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One recommendation I can offer is to try the restaurant at Bardstown Bourbon Company for either lunch or dinner (reservations recommended). They serve fine fare, and offer 'flights' of their brands. If you and he are both Bourbon lovers each could order a different flight and share 'em back & forth to taste more different offerings without getting blotto. A caution: allow more time on the roads than you think will be required. As you seem to be aware, being rushed spoils the quality of the whole experience. ...And, the extra allotment of time will give you flexibility about how long or short visits are at the various gift shops. I haven't been to the Bulleit gift shop in a long time; but, my experience there was unimpressive. But, as I said it's been a long while, it may be way better now than it was when they were first open (when I went). Lastly, a tour of the Willett Distillery (quite near B'town, as you probably know), if it can be squeezed, in beyond just lunch at their bar is a nice tour, although their gift shop isn't that special, IMO.

I attended a dinner last night and the restaurant had an awesome group of bourbons. I was able to try William Laurie Weller, George T Stagg and Eagle Rare 17. Just amazing to see them all at the same place and priced as fairly as one can expect in a higher end restaurant. Of the three, the William Larue Weller was my favorite. My least favorite was George T Stagg. I have to believe there was just something wrong with the bottle as it as not good. It had a strong moldy fruit taste to me. To say I was shocked and disappointed, would be an understatement. If I were to make a decision on buying a bottle based on that tasting, I would not do so. I will look for another opportunity to try it again before I come to a conclusion on adding one to my collection. Eagle Rare 17 was also very good. I see one of these in my future.

Well like most young kids, he doesn’t like the smell or taste. I’m sure that will change in time.

AFAIK, the LCC is the 'final answer' here; but, it's everybody above the consumer really. My understanding is that when The State of Michigan 'orders' liquor, they receive a MSRP for each item; allowing retailers, the State, and (of course) themselves healthy profits. Then the LCC decides based upon that number, and market trends, where to set the retail price as a 'base' (retailers are free to charge that price or exceed it - but never sell below it). AFAIK, the LCC always sets it at or usually slightly above the MSRP (If they didn't they would be derelict in the mission to not only 'control'; but, ensure the State treasury a decent return on investment). However, in deference to retailers profit margins they will frequently set some prices rather higher. This much? I have no idea. Quite likely the distiller (BT) has quoted Michigan a considerably higher MSRP than in those golden days of years ago. ...As well as charged a significantly higher wholesale price to The State. So, I guess one could say that everybody up the supply chain from the retailer, to the distributor, to the MLCC, to the distiller is demanding their pound of flesh from the consumer. When any liquor becomes as sought-after as so many are today the cost will inevitably go skyward. It's always the entity least able to do so that bears the cost of escalating market demand - the consumer. ...Because of the "Golden Rules". ...Them that's got the gold makes the rules.

I just had to share this. We had a get together of our bourbon/cigar group tonight. One members wife made t shirts for us.

A perfect summary.

Hello! I am surprising my husband with his dream trip to the Bourbon trail this August. I have been researching for a couple of months but would live some feed back on our itinerary so far. I have already booked several tours but I can still change. We are flying into Nashville because we can get direct flights and staying all 4 nights at The Trail Hotel in Bardstown. Day 1 (Wed) driving in from Nashville. Should arrive by 5pm. Checking into the hotel and have a 7pm reservation at Oak and Ember at The Trail Day 2 (Thurs) - Plan to be at Buffalo Trace at 9am. I managed to score a 10AM tour. Stop at Castle and Key?? (nothing booked so not sure it’s worth it) Lunch 1:30- Woodford Path to flavor tour booked Stop at Four Roses if we have time Back to Bardstown for dinner Day 3 (Fri) - 10:30 Jim Beam Reserve Tasting booked followed by lunch at Kitchen Table Planning for a little down time by the pool this afternoon. Thinking of booking a late afternoon tasting at Preservation and hoping to hit up a bourbon bar or two in Bardstown after dinner. Day 4 (Sat) - Heaven Hill (nothing booked) 11am Lunch reservation at The Bar at Willett 1:30 Bardstown Bourbon Co. Art of Blending class Explore downtown Bardstown Day 5 (Sun) We have to leave Bardstown by 11:30 to drive back to Nash. Some specific questions - He likes Bulliet but it seems out of the way and I haven’t seen a lot of great things about the distillery. Would it be worth it to go out to the way for? Are there any smaller, lesser known distilleries that just shouldn’t be missed? I want to maximize our time but I also want it to be enjoyable and not rushed.

ETL gained notoriety because it was a $25 bottle that drank like a $40 bottle. Add some love for the bottle’s namesake on top. It was a good value play. Then things got goofy. A $40 bottle that drinks like a $40 bottle is fine. The secondary FOMO tax turning it into a $150+ bottle can lead only to disappointment. Inflation turning it into an $80 bottle, well that’s just how it goes. I don’t know if the quality is there because I haven’t t bought a bottle in probably a decade. If you gotta have it try to get it at MSRP.

Was at the whiskey bar and tried the Grain to Glass KSBW and the KSWBW. Liked both but out of the two I would pick the wheated.

I would have bought it.

Quite happy to let others have it at that price.

WT-Generations in the glass tonight.

I have yet to see this on the shelf in any Ohio store. I doubt I will. Ohio sucks for Bourbon.

Straight KC 9 year tonight. It's been a while since I had this. Still nice.

1792 BiB in the glass...

Is it the Liquor Control Commission or the distiller that sets the price?

Hard Pass! I didn't know the Michigan Liquor Control Commission had set it so freaking high. Haven't looked for it in a long time. Even if it were available (and, I don't have a clue about its availability in MI), I have zero interest.

ETL minimum state price is Michigan is $79.99 plus 6% tax.

Picked up this pair today. Package deal where you had to buy both, but it was at msrp. I’m excited to try the new old fitz.

I haven't tried it myself yet but there is quite a bit of feedback already posted here on SB about it. You just have to use the search function. There is even a thread dedicated to it here: Wild Turkey 101 - 8 Year

I picked my ECBP at the office today.

I passed on WT 101 8 year at $45. I thought the store where I found it had jacked up the price, but that's pretty much the normal retail around here. For those that have tried it, is it worth double the price of regular 101?

I hit the grocery store sale and came home with: regular MM, Sazerac Rye, and Bulleit Rye. I haven't had any MGP stuff in a while. It can be a nice change of pace.

Uh-OH! Better start marking the fill levels on yer bottles? Kidding, I hope. Although my brother, a cousin, and I used to 'sample' my Dad's liquor at about age 12 or 13, so it may not be outa the realm of possibility.

Me too. I don't think I've seen it in 15-years or so.