So which particular set of conditions (food, weather, day of week, whatever) is it that is just right for Old Weller? And why do you choose a different pour for Tuesday, or with a different meal, or at a club with a different band? THAT's what I got from Mike's opening message that I think would be fun to discuss. Most of us enjoy different whiskeys at different times, although we don't usually take the time to actually discuss WHY this is so. In fact, I'd suggest that, as a form of self-feedback, if one finds a particular whiskey to be his/her one-size-fits-all favorite under every condition, one could probably benefit from adding a little more variety to their range of conditions.
That's not aimed at you personally, of course. I think what Mike points out is that our experience (and therefore our preference) changes with the circumstances.
Simple thought.
Everyone already knows that.
Or do we?
Your response, which I think reflects how many of us have felt, reinforces the old, limiting idea that "such-and-such is the BEST bourbon. Period." The actual brand will probably differ amongst us, but there is this feeling that there MUST be a BEST. The facts are completely different -- which your response also illustrates. Schizophrenic as it may seem, most of us feel that three or four (or more) are all "the best" (by which, oddly enough, we usually mean "the best under all circumstances" -- which is another way of saying "average"). In all the discussions I've had and all the correspondence, I don't believe I've ever found anyone (including Moi, of course) who ever thought about discussing what Mike brought up. I've been thinking about it a lot since then, though, and I'll probably add my .175 € worth after I've seen what others (especially
new others -- come on folks, this forum isn't designed to be a spectator sport) have come up with.
As for Mike's "MMMMM, Four Roses Single Barrel!" comment, I'm pretty sure he was paraphrasing television cartoon character Homer Simpson there. At least, I hope so, since I sure laughed out loud when I read it. And that characterization would fit nicely the attitude we were discussing.
And yes, I DO know that it applies as much to me as to anyone else. Actually, I think it applied to Mike, too, until he became the first of us to put his finger on it and write about it.