just gave a very public FU to corporate distillers in his statement. It's going to be a long wait but here's hoping there will be enough to go around.

You know his product will be good but it's a long wait till its ready to bottle

Voted for 25% rye.

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Christmas in April for a Four Roses fan boy like myself! Introducing J.W. Rutledge Distillery and an end to retirement!

http://www.jwrutledgedistilleryllc.com

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Huge fan. Can't wait.

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Wow. He just gave a very public FU to corporate distillers in his statement. It's going to be a long wait but here's hoping there will be enough to go around.

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Exactly! Something tells me he didn't like the direction Four Roses is headed. I'm hoping they won't take a turn for the worse. My vote went for 60%, 30% rye, 10%. I was torn between this and the wheater, which will most likely get the most votes.

You might think this weird but try:

Willet Pot Still Reserve + French madeleines

...for dessert. Several other bourbons also work well, but the Willet is a stand-out. The contrast between the sweet astringency of the bourbon and the creamy butter of the madeleines is ridiculously good.

Holy moly, this is nice.

Best readily available Rye?

Ritttenhouse or Sazerac. Both are always on shelves and both are under or right at $30.

little harder to get, but I think it's hard to beat the Willet Estate Rye

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little harder to get, but I think it's hard to beat the Willet Estate Rye

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i had a 6 year bottling and thought it was phenomenal. So when I saw an 8 year I jumped on it. The 6 year was quite a bit better IMO. Oh well.

Also, it can't be said enough how good Rittenhouse is for the money.

found a Rittenhouse BIB 100 while travelling through Marble Falls last month. In the process of moving, but when finished I will crack it open. Better or worse than regular Rittenhouse?

You sound busy. I'd be willing to take it and give you a full write up if you want.

Maybe it's just me, but I consider the BiB 100 proof version to be the regular one. That is the one I think everyone is referring to when they talk about what a great pour for the money that Rittenhouse Rye is.

I've never even seen the 80 proof version anywhere.

Ah, yeah. I just have the older label with the barrel on the front.

Yeah, I'm not a huge fan of the new label. But as far as I can tell, the stuff inside hasn't changed.

Just "won" a charity auction. Happy to donate anyway. But now I have 50 ml samples of 2003, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 George T Stagg coming. Plus a couple additional samples of some other good stuff. I'm not sure yet what they are. Looking forward to sippin on what most say is some good juice. I've never tried any GTS yet. I'll be sure to give my reviews later sometime.

Just informed he is adding samples of 2014 William Larue Weller and 2012 Parker's Heritage Master Distillers Blend.

Wow! And I fully expect to have an occasion to open my bottle of 2013 PVW20 this summer too. Never tried that either. I might look back on this years from now and have to call this the summer of bourbon. 2016 was a glorious summer.....

I won't spoil it, but 2014 is the best.

'14 is definitely solid, but I preferred '12 personally. I found it to be very smooth. So smooth in fact, that we (myself and three former Ag roommates) killed the entire bottle celebrating Johnny's Heisman win. Oh how the mighty have fallen ...

And that was back before the crazy bourbon craze ... we scored 2 bottles of GTS, quite easily, for $79 a piece ...

I drank 12 and 14 side by side. 14 is better.