.....far from Bourbon Country

[fishnbowljoe]

Andy, You sound a lot like me. It was just a little over a year ago that I started my bourbon "quest". I started out by buying anything that caught my eye. I made a few blunders, but for the most part, I did okay. Shortly after I joined SB, I started to become a little more selective about what I bought. The folks here answered any questions I had, and I paid attention to what members recommended. Now that I'm more confident in what I'm doing, I've actually started buying more. A strange circle it is. My plan is to bunker some of my favorites, and try new bourbons when I can. (At least the SB.com bourbon of the month whenever possible.) The funny thing is, is that there is just so much great stuff out there, it's hard to stick with my plan. I still have my plan, but, you know what they say, "The best laid plans of mice and men.." So, I do the best I can, and try to have some fun doing it. That's another benefit of being a member of SB, there's a lot of good natured, fun loving people here to have some fun with along the way. It's all good man! Welcome to the club. Joe

[funknik]

It's all good man! Welcome to the club. Joe

Thanks, Joe....I've learned a lot here in a short time and it's been great chatting with you and the other SB'ers. It seems like ages ago since I started this thread all confused and bewildered about what to buy, but now I walk in to a liquor store very confident and occasionally offer advice to others who look confused & bewildered...all thanks to the nice people on this board, including yourself. If I've learned anything, it's 'go with your gut'....the few times I've been burned it was because I was in a hurry or blinded by the excitement of finding something new...and when I have a major score like today with the OCPR it's because I was dilligent and followed my instincts (with a lot of reading up on SB, of course). Thanks all.

[callmeox]

I'm glad that I could help you out on your bourbon journey. As I've said here a number of times before, I really don't mind helping other people spend money (right, Joe?).

[funknik]

Looks like the State of Maine decided to help me out with my dusty hunting! They posted a current list dated yesterday of active Agency Liquor Stores by name, address, city & county....no stash is safe!

[OscarV]

They posted a current list dated yesterday of active Agency Liquor Stores!

What is an "Agency Liquor Store" ?

[GOCOUGS2002]

What is an "Agency Liquor Store" ?

Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations (state run liquor stores)

or the CIA has a huge retirement population up there.

[funknik]

What is an "Agency Liquor Store" ?

Oscar, the short answer is any store that can legally sell liquor. Places that sell liquor can also sell beer & wine, but places that sell beer & wine can not necessarily sell liquor.
I think it's called an "Agency" store because Maine is a liquor-controlled state (the most fascist of all ) with one company controlling inventory and prices statewide...thus, every store that sells booze is an "agent" of that company. I'm not an authority on the subject, but I'm pretty sure that's how it breaks down....if EC12 goes on sale one place, it goes on sale everywhere... "sales" are never more than a couple bucks cheaper than MSRP. This also makes dusty hunting next to impossible...I have had a little luck....and new things rarely show up: since I've been paying attention which is only about the last two years, the only thing that's been added to the American Whiskey inventory is Baby Saz.

It kind sucks....