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……, and my bottle of MM with label in place.

. Yeah, The Universe was trying to tell me something! I did like it (in the mouth, not the eyes). Very sweet, not the astringency that often accompanies wheat. Not super complex, but the finish was more bourbony, a little bitter and really offset the sweetness well. Unique. I liked it. And yup, Markandrex, Gollum all the way. God bless fellow geeks!

Golum , Golum!

Well at least you didn’t have to stand in the bunker for 30 minutes like a deer in headlights wondering wtf to open.

Ha! I got the pot roast every time!

The Pot Roast sandwiches are really good.

A New Way to Open Bottles (Not Recommended): Old Elk Double Wheated came well recommended from a guy who is usually right. Got via KL Wine. Friend drove to my annual Vegas trip. Another friend took it to Nashville (because I had too many bottles to take back on my own). Made its way to Columbus. Then put on a plane to PR in luggage. Heavily sealed in an inflatable bag that protected it quite well. Got around to opening some of those up that were sitting in the closet. Remove from bag, put away, check XL for accuracy. Cork was super wrapped. Trying to get bottle out of the very tight bag. Pulling, pulling, pulling. on neck. Hand slips to cork/stopper, cork comes out, liquid sprays like a shotgun in my face. And yes, It Burns Us, It Burnnnns Us. Washed face. Cut open bag. Note how much remained in the bag. Get it out, quick! Have too much estrogen already, the plastics and the hobbits is Nasties, Nasty. Most of it made into the Glencairn, some Preciouses Drops didn't make it. My Precious! Another day, another saga. Now we'll see if this stuff is any good.

Whelp. The Swirling Vortex of Noise & Chaos (Chilenas) went to the beach. Relaxing from the month long vacation - those take energy! (I know, I know: "boo hoo"). Haven't updated whiskey XL in many months, got busy. So doing that, counting & ordering bottles. Such is what "relaxes" an anal little mind. Having a Lux Row 12 to further the relaxation process. Good stuff.

Last pour from a gift shop NR SBBP. There wasn’t quite enough for a full pour so I supplemented with another 100% rye, some WP Piggyback, DAMN that was a delicious combo!!! I like em both stand alone but the combo was another step up. A spontaneous experiment that payed off in a BIG way, pure deliciousnes.

For those that know, I'm just curious. How hard is it, actually, to get Cohibas into the US, considering how "illegal" they still are? On my several trips to Hong Kong, there was a smoke shop/Humador in the hotel in which I stayed and, of course, Cohibas were all over the place. Is there a "Black market" network for Cohibas and other Cuban cigars in the US?? I don't smoke, so it doesn't really matter to me. I was just curious.

Well, got a big surprise yesterday. Mother in Law's 80th is Wednesday. She just got her Green Card, but nobody knew that would happen a month ago (she could not travel until it arrived). Nephew and Wifey's twin sister showed up, that was planned. Then the 2 other sisters from Chile casually walked in, they did not tell anyone they were coming; they even managed to talk their way past security in our complex, get through the locked doors, etc. Much noise ensued. Note: With Latinas, the noise increases geometrically (not linearly) as you add more of them. If you know, you know. Nephew and I had W12, ECBP A121, JD Rye 127 (he thought it well below the proof of the 123 proof ECBP until I told him the actual number, this seems to be a constant), 4R Super Premium, and SFTB (120.2 and 131.9). He loved the SFTB. We both preferred the higher proof (which is a reversal for me). He put JD in second place. He found the 4R SP dull. Liked the ECBP a lot and thought the W12 "OK to sip when I don't want more intensity". So much for calorie discipline after a month of gluttony. But with that many Happy Chilenas around...it's therapy or alcohol. And I'm all out of therapists.

Is antique really sought after compared to other weller? I understand new bourbon drinkers trying to read reviews and get a good bottle. There are 200 labels even at small stores, and I bet all of us are pretty picky about what we bring home.

My tolerance for proof (and the win on "more flavor") has grown dramatically these last two years. To the point where my Scotch/Irish drinking Dad mutters about "adults & water", "bourbon drinker in the family, adopted", etc. But I have to say, you named two of the three where I still tend to use a big cube. The 3rd is the Bookers, some of the time.

I honest-to-God think it is.

Me too!

I got a late start to the cabinet tonight. Having Old Fitz BiB 8yr, from 2021, I think. Pretty good, it isn’t my fave OF, but good nonetheless. Cheers

After the Stg Junior, I transferred the big clear cube over to a glass of OF SiB barrel proof. I typically only drink OFSiBBP with a cube, and it tastes pretty damn good that way, I must say.

I observe a lot of them (the overwhelming majority of whom are still relatively new to whiskey, even if they have tried a lot of different ones) have absolutely convinced themselves that OWA tastes superior in every way to WFP, CYPB, WSiB, and of course W12. Even though it's all the same NAS stuff (with the exception of W12 with the age statement). It's definitely a "monkey see, monkey do" phenomenon pervasive with people who live their lives on social media.

I saw several HMcK B.I.B. the other day.

It appears the current MSRP is ~$60, but practically nobody is going to sell it for that. I purchased and enjoyed it as a regular pour (back in the early 2000s) and it cost $21 - $25. This included initially the 7 year age stated and later some NAS single barrels. My perception was - this is one step up from 90 proof MM, an easy drinker, not mind blowing. I suspect many people forking over big money for this: never tried it before, chasing labels, influenced by social media.

We decided to relax today after a long week. Chilled this morning, then decided to order pizza for a mid afternoon lunch. On the way to pick up our pizza, I ran into the grocery store to grab a 2 liter RC. I figured that I’d make a quick stop in the liquor department since I needed a bottle of MM for my new personalized MM Ambassador Father Day label. To my surprise, a few bottles of BT were on the shelf. So I walked out of the grocery store with RC, MM, and BT.

Cool story.

Well, I listened to the race on the radio. Some of my in laws got to meet Newgarden and his crew a couple years ago. Somehow he found out my brother in law was a big 500 fan, and had ALS. They are the nicest people, even put a sticker with Brian's name on the race car. Newgarden is our favorite driver. We're thrilled about the second win in a row. Nobody's ever done three.

I shared a sample of a 120.6 proof Binny’s ps Wyoming Whiskey this evening with @JerseyDon at the Legion. Pretty hot, but the flavor was good. It was even better with a couple of drops of water and a couple of small chunks of ice. Been home a while now. Getting thirsty again.