Newbie in Louisville needs your advice

[Nevill]

Hey all, I've been lurking here for about 2 weeks, I finally got registered and have a question for you all. I have been on assignment here in Louisville for the last 3 months and have just recently taken an interest in Bourbon. I have been a Jack drinker since I toured the distillery 3 years ago, and have made it through every offering the makers have to offer, black label, gentleman jack, and quite a few fine bottles of single barrel. I decided a few weeks ago I needed to try some of what Kentucky has to offer, and seem to have taken a liking for it, thanks to Buffalo Trace. I lurked here silently for a couple of weeks and just this week have started buying up some of the stuff you all seem to like to take back with me to California on the 24th, here is what I have so far, all 750ml's, all sitting before me awaiting the trip home -
Buffalo Trace
Four Roses Single Barrel
Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Old Forrester B-day bourbon
Elijah Craig 12 year old
I missed out on a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle , I rushed back to Liquor Barn to grab up the only bottle they had, but I was too late. TSA guidelines state that I can only carry 5 liters home with me, so that leaves me 2 liters to go to hit my quota. I am looking for stuff that I cannot get back home in Northern California, such as the BT. I was home last weekend and did see we have a decent variety, but the stores out here blow ours away. I need your help on my last 2 choices, I believe I have them narrowed down to the following -
Eagle Rare
Van Winkle (which one?)
Bookers (didn't see any back home)
Ancient Ancient age
Pappy VW (if I can find it)
Stagg (also a long shot)
Elmer T Lee Single Barrel
Remember, I am new to this whole "unfiltered" whiskey thing, like I said, I have been a Jack man for several years, but I'm willing to broaden my hozizons. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Jim

[tlsmothers]

I'd go for the Van Winkle 12 year. It's so darn flavorful and close to the perfection of the Pappy 20. For a more robust style, go for the Eagle Rare 10 year SB.

[barturtle]

Hey welcome to the world of bourbon,
Anyway, I checked an online retailer to see what makes it to Cali, and found everthing on your to purchase list, save for one,
Ancient Ancient Age.

What I didn't find( and this was not an exhaustive search by any means)
No Very Old Barton
Heaven Hill
Van Winkle Rye
Old Fitzgerald 1849 8yr
Very Special Old Fitzgerald 12yr
Beam's Choice
Beam White Label 7yr

What I figure is you take home the stuff you really can't get, and your local liquor store can order anything thats already made it into the state quite easily.

Oh, and by the way I, personally, Would make one of the bottles the Ancient Ancient Age, and probably the second the Old Fitz 1849, but thats just me.

Best of luck in your bourbon travels,
Timothy

[robbyvirus]

As a Bay Area resident, I've never seen Rowan's Creek, Kentucky Pride, or Pure Kentucky on the shelves in California, while all are readily available in Kentucky, and I recommend them all. Of course, you can't go wrong with anything Van Winkle, so if that's an option you've got a tough decision....

[kitzg]

You've done a great job in your research! I, too, formerly drank Jack (note the "formerly").

I will say that I turned a very fussy and opinionated friend on to Eagle Rare Single Barrel and he thanks me every time I see him. I'd be surprised if Bookers is not in distribution in most states but I'd also be surprised if Eagle Rare SB is.

If you've not wandered into the Galt House Hotel on the riverfront you can easily sample a few more bourbons there. Here is what their web site says, "To browse the world’s largest selection of bourbon, try Jockey Silk's Bourbon Bar on the 2nd floor in the West Tower of The Galt House."

[Nevill]

I might just have to give that a try. A couple of us from work are hitting the trail again tomorrow, I brought my camera back from Cali so I could get some pics of Buffalo Trace and Four Roses, going to try to hit them all tomorrow. I have hit 5 of the big 6, but I want to get some good pics to match up to the bottles when I get home. Thanks everyone for the responses, Van Winkle should be added tonight and Eagle tomorrow.

[cowdery]

Get some Very Old Barton Bottled in Bond. Good for your mouth and your wallet.

[NorCalBoozer]

welcome! i live in norcal and you should be able to find Stagg at Beverages and More. Of 3 different stores I went to, all 3 had Stagg.

Also you should be able to find the Van Winkle line, and bookers relatively easily.

Eagle Rare 10 y.o. is around but I haven't seen the ER 17.

I guess i would pick the Elmer.

[Chaz7]

I'd go for the Van Winkle 12 year. It's so darn flavorful and close to the perfection of the Pappy 20. For a more robust style, go for the Eagle Rare 10 year SB.

I have to agree. The 20yr is next to, no, is perfection. But at half the price, the 12yr Lot B is incredible. But if money isn't an issue, and you want to impress friends, then yeah, the 20yr. Although I have not seen Ancient Ancient Age, I have read great things about it, it sounds like a great bargain, and it's regional; I'm pretty sure you won't find it in CA. So any regional release, regardless of taste would for me anyway have a uniqueness worthy of purchase. I'm the same way about food; when I travel, NO chains.

[bluesbassdad]

If space, expense or other considerations serve to limit Jim's acquisitions, I would register a mild dissent in the case of Kentucky Pride.

Yours truly,
Dave Morefield