Have to say that this has been my experience, too. I used to drink Maker's thinking it was great. Don't get me wrong - it's still very good and more than acceptable in my home bar. But, I picked up a bottle of Buffalo Trace over the holidays and had the opportunity to sample a few other bourbons, and, man, do they kick Maker's' butt. So much so that I may forego some of my usual single malt scotches to consume more bourbon this winter. Someone else mentioned Elmer T. Lee. Gave that as a b'day gift to a friend who let me enjoy some with him and it, too, was outstanding.

Good stuff, all around.

I am currently doing a side-by-side comparison of Black Jack and Woodford Reserve. Woodford Reserve has been my go-to sipping bourbon. I bought the Jack for mixing.

They are closer than I would have expected. The Woodford Reserve is a little smoother and somewhat sweeter, but no "hotter" (in spite of its higher proof). My conclusion: Woodford Reserve is better but not worth the extra price if you're mixing and maybe not worth the extra price for sipping.

Smooth Ambler (old scout?) - that's around £45 in London, ie ca $65. It is a decent drink though

Being in London is the issue. Even in Virginia ABC stores with their inflated prices, it's around $40. ;)

Sorry to ask a mundane question, but what is the deal with Virginia alcohol sales? Can I only buy Bourbon at these ABC stores? In California you can buy it just about anywhere including grocery and drug stores. Where is the best place to buy near IAD?

In Virginia liquor can only be bought in the ABC stores (beer and wine can be bought elsewhere). In small towns the ABC stores may have very limited inventories of many liquor types, but they usually have a decent selection of bourbons.

North Carolina is the exact same. Around Christmas time the ABC Stores here tend to stock better stuff.

Oh well, I guess I'll just have to fly the bourbon in. My last time at MHT they have a pretty nice bourbon store by the gates after security. I'm sure I'll be up there again soon enough.

In VA, the stores are a state monopoly with state-set prices and largely a state-wide selection (not all stores will have everything, but stores will not have *more* than the state has decided to carry, either).

Some of the prices are insanely inflated; for example, Masterson's Rye and Bourbons are $120-ish in VA ABC stores. I brought them back from NV for $60 or less. We have a few good deals, but by and large, prices are inflated over what they are in other states (and not just due to excise taxes).

Don't get me started on allocated stuff, which is almost impossible to come by in VA, and which no one in VA can explain how to get (e.g. there's supposedly a waiting list, but they're not taking new applicants and keep talking about having "a new mechanism" "in development" but never any word). The stores can't give you any good info about special orders or requests, either.

I like the revenue the VA ABCs bring the state, but the way they're run is just atrocious.

As for good stores near IAD, what do you mean by "near?" There's a Signature Store in Tyson's which often has higher-end selections, and another store in Tyson's which has other harder-to-find stuff. I haven't been impressed with the locations in Reston, Herndon, or Sterling, or Chantilly I've visited.

Though unfortunately I can't find Rittenhouse Rye to save my life right now. All the Durham ABC stores are out of it and the guy at one of them said there isn't any in the state. The selection is so up and down for Bourbon/Scotch/Whiskey it's just frustrating

Thanks, this is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks to this post I won't bother with the stores near IAD. I'll try the Tyson Signature store to see what they have and if it is too overpriced I'll just fly in whatever I need.

All of this describes precisely why I go into D.C. to buy my liquor. Better selection, better prices. I understand that's not an option for everyone, but I really hate the state-run liquor store concept. Makes me miss NY and the local guy who provided great prices and great customer service.

Exactly the reason government shouldn't run the liquor business. I encountered the same in NC and AL.

While I was still living in AL, the guy running the ABC's determined that 90% of the revenue came from 10% of the SKU's. That's right, he eliminated the 90% that only contributed to 10% of the sales.

When private industry runs the business, there is no one size fits all mentality. If a guy thinks he can make a go with a wide selection and higher prices, he's free to try. Likewise, someone can do what the state did and cater to the masses that want nothing but Crown, Jack and Bud.

In past years, Virginia police would stake out major DC liquor stores (esp. at major holidays) and radio the license plates and descriptions of VA cars to VA police at the bridges into Virginia. I haven't heard any stories about this in a few years. Have they stopped?

That sounds pretty ridiculous. Do you know how many cars Hertz, Avis, etc., rent out each day with VA plates? There are sooooo many people here who are not really Virginia citizens.

I'm in D.C. this weekend. Maybe I'll check out the shops here.