The Manhattan project continues! In today's bourbon battle our reigning champion Bulleit takes on Ezra B 12 Year. Will Bulleit's strategy of sticking to simplicity and clean execution stand a chance against Ezra's muscle (100 proof!) and 12 years of conditioning? Read ahead you beautiful boozers!
Testing Method: 1.5oz resting with an ice cube for a few minutes to mellow
Ezra B 12 Year Single Barrel:
She plays cloy at first with all that time in the oak showing itself front and center. Ripe plumb nectar appears in the oak and dominates for a seco- HOLY *** THATS HOT! CHEST. HAIR. GROWING. This stuff is firewater, but the sweet flavors of processed honey and maple in the finish serve as an effective salve. Tasty stuff, but the faint of heart should just sit and watch the ice cube melt for a good 5min first.
Bulleit:
Do you remember those 'fruit snacks' that were really just gummy bears masquerading as food? This time around I realized Bulleit tastes just like the cherry flavored brand I ate as a kid, which was unsettlingly nostalgic. The complexity of the Ezra revealed the stark simplicity of the Bulleit, but the little it does, it does really well. Drinking it neat would get old fast, but it's simplicity makes it a winning canvas for cocktails.
Bulleit, our defending champion, lives to fight another fight. Although I enjoyed the Ezra, especially as it mellowed from the ice, it was just too hot for a sweet smooth drink. I even put our challengers to work in a couple quick Manhattans and realized right away that the oak would just be too distracting. However, I would pick the Ezra over the Bulleit anyday if I was sitting down to enjoy a bourbon rocks or partake of a sour...mmmm...sours, The Goodist Sour sounds like a good project for a hot day.
Well, unless ya'll have some other midpriced bourbon suggestions, I'll be moving on with the Bulleit and diving into the mysterious world of Vermouth and then onward to bitters (shudder).
love reading your writing tim! yay!
Posted by: Erin | April 06, 2009 at 06:30 PM
Bulleit is my staple, but the Ezra B has my heart. Glad to find another enthusiast.
5 minutes on the cube though? I find a minute or two tops ads just enough water & chill to mute the heat.
Posted by: Josiah Roe | March 10, 2010 at 08:09 AM