The Bourbon Thread!!

[icehog3]

Local guy was selling an Elijah Craig A120, but he wanted about $20 too much for it. I got him to throw in a ECPB from Shorewood Liquors at coast. My favorite ECBP bottle ever, never thought I'd see another bottle, and certainly not so cheaply.

https://i.imgur.com/0newbzF.jpg

[stearns]

The sample was really tasty, Ben. Just need to decide when toy crack this one.

One of the managers told me they had something in the back for me. Never heard of it, but I bought it on the recommendation.

https://i.imgur.com/hOyZVyF.jpg

Turns out it's a new Maker's Mark offering...and it's already double what I paid retail on the secondary market.

Nice grab, I've heard great things. Also nice pickup on the A120, that stuff is seriously delicious :dr

[Weelok]

Local guy was selling an Elijah Craig A120, but he wanted about $20 too much for it. I got him to throw in a ECPB from Shorewood Liquors at coast. My favorite ECBP bottle ever, never thought I'd see another bottle, and certainly not so cheaply.

https://i.imgur.com/0newbzF.jpg

Nice negotiating!!!

New stuff I picked up to try.

https://i.postimg.cc/8CYPW3RD/IMG-1007.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

[icehog3]

Nice grab, I've heard great things. Also nice pickup on the A120, that stuff is seriously delicious :dr

I looked at the proof and was surprised I hadn't bought an A120 before.

All the credit on the SHF to my Binny's guy, Ben, I didn't even know what it was until I got home and researched it. :r

Nice negotiating!!!

New stuff I picked up to try.

https://i.postimg.cc/8CYPW3RD/IMG-1007.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Nice Dave! I know one of the Smokeye Hill releases was Minnik's pick of the year. curious to hear what you think.

[icehog3]

Almost killed off another of my favorite ECBP batches last night.

https://i.imgur.com/gBioOt3.jpg

[stearns]

Almost killed off another of my favorite ECBP batches last night.

My all time favorite :noon:noon

[icehog3]

My all time favorite :noon:noon

It has been for me too, though the B520 gives it a run for its money. Can't wait to try the A120.

[stearns]

Can't wait to try the A120.

Same league as C919, they're both so good and make the newer batches feel basic by comparison

[icehog3]

Same league as C919, they're both so good and make the newer batches feel basic by comparison

And ain't that a shame. That's why i go hunting for some of the old ones.

[Weelok]

Nice Dave! I know one of the Smokeye Hill releases was Minnik's pick of the year. curious to hear what you think.

I opened it up last night to try it out. It lives up to the hype IMHO. Since I have a mediocre palate, to me it’s a bit better than Stagg. For those that can find Stagg, it’s probably not worth hunting for.

For us on the West Coast where Stagg is a hunt for sub $200 bottles, this Smokeye Hill is an $85 bottle on the shelf!!

My bottle is 134 proof. Hot for sure but very sweet and all the great intense high proof bourbon flavors shine through. I drank it neat but I may drop in some water in a pour tonight to see how it opens up.

I would agree it is smooth so the proof is manageable.

I ordered two more bottles from Remedy. Going to try and get another from Total Wine :)

[Porch Dweller]

Nice grabs! Been on a cruise for a couple of weeks, they had some decent bourbons on board. Drank mostly Buffalo Trace and WT101, as they were included with the drink package. It's going to feel odd drinking some high octane bourbon tonight for the first time in a while. I'm sure I'll get used to it, though. :D

[stearns]

Drank mostly Buffalo Trace and WT101, as they were included with the drink package.

If I had to pick two (attainable) bottles to keep me occupied on a cruise, these would certainly be up there as top options :al

[icehog3]

I opened it up last night to try it out. It lives up to the hype IMHO. Since I have a mediocre palate, to me it’s a bit better than Stagg. For those that can find Stagg, it’s probably not worth hunting for.

For us on the West Coast where Stagg is a hunt for sub $200 bottles, this Smokeye Hill is an $85 bottle on the shelf!!

My bottle is 134 proof. Hot for sure but very sweet and all the great intense high proof bourbon flavors shine through. I drank it neat but I may drop in some water in a pour tonight to see how it opens up.

I would agree it is smooth so the proof is manageable.

I ordered two more bottles from Remedy. Going to try and get another from Total Wine :)

Sounds excellent, Dave, glad it hits your palate so nicely. 134 proof is right up my alley too.

Nice grabs! Been on a cruise for a couple of weeks, they had some decent bourbons on board. Drank mostly Buffalo Trace and WT101, as they were included with the drink package. It's going to feel odd drinking some high octane bourbon tonight for the first time in a while. I'm sure I'll get used to it, though. :D

https://i.imgur.com/f61VC3xm.jpg

[Chainsaw13]

Gosh darn it! Told myself I was done buying bottles. My local store got some of the new Four Roses single barrel releases. Got the OBSF recipe. Already had a pour. Delicious.

[icehog3]

Gosh darn it! Told myself I was done buying bottles. My local store got some of the new Four Roses single barrel releases. Got the OBSF recipe. Already had a pour. Delicious.

Quitting is for quitters! You're no quitter, Bob! :al :noon

[mahtofire14]

My local shop just got a Larceny Barrel Selection in. Not really a typical bourbon you'd think of for a barrel pick but Larceny is one of my favorite every day drinkers so I'm looking forward to this. Big fan of most things by Heaven Hill.

[Porch Dweller]

Found this barrel at the Midleton Distillery in Ireland, patiently waiting to age some Irish spirit:

https://i.imgur.com/xCkXLco.jpeg

[Weelok]

Found this barrel at the Midleton Distillery in Ireland, patiently waiting to age some Irish spirit:

https://i.imgur.com/xCkXLco.jpeg

I want to go see that barrel and maybe drink some Irish Whiskey!!!

[Weelok]

More stuff.

https://i.postimg.cc/4NtjBVSy/IMG-1014.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Frey Ranch Fathers Day single barrels. Barrels #845 and #3085. #845 is 129.36 at 8 yrs and two months. #3085 is 131.04 and 6 yrs and one month.

Pinhook 8 and looking forward to trying that.

Kentucky Castle Bourbon Straight Single Barrel 9 year. No information on this other than it’s the founder of Angel Envy.

[Chainsaw13]

My local shop just got a Larceny Barrel Selection in. Not really a typical bourbon you'd think of for a barrel pick but Larceny is one of my favorite every day drinkers so I'm looking forward to this. Big fan of most things by Heaven Hill.

Sounds like a good pickup, Pete. :tu

Found this barrel at the Midleton Distillery in Ireland, patiently waiting to age some Irish spirit:

https://i.imgur.com/xCkXLcol.jpeg

:dr:dr:dr

[stearns]

Kentucky Castle Bourbon Straight Single Barrel 9 year. No information on this other than it’s the founder of Angel Envy.

I've never heard of Kentucky Castle before, sounds cool. Let us know what you think when you try it!

[icehog3]

Dave, you can ignore my Frey Ranch question on the other thread. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts, Binny's is expecting single barrel picks soon.

I've been looking at the Pinhook 9 Year vertical. waiting for it to go on sale. ;)

[icehog3]

Binny's got in Buffalo Trace today, you could pick one from Blanton's, Eagle Rare, EH Taylor or Caribou. Either MSRP on Blanton's is up again, or Binny's is taking their little slice of the pie. Easy choice for me.

https://i.imgur.com/vUnIcWNm.jpg

[stearns]

I think SRP is up to like $80 for Blanton's. Keep going at this rate and they'll end up sitting on shelves again

[Weelok]

Dave, you can ignore my Frey Ranch question on the other thread. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts, Binny's is expecting single barrel picks soon.

I've been looking at the Pinhook 9 Year vertical. waiting for it to go on sale. ;)

I haven’t tried the Frey Single Barrel bourbons yet. I have drank a few of the barrel select Ryes and Wheats and they are great. The Uncut Barrel Strength bourbon didn’t do it for me.

I still have the Uncut and will try a few more shots in a few days. I recall it just being a higher proof of the regular bourbon and better watered down. I didn’t get more intense flavors out of the higher proof. I want to try these single barrels and then see what my thoughts are of the Uncut.

The Pinhook 9 is pretty prevalent on the shelves. Go for sale. It is great IMHO. Good enough I tracked down an 8 and found 7’s on the shelf at a local B&M.

[Weelok]

I've never heard of Kentucky Castle before, sounds cool. Let us know what you think when you try it!

I think this is the one on deck for tonight. I’m very curious.

[Beagleone]

I think SRP is up to like $80 for Blanton's. Keep going at this rate and they'll end up sitting on shelves again

Current MSRP is $95

-(P

[Chainsaw13]

Current MSRP is $95

-(P

~$80 here in Michigan. I’d rather have Rare Breed.

[icehog3]

I appreciate the insight, Dave, a new manager is touting the Frey Ranch stuff but they haven't gotten anything uncut yet. Hoping they get some picks soon.

Tony, Ben, Bob, Blanton's is $89 here now, so almost $100 after tax. Secondary is $110, so there's no point in buying it to trade at this point.

[Weelok]

I think this is the one on deck for tonight. I’m very curious.

https://i.postimg.cc/KvwGmxy5/IMG-1015.jpg (https://postimages.org/)shell diesel station locator (https://gasstation-nearme.com/shell)

Whoo this is good bourbon. Smooth, oak, vanilla, caramel, and bit of other spice probably oak barrel pepper etc. This is a great bourbon. I will open up Pinhook 8 and see how they compare. I think the Castle is likely better but it will be close.

Definitely a small batch. My bottle was barrel 2 hah.

[icehog3]

Good to hear the Castle is a winner, Dave!

I wanted to open something low(er) proof but high flavor for the bar. Remus Gatsby Reserve (the first release) is 15 year MGP at its finest. Cola, caramel and sweet oak dominate the palate, while the finish is long lasting and bold.

https://i.imgur.com/eTk2s7G.jpg

[Weelok]

Good to hear the Castle is a winner, Dave!

I wanted to open something low(er) proof but high flavor for the bar. Remus Gatsby Reserve (the first release) is 15 year MGP at its finest. Cola, caramel and sweet oak dominate the palate, while the finish is long lasting and bold.

https://i.imgur.com/eTk2s7G.jpg

Holy cow that sounds great!!!!

[Weelok]

My brother brought over a Frey barrel select that can only be bought at the ranch. Very tasty. Had a forth grain in the mash I could taste that I think was barley??? Added a nice element.

I opened up my last barrel select Rye as well. Need to get more.

https://i.postimg.cc/LXs89dft/IMG-1019.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

https://i.postimg.cc/vZWBXtbV/IMG-1020.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

138.92 proof on the bourbon.

[icehog3]

My brother brought over a Frey barrel select that can only be bought at the ranch. Very tasty. Had a forth grain in the mash I could taste that I think was barley??? Added a nice element.

I opened up my last barrel select Rye as well. Need to get more.

https://i.postimg.cc/LXs89dft/IMG-1019.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

https://i.postimg.cc/vZWBXtbV/IMG-1020.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

138.92 proof on the bourbon.

Glad they are good, Dave! :dr :tu

This one was 140.2 proof and made me very happy for 9 months. Thank you again, Hugh!

https://i.imgur.com/dxWTs6q.jpg

[hotreds]

Hope to bring some more goodies in August@

[icehog3]

Hope to bring some more goodies in August@

:noon :banger :tu

[icehog3]

I went to Binny’s yesterday and they had dropped several Jack Daniel’s barrel picks: Single Barrel, Barrel Proof Bourbon and Barrel Proof Rye.

I grabbed one of each BP, in the highest proof offered for each. (Bourbon is 135.6 and Rye is 137.8).

https://i.imgur.com/tUZrSPD.jpg

I haven’t cared much for the JD BP Ryes I’ve tried in the past, so I opened it first. After a small first pour I’ll say I like it better than those previous pours; I’m just not sure I like it yet.

https://i.imgur.com/uSlgFcs.jpg

I opened up the bourbon next. Middle of the road for JDBP picks. That means while it’s good, I’m still a little disappointed if that makes any sense.

[jledou]

Just picked up the same pair last night, only mine were in at 129.9 and 131.1.

[Porch Dweller]

Just picked up the same pair last night, only mine were in at 129.9 and 131.1.

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2Fah5f7cgeke871.gif&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=5f49b0e7313718a8a3137d3c8f7dd7944c169e8a31426e d342713ac14efe7712


:D :D

[icehog3]

Just picked up the same pair last night, only mine were in at 129.9 and 131.1.

https://i.imgur.com/1lAmqvS.gif

[icehog3]

Bought this on closeout at Binny's. 121 proof single barrel.

Guy tried to tell me it's Wild Turkey juice. It's not.

Opened it to see if it's worth $30. It is.

https://i.imgur.com/jsWuapL.jpg

[Porch Dweller]

Saw this on my local Air Force Base and grabbed it. I haven't found any information about it other than the "Selected for those who served" line. I asked one of the clerks and she had no clue (but TBH, she exudes an air of cluelessness pretty much constantly. She seems one of those people that manages to do just enough to not get fired and no more...but I digress.)

They also had MM Cask Strength on sale, and I rarely pass that up.

https://i.imgur.com/7hIdRcxl.jpg

[stearns]

Nice pickup! Usually when it says "Selected FOR XXX" it means that it was a distributor pick, meaning it wasn't somebody from the store that tasted a few and picked their favorite but moreso the store saying they just want a single barrel and taking whichever they get. That doesn't say anything about the quality, it could be the best barrel ever and at a minimum you know it's going to be good since it's a 9 year barrel proof single barrel EC, but a cool grab nonetheless

[Porch Dweller]

Nice pickup! Usually when it says "Selected FOR XXX" it means that it was a distributor pick, meaning it wasn't somebody from the store that tasted a few and picked their favorite but moreso the store saying they just want a single barrel and taking whichever they get. That doesn't say anything about the quality, it could be the best barrel ever and at a minimum you know it's going to be good since it's a 9 year barrel proof single barrel EC, but a cool grab nonetheless

:cl

I knew someone here would have some background. Good info, thanks!!!

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tenor.com%2FWycSEmTyh74AAAA M%2Fwow.gif&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=6bc103fe411d5c0ccd3822a00518b82e7ef39bc3ceefde 228577694784178619

[icehog3]

Definitely a nice pickup, James. :dr

I opened a couple new bottles this week. A Booker's Tommy's Batch because it is my "retirement" bottle and I just "retired" again.

https://i.imgur.com/okUiE5w.jpg

The next was a 1792 Full Proof, a Sal's pick single barrel. I wasn't expecting much, the last few Sal's picks gave been somewhat disappointing, and I am through with them unless it's something crazy allocated. This actually turned out pretty good though. :lr

https://i.imgur.com/YBlIE3i.jpg

[icehog3]

Latest pickup is a Jay West pick. I've had great luck with jay's picks, so I decide to take a chance on this one. Proof might be a touch high. ;)

https://i.imgur.com/jMTtA6Q.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/0iZmU29m.jpg

[Chainsaw13]

Jesus H! 155? You could run a top fuel dragster off that.

I cracked open a RRSP from my local store. Almost 10 tears old. Very good stuff.

[icehog3]

Love the RRSPs, Bob. :dr

I opened the Hazmat bottle and gave it a try. There's no acetone or anything unappealing for a 155 proof bourbon. It has lots of oak, char, hickory, mesquite...I would call it a campfire. It does not have the complexity or depth of flavor that the last two Hazmat bottles had. (Mattingly Razor's Edge at 141.2 and ECBP at 140.2, both from Hugh by the way). Worth the price of admission if for nothing but the novelty.

https://i.imgur.com/vXKSiSs.jpg

[Beagleone]

Old Fitz 7 year BiB just hit north Texas. Our main Spec's store put 18 cases last Thursday, which quickly sold out. I've seen a number of post on FB selling them for a significantly increased price soon thereafter. MSRP is around $50. Today, the same store dumped another 150 bottles. Tilted said not to worry, this will be plentiful and avoid secondary. I haven't seen it hitting the other stores yet, but will grab a bottle or two when they land.

[icehog3]

Hope you get some soon, Tony. I'll definitely give it a moment here as well and hope it eventually becomes easier to find at retail.

[Beagleone]

Hope you get some soon, Tony. I'll definitely give it a moment here as well and hope it eventually becomes easier to find at retail.

I managed to catch two bottles yesterday. I will pop one open and try it out this week and report back. -(P

[Weelok]

I managed to catch two bottles yesterday. I will pop one open and try it out this week and report back. -(P

Nice!!!!! That store you shop at sounds amazing!!

[icehog3]

Nice score, Tony! :tu