(Topic ID: 171391)
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Mesa, AZ
Quoted from Nokoro:Christmas gifts from my wife!
Congrats - you have a considerate wife!
Quoted from bkbirge:Not bourbon but close enough for this thread.
You might want to post that pic here:
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/scotch-drinkers-club
3 weeks later
The current state of bourbon in my corner of the East Coast-very excited to locate a 1.75 L of Weller Special Reserve (pictured with a 750 ml old & new label for comparison) up the road. OWA and 12 are still endangered (perhaps extinct) species, haven't seen them standard on shelves in years, but I did track down this unique albino Sika here in Maryland. How did your hunting go this past fall/winter? Are we at a "bubble" for bourbon? In my experience, pretty much anything with a +8 year age statement is north of $50. Hard to find decent daily sippers. Is there anything that you're really looking forward to this year? I'm intrigued by a second edition of the Taylor Four Grain and what Four Roses has in store this year, but have difficulty justifying the prices.
hunting is damn near worthless in this neck of the woods.
I have exactly 1 hook up at this point. Everything has gone to either a lottery or a black Friday type stockpile sale (where the same 10 guys camp out for 3 days at each spot)
I never win the lottos so I rarely get the rare stuff anymore.
I have one spot I found in IL where they hold stuff back and if you just get lucky you may find a bottle on the right day.
My daily drinker is still blantons, but even it is rare to find in todays bourbon fever.
Quoted from Whysnow:hunting is damn near worthless in this neck of the woods. ... My daily drinker is still blantons, but even it is rare to find in todays bourbon fever.
Bourbon fever! I like that.
I have found that the nicer Jim Beams are pretty smooth (much better than regular beam) and yet come in at a price cheaper than most every level “nice” bourbons. For example, these are a tad over $20 for 750ml and I pay more than that for makers, bulleit, etc... FYI I purchase in bulk from total wine in JAX whenever I head to the “southern estate”. $20ish dollars seems very reasonable for the quality.
NB
Quoted from edwinpblue:I have found that the nicer Jim Beams are pretty smooth (much better than regular beam) and yet come in at a price cheaper than most every level “nice” bourbons. For example, these are a tad over $20 for 750ml and I pay more than that for makers, bulleit, etc... FYI I purchase in bulk from total wine in JAX whenever I head to the “southern estate”. $20ish dollars seems very reasonable for the quality.
JB has become my go to for anything i want to mix or for friends who use entirely to much ice. 
Need a recommendation for a premium bourbon. Something a step above Blanton's, but not crazy like Pappy. Something in the $70-80 range that you actually have a chance of finding somewhere. Thanks!
Quoted from Nokoro:Need a recommendation for a premium bourbon. Something a step above Blanton's, but not crazy like Pappy. Something in the $70-80 range that you actually have a chance of finding somewhere. Thanks!
That is a tough price category to find that are in that range and like Blantons. It really depends on what is typically found you are.
However, around that range, but on the lower end, that I like are Woodford Reserve Double Oaked and Four Roses Single Barrel. Taylor is interesting if you can find it.
Lots of Scotch options in that range....but, that's Scotch.
Quoted from Nokoro:Need a recommendation for a premium bourbon. Something a step above Blanton's, but not crazy like Pappy. Something in the $70-80 range that you actually have a chance of finding somewhere. Thanks!
Not sure how pricing/availability is where you are, but here are my recommendations. Bookers, Willett Family Estate in the 8-9 year range, Old Scout Single Barrel, Reservoir, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof. Four Roses Single Barrels and generally anything from the EH Taylor line are also excellent choices.
Thanks for the recommendations! I realize it is a weird price category. There are a lot of scotches in that range which I’ve tried, but I’m looking for a higher range bourbon right now. I know the local place has Bookers. How does it compare? Is it worth the extra money?
What's your daily sipper and how do you take it? I generally enjoy my bourbon neat, and my daily sipper is generally Wild Turkey 101 or Evan Williams Bottled in Bond.The Booker's I have open right now, clocks in at 126.7 proof. So, that's x 1.5 bottles of comparable 80 proof stuff. That's a lot of flavor, it can be hot and spicy. I let it breathe and maybe cut it with a little water. It's bourbon and meant to be drank and enjoyed, also great in cocktails. I think it's a great deal for the proof that your getting and it's the most widely available and best priced barrel proof on the market. Stagg Jr. and Elijah Craig Barrel Strength are similarly proofed, as is Col EH Taylor Barrel Proof-but these are limited release products that are more difficult to track down.
Quoted from vaevictis:What's your daily sipper and how do you take it? I generally enjoy my bourbon neat, and my daily sipper is generally Wild Turkey 101 or Evan Williams Bottled in Bond.The Booker's I have open right now, clocks in at 126.7 proof. That's a lot of flavor and it can be hot and spicy. I let it breathe and maybe cut it with a little water. It's bourbon and meant to be drank and enjoyed, also great in cocktails. I think it's a great deal for the proof that your getting and it's the most widely available and best priced barrel proof on the market. Stagg Jr. and Elijah Craig Barrel Strength are similarly proofed, as is Col EH Taylor Barrel Proof-but these are limited release products that are more difficult to track down.
Blantons = neat
Bulliet 10 year or Jim Beam double oak = one ice cube
Makers = Manhattan
Those are my go to's LATELY and how I drink them. I have about 20 different bottles right now so it changes every 2 weeks haha
Quoted from Nokoro:My go to is Elijah Craig. Very smooth. Great taste for the money.
Try and find some Elijah Craig Barrel Proof! The extra proof is worth it!
Quoted from vaevictis:Try and find some Elijah Craig Barrel Proof! The extra proof is worth it!
Ok, thanks. Good tip.
I have not read this entire thread and asked this in the scotch thread as well but thought I would ask here also......does anyone think the glass really matters? I got a set of NORLAN glasses and sampled stuff in several different t glasses to compare....a slight difference I suppose personally and it does make it smell and taste much more robust I guess is how I would describe it. Regardless I think good whiskey or scotch is going to taste good. What glass is best in your opinion?
Quoted from Brazy:Blantons gold... displayed on a Blanton barrel half top with all the horse corks arranged around a horseshoe from Churchill downs... Christmas gift from wife.
Amazing!
Quoted from Pickle:I have not read this entire thread and asked this in the scotch thread as well but thought I would ask here also......does anyone think the glass really matters? I got a set of NORLAN glasses and sampled stuff in several different t glasses to compare....a slight difference I suppose personally and it does make it smell and taste much more robust I guess is how I would describe it. Regardless I think good whiskey or scotch is going to taste good. What glass is best in your opinion?
Pickle I would say it depends if you're drinking neat or not. I think that a regular Glencairn works just as well as a Norlan at a quarter of the cost. No idea why they introduced a Black version of the Norlan. I mean I get the idea behind it, but I like to see my whiskey. Personally, I generally go neat and use either a rocks glass or Glencairn. A Glencairn or Norlan does let you appreciate the nose more though IMO
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https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/22/us/thousands-of-bourbon-barrels-crash-trnd/index.html
Anyone thinking about running out there to help with the "cleanup?"
Going to be a bunch of blends coming out of there 
Bummer for them but if they are smart they will market it to their advantage.
2 weeks later
Quoted from skink91:My current problem. It took me forever to find a bottle, loved it, and have no idea how to get another.
I am fairly certain Buffalo Trace has diverted a large amount of what would have become Elmer T. Lee into Van Winkle barrels. It's a major bummer because Elmer was definitely one of my go to's for years. And super reasonably priced for how good it is. I used to be able to pick it up at BevMo every visit, but I have not found it anywhere in California for years...
I agree on ElmerT. It is great and also,likely diverted for pappy futures.
We have a stockpile from a few years ago when We realized how good it is and that it also would becme more rare.
I don't know if any of you guys have tried this stuff but it's excellent and from Taiwan. They tried to replicate Scottish whiskey and they did a hell of a job. Anything from this company is outstanding. My wife is from Taiwan so I have been there many times and happened on this place by accident. A lot of expensive stuff for an up an coming company but it all tastes great so how can I argue.
Quoted from Whysnow:We have a stockpile from a few years ago when We realized how good it is and that it also would becme more rare.
A stockpile?? Come on. Really?
Generosity is a virtue...
Quoted from skink91:A stockpile?? Come on. Really?
Generosity is a virtue...
Oh, it will all get drank. When we find a bottle that both wife and I like, we buy it up. We did some research and realizd it would be harder to find. I think we grabbed a case three years ago and it is a daily drinker in the household. Probably only half a case left.
I personally suggest blantons as a nice rplacement
Quoted from Whysnow:I personally suggest blantons as a nice rplacement
Have 2 Blantons on hand right now (though the last bottle wasn’t as phenomenal). I definitely prefer Elmer over Blantons though... it has a sort of earthy taste to it that is awesome.
Quoted from skink91:My current problem. It took me forever to find a bottle, loved it, and have no idea how to get another.
I killed the last of my last bottle of Elmer Sunday night with my brother in law. If you don’t mind paying $100 it’s available on the Facebook bourbon pages. I like it enough to consider it, I haven’t seen it in the wild in a couple years.
2018 news and updates straight from the Buffalo's mouth:
Additionally, 
sporazoa Whysnow and anyone else interested in bourbon/whiskey/whisky history. While Buffalo Trace produces both Elmer T. Lee and Pappy, the brands are owned by a different entities. Age International, a whiskey concern now based in Japan actually owns the Ancient Age, Blanton's, Elmer T. Lee, Hancock's Reserve, and Rock Hill Farm brands. The Van Winkle brand is apparently managed as joint venture by BT/Sazerac and the Van Winkle family. As we all love analogies with pinball, I would liken Buffalo Trace to the Chicago Gaming Company/Churchill Cabinet Company. Though, it is an imperfect comparison. The Age International story is better told in the link below.
http://chuckcowdery.blogspot.com/2013/12/it-was-best-of-times-it-was-worst-of.html
Now for some bourbon "shots"
KIMG0657 (resized).jpg 1 week later
Quoted from mrm_4:Doing a small tasting with friends and killing Optimus!
Can't beat the rare breed... it's on sale at Kroger quit a bit.. smooth and high octane!
Quoted from Brazy:Can't beat the rare breed... it's on sale at Kroger quit a bit.. smooth and high octane!
I totally agree. For the money, Rare Breed is my favorite high-octane so far.
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