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FWIW, I haven't found that much difference among the (very) many ECBP's I've owned. Now that's not to say there isn't some variation. There absolutely is! A couple of the early ones were pretty 'hot'. But over the next number of years (I stopped seeking it out after about 2021 or '22) I found none that were poor in comparison to other brands or to each other. Now, here again, I have little experience with those batches after '22. A taste here and there is all. But, I'd say the profile hasn't been that variable in any meaningful way. I don't think one could assume every "A" batch would be 'only OK', while some other batch from later in the year would always be 'better'. Take this with as many grains of salt required of course, as any persons palate will be different from anyone elses.

Another one for the bin....

Well, let's put it this way. In January 2025, the only ECBP available that I saw was A124 and only at ABC Wine & Spirits, here in Tampa Bay, I did get one. But no other stores had B524 or C924, or any ECBP whatsoever. I get the feeling that, perhaps, these retailers don't want to participate in all the "hype" regarding these things and just get the easiest, cheapest thing (the "A" batches, if any ECBP) thinking that people won't know the difference and just buy what they present to them. Even the Elijah Craig website itself will ship it to you, but they don't guarantee the batch you will get. I guess I'll have to look harder. In your experience, will stores who have the better batches be willing to ship it to on-line customers, or is it reserved for "in store" customers?

Any excuse to use the Montenegro! Can you please post the recipe?

Gotta love the name of one of our locals. "Buzzed Liquors", what's not to love? They have a great selection, with prices all over the place, but there are good deals to be had. The owners & staff are great. This one was $59.00 and worth every penny. I bought a few and gifted one to my brother-in-law.

I love old school Beam, when I'm in the mood for it. The peanut funk is luxurious at this proof. It's not what I dig every day, but I wish I had a dram of it here at the beach on this still, dark night. The surf was as good as I've seen it this year, curls like the sea was peeling apples. Happy Memorial Day weekend, folks! Here's what I brought for deck duty - a Turkeytail! (next to last one) Turns out to be a very mellow example of the breed.

Happy Fryeday! Not feeling rye...but this will do!

Good luck!

This will be replaced....

That's the one! I liked it enough to buy another one on our last trip, back in 2019. Honestly, I was just as happy to grab some VOB 100, which is nearly impossible around our neck of the woods.

Happy Memorial Day weekend. Hats off to our heroes. Truly a pivotal day on the calendar. Three of my favorite places to drink beer. Nor Cal, SD, and Seattle. Going to start off with the Velvet Glow. As mentioned above rest in peace Norm. I put some quotes I found in the NYT obit. Norm: “It’s my birthday, Sammy. Give me a beer, stick a candle in it and I’ll blow out my liver.” Norm: “Well it’s a dog-eat-dog world, Sammy, and I’m wearing Milk Bone underwear.”

Love the KC 12yr, would love to get a OGD 16yr, and no nothing about the Old Soul.

I know, right!! Rusty was my favorite driver, BTW. This pic from the corner man cave part of my garage. Basically, all I can muster… Before they changed the label, MGD disappeared in these parts for over a year, I think. Didn’t even recognize it when I first saw it!

Friday's Fare... A nice southern fish; halibut. At least most likely caught 'south' of the Arctic Circle. Main Course - said halibut with a creamy crab, wine/white sauce Starch - Shrimp/Mac-N-Cheese Veggie - KC12 (oops)

Batting .300 on a Friday... Of course, the OGD16 & the KC12 at 100 proof and the Old Soul, a blend proofed down to 100.7pf. No favorites, just good stuff all around...

Having some PHC 10 yr. to kick off FRyeday.

Would that be the Master's Blend? I have one that I picked up at the distillery. I don't remember much about it. Don't recall the price. I know I had a sample with their tasting but do not recall how good it was. But grabbed anyway. I did that a lot on the trail. Buying btls without much thought. Maybe wrapped up in the thrill of being in bourbon country, FOMO, the rarity of the btl, thought I liked it, not sure if i like it but bought a btl to find out if i like it, too much to drink prior to stopping at a distillery, not drinking enough before stopping at a distillery....and so on.

They touch on reason it is sold in Japan and distillery only was respect to Japan for keeping them afloat through the tough times.

Finishing the last pour of Bardstown Origin. Definitely will be replacing it.

What in the name of Rusty Wallace is going on with that label!?! Wasn’t up to date on the label change and had to google this was changed in 2021. I’m a product of the 90s and that label is offensive to my nostalgia!

Yeah....my buddy bought the red-label...I bought a blend that included some 23 yr whiskey,(probably a thimble-full), which wasn't obscenely priced and I really liked it.

The stars finally align and I do the Friday rye day thing - regular Rittenhouse B.I.B. And it's my son's last day of 4th grade. How's this for a weekend. On Sunday Indy has the 500 race, then NY Nicks @ Pacers NBA Playoffs. A person could conceivably go to both. Monday is Memorial Day, so three days off for a lot of people.

My Garden & Gun arrived earlier this week, and noticed a Summer cocktail called Colorado Cool-Aid. Well, I guess my iteration should be a Wisconsin Cool-Aid since I used Miller Genuine Draft, instead of Coor’s…. Regardless, it goes like this: Bourbon, Amaro Montenegro, Sugar in the Raw/light brown sugar simple syrup, lemon juice shaken with ice. Pour into beer mug with ice. Top with beer, and garnish with orange peel. I could see this being nice on a hot and muggy Summer afternoon, for sure. FWIW, I started on the cocktail while in the mug, but poured it into a Yeti to take outside to get a jump on the long weekend. The transition seemed to better integrate the ingredients, so I may add that process to all future attempts even if its final landing spot is back in the mug.

Finished off the last of the OGD 114 that I've been pouring for the last couple weex. That brand hits my taste buddies nearly perfectly, I hafta tellya'. I'm glad I have several backing that empty one up; but, I think I'll pour from some other low-fill bottles for a while.

After the admission price for the tour, the total for EW 12yr was 170$ ish, if my memory serves me correctly. Yes very pricey but cheaper and easier to obtain than traveling to Japan. Worth it? Prolly not. Would there be a repeat purchase? Maybe, would have to drink my other btl first and decide. Lol