Tastes

Close 2nd to Old Forester 1920 (due to its higher barrel proof and more complex finish) but which I sometimes even prefer over Old Forester 1920. Extremely oaky, but, even though I don't prefer over oaked, I love this, due to it being something different. It almost has a profile like that of Angel's Envy.

Was my favorite rye for a long time, though recently have begun to prefer Colonel EH Taylor Rye, Willet 3yr, and High West Double Rye (and therefore likely Rendezvous Rye even more so). It's what I had hoped Basil Hayden's to be, and much recommended over it, as Basil Hayden's is just Knob Creek Rye watered down from 100 to 80 proof, but at a similar price ($48 for Knob Creek Rye vs $40 for Basil Hayden's). For some reason, Knob Creek Pr-Prohibition Rye (4yr, 90 proof, green label, not the yellow label) is higher rated by Distiller.com users and editor ( https://distiller.com/spirits/jim-beam-pre-prohibition-style-rye ) than this, so I look forward to trying it. It may be due to that being spicier with a dryer finish, as I find the Knob Creek Rye a bit sweet (though splash of water helps) and not feisty enough, which is why I prefer High West Double Rye. This used to be my favorite rye however, before trying too many others.

My favorite out of Old Forester and Woodford Reserve. Barrel proof, and therefore likely preferably even to Birthday Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, as others have recommended it to be. Woodfood Reserve Double Oaked is a close 2nd to this, and I flip-flop as to my favorite, but this does have more complexity and a much better finish.

One of my favorite rye's (after having tried 50+ bourbons and ryes). I would likely much prefer Rendezvous Rye, once I get a chance to try it, as being much better aged and more complex. That said, this pairs well with everything, sweet or otherwise, with its very strong, spicy, and slightly sweet rye flavor. However, it does lack complexity, likely being only 2 years in age. However, the Rye-Bourbon blend version of this - Son of Bourye - seems even spicier for some reason, but without the Rye sweetness, so I prefer Double Rye to that.

My 2nd or 3rd favorite rye (out of 50 bourbons and ryes tried), just after Willet Rye 3 year (the oldest non-MGP sourced one) and sometimes after Sazerac Rye (which is a much better value, and more complex with higher corn content). Buttery and complex, likely due to the aging, surprisingly, almost as if it had a high corn content, despite the fact that it has 0% corn in it (the rest is just Barley).

One of my favorite's out of 50 bourbons, but a bit watered down compared to Rock Hill Farms, which is the same mashbill and likely the same age. That said, if in the mood for something less spicy, is better than Rock Hlll Farms when watered down to the same proof, potentially due to use of better water.

I prefer Blantons (with same high rye mashbill #2, but at lower 93 proof) which has a drier finish compared to the sweet bubblegum (or cinnamon and brown sugar) finish this has, even when brought down with distilled water to the same proof. However, most head-to-head comparisons and critic reviews favor this over Blanton's.

Fruity and somewhat sweet, a rye that tastes like no other rye. It's especially different from most ryes which are sourced from MGP/LDI. Only other rye which comes close and may even be slightly better (or at least more traditional bourbon tasting) is Colonel EH Taylor Rye (despite it having no corn in the mashbill). Extremely rare, as this is the oldest non-MGP/LDI sourced Willet rye, and therefore supposed to be much more unique and better than even the 10+ year old Willet rye sourced from MGP/LDI.

7 year old. Was my 5th favorite out of 50 bourbon, and 1st favorite non-Beam traditional bourbon, however now that place has been taken by Colonel Taylor Barrel Proof (excellent if you can find it, also likely 7yr) which is better than Stagg, Jr, which seems much spicier and rougher, despite being 8-9 years old, beyond what's accounted for by its being 6 proof points higher. Its rumored that the Colonel Taylor Single Barrel may be older at 7-12 years, but not likely to be worth the 50% higher price, according to Breaking Bourbon (http://www.breakingbourbon.com/eh-taylor-small-batch-vs-single-barrel.html) and others, with the difference often only detectable with direct, head-to-head comparisons.

I used to prefer this to Bookers (Bluegrass), as 2nd favorite all-time bourbon due to its strong bready peanut profile, now I consider this below Knob Creek Single Barrel (though close) - which is better aged at 9 vs 7 years and higher proof at 120 vs 107 - and now rank this about #20 out of 60 bourbons, as it lacks some of the complexity of the older Booker's and Knob Creek Single Barrel.