Favorite Whiskey?

When we went to a local Scottish pub (might be a chain, but they do have one of the best selections of Scotch in the area) we told our server why we were there...to sample scotch to buy. He ended up pulling over his manager, and we talked Scotch and Bourbon for some time...and we tried a lot of different things. After we had gotten past the standard stuff...he started us on some of the ones that were finished in different ways. Turns out...we like a lot of different things.

As far as Blantons...my absolute favorite. The local store seems to have a good relationship with Buffalo Trace. They have gotten in quite a bit of Eagle Rare and Blantons lately. It will usually sell out within the day it comes in. I now have 4 bottles for when supply gets tight and I have trouble finding it.

If you can find some...Bowman Brothers is a really good for it's price. It is my daily drinker and what I will offer to anyone who says "I don't like whiskey". Everyone I have ever given a taste to has said that they would drink that, even when they are not whiskey drinkers.

Seriously...give Bowman brothers a try sometime (the small batch, not the single barrel). I have had their single barrel, and I will take the small batch over it.

 

I have had a bottle of Bowman Brothers! It was definitely enjoyable. Good idea for bringing people in to the fold, too. Classic taste. The single barrel is John J Bowman, right? I have a little sampler of that in the cabinet, but haven't tried it, yet. Your experience with the two is like my feelings towards Russel's Reserve. I was gifted the 10 year once, loved it and bought another at a point. One day I sprung for the single barrel at nearly twice the price. What a letdown. Price aside, I still didn't like it as much as the 10 year.

That's great that you have a reasonably steady stream of Blanton's. Very fortunate for you. I think I have enough good will, now, with one of our local liquor stores that I'll get a tip when more Blanton's comes in. The owner texted me about the Stagg Jr. and I told him to now keep me in mind for some Blanton's!

 

from the WTF thread:

 

Snow day refreshments.

 

I've heard how good Blantons is more than a few times now. Looked it up, surprised how good the reviews are. Checked my local BevMo and Total Wines. TW was out, however BevMo said they have 16 in stock. Sixteen? Maybe a stock error. I'll have to go by tomorrow and see!

 

I drink alone. I prefer to be by myself

 

So I stumbled across these...



Potato quality... But Pappy collection at some bar I visited while on training for work. Bartender told me they ranged $20-$70 for a pour!

I decided if UGA wins the championship on Monday that I’ll be buying a pour of the 20!!!

 

Looks like they have everything from the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, too. Very nice selection of whiskies!

I'm pulling for UGA, now, so I can live vicariously through you .

 

Ever try Michter's?

 

Yeah that BTAC WLW has me intrigued as well... But can’t figure out why the sub-$30 bottle of Weller 12 is sitting up there with them! And the Bookers is above the Pappy shelf!

 

On our big (and first) trip to Utah, I had 4 large Action Packers in the bed. One was recovery gear, one was extra tools/parts/fluids, one was misc camp gear, and one was booze.

 

I like the rye better. Makers is my well bourbon, and Bulleit is my new well rye. Thank you for the cirrhosis, Costco.

 

Weller 12 is surprisingly coveted and fairly hard to get. It doesn't fetch anywhere near Pappy prices, but a $30 retail bottle will sell for $90-100 in a heartbeat.

Weller 12 and Weller Antique can be mixed to make a "Poor Man's Pappy". Supposedly much of the same juice, just not the same 1st choice selection from the barrels.

https://gearpatrol.com/2014/03/28/how-to-make-poor-mans-pappy-van-winkle/

Never tried it myself, but I'd be curious to do so!

The George T Stagg would be my second choice on that shelf. I love the hot stuff. I'm considering trading my Old Rip Van Winkle 10 for a 2017 George T Stagg if I can find a local trade partner. Either way, a bottle of something gets cracked open when the back patio is open for guests again.

 

High West Campfire

 

The neighborhood you live in will determine how popular certain things are. Where I live, Buffalo Trace stuff (the distillery, not the whiskey) comes in, and goes out rather quickly. Word is getting out that Bowman Brothers is using Buffalo Trace mash, and the demand is going up for their stuff around here too.

If you can, Blantons is a good $60. One of my favorites. Granted, I haven't had a chance to try Wellers, Stagg, or some of the other, nicer bottles.

 

Macallan 18. Drink the 12 Normally as the price difference XD.

 

I see nothing wrong with this.



Booze from Yosemite made the trip with me Utah yesterday.

Booze that’s stuck in New Orleans makes the trip in March.

In the mean time, there’s Total Wine...

 

A man/woman has gotta have contingencies

 

Well, I was torn between the Blantons and the Redbreast (Irish whisky). Couple days ago BevMo had 14 Blantons in stock so I didn't see a need to hurry. Had some time today so I checked their website and it said they were out! 14 sold in a few days. I figured that made the decision for me, so I stopped by Total Wines while I was out and about to pick up the Redbreast.

I remember the guy at BevMo one time telling me they would hold some of the very popular stock in the back, just a bottle of each, that would not show up on the website inventory. They did it for the people who really wanted a specific bottle and would ask for it, vs the average customer just picking up something random. So I decided to swing by and see if they had a Blantons. Sure enough, they had a bottle stashed. It seems like it was meant to be! What could I do but buy that one as well! I think this will be it for awhile. My wallet is crying uncle.

 

So I tried the Redbreast and it was underwhelming. I had high hopes for it. I'll add a bit more water and see if it can get better.

But the Blanton's. Wow! It was so much better than I expected. I would say it's almost as good (IMHO) as the Hibiki Harmony. Almost. But damn, it's good. It's now my 2nd favorite. Beats the Basil Hayden, Glenlivet 18, and Glenmorangie by a mile (that's my order of preference).

I read about Blanton's and it's pretty interesting. The bourbon stays in a single barrel all it's life and each barrel is individually monitored until the taste is right, regardless of age. Each bottle is labled with the barrel number, rack and proof. What pisses me off is they make 3 other variations, including Cask Strength, but those are only sold internationally. Why would a Kentucky distillery not sell in the US? I did a bit of research and couldn't find a definitive answer, other than the parent corp may not want competition (with Buffalo Trace?). Anyway, if you fly international look in the duty free shops for the Straight from the Barrel, Gold and Special Reserve.

Thanks for turning me on to it!





Thought this was funny: