Devil's Cut

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Devil's Cut

Unread postby Raven 6 » Sun Dec 11, 2011 6:01 pm

For those out there who have tried this Jim Beam offering let's hear what you think about it. I just baught my first bottle and was pleasantly surprized with the flavor. It would be interesting to know how they get the "Devil's Cut" back out of the wood.
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Re: Devil's Cut

Unread postby Bourbon Joe » Mon Dec 12, 2011 7:01 am

I thought it was God-awful stuff.
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Re: Devil's Cut

Unread postby Bourbon HQ » Mon Dec 12, 2011 7:41 am


I agree Joe. I think Old Crow was even better.
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Re: Devil's Cut

Unread postby Vital » Mon Dec 12, 2011 12:52 pm

There's lots of reviews on it all over this site and internet in general. Some praise it, some say it's nothing but marketing, some call it "God-awful stuff".
Still thou IMO when it comes to taste review it all depends on what YOU (or a reviewer) likes. Kinda like movies - you check reviews before going tot he theater, you pick a movie you like as per reviews just to then say to yourself "what the hell?? This was horrible" lol.

I like taste and smell of wood a lot so to me DC is a great bourbone. It's loaded with wood, has a good alcohol burn, increadable nose... I guess one negative thing is that it's finish isn't as long as i'd like... well, who am i kiddin here? finish ends just about when you take the glass off your mouth lol. Other then finish i think it's a great bourbon, something i try to have in my booze closet at all times.
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Re: Devil's Cut

Unread postby Kendall » Fri Dec 23, 2011 9:39 am

Vital wrote:There's lots of reviews on it all over this site and internet in general. Some praise it, some say it's nothing but marketing, some call it "God-awful stuff".
Still thou IMO when it comes to taste review it all depends on what YOU (or a reviewer) likes. Kinda like movies - you check reviews before going tot he theater, you pick a movie you like as per reviews just to then say to yourself "what the hell?? This was horrible" lol.

I like taste and smell of wood a lot so to me DC is a great bourbone. It's loaded with wood, has a good alcohol burn, increadable nose... I guess one negative thing is that it's finish isn't as long as i'd like... well, who am i kiddin here? finish ends just about when you take the glass off your mouth lol. Other then finish i think it's a great bourbon, something i try to have in my booze closet at all times.


I purchased a "sample" botle last night.
I think your review is dead on and would recommend trying it.
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Re: Devil's Cut

Unread postby Wasatch » Tue Jan 03, 2012 6:22 pm

I'm willing to buy some, if it ever shows up here in Utah.
Cheers!
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Re: Devil's Cut

Unread postby EllenJ » Wed Jan 04, 2012 12:03 am

Everyone has her/his own idea of what a decent bourbon should taste like.

Of course, there are those whose idea is so narrow that their favorite brand (at the moment, at least) is the only one they'd consider worthy to call itself bourbon.
And there are those whose idea is that anything less than 130 proof is for sissies.
And those who feel that anything selling for less than $75 a bottle is for po' trash.
And those who feel that, unless it can only be obtained by the select, chosen few, it's not worth drinking.
And, of course, those who have never... and WOULD never... lower themselves to taste anything rated less than 85 by certain magazines, in one of which the Goddess and I have the honor of being (more or less) "featured" in the current issue.

You'll read a lot from those folks here, and especially elsewhere ('cause there's some really good bourbon minds on this particular website, who wouldn't do that), but the fact (at least as I see it, and that's good 'nough fer me) is that everything Vital says about Devil's Cut is dead-on, in the context of a "working man's" bourbon.

Another message thread featured Old Crow Reserve, which I feel is another worthy example of the same kind of bourbon. Historically, other such brands would have included J.W. Dant, Yellowstone, Dowling, Kentucky Tavern, Colonel Lee, Heaven Hill (their own namesake brand), Ancient Age (not "triple-A", which is a step up from these), Antique, and J.T.S. Brown (which was Old Ripy, and also Wild Turkey, but no one knew it).

Now, I'm not suggesting that Beam's Devil's Cut is in every way similar to Wild Turkey. But W.T.'s target market isn't the same as that of J.T.S Brown, even though (originally) they were the same bourbon. Those who enjoyed J.T.S. Brown (and still do, even though it's now a Heaven Hill brand and doesn't really taste like that anymore) would probably appreciate Devil's Cut.

I have the luxury of having a large selection of bourbon to choose from, so finding "uber quality" is not a challenge for me. My own preferences in selecting what new bottle to buy is more often than not based upon what seems new and experimental, and I tend to appreciate "different" more than just "superior". I find Devil's Cut to be certainly different, and not at all bad for what it is. I have some in our collection, and I'm not at all ashamed to say the bottle we have is NOT the first bottle I bought. Folks who have endured my typically (somewhat) over-enthusiastic style of presenting tastings have consistantly been surprised at how much they enjoyed this brand, one which (I believe) they might never have bothered to try otherwise.
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Re: Devil's Cut

Unread postby Mike » Wed Jan 04, 2012 9:37 pm

Now, we are being treated to a real, interesting, knowledgeable, and yes, lovable human being. When John gets going, he cannot help being himself, even if he didn't want to, cause he is what he is, and that is way more than good. When John is playing here, it is a much more interesting site, and although I sometimes disagree with him (as I do on Devil's Cut...... I think it is a poor bourbon and a gimmick), his is always an opinion to which it is worth paying more than passing interest.

At this very moment, I am sipping Devil's Cut bourbon.......... understand that I am not saying it is 'bad' bourbon, it is just not very good bourbon and because I think I owe it to John, I will tell you why. I will, unfortunately, use words that may or may not resonate with your taste apparatus, but so be it.

Devil's Cut is not a rounded bourbon, it has edges, some of which are sharp, even slightly harsh. It lacks complexity and interest and is not flavorful to my palate. The tannins are there and they are not the subtle tannins of a Van Winkle ultra aged bourbon, they are the tannins of a bourbon from a poor quality barrel. Frankly, I know of few bourbons of less quality than Devil's Cut. But, really, all that says is something only a moment's reflection makes apparent........ to a significant degree, we value different taste values in bourbon........... YET, I have always maintained, and still do, there are some qualities that many experienced palates can come to general agreement upon. The easiest way to express this is through the Van Winkle bourbons. There is general consensus that these are all first rate bourbons. I support that general consensus, they have qualities against which others may be judged. Exactly how one is to factor in the cost across many differently priced bourbons can be, and is, debated endlessly.

More than most anyone else on BE, I have been a champion of the ultra aged bourbons. My reasoning has always been part and parcel of my love for Cognac, which I drank (and still drink and dearly love) before coming to bourbon. I think properly aged, ultra aged bourbons, have a quality that I find to be somewhat similiar to Cognac's delicacy (drinking other spirits, in my opinion, opens your palate to the flavors in bourbon). Improperly over aged bourbons are just bitter, but Pappy 20 YO, of which I am now having a sip, is a superb example of that quality I so admire. Twenty years in the barrel is a long time, and Pappy 20 is certainly tannic and dry, but it is NOT bitter. It has a delicacy and soft sweetness that makes it unique.

It is of utmost importance that any experienced bourbon drinker knows that there is room for many opinions under the rubic of 'bourbon enthusiast'........... were it not so, we would all lose interest.
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rage at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light. - Dylan Thomas
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Re: Devil's Cut

Unread postby Birdo » Fri Jan 06, 2012 9:05 am

deleted by biro
Last edited by Birdo on Mon Jan 16, 2012 8:57 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Devil's Cut

Unread postby Befallen_Soul87 » Fri Jan 06, 2012 9:52 pm

I had a taste of DC right about the time it came out. I had just begun tasting bourbon properly, So my pallate hadn't fully matured and I was quite unimpressed with it for the price I paid. I then tried it again a couple months ago and it did seem to taste a bit better. I won't say it is a bad choice, just not one I personally would rush out to purchase again.
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Re: Devil's Cut

Unread postby Zanaspus » Sat Jan 07, 2012 11:48 am

EllenJ wrote:Everyone has her/his own idea of what a decent bourbon should taste like.

Of course, there are those whose idea is so narrow that their favorite brand (at the moment, at least) is the only one they'd consider worthy to call itself bourbon.
And there are those whose idea is that anything less than 130 proof is for sissies.
And those who feel that anything selling for less than $75 a bottle is for po' trash.
And those who feel that, unless it can only be obtained by the select, chosen few, it's not worth drinking.
And, of course, those who have never... and WOULD never... lower themselves to taste anything rated less than 85 by certain magazines, in one of which the Goddess and I have the honor of being (more or less) "featured" in the current issue.



Wow! I completely agree with this. I've been on bourbon only about a month now, and the number of holier than thou folks is disconcerting. Funny thing is I was and still am a single malt scotch drinker. You'd think if anyone would have a reason to be conceited it would be those folks, but they are truly accepting and down to earth.

So far, Ive not really taken a shine to bourbon and was thinking of just giving it up. But your diatribe has made me belive and stick with it longer.

Thanks!
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Re: Devil's Cut

Unread postby bourbonv » Sat Jan 07, 2012 1:16 pm

Tony,
Here are some rules to remember when drinking bourbon:
1) There is no wrong way to drink bourbon. The right way is however you like to drink it so there is a right way, but no wrong way.
2) Older is not better - better is better. Age is not as important as maturity and just because a bourbon is "X" number of years old, does not make it better than a younger bourbon. New barrels add more flavor from the wood, so unlike products aged in used cooperage it is possible to over age a product leading to a bitter, tannic whiskey.
3) Your opinion of a bourbon is no worse or better than the next person. Taste is subjective and if you taste "black olives" in the bourbon then no one should doubt you. They may not agree with you, but not doubt your taste.
4) High proof does not mean it is a better bourbon. In some cases all it means is the bitter tannins are more pronounced and the off flavors are more concentrated.
5) Sometimes filtering is not only a good thing, but the best thing. I have had unfiltered bourbons that were so woody as to be unpleasant, but actually were very good bourbons after some of the wood was filtered out of the whiskey.
6) Finally - if you like a bourbon nobody else does, then consider that a blessing. There will be less people trying to drink your bourbon and it will be easier to find on the shelf. Your taste is all that should be important to you.

If you don't like these rules you can choose to ignore them as well.
Mike Veach
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Re: Devil's Cut

Unread postby gillmang » Sat Jan 07, 2012 6:22 pm

I agree with John and Mike on this. Decide what you like, regardless (if necessary) to what others think. The fact that others have a certain attitude towards a drink should not incline against or for it, necessarily again. Trust your own judgment. To be sure, information from others can be very helpful - in many ways - but it shouldn't be taken as authoritative when it comes to subjective taste matters.

Regarding the bourbon crowd, I think they, like enthusiasts in any field, state their opinions (many of them) with confidence, but that's not meant to dissuade others from getting in on the game, it's more the passion they have. People I've met who like wine or single malt seem quite similar, in fact many bourbon fans share a liking for these other drinks too.

Regarding DC: it's not my particular cup of tea. I find it similar to, say, Beam Black, but more intense, in a way I don't really like. I've read many fervent opinions for and against, and neutral. Mine finds its place towards one end of that spectrum, which is all that it means!

Gary

P.S. As a further example, I bought a 1.75 L of Banker's Club bourbon recently, a price brand. It was about $17.00 - a very low price. I found it excellent! I read some reviews online that suggested the contrary, but for me, it was an excellent product and superb value.
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Re: Devil's Cut

Unread postby EllenJ » Mon Jan 09, 2012 11:30 pm

I especially support Mike's (BourbonV"s) 6th point.

And I have to say that I understand (and find reason to agree with) nearly everything that the Mike from Conyers (Mike) says, including those opposed to my take. Yes, I still hold that this whiskey has merit, but, that being said, I really SHOULD point out that Devil's Cut is almost obscenely overpriced for what it is. Everything I said about it, I do indeed believe; but one really should compare this whiskey with $15 to $20 bourbons, as Mike is doing. Based strictly on it's merits I'd have to agree with those who say it doesn't stand up to other $25+ expressions, except for those of us who are fascinated by the concept.
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Re: Devil's Cut

Unread postby Birdo » Mon Jan 16, 2012 8:29 am

Tried it and liked it quite well. The Beam lineage comes through as you would expect. Complex taste profile, nice mouth feel. Only draw back is a bit of roughness, probably from the 4y/o Beam White it is cut with. Overall, a solid product , but Beam black is better for $3 less.

All that said, I'll buy Beam Black and Knob Creek before DC>
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