Bourbon

[johnnybogey]

[quote name='ocburg17' timestamp='1423596705' post='10926113']
Anyone know why Blanton's is difficult to find right now? It has been a bottle on my list and over the last month I have not been able to find it anywhere locally.
[/quote]

A few places by me have them in stock but just a few bottles. The price is creeping up over $60 which IMO is overpriced. Don't get me wrong, I think Blanton's is a great bourbon but over $60 just seems too expensive when there are plenty of other good bourbons out there at a lower price point.

From visiting a bunch of liquor stores (and believe me, the bourbon bug caught me like the golf bug when I first started), I am now a bourbon ho. It seems like all Buffalo Trace products are missing from shelves. I read an article a few months back of a shortage over at Buffalo Trace (includes Blanton's, Elmer T. Lee) to name a few. Either that or their products are going the way of "Allocations".

[ocburg17]

[quote name='johnnybogey' timestamp='1423628014' post='10929415']
A few places by me have them in stock but just a few bottles. The price is creeping up over $60 which IMO is overpriced. Don't get me wrong, I think Blanton's is a great bourbon but over $60 just seems too expensive when there are plenty of other good bourbons out there at a lower price point.

From visiting a bunch of liquor stores (and believe me, the bourbon bug caught me like the golf bug when I first started), I am now a bourbon ho. It seems like all Buffalo Trace products are missing from shelves. I read an article a few months back of a shortage over at Buffalo Trace (includes Blanton's, Elmer T. Lee) to name a few. Either that or their products are going the way of "Allocations".
[/quote]

The distributor that I talked to said the same thing about Buffalo Trace, everything from that distillery is getting hard to keep on shelves and harder to order. When I asked about Blanton's he said he didn't even have a location or date that he could give me and if I did find a bottle, buy two. While on my quest to find Blanton's at the various locations around me, I've bought Basil Hayden, Four Roses Single Barrel, Woodford (my favorite) and Michter's small batch. I can't leave a store empty handed.

And I agree, over $60 is a bit much. I just turned 30 and wanted to try something different and it's been on my radar for a while. I have found many great Bourbons around $30-35. I do have a bottle of Jefferson's Presidential 17 that is my highest end bottle, but I only drink that on rare/special occasions.

[ocburg17]

[quote name='highdraw69' timestamp='1423602517' post='10926793']
[quote name='ocburg17' timestamp='1423596705' post='10926113']
Anyone know why Blanton's is difficult to find right now? It has been a bottle on my list and over the last month I have not been able to find it anywhere locally.
[/quote]

interesting, I checked two major online retailers and sure enough they were both sold out...if you are SW cheesehead land, you could pop over to a MN byerlys -- they pretty much always have it in stock on the shelves for about $56-$60
[/quote]

Thanks, I'm in SE Wisconsin (just south of Milwaukee) so the drive would be a bit much. I'll keep on my search and pick up others along the way.

[johnnybogey]

[quote name='ocburg17' timestamp='1423659677' post='10930419']
[quote name='johnnybogey' timestamp='1423628014' post='10929415']
A few places by me have them in stock but just a few bottles. The price is creeping up over $60 which IMO is overpriced. Don't get me wrong, I think Blanton's is a great bourbon but over $60 just seems too expensive when there are plenty of other good bourbons out there at a lower price point.

From visiting a bunch of liquor stores (and believe me, the bourbon bug caught me like the golf bug when I first started), I am now a bourbon ho. It seems like all Buffalo Trace products are missing from shelves. I read an article a few months back of a shortage over at Buffalo Trace (includes Blanton's, Elmer T. Lee) to name a few. Either that or their products are going the way of "Allocations".
[/quote]

The distributor that I talked to said the same thing about Buffalo Trace, everything from that distillery is getting hard to keep on shelves and harder to order. When I asked about Blanton's he said he didn't even have a location or date that he could give me and if I did find a bottle, buy two. While on my quest to find Blanton's at the various locations around me, I've bought Basil Hayden, Four Roses Single Barrel, Woodford (my favorite) and Michter's small batch. I can't leave a store empty handed.

And I agree, over $60 is a bit much. I just turned 30 and wanted to try something different and it's been on my radar for a while. I have found many great Bourbons around $30-35. I do have a bottle of Jefferson's Presidential 17 that is my highest end bottle, but I only drink that on rare/special occasions.
[/quote]

JP 17! *drool*

[ocburg17]

There were so many higher end options on the shelves 5 years ago when I first started drinking bourbon. If I was where I am now, I would have quite a collection. I'm glad that bourbon is catching on more, but it is making it more difficult to find certain bottles.

[johnnybogey]

[quote name='ocburg17' timestamp='1423679936' post='10932391']There were so many higher end options on the shelves 5 years ago when I first started drinking bourbon. If I was where I am now, I would have quite a collection. I'm glad that bourbon is catching on more, but it is making it more difficult to find certain bottles.[/quote]

Yeah. I wish I started years ago. I would have stashes of pappy, Weller, Willet family estate, and JP 17 and 18 yr.

[dcmidnight]

[quote name='ocburg17' timestamp='1423679936' post='10932391']
There were so many higher end options on the shelves 5 years ago when I first started drinking bourbon. If I was where I am now, I would have quite a collection. I'm glad that bourbon is catching on more, but it is making it more difficult to find certain bottles.
[/quote]

The more I try some of the great stuff in the $40-60 range though - it makes me all the more incredulous at paying hundreds or thousands for a limited release PVW or whatever. Would I pay $80 retail for say a PVW 15 year? Absolutely. Would I pay the blackmarket price of @ $800? No way, Ill take 20 bottles of a great $40 bourbon instead.

Just me though.

[ocburg17]

[quote name='dcmidnight' timestamp='1423685805' post='10933043']
[quote name='ocburg17' timestamp='1423679936' post='10932391']
There were so many higher end options on the shelves 5 years ago when I first started drinking bourbon. If I was where I am now, I would have quite a collection. I'm glad that bourbon is catching on more, but it is making it more difficult to find certain bottles.
[/quote]

The more I try some of the great stuff in the $40-60 range though - it makes me all the more incredulous at paying hundreds or thousands for a limited release PVW or whatever. Would I pay $80 retail for say a PVW 15 year? Absolutely. Would I pay the blackmarket price of @ $800? No way, Ill take 20 bottles of a great $40 bourbon instead.

Just me though.
[/quote]

I'm the exact same way. So what are your favorites in the $40-60 range? I am currently stepping up to that price point.

[johnnybogey]

Could[quote name='dcmidnight' timestamp='1423685805' post='10933043']
[quote name='ocburg17' timestamp='1423679936' post='10932391']
There were so many higher end options on the shelves 5 years ago when I first started drinking bourbon. If I was where I am now, I would have quite a collection. I'm glad that bourbon is catching on more, but it is making it more difficult to find certain bottles.
[/quote]

The more I try some of the great stuff in the $40-60 range though - it makes me all the more incredulous at paying hundreds or thousands for a limited release PVW or whatever. Would I pay $80 retail for say a PVW 15 year? Absolutely. Would I pay the blackmarket price of @ $800? No way, Ill take 20 bottles of a great $40 bourbon instead.

Just me though.
[/quote]

Couldn't agree more. Although, I did score my first bottle of Pappy a few weeks ago (the 10 year, so not really "pappy"). Paid $89.99 which is a little more than double retail but not astronomical like other places who are charging $300-500 for the 10 year.

[Mr. Grumpy]

[quote name='ocburg17' timestamp='1423690536' post='10933651']
[quote name='dcmidnight' timestamp='1423685805' post='10933043']
[quote name='ocburg17' timestamp='1423679936' post='10932391']
There were so many higher end options on the shelves 5 years ago when I first started drinking bourbon. If I was where I am now, I would have quite a collection. I'm glad that bourbon is catching on more, but it is making it more difficult to find certain bottles.
[/quote]

The more I try some of the great stuff in the $40-60 range though - it makes me all the more incredulous at paying hundreds or thousands for a limited release PVW or whatever. Would I pay $80 retail for say a PVW 15 year? Absolutely. Would I pay the blackmarket price of @ $800? No way, Ill take 20 bottles of a great $40 bourbon instead.

Just me though.
[/quote]

I'm the exact same way. So what are your favorites in the $40-60 range? I am currently stepping up to that price point.
[/quote]

Eagle Rare is a great choice in that price range. I have tried many in this cat and keep coming back to it...

[dcmidnight]

[quote name='ocburg17' timestamp='1423690536' post='10933651']
I'm the exact same way. So what are your favorites in the $40-60 range? I am currently stepping up to that price point.
[/quote]

Right now I would say the Russells Reserve Small Batch Single Barrel that I just tried is amazing. Probably followed by Four Roses Single Barrel.

Also bought a small bottle of Eagle Rare to try - heard nothing but great things though.

[johnnybogey]

Guys. Scored my first BTAC bottle, thomas handy 2013. Paid 140 OTD but IMO a good price considering the prices I've seen at other stores in my area.

This purchase was funded by a Taylor made R1 driver I sold on the bay.

Excited to give this one a try.

[ocburg17]

This topic made me pour a small glencairn of JP 17. It gets better every time I try it.

I have bottles of eagle rare 10 and russell's reserve 10 and never really formed an opinion on them. Good no doubt since the eagle rare is gone and the russell's is near. Sounds like I need to pour a russell's this weekend. My taste has changed a bit since so ill have to keep an eye out for the eagle rare offerings as ive never found something out of buffalo trace I didnt like.

Big fan of four roses single as well.

[roundersmitty]

Bulleit is Four Roses bourbon...one of the better cheap ones. I bought a case of Four Roses 2013 LE Small Batch about a year ago. Bought it for $80 a bottle and sold for $150.

[KLeC]

I was in Louisville on business yesterday. It was a perfect place to spend some quality time with a client at a downtown bourbon bar. There's something about sipping Blanton's in Louisville. When you order it, the bartender serves it up with a nod of approval.

[WVP]

Eagle Rare should be just under $30. I actually think the biggest bang for the buck falls in the $25-40 range - anything over and there's a risk of not getting the value. Not saying there's not great stuff that's expensive but you need to pick your spots...

Here's some good (short) lists for price ranges:

[url="http://www.breakingbourbon.com/best-20-dollar-bourbons.html"]http://www.breakingb...r-bourbons.html[/url]
[url="http://www.breakingbourbon.com/best-30-dollar-bourbons.html"]http://www.breakingb...r-bourbons.html[/url]
[url="http://www.breakingbourbon.com/best-40-dollar-bourbons.html"]http://www.breakingb...r-bourbons.html[/url]

I like almost all of the suggestions there.

[Doc420]

[quote name='roundersmitty' timestamp='1423710338' post='10935989']
Bulleit is Four Roses bourbon...one of the better cheap ones. I bought a case of Four Roses 2013 LE Small Batch about a year ago. Bought it for $80 a bottle and sold for $150.
[/quote]Bulleit isn't with Four Roses anymore, Bulleit actually started out at Buffalo Trace.

[Doc420]

Looks like I'm going to have to start my own little Golfwrx Blanton distribution service. Any rules against putting it in the BST.

[WVP]

[quote name='Doc420' timestamp='1423722424' post='10936949']
[quote name='roundersmitty' timestamp='1423710338' post='10935989']
Bulleit is Four Roses bourbon...one of the better cheap ones. I bought a case of Four Roses 2013 LE Small Batch about a year ago. Bought it for $80 a bottle and sold for $150.
[/quote]Bulleit isn't with Four Roses anymore, Bulleit actually started out at Buffalo Trace.
[/quote]

http://chuckcowdery.blogspot.com/2014/02/who-makes-bulleit-bourbon.html

[quote][color=#131414][size=3]In 2008, Diageo made a rare, definitive statement about who makes Bulleit Bourbon. "Bulleit Bourbon continues to be wholly distilled at the Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, KY according to exacting standards developed by Tom Bulleit and the Bulleit Distilling Company. Bulleit Bourbon’s bold flavor is the product of a unique recipe featuring a high proportion of the rye grain and the use of a proprietary yeast culture. As with all Kentucky straight Bourbons, Bulleit Bourbon is aged in charred barrels made from new American Oak and contains absolutely no additives whatsoever."[/size][/color]

[color=#131414][size=3]The use of "distilled" strongly suggested maturation is done elsewhere, but that was widely assumed even though Diageo wouldn't confirm it. Nothing distilled at Four Roses is matured there because they don't have any rackhouses at the distillery. They are over at Cox's Creek, in Nelson County. Most people, however, believe Bulleit Bourbon is aged at Diageo's Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Louisville.[/size][/color]

[color=#131414][size=3]In 2011, when Diageo released Bulleit Rye, it announced that the whiskey was distilled at MGP of Indiana. [/size][/color][/quote]

They did break ground on their own distillery last year but obviously do not have product yet. I know their Rye still comes out of MGP but as far as the public can tell the bourbon is still Four Roses juice. Which isn't a bad thing, the issue is some brands walking the fine between storytelling and deceit in recent years regarding sourced bourbon.

[ocburg17]

[quote name='Doc420' timestamp='1423722523' post='10936951']
Looks like I'm going to have to start my own little Golfwrx Blanton distribution service. Any rules against putting it in the BST.
[/quote]

Willing to drive to WI?

[Doc420]

[quote name='WVP' timestamp='1423744941' post='10937369']
[quote name='Doc420' timestamp='1423722424' post='10936949']
[quote name='roundersmitty' timestamp='1423710338' post='10935989']
Bulleit is Four Roses bourbon...one of the better cheap ones. I bought a case of Four Roses 2013 LE Small Batch about a year ago. Bought it for $80 a bottle and sold for $150.
[/quote]Bulleit isn't with Four Roses anymore, Bulleit actually started out at Buffalo Trace.
[/quote]

[url="http://chuckcowdery.blogspot.com/2014/02/who-makes-bulleit-bourbon.html"]http://chuckcowdery....it-bourbon.html[/url]

[quote][color=#131414][size=3]In 2008, Diageo made a rare, definitive statement about who makes Bulleit Bourbon. "Bulleit Bourbon continues to be wholly distilled at the Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, KY according to exacting standards developed by Tom Bulleit and the Bulleit Distilling Company. Bulleit Bourbon’s bold flavor is the product of a unique recipe featuring a high proportion of the rye grain and the use of a proprietary yeast culture. As with all Kentucky straight Bourbons, Bulleit Bourbon is aged in charred barrels made from new American Oak and contains absolutely no additives whatsoever."[/size][/color]

[color=#131414][size=3]The use of "distilled" strongly suggested maturation is done elsewhere, but that was widely assumed even though Diageo wouldn't confirm it. Nothing distilled at Four Roses is matured there because they don't have any rackhouses at the distillery. They are over at Cox's Creek, in Nelson County. Most people, however, believe Bulleit Bourbon is aged at Diageo's Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Louisville.[/size][/color]

[color=#131414][size=3]In 2011, when Diageo released Bulleit Rye, it announced that the whiskey was distilled at MGP of Indiana. [/size][/color][/quote]

They did break ground on their own distillery last year but obviously do not have product yet. I know their Rye still comes out of MGP but as far as the public can tell the bourbon is still Four Roses juice. Which isn't a bad thing, the issue is some brands walking the fine between storytelling and deceit in recent years regarding sourced bourbon.
[/quote]Tom Bulleit is a Lawyer out of Louisville and started the label sometime around 94 or 95, although I'm not sure about the year. He was a friend of my father back in Law School. Bulleit first started at Ancient Age, witch is Buffalo Trace. They had a one room office in an old warehouse that his daughter would work out of. They moved from Buffalo Trace around 98 over to Four Roses, I still stand by my statement they aren't with Four Roses anymore, not sure who they might be buying from now though.

Your info about sourced bourbon is right. The first several years of Woodford Reserve, you were drinking product from Ancient Age, now Buffalo Trace. They would run around 10 tanker trucks a day out of there.

[highdraw69]

Doc420 -- sounds like you really know your bourbon info! Do you know who sources the bourbon for Jefferson's and Black Maple Hill? And how or why do those companies do such an amazing job of finishing the bourbon they outsource for?

[bub72ck]

Love Four Roses Single Barrel. It seems to me to be the best in its price range. My father in law had The Yamazaki 12 year which I loved. My first sample of Japanese whiskey and I was impressed.

[pappaf2]

Been working through some Russel Reserve 10 year and another bottle of Jefferson's Reserve.

The Russell's is good but a has a little bite.

I am finding I really like Jefferson's Reserve. Really nice easy drinking bourbon imo and it can be had for under $40.

I am interested to try some Michter's at some point.

[LittleLeftToRight]

I am not a [i]connoisseur[/i] like you guys, more a consumer. Glad I found this thread though. Expansion of horizons and such...

Here is a sample of how I choose from the last little while since this is a golf forum-

Five over through six (ugh, gonna be one of those days), birdie next three and scratch out two tweeters on the back. Disaster averted! Crack open some Bulleit to self revel in my own awesomeness.....

In a tournament and under through 12. Get on a bogey train and it's going too fast to get off. The only thing that saves me is I run out of holes. Embarrassed. Pick up some Benchmark 8 and dive down the throat...

[1puttTUT]

[quote name='pappaf2' timestamp='1423768224' post='10939841']
Been working through some Russel Reserve 10 year and another bottle of Jefferson's Reserve.


The Russell's is good but a has a little bite.

I am finding I really like Jefferson's Reserve. Really nice easy drinking bourbon imo and it can be had for under $40.

I am interested to try some Michter's at some point.
[/quote]

IMO michters is better than Jefferson's Reserve.

[Doc420]

[quote name='highdraw69' timestamp='1423762714' post='10939229']
Doc420 -- sounds like you really know your bourbon info! Do you know who sources the bourbon for Jefferson's and Black Maple Hill? And how or why do those companies do such an amazing job of finishing the bourbon they outsource for?
[/quote]I wouldn't say that I know a lot, I live a couple miles from Buffalo Trace, and I worked there for about two years back when I was in school. I worked for the company and wasn't part of the Union employees, I didn't have anything to do with production, or cooking process. I did float around and worked different area's of the company, Shipping, Marketing, Blanton's and the other single barrel production etc. There is nothing like drinking a shot of Blanton fresh out of the barrel before it has been cut. Especially when it has been chilled down to about 20 degrees.

Elmer Lee lived right behind my grandfather and was a very nice man who never really changed since the day he started to work in the industry.

[bppry]

[quote name='ocburg17' timestamp='1423745516' post='10937401']
[quote name='Doc420' timestamp='1423722523' post='10936951']
Looks like I'm going to have to start my own little Golfwrx Blanton distribution service. Any rules against putting it in the BST.
[/quote]

Willing to drive to WI?
[/quote]
My local store has plenty of bottles from a hand picked barrel of Blantons.

[roundersmitty]

Blantons is $65CND ($50USD) here. As the price gone up in America?

[bppry]

It's $60 at my store, but Michigan's liquor prices are typically a little higher than other states because the state controls the prices.