I haven't had a sip of bourbon in three days..............hand running! So it was time. I just didn't know what I wanted from the pretty sizable cache that I keep in my saloon (my lovely wife insists that it is the laundry room, but sometimes she is like my dog and I have to say.........'Have you no imagination, woman?').
You know, y'all, I am a nice guy........not worth much to be sure..........but I do try to let by gones be by gones, so I pull out the Russel Reserve 90 proof thinking I ain't had a sip in quite a while and hoping today would be different. Well, y'all, t'aint different.........worsetest WT product made in my judgement, they need to quit it. A short sip was more than enough (could something be wrong with this particular bottle?).
So, it is back to the laundry room, er, I mean saloon, for something else I ain't tried in a while. Well, now a while back I vatted some William Larue Weller ('06 version), some Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye, and some Bernheim Wheat in 1/1/4 proportions.
According to my old math (you know the old math, don't you?........you use your fingers a lot), this works out to 95.3 proof (good thing our fingers have three joints, else I woulda never got the .3), in the sweet spot for bourbon by my lights.
This homemade four grain makes for a wonderful bourbon. It really has all I like in a bourbon, rich and thick sweetness, robust spice (without being too peppery), a hint of oak and char, and a long finish that has staying power.
OK, y'all line up and I'll just give you a sip............watch it, no breaking in line there, bunghole, even though I know you were here first.........and Bourbon Joe, yo cup is too big.... and no MikeK, I don't have any old barrels laying around in back of the saloon.....and yes, Gary Gillman, I am sure about the proportions.......and yes, Mike Veach, in exchange for a review, you are allowed a second sip...... and no, Brendaj it ain't Pappy, but it is a Van Winkle Rye in there.........and Tim, you only get a sample if you agree to write one of your interesting reviews...........and Gayle, take some pitchers, will you? and I will save you a sip........and Chuck, how am I going to give you a sip if you keep up that scribbling, scribbling........sorry, Mark there ain't enough for the baby........and Brewer, old buddy, you get a homemade beer to go with your sip..........and Chris, 'bout time you got here........and John Lipman, look for the aroma of lollipops, roses, cardboard boxes, balsa wood, new potatoes, and New York on Sunday.......and of course, LaNell, I will make some to sell, ..........and Angleshare(s), you are right, it is only fair for the cat to get a sip if Barleycorn does........and abcgroup, whilst you sip, did yo momma really name you that?.........and Stoopsie, I thought you would never get here, you looking good, and how are the younuns?..........and fricky, ain't that the same bucket Bourbon Joe wanted me to fill for his sip?.........and Hondo John, you get a double portion just cause you from Texas and you old like me, and besides I like you............WHOA! My God! Look, the line goes around the corner............who can bless this stuff? If somebody don't, it gone run out soon, soon! 'Barleycorn, you say you gone bless it?' 'Well, I reckon you got a better claim to it than me'. Good job, ole buddy, the bottle is full again!
Step right up, folks........wait, ain't I seen yo face before?...........'Alright bunghole, but don't try this again, I don't care if you are a Saint!'