Advice needed

[Stu]

In a couple of weeks I'm going to leave Northern Arkansas en route to Panama City FL. My route will take me through Memphis, across Northern Mississippi, and Birmingham. Are there any good liquor stores anywhere along that route? Although I suffer from Whiskirexia (as diagnosed by Dr. Cowdery) the cure has not yet been found so I'm still looking for new bottles. If you know a good store that you've already picked over for bourbon, tell me about it anyway, because I'm also into malts, cognacs, etc. This is a fun trip so if you have any suggestions of other things to see or do along the way, I'd appreciate that as well.

[luv2hunt]

Stu,

Don't know what you'll find along the way, but I spent a week last summer in Panama City at Anna's softball nationals. The liquor stores had the "usual" bourbon selection, no dusties, and no gotta have it top shelf bottles either. I didn't look at scotch.

It was July....it was hot.....we were drinking "fru-fru" sweet stuff! The Barefoot Beach Club was a nice walk down the beach from us. They make some kick ass pina coladas and rum runners in a cup you get to keep! I had WAY TOO MANY OF THOSE one night!!! Their food there isn't the best though.....but they did have the best drinks and drink service on the beach! (There was a place closer to us, but their walk up bar service sucked!) We stayed at the Flamingo.....should have been called the Dumpingo!

Dawn

Oh, and the best place we ate at was a little resturaunt under a viadock.....gosh, I'll ask someone what the name of it was! Best meal and great serving sizes at a non chain dining place. It was a short drive and WELL worth it! We asked the hotel staff where the locals go to eat and it was one she liked!

[ratcheer]

IMHO, there won't be anything good to check out after Memphis and before Florida. I am unfamiliar with Memphis, but I would imagine they have stores worth looking into. I am almost certain there would be nothing in northeast Mississipi, and I'm sure there's nothing in Alabama.

Tim

[MJL]

You guys are worse than gun collectors. Come to think of it I reckon I know some of you from my other life as a gun collector.

To explain to the non-collectors of guns out there I am talking about how close to the chest collectors keep their cards regarding potential honey pots. It has been my experience that they only talk about places among VERY close friends and only talk publicly about a place AFTER it has been plucked clean of bargains.

All that said I have no advice other than to make room and time to take in Memphis BBQ. My personal favorite place in Memphis for BBQ is a place called Central BBQ. They have an on-line presence and you can check their address via goggle. Their dry rubbed ribs are not to be missed. Do yourself a favor and order two racks when you walk in. You will be eating two racks so you might as well get them before you sit down. They are that good. Do not, repeat, DO NOT miss the BBQ in Memphis.

[mozilla]

Tennessee is the only place that you might find dusties other than Florida. Mississippi and Alabama are both controll states and more than likely won't keep stock that long. Can you find some bargains in those states...Yes. They do list their sale list on their ABC sites. So, check those out before you go and maybe you can stock up on a favorite label.
I would suggest heading through Louisiana and checking some of their stores, if you get the chance.

[craigthom]

Last time I was in Panama City Beach I went to that bar with the big fake shark out front. During happy hour they had Apalachicola oysters for a dime a piece. I didn't check out the bourbon selection, since I consider beer to tbe the appropriate beverage for oysters.

[barturtle]

I have picked up many dusties in Mississippi, they don't have state run stores, just a state run distiribution, so there is no state-wide clearance of bottles like a state with ABC-run stores, they just gather dust on the store owners shelves.

[mozilla]

Ah! Thank you very much, Timothy. I will have to check them out the next trip through.

[Stu]

Many thanks to all for the advice.

Dawn, we'll be staying with an old high school buddy and his lady who live in Indy and have a winter home in Panama City Beach. They may know the restaurant under the viaduct. If you can think of the name send me a pm please.

MJL, I teach a tax course in West Memphis and their idea of fine dining is McDonald's. I usually go to Memphis to eat and I've tried two different B-B-Q joints and was disappointed both times. I've never tried Central so I'll give them a try the next time I'm there. I was raised in Southern Indiana and now live in the Arkansas Ozarks, so to me B-B-Q is marinated in sauce for a couple of days then the sauce cooked in over hickory smoke. Both of the places I tried had ribs dripping with sauce. (I confess to loving a Texas mesquite smoked brisket however.)

I've done some scouring in Memphis in the evenings and the best liquor store I've found so far is Walgreens in West Memphis.

Craig, at a dime each, I know what I'll be having for lunch every day! I'll look for the shark. (I agree on beer with oysters).

Timothy, I won't be on interstate through Mississippi, so every time I see a good looking store I'll stop "on the come".

I look forward to seeing some of you in April at the gazebo.

[J.W.]

Hi Stu,
I live in North Ms. It is a Bourbon desert. I am guessing you will be travling hwy 78, The only thing that comes to mind is Saltillo Liquor & Wine. Just north of the hwy 78 & 45 intersection. He has a small but good selection. I think I saw a dusty Old Fitz, Hancock,and a couple more that escapes me at the moment. If you want Email me and I'll give you exact directions.

Have a save trip.
J.W.