Bourbon Thread - Reviews

[Done-it-again]

Quite the line up. Nope, not mine but hoping to end up with one of these bottles. My liquor manager-bourbon hook up friend got these in the store yesterday.
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Tons of store are getting these deliveries.

Hope you get a great deal. Some of the prices I’ve seen are NUTS.

Let me know if you pass.

 

[Music to my Ears]

Tons of store are getting these deliveries.

Hope you get a great deal. Some of the prices I’ve seen are NUTS.

Let me know if you pass.

I’ll keep you posted. The bottles are supposed to go to some of their VIP clients, which I’m clearly not. Hoping for a Christmas miracle!

 

[satellitemike]

Anyone heard of Coopers craft, and if so is it available in so Ca?
A friend who live in Ohio and drinks way too much whiskey, told me to try it if I could find it.

 

[Mike Honcho]

Well not to be a Debbie downer but that pavilions in Newport is sold out of the pappys I just called

 

[Gramps]

I'm still debating if I want to open the bottle this I have

 

[Done-it-again]

Well not to be a Debbie downer but that pavilions in Newport is sold out of the pappys I just called

For what price? Do they typically sell retail?

 

[Done-it-again]

I'm still debating if I want to open the bottle this I have

What’s holding you back? If you don’t like Bourbon/whiskey might as well sell it. Or open it when something special happens.

 

[Deangang]

Tonight is Manhattan tastings with some variations. Trying some different Ryes. Cheers!
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You cant beat pikesville for the price …

 

[Deangang]

I'm still debating if I want to open the bottle this I have

That’s one of my favorites .

 

[aka619er]

I created this thread to hopefully showcase some great value bourbons, just because you pay a boat load of $$$ doesnt mean its always worth it..

Well fuck me… did I come across one hell of a value bourbon!

Went out on a limb today, bought something I had never had before..

And holy shit… Worth every penny.
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Very reminiscent of Michters… but smoother.
Not as complex, but damn its smooth.
Pretty sure this one has lots of rye in it, at least my taste buds are telling me that, but smooth..

Seriously, I think I paid $24.99 at Costco a few hours ago… and loving every minute of it.

This is exactly why I followed this thread. Love Bourbon and enjoy it daily, but never a connoisseur. Stopped into Costco today and bought 2 bottles of this as well as a few others they offered. This bottle is outstanding for the cheap price and I thank you for pointing it out as I would have never given it a second glance if not for your recommendation. Cheers to you.

 

[Done-it-again]

Quite the line up. Nope, not mine but hoping to end up with one of these bottles. My liquor manager-bourbon hook up friend got these in the store yesterday.
View attachment 1315961

Did you get one?


BevMo came through this morning. Under $100 and my first single barrel.

 

[Music to my Ears]

Did you get one?


BevMo came through this morning. Under $100 and my first single barrel.

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Nice, you can’t beat some EH Taylor! I’m still waiting to hear.…..

 

[Done-it-again]

Nice, you can’t beat some EH Taylor! I’m still waiting to hear.…..

So much suspense. Lol.


Trying to get the whole line and only paying retail. Not easy to do.

 

[Xtrmwakeboarder]

Friend’s father died 2 years ago and was in to whiskey. She’s opening up his bottle that he never got to try in honor of him tonight.

Bell's Blended Scotch Whiskey - 500ml

Bell's is a brand of blended scotch whisky produced by Diageo. It was originally produced by Arthur Bell & Sons Ltd. It is the bestselling whisky in the UK. bottled in 1970's Vintage Collectable.

liquorfreight.com

I told her to hold off for me in two weeks, but she’s being selfish.

 

[Deangang]

dug into the stash and had a tasting with my youngest son . Gotta love the holidays …

 

[Done-it-again]

dug into the stash and had a tasting with my youngest son . Gotta love the holidays …
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How’s the Russell?

Midwinter is like Christmas in a bottle. So good.

 

[CarolynandBob]

Did you get one?


BevMo came through this morning. Under $100 and my first single barrel.

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Really like this one. I get it in TN for $52 or $62. Can't remember which as I get the Eagle rare for my wife at the same time.

Has anyone had the Stagg Jr? I can get it for $200. Not sure I want to spend that much.

 

[Done-it-again]

Really like this one. I get it in TN for $52 or $62. Can't remember which as I get the Eagle rare for my wife at the same time.

Has anyone had the Stagg Jr? I can get it for $200. Not sure I want to spend that much.

BevMo is usually 25% more than TW but less than local liquor stores. What are you paying for ER?

Stagg JR is good and some years it has beaten out G.T Stagg. Local liquor stores are around $280. But don’t recall retail pricing, but thinking it’s around $80 or so.

 

[CarolynandBob]

BevMo is usually 25% more than TW but less than local liquor stores. What are you paying for ER?

Stagg JR is good and some years it has beaten out G.T Stagg. Local liquor stores are around $280. But don’t recall retail pricing, but thinking it’s around $80 or so.

It was either 52 or 62. I bought the ER and Taylor at the same time

 

[Deangang]

How’s the Russell?

Midwinter is like Christmas in a bottle. So good.

i like the Russell‘s F better then the C but they are both good . I’m with you the mid winters nights dram this year is great . I was lucky enough to snatch up a few extra backup bottles .

 

[aka619er]

Does anybody use a decanter?

Wife just asked me if I wanted one and I really can't think of a reason to use one. I just read its to hide the label on an unappealing branded bottle.

 

[Done-it-again]

Does anybody use a decanter?

Wife just asked me if I wanted one and I really can't think of a reason to use one. I just read its to hide the label on an unappealing branded bottle.

It’s not like wine where it needs to breathe, so one is not needed.

I like to see the bottles, as they are unique to the whiskey/bourbon inside.

 

[aka619er]

So, I saw numerous people on this thread mention Elija Craig. Frys had a deal 2 bottles 750ml 94 proof small batch for $42.
We def all have different likes cause Im not a fan. Couldn't really pick up much flavor, it def tastes like a very cheap bottle which thankfully it was. After that Kirkland bottle Im spoiled.

Also grabbed a small batch 1792 and single barrel 4 roses. Will try those next for the first time.

 

[Andy B.]

So, I saw numerous people on this thread mention Elija Craig. Frys had a deal 2 bottles 750ml 94 proof small batch for $42.
We def all have different likes cause Im not a fan. Couldn't really pick up much flavor, it def tastes like a very cheap bottle which thankfully it was. After that Kirkland bottle Im spoiled.

Also grabbed a small batch 1792 and single barrel 4 roses. Will try those next for the first time.

The small batch 4 Rose's is good that's my go to $30.00 at Sam's Club.

 

[Music to my Ears]

So, I saw numerous people on this thread mention Elija Craig. Frys had a deal 2 bottles 750ml 94 proof small batch for $42.
We def all have different likes cause Im not a fan. Couldn't really pick up much flavor, it def tastes like a very cheap bottle which thankfully it was. After that Kirkland bottle Im spoiled.

Also grabbed a small batch 1792 and single barrel 4 roses. Will try those next for the first time.

You might like the Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel, if you can find it. I think you’ll like it more than the small batch.

 

[throttle]

No report, yet.

 

[Done-it-again]

So, I saw numerous people on this thread mention Elija Craig. Frys had a deal 2 bottles 750ml 94 proof small batch for $42.
We def all have different likes cause Im not a fan. Couldn't really pick up much flavor, it def tastes like a very cheap bottle which thankfully it was. After that Kirkland bottle Im spoiled.

Also grabbed a small batch 1792 and single barrel 4 roses. Will try those next for the first time.

Heaven Hill is one of my favorite distilleries that make Elijah, Old Fitz , etc. Try an Elijah single/proof bottle/ or an 18yr if you can get it. The small batch doesn’t have the depth of flavors as the proof ones. But they are significantly higher proof from 120-135 ish depending on the batch being dumped and there are 3 dumps a year and are listed as A,B or C and the year.

Elijah 18 is at 90 and has good flavor, just wish it was hotter.

This is what you are looking for.

 

[aka619er]

Heaven Hill is one of my favorite distilleries that make Elijah, Old Fitz , etc. Try an Elijah single/proof bottle/ or an 18yr if you can get it. The small batch doesn’t have the depth of flavors as the proof ones. But they are significantly higher proof from 120-135 ish depending on the batch being dumped and there are 3 dumps a year and are listed as A,B or C and the year.

Elijah 18 is at 90 and has good flavor, just wish it was hotter.

This is what you are looking for.
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I wish I would have paid attention to that minor detail more, but that is exactly how I would describe the small batch. No depth and no heat. I didnt want to sound like an idiot if I said I was waiting for a kick that never arrived.

 

[CarolynandBob]

It was either 52 or 62. I bought the ER and Taylor at the same time

The ER was 52 and Taylor was 62. My buddy back the told me prices went up. ER is now 56 and Taylor is 65.

 

[Done-it-again]

The ER was 52 and Taylor was 62. My buddy back the told me prices went up. ER is now 56 and Taylor is 65.

For EH is it $65 for “single barrel” or the standard “small batch”?

 

[BBYSTWY]

Just started getting into bourbons a few months ago and all I can say is WOW.....such a vast world and to be honest kinda overwhelming! Just read through this whole thread and bravo for all the insights!!

I did have one question however....a lot of you keep mentioning retail pricing and I'm wondering if there is a source online somewhere for such pricing? I'll be honest, I am very much an impulse buyer so if I'm at a store and see a bottle that I've researched and want and they have it for 150-200 bucks whatever...how do I know what "retail" should be on that bottle? Some of the prices you guys listed on here are insanely low....I've seen just standard Eagle Rare that you guys said you're paying 50-60 bucks for with a "ON SALE" sign on it for 129!!! As much of a pile of drunks as we are here in Michigan you would think they would give the shit away....especially in winter!! Hahahaha

Thanks!

 

[Done-it-again]

Just started getting into bourbons a few months ago and all I can say is WOW.....such a vast world and to be honest kinda overwhelming! Just read through this whole thread and bravo for all the insights!!

I did have one question however....a lot of you keep mentioning retail pricing and I'm wondering if there is a source online somewhere for such pricing? I'll be honest, I am very much an impulse buyer so if I'm at a store and see a bottle that I've researched and want and they have it for 150-200 bucks whatever...how do I know what "retail" should be on that bottle? Some of the prices you guys listed on here are insanely low....I've seen just standard Eagle Rare that you guys said you're paying 50-60 bucks for with a "ON SALE" sign on it for 129!!! As much of a pile of drunks as we are here in Michigan you would think they would give the shit away....especially in winter!! Hahahaha

Thanks!

Takes time to know what retail pricing are, compare with Total Wine and BevMo. But BevMo is about 15-20% more than TW.

Your local liquor stores are going to be 100% mark up if not more on anything that is popular and hard to get. ER was high 20's a few years ago, then to mid 30's and now I believe its around low/mid 40's for CA, price goes higher when you get to TX and further East. ER and Buffalo Trace are the same mash bill, just stored on different levels in a rickhouse.

What are you looking for?

 

[CarolynandBob]

For EH is it $65 for “single barrel” or the standard “small batch”?

Small Batch

 

[CarolynandBob]

Just started getting into bourbons a few months ago and all I can say is WOW.....such a vast world and to be honest kinda overwhelming! Just read through this whole thread and bravo for all the insights!!

I did have one question however....a lot of you keep mentioning retail pricing and I'm wondering if there is a source online somewhere for such pricing? I'll be honest, I am very much an impulse buyer so if I'm at a store and see a bottle that I've researched and want and they have it for 150-200 bucks whatever...how do I know what "retail" should be on that bottle? Some of the prices you guys listed on here are insanely low....I've seen just standard Eagle Rare that you guys said you're paying 50-60 bucks for with a "ON SALE" sign on it for 129!!! As much of a pile of drunks as we are here in Michigan you would think they would give the shit away....especially in winter!! Hahahaha

Thanks!

Prices are funny.

I get my Blanton's for $79 or $89 in TN near me. When I was in Jacksonville FL they had Blanton's for $259. At the time I had 7 bottles in my car as I was going to Sarasota for the winter.

The funny thing I have noticed. In Sarasota I can buy say Jack Daniels 1.75 liters for $34. In TN (about 2.5 hrs from JD distillery) it is $53 for the same bottle. As I said above I get the Blantons in TN cheaper than in Sarasota, although I did just find Blantons here for $99. The place I found that I asked the guy if he had any regular Buffalo Trace? He said yeah and got me a bottle. I asked how much and he said $29. I have never paid that low for BT. I told him about the store I usually go to where the BT is $44 and Blanton's is $159 he shook his head and said he was make good money at $29.

I don't understand why the prices are that deferent. I know supply and demand, but I know 3-4 places I can get want ever I want, so it isn't like you can't find it. If I see a liquor store I haven't been in and I have time I go in and check out prices and availability. That is how I found the $29 BT. My wife want to stop at some store and I saw the liquor store on the corner and went in while my wife was at the other store.

 

[BBYSTWY]

That's insane...I've looked for blantons at every store in the area here and if you can find it, it's over 200 a bottle everywhere. Buddy of mine is big into it and that's his favorite but it's so damn expensive he doesn't buy it.

I know it sounds counter productive but I like SMOOTH....don't like the really hot throat feel like a lot of people do. I'm coming from 20 years of drinking coors light so it may sound silly to get into bourbon but I like to sit and sip a few glasses on ice instead of pounding 15 beers and feeling like I got into a car wreck the next day hahahhaa. So basically...I'm getting old and changing drinking styles a bit hahaha.

This is my little setup....obviously nothing compared to a lot of you guys. I went with buying more small bottles instead of one or 2 big ones and not liking it.

My reviews of the ones I've opened...obviously I'm no pro but I like the Knob Creek way better than the Woodford double oaked. The woodford is just too smoky I guess you could say for my liking. Reminded me of drinking beer next to a shitty bonfire hahaha. I don't have the taste like you guys do with all the flavor notes and all that YET but I am just starting out and hope to get there.

Thanks for letting me chime in and get some real world reviews/recommendations. You can read online all day for reviews but I take those with a grain of salt as most are on liquor sites and who knows if they are even real.

The FEW bottle was a Xmas present from a guy at work. His brother is really good friends with the guy that made it and was blown away when I told him a friend brought a bottle of it over for a party last year. He didn't think he was out there that much and was thrilled to hear that people are buying it. He's local and a cool dude so If you see it try it out!

 

[Gelcoater]

Brother inlaw brought this to Christmas.

I only had a small taste, had to drive.
Smooth for its strength, smelled increadible.

 

[Done-it-again]

Brother inlaw brought this to Christmas.
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I only had a small taste, had to drive.
Smooth for its strength, smelled increadible.

No that is what you call a "dusty" .

Can you be sure what's inside is the real deal? The amount of empty space in the bottle is no good..

 

[Gelcoater]

No that is what you call a "dusty" .

Can you be sure what's inside is the real deal? The amount of empty space in the bottle is no good..

He opened it in front of us.
Cork was uncooperative, you can see a few chunks in there, lol.

 

[Done-it-again]

That's insane...I've looked for blantons at every store in the area here and if you can find it, it's over 200 a bottle everywhere. Buddy of mine is big into it and that's his favorite but it's so damn expensive he doesn't buy it.

I know it sounds counter productive but I like SMOOTH....don't like the really hot throat feel like a lot of people do. I'm coming from 20 years of drinking coors light so it may sound silly to get into bourbon but I like to sit and sip a few glasses on ice instead of pounding 15 beers and feeling like I got into a car wreck the next day hahahhaa. So basically...I'm getting old and changing drinking styles a bit hahaha.

This is my little setup....obviously nothing compared to a lot of you guys. I went with buying more small bottles instead of one or 2 big ones and not liking it.

My reviews of the ones I've opened...obviously I'm no pro but I like the Knob Creek way better than the Woodford double oaked. The woodford is just too smoky I guess you could say for my liking. Reminded me of drinking beer next to a shitty bonfire hahaha. I don't have the taste like you guys do with all the flavor notes and all that YET but I am just starting out and hope to get there.

Thanks for letting me chime in and get some real world reviews/recommendations. You can read online all day for reviews but I take those with a grain of salt as most are on liquor sites and who knows if they are even real.

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The FEW bottle was a Xmas present from a guy at work. His brother is really good friends with the guy that made it and was blown away when I told him a friend brought a bottle of it over for a party last year. He didn't think he was out there that much and was thrilled to hear that people are buying it. He's local and a cool dude so If you see it try it out!

You got to start some where.... If you like Knob Creek, one of the best one is the 9 yr 120 proof, not the standard 9yr 100 proof. Woodford is only good on Delta flights as its better than JD. lol

To me Blanton's have the best bottle and the bourbon inside is worth $100 but not much more than that. The prices have increased so the big stores will have it around $80's with tax.... It took me little over a year to get the whole letter collection and paying retail pricing. Its was fun hunting down the letters and trading for ones I couldn't find.

Look for Hancock, its the same as Blanton's but say its the stuff that didn't make the cut. You could have fool me, its really good and its easier to get the Blanton's

 

[Done-it-again]

He opened it in front of us.
Cork was uncooperative, you can see a few chunks in there, lol.

Wow..... That was NOT opened?... Holy Sheeet...

 

[Tooms22]

Had some Old Fitzgerald at a work event before Christmas. The smell was surprisingly sweet. Taste was great. And I'm not much of bourbon guy.

Had a buddy tell me that Blue Run is the affordable, comparable bourbon. Grabbed some when I was back in St. Louis for Christmas. It was pretty good for 1/5 the price.

 

[BBYSTWY]

Thanks for the recommendations!

Not saying I'm in love with Knob Creek it's just the one I've liked the best of the very few that I've tried hahahaha

 

[Done-it-again]

Had some Old Fitzgerald at a work event before Christmas. The smell was surprisingly sweet. Taste was great. And I'm not much of bourbon guy.

Old Fitz is great..... Another great product by Heaven Hill....

 

[MissB]

I must like shitty whiskey. I bought a Macallan 12 and hated it, MM is my go to to mix. Had some EH Taylor at my sister's for Christmas, trying to find it local is a pia, but I received a bottle of Redwood Pipe Dream, and it was delicious. Back to trying to find the EH Taylor...

 

[Gelcoater]

Wow..... That was NOT opened?... Holy Sheeet...

M wife has a big family
And I guess I fibbed a little. I wasn’t there when he opened it, I was at a funeral and showed up later.
They! Opened it.

 

[satellitemike]

I must like shitty whiskey. I bought a Macallan 12 and hated it, MM is my go to to mix. Had some EH Taylor at my sister's for Christmas, trying to find it local is a pia, but I received a bottle of Redwood Pipe Dream, and it was delicious. Back to trying to find the EH Taylor...

Where are you located? I found it in San Dimas for $79

 

[Done-it-again]

M wife has a big family
And I guess I fibbed a little. I wasn’t there when he opened it, I was at a funeral and showed up later.
They! Opened it.

In any case, that is awesome.

Would be nice to hear how he got a bottle like that.

 

[Racey]

Did you get one?


BevMo came through this morning. Under $100 and my first single barrel.

View attachment 1317832

This is an absolutely fantastic whiskey. Shame it isn't still $50 a bottle

 

[MissB]

Where are you located? I found it in San Dimas for $79

San Diego, someone said try Total Wine

 

[Music to my Ears]

I get all of my higher end bourbon from Pavilions in Newport Beach. They tend to carry some of the hard to find products more frequently (Blantons, EH Taylor, Eagle Rare etc) and sell everything at retail pricing.