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Josh Lyman posted:I want a little crazy today. The Evan William Single Barrel was matured to 7 yr 10 mo and the Elijah Craig is a store pick single barrel. I’m not much of a bourbon guy but they were $24 and $26 respectively so I figured worth trying. Great haul, Kilchoman Machir Bay is like barbecue in a bottle
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Nov 26, 2020 01:38
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I just broke open the Evan Williams Single Barrel and Elijah Craig store pick. The best bourbons I’ve had are Makers Mark (maybe 46?) and Woodford Reserve so the bar is quite low. Evan Williams very smooth and pleasant but a bit too laid back. The Elijah Craig is also very smooth with a sweeter finish. Both are fine but not quite my tempo. My collection is now to the point where I could start worrying about oxidation of opened bottles, but my understanding is if I finish a bottle within a year of opening, I should be fine? 
Josh Lyman fucked around with this message at 05:38 on Nov 26, 2020 |
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Nov 26, 2020 05:32
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Josh Lyman posted:I just broke open the Evan Williams Single Barrel and Elijah Craig store pick. The best bourbons I’ve had are Makers Mark (maybe 46?) and Woodford Reserve so the bar is quite low. My rule of thumb is... if the bottle is about 1/4 full you're going to need to finish it sooner than later. I give it 1-3 months. Anything other than that, if it's stored in a dark cool place, it is virtually bullet proof. I should note that I am not a connoisseur by any stretch, but I have a lot of bottles and I don't really taste a difference in them with this method.
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Nov 26, 2020 05:42
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Costco has the 3 packs of 375ml (half-size) Maker's Mark bottles. One of cask strength, one of the 46, and one of Private Select, my all-time favorite whiskey, more than a lot of the high dollar stuff I've tried. They're about 70 bucks. If you have a friend in that price range, they're a neat gift.
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Nov 26, 2020 06:25
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Josh Lyman posted:I just broke open the Evan Williams Single Barrel and Elijah Craig store pick. The best bourbons I’ve had are Makers Mark (maybe 46?) and Woodford Reserve so the bar is quite low. Don't get too hung up about oxidation, at most you'll get some dulling of flavors The stuff you'll notice it most in is heavily peated bottles. Sometimes a little oxidation can help a whiskey that's rough around the edges too. If a bottle gets under 1/2 full, you may want to think about finishing it off or at the very least decanting it to a smaller bottle. I keep a bunch of 375s for my half bottles that I'm not planning on finishing in a few weeks and some 2oz boston round bottles for the last few bits when those get low or I want to save some for a while down the road
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Nov 26, 2020 15:47
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Speaking of, I had a glass of the always reliable wt101 bourbon and even though it's been sitting somewhat low for a while, still good.
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Nov 26, 2020 15:51
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I previously said I may have had Pikesville when I first moved to the DC area and was disappointed. Apparently I mistook it for a different local rye, probably Sagamore Spirit, because Pikesville is a loving kick in the face in all the good ways. If you like Rittenhouse, you’ve gotta give this a try. Also opened up the handle (lol) of Bulleit Rye which I had purchased as a cheap daily driver. Still adequate. Josh Lyman fucked around with this message at 20:30 on Nov 26, 2020 |
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Nov 26, 2020 20:28
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Pikesville Supreme use to be a 3 year old, 80 proof rye sold mainly in the mid-Atlantic region for around $12. That brand was discontinued shortly after the current 6 year old, 110 proof Pikesville was released for $55.
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Nov 27, 2020 00:43
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Radio Nowhere posted:Pikesville Supreme use to be a 3 year old, 80 proof rye sold mainly in the mid-Atlantic region for around $12. That brand was discontinued shortly after the current 6 year old, 110 proof Pikesville was released for $55.
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Nov 27, 2020 01:11
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After a few on theme rare breed pours I finally cracked open one of my Glendronach 15 bottles for my dessert pour tonight. As divine as I remembered and drat near as good as Laddie Black Art.
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Nov 27, 2020 02:10
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Highland Park 12 is very smooth, very balanced, like a nicer Macallan. Kilchoman Machir Bay has substantial smoke but very little peat compared to your usual Islays. It’s almost too light—it’s interesting but I’m not sure I would get it again. I’m tempted to open up my independent bottling of Springbank 23 now. At $210 after tax, it is by far the most expensive liquor I’ve purchased. Josh Lyman fucked around with this message at 03:37 on Nov 27, 2020 |
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Nov 27, 2020 03:33
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Springbank is the shiiiit and I cant believe how much the price has climbed so quickly. Drank a bunch of it in scotland. Wish I'd purchased a bunch to bring home.
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Nov 27, 2020 04:19
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Lowness 72 posted:Springbank is the shiiiit and I cant believe how much the price has climbed so quickly. Drank a bunch of it in scotland. Wish I'd purchased a bunch to bring home.
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Nov 27, 2020 04:51
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Lowness 72 posted:Springbank is the shiiiit and I cant believe how much the price has climbed so quickly. Drank a bunch of it in scotland. Wish I'd purchased a bunch to bring home. I've been looking to get the 12yo cask strength for months and there just isn't any around. I have a stash of 10yo and 15yo tho 
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Nov 27, 2020 09:22
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Everywhere I've seen - even across multiple states - starts at $120 for the Springbank 10. I think I've seen the cask strength for like $150.
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Nov 27, 2020 15:18
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Lowness 72 posted:Everywhere I've seen - even across multiple states - starts at $120 for the Springbank 10. I think I've seen the cask strength for like $150. 2 of the stores around here that list inventory online have the 10 in stock (and a few others) but no 12/13 cask finished (and they both definitely used to have it all the time) The 10 is $90 at one store, $73 at another, and there's probably 2 or 3 stores in this general area that have it in stock as well but aren't online I think I paid mid 60s last time I bought a bottle 4 or 5 years ago
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Nov 27, 2020 16:08
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Deceptive Thinker posted:Don't get too hung up about oxidation, at most you'll get some dulling of flavors Another option is an infinity bottle.
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Nov 27, 2020 23:56
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zmcnulty posted:Another option is an infinity bottle.
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Nov 28, 2020 03:35
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Infinite Karma posted:If you drink a lot of similar things, that's a good idea, but I mixed some peaty scotches and corny bourbons and peppery ryes together and it turned out terrible. Yeah, I have heard its best to keep infinity bottles to like types. Even the bourbon guys i know seem to separate their rye to a different bottle.
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Nov 28, 2020 13:58
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I tried an infinity bottle with just bourbons and it quickly turned bleh.
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Nov 28, 2020 20:48
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On the flip side, I made an infinity bottle that was so good that I finished all of it and prematurely ended the experiment.
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Nov 28, 2020 20:56
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I never heard of an infinity bottle before. It sounds kinda fun, the dregs of a bottle always end up being a weird amount anyway. I never was a huge fan of sweeter bourbons until just recently. I just cracked a bottle of 1792 Small Batch that was gifted to me, and it's pretty delicious.
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Nov 28, 2020 21:49
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I'm working on a wheated bourbon infinity bottle. No idea how it'll turn out but I've been adding random bourbons to it for at least a year now.
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Nov 28, 2020 21:51
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I have a very small infinity bottle that is only about 4 shots total. If I don't like something it changes pretty quickly.
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Nov 28, 2020 22:29
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I need to open, drink, and mostly kill my old fitz decanter bottle to start an infinity bottle
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Nov 29, 2020 00:19
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Deceptive Thinker posted:I need to open, drink, and mostly kill my old fitz decanter bottle to start an infinity bottle Walmart of all places has a pretty nice decanter for $8.
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Nov 29, 2020 04:12
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A local store will be offering up a few bottles soon and I was gonna try and go for one of them, the ones that caught my eye were the Eagle Rare 17, one of the Old Forester 150th anniversary batches, or the William Larue Weller Kentucky Straight bourbon, all for about $150 or so. Is there one I absolutely shouldn't miss out on from that bunch if I can pick? Barring a strong choice I'd likely be most excited about the Weller as I've had base Eagle Rare and Old Forester the most recently.
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Dec 1, 2020 00:25
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Carillon posted:A local store will be offering up a few bottles soon and I was gonna try and go for one of them, the ones that caught my eye were the Eagle Rare 17, one of the Old Forester 150th anniversary batches, or the William Larue Weller Kentucky Straight bourbon, all for about $150 or so. Is there one I absolutely shouldn't miss out on from that bunch if I can pick? Barring a strong choice I'd likely be most excited about the Weller as I've had base Eagle Rare and Old Forester the most recently. William Larue Weller is your top dog here. I haven't had Eagle Rare 17 but I hear it's quite underwhelming relative to the rest of BTAC (even at the new 101 proof). WLW by contrast is one of the best bourbons money can buy. It is very high abv however so be sure you're into that sort of thing or at least open to it.
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Dec 1, 2020 01:10
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Virginia ABC has Eagle Rare 10 on sale this month  and I was able to pick up a bottle for $30. They also had Buffalo Trace behind the counter for $27 so I figured why not. ER is much smoother than BT but BT seems to pack a bigger punch. They’re nice complements, two sides of the same coin.I started watching Bourbon Junkies (ralfy is the other youtube whiskey channel I watch) and they seem to love Old Forester 1920. Worth picking up? I definitely want to get Four Roses Small Batch and Michter’s Rye since they’re on sale this month and were recommended to me upthread.
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Dec 2, 2020 01:14
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Old Forester 1920 is probably the best readily available bourbon right now, though you have to enjoy higher proof stuff. If that's not your cup of tea then 1910 might be a better fit Edit: if you want good whiskey youtube; ADHD Whiskey is fantastically entertaining Edit #2: he also just won the Bardstown Bourbon's world top taster competition Deceptive Thinker fucked around with this message at 01:38 on Dec 2, 2020 |
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Dec 2, 2020 01:25
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Josh Lyman posted:Virginia ABC has Eagle Rare 10 on sale this month They actually had those? I never find any by the abcs around Springfield/Alexandria.
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Dec 2, 2020 02:08
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nwin posted:They actually had those? I never find any by the abcs around Springfield/Alexandria. Josh Lyman fucked around with this message at 03:14 on Dec 2, 2020 |
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Dec 2, 2020 03:11
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Because I’m super OCD about these things, I went back out and got the Old Forester 1920, Wild Turkey Rare Breed, and 1792 Small Batch which Bourbon Junkies rated their top 3 bourbons for the money and ADHD Whiskey really liked the first two. They’re also on sale this month for cheaper than DC or Maryland. 1792 ($28) was described as very sweet and I wanted to see what that was like. It is sweet and friendly but not really my preference. Will probably use it as a mixer. Rare Breed ($47) is balanced with a big kick. It reminds me of the Pikesville Rye. But you guys, 1920 ($55) is SO good. Incredibly smooth despite 115 proof and I love the orangesicle note. Easily my favorite bourbon of my collection. Speaking of which... I’m officially pausing more bottles as I’m REALLY out of space now. Once I finish some bottles, I’ll pick up the Four Roses Small Batch and Michter’s Rye and possibly some of the Glenmorangie range if I like any of the tasters since everything in this sentence is on sale this month. 
Josh Lyman fucked around with this message at 04:40 on Dec 2, 2020 |
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Dec 2, 2020 03:57
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Anybody had the Michter's Toasted Rye? I've missed getting a bottle 3 years in a row at these annual releases.
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Dec 2, 2020 07:00
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There was a black friday deal of a california zinfandel aged in buffalo trace barrels paired with a bottle of buffalo trace for €25 for the pair. I wasn't planning on buying either tbh but it was too good a deal to pass up. I'm really curious actually about the US version of BT because the one we get here in Europe is bottled at 40% and that's pretty anemic for bourbon. (It's anemic for anythingreally) It's also weird to me how BT seems to be this unobtainium in some states in the US and here it's a bottom tier whiskey.
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Dec 2, 2020 08:49
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I need to pick up some OF 1920. That, WT101, and four roses small batch are probably my favorite now.
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Dec 2, 2020 14:41
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spankmeister posted:There was a black friday deal of a california zinfandel aged in buffalo trace barrels paired with a bottle of buffalo trace for €25 for the pair. I wasn't planning on buying either tbh but it was too good a deal to pass up. It's 90 proof in the US I'm pretty sure this is how it is in most places where it's not a shelf warmer: if you just walk into a liquor store on a whim you may not find a bottle of Buffalo Trace on the shelf. If you're looking, you'll find it though, at a fair price. The caveat is it may take a week or two or you may have to drive 30 miles. Facebook groups constantly post when stores get barrel picks in. Once you start climbing the ladder of their products, the scarcity becomes an issue. Here's my rant regarding every other non-BTAC/Pappy BT product out there right now Eagle Rare is slightly less common to sit on a shelf, but can be found the same way you find regular BT bottles. Taylor, Blanton's, Stagg Jr. and Weller are a different beast. Taylor Small Batch is becoming more and more unobtainable but still follows the pattern of BT and ER, and look hard enough in your 30 mile radius and you'll probably find a bottle for under $50 Taylor Rye and Single Barrel step it up another notch Blanton's and Weller are suffering from a supply vs. demand and price gouging problem right now. Both of these brands are overhyped and seriously underdeliver on that hype. Blanton's is decent whiskey that you're paying a premium for the fancy bottle. At $50 it was good to have a bottle or collect the toppers. At $60-70 it is a nice gift. That store pick isn't worth the $100 it sits on the shelf for. It also isn't worth the $120 secondary price. That tiny store that got 1 case in charging $150 is trying to capitalize on the secondary market and rip off people who don't know any better. It's basically the same story as Blantons for Weller except you aren't getting the fancy bottle, and the prices are even more outrageous.  Weller Special Reserve is a bottom shelf bottle. It is about equal in quality to regular Buffalo Trace, albeit with a different flavor profile. It should not be $70 (or $125), it should be $25. Maker's Mark and its variants are way more bang for your buck once you start paying elevated Weller prices. Weller 107 was a great deal at $30, decent at $50, and imho not worth a penny more. Weller FP is underpriced at MSRP but still shouldn't be more than $100. Same with Stagg Jr, except its a little easier to find at a decent price. Weller 12 production, distribution, and needs to be looked at. Same thing With Elmer T. Lee and RHF. Something is seriously out of whack with the MSRP vs actual retail and secondary pricing on these bottles. These products in particular reek of manufactured scarcity to me. Instead of pumping out more and more labels, Buffalo Trace really needs to get back in control of their current stuff. If I were setting their MSRPs I'd set them like this: Buffalo Trace/WSR $30, Eagle Rare/OWA $40, Blanton's $60, Weller FP/Stagg Jr $70 Weller 12 and ETL would be discontinued until they could actually produce enough bottles of them to sell at $50 MSRP. Like Jim Beam did with Knob Creek 9 Either stop doing store picks until you can meet the demand for regular stuff, or ONLY do store picks. WFP store picks shouldn't be more common than every other Weller product. Instead they keep putting out new labels like 5 different versions of Ancient Age, Weller Single Barrel (which I saw for $700 on a secondary site - for essentially a WSR store pick at a slightly higher proof), CYPB, EHT Fancy-Hyped-Barrel#6 Stagg Jr. barrel picks are coming, I'm curious as to what kind of mess this will do to further this nonsense. Hopefully it just means they're just going to give the option to bottle Buffalo Trace or Eagle Rare picks at barrel proof. I know stores have been asking for this for years, but more likely than not it will be separate curated barrels to choose from and they'll be a nightmare to get.
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Dec 2, 2020 15:31
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I was seriously underwhelmed by the bottle of Weller I bought two years ago. You could literally bottle it with a white label that has a blue stripe running under the word BOURBON and nothing else.
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Dec 2, 2020 20:52
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Weller used to be my go to bottle in college to mix with coke cuz it was cheap and inoffensive as gently caress
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Dec 2, 2020 21:56
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I'm kind of surprised but I really do like Woodford Reserve Double Oak. I wasn't expecting that for some reason.
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Dec 2, 2020 22:36
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