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Vox Nihili posted:How peat heavy are we talking? Johnnie Walker Black is probably one of the cheapest bottles you'll find themed around peat, but it's not super heavily peated by any means. Laphroaig 10 is maybe the best value for a peaty single malt, but that will obviously cost you quite a bit more than a peaty blended Scotch. Doesn't have to be some monster peat bomb, just noticeably smoky. I might just get a bottle of Ardbeg or Laphroaig and use it 1/4oz at a time for the rest of my life
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Aug 30, 2021 21:19
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JW Black or Black Grouse are probably the best bet for less expensive peat/smoke
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Aug 30, 2021 21:47
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Casu Marzu posted:Any suggestions on a cheap peat heavy scotch? I don't like drinking em neat, but I love me a penicillin and that needs a nice smoky float on top. I wouldn't mess with JW black or Black Grouse or similar, not knocking Deceptive Thinker's suggestion, they're nice enough whiskies but if you want some real peat punch here's some single malts that pack a whallop, roughly in order of quality (good to okay): Scarabus Finlaggan The Ileach spankmeister fucked around with this message at 21:57 on Aug 30, 2021 |
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Aug 30, 2021 21:54
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spankmeister posted:I wouldn't mess with JW black or Black Grouse or similar, not knocking Deceptive Thinker's suggestion, they're nice enough whiskies but if you want some real peat punch here's some single malts that pack a whallop, roughly in order of quality (good to okay): I was going to say good luck finding any of these in the US, but apparently my local Total Wine actually has Scarabus for $35, which is just a bit cheaper than Laphroaig. Interesting!
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Aug 31, 2021 05:10
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Some other suggestions for blends: The Six Isles (probably the weakest peat out of the lineup) MacNair's Lum Reek Compass Box Peat Monster Douglas Laing Big Peat Now some of these might not be available to you, or they might cost more than a Laphroaig or Ardbeg, but hey you might get a good deal. International availability and pricing is hard. Another thing to look for might be supermarket blends. I know Aldi has a peated single malt. Perhaps Costco does too in their Kirkland line.
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Aug 31, 2021 08:09
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Vox Nihili posted:I was going to say good luck finding any of these in the US, but apparently my local Total Wine actually has Scarabus for $35, which is just a bit cheaper than Laphroaig. Interesting! I seem to recall seeing Finlaggan around my area (NE Indiana) in the past, but maybe it's just me.
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Aug 31, 2021 15:11
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For cheaper Penicillins you want Compass Box Artist's Blend and Glasgow Blend, they're designed to mimic Asyla and Peat Monster at a cheaper price point, which were the original scotches for the drink when it was created in the 00s. That said, of course whatever blended you like normally works for the body of the drink, and you might as well just get a standard big-name Islay for the peat float, because even if it's $50 it'll make you literally 100 Penicillins if you only use it for that, so it's only costing you $.50 additional per drink.
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Aug 31, 2021 17:13
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Meaty Ore posted:I seem to recall seeing Finlaggan around my area (NE Indiana) in the past, but maybe it's just me. Finlaggan used to be available at Trader Joe's in California and was well worth the $20 or so it cost. If it's getting close to Laphroaig/Ardbeg price I wouldn't bother though.
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Aug 31, 2021 18:43
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Cracked a bottle of Nikka From The Barrel that I randomly found at a shop in my neighborhood last week for a really good deal. It’s been years since I had this and it’s outstanding. What a whisky. Edit, to provide any content: if you like big, strong, sweet American whiskeys, and also a nice, sherried scotch with a touch of smoke, why not both at once? Double edit: I don’t even care that it doesn’t fit into the new Japanese whisky law. Scythe fucked around with this message at 05:12 on Sep 2, 2021 |
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Sep 2, 2021 05:08
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Nikka from the barrel is a solid blend, and they should just put that on the label and it'd be fine.
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Sep 2, 2021 06:54
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spankmeister posted:Nikka from the barrel is a solid blend, and they should just put that on the label and it'd be fine. They effectively put it on their website for what it's worth. And yeah, it's still one of their better products.
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Sep 2, 2021 08:43
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Back when you could get a bottle for like $45 that was one of the best bargains in whiskey. Still love the stuff.
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Sep 7, 2021 00:47
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I've come to the conclusion that Eagle Rare for <$35 is just...not going to happen anymore. IF I can even find it. Hell Buffalo Trace tastes similar (obviously) but rougher and it's now running at $35+ if you find it on the shelf. I feel like I need to reset. What's everyone's favorite sipping bourbon for ~$30, easy to find, in the 80-90 proof range. I love barrel strength too but, honestly, sometimes it sneaks up on me when I don't need that much booze. Like - what is your go-to, not a special occasion, sipping bourbon. Not for mixing. (Also I know Wild Turkey will be mentioned. For whatever reason, my local stores don't carry any WT product, including Russell. It's weird - maybe a distributor thing?)
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Sep 7, 2021 03:11
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Four Roses Small Batch is a really solid one by my books; Balcones Baby Blue is around there and also delicious but a bit less conventional.
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Sep 7, 2021 03:20
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Lowness 72 posted:I've come to the conclusion that Eagle Rare for <$35 is just...not going to happen anymore. IF I can even find it. Hell Buffalo Trace tastes similar (obviously) but rougher and it's now running at $35+ if you find it on the shelf. Around $30-40 I like Four Roses single/small batch, 1792 Full Proof, Yellowstone Select, and Knob Creek 120 proof. I think these all clock in at over the 90 proof you mentioned, but all three sip pretty smooth imo.
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Sep 7, 2021 03:27
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Bowman Brothers Small Batch, Elijah Craig Small Batch, Evan Williams 1783, 1792 Small Batch
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Sep 7, 2021 03:29
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Lowness 72 posted:I've come to the conclusion that Eagle Rare for <$35 is just...not going to happen anymore. IF I can even find it. Hell Buffalo Trace tastes similar (obviously) but rougher and it's now running at $35+ if you find it on the shelf. I had the same problem and was surprised to discover how much I liked Knob Creek 9 year.
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Sep 7, 2021 03:36
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My real answer here is WT as you said, but I wouldn’t be mad at an OGD BIB or 114. I know you said you don’t want overproof, but add a little water yourself (like 10-25% as much as your whiskey) and boom, you now have an 80-90 proof whiskey in your glass. So if you’re drinking 2oz pours and you have something up in the 114 range, do 1.5oz and a tablespoon of water. Or if you’ve got a bonded, do like 1.75 and a half tablespoon. The higher proof stuff is so much better (especially value wise if you’re stretching it like that) that it’s counterproductive to limit yourself to low-proof bottles, I think. Scythe fucked around with this message at 04:31 on Sep 7, 2021 |
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Sep 7, 2021 04:29
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Lowness 72 posted:I've come to the conclusion that Eagle Rare for <$35 is just...not going to happen anymore. IF I can even find it. Hell Buffalo Trace tastes similar (obviously) but rougher and it's now running at $35+ if you find it on the shelf. My overpriced little local bottle shop still has Eagle Rare for $33. Just saw a few bottles there today. The distribution disparities are wild.
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Sep 10, 2021 05:53
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Facebook grapevine says Heaven Hill workers went on strike at midnight last night and a picket line is forming outside of their new Bardstown facility - apparently other distilleries are to follow?
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Sep 10, 2021 15:59
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Deceptive Thinker posted:Facebook grapevine says Heaven Hill workers went on strike at midnight last night and a picket line is forming outside of their new Bardstown facility - apparently other distilleries are to follow? What's the issue at hand?
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Sep 10, 2021 16:09
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Klungar posted:What's the issue at hand? Fair compensation, in light of them spending millions on a new facility but not increasing wages
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Sep 10, 2021 16:17
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Deceptive Thinker posted:Facebook grapevine says Heaven Hill workers went on strike at midnight last night and a picket line is forming outside of their new Bardstown facility - apparently other distilleries are to follow? https://whiskeyraiders.com/article/breaking-news-heaven-hill-workers-go-on-strike-over-labor-contract-disputes/ "96.1% of the Union employees voting no on the proposed contract" Pretty wild. Pay them!!
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Sep 10, 2021 19:11
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Lowness 72 posted:I've come to the conclusion that Eagle Rare for <$35 is just...not going to happen anymore. IF I can even find it. Hell Buffalo Trace tastes similar (obviously) but rougher and it's now running at $35+ if you find it on the shelf. To avoid things other people have said: Dickel's new Bourbon isn't bad for that price since the BIB is now up to $50. Larceny is really good especially if you can get a barrel pick. Old Forester 100 Smoke Wagon Select Russel's Small Batch Basil Hayden If you wanted to do a Rye instead, High West Double Rye is right at that price point and fantastic.
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Sep 10, 2021 22:16
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Thanks everyone for the recommendations. Also good point on barrel proof watered down. Usually I just add some ice and let it melt but if I drink too fast that doesn't work so I should just straight up add the water instead. Much appreciated!
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Sep 11, 2021 02:36
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I’m in NYC until Sunday night, staying in midtown Manhattan. Any shops I should check out? I’m taking Amtrak back home so I can buy a bunch of poo poo. At Flatiron room right now. Tried Glenfarclas 17 for the first time, A+.
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Sep 11, 2021 03:56
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Park Ave Liquor is the place to start, I'd say.
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Sep 11, 2021 04:03
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Bourbon allocation is so weird across the country. I read a lot that people are having a hard time finding Eagle Rare or Buffalo Trace and my local grocery store has a ton of them. On the flip side, I can't find Weller SR or 12 without a stupid markup and I see pictures of cases of the stuff at *their* grocery store. I'm a bit surprised that there isn't a Goon trading group for bourbon considering there is one for beer.
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Sep 11, 2021 04:05
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Data Graham posted:Park Ave Liquor is the place to start, I'd say.  I should’ve asked yesterday.
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Sep 11, 2021 05:30
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obi_ant posted:Bourbon allocation is so weird across the country. I read a lot that people are having a hard time finding Eagle Rare or Buffalo Trace and my local grocery store has a ton of them. On the flip side, I can't find Weller SR or 12 without a stupid markup and I see pictures of cases of the stuff at *their* grocery store. I'm a bit surprised that there isn't a Goon trading group for bourbon considering there is one for beer. No one is finding cases of Weller 12 on the shelf for MSRP Antique maybe, but that's limited to Ohio generally Why SR still has shortages and people pay more than $20 for it makes no sense (I've seen people excited to get it for $60) especially when states like Ohio and Texas get it in bulk, and considering it's also bottom shelf bar well bourbon The eagle rare thing is also puzzling to me because I both see people locally excited to find it for $45, but also know that when a barrel comes in at one of my stores (and that's usually twice a year per store), I can grab that store pick off the shelf for $33, should I please, and it will be on that shelf at least a week The same stores also ping me when they get their rarer picks like Blanton's, WFP, and Four Roses - but that's limited to a small group of customers and they're gone in a day
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Sep 11, 2021 09:06
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obi_ant posted:I'm a bit surprised that there isn't a Goon trading group for bourbon considering there is one for beer. Considering I live in one of the Dark Ages states when it comes to online out-of-state ordering, I'd be up for it.
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Sep 11, 2021 10:38
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obi_ant posted:I'm a bit surprised that there isn't a Goon trading group for bourbon considering there is one for beer. Got a link to this?
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Sep 11, 2021 13:57
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They used to be common, but near as I can tell Buffalo Trace distillery products don't exist in the Nashville area now. It's crazy to me that Eagle Rare is gas station liquor anywhere lol. Then again it's also crazy to me that people massively overpay for anything coming out of BT. Maybe I'm not enough of a connesur but Eagle Rare was just... nice bourbon, and there's lots of other nice bourbon you can drink instead.
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Sep 11, 2021 14:00
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Josh Lyman posted:Nooo they’re closed until Monday. Astor spirits is pretty great.
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Sep 11, 2021 15:14
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Lowness 72 posted:I've come to the conclusion that Eagle Rare for <$35 is just...not going to happen anymore. IF I can even find it. Hell Buffalo Trace tastes similar (obviously) but rougher and it's now running at $35+ if you find it on the shelf. Of all things that is really cheap and honestly unexpectedly decent, Evan Williams Single Barrel is under 30$ and great for sipping. At ~45$ a bottle, the New Riff single barrels have been pretty fantastic as well. 10 year tin cup is another easy to find bottle and pretty good one for drinking under 50$. Also under 50, I just picked up a few bottles of Ezra Brookes Distiller's Collection that I'm also really excited about. Their 7 year is one of my favorite bottles and the color on their single barrel looks very promising. Lawlicaust posted:If you wanted to do a Rye instead, High West Double Rye is right at that price point and fantastic. I was just out in Colorado and picked up some of these! The clerk was really enthusiastic about it so I grabbed a second bottle since I don't really see that here out east. Very excited to try that out!
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Sep 11, 2021 15:42
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I'm a big fan of High West. I just opened a bottle of the Rendezvous Rye and goddamn it's a trip. It's super herbal and floral up front and I don't taste that super often in rye/bourbon. Their yearly Midwinter Night's Dram is the one bottle I really try to seek out.
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Sep 11, 2021 16:13
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sean10mm posted:They used to be common, but near as I can tell Buffalo Trace distillery products don't exist in the Nashville area now. It's crazy to me that Eagle Rare is gas station liquor anywhere lol. But BT is apparently all over Memphis. My buddy there finds BT, Eagle Rare, and Weller all the time. On the shelf. It’s also cheaper. Buffalo Trace is $25 a bottle there. I found ONE bottle in Williamson County for $40.
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Sep 11, 2021 16:16
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A supermarket in a small town near me seems to always have Buffalo Trace on the shelf for $27.
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Sep 11, 2021 16:18
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Someone in one of my groups posted a shelf full of eagle rare at Walmart for $25
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Sep 11, 2021 17:07
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Honestly the weirdest thing for me out in NY is the lack of Wild Turkey. Like you'd expect to see it everywhere but it's just not at any of the liquor stores I frequent. The entire distillery's lineup! No WT, WT 101, Russel. Nothing!
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Sep 11, 2021 17:09
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