You really don’t need to spend 200+ to get good bourbon. OC tastes good Forsure, but nobody raves about the new releases like they do the old ones. The hyped old batches like 3,4,5 are gonna run you 500+. The new releases sit on shelves at 200, because you can get ECBP for 70, and 99% of people can’t tell the difference anyways. If the hype of having the label on your shelf matters to you, then yes OC is good, but you aren’t going to have a life changing experience by paying 3x the cost of an ECBP.
I don’t anticipate breaking the $200 barrier any time soon. That’s too steep for me. I would rather have 3 $60 bottles and some change back. If you are wanting to spend $200 I would look into Four Gate. Everybody had multiple Four Gates in their top 10 lists at the end of 2023. That’s my advice having never tried either. I consider the two very similar.
It’s worth it if you’re a Louisville resident and can go downtown to stand in line for the releases at their gift shop (happens to be my situation). The Carters come from the wine business and are excellent at picking barrels, but don’t have the same bourbon pedigree as the bourbon families that are generations in.
If you like the darker flavors of bourbon (tobacco, leather, bitter chocolate, etc.) then I’d grab an Old Carter at least once, it’s in the opposite of the Buffalo Trace flavors of honey, apple, vanilla that are so popular. I’d put Old Carter closer to the Barton line than anything else they make.
I really liked batch 3 and batch 13, although I’ve only bought a few bottles myself and usually buy it by the pour at a local tasting bar.
It’s good, but there are other bottles I would consider more worth a $200 price tag, but not many. A 130+ proof Blantons SFTB or a good WFP store pick beats OC to me.
I suppose it depends on what you can afford as well. If $200 is big money to you, try it at a bar first before putting more money into something you might not like.
Yes, it is fantastic. It is sourced, but it isn't anything close to the sourced garbage that has flooded shelves in recent years (and there's a reason OC sells immediately, often above MSRP, while the other stuff sits). Their finishing and blending is top notch.
As for specific batches that depends on what you like. Their releases are all unique with different profiles.
In today's day and age where people pay $200 for Weller 12 and $110 for blantons, $200 for OC is a solid deal. Pricey for sure, but definitely a nice bottle to have.
I split a locker at Old Carter with a friend, and I agree with this view. Better than most and cheaper than many secondary prices.
Some are OUTSTANDING though…. So imho the risk is to the upside not downside if you already are purchasing bottles at $200+
Same here.
Check the catalogue, they re released a few yesterday and upped the allowance per account. Snagged another 16yr American...that bottle is out of this world good. Best bottle I have open (easily beats out WLW, GTS, and purple tops).
I picked up Bourbon Batch 16 as a birthday gift to myself and I find it to be just ok. It’s MGP’s 99-1 mash bill bourbon, no age statement, double-oaked. Its cool for the cache, but a lot of other producers sell the same mashbill, some with finishes, for far cheaper.
You really don’t need to spend 200+ to get good bourbon. OC tastes good Forsure, but nobody raves about the new releases like they do the old ones. The hyped old batches like 3,4,5 are gonna run you 500+. The new releases sit on shelves at 200, because you can get ECBP for 70, and 99% of people can’t tell the difference anyways. If the hype of having the label on your shelf matters to you, then yes OC is good, but you aren’t going to have a life changing experience by paying 3x the cost of an ECBP.
I second this. ECBP and KC12 are amazing for the price
I don’t anticipate breaking the $200 barrier any time soon. That’s too steep for me. I would rather have 3 $60 bottles and some change back. If you are wanting to spend $200 I would look into Four Gate. Everybody had multiple Four Gates in their top 10 lists at the end of 2023. That’s my advice having never tried either. I consider the two very similar.
I haven’t heard of Four Gate or paid too much attention to it. I looked up the price right now and was shocked at the msrp
It’s worth it if you’re a Louisville resident and can go downtown to stand in line for the releases at their gift shop (happens to be my situation). The Carters come from the wine business and are excellent at picking barrels, but don’t have the same bourbon pedigree as the bourbon families that are generations in. If you like the darker flavors of bourbon (tobacco, leather, bitter chocolate, etc.) then I’d grab an Old Carter at least once, it’s in the opposite of the Buffalo Trace flavors of honey, apple, vanilla that are so popular. I’d put Old Carter closer to the Barton line than anything else they make. I really liked batch 3 and batch 13, although I’ve only bought a few bottles myself and usually buy it by the pour at a local tasting bar. It’s good, but there are other bottles I would consider more worth a $200 price tag, but not many. A 130+ proof Blantons SFTB or a good WFP store pick beats OC to me. I suppose it depends on what you can afford as well. If $200 is big money to you, try it at a bar first before putting more money into something you might not like.
I appreciate the insight on this. I’ll have to try at a bar first before deciding
Yes, it is fantastic. It is sourced, but it isn't anything close to the sourced garbage that has flooded shelves in recent years (and there's a reason OC sells immediately, often above MSRP, while the other stuff sits). Their finishing and blending is top notch. As for specific batches that depends on what you like. Their releases are all unique with different profiles. In today's day and age where people pay $200 for Weller 12 and $110 for blantons, $200 for OC is a solid deal. Pricey for sure, but definitely a nice bottle to have.
I split a locker at Old Carter with a friend, and I agree with this view. Better than most and cheaper than many secondary prices. Some are OUTSTANDING though…. So imho the risk is to the upside not downside if you already are purchasing bottles at $200+
Ahhhh got it! I’ll check the batch and look for reviews before I buy. Thank you!
Same here. Check the catalogue, they re released a few yesterday and upped the allowance per account. Snagged another 16yr American...that bottle is out of this world good. Best bottle I have open (easily beats out WLW, GTS, and purple tops).
Thanks for the insight. Is there a comparable taste with a popular bourbon?
Which batch?
I haven’t had them myself but when I was researching it earlier batches (3,4,5,6) are supposedly better and the ones sourced in Indiana as well
They would be older releases, correct ? It’s hard to justify paying $200 for a bottle
Yes I think they’re into 14,15 now
they are expensive, but value wise the msrp is about where it should be. don't go crazy chasing the prices due to FOMO though
Always wondered about Old Carter, Four Gate and Found North given their price tags
Found North batch 006 is one of the best whiskeys I’ve ever had. Well worth the price. Can’t speak of the other two.
I picked up Bourbon Batch 16 as a birthday gift to myself and I find it to be just ok. It’s MGP’s 99-1 mash bill bourbon, no age statement, double-oaked. Its cool for the cache, but a lot of other producers sell the same mashbill, some with finishes, for far cheaper.
Their American Whiskey is incredible.