Hard Drinkers, Lets Drink Hard (Spirits, Liquors and Cocktails)
-
Over the past few months, I've acquired some whiskeys I haven't had occasion to open, as yet. I'm currently enjoying "Sober October", at the moment. So, they're going to have to wait a little longer. But, if they're as good as I've heard, it'll be well worth it...
The Booker's is the first release of 2023, dubbed "Charlie's Batch". The Willett is their 4 year old rye.
This is my first go-round with Jefferson's. While, I've heard the Oceans releases were a bit gimmicky, and not worth the price, the Tropics is being held in higher regard.
-
I’ve had several bottles of The Ocean gifted to me over the years,and I would never buy it,but have to admit that it’s brilliant marketing. The Jefferson’s Reserve is not what goes into the Ocean bottles and is a nice solid bourbon at about $55. I recently got a single barrel store pick of Jeffersons Reserve that was bottled at 100 proof,as opposed to the regular 90 proof. It’s delicious,and was an impulse purchase at $80. Borderline worth it. Those bottles you have waiting for you are going to be awesome,to say the least.
-
@Jett129 good info. I’ve only ever tried Jefferson’s base model as the others were too costly a gamble to experiment with based on my impression of the base. Single barrels are always hit or miss with me. But when it comes to something like a revolving single barrel issuer like Booker’s or Blanton’s, the product is usually consistently worth it.
-
@scooter EC toasted is bomb, def worth it. I love that bib Mckenna too but I guess news reached them that their 20 year was bussin, so they DOUBLED the price over that last couple years. When I’d get it for 30 bucks it was a best-for-your-money bourbon, now that they’ve priced it with other high-Enders, I’d consider it mediocre for the price. Still up there with Bakers though.
"The greatest obstacle to living is expectancy, which hangs upon tomorrow and loses today...The whole future lies in uncertainty: Live immediately."
-Seneca -
A decent reasonably priced Japanese whisky. For me, this is the best one from Iwai. Resembles a highland a bit. Bourbon is my shit but you gotta branch out sometimes. Anything but Irish whiskies lol.
-
@WhiskeySandwich Blantons,like a lot of the Buffalo Trace products has gone through the roof. Next to impossible to get and usually around $150 a bottle,which I refuse to pay. Eagle Rare,which I thought was one of the best spirit values out there has,also,gotten really expensive and hard to find.
-
@Jett129 yeah man, that’s high for McKenna. I refuse to buy it since they raised the price. The trick for BT Distillery stuff is to find a place that doesn’t upcharge and see if they have a waitlist for their allocations. My spot refuses to mark up, so I always get msrp. The wait is rough, a bottle of Eagle rare for example is maybe twice per year, for example. But if you’re on a list for that, and blantons, and Weller, and Taylor, you can get a nice bottle for a legit price almost as fast as you can drink em!
-
@WhiskeySandwich There's a waitlist for Blantons at one place near me and it's currently at 2 years. Once a year they sell all the super hi end Van Winkles,/Stags and the Eagle Rare 17 at MSRP. People camp out over night to get 1 bottle. If they only have 16 bottles,then they stop the line at 16. By mid afternoon the line is full. I once went down the line and asked everyone if they were going to drink or flip their bottle. Everyone said they were going to drink it. I would want the Eagle Rare 17 or the 12 year Van Winkle Rye,but I'm not camping out.
-
@Tago-Mago If you could tell us which bourbons you were considering in your price range,we'd be better able to give our opinions and recommendations. I think the Woodford Reserve Double Oaked is a real good solid value at about $50 in the US. I have no idea as to how much that might cost where you are.
-
@Jett129 wow, at least it’s msrp lol. I’d camp out for Pappy at msrp. I guess allocations are different everywhere. That’s the only reason it’s rare or marked up in different states. It’s been tough the last few year always finding a new go-to bourbon. Seems like everything I like that was once on the shelf everywhere for msrp is getting harder to find. Hey there’s always Bulliet 10 year as a fallback.
-
@Tago-Mago If you can tell me which bourbons that are available to you fall into that price range I can give you a recommendation. Are their websites where I can see the selection with prices?
-
@Tago-Mago I’m sure the selection and prices are far different there. I’d bet the bigger brands and more common selections would be more available. If it’s bourbon you’re looking for, you can’t go wrong with Bulleit 10 year, Elijah Craig of any kind really, or anything from Wild Turkey. Four Roses and Willet are good, I’ve even had some good Evan Williams if you find a higher end one.
-
@Jett129 said in Hard Drinkers, Lets Drink Hard (Spirits, Liquors and Cocktails):
@scooter The McKenna has recently showed up in NJ for $80. Sounds kind of high. What do you think?
Definitely high. I know it varies from state to state. But, I got mine for $52, here, in WI. I can't imagine it would be much higher, in NJ.
