A Rare Pairing

It’s fun going out into the wild, the crisp morning air to take down large game.

Oh who the hell am I kidding, I’m riding around in the hills from liquor store to liquor store hunting for allocated and unicorn bourbons. However, there’s a good chance I have a roadie in a camo koozie!

These past few months have been good to the Fat Man! Procured 5 in the wild, 2 were sent to me from my boy and 1 given to me. Even the cigar shop got something unusual or rare if you would.

Murph had told me about this bottle. It was years before a TV series, movie or Godless Hipsters made bourbon relevant in the world.

I would grab multiple bottles and had a nice stash. And then it happened…it became allocated, one per day.

When your regular sipping whiskey becomes popular and unable to find, you become frustrated and even drown your sorrow with a glass of this brown juice to ease the suffering.

As much as it hurts my soul to do a Deck Therapy Bottle Crack, it’s my duty to do so to provide you with some helpful information while savoring this brown water goodness.

Eagle Rare

Now most will argue that Buffalo Trace is a better product that Eagle Rare and I admit Trace is good but not as good as ER. For the price point, I’d rather have a 10 year aged bourbon compared to a 4 year aged. That being said, it’s time for some Bottle Crackin’ Szn!

As I swirl, the aromatics are very inviting; hints of coca, brown sugar, cinnamon permeate the glass.

The mouth feel is soft on the first sip, shows notes of toasted oak with a touch of honey. The mid-palate has a large presence of oak which is from the 10 year aging process. The finish shows a bit of spice with a hint of white pepper.

This is a must for your shelf and happy hunting for this elusive bottle.

Keeping with the Rare theme, I chose a limited release cigar to pair with my adult beverage:

Arturo Fuente Rare Pink Signature.

The Rare Pink Series was created to raise awareness for breast cancer. A portion of each box sale is donated to the American Cancer Society – Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

Great draw fresh hay and earthiness with notes of cocoa and a hint of sweetness. Creamy & smooth on the mid palate with a touch of spice. Available in 6 sizes, I chose the Signature for today.

The full lineup of sizes:

Short Story: 4 X 42/49

Queen of Hearts: 4.125 X 60

Work of Art: 4.875 X 46/60

Happy Ending: 5.5 X 53

Signature: 6 X 53

Sophisticated Hooker: Figurado

This maybe one of my new favorite pairings for deck therapy and if given the opportunity, you must stock your shelf and humidor with these Rare picks.

Until next time Kids, Remember:

Life’s Too Short to Drink Bad Booze and Smoke Bad Cigars!

Cheers Y’all!

Give the Fat Man a follow on Instagram if you will: @crazynvirginia

Pappy

Here in Virginia, if we want to grab a bottle of Buffalo Trace, we wait for the e-mail to be sent that some allocated bottles have been dropped. You’re not guaranteed to get what you want to place on your shelf. Because once that email hits your inbox…It! Is! On!

That announcement of an allocated drop is just like when your partner sends you that text: “I’m wearing high heels and I have whip cream.”

Stay out of our way folks!

Every man or woman is going to take out everyone on the ride home to get to their significant other. That’s what it’s like trying to procure allocated whiskey from a state run store.

Now extremely limited edition bottles are placed in a state wide lottery. One entry per household and you have a better chance at winning Mega Millions. That being said, I’ve won the liquor lottery here in Va. twice.

My first lottery winning will be my

first:

Coop’s Deck Therapy

Whiskey Review for NGCS:

Van Winkle Special Reserve

12 Year Old

Lot “B”

This is a unicorn that’s rarely on shelves without being charged an arm and a leg on the secondary market. The last bottle I saw in the wild had a price tag of $1,100.00!

I had the opportunity to purchase it at retail for $79.99…Snag!

It’s hard to believe that the Carmel/Amber hue of this bourbon spent 12 years in American charred Oak. I expected the color to be much more richer and darker.

Hints of white chocolate and cinnamon on the nose. Toasted stone fruit and subtle baking spice round out the palate. At 90.4 Proof, the burn is soft with hints of vanilla and a smooth, balanced finish.

Smooth is an understatement. I drink most of my bourbon with one large cube of ice, not this elixir! I prefer it neat and I think that has something to do with the mash build.

This is what is referred to as a Wheated Bourbon. It’s still 51% corn, but wheat is the next dominate grain instead of rye. Thanks to W. L. Weller for creating this mash bill and thank you Pappy for mastering this goodness.

I’m a huge fan of the Pappy line especially the 12yr. Now I don’t encourage you to break the bank on a bottle much less a pour at your favorite bar.

This is a special occasion pour and if your rich friend is offering, definitely get a pour.

My cigars of choice to pair with the 12 yr.:

Pappy Van Winkle by Drew Estate

Padron Family Reserve No. 45

Davidoff Royale Reserve

Davidoff The Late Hour

Lunatic Torch

Until next time, Cheers Y’all!

And Remember:

Life’s Too Short to Drink Bad Booze and Smoke Bad Cigars!