OT: Bourbon Hunting Season...What Did You Get!?
This time of year is "Hunting" season for many....especially for us Bourbon Lovers. From November through December the ultra rare "unicorn" Limited Editions get released. What bottles did MGoBourbon fans get this season? What are you going to be sipping on during the Playoffs!? Cheers to all my MgoBrothers and Sisters.
December 15th, 2022 at 9:22 AM ^
Ooooh, thanks for reminding me.
I have to stop by the local shop. He said he gets a Pappy this time of year. I made some buys from him in hopes of snagging one.
December 15th, 2022 at 9:24 AM ^
Here in NC, spirits are "State Controlled". Most stores will do lotteries for the "Pappy Line" and the "Buffalo Trace Antique Collection". Most will take place next week. Fingers crossed for me!!!
December 15th, 2022 at 10:45 AM ^
I've got a raffle tonight with hopes of one of the following:
- Pappy anything
- BTAC anything
- Weller 12, full proof, single barrel or CYPB
- Shenks
- Michters Toasted
All would be had for MSRP cost. Unfortunately with 225 tickets sold my chances aren't the greatest.
December 15th, 2022 at 10:55 AM ^
Not to brag, but be encouraged. I got a Van Winkle 13yr Rye two weeks ago in a raffle with 300 people. Good things can happen! Good luck and cheers!!!
December 15th, 2022 at 8:26 PM ^
Just got back from the raffle and landed a bottle of Sazerac 18! Honestly, not much of a rye fan but I'm not going to complain about any BTAC that I'm fortunate enough to get my hands on.
December 15th, 2022 at 11:06 AM ^
Ohio is as well, the big lottery was this week for Pappy, Eagle Rare 17, WL Weller, etc. You can pick up Weller Special Reserve (Green) and Antique (Red), Buffalo Trace, and Wathen's from time to time if you check the state inventory website. But beyond that, you have to get lucky in the lottery or pay way above sticker online. My favorites that you can get anytime are:
-Bulleit 10 year ($40, white label. The regular one is an easy go-to as well, and their black label high proof one is also pretty good)
-Four Roses Small Batch Select ($60, black label. The Small Batch is a bargain for $35 also and the regular is a good everyday one for $23. People swear by the Single Barrel as some have mentioned, but it has a little too much zip for me.)
-Yellowstone ($35)
-Redwood Empire ($40)
-Woodinville ($40)
-Anything Whistlepig or Rabbit Hole ($60-$75 range)
-Blade and Bow ($60)
-Someone else mentioned Chicken Cock, and I second that
December 15th, 2022 at 11:12 AM ^
I've become a big fan of Yellowstone. In fact, I call it my "ol' faithful." A damn fine daily drinker. I find it very similar in taste to Buffalo Trace and yet it is readily available.
December 15th, 2022 at 11:37 AM ^
Two thumbs up to the Bulleit 10 and Yellowstone.
December 15th, 2022 at 11:50 AM ^
Four Roses has become my favorite lately. I still like BasilHaydens too, even though there are plenty of snobs who think it’s too easy to drink
December 15th, 2022 at 11:36 AM ^
I live in KY near Louisville. I have wayyyyy to many bottles of Bourbon. I learned that there are some great bourbons that are also available in most places.
When I find a “collectors” bourbon I will buy it at retail and give it away. I have done that with Blantons and Elijah Craig 18YO and EC Barrel Proof.
Some collectors bourbons are too good to give away though - Weller Antique 107 is the bomb in my opinion.
Great bourbons for my palate that you can find on the regular are Old Forrester 1920, Cactoctin Creek Cask Proof Rye, Wild Turkey Rare Breed (both the Rye and The Bourbon), McKenna 10 Year BIB, Peerless Single Barrel Rye, Bakers Single Barrel 107 proof, and Stellum Single Barrel Bourbon.
December 15th, 2022 at 12:10 PM ^
I've scored a bottle of Pappy on two occasions
December 15th, 2022 at 11:57 AM ^
your store in Michigan? if so where?
December 15th, 2022 at 9:25 AM ^
There are many, many wonderful things about living in NC ... but bourbon hunting is not one of them. Extremely limited choices for anything remotely cool.
So I was very happy to be back in GR the last couple of days, where I snagged a glass of Weller 12 year at a business dinner. Fantastic.
Before hopping on my flight I called around to a couple of the retailers in town to see if any was in stock (it wasn't). If any fellow Wolverine in MI (or elsewhere) wants to hook a brother up with one of those bottles, I would gladly pay retail + shipping + a little premium for your time!
December 15th, 2022 at 9:28 AM ^
Yes...here in NC (I'm in Winston Salem), if you don't have a relationship with the store manager you likely aren't getting anything rare or special. I guess that is probably the rule and not the exception in most states.
Furthermore, not to add to your pain, but the show "Yellowstone" featured Weller 12 in a couple of recent episodes. I'm sure that is going to take something that is already incredibly rare and make it close to impossible to find.
December 15th, 2022 at 10:06 AM ^
You could order a 750ml bottle on Drizzly for $250. Just depends on what's worth it to ya. Drizzly also pulls from local inventory, so you could get an easy lead on who has it in stock (presuming they partner with Drizzly for delivery).
December 15th, 2022 at 10:42 AM ^
December 15th, 2022 at 9:35 PM ^
I like Wyoming Whiskey but to be honest I'd be much more interested on your take on WNC trout..
December 15th, 2022 at 9:29 AM ^
I gave up chasing stuff as a lot of it is insanely overpriced and I have better stuff to spend my time/money on nowadays
Just picked up a bunch of stuff for the holidays and spent probably 30 bucks/bottle
Evan Williams BiB
Wild Turkey 101
Four Roses Single Barrel
Rittenhouse Rye
Ardbeg Wee Beastie
December 15th, 2022 at 9:35 AM ^
Any bottle of Ardbeg at that price is a steal!!
I don't know Wee Beastie as well as Uigeadail and Corryvreckan, but I don't believe I've ever seen any Ardbeg for less than $50 and the ones I'm most familiar with are often double that.
December 15th, 2022 at 9:47 AM ^
that was the average price across all bottles
Was $41 at Costco for Wee Beastie, I couldn't pass it up. I've had An Oa, Ten, Uigeadail and Corryvreckan but never the Wee Beastie
December 15th, 2022 at 10:03 AM ^
Don't love Wee Beastie and its not in the same ballpark as Uigeadail and Corryreckan, albeit its like half the price or less so not surprising. I much prefer the 10 yr old to the Wee Beastie and its only about $10/bottle more
December 15th, 2022 at 10:43 AM ^
Ya I was figuring it was probably a lot like Lagavulin 16 vs 8 but wanted to try. For 41 bucks I can't be mad if its just ok
December 15th, 2022 at 9:41 AM ^
I enjoy a glass of Scotch, but not enough to drop some coin on a bottle. I wish I loved Scotch or Irish...because all the good stuff is readily available in my area. But alas, Bourbon has my heart.
December 15th, 2022 at 10:26 AM ^
Same here. I rotate between Bulleit, Woodford Reserve, Knob Creek, and Four Roses. Not too keen on dropping a Benjamin on a bottle of something that doesn't fit my taste. I did have a double of Evan Williams at an Embassy Suites this week - for free!
December 15th, 2022 at 10:05 AM ^
Dollar for dollar, I think Rittenhouse Rye is one of the best ryes out there. Perhaps my favorite mixing rye and also one of the cheapest, even with it being bottled in bond
December 15th, 2022 at 10:16 AM ^
Solid bottle for sure! If you haven't tried Old Forester Rye...you must!!! Usually around $20 and just good juice.
December 15th, 2022 at 9:30 AM ^
More of a challenge of effort than of dollars: I continue to chase any variety of Blanton's.
My liquor store receives bottles weekly, but they only number 2 or so each time. It's one of the few brands that the owners have a policy not to set aside for customers, and my timing remains unlucky, in terms of getting there to earn one the honest way.
December 15th, 2022 at 9:32 AM ^
The best Bourbon huntin' ever was back in '92. . . 1792. Ain't nothing gonna top that.
December 15th, 2022 at 9:34 AM ^
Nothing too crazy.
Purple top willett, wild turkey masters keep unfogotten, whistlepig sirens song, remus Gatsby.
December 15th, 2022 at 9:39 AM ^
Solid bottles Hillbilly!!! Congrats my man!!!
December 15th, 2022 at 10:00 AM ^
The days of getting btac at msrp are over. I'll pay higher msrp prices for stuff i know I'll love.
Best score this year was HH17 at $50 over msrp this spring. Michters bp rye at msrp. Lucked out there. Grabbed a few ehtaylor single barrels and was fortunate enough to trade for a Mammoth rye and Alberta premium cask strength rye with blueinrockford.
Got a Traverse city cherry cask strength when i was up in Michigan this year and an ecbp c922 a couple months ago.
Blue spot and gold spot for Irish pick ups this year.
No idea what I'll drink during the playoffs.
December 15th, 2022 at 10:06 AM ^
Solid Brother!!! I don't mind paying even up to 25% over MSRP. Heck...might even go 50% over. It is just a "no go" when the price is 3-10X's MSRP. I would never shop at a store like that. Luckily, here in NC, since it is State Controlled they can only charge MSRP.
December 15th, 2022 at 10:36 AM ^
Yeah, I'm flexible. When you know what you like it makes hunting less painful and time consuming. You get a pretty good feel for what you're willing to pay over msrp for stuff as soon as you see a hard to find bottle on the shelf.
I'm not a fan of wheaters, so I don't spend a second trying to find weller or pappy.
December 15th, 2022 at 11:28 AM ^
Found GOJ's other account!
/s
(I was able to figure out everything except "btac", "ecbp c922" and "HH17"
Also...Blue in Rockford is a great guy, he's got this beginner started on my bourbon education).
December 15th, 2022 at 11:42 AM ^
Buffalo trace antique collection
Elijah Craig barrel proof (the alphanumeric part suggests its the fall/final batch for this year)
Heaven Hill
December 15th, 2022 at 9:58 AM ^
That's a nice lineup Mr Mgohillbilly. I have only heard of the Remus Gatsby, will have to Google the others.
I was very fortunate to get a EH Taylor Single barrel and a Murray Hill Club recently.👍🥃👍
Cheers to all this holiday season ☺️
December 15th, 2022 at 10:38 AM ^
Cheers blue! And thanks for the samples. I did go and get a bottle of the hochstadter vatted as a result.
December 15th, 2022 at 10:57 AM ^
You are welcome. Let me know what you think of the other samples, especially the JJ Bowman Single barrel. I really like the Hochstadter 👍. That's on the list to get when I get back to Texas.
December 15th, 2022 at 11:46 AM ^
Excellent bottles. Check my post on page 3. It would be fun to start a C+S group of fellow wolverines. Im guessing you and I would be able to help out a lot of folks.
December 16th, 2022 at 2:56 PM ^
cost plus shipping. use kind of a karma score to help each other.
December 19th, 2022 at 8:36 AM ^
I'm cool with that.
December 15th, 2022 at 9:36 AM ^
It used to be fun...until all the retailers realized just how much a bottle of Antique Collection was actually worth.
Here in Maryland 5 years ago, was able to score GT Stagg, Thomas Handy, and Saz 18 at MSRP, in addition to others (Birthday Bourbon, EH Taylor Cured Oak, and a whopper, Booker's Limited Edition Rye).
Now everything costs $500 a bottle. No thanks
December 15th, 2022 at 9:50 AM ^
Truly....and if I could find a bottle of William Larue Weller or GT Stagg for only $500....I'd buy two of them. LOL
December 15th, 2022 at 9:39 AM ^
Axe and Oak Colorado mountain bourbon.
Now that this can be ordered on the internet, highly recommend. (this is just one site... you can find it elsewhere too).
Also makes an amazing old fashioned.
https://drizly.com/liquor/whiskey/bourbon/axe-and-the-oak-colorado-mountain-bourbon-whiskey/p17266
December 15th, 2022 at 9:42 AM ^
several Blantons expressions: SFTB, Gold, Takara Red and Takara Gold, along with EW 12year. All imported from Japan. High West Midwinter Nights Dram and Elijah Craig 18 year, from a buddy who manages a liquor store in NY state. I managed a Michter's 10 year rye and a Weller 12 year from PA's state run liquor distribution website, which is run about as well as the average dumpster fire.
The market in the US is insane.... to many dopes buying bottles to line their shelves for cool pictures they post on facebook. People are literally standing in line outside Heaven Hill gift shop, 12 hours before they open, in hopes of getting a bottle of William Heaven Hill, that they have for sale before they leave the parking lot. I'm guessing in the recession of 2023, disposable income will contract enough to squeeze the bottle flippers and fad collectors out of the bourbon market... At least that's what I'm hoping.
December 15th, 2022 at 9:49 AM ^
Blantons SFTB is just SO GOOD!!! Are you in CA? I have never seen any of the Blanton's versions (Black, Red, etc) in any store but in CA.
Things have gotten out of hand. Prices keep going up too. Having friends in high places is a necessity! Way to go on your buddy in NY!!!
December 15th, 2022 at 9:59 AM ^
I'm in PA. All that blantons came here from Japan, along with the Evan Williams 12 year (which is fantastic as well). Last year I was offered a Thomas Handy (from a store in NY) they wanted 350 for it.... i thanked him for thinking of me, but wasn't willing to pay 3x the actual price for barrel proof rye, just because its part of the BTAC collection. I have a 2017 Pappy 15 yr and a WLW from 2019 that i'm savoring on special occasions.
Wild Turkey Rare breed, (bourbon and rye) and Woodford Reserve Double Oaked are my favorite regulars, and still relatively easy to acquire.
December 15th, 2022 at 10:07 AM ^
Rare Breed is just simply amazing. Easily drinks like a $100+ bottle.
December 15th, 2022 at 10:13 AM ^
WT Rare Breed is always available here in Michigan. I usually have one or both on hand, solid pours. Pretty much any Woodford product is also available. Definitely need to be connected to score any unicorns.