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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.

That’s encouraging! I heard recently from a friend that they saw several bottles at a store in Bardstown. Said friend didn’t mention that he didn’t pick some up for me…

We celebrated our 32nd wedding anniversary today. I took the day off and we went back to the carousel where we got married. That's the same horse. Hung out with our grandson and daughter at the Butterfly House, then had a nice Jamaican cafe dinner. Capped it off with some roses. Was a nice day. Glad I'll be working from home tomorrow!

Always good to have a backup. I have been looking to add this and the George T Stagg. Not easy to come by for me

Dearly departed Pops was an Art teacher and avid photographer. Maybe a bit of it rubbed off. I sure can't paint or draw worth a darn!

Gotta dredge up this topic again because a local monger just posted availability on their Facebook page. I shall do recon tomorrow on pricing and find out if he knows anything more. I will pick one up if it comes in around $45 or less. I am in Wisconsin, so that may answer the limited availability question already.

It was on the shelf at Binny's in Chicagoland. I passed.

Like most things anticipated and new, probably not dropped in quantity. The TW I stopped by a few days ago said theirs disappeared quick. Probably just a way to keep someone from clearing the shelf and pimping it elsewhere. The 4R OESO/OESK/OESV was the same here when it first released. Limited drop, disappeared quick. Now it's everywhere.