Johnnie's Bi-Weekly Store Tastings

**Johnny** · October 14th, 2008, 02:19 AM

My store does tastings every other week on various new products we get.

This past week, we sampled:

Parrot Bay Key Lime

Bulleit Bourbon

Captain Morgan 100 Proof

Tanqueray Rangpur

Parrot Bay Key Lime $14.99/750 ml

Tried this stuff chilled neat. Strong flavors of key lime smooth on the finish but definitely a chick drink though. Not sure what you'd mix it with, perhaps a key lime flavored Mojito?

Bulleit Bourbon $19.99/750 ml

Not too bad. Little more on the drier corn side than I prefer, as opposed to the sweeter more vanilla bourbons out there. Fits in the top shelf category, and for $19.99 a 750 ml, is a pretty good value bourbon in my opinion.

Captain Morgan 100 Proof $18.99/750 ml

This product was recently introduced to be able to compete with Sailor Jerry s***ed Rum. Sailor Jerry was taking a lot of my regulars away from Captain seeing as how it's smoother, stronger at a respectable 92 proof, and always usually $2-3 dollars cheaper than the Captain.

Straight up, very strong caramel flavor but harsh alcohol fumes on the finish as with regular Captain Morgan straight up.

Mixed with Coke, it's very easy to drink and has the extra kick however not a great value if you ask me. $18.99 for a 750 ml, you can get a 1.75L of Sailor Jerry for $20.99 with only 4% less alcohol. Definitely more bang for your buck.

Tanqueray Rangpur $21.99/750 ml

Tried this stuff three ways.

On the rocks, it's Tanqueray but with the lime flavor distilled into it. Very drinkable, but not much of a gin drinker straight up. A more honest and in depth opinion of it would be better told by a gin connoisseur.

The classic gin and tonic. Tasty, crisp, all around an enjoyable drink. I especially like it due to the fact of no need to slice limes as it's distilled into the liquor. Great for a gin and tonic with a lime wedge squeeze on the spot all the while leaving the fruit in the fridge.

Believe it or not, the third round my sales rep recommended it with Ginger Ale. This was actually very good and refreshing. The ginger ale complimented the lime flavor quite nicely. Was able to do a heavy pour with this one and not regret it after the first sip.

More reviews of products coming in the future, stay tuned.

Cheers
Johnny

**Joey** · October 14th, 2008, 04:45 PM

Good reviews dude

Welcome to the site.

Bulleit is a favorite of mine, I did a review of it awhile back. It would easily make the top five bourbons that I have tried until this point.

Tanqueray Rangpur has also been a staple of mine for a few years. I usually get my friends who aren't used to gin to taste it. It seems to sort of ease them into the flavor a bit. With most people it seems like either love or hate with gin. I love the stuff, it's my favorite spirit.

I find it interesting that Captain Morgan felt so threatened by Sailor Jerry they put out something to compete with it. A buddy of mine introduced me to Sailor, and now it's the only s***ed rum I buy. When I want something a bit different on the rum front, I might buy Meyers or Goslings.

**Johnny** · October 14th, 2008, 11:10 PM

Meyers and Coke or Gosling and Coke is f***ing bomb diggity to me. However not all bars carry the stuff, so when it comes to a rum and Coke, I just go with the Captain as it's a staple at just about any pub.

If you want to add some more good bourbons under your belt, try any of the following.

Knob Creek $19.99-24.99/750 ml

Bit more on the corn and rye said, as you can really pick up the mash taste. Has that bourbon mash punch without any of the backfire that comes with Jim Beam (this is a product of the Beam distillery) and at 100 proof, it definitely provides a good kick. Not much for sippage unless I dilute it with a bit of water or let a cube or two of ice melt in it. The mash taste is just too much for me.

Woodford Reserve $24.99-28.99/750 ml

This will be your first step into what is downright tasty bourbon. Starts with vanilla, which masks the mash taste but you can still pick it up. Finishes with a slight honey twist to it. Not too overpowering, but not too subtle. Enough where you can lick your lips afterward and look forward to the next sip. At a respectable 90.4 proof, it still packs a good buzz punch.

Booker Noe's $56.99-61.99/750 ml

This stuff, WOW. This stuff tastes like angels came from the heavens, kissed a barrel of corn and gave you Booker Noe's. Also a product of the Beam distillery, however shares many of the good sweet characteristics that come with Woodford. What makes Booker's unique is the fact that it's barrel strength, uncut from barrel to bottle, with none of the drawbacks. At a solid 127.6 proof, this stuff is straight up sipping material without any of the alcohol fumes that you'd get if you tried to sip say, Bacardi 151 or Everclear. I picked a bottle of this stuff up one night and brought some home for the weekend... it was even a work night! However my roommate figured f*** it, what the hell? Let's give it a shot.

We do the first pour. Our first glasses are gone within 10 minutes as we discuss the flavors and taste. We're astounded at the smoothness versus the potency. "One more?" he said, "Sure! Why not?". So we pour another round. Now we're really enjoying this stuff. Somehow, we figured it'd be a bright idea to have one more drink.

Shortly after the third, I had to take a leak. Go to stand up... knees buckle and wobble... Nope! Not now pal. I fell right back down into the sofa and said "eh, maybe later". Packs quite a kick. Only open a bottle of this stuff if you've got someone to share some good conversation with and don't plan to move for a couple hours. Definitely a good cigar bourbon to sip on whilst on the porch, just park the bottle next to you so you don't have to wander too far.

Also, some really good sipping rums I've tried are Zyat and Pyrate XO, all around $29.99 a bottle. Let me know if you try out any and tell me what you think.

Tell you what Joey, I'll buy some Plymouth this weekend if you pick up Woodford, a staple bourbon favorite of mine. Buy the Booker's if you've got the bucks and feel like an adventure.

**Joey** · October 15th, 2008, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnnie Wild

Meyers and Coke or Gosling and Coke is f***ing bomb diggity to me. However not all bars carry the stuff, so when it comes to a rum and Coke, I just go with the Captain as it's a staple at just about any pub.

If you want to add some more good bourbons under your belt, try any of the following.

Knob Creek $19.99-24.99/750 ml

Bit more on the corn and rye said, as you can really pick up the mash taste. Has that bourbon mash punch without any of the backfire that comes with Jim Beam (this is a product of the Beam distillery) and at 100 proof, it definitely provides a good kick. Not much for sippage unless I dilute it with a bit of water or let a cube or two of ice melt in it. The mash taste is just too much for me.

Woodford Reserve $24.99-28.99/750 ml

This will be your first step into what is downright tasty bourbon. Starts with vanilla, which masks the mash taste but you can still pick it up. Finishes with a slight honey twist to it. Not too overpowering, but not too subtle. Enough where you can lick your lips afterward and look forward to the next sip. At a respectable 90.4 proof, it still packs a good buzz punch.

Booker Noe's $56.99-61.99/750 ml

This stuff, WOW. This stuff tastes like angels came from the heavens, kissed a barrel of corn and gave you Booker Noe's. Also a product of the Beam distillery, however shares many of the good sweet characteristics that come with Woodford. What makes Booker's unique is the fact that it's barrel strength, uncut from barrel to bottle, with none of the drawbacks. At a solid 127.6 proof, this stuff is straight up sipping material without any of the alcohol fumes that you'd get if you tried to sip say, Bacardi 151 or Everclear. I picked a bottle of this stuff up one night and brought some home for the weekend... it was even a work night! However my roommate figured f*** it, what the hell? Let's give it a shot.

We do the first pour. Our first glasses are gone within 10 minutes as we discuss the flavors and taste. We're astounded at the smoothness versus the potency. "One more?" he said, "Sure! Why not?". So we pour another round. Now we're really enjoying this stuff. Somehow, we figured it'd be a bright idea to have one more drink.

Shortly after the third, I had to take a leak. Go to stand up... knees buckle and wobble... Nope! Not now pal. I fell right back down into the sofa and said "eh, maybe later". Packs quite a kick. Only open a bottle of this stuff if you've got someone to share some good conversation with and don't plan to move for a couple hours. Definitely a good cigar bourbon to sip on whilst on the porch, just park the bottle next to you so you don't have to wander too far.

Also, some really good sipping rums I've tried are Zyat and Pyrate XO, all around $29.99 a bottle. Let me know if you try out any and tell me what you think.

Tell you what Joey, I'll buy some Plymouth this weekend if you pick up Woodford, a staple bourbon favorite of mine. Buy the Booker's if you've got the bucks and feel like an adventure.

Yeah, you're right, most bars don't usually carry the darker rums

When I buy the dark rums I usually mix them with either pineapple juice or ginger beer. Makes for a pretty nice combination.

I've had Knob and Woodford many times before

Like em both. I've certainly seen Bookers in the store, but I usually limit myself to staring at it in awe with a slack jawed look on my face. One of these days I will cough up the cash for it. If you are a fan of potent bourbons with some very nice hints to it, you should pick up a bottle of Eagle Rare if you haven't already Eagle Rare bourbon review

**Johnny** · October 15th, 2008, 10:07 PM

I've seen Eagle Rare at the store, but I've drank bourbon for so long I've been trying to broaden my horizons into other liquors. Lately I've had a new found enthusiasm for good sipping rums.

This weekend though, no bourbon, no rum. I'm buying a bottle of Plymouth. Plan to let it sit on the rocks for a bit to dilute a little and then work into it. If it's still too much, I'll just add a dash of tonic and I'm sure it'll be just fine.

**Anthony** · October 16th, 2008, 10:27 PM

I want to try the Bulleit.

**Joey** · October 18th, 2008, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony

I want to try the Bulleit.

What is stopping you?

**Anthony** · October 19th, 2008, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joey

What is stopping you?

Laziness.

**Johnny** · October 19th, 2008, 01:02 AM

f*** that s***, splurge and buy Booker's!

**Jin** · October 23rd, 2008, 11:59 AM

My store did almost the same tastings.

My brother absolutely loved the Captain Morgan Key Lime. He doesn't drink at all and it was mild enough for him to take straight. I suggest mixing it with Ginger Ale.

The Captain Morgan 100 proof was absolutely awesome. Far better than Sailor Jerry. The Captain was rather sweet and I see the 100proof starting to win back some of the customers who drank Sailor Jerry. I disagree on the more bang for the buck comment. The Captain is a far better product and I understand most people our age tend to buy items according to price and size. I personally will pay extra for a better product in which this case the Captain Morgan takes the cake.

Great write up!!