Where to get good Bourbons in Australia?

[_RAAF_Stupot]

Hello people,

I'm new here, I introduced myself in the 'New to StraightBourbon' area.

I'm also fairly new to spirits as a 'drink of choice' (mainly a beer and wine drinker) - I'm starting to think my 'spirit of choice' is Bourbon whiskey.

I'd like to know where may be the best source of premium Bourbons in Australia. My local liquor stores don't carry anything more exotic than EJ 12yo. I drool in envy seeing you 'murricans talking about all these delicious and exotic Bourbons that I can't buy.

For what it's worth, I'm in Newcastle, NSW.

[camduncan]

Most stores likely have the Jim Beam Small Batch collection - Bookers, Bakers and Basil Hayden, as well as Beam Black, Rye and Choice. They'll also likely carry Wild Turkey (90 proof, 101 proof and Rare Breed I think), Bulleit, Cougar, Makers Mark, Woodford Reserve, McKenna and Slate.

Coles owned stores (Liquorland, First Choice and Vintage Cellars) carry exclusive rights to Heaven Hill products - Elijah Craig 12yo, Evan Williams, Evan Williams Single Barrel, Virgin Bourbon, and Kentucky Gold. There is one Heaven Hill product found at many non coles stores - Nelson County - a great drop that is usually under $30 a bottle. Coles stores also have the rights to Wild Turkey Russels Reserve 102 proof for a limited time. Once the stock goes, there's no more being made.

The bad news is, many of the bottles that are talked about here are not available in Australia. Small independant outlets like Nicks Wines (www.nicks.com.au) import bottles not available elsewhere in the country, but they are a small outlet, so prices can be high.

Online stores from the US like www.binnys.com are a great source of international ordering if you want to look at that avenue.

There's probably some stuff I've forgotten, so no doubt one of the other Aussies will chip in with the details. Hope this helps..

[HighTower]

I'd like to know where may be the best source of premium Bourbons in Australia.

If you're ever in Brisbane, let me know. I have a few nice bottles that are open for inspection



But yeah, I think Cam covered what's available pretty well (You just had to throw Slate in there, didn't ya?!?!)
If you want something that isn't available everywhere, that is a top drop...Blantons Gold is available from Nicks, for $120. I love that stuff. They deliver up to a carton for $15 anywhere in Oz, and they dont charge for shipping if your order is over $200. I have always found Adam great to deal with.
And Stupot, how do you drink your bourbon??

Scott

[_RAAF_Stupot]

But yeah, I think Cam covered what's available pretty well (You just had to throw Slate in there, didn't ya?!?!)

And Stupot, how do you drink your bourbon??

Scott

I've seen Slate in a Woolworths liquor store. Thought it was funny that the label said a "Chicago Blended Bourbon". I don't know anything about it except that it looks like the product of an advertising agency.

Depending on how I'm feeling, I'll either drink neat or on ice, or as a sour. I'll drink a new bourbon neat first, then later I'll try it with ice. I make the sour using a tiny bit of bickford's lemon cordial and soda water. I like the bourbon flavour to still push through the lemon.

[HighTower]

If you don't mix....do not go near that Slate. I think it has been aged 3 months in the sump of a Datsun 120Y!! not to mention mingled with cat urine.

Try and find Evan Williams Single Barrel. I'm sure you'll love it.

Scott

[camduncan]

do not go near that Slate. I think it has been aged 3 months in the sump of a Datsun 120Y!! not to mention mingled with cat urine.

And they are the good points.