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What distilled beverage are you drinking?

mneeley490mneeley490Member
@sandyfitzgerald posted:

Finally scored a bottle of my favorite Rock Hill Farms which is made by Buffalo Trace. None of the big boys ever have it. Found it sitting alone all dusty in a small Mom and Pop shop. Told me it had been there for about six month! Sipping slowly

Nice! When Elijah Craig announced the end of their 12-year statement, coincidentally right after I discovered it I enjoyed it, I scoured every Mom & Pop shop within 30 miles looking for more. Found less than a case, but I still have a couple.

vinolevinoleMember

On the subject of Wheaters, a friend and I had a blind tasting this weekend of Old Rip 10 vs 3 different cask strength Maker's Mark (regular CS, 46, Private Select). I picked my favorite two, correctly guessed what they were, and preferred the MM46 CS over the OR 10.  The latter was obviously older, but I preferred the flavor profile of the 46 CS due to the spiciness from the French Oak staves (my wine geek side showing up). My buddy picked the OR10 as #1, but said all were surprisingly close.  Just pointing out that available, reasonably priced whiskey (or whisky in the case of MM) can compete with ones that can command a secondary price of $500 (I paid $80). The MM's were 110-1 proof, and the OR was 107.  I am admittedly not a big wheater fan, and will take rye over wheat nearly every time. The only Weller I've had is the Special Reserve and don't care for it and would not personally chase that line as the OR 10 is essentially an older Full Proof or Antique 107.

The MM Cask Strength came in third for both of us, and you can buy that here for $40.  I would try the regular MM46 at low 30's and 94 proof if you like some spice. The 46CS is the best thing I've had from MM, and have had the RC6 and a couple of Private Selections. The 3 MM's we had came from a gift set bought in December at Costco for $70 for 3 375's, so if you see one, grab it.  Money well spent even for one lukewarm on wheaters.

Last edited by vinole
L longboarderMember
@azwiese posted:

What’s your take on that one? I’m a Weller fan, but looking for another producer of the wheated bourbon. This product and the cask strength Larceny are the two I was interested in.

I really enjoy wheated bourbon and the 1792 Sweet Wheat is one of my favorites. IMHO it is a little better than the regular Wellers, especially the Special Reserve or the Antique 107. My favorite bourbon is the William Larue Weller but we all know that has become somewhat of a unicorn. I am milking my last bottle which is the 2017 release.

A azwieseMember

Between reading the book Pappyland (by Wright Thompson...good book, super easy read) and just getting in a bit of a wine funk, I've drank a little bourbon every night (maybe a lot when I fancy myself a guitar player at 11pm).  I've been cycling through:

Weller Special Reserve and Weller Antique

Four Roses Small Batch Select (my new favorite bourbon that is easy to find)

Wilderness Trail 6yo Kentucky Straight (given as a gift and pretty good)

Old Bardstown Estate

Makers Mark 2020 Limited Release Wood Finishing Series (pretty good, but I think I'd just by the 46 for half the price)

haggishaggisMember

Moutai (or Maotai) is distilled from fermented sorghum.  It's similar to soju (Korean) and shoju (Japanese).  The most famous Moutai is Kweichow Moutai.  I have a dozen or so bottles at home.  Moutai originated, I believe, in the 17th century.

I only drink it when I am in China (a very common ceremonial drink; and I usually over-consume!) or when Chinese friends are visiting.  Interestingly, I have never had a hangover when drinking it, although I do drink a lot of water.

As for the moutai at Costco, I have not seen it before.

mneeley490mneeley490Member

My daughter came by the other day (when I wasn't home) to grab a Bailey's that I had bought her, but when she couldn't find it, she helped herself to one of my remaining Elijah Craig 12 Years. Decided she didn't care for it and brought it back (I assume, because there was no cinnamon flavoring in it.)

So now, since it's already opened...

R RothkoMember

Larceny bourbon - there's a Youtube channel called "How to Drink" where the guy did a 10 bottle blind tasting:  a $3000 Pappy Van Winkle and nine other similar bourbons (ranging in price from about $30 to $200).  The Larceny (about a $30 bottle) came in second place; the Pappy was way down in the ranking.

Anyways, I tried the Larceny, and it was pretty darn good.  Certainly an inexpensive alternative - but since I've never had Pappy, I'm just relying on the "How to Drink" dude.

A azwieseMember

I usually have a bottle of Larceny sitting around.  It's a good everyday sipper.  It's a wheated bourbon, so a bit of a sweeter finish than most bourbons.  Both Larceny and Makers are good wheated alternatives to the fancy (and now overpriced) Weller bottles.  Also, there is a book about the Van Winkle family, and its an easy and enjoyable read, but my main takeaway was that the family patriarch-who kept the Pappy line going and brought it back to prominence-likes to drink his bourbon with a twist of lemon on the rocks.  I started to add a twist to my bourbons, and dang if it isn't delicious.  

mneeley490mneeley490Member

I'm drinking a 1 ltr. bottle of Kirkland Small Batch Straight Bourbon at 92 proof. It was reasonably inexpensive (under $40 in WA, and we have one of the highest liquor taxes in the country), and made by Barton 1792 distillers, so I thought it was worth a shot. It's not on a par with my regular sippers, but certainly more than adequate for mixed drinks. I saw yesterday that Costco also has 100 proof bottled in bond, also made by 1792, out now for about the same price.

Last edited by mneeley490
vinolevinoleMember

We had some cool, rainy weather recently that made me glad I recently bought these peated scotches that I highly recommend.

Port Charlotte 10 (Bruichladdich's peated line) - had this last month while in the Finger Lakes for a wedding and really enjoyed and bought some when I got home. Full bodied from being 100 proof and well balanced with the peat.

Ledaig 10 - not an Islay, but from the Island of Mull.  I get a bit of honey sweetness on the front end that compliments the peat really well. So nice.

mneeley490mneeley490Member

Hmm. I could have sworn that I posted this on here before, but I'm not seeing it now.

About a year back I bought an old bourbon, a Jim Beam clear bowling pin bottle from a private party nearby. This was/is my first "dusty". It was clearly unopened (old tax stamp intact), and in good condition; the gold lettering had worn in a few places. Even had the little marketing tag hanging on it. Guy said his father bought it, and it had been sitting in his basement for about 30 years.  From the markings on the bottle, and the tax stamp, as near as I could figure it had been made sometime between 1961 and 1973. A little more research showed it going at auction for about 15 times what I paid for it.  No, I didn't flip it. Opened it with some good friends, and found it to be a very good sipping whiskey. Still have about an inch left in the bottle.

Last edited by mneeley490
InsightInsightMember
So I’ve recently picked up a new client that’s based in KY.  They were recently in town for a conference, and took them to a couple of honey holes for the following:
Weller Full Proof
Weller C.Y.P.B.
Heaven Hill 7 year BIB
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
They were quite amazed that prices here were cheaper than what the same went for in KY.
S sandyfitzgeraldMember

I live in Kentucky. Although many bourbons are more available here than elsewhere, due to the popularity we do pay more.

Also, lest we forget, Kentucky has horrific sin taxes on all alcohol. Those taxes alone Jack up the retail prices considerably. The difference in prices between Covington, KY and Cincinnati, or Louisville and the IN suburbs, can be considerably different just because of KY sin taxes.

There are still large portions of the State that are dry ( no alcoholic beverages legally sold), and they push taxes, at no cost to them, on we sinners that like to imbibe .

mneeley490mneeley490Member
@Insight posted:
So I’ve recently picked up a new client that’s based in KY.  They were recently in town for a conference, and took them to a couple of honey holes for the following:
Weller Full Proof
Weller C.Y.P.B.
Heaven Hill 7 year BIB
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
They were quite amazed that prices here were cheaper than what the same went for in KY.

My friend still buys liquor online from stores in CA. Has it shipped to his son in Idaho, as it's at least 1/3 cheaper than buying it in WA, even with the shipping. Sometimes I'll piggyback on his order.

Last edited by mneeley490
InsightInsightMember

I was aware WA had the most penal taxes on spirits in the nation, with OR a distant 2nd.  KY is apparently not even in the Top 10 states for alcohol taxes.  Perhaps the county/local authorities are adding their own taxes on top?

Otherwise, it’s just basic microeconomics of not enough supply, with way too high demand, causing prices to go up more so in KY (center of the bourbon universe) than elsewhere.

vinolevinoleMember

Hard Truth Sweet Mash Rye, 58%

Powers John's Lane 12 Year Irish Whiskey, 46%

The HT is from a craft distillery out of IN that has gotten a lot of buzz (Fred Minnick said it was the best 1st batch of any whiskey in his career) that I picked up on a recent trip to Nashville, and just tried, and they aren't wrong.  All the best things about rye without the not so good things.  Seems much lower in proof than it is, with just the right amount of spice and sweetness.  So easy to drink.

The Powers is the best deal in Irish whiskey.  Blows away Redbreast 12 as is much bigger and bolder (12 proof higher) at about the same price.  That and Redbreast 12 Cask Strength and Blue Spot 7 are my go to Irish whiskies.

Last edited by vinole
vinolevinoleMember
@Insight posted:

On the ground in Kentucky for my first time ever.  Definitely be a fair amount of bourbon consumed while I’m here.  Last night was the following:

Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, 2021 release
Knob Creek 12 Year
Weller Full Proof, Hotel Distil barrel pick
Buffalo Trace Kosher Wheat Experience

I beat you to KY by two weeks, but was only in Louisville one full day as a stopover when helping my son move to Nashville (did Nashville Barrel Co. & Nelson Greenbrier (Belle Meade) while there).  I toured/tasted at Michter's, Peerless & Beam (closest to Louisville).  Based on what I see you post, check out Justin's House of Bourbon if you haven't already as they have unicorns and dusties galore (for a price).  Going back in November to do it right with my best bourbon geek buddy.

InsightInsightMember
@vinole posted:

I beat you to KY by two weeks, but was only in Louisville one full day as a stopover when helping my son move to Nashville (did Nashville Barrel Co. & Nelson Greenbrier (Belle Meade) while there).  I toured/tasted at Michter's, Peerless & Beam (closest to Louisville).  Based on what I see you post, check out Justin's House of Bourbon if you haven't already as they have unicorns and dusties galore (for a price).  Going back in November to do it right with my best bourbon geek buddy.

Was told by folks here to check out Justin’s, though I was aware they are definitely on the high end of the range for secondary market pricing.  Went to browse a Liquor Barn Express the next block over from my hotel, and an employee there suggested what larger Liquor Barn locations to check out.  

No tours on the agenda this trip.  Will plan those for the next one out here.

As for last night’s shenanigans, had the following:

Heaven Hill Green Label 6 Year
Benchmark Full Proof
Michter’s Rye 10 Year
Weller Full Proof
vinolevinoleMember
@Insight posted:

Was told by folks here to check out Justin’s, though I was aware they are definitely on the high end of the range for secondary market pricing.  Went to browse a Liquor Barn Express the next block over from my hotel, and an employee there suggested what larger Liquor Barn locations to check out.  

No tours on the agenda this trip.  Will plan those for the next one out here.

As for last night’s shenanigans, had the following:

Heaven Hill Green Label 6 Year
Benchmark Full Proof
Michter’s Rye 10 Year
Weller Full Proof

If it's any consolation, I stopped by a Total Wine and Liquor Barn on the north side of town on the way in to Louisville, and bought nothing.  If you like Michter's, try to get a reservation for their cocktail bar on the top floor.  We went after a regular tasting/tour and I got a flight of 4 bourbons (see pic) for $35.  Also offer a rye  version (2 were in my earlier tasting vs just one below).  Bomberger's was the easy winner for me in that flight, but great price for what you're tasting.IMG_0624

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mneeley490mneeley490Member
@Insight posted:

Was told by folks here to check out Justin’s, though I was aware they are definitely on the high end of the range for secondary market pricing.  Went to browse a Liquor Barn Express the next block over from my hotel, and an employee there suggested what larger Liquor Barn locations to check out.  

No tours on the agenda this trip.  Will plan those for the next one out here.

As for last night’s shenanigans, had the following:

Heaven Hill Green Label 6 Year
Benchmark Full Proof
Michter’s Rye 10 Year
Weller Full Proof

Nice. I happened to get gas at the Louisville Costco when I was there about a year ago. Not surprisingly, they had the largest selection of bourbons I've ever seen at one of their stores, at prices that beat the distilleries.

If you want a little change of pace from the bourbons & ryes, check out Copper & Kings American Brandy in the Butchertown district. They have a nice tour & tasting as well.

Last edited by mneeley490
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