Whiskey Clique

Gern Blansten said:

tempo_n_groove said:

Saw a FB post w a guy and 6 bottles of Buffalo Trace in his cart.  I told him that isn't rare but if people like you buy all of it up then it will create a false scarcity.

He replied that they do not see it down where he is often so he loads up.  

I told him to re read what I wrote...

Buffalo Trace rare?  Really?

Also A local spot I go to has Blantons for get this... $169!  GTFOH.

Yes....hardly see it anymore around here. Too many bourbon bros.

A week or so ago someone just happened to be at the local Meijer and scored a 10 year Old Rip Van Winkle....$78

The manager told him that they only get single bottles and they randomly put it on a shelf. He just got lucky as hell.

 Bought LotB for 140 6 years ago.  Drank it w my buddies for our 40ths.  Those days are over, lol.

mca47 said:

Jumb0 said:

Won a chance to buy a bottle of Weller Full Proof at Total Wine...is that a big deal? Not super familiar with Weller

Weller Full Proof is fantastic (at retail).  I won a Weller FP store pick from Total Wine, last year or the year before and it is delicious!  The year before that I was selected for a EH Taylor Full Proof.  Also fantastic.  Those Total Wine "lotteries" or whatever they are, are pretty much my only chance at getting really good bottles.  I'm not a hunter, I don't wait in lines....I'm more of a "I'm gonna check out the whiskey section" while I'm at the store and hope for the best.  That and Total Wine's thing.  

How does the Total Wine thing work? Do you have to spend a certain amount there to become eligible for their lottery or is it open to all?

exploderball said:

mca47 said:

Jumb0 said:

Won a chance to buy a bottle of Weller Full Proof at Total Wine...is that a big deal? Not super familiar with Weller

Weller Full Proof is fantastic (at retail).  I won a Weller FP store pick from Total Wine, last year or the year before and it is delicious!  The year before that I was selected for a EH Taylor Full Proof.  Also fantastic.  Those Total Wine "lotteries" or whatever they are, are pretty much my only chance at getting really good bottles.  I'm not a hunter, I don't wait in lines....I'm more of a "I'm gonna check out the whiskey section" while I'm at the store and hope for the best.  That and Total Wine's thing.  

How does the Total Wine thing work? Do you have to spend a certain amount there to become eligible for their lottery or is it open to all?

Yeah, you just have to be part of their Rewards Program where you enter your phone number when checking out.  Basically, if you spend enough in a year, you reach a certain level..."Grand Reserve" or something.  A couple times per year, they'll release the allocated bottles and they'll email you where you can sign up.  It'll show you what they are releasing and you can "rank" them or put them in the order you prefer.  There's usually anywhere from 6-12 bottles you can "rank".  A couple months later, they'll email you telling you if you won or didn't.  If you did, you have x-amount of days to pick it up.  I've been lucky twice.  So, probably 2 out of 8 or so times I've done it I was picked.  Not great odds, but not bad either.  Mind you, this is ALL of Phoenix.  I wonder if smaller areas have better odds.

Be careful what you  buy....

With the frenzy for these products, this isn't a surprise. 

tempo_n_groove said:

So counterfeiting.  I'm surprised this isn't more prevalent.  In the old Bourbon groups I was in the made you measure the labels in order to sell or raffle them.

When we finish an allocated bottle at the bar or an event it is either destroyed or the boss/owner takes it. We don't give them to customers because of the bootlegs.

Bentleyspop said:

The subjects of tonight's private tasting.  

Dram is a fav of mine, Owl seems to be overpriced by me, Russels is good but never had the Barrel proof!

Would like to hear your tasting notes after please!

Bentleyspop said:

tempo_n_groove said:

Bentleyspop said:

The subjects of tonight's private tasting.  

Dram is a fav of mine, Owl seems to be overpriced by me, Russels is good but never had the Barrel proof!

Would like to hear your tasting notes after please!

I will not be part of the event tonight. Though I'm  sure I'll  be able to sample in the future.
However,  I did just take part in an Elijah Craig Barrel Proof private barrel selection.

How'd you like that?  One of my locals did it and I loved it.

tempo_n_groove said:

Bentleyspop said:

The subjects of tonight's private tasting.  

Dram is a fav of mine, Owl seems to be overpriced by me, Russels is good but never had the Barrel proof!

Would like to hear your tasting notes after please!

I just purchased the Russels Reserve yesterday. 71$. I'm excited to give it a try.

mca47 said:

Bentleyspop said:

The subjects of tonight's private tasting.  

Russell's 13 year is an incredible bottle!  I've never seen one at MSRP, but if I did, it's an immediate purchase!  I did have a pour at a bar a while back and it lives up to the hype for sure!  I have some Russell's bottles (10, 10 single barrel store pick, and another) and 13 is next level!

That's what I hear. Maine is a controlled state. Can only be sold at MSRP. It was at a small store that I hardly ever go in. 

I've been on a hot streak lately. I found two bottles each of Stagg Jr batches 17&18.