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I revisited the Jacob's Pardon Batch 3 last night. Delicious. I am interested to see what @rzelinka thinks!

This was gifted to me and we opened it at a party. I’m not a fan of rum but people seemed to enjoy it

The WT + FR combo and nothing else would suit me just fine (sorry BT)

I was impressed by them. They re all 3 unique and don't taste like any of the other bourbons, ryes, or wheated bourbons produced by Heaven Hill, which shouldn't have surprised me since they use different mash bills and grains. If I had to rank my favorite, it would be the traditional bourbon, followed by the Rye. The Wheated bourbon was good, but not as good as the traditional bourbon or rye. Just my opinion.

IMO I would pay MSRP and MAYBE 10-20% and no more. I refuse to pay secondary prices at LQ stores, or anywhere else for that matter. IF you are in no hurry, time is on your side and you should be able to find it at some point at or close to MSRP.

Thank you for responding. Yes, certainly has been debated and deliberated recently. I think most agree it's worth MSRP. The reality is one is unlikely to find either at MSRP. That begs the question what would people be willing to spend for Elmer T Lee? $100, $150? $200? I've seen it for between $150-$200 on the secondary market. $200 is a hard pass for me. $100 a buy. $150 would be only if I had money to burn. As for Rock Hill Farms, I often see this on the secondary market for $300. I think that would be a hard pass for me too. I'm usually good to pay double if I think it's a good bourbon which is hard to find, but when the asking price is 3-4 times MSRP, I have to draw the line.

awesome to hear. Congratulations. I'll toast you with Russell's 13 tonight

Agree with you on how the frozen Lou's are passable, even more so with a few bourbons. That was fantastic. I was last in Schaumburg 3 years ago. It was post remodel. I agree they did try to brighten it up. More often than not when I lived there, I did take out. My wife loves Johnnie's. She's used to the original one in Forrest Park, just down the street from Russell's ribs. I'm not a fan. I found the beef to be dry, and without flavor. I think it changed when they sold the business. That said, those who don't prefer Portillos mostly tell me the juice is too greasy. If I can't have Portillos Beef, then I try to find a place that sells Al's beef. I do remember the Black Ram. Sad it didn't make it. I loved it there too. If I am on death row, my final meal is a ribeye my wife prepares for me, sweet potato fries, my wife's legendary bourbon glazed bacon and brussel sprouts, a tomato, mozzarella salad, and portillos chocolate cake (it will change your life if you've not had it). Of course, I'd be sipping a Russell's Reserve 15, and follow that up with a Jack Daniels 14.

I feel like these single barrels have been well debated recently. You won’t get a consensus on their worth. They’re well respected bottles but it also depends on the bottle you buy.

Happy anniversary!

Had a sampler of Old Charter Oak French at the airport yesterday. Of all the lower proof BT products, that one is increasingly my favorite. I like the age & oak.

I’ve had the frozen Lou’s shipped to me. While definitely not as good as at the restaurant (but, how could they be), it’s close enough that with my eyes closed and a couple of bourbons, I can get there. . Got a little disappointed when they remodeled the inside several years ago. They attempted to brighten it up, but that didn’t work for me. Worst of all, they changed around the bar, which is where we always ate. They took down the wood relief of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Miller Huggins, and shortened the bar so much that the bartender was always right in front of you, now. That’s when we started mixing in the Schaumburg location. I guess you probably hit up Johnnie’s Beef in Arlington Heights, too? Good Italian beef there. That was a good stop before a round of golf. Tide you over well through 18. I often tell people that if I’m on death row, my last meal request will be a replication of the now closed Black Ram restaurant in Des Plaines’ Brie and Spanikopita appetizers, Kansas City steak, cottage fries, and beefsteak tomato with Gorgonzola cheese. My Number 1 favorite regularly ordered meal from any restaurant, anywhere.

I’d welcome thoughts on the Heaven Hill Grain to Glass series. Found a package of the 3 for a reasonable price. I like the higher proof possibility. MSRP is +/- $100 for each. Are they a burnt that price?

Was out and about yesterday and discovered an Elmer T Lee. What’s the most folks would pay for this? Or Rock Hill Farms for that matter?

Great find. I noted the heaven Hill grain to glass aside the Old Fitzgerald. How are those?

I was skeptical and thought it would taste similar to Larceny, of which I’m not a fan, but I’ll admit that I was wrong and first impressions are good!

I have came across it more the last six months that I have in the previous six years. It’s one of those “allocated” bourbons that I think we’re gonna see more and more of as their stock starts to reach maturity.

FWIW, to me, the 90 proofer drank more like a really nice BIB.

Congrats on the new house! Blanton’s in my glass for y’all.

I have to agree that many of the BP picks are obnoxiously hot. The good ones are really darn good though. I've learned to try before buying with those.

It was kinda the opposite for me in my area for a while. No OF BP picks, but one store did a 90 proof one a while back. I bought one and really liked it. It didn’t seem to sell very well. Over the course of 3 or 4 months I bought about a case. I still have one left. Then they did a BP pick. Of course I bought one. I liked it well enough, but it was almost too hot. I didn’t buy another one.

We are celebrating, reached an agreement on a place here. Perfect house on a much smaller (.25 acre) lot. PVW15 for the win! If all inspections go well, we close on 7/3.

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary!!

Sitting outside burning up the severed pieces of an old wooden ladder in the fire pit. Old Forester Rye seemed like the recommended pour for such activities as this. The neighborhood frogs are trilling their approval.