A few months ago, I tried a small batch bourbon called "Old Pogue Master's Select." A friend of the blog (and of the distillers) brought a bottle to a tailgate last season for Dawgnoxious and I to try. We were blown away. (Image: GotBourbon.com)
As BulldoginExile told me after he tried it, the flavors of honey and butter are so unexpected as to really impress. I'm not typically a guy that drinks his bourbon neat, but Pogue was so smooth that it worked incredibly well for our initial tasting(s).
I bring it up now because I saw that the package store in Athens next door to Five and Ten restaurant now carries it in stock. So, I no longer have to order online or have friends bring me a bottle when they are in the Midwest.
Just something to consider as you ponder life's meaning or the impact of the 3-4 on UGA's defense as we wait for football season to return.
PWD
Note: This is not a paid endorsement. And yes, I'm still a Maker's Mark fan.
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27 comments:
Thanks for the tip. I've been a Wild Turkey kinda guy since college, but almost always mix it with Coke. I stay loyal to it for tradition's and familiarity's sakes, but I've found in my maturity that I really do value a good bourbon (with a little water or rocks), and for my taste, I prefer the wheatier Maker's Mark to the rye-er Turkey when it comes to straight-up bourbon.
My brother moved to Louisville a few years ago, and on a visit, we made the rounds to several distilleries in the general area. I strongly recommend it if for nothing else than the incredible smell while walking amongst and through the warehouses. Heaven.
I'm a Maker's guy, too; so I'll give it a try.
This is another endorsement of the trip to Louisville you dread so much...distillery tours and access to small batch bourbon you can't get here.
That smell NCT is referring to is called "angel's share." An apter term has never been known.
Thanks for this. I love bourbon. And now that I'm heading to Athens for grad school in the fall, I can finally partake with the pride of being a full-fledged member of the club. Life's good, but this fall can't get here soon enough.
If that liquor is in Georgia, then you can get it at any liquor store. Just ask them to bring in a couple of bottles. They will do it as long as somebody is buying it. This applies to wine and beer, too.
How does Knob Creek compare to Maker's? I'm usually a scotch (Glenlivet) man. When I go bourbon I always go Maker's, but you know, spice of life and all that.
Four Roses Single Barrel changed my life, up to that point I thought bourbon was supposed to be mixed with coke (not that theirs anything wrong with that). Thanks for the tip, I'll make sure to buy a bottle the next time I'm near 5 points.
Sooooo is it football season yet? Ah a little over a week till at least a tease of it.
Charley brought some to my tailgate a few years ago. Seriously good stuff. Nonetheless, I fell in love with Woodford Reserve back when it was small batch and not available in Georgia. I have no regrets.
I'm currently employed at said bottle shop, and while I haven't hit up Old Pogue Master's Select yet, we have an amazing selection of everything under the sun.
My price point for bourbon is about $30 a bottle, for a fifth. At that price, we've got 15-20 fantastic bourbons at all times. My personal favorites right now are Eagle Rare 10 year, Elijah Craig 12 year, and Willie Nelson's Old Whiskey River. All three can be had for under $30.
Knob and Makers are good, but overpriced in my opinion. You're paying more for a good marketing campaign and $.05 of wax per bottle...
I am a Maker's man too and look forward to trying some Pogue. I also have enjoyed Woodford Reserve.
Bourbon is the reason God made Kentucky. Old Pogues is the latest expression of His love for us.
Always looking for a good new bourbon to try, so thanks for the recommendation. Have you tried Jefferson's? It's a good underrated bourbon that I have up there with Maker's and Four Roses. Go Dawgs!
I too recently strayed into being a Scotch Man. Bookers sent me straight however and , I'm interested in trying this gem too.
For tailgating purposes only, do you drink with coke or straight?
I'm of the opinion that i'll probably get a little too blasted to deserve to enjoy good straight bourbon tailgating thus perhaps it is wise to drink a slightly cheaper bourbon and mix with cola.
I've never understood mixing coke with anything -- all that syrup and carbonation makes sustained drinking a chore, it masks the taste of the good stuff (and I try never to bother with anything else) and makes the hangover unbearable. Plus, is bourbon not sweet enough? Is the high fructose corn syrup really necessary? /end rant
Anyway, having found a few specials, I recently made Woodford Reserve my steady. Love Knob Creek and Makers, but Woodford is unquestionably an upgrade.
Ah, love a discussion of hard liquor before noon. Is it fall yet?
IF I'm mixing, and in for the long haul, you can't beat BEAM, preferably in the plastic traveler, it fits nicely into a back pocket. I've been into many an SEC Stadium toting one of those.
Sipping/mixing, I prefer Turkey 101, not the 80 proof...
Jim Beam Black is good stuff, I like me some Knob Creek and as others have said, Woodford Reserve is good too. I've had the Whiskey River, and I enjoyed that also.
Let's just make sure we properly dispose of the bottle when we're finished.
Bourbon should not be mixed with sugary/HFCS drinks.
I typically mix Bourbon with Ginger Ale and a lime squeeze. But I'm finding in my older age that I want less and less ginger and more of the original flavors of a quality bourbon.
I'm also really enjoying Manhattan's again with or without a splash of bitters.
PF Chang has a really great Blood Orange Manhattan that I liked.
Also, The National Restaurant in Athens has a Bulleit and Blenheim’s that was awesome. Blenheim’s is a spicy Ginger ale that was just off the chain with the bourbon and I think a splash of bitters.
PWD
Okay, just got back from Galaxy Spirits in Warner Robins where I purchased a bottle of Old Pogue. I decided to wait until after work to open it though.
I have a good friend that has switched from Maker's to Bulleit. I think Bulleit is pretty good but would never switch to it from Maker's.
Speaking of Athens and Bleinheim's, World Bar in Athens makes a great Maker's and Bleinheim's with a lime. Great hot day summer drink.
Okay...how many days until the first tailgate!?
Just putting this out there for anybody who has an interest but...here are the bourbons/whiskeys sold by Don Leeburn's company (Georgia Crown Distributing):
Benchmark
Bulleit
Crown Royal
George Dickel
Lord Calvert
V.O.
So be careful not to upset Mr. Wonderful...
I also have moved towards bulleit and can't say I'm disappointed, especially if I'm mixing it. Speaking of mixers, I prefer ginger ale but something about a big bourbon and coke tastes oh-so-perfect in or around an SEC stadium. I like Maker's fine, but I think its overpriced for what you are really getting.
When I'm looking to have enjoy a nice cocktail, I'll take Knob Creek on the rocks. Wild Turkey really is fantastic as well, and more affordable
And I know its not a bourbon, but Mr. Daniels made some good stuff up there in Tennessee.
no self-respecting man mixes Makers with anything over than water.
Is it Gluten free?
I sampled some Old Pogue last night and really enjoyed it. Had my first one neat and the next two on the rocks. Good stuff for sure.
Order online? How do you get that shipped?
Spotted it today @ Bevmo in Stockton (insert WTF joke here) so West Coast Dawgs get a chance to try it!
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