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Vox Nihili posted:They have a plant in Kansas? I was only familiar with their gigantic facility in Indiana. A while ago I used to drive by there, and it was wild how you would go past and the air just smelled like sweet corn for a mile around.
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Jul 14, 2023 03:44
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Flappy Bert posted:A while ago I used to drive by there, and it was wild how you would go past and the air just smelled like sweet corn for a mile around. I think you meant to say mellow corn.
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Jul 14, 2023 06:32
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Vox Nihili posted:They have a plant in Kansas? I was only familiar with their gigantic facility in Indiana. Industrial Ethanol, yeah. Corn went up, commodities got fucky with inflation and higher interest rates, so they’re winding down the plant. I don’t know what this means on a macro level, but it’s not the Indiana plant which is MGPI (the I is for ingredients, it’s their whisky plant). They acquired Luxco to have in-house brands and are turning their production from contract and sourcing towards in-house stuff, so there’s that.
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Jul 14, 2023 14:51
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Any North Carolina goons? We have a thriving distillery scene here but I don’t have a good idea where to start and my first two tries were Lonerider whiskey (was fine) and Old North State (was not fine).
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Jul 14, 2023 14:52
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GordonComstock posted:Any North Carolina goons? We have a thriving distillery scene here but I don’t have a good idea where to start and my first two tries were Lonerider whiskey (was fine) and Old North State (was not fine). Have you tried Asheville Distilling Company? I know my parents were a fan of them.
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Jul 14, 2023 15:28
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Klungar posted:Have you tried Asheville Distilling Company? I know my parents were a fan of them.
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Jul 14, 2023 16:11
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bloody ghost titty posted:Industrial Ethanol, yeah. Corn went up, commodities got fucky with inflation and higher interest rates, so they’re winding down the plant. I don’t know what this means on a macro level, but it’s not the Indiana plant which is MGPI (the I is for ingredients, it’s their whisky plant). They acquired Luxco to have in-house brands and are turning their production from contract and sourcing towards in-house stuff, so there’s that. There's a scramble in the NDP scene because of what you just described. MGP used to be THE place to get sourced whiskey from, and now their stocks have tightened up considerably. This goes along with most of their extra-aged stock being bought up over the years. Now NDPs have to look for other sources for their whiskey, or, as some are doing, go the Independent Bottler model and buy new make and age it themselves. NDPs without deep pockets will have a rougher go of this, though, as all of a sudden, very quick investment turnarounds become 5+ year commitments.
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Jul 14, 2023 18:02
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Is it really that big a deal to have fewer overpriced craft-branded-but-it's-really-MGP on the shelves? If these producers are starting to age spirit themselves at least they're doing something instead of just relabeling MGP
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Jul 14, 2023 19:08
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On Saturday I'm running a whiskey tasting for some friends and acquaintances, and I've never done it before. Aside from the whiskey itself, what else should I think about? Water for people to add to compare the difference? I'd like to provide some robust snacks since it will be around dinner time -- various cheeses, crackers, nuts, hummus, dark chocolate -- any other ideas there? What else am I forgetting?
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Aug 11, 2023 03:32
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Muir posted:On Saturday I'm running a whiskey tasting for some friends and acquaintances, and I've never done it before. Aside from the whiskey itself, what else should I think about? Water for people to add to compare the difference? I'd like to provide some robust snacks since it will be around dinner time -- various cheeses, crackers, nuts, hummus, dark chocolate -- any other ideas there? What else am I forgetting? Something for the drivers.
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Aug 11, 2023 03:34
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Something for peoples hands. Like a fact sheet or a notebook or something like that. e: and spring water and ice. Multiple glasses as well, including rocks and glencairns
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Aug 11, 2023 03:47
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Dr. Lunchables posted:Something for peoples hands. Like a fact sheet or a notebook or something like that. I assume you meant this, but I guess I'll clarify that there should be blank space for each dram on the fact sheet so people can make their own notes. So yeah, pens/pencils too. Also depending on your audience and how informal this tasting is. Might want to be prepared for people to smoke.
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Aug 11, 2023 08:53
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Yeah, that’s it. Having info available for the bottles and a place for people to write their own tasting notes is a pretty big thing.
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Aug 11, 2023 14:52
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Thanks all! Very helpful.
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Aug 11, 2023 22:35
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Muir posted:On Saturday I'm running a whiskey tasting for some friends and acquaintances, and I've never done it before. Aside from the whiskey itself, what else should I think about? Water for people to add to compare the difference? I'd like to provide some robust snacks since it will be around dinner time -- various cheeses, crackers, nuts, hummus, dark chocolate -- any other ideas there? What else am I forgetting? I think you have the right idea. A full charcuterie spread is really fun when you're tasting anything (beer, wine, or whiskey). Soft and hard cheeses, prosciutto and salami, honey, spicy mustard, dried fruits, nuts, etc. Maybe some stuff for mixing drinks after the fact when people get bored/palate exhausted with neat whiskey. Certainly ice, bitters, lemon, and simple syrup are all welcome.
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Aug 12, 2023 00:28
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Just walked into a local liquor store (Oregon) and asked if they had Blanton. She had two bottles in the back for $65. Only let me buy one. Not bad for a random stop.
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Aug 22, 2023 06:33
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The whiskey tasting went well, everyone had a great time. I had crackers, cheeses, olives, dried fruits, nuts, and it was plenty. For the whiskey I went with a bit of a split line up -- American and then Scotch:
And then a couple of bonus items, a barrel aged gin and an añejo agave spirit from a distillery I love in Santa Cruz:
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Aug 22, 2023 18:20
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Sounds like a really good time 🙂LionArcher posted:Just walked into a local liquor store (Oregon) and asked if they had Blanton. She had two bottles in the back for $65. Only let me buy one. Not bad for a random stop. Hell yeah my dude I’ve found bars in London that have Wild Turkey 101 and now I don’t know how to go to other bars
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Aug 24, 2023 21:35
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I had a bottle of Blanton's Gold once, I think it was export-only? The bourbon was fine, I guess. I still have the stopper because it has a little horsey mans on it. That's my blantons story thanks for reading. 🤗
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Aug 24, 2023 21:48
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What are the best Bourbons? Two metrics: what is the best overall with price being no object, and what is the best value? My pick for best overall is Four Roses Single Barrel. My pick for best value is probably Old Forrester.
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Aug 25, 2023 01:13
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It’s gonna be hard for anyone to beat WT101 for best value, imo. Four Roses small batch is often up there, but it is nearly twice the price, at least for me. Best overall, there are too many options.
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Aug 25, 2023 02:02
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I'm a basic bitch and think Makers Mark hits the value spot. I can usually find it for like $25-$30. I can find it at any liquor store. If I'm feeling special, I can go for 46 or one of the store picks with the stave finishes. Actually one of my barometers for a liquor store is Do they have Makers and How much is a fifth? When I see makers for $40, then I know everything else is going to be wildly overpriced. If they don't even have it, I highly doubt I'll find anything interesting worth my time to check out. Yes there are more interesting bourbons and not everyone likes a wheater, but I always have a bottle of Makers in my liquor cabinet. E: best overall: I really enjoyed OF Birthday but now it's a unicorn. My favorite "you can probably find it" is probably Pikesville Rye. I'm also a fan of Old Overholt. Another liquor cabinet staple. Lowness 72 fucked around with this message at 04:19 on Aug 25, 2023 |
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Aug 25, 2023 02:38
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poisonpill posted:What are the best Bourbons? Two metrics: what is the best overall with price being no object, and what is the best value? Best overall: I don’t make a habit of sipping top shelf whiskey, but the best I’ve had is Barrell Amida. Best value: Knob Creek 9 year 120 proof, no question.
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Aug 25, 2023 02:52
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Kentucky Spirit Old Forester 1920 E.H. Taylor Small Batch if you can get it for MSRP
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Aug 25, 2023 03:04
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Wild Turkey Rare Breed
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Aug 25, 2023 06:09
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Best value? Bulleit. Best overall? I’m still looking, I’ll be sure to take notes from what you all suggest.
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Aug 25, 2023 06:12
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At this point I'd be happy with Blanton's airline bottles because they make uh-mazing stocking stuffers
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Aug 25, 2023 06:55
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My favourite bourbon is either WT101 or Woodford Reserve. Old Forester is a good shout for value but it honestly might still be 101 again for me as I can frequently get it for cheap in the UK with the Tesco clubcard price
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Aug 25, 2023 12:56
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Best: William Larue Weller Best value: Wild Turkey Rare Breed
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Aug 25, 2023 14:15
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GD_American posted:At this point I'd be happy with Blanton's airline bottles because they make uh-mazing stocking stuffers I've never seen one in person, but I wish they would've used a regular sized horse instead of the smaller one, it would amuse me to no end.
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Aug 25, 2023 20:41
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GD_American posted:At this point I'd be happy with Blanton's airline bottles because they make uh-mazing stocking stuffers i would too because every place near me wants $100+ for blantons i would drink the airline bottle
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Aug 26, 2023 00:19
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Best value for me was the single barrel bourbon from Costco, I think from Barton 1792. It was 120 proof, 30 bucks and delicious. What a wonderful, wonderful bottle.
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Aug 26, 2023 03:03
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"Best" bourbon I've had is Stagg Jr. Best value is OGD Bonded, and I don't think it's that close.
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Aug 28, 2023 12:33
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S.W.O.R.D. Agent posted:Best value is OGD Bonded, and I don't think it's that close. I like OGD 114 more, but bonded also slaps. both hit so much higher than their price point. It's one of the few actual hidden gems these days like Weller and Eagle Rare and BT used to be. I have an entire cabinet full of pretty decent bottles, but most nights I go for a pour of OGD 114. At first it was just to finish the bottle off because we used it for cocktails, but it's such a better daily sipper than most of the stuff on my shelves. Casu Marzu fucked around with this message at 18:32 on Aug 28, 2023 |
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Aug 28, 2023 18:30
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Yeah, I like 114 better as well, but for the price/ availability it's tough to beat.
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Aug 28, 2023 18:37
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After starting to drink barrel proof whiskey, it's a little bit hard to go back to 80-90 proof stuff. With that lens, you're looking at a lot of really high-priced and rare/allocated stuff for "best", but Old Forester 1920 and 1910 are good workhorses if a little bit ethanol hot. The team at Barrell make a lot of my favorite stuff lately, and their Stellum Single Barrels (both rye and bourbon, but I lean towards the rye) are very good value at a $50-$60 price point.
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Aug 28, 2023 22:40
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You can't find it outside of KY I think but JTS Brown BIB for $17.99 for a 750mL bottle is surprisingly good. I initially overlooked it for a long time (because I'm a snob) but I had it the last time I was in Louisville and I'm picking more up when I'm there next month. (Twice!) Old Forester 1920 is my usual recommendation for people who want to spend a few more $.
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Aug 28, 2023 22:57
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George Dickel Bottled in Bond is a good value at $40-45 for usually 13 yr age statement. Russell Reserve 10yr, Rare Breed and Eagle Rare are in that price range too, then Knob Creek 120 proof, Larceny BP, Jack Daniels SBBP and Elijah Craig BP as you go up in price, for things that are realistically available. edit: had Blanton's for the first time, last week. It gets so much backlash but was actually very good! Probably my favorite bourbon so far tbh. ragle fucked around with this message at 01:06 on Aug 29, 2023 |
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Aug 29, 2023 00:55
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I picked up an OGD114 myself this afternoon. I haven't tasted it yet, but even in the not-cheap place I picked it up, it seemed really reasonable at $38.
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Aug 29, 2023 01:40
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Best value is Buffalo Trace when you can get it at or near MSRP. Seems to get harder and harder to find at a reasonable price. Also a big fan of WT 101. Best overall Old Rip Van Winkle. I have gotten to try it twice and was surprised both times by how tasty it is.
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Aug 29, 2023 11:28
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