Mash & Minnick II: Top Overrated Bourbons With Jason Callori of The Mash & Drum

Bourbon

January 7, 2021

Fred Minnick and Jason Callori were back at for a second night in a row, following up their discussion-cum-tasting of highly underrated bourbons on The Fred Minnick Show with a discussion of the most overrated and/or overpriced whiskeys on Jason’s show, The Mash & Drum.

On the first collaboration show, dubbed Minnick & Mash, included some talk about Blanton’s and a shared agreement that it can be overvalued, especially in comparison to many more readily available bourbons. That led to them talking about other whiskeys they feel may be overrated or overvalued.

Now, the disclaimer here is that these are just their opinions – if you love a bourbon, keep on loving it. We’re all friends here.

That said, here are a few of the bourbons they talked about in last night’s Part II:

Old Forester 1910 – Fred has never been impressed, but Jason feels that once it opens up, it comes through.

Jefferson’s Ocean Cask Strength – Jason believes its overpriced, approaching $90 per bottle. Calls it a “try before you buy.” But how true is the marketing story?

Woodford Reserve Masters Collection – Per Fred: “Some experiments don’t need to happen.” One of those was the five-malt released in the mid-2010s. Jason concurs, adding that the Cherry Wood expression was one of the worst things he’s tasted.

Weller 12 – The hype is that it’s “Pappy Light.” Jason feels it’s a fine 90-proof 12-year sipper, but it went from being a $30 bourbon to being a sought-after $200-plus bottle. Good but not worth that price. Fred says he does like it but blames the market for the over-hyping.

Parker’s Heritage 24-Year-Old 2016 – Fred got a mildew note from this one, rated it lower than an 80. “So, so, so disappointing.”

Old Rip Van Winkle 10-Year – A $450-$500 bottle? No thanks, says Jason. Fred tells a story about doing an event with Julian Van Winkle, who brought a bottle of Old Rip from back in the Stitzel-Weller days to auction off. It went for about $500 … a bottle of the new Buffalo Trace version went for $2,500 in a bidding war with a couple of “bro dudes.”

Orphan Barrels – Diageo had leftover barrels they couldn’t sell, and a marketing nerd decided they were “orphans” because nobody wanted them. What’s inside the bottles never matched the packaging, per Fred. Jason is in agreement, saying if they were left behind, the whiskey must suck. So why bottle it?

WhistlePig Rye – All of them, per Jason. He does like some of the barrel picks, but for the price point, most of them aren’t to his liking. Fred agrees the marketing might be bigger than the whiskey, and the price point creates a mentality that it’s better than other ryes. He doesn’t get the cult following of “rich dudes.”

Elijah Craig 18-Year – A little overhyped, a little overpriced, per Jason. Fred agrees that it was a go-to once upon a time. Jason bought a bottle last year and calls it “an oaky, flat mess.” For less than $150, it’s tough to find an 18-year, Jason notes, but this one doesn’t impress him. Fred shows his age by announcing he used to buy it for $35.

The Duke – “I think they should call it dookie,” says Fred. Is it a blend of straight bourbons? Or is it a “mingle?” He’s not a fan.

Willett “Purple Tops” – Not saying the bourbon is bad, but the price point is too high, Jason says. As good as the whiskey often is, he wishes it was more accessible to the average bourbon drinker. Fred says they’ve simply matched their price points to the market demand. This kicks off a discussion of how distilleries and retailers are pricing bourbon versus how high consumers drive prices on the secondary market, prompting retail prices to rise.

Historic Medicinal Whiskeys – Great museum pieces, says Fred, but the Prohibition-era medicinal liquid is overhyped.

Longbranch – Fred says, “I gotta be honest, I think it’s way overrated.” Enough said.

Sazerac Rye – Jason says people in Ohio buy it up like it’s “Pappy Van Schtinkle,” and Fred cracks up. Jason calls the Sazerac a fine mixer but nothing special, and Fred agrees with him. Also, Fred isn’t a fan of the whiskey’s nickname, “Baby Saz.”

Corner Creek 10-Year-Old – “One of the most disappointing bourbons I’ve had,” per Fred. Jason concurs, saying he feels it is missing some component of the overall experience, calling it “flat and disappointing.” Fred adds that it “lacks a little thing called flavor.”

Michter’s 10-Year Single Barrel – At $120 retail, Jason says it’s inconsistent. Complex and sweet, yes? But he feels it’s overpriced for a 10-year. “Has never lived up to the price and the price point.” Fred says in his blind tastings, it is faring quite well for him.

Van Winkle 12-Year-Old – Another one from Jason, who says this one finished last in nearly every blind tasting in which he included it.

Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old – “People will piss their pants to get it,” Fred says, but he has scored it less than a 70 and placed it last in several spirits competitions. Jason agrees, giving Fred a slow clap in agreement. For $1,500? No thanks, they agree. And Fred says it’s the worst of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection year after year.

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