Favorite Whiskey?

This is true, instead of a handful of people who scouted out the stores and show up each week roughly 500 different people got to take home something special. I can get behind that, though it would’ve been nice to be one of the first 50 or so chosen.

Yeah, by the time I got called I was looking at Bookers, Blanton’s, Eagle Rare store pick, EC Toasted Barrel, Bardstown Collaborative Collection and other stuff I have or have tried. The Blood Oath wasn’t getting much attention surprisingly. I snagged it for $129. The price tag and non-Buffalo Traciness of it may have been why it wasn’t moving.

Yep, one per ticket and one ticket per person.

 

So is the total number of tickets capped or was 500 just the number of people that opted to participate?

Edit: when you were going around week by week hunting for allocateds, why didn’t a store clerk explain the year end lottery? That’s kinda ridiculous. “Sorry none today” is kind of a lie by omission.

 

Not sure, probably because these clerks just get sick of whiskey nerds. I’ve had a clerk flat out tell me as I walked in “we ain’t got no Blanton’s” because I come in often enough and look at the allocated section that he recognized me. Wanted to respond I got plenty at home, thanks but I took it to mean there’s enough people that come in and ask if they got (insert Buffalo Trace product here) tucked away in the back that they’re simply tired of us.

I knew about the raffle but no details were given. The email notification gave time and date, and said don’t respond with questions because we won’t answer. I showed up today expecting them to raffle off 10-20 bottles of good bourbon between all the people. Did not expect them to wheel out that many bottles. Looking forward to next year’s raffle now.

There was no cap that I was aware of, in fact I’m just guesttimating the 500 number but I’d say that’s roughly what it was. I didn’t stick around to the end to see what happens to remaining bottles or people who had a ticket but stock ran out.

 

Negative

 

This is basically it.

@Hook78 and I have been yelled at/hung up on by ABC clerks simply for buying what's out to sell or calling to ask questions.

 

Yeah they’re sick of us.

More specifically they’re sick of the worst taters who walk in, ask if there’s Buffalo Trace, and walk right back out if the answer is no. Or worse, bitch and complain and make demands.

As I’ve gotten to know some clerks and managers in local stores I’ve heard lots of horror stories about what assholes taters can be. Sometimes taters’ wives, sent out on their behalf with no idea what’s going on, are just as bad if not worse.

It’s really just not hard to be nice, and have enough emotional intelligence to sense when clerks are stressed or frustrated or busy and leave them be, or talk to them about something other than bourbon. On the other hand a perfectly nice ask may still be the straw that broke the camel’s back because of the ten assholes that came in beforehand and acted entitled.

 

My local stores have signs in the bourbon section and the allocated section that say something along the lines of ‘if we have it in store it’s on the shelf. Do not ask if we have anything in the back.’ Those signs are not in the rum aisle or the vodka aisle.

I wouldn’t be surprised if some idiots have offered to pay a clerk to set something aside for them out of allocation desperation. If you’re an honest employee that cares about your job then I’m sure that pisses them off.

Long story short, I think they hate whiskey enthusiasts more than the drunks.

 

100% some clerks have accepted the offer.

The drunks are easier to deal with, at least they always buy something when they come in

 

So anyway...



The Knob Creek has a 10 proof point advantage.

 

They come in on a mission.

 

What’s the verdict?

 

I give it to the KC by a hair. Thicker mouthfeel, slightly higher proof.

The noses are almost identical. The palates are also very similar - no Beam funk or nuttiness in the KC18. Apparently, after a certain age your bourbon is just going to be caramel and oak no matter how you mashbill it or what yeast you use

Both are usually available at MSRP on secondary, so value is a wash.

Both are absolutely worthy of being consumed neat and with your full attention.

 

One of the local shops does a 12 Days of Christmas each year, this was the first year I have gone to see what it’s about. They have a selection of “allocated” bottles, 1 per customer per day. they had some bottles! A Whistle Pig The X Commandments, MWND, as well as a few bottles of scotch and then some bourbon. This is what I picked, the owner was excited to have this distillery available, so I thought giving this cask bottle a go would be fun!




But for my sipper tonight, going with Peerless DO since a few had it last night!

 

Was hoping to find the blantons you can only get in other countries at duty free but this seemed like a good grab based on what I saw.

 

Southern Star Paragon at the ACC Championship Game

 

I’m going with a local whiskey this evening.

We have three maybe four whiskey distilleries in Utah. I suppose that’s a testament to whiskey’s popularity.

 

Yum

 

those bottles tend to disappear fast

 

Have a couple backups now so properly enjoying it like it should be

 

Company Xmas party last night had door prizes. I won the “taste of Italy” basket.

coworker next to me won the McCallan 12 year basket….

I ask if he’s ever had it to which he responded “nah I’m not much of a drinker”

I did have open bar access to Makers and gentlemen jack so I sipped on a couple makers