No, I tried a sample of the XO and couldn’t pull the trigger. I have a Le Freche, Le Sable and Pibous single barrels though. The HBS XO is stacked deep on the shelf in Austin if you’re looking.
Good for a Texas bourbon, not good for Texas bourbon. Although I supposed you could say a Texas bourbon that doesn’t suck is good for Texas bourbon. Picture a barrel strength Elijah Craig toasted with that signature Texas bitterness.
Hope you’re not as disappointed as I was. I only buy them to trade now. Some toasted and double barreled products really land well for me and others have a wet cardboard smell and bitter oak note on the palate that I just can’t get down with.
We had power the whole time but not gas for heat, so I’d like to see if my air handlers can be modified to use propane or electric resistance as backup to the heat pumps. I’ll probably buy a small generator as a just in case and make sure we have some small propane bottles to run the camp stove if needed. A few more space heaters would be nice as well as a full MF’n cord of dry oak for burning. Finally, a couple more gas jugs that I could run back and forth to the gas station in either my truck or side x side. That Yamaha was money for getting around in the snow.
I enjoy the secondary for what it’s worth. It’s cheaper than most stores that have rare bottles out and also cheaper than stupid websites selling rare bottles. If you need Austin group invites you can PM me, looks like Dallas is covered.
This is not good bourbon for any price. Half as good as Dickel BiB 11 yr for 3x the price. F off, Heaven’s Door. I finally got so tired of looking at this bottle that I used 2/3 and killed it making a reduction for some pork belly burnt ends. You’re welcome.
Eh, I generally like both but have had a couple of BB turds like 2017. I thought I liked ‘19 BB the best until the ‘20 BB beat it side by side for me.
I really only wanted the ORVW open on the shelf so people would stop asking why I have 100 bottles open but no Pappy.
But in general neither is worth $600+
Got my first OF barrel strength single barrel from a local group and I have to say I’m not in love. Hot, lots of young grain and lacking sweetness. It might even have a little of that acrid, bitter oak note you get out of Texas bourbon.
I think we’ve come 540* on Blanton’s and Wellerz 12 from hype to backlash back to love affair.
In other news I haven’t dabbled in the secondary in a while so I went hard on a backup ‘90 RY, a ‘15 MBSR and a ‘14 10 yr small batch SAOS. I’ve almost finished a half bottle of the RY stitzel. It’s the Boone County 12 of 80 proof bourbon, so much better than the proof indicates and great for when you want bourbon flavor without getting buzzed.