Best & worst Bourbon?
Dec 8, 2016 | 5:46 pm
#766
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: DFW
Posts: 8,233
Since moving to TX earlier this year, I've directed some spend to total wine to hit the highest tier in their rewards program, as those members get first shot at limited releases. Figured it'd give me better odds being new to the area than starting relationships with small stores.
This morning a friend sends me a text asking if I've received my email for their pvw release...I had not. Called corporate to see if it was by state or if there was something wrong and they told me that they weren't receiving any in TX. I was a bit deflated after the call, but then remembered that I'm in CA right now and thought maybe I could pull something off. Called corp back and they told me there was a store about 20mim from my office that had it first come, first serve for grand reserve members. They called the store and added me to their list so I'd be able to buy if there was any left (since I wouldn't have the barcoded email).
Hopped in the car and shot over there...there was quite a line. Fortunately, I made it just in time and was able to grab a pvw15 and orvw. They ran out 2 people after me. Double good luck that I brought a large suitcase that can easily fit the 2 bottles in a box
This morning a friend sends me a text asking if I've received my email for their pvw release...I had not. Called corporate to see if it was by state or if there was something wrong and they told me that they weren't receiving any in TX. I was a bit deflated after the call, but then remembered that I'm in CA right now and thought maybe I could pull something off. Called corp back and they told me there was a store about 20mim from my office that had it first come, first serve for grand reserve members. They called the store and added me to their list so I'd be able to buy if there was any left (since I wouldn't have the barcoded email).
Hopped in the car and shot over there...there was quite a line. Fortunately, I made it just in time and was able to grab a pvw15 and orvw. They ran out 2 people after me. Double good luck that I brought a large suitcase that can easily fit the 2 bottles in a box
Dec 8, 2016 | 7:56 pm
#767
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Baltimore MD
Posts: 3,472
Since moving to TX earlier this year, I've directed some spend to total wine to hit the highest tier in their rewards program, as those members get first shot at limited releases. Figured it'd give me better odds being new to the area than starting relationships with small stores.
This morning a friend sends me a text asking if I've received my email for their pvw release...I had not. Called corporate to see if it was by state or if there was something wrong and they told me that they weren't receiving any in TX. I was a bit deflated after the call, but then remembered that I'm in CA right now and thought maybe I could pull something off. Called corp back and they told me there was a store about 20mim from my office that had it first come, first serve for grand reserve members. They called the store and added me to their list so I'd be able to buy if there was any left (since I wouldn't have the barcoded email).
Hopped in the car and shot over there...there was quite a line. Fortunately, I made it just in time and was able to grab a pvw15 and orvw. They ran out 2 people after me. Double good luck that I brought a large suitcase that can easily fit the 2 bottles in a box
This morning a friend sends me a text asking if I've received my email for their pvw release...I had not. Called corporate to see if it was by state or if there was something wrong and they told me that they weren't receiving any in TX. I was a bit deflated after the call, but then remembered that I'm in CA right now and thought maybe I could pull something off. Called corp back and they told me there was a store about 20mim from my office that had it first come, first serve for grand reserve members. They called the store and added me to their list so I'd be able to buy if there was any left (since I wouldn't have the barcoded email).
Hopped in the car and shot over there...there was quite a line. Fortunately, I made it just in time and was able to grab a pvw15 and orvw. They ran out 2 people after me. Double good luck that I brought a large suitcase that can easily fit the 2 bottles in a box
Anyway congrats again; hope you enjoy and great haul. Do they do the same for the Antique collection?
FDW
Dec 11, 2016 | 3:57 pm
#768
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Formerly HPN, but then DCA and IAD for a while, and now back to HPN!
Programs: Honestly, I've been out of the travel game so long that I'm not even sure. Maybe Marriott Gold?
Posts: 10,677
Had Reservoir and Hudson last night. Both were quite tasty.
Hoping to find some more Elmer T Lee and Col E H Taylor somewhere locally soon.
Hoping to find some more Elmer T Lee and Col E H Taylor somewhere locally soon.
Dec 11, 2016 | 10:54 pm
#769
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: DFW
Posts: 8,233
Yup, 25k points. Nobody seems to know yet what's going on with btac, but word is that it will somehow be offered to grand reserve members first. When did beltway change?
I still have a mostly full bottle of Hudson left, I was not impressed especially for the price.
How about beam doubling the price of booker's and cutting production? It's a safe, if uninspiring, choice in the $50 range, but forget it at $100. They're also killing old grand dad 114, which is a fantastic value and great for cocktails.
I still have a mostly full bottle of Hudson left, I was not impressed especially for the price.
How about beam doubling the price of booker's and cutting production? It's a safe, if uninspiring, choice in the $50 range, but forget it at $100. They're also killing old grand dad 114, which is a fantastic value and great for cocktails.
Dec 12, 2016 | 9:48 am
#770
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: 6km East of EPAYE
Programs: UA Silver, AA Platinum, AS & DL GM Marriott TE, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,575
Good to know. My boss loves Manhattans.
Dec 16, 2016 | 7:00 am
#771
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Chicagoland, IL, USA
Programs: WN CP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,418
A reminder that every six months (April and October) a group of us FTers go to Kentucky for the races and bourbon. For April 2017 we have reserved all the spots for a behind-the-scenes "hard hat" tour at Buffalo Trace.
The link is in my signature.
The link is in my signature.
Dec 17, 2016 | 9:24 pm
#772
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: DFW
Posts: 8,233
So total wine sent out and botched their btac emails earlier in the week - sent reservation emails with broken links. Said we'd get a new link the following day, then sent it later that same day. Fortunately, I happened to look at my email and got a reservation. They consolidated to just a few stores in each state - if you received a confirmation email yesterday, they would hold a bottleneck for you, but selection was first come, first serve.
Made the hour drive to Dallas this morning when they opened at 10 and there were about a dozen other people with reservations waiting. Earliest folks were there around 7 and the first 3 people took Wlw. Fortunately, I still have a half bottle of last year's left. Did score gts today. They had no saz.
Guy in front of me in line thought he'd be able to get a walk up bottle. He told the manager he didn't have an email and was told "nope, not happening, it's impossible for me to give you anything." Poor guy.
Being a good husband and father, I then made my way to t&co so I'd have an acceptable reason for being gone so long, other than just buying bourbon.
Made the hour drive to Dallas this morning when they opened at 10 and there were about a dozen other people with reservations waiting. Earliest folks were there around 7 and the first 3 people took Wlw. Fortunately, I still have a half bottle of last year's left. Did score gts today. They had no saz.
Guy in front of me in line thought he'd be able to get a walk up bottle. He told the manager he didn't have an email and was told "nope, not happening, it's impossible for me to give you anything." Poor guy.
Being a good husband and father, I then made my way to t&co so I'd have an acceptable reason for being gone so long, other than just buying bourbon.
Dec 22, 2016 | 8:36 am
#773
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: 6km East of EPAYE
Programs: UA Silver, AA Platinum, AS & DL GM Marriott TE, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,575
OK, so the boss and I got into the Thomas H Handy last night and WOW is all I can say without being banned from FT.
He was reluctant to mix such a special bourbon but ended up making a Manhattan and did not regret it. The most prominent flavor was this amazing smooth clove note with a honeyed finish. Really impressive drink. FlyingDoctorwu I hope you enjoy your bottle as much as he did ^
He was reluctant to mix such a special bourbon but ended up making a Manhattan and did not regret it. The most prominent flavor was this amazing smooth clove note with a honeyed finish. Really impressive drink. FlyingDoctorwu I hope you enjoy your bottle as much as he did ^
Dec 22, 2016 | 5:42 pm
#774
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Baltimore MD
Posts: 3,472
Yup, 25k points. Nobody seems to know yet what's going on with btac, but word is that it will somehow be offered to grand reserve members first. When did beltway change?
I still have a mostly full bottle of Hudson left, I was not impressed especially for the price.
How about beam doubling the price of booker's and cutting production? It's a safe, if uninspiring, choice in the $50 range, but forget it at $100. They're also killing old grand dad 114, which is a fantastic value and great for cocktails.
I still have a mostly full bottle of Hudson left, I was not impressed especially for the price.
How about beam doubling the price of booker's and cutting production? It's a safe, if uninspiring, choice in the $50 range, but forget it at $100. They're also killing old grand dad 114, which is a fantastic value and great for cocktails.
So total wine sent out and botched their btac emails earlier in the week - sent reservation emails with broken links. Said we'd get a new link the following day, then sent it later that same day. Fortunately, I happened to look at my email and got a reservation. They consolidated to just a few stores in each state - if you received a confirmation email yesterday, they would hold a bottleneck for you, but selection was first come, first serve.
Made the hour drive to Dallas this morning when they opened at 10 and there were about a dozen other people with reservations waiting. Earliest folks were there around 7 and the first 3 people took Wlw. Fortunately, I still have a half bottle of last year's left. Did score gts today. They had no saz.
Guy in front of me in line thought he'd be able to get a walk up bottle. He told the manager he didn't have an email and was told "nope, not happening, it's impossible for me to give you anything." Poor guy.
Being a good husband and father, I then made my way to t&co so I'd have an acceptable reason for being gone so long, other than just buying bourbon.
Made the hour drive to Dallas this morning when they opened at 10 and there were about a dozen other people with reservations waiting. Earliest folks were there around 7 and the first 3 people took Wlw. Fortunately, I still have a half bottle of last year's left. Did score gts today. They had no saz.
Guy in front of me in line thought he'd be able to get a walk up bottle. He told the manager he didn't have an email and was told "nope, not happening, it's impossible for me to give you anything." Poor guy.
Being a good husband and father, I then made my way to t&co so I'd have an acceptable reason for being gone so long, other than just buying bourbon.
Beltway changed in 2014 I think for the PVW; this year for the BTAC. GTS is a good score. Absolutely rediciluous about Bookers- as you said it it is a hard sell at 50-60... Create artificial demand by cutting production and raising the price... I guess they saw what their limited editions did and are trying to create my hype for their normal stock...
I like high proof stuff for cocktails.. makes it seem like I'm getting a real drink...
OK, so the boss and I got into the Thomas H Handy last night and WOW is all I can say without being banned from FT.
He was reluctant to mix such a special bourbon but ended up making a Manhattan and did not regret it. The most prominent flavor was this amazing smooth clove note with a honeyed finish. Really impressive drink. FlyingDoctorwu I hope you enjoy your bottle as much as he did ^
He was reluctant to mix such a special bourbon but ended up making a Manhattan and did not regret it. The most prominent flavor was this amazing smooth clove note with a honeyed finish. Really impressive drink. FlyingDoctorwu I hope you enjoy your bottle as much as he did ^
FDW
Dec 22, 2016 | 6:33 pm
#775
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: 6km East of EPAYE
Programs: UA Silver, AA Platinum, AS & DL GM Marriott TE, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,575
Dec 29, 2016 | 5:52 pm
#776
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,312
Picked up some Baby Saz in NYC today. Never see it in NC and have heard good things. Saw it in a bunch of stores mostly at $40 so pulled the trigger when one store had it at $32. Looking forward to trying it when I get back to NC this weekend.
Also saw Stagg Jr 130 proof (Batch #7) for $70. Couldn't decide (even at a good price) and ultimately passed (perhaps a mistake) based on a few reviews of Batch 7 that weren't favorable.
Ended up spending the $70 on Ohishi Sherry Cask Whiskey instead (but that's for a different thread).
Also saw Stagg Jr 130 proof (Batch #7) for $70. Couldn't decide (even at a good price) and ultimately passed (perhaps a mistake) based on a few reviews of Batch 7 that weren't favorable.
Ended up spending the $70 on Ohishi Sherry Cask Whiskey instead (but that's for a different thread).
Last edited by Duke787; Dec 29, 2016 at 6:32 pm
Dec 31, 2016 | 6:09 am
#777
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: 6km East of EPAYE
Programs: UA Silver, AA Platinum, AS & DL GM Marriott TE, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,575
Have been drinking the Jefferson Ocean Aged batch 8 this week on vacation. Very, very good. Definitely worth the $64 at Costco, not sure if I'd pay the $90+ at a liquor store through. 
Jan 2, 2017 | 8:04 pm
#778
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 72,561
Won a Van Winkle 12 in the VA ABC lottery this year. First time I'd tried it; it's good, albeit not in the same league as the 20.
Have the Mitcher's 10 Single Barrel coming in soon on a "2nd change" VA ABC lottery drawing, too. Costs like $40 more than the Pappy 12, but I'll buy it anyway given it's not something I see often at retail prices...
Haven't tried the voyage 8 yet; I do like the cask strength one (7?) a good bit, as well as the earlier batches.
Elmer T. Lee is supposedly showing up on VA ABC shelves again soon and is a good bargain at $35-ish. I haven't seen it at any of the ABCs I frequent yet, though, and got the ABC e-mail that stores would have it a few weeks ago. They also did online ordering for it earlier last year; I dunno if they'll do so again in 2017 or not. I snagged a few bottles when it was on shelves in early 2016.
Have the Mitcher's 10 Single Barrel coming in soon on a "2nd change" VA ABC lottery drawing, too. Costs like $40 more than the Pappy 12, but I'll buy it anyway given it's not something I see often at retail prices...
Elmer T. Lee is supposedly showing up on VA ABC shelves again soon and is a good bargain at $35-ish. I haven't seen it at any of the ABCs I frequent yet, though, and got the ABC e-mail that stores would have it a few weeks ago. They also did online ordering for it earlier last year; I dunno if they'll do so again in 2017 or not. I snagged a few bottles when it was on shelves in early 2016.
Jan 3, 2017 | 10:16 am
#780
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: BAEC Gold, Delta Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, AMEX Platinum (US)
Posts: 18,541
The consensus was the 15yr and 20yr were very different and the latter being spectacular (unfortunately for the wallets of those present!
) I used to live in VA but never heard of the ABC lotteries. I assume like most lotteries your $60 is lost if you don't win....do you know how many bottles the VA ABC get?