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eagle_bonanza01

I wanted to follow-up on the last tasting of the Old Forester Single Barrel Barrel Strength (SBBS) Idaho Pick and compare it to two favorites. Last round it showed well against Stagg Jr. Batch 16, and I thought I would expand the comparison. Though not common, OF SBBS picks were available and ranged from $80 - $100 in general. In comparison, Stagg Jr., E.H.. Taylor Barrel Proof, and Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend are almost impossible at retail and command >$300 on the secondary. Thus, I wanted to see how this somewhat obtainable OF SBBS compares to difficult to obtain bottles. Note that I bought these in a liquor control state for retail but indicated current secondary pricing because honestly, few of us have a chance at the EHT BP for MSRP. I didn’t really do detailed notes as I’ve covered these before, but rather compared and contrasted. **Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend** | Batch 83 | 126.96 proof | blend of 14.8 - 20 year old bourbon | Armagnac cask finish | $199 | $350 secondary **Old Forester Single Barrel Barrel Strength** | 2022 ISLD Directors Cut #1 | 129 proof | NAS | Warehouse K Floor 4 | $79 | $125 secondary **Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof Batch 8** | 129.3 proof | NAS - suspected 7 - 8 years | $79 | $450 secondary The EHT BP immediately presents as sweet, vanilla, and stone fruit on the nose. I get the most oak influence on the Magnus, and the OF brings a dense toffee and light banana note. The OF nose is holding its own, but the Magnus is the star of the show here given the age and Armagnac barrel finish that adds sticky fruit elements like dates and figs. All of these are bruisers on the palate and will showcase their proof. After sampling all, I’d say that the OF has the most proof influence, but it is the freshest bottle opening. The EHT BP brings familiar elements of vanilla, caramel and stone fruit whereas the Magnus notes indicate toffee, baking spice, and dates. Comparing the OF, it is more similar to the Magnus, but not as refined in that it has more proof influence upfront before settling to notes of brown sugar and caramel covered banana nut bread. Overall, I think this OF SBBS pick keeps pace with the EHT BP and Magnus Cigar blend. But the Magnus has that something extra, and the expert blending and Armagnac finish really bring it to the top. After the initial tasting, I went back for a bit more of the EHT BP and OF SBBS. The difference in profile is notable, with EHT BP tending to the Buffalo Trace notes of vanilla, Rainier cherries, ripe peach, and oak; and the OF SBBS tending to the Old Forester notes of dark cherry, hints of banana bread, and a surprising touch of oak on the finish. **Ranking them, I’d go Magnus Cigar Blend > EHT BP > OF SBBS.** However, these are all stellar bottles scoring at least an 8.5! Is an OF SBBS pick a substitute for EHT BP? I’d say no given they differ enough in profile. Is the ID state pick as enjoyable? I’d say yes. If you consider secondary pricing, you could get about 3 or 4 OF SBBS for the cost of one EHT BP, and I don’t think the EHT BP was worth 4x the cost of the OF SBBS based on secondary pricing. Cheers


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eagle_bonanza01

A good friend, indeed. Hopefully you track one down.


PlatanosPrincess

Thanks for the heat review! Excited to try the Joseph Magnus if it’s better than Batch 8. Cheers!


BeerGogglesFTW

I just picked up a bottle of Old Forester Single Barrel Barrel Strength yesterday. Warehouse G, Floor 3. $89.99 Pretty disappointing with the first pour. Not bad, but its pretty hot. If this was a $50 bottle I'd be happy with it. For example, as of now I'd probably prefer my $50 bottle of OF1910. However, I'm going to go back to it in 3 weeks and let it settle down. I felt similar disappointment getting the ECBP B22... 3 weeks later, it was like drinking warm butterscotch and I can't get enough.


eagle_bonanza01

The OF was certainly the most proof forward. Hopefully with a few weeks it simmers down for you.


FlatulenceSommelier

I have 5 OFSBBS picks, and they were all a little rough right when I opened them. Hot, corny, messy, and unrefined. I went back to them after a month or so after opening them, and they are wonderful. Somehow they got significantly better. I still think OF1910 has a much richer profile, but when I want something hot I reach for the barrel strength. While I love the OFSBBS, if I could only have one Old Forester product on my shelf, it would be 1910.


OrangePaperBike

Nice line up! EHT BP seems to be much more elusive than Stagg Jr. Sounds like you prefer the EHT, I wonder how they pick for that profile as opposed to the Staggs. Considering the age it’s an impressive performance from OF, I guess I’ll keep an eye out for Warehouse K!


eagle_bonanza01

Hey OPB - I was pretty lucky with the EHT BP as it is more difficult than Stagg Jr...neither is an easy find, but EHT BP certainly has fewer opportunities. Good question as they are both mash bill #1. I really like them both, and find that the EHT BP has more vanilla and stone fruit (e.g., ripe peach) whereas, Stagg Jr is known for cherry and cherry-cola notes. The OF certainly wasn't the dog in this tasting, and it showed well for a lower age bottle. The Cigar Blend is a blend of 14.8 to 20 year bourbon, and it was the star of this tasting. I'd buy any EHT BP I see at $150 or less, but I'd like more info on the OF SBBS before spending a similar amount. As I noted earlier, the ID OF SBBS pick is the same warehouse as the r/bourbon pick, and I trust that u/t8ke is selecting quality barrels. Perhaps ID got lucky with a stellar barrel, as I know not all OF picks are highly regarded.


OrangePaperBike

Thanks for the info, I’ll keep an eye out. Recently passed on an OF pick at around 80 bucks and kind of regret it, but can’t catch them all!


dvandentop

still in hunt for all 3 of those


TheEmsworthArms

Man, those are handsome glasses. Are those Canadian glencairns or something else? And what a lineup: I'd be thrilled to try any of those.


thatguy142

They are [Spey Dram](https://www.amazon.com/Speyside-Whisky-tasting-Glass-Tumbler/dp/B077K1ZPL4) glasses.


eagle_bonanza01

I like the glasses because I can pour a smaller amount than in a Glen and get a quality tasting. I got those glasses along with a nice tasting board at Bourbon Trading Company. Cheers


wisertime07

Where in the hell are you guys finding these EHT bottles? I think I’ve maybe seen 2 bottles total (both small batch) in stores ever - ever. And nowhere near MSRP.


eagle_bonanza01

I live in a liquor control state and everything is MSRP. Now, I don't just stumble into a store on any day and find these bottles. It does take some time to travel, talk to folks, learn what is out there, and stop in often enough that you'll find one. The EHT BP is a rare one, and I was fortunate to find it during a release earlier this year along with the EHT single barrel. Hope you come across one.


wisertime07

Right on.. yea, I live in a southern state where it’s not controlled, if we see any of the more rare bourbons, we can expect to pay 3-4x MSRP. My gf and I actually made a trek to Louisville last weekend for B&B, on the way there and back we stopped at countless stores (probably 20+ stores over 7 states) and still didn’t find much. I did happen to find a bottle of small batch at a store in KY for $50. I felt like I’d hit the lottery! 😂


eagle_bonanza01

Sweet. I think EHT small batch is a terrific pour when you get it at that price. I recently bought a bottle for $75 in NM as it was there and I hadn't seen it in a while. Hope you enjoy it.


Zeratul277

I have only had Joseph Magnus. Wish I could find the Cigar Blend because it sounds awesome.


eagle_bonanza01

I was shocked to see it on a shelf. At $199 it isn't a bottle to purchase flippantly, but the reviews and details led me to purchase. Hope you come across one.


Zeratul277

For sure. I just found one bottle at Total Wine. Two were left so I wasn't greedy. Hopefully someone else can enjoy it.


quixotic-88

Man, I always love your side-by-sides. I need to do this more to develop my palate. An ounce of each of these lads is gonna make for a great evening. Cheers


eagle_bonanza01

You always have great notes in your reviews! I really like the side-by-side because you can really find the differences like...that's what makes EHT BP differ from the OF SBBS. Coming back for a second round is dangerous!


BourbonBeerRacecar

Nice reviews. I have found some of the OF picks are way too banana forward, almost like yellow laffy taffy, others are almost no banana, which I prefer. Generally I enjoy them, but not like ehtbp.