Happy Draft Night! Tonight begins the annual NFL Draft. You can cheer your team’s selections (or boo if you’re a Jet’s fan because that’s what Jets fans do). So as you watch Commissioner Goodell bro-hug massive linemen and pity that sad last player sitting alone in the green room, consider your own bourbon draft.
What do I mean by “bourbon draft”? What is that bottle (or bottles) that aren’t on your shelf (or shelves) that you’d like to have (or draft)? The rules are: 1. Be realistic: you can’t draft Pappy 23 because it is not realistically available.
2. No duplicates: if you already have Aaron Rodgers, you can’t draft Aaron Rodgers again. So, if you have Elmer T. Lee, you can’t draft Elmer T. Lee again (although I hear he has a heck of 40-yard dash time). Also, differentiating between different single barrel picks of the same brand doesn’t count. If you have a Russell’s Reserve single barrel already but you want the one with the big stupid sticker on it (or the other one with the big stupid sticker on it) that can’t be in the draft.
3. Be current: The Cardinals can’t draft 2013 Peyton Manning. You can’t draft Cheesy Gold Foil Wild Turkey.
What is missing in my collection might be something completely different than what is missing in yours. So, a whiskey missing from my draft board doesn’t mean it’s something I don’t like. Maybe I already have it. Or…maybe I really don’t like it. Enough of the preliminaries. If you don’t understand just have another drink and enjoy the rest of the blog post anyway.
Round One: Old Forester 1920
The 1920 Prohibition Style was the third of four offerings in the Old Fo Whiskey Row Series and it is my favorite. I like that 115 proof. I had a bottle, but finished it off a few months ago. I need to find bench depth in this draft.
Round Two: Wilderness Trail Wheated Bourbon
I have never owned a bottle of the Wilderness Trail, but I’ve sampled it in a tasting room. I thought it was pretty interesting. I like that it is bottled in bond and being wheated adds more to the interest. On a side note, Wilderness Trail is having their Taste of Danville festival on Saturday, April 27. If you are in the area you should check it out. More information is included here.
Round Three: Wild Turkey 101 Rye
I am a big fan of Wild Turkey products. Full disclosure: Jimmy Russell thinks of me as a son. Fuller disclosure: That is not at all true. What is true is that I really enjoy Wild Turkey whiskey. As much of it as I drink I have never had the 101 Rye. That is a position of need that I hope to fill in the upcoming draft.
Round Four: Old Bardstown Bottled in Bond
This is one that I love to keep around. I think it is a wonderful bourbon and has that signature Willett flavor. Sadly, my last bottle of OBBiB retired after I threw the empty bottle in the trash. I think I can find a value pick to replace it in the draft.
Round Five: A Midwinter’s Night Dram
This is a bit of a reach on the rules as it can be difficult to find. It is a seasonal release, but if you invest in your scouting department you can find a bottle. I’ve only tasted it once or twice (and I don’t remember which Act or Scene expression I’ve had) but I really like this rye blend from High West. I’d like it to be on my special teams, which, in this case would be a Christmastime whiskey.
I hope you enjoy the NFL Draft tonight and this weekend. Even if you don’t if you have any ideas what would be in your Bourbon Draft be sure to let me know. Share this blog and get opinions from your friends, too.
Kevin Rose
The Bourbon Fellowship / Bourbon Turntable 