OT: Bourbon Lovers...what's your favorite and how difficult is it to find quality stuff in your area?
Bourbon is definitely a hobby of mine, and it's easier to buy plutonium than some bottles of bourbon. How difficult is it in your neck of the woods?
My favorites are George T. Stagg (won the right to purchase one in a raffle...I live in NC which State governs the sale of spirits), Dickel Bottled in Bond, Angel's Envy Barrel Proof, and the C919 of Elijah Craig. What's your favorite bottles?
Also, what tips (if you care to share) do you utilize to find the rare stuff?
I'm a fan of Stranahan's. Can't get much here in South Africa. It all gins and scotch.
Yeah, that is a bummer. Went to Ireland 3 years ago and found very little bourbon in the stores I poked my head in. Any liquor that is specific to South Africa that you recommend?
They make good gins. Bain's Scotch is the best product of it's kind and isn't bad.
I like Buffalo Trace and wild turkey 101 a lot. Haven’t had the chance to try a ton of different bourbons. Would love to get my hands on something like Van Winkle.
Pappy is real good but not to the level of the hype. I prefer Angels Envy and Elmer T. Lee. ETL has been unavailable in Michigan for months. If you get to Arizona try Sacred Stave.
100% agree on Sacred Stave.
I recently found a bottle that had been mis-priced for $11.50 at a Circle K (regular price is around $40). I advised the cashier that I intended to purchase every bottle they had in stock. They only had the 1, but better than 0!
Definitely the best $11.50 bottle in my cabinet and possibly the best bottle regardless of price.
Buffalo Trace is my go to.
Not a big bourbon guy, but I have heard a great amount of publicity on Jack Daniels barrel proof. I’d recommend that strongly. And you can get it easily.
If you're not a fan of banana, avoid it. It's a banana bomb.
I'll second both Stranahans (not technically a bourbon, but whatever) and Buffalo Trace (the latter being my favorite "value" whiskey). My brother-in-law cracked open a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle's 23 Year Old last Thanksgiving. It was lovely, but the thing I remember most was that oaky smell. Lord, was it best-smelling whiskey I have ever experienced.
Wow. Is it rude if I ask how much that bottle set him back? Had to be a pretty penny.
I believe it was around $5,000. It was a gift from his (wealthy) grandfather to be opened on his wedding day, but we just couldn't wait that long :-).
Amazing. Had to be very cool to be able try.
I'll sell you a bottle for a mere $1000. Send $300 to https://www.oldripvanwinkle.com/whiskey/family-reserve-23-year/ and the rest to me.
Good luck trying to find one anywhere for $300.
I stumbled into a stash of Pappy in Niagara Falls, NY when visiting for a wedding. This was coming up on 9 years ago and I had just read this article by Wright Thompson. https://grantland.com/features/pappy-van-winkle/
Bought 8 bottles. 4 bottles of 15 yr ($85 each), 3 bottles on 20 yr ($125 each), and one bottle of 23 yr ($230). Here is my assessment without delving too deep into individual flavors. I find that I remember how a bourbon makes me feel more than the specific tasting notes.
The 15 yr was hot and had a lot of flavor. It wasn't easy to isolate the different flavors as it just seemed like there was too much going on. It was very good. Just couldn't put my finger on anything. I think it was still trying to figure out what was going to make it great. (Like dating an 18 year old)
The 20 yr had mellowed. it had narrowed its focus on a few different flavors that the palate could pick out and really enjoy. And man were those flavors good. Really took my palate on a journey. Experience has helped it blossom. It knew it's strengths and took me along for the ride. This one is my favorite. (like dating a 30 year old)
The 23 yr is an oak bomb. All of the wildness had been tamed. It doesn't mess around anymore. It was a bit of a single tasting note by this point (oak and vanilla). It has enough experience where it knows that one amazing note can still carry the day. It isn't there to challenge you. It knows what you like. (like being married for 15 years)
Having said all of this, there are plenty of great bourbons out there that can go toe to toe with Pappy. If you do find it, make sure you share it with somebody that will appreciate it. There will always be more old bourbon but you can't replicate shared a experience.
Stop living in the past, Karen.
The freezer aisle has multiple bourbon ice creams. The new craze in ice cream.
Here is a good way to journey through bourbons. Rule one dont chase anything rare until youve got a few years in.
jim beam bottled in bond
old gran dad 114
wild turkey rare breed
Higher proofs so add water when needed. Dont do the ice the smells and flavors get muted too much.
Rare breed is Fantastic!!!
I recommend a few drops from the medical-style eye dropper, but YMMV.
Agreed on the ice - the only time ice should be in your booze is if you don't want to taste it.
I'm not picky of which one of those you'd like to pour me, OP.
Eagle Rare is my favorite, Buffalo Trace is my go to.
Very hard to get Eagle Rare here - but the gentlemen at liquor store holds me a bottle in the back when it comes in, and I usually tip him $5-10. The definition of a "win/win"!
Damn Bourbon Double Post.
Added tip - Evan Williams is easily the best cheap bourbon out there. Makes a f-ing good mix for Old Fashioned at parties!
Mike D, everything be Heavan Hill is really good. Get the Evan Williams white label, 100 proof bottled in bond and a liter is $20!!! Their Pikeville Rye is amazing 110 proof at $50. HH is my favorite distillery with Larceny and EW single barrel being under $30.
Bourbon isn’t Scotch, it’s all about $4 worth of alcohol, what you pay for in the price difference is marketing and bottle design
I have to disagree with ya here! JTS Brown (a Heaven Hill product and $12) is the best value hands down followed by a bottle of Very Old Barton which is usually around $19.
Plus 1 for the Very Old Barton.
Asking the board, what is a good starter bottle on the premium edge of things?
Rookie here looking for the right way to get started.
Just a few of my favorites:
Hard to find- stagg jr, Weller antique, Blanton's, bulliet blenders select
Easy to find: Four Roses small batch select, Old Forester 1910, Booker's
Thanks. Got some vacation coming up. Will be trying one of these selections.
Noah's Mill from Willett distillery (I love all of their stuff but it is not available in every state).I haven't seen anybody suggest it yet but it is my favorite $50 bottle of bourbon. It is barrel proof, which most of the the best bourbon is, also it is non-chill filtered (takes out too much of the oils and particulates that contribute to full flavor). I love Elijah Craig Barrel Proof but that is harder to find.
I also love anything Michters.
Starter low end bourbons that are available in most markets:
- Knobs Creek
- Basil Haydin
- Woodford Reserve
i love Eagle Rare; it’s cheaper than the 3 above, but it is hard to find.
Makers Mark is good also, but, I much prefer the 3 above.
Hands down Old Forester 1920 or 1910. 1920 is $59 and easily competes with bottles much more expensive. Also, it doesn’t have an aggressive flavor either. Angel’s Envy is another bottle I would recommend. By far the the easiest drinking bourbon out there.
I'll 2nd the Knob Creek nomination as a not too expensive starter bourbon. Very easy to find, very reasonably priced, very enjoyable to drink with friends.
If you can find a bottle of the Knob Creek 12 year buy it!!! $59 but it absolutely fantastic.
I sway between bourbon and scotch depending on season, mood, and diet but yes I very much like bourbon.
Favorites are Blanton's (don't roll your eyes), Four Roses, and Bookers.
I have only been hunting for the good shit for about 6 months so I have yet to find any of the BTAC stuff but I did get my hands on a Stagg Jr. And really like it.
About the only stuff I don't like is Willet pot still, Angels Envy, and Knob Creek.
A lot of people used to roll their eyes at Blanton's (gimmick bottle) until they figured out it is exceptional bourbon. You can't go wrong with Buffalo Trace, I have bottles of Blanton's, Weller Special Reserve, Weller Antique, Weller 12 Year, and Stagg Jr.
George T. Stagg is my unicorn bottle, I've been hunting bourbon for about five years, and have yet to see one in a store. I'm 0 for 3 on liquor lotteries to boot.
Only way is to befriend an owner if you want access and anything under secondary pricing. I've still paid a mark up for btac bottles that way but it's much better than secondary.
Otherwise it's lottery.
solution: designate george t. stagg as a 5* and, with the luck of a buckeye, he will commit to you.
Not going to happen without the bagmen, XM. I don’t even know who to pay, let alone how much??♂️. But from friends reviews, GTS is a 5 star bourbon in every sense of the word.
Favorite: Blanton’s, which my remaining supply is in a safe behind land mines.
best method to get what can’t find in Meechigan, road trip to Kentucky, where Blanton’s is nearly impossible to find.
Blanton's is my favorite bourbon. Can't get it in Indiana anymore unless you call the liquor store a month in advance. Even then, there's no guarantee. Fucking annoying. I used to be able to get it easily.
Weller Special Reserve by Buffalo Trace. Not overly expensive, but challenging to get. Trip to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail was the only time I've purchased.
Weller is actually a fairly under-the-radar bourbon outside of bourbon country. I travel for work, and have lived in Louisville, it's next to impossible to find in KY. Outside states though, you have a much better chance of running across a bottle(s), and at actual MSRP ($24!!!!!). You'll typically pay $40+ in KY, if you find it.
Not sure where you live, but you can typically find it on the shelf in the MidWest with a little looking around.
Been drinking bourbon for years, mostly the inexpensive ones mixed with Squirt or ginger ale. The classic highball as my Dad would call them. Started enjoying better juice a couple years ago. Usually drink it neat or with a couple drops of water.
ECBP C919 is in my collection, definitely top shelf. Was lucky to find a half gallon of Eagle Rare recently, good price too. ER is hard to find here in Michigan. Pops up every 3-4 months in very limited quantities. Local liquor store/gas station has had a few of the barrel proofs. However the mark-up was ridiculous. $100 for a bottle of Stagg Jr. Would like to try the new Larceny Barrel Proof, but haven't found one.
Cheers ?
I have had a bottle of the Larceny Barrel Proof. It is very good, but still behind ECBP in my opinion.
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is my fav. Stagg is better, but if you aren't winning a store lottery, you can buy 8-10 bottles of ECBP for one bottle of GTS.
Wouldn't go out of my way to buy Weller or Pappy above list prices; there are Makers Private Select bottles that are cheaper and easier to find if you want a tasty wheated bourbon.
Whistlepig store selects are the best ryes for the money imho.
+1 for rye whiskey. I’ve decided I prefer rye whiskey and smoky, peaty scotch like Highland Park 12 year. I like rye beer, too, but it seems like most brewers don’t like to produce rye beers.
Catochin Creek (VA) makes a good rye; easy to find in bars on East Coast, not sure Midwest.