Looking to dive into the bourbon world a little deeper. Currently I know very little about all things bourbon. I used to drink a lot of Jim Beam years ago. Then 4-5 years I switched to Crown. Finally last year I switched to Bulleit. However I always mix it. Usually with Mountain Dew or Pepsi (I know, don’t kill me!).

I’m ready to try some on the rocks, and maybe even try it neat. Without spending a fortune, what would be a good bourbon to dive in to? I’ve had a few people recommend McKenna to me.

Thoughts/advice?

On December 18th, I have the opportunity to attend a bourbon pairing dinner which includes the following. Worth it?

The Dinner will include:

Limited seating for 12 guests
4 Course dinner with welcome cocktail and appetizer
3 Exclusive Bourbon selections from our private stash to pair with your meal
Bourbon selections will include Pappy VanWinkle, Bookers “Noe Secret”, Barterhouse and more
$165 per ticket.

During lunch today I was reading up on bourbon and stumbled upon this new bourbon made from Mongolian Oak that is slated to come out any day now. Figured I would share with everyone.

https://www.bourbonbanter.com/drink/drink-news/bourbon-news/buffalo-trace-introduces-old-charter-oak-bourbon/#.XA7at2hKiUl

I popped open my very first bottle of Blanton’s yesterday. Good stuff!

Although I must say, the bottle of Dalmore 12 I picked up last week is getting more attention.

Sipping on Blanton’s while sous vide cooking some filet mignons.

It’s good. I make candied bacon with it, so good.

Here is how I make the candied bacon. I buy Reynolds no stick aluminum foil and lay it down on a cookie sheet pan. Place bacon in strips on the foil, and bake at 350. Once the bacon is cooked about halfway, I pull it out, and then drizzle the syrup over the strips. Put it back in the oven to let it finish cooking and the syrup thickens right up.

Relatively new to the bourbon world, about 6 solid months under my belt. I’ve had Bulliet, Makers, Woodford, Blanton’s and maybe 1-2 more I can’t remember. Really enjoy Blanton’s. Stopped today to grab another bottle and noticed this sign, anything worthy and is anything grossly over priced?

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On the job today installing tablets for their POS. Nice BBQ place with a healthy bourbon selection. That also told me they are having a bourbon tasting with management at 10 to pick a new Buffalo Trace single barrel exclusive and they said I could join in!

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It’s in Delaware. And they have 2 locations. And once a month they have an exclusive bourbon tasting dinner for $150 a head. You get to sip on things like Pappy.

The tasting was great. They selected a nice Buffalo Trace.

Stopped at a different liquor store tonight to pick up a bottle of Willett. While browsing the bourbons I stumbled across this one (see pic). Anyone had this bad boy? Worth the price tag?

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Then I went to check out, and holy shit a mini of Willett! Never knew!

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Why? Is it hard to find?

Hmmm. Could have swore one of the local stores has several bottles...

What’s a solid price point on these? Don’t want to pay over inflated prices.

Birthday tonight. Parents got me a bottle of Bib & Tucker. First time having this and it’s smooth.

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Made in Delaware. I’m about 10 minutes from the distillery.

Never heard of it before...interesting though!

https://gearpatrol.com/2019/04/08/kentucky-owl-confiscated-bourbon-whiskey-new-nationwide/

At the New York City Pinball Championships and this is the spread in my hotel room. Anything worthy?

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Never bought this before. What’s a decent price to pay for this?

I got Blanton’s everywhere down here. Priced anywhere between $59-70. If you need some let me know.

Help me help you! Never shipped alcohol before. I have no problem filling orders for people. What guidelines and legalities do I need to be concerned with? Once we figure this out I’ll gladly ship out requests.

To all that inquired about Blanton's. Standby. I'm going to scoop up a couple of bottles this weekend and perform one shipping test with the first person who contacted me. If all goes well I will let everyone know.

Also, I just spoke to a liquor store owner who told me they ordered a private barrel of Blanton's. He will have it in 3 weeks. Has anyone ever heard of this? Is it 100% identical to Blanton's, but just re-labeled for his store?

Yes

Also ypurchn will be the first guinea pig, followed by you.

So, just for fun tonight I decided to stop in a few liquor stores on my hour long drive home from work. NOTE - none of these liquor stores are ones I ever go to. First time visits just to see their offerings. Here is what i discovered.

Stop 1 - 2 bottles Blanton’s @ $69 each

Stop 2 - 4 bottles Blanton’s @ $79. This place also has old forester 1920 prohibition, 2 @ $59 each

Stop 3 - old forester 1920 prohibition, 6 bottles @ $59 each

Stop 4 - 1 Blanton’s $69

Stop 5 - weller 107 for $150 (I’ve never seen this locally, mind you I’m new to the bourbon world, 6 months under my belt). So not sure if this price is high or low.

$79.99 for the big boy. Good price?

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Never seen that size bottle before and walked in this small town liquor store and they had 4!

Haha you are not alone! Met my fiance 6 years ago on a dating site. When we setup our first date all of her friends were extremely worried because they couldn't find a single trace of me online. They told her something was odd because I didn't have FB, lol. Nothing was odd and all is well! Hell I never had myspace either. I have been on IRC for over 20 years though and still use it to this day.

Here is what I was presented with today when I stopped in one of the local liquor stores....where do you begin????

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Perhaps! Some of the pricing is high, but the amount of stuff they have is amazing.

I've not seen McKenna at any of the other 9 stores I visit.

I’ll pass on this Saturday, but thanks for the offer!

Now, if you are slated to come to the BBQ, then I’m down.

Costco has this for like $70. Any good?

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Just picked up my first bottle of Stagg Jr. Can’t wait to get home. First time visiting this store which ironically is like 5 minutes from my house, and they had 4 bottles of Blanton’s priced at $72.

I will be at the York pinball show (both days). If anyone is interested in me grabbing specific bottles of bourbon to bring to the show shoot me a PM.

Saw this on limited sale at my local Costco but hesitated to buy it because I'm not too familiar with the Makers Cask strength line of bourbons. For $70, should I just dive in?

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So no bueno on 375’s?

For only the second time in my short bourbon career, I walked into a store that has Weller Antique, with a price tag of $95. It's super scarce in Delaware. So is $95 way over the top?

I have tons of them in stock here in Delaware. Let me know what you need.

I just bought a bottle for like 59 I think.

I passed. I was able to find McKenna finally for under $30.

Just an FYI for everyone, I've shipped a few bottles recently via UPS, shipping cost alone was $20. Add an additional $5-7 for packaging, etc. Just to set expectations for everyone.

How is that Noe Secret? A BBQ place near me has a special Private Stash Bourbon dinners where they offer you like 5-6 courses plus 5-6 bourbons. They serve Pappy 15 year, Noe Secret, Barterhouse, and a few others.

"The experience of a bourbon dinner is one that everyone should have—perfect for those well-versed in bourbon as well as novices, and everyone in between. Each dish will feature bourbon in both the culinary aspect and the hand pour. With five succulent courses, beginning with a charcuterie board and moving through to an oyster truffle chowder, and onto courses featuring duck and pork shank, the evening is crafted with every detail in mind."

I got some around here. It’s like 59 a bottle I think.

Shipped mine out today too!

First time picking up one of these bottles. Won’t get a chance to crack it open until tomorrow.

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UPS. It’s BBQ Sauce.

Me and the fiancé busted out a murder mystery dinner game tonight called Unsolved Case Files. Had to bust out the Blanton’s, some aged cheese, and the balsamic drizzle!

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We are blended. 4 kids. They are all away with the other parents, so yeah we do enjoy times like this. Up next is pinball once we solve this damn case!

Just snagged this from one of the local stores.

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I may be able to get a George Stagg, not sure of price. Too rich for my blood right now. Does someone else want it?

Already got 2 people lined up. If they pass I’ll let everyone know.

Are we doing this?

One of the stores I have access to has the following. If anybody wants any of it, text me ASAP!! I will only be in the area for another 20-30 minutes(1130am est).
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302-228-8988

I also just stumbled upon my first bottle of Van Winkle 12 year in the wild. It’s $799 if someone wants it. They also have a bottle of Elmer. At quick glance I think it was $199.

Haha. I’ve visited a few stores I’ve never been to before because they are over an hour away and I only frequent the area about once a month. Still in the area if anyone is thirsty!

The Stagg is spoken for. Everything else still available until about 3pm est.

The Van Winkle is still available

Finally found the elusive chocolates filled with liquor! These only come out at Christmas time and they are hard to find around here. Picked up 4 boxes lol!

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Same liquors or different ones?

Stopped in a new spot tonight and saw a couple of bourbons I’ve never seen before. Also, this place had Weller Antique for $110 if anyone is interested.

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Hey all, what’s a respectable price for Rock Hill?

I rarely ever see Rock Hill in my area, but found a bottle for $119, probably a good idea to snag it?

I’m the captain on an 8-ball team that shoots in a league. Tonight, a couple of the players on my team brought me this little surprise.

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Average price check on Van Winkle Lot B?

Might be able to get the Van Winkle 12yr for $350......unsure...

Jackpot?

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Lol I was referring to 6 bottles of Blantons. Tad overpriced at $99 a bottle. I can get Stagg Jr all day around here for $60-70.

No no, I’m not paying $99 at all. I just know some people can’t get it at all. My one source has it for $59, although it’s scarce. My backup source always has 2-3 in stock at $69. I have a full bottle of Jr. that I just opened recently so I’m set for awhile.

Let me know how that Bib & Tucker tastes!

Stopped just now to pick up a bottle of Stagg Jr for a fellow Pinsider and this was on the counter...

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I only bought the JR. Price gouging!

Owl was $370
Pappy $500
Stagg $750

Didn’t ask price on the Willet.

They did have 5 bottles of Blanton’s($90) and 5 bottles of Stagg JR($70)

Do you really want a bottle of George? Let me know your price point if so.

I have one person on the George Stagg wait list. If anyone else wants in let me know. Bottles slowly arrive, price point at 2 other locations is $350 and $400.

Check with CrazyLevi

Pricing is crazy! I've got 3 stores near me (within a 20-25 mile radius) that all have George Stagg. One sells for $350, another for $700, and the other for $400.

Swillie! Help!

Got this exact Ice ball maker, let it freeze for almost 2 days before I tried it for the first time and the balls looked correct and were crystal clear. Poured some bourbon over a ball, and after a few minutes the ball was “flaking”, and my drink became water logged fairly quickly and I don’t think that’s suppose to be the case. Any tips other than drink faster lol!

What do you need. Plenty of interesting stuff in Delaware it seems.

I can get the Elmer for sure. Not so sure on the Weller. The real question is what is your price limit?

I know of one Elmer for 199.

Got access to 2 bottles of Elmer Lee. $199. Any takers?

Sam Adams Utopia

Tough day of pinball. State championships were held today, and I was the host and the #1 seed. Got knocked out in round - by the 16th seed. Tournament is over and I’m long overdue for a drink. I picked this up for the first time last night and I’m ready for a couple of glasses!

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What’s a decent price? I can get it.

What’s your price max?

Found Pappy lot B for $500 if anyone is interested. Also found a Willet Family, think it was 400.

Cherries!

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These cherries will add some zing to your Manhattans!

I play pinball professionally.

Got access to some bourbon that others might not have access too. Let me know ASAP if you want any.

3 bottles of George Stagg - 2 for $350 each and the other is $499

1 Rock Hill - $149

6 bottles of Stagg Jr - 99 each

10 bottles of McKenna 10yr - $47 to 60

No clue about batches of Stagg Jr. How does one determine that?

As for the glass, I was out doing a sales presentation to one of my Bourbon BBQ restaurants and the night before they had a Private Stash Bourbon dinner with one of the liquor reps on hand. He brought those glasses and they had some left over so the owner said I could have it. It is pretty sweet!

Private Stash Dinners are $150 a ticket.

Limited seating for 12 guests
Complimentary cocktail upon arrival
5 course dinner
5 Exclusive Bourbon selections from our private stash to pair with your meal. The last one had 3 different Van Winkles.

I’ll bring a bottle too although I don’t think I have anything as special as some of you guys. I’ll post a list and you guys can pick the bottle for me.

My guess is yes, still available. Shoot me a PM.

It was time to pick up a new bottle to try out.

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The store where I bought the Makers at, had 1792 “12 Year”. Anyone had it?

They had it priced at $249

$75. Been looking for it for some time now. First time I’ve seen it over the last 4-6 weeks and I’ve been to about 20 different stores.

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has announced a "phased closure" of wine and spirit stores in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores have indefinitely suspended all product tastings, bottle signings, educational seminars and other group events.

The PLCB said it will begin a phased closure of Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. All stores within these counties are set to close by Tuesday, March 17.

That’s Delaware County in PA. I’m all good right now in Delaware.

I just opened my bottle last night! Definitely need to find more!

Explain.