Drinking rye in bourbon town style

[Resident Asshole]

So for my birthday my wife took me to Bardstown, KY (aka bourbon capital of the world) and we stayed at a Bed & Breakfast called Talbott Tavern (on Stephen Foster Ave., nonetheless).

This place has superb food and the world's oldest bourbon bar attached to it. I've had a LOT of bourbon in my life but probably only a 1/4 of what was on the menu.

Speaking of menus if you ever stop by here are a few food recommendations: Blackened Steak Bites w/horseradish sauce, Southern Fried Sampler, Southern Fried Chicken, and the Boursin Chicken.

After trying many many bourbons I realized that I love rye whiskey even more than bourbon. Craziness. Anyone else have a good rye experience, and if so which ones?

My favorite ryes were:

George Dickel
WT101
Redemption
Templeton
Willett
Rittenhouse

[Mr. Viking]

never even see never mind tried rye. Would love to, but it's hard to find over this side of the sea

[ThirstyDrunk]

I love rye whiskey even more than bourbon. Craziness.

I am almost there with you on that RA. I go back and forth between rye and Bourbon, meaning my favorite is whichever I happen to be drinking at the time. The sweetness of bourbon, the dryness of rye, I'm not gonna pick one for fear of offending the other.
That said, I really love the Dickel rye, fuckin tasty. Willett, Templeton, great. Hell I've enjoyed every one I've tried. I drink the shit out of Old Overholt because it's a good rye for the price.
We thought about staying at the Talbott when we were down there but decided to stay somewhere cheaper so we could afford a tasting at the Chapeze House (hundreds of different bourbons). Like you said, I've drank alot of bourbon but there is shit available down there that I've not even heard of. Every bourbon drinker should at least once in their life make a pilgrimage to Mecca (Bardstown).

[Patchez]

I love rye whiskey even more than bourbon. Craziness.

Every bourbon drinker should at least once in their life make a pilgrimage to Mecca (Bardstown).

Why hasn't this been mentioned as a Con destination?

[Resident Asshole]

I love rye whiskey even more than bourbon. Craziness.

Every bourbon drinker should at least once in their life make a pilgrimage to Mecca (Bardstown).

Why hasn't this been mentioned as a Con destination?

That's quite a good question and I will put the motion in place.

Oh, and to Mr. Viking I would imagine that the Jim Beam Rye would be the most likely to be available to you there. Basically the same label as regular Jim Beam but it's yellow.

[TheBigCasino]

Oh man, I friend of mine who is LE in KY sent me a link to that B&B, it looks great. Rye-wise, my favorites are the Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye and the Willett (which was recommended to me by ivan). That Willett is a straight powerhouse, I remember texting ivan and telling him "I think I actually have to slow down". Stuff is strooooong.

[coqui_chris]

I remember texting ivan and telling him "I think I actually have to slow down". Stuff is strooooong.

Cazima?

[Surreal]

I loves the Rye.

My favorite:


The 18 y/o is a Double Gold medal winner


The Thomas H. Handy is uncut and unfiltered and awesome.

[Mr. Viking]

Oh, and to Mr. Viking I would imagine that the Jim Beam Rye would be the most likely to be available to you there. Basically the same label as regular Jim Beam but it's yellow.

Is the Beam any good?
Just the only time I see it on sale is through online sellers, and it's about £25. I'm sure I saw Wild Turkey Rye on one of them for £30, but it's a lot of money. Maybe when I get a job...

[The Limey]

Yes Sazarac 18, some years are way better than others though as it's just yearly small batches. The other BTAC rye Thomas H Handy is also fantastic. Willet Rye is another favourite. Another top rye for me are the High West ryes, they are all nice. Whistlepig 10 is my current favourite along with the Van Winkle 13.

[Bur]

Beam rye felt little "watery" to me for some reason each time I've tried it. I've been on a serious binge both times as well though.

[Resident Asshole]

While I do like the Sazerac, quite frankly it is fairly readily available here so I didn't drink it while I was there.

And Viking, while Beam is a decent example of the style, I'm not sure it's worth that money because frankly Beam was the first one that I had and it definitely is not the one that got me hooked on ryes. Then again if it's the only one you can get...I guess it's your call. I like the WT101 Rye much better for L5 more.

I'm having a pool party tonight so I will crack my Dickel Rye for y'all! Hmm, that sounded bad...

And now I will add pics...

From the deck outside our room



Don't be jealous



The mash tuns (they are something like 30 ft. tall, we are on a platform)



Bottling line



After I put the label on, I'm dipping my very own personalized bottle



Representing, beyotches!



It's all on the sign



Nuff said



Bottling at Jim Beam. I have a decent camera and put in on the sport setting but damn they fill those bottles quickly!

[ThirstyDrunk]

Great pics RA! but I know there has to be a picture of you balancing something on top of another thing.

The mash tuns (they are something like 30 ft. tall, we are on a platform)

They let me swin in that. I'm sure they probably found my bandana and sunglasses in there by now.



Also let me add Bulleit rye to my list of faves.

[TheBigCasino]

Oh, and to Mr. Viking I would imagine that the Jim Beam Rye would be the most likely to be available to you there. Basically the same label as regular Jim Beam but it's yellow.

Is the Beam any good?
Just the only time I see it on sale is through online sellers, and it's about £25. I'm sure I saw Wild Turkey Rye on one of them for £30, but it's a lot of money. Maybe when I get a job...

it's ok, but just so you know, it is infinitely better than Beam's Ri1, which is thrice the cost.

[John Barleycorn]

Do you think Maker's Mark would ever start making a rye? It would be ironic if the bourbon that touts its lack of a bite (due to no rye in the grain bill) made rye.