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Flying tonight.

Two more harvests in my bunker beatdown. Too lazy (under the influence) to post either in the proper forum; apologies. Pat

As far as markets are concerned, the three tier liquor distribution system leaves something to be desired. IMHO, it is sorely lacking. I think most folks would agree with that. The system itself leads to skullduggery. Case in point is a manager of a Meijer or several Meijer stores in the Chicago area. He sold their entire Pappy and BTAC allotment to one individual to share with his group and/or to sell for a profit. It was mentioned here. The CEO of Sazerac/BT is Mark Brown. I contacted him about this. I sent him an email with pictures and explained what I surmised was going on. He thanked me, and said they were already aware, and action was being taken. FWIW, I have a pretty good relationship with Sazerac/BT CEO Mark Brown. For a number of years, I’ve touched base with him on a semi-regular basis. I’ve also had the pleasure of meeting him a couple of times. Once was at the end of a staff meeting of the management team at BT. Myself and a few others had the pleasure of interacting with the entire team, with the exception of Harlan Wheatly. They even took the time to give us a brief, but very nice and informative presentation. I trust the man, the company, and its practices. That probably isn’t good enough for a couple of folks here. So be it.

Definitely a pro tip! I've done similar.

If it's anything like the 16 year, then you're in for a real treat. It sounds like you've been converted

This is Meaningful. I feel Affirmed. Sounds like MM was fun...as far as you remember! I had a similar experience at Lux Row...they were trying to convert a Scotch guy to bourbon. He'd take the tiniest sip and hand it over. Could not let the LR12 and OE7 Rye go to waste! I have a HH17 waiting for me in Ohio. Buddy said it was fantastic. I'm looking forward to it.

Four Gate BRBN Downunder. Interesting whiskey.

As a charter member of the Cheap Bastard Club, I approve. I did something similar at MM, where the tour was much cheaper It wasn't a planned strategy, but it was happenstance, as the samples are already poured, before each group goes in the tasting room. The group wasn't full, so we sat in the back row, next to a couple empty seats. Naturally, I couldn't let those samples go to waste. If memory serves, it was standard Maker's, 46, CS, Private Selection and maybe something else. Might have a Pic somewhere. Anyhoooo...for the Cheap Bastard Bonus Round, in addition to the empy seat pours, the elderly couple next to offered me his and his wife's samples, because they were there to visit the grounds, and they don't drink. After a couple, I had to turn them down, because it was our first tour of the day. We did a tasting experience at HH. don't remember the cost, but it wasn't pricey, and included some very good pours. They also held back a few bottles for the tour group to purchase. My buddy bought a William Heavenhill 14 or 16 year...I couldn't tell, buy he paid ~ $250.00. I passed but, in retrospect, I wish I would have. It's very good.

I don't understand how you could guarantee something like that. I think it's pretty obvious that they create artificial shortages of Thomas H. Handy, a 6 year old barrel proof rye. I think OWA is also surely under-packaged compared to their stocks of the wheated product they have on hand. Hard to say about the others. The fact that many markets (states) see so little of stuff like BT and WSR is pretty damning evidence to me.

My USPSA Steel Challenge hat for this season!

Sazerac/BT has not created an artificial shortage of their products. That, I can pretty much guarantee. What has had an effect over the last number of years is more “pieces of the pie” being shared with numerous other entities. Bars and restaurants want in on more and more of the action. Distributors (at least in our area) have taken note. They’ve seemed to care about, and cater more to their off premise accounts than they do about liquor stores. They also hold some stores hostage hostage. You can get a case or two of something, but only if you buy 10 cases of something else. That something else is usually products that are a little harder to sell. Distributors here also have a negative effect in another way. A store can order a case of something limited. They’ ll get it, but ony two or three bottles at a time over a month or more. That way they don’t have to give the store a case discount. Hence stores can’t pass on the savings to us consumers. No way is any of this the fault of Sazerac/BT.

I'm gonna respectfully beg to differ. They price well. It's everyone else who drives up the price. Unlike other distillers, they have not pocketed the money that would come from moving their MSRP closer to FMV. And they are clearly increasing supply, which is driving down FMV/Secondary. They charge reasonable prices at their level. It's others who drive up the prices at retail or post-retail. I also find no fault with their distribution. Supply is finite. They reward those who sell a bunch of other stuff. I do not have a problem with that. Indeed, it makes sense to me. JM(NS)HO, perhaps I am mistaken or missing something.

The ECBP bottle from the Bottle Your Own tour at HH. Good grief, those are good. I really do believe them when they say they save their best for those tours. For the Cheap Bastard(s): On that BYO tour I watched were people sat. And then sat next to an empty seat that had the full tasting glasses sitting there. Someone would have dumped them out. Impermissible. I did my duty. Double tasting! No one objected. I figured best to ask forgiveness instead of permission. Pro Tip? Justified the $40 for the tour.

On the rare occasions I've seen it, I've enjoyed ER10. It's an easy drinker and is a good option at its proof point. My major issue with it ER is that I have no particular interest in patronizing BT and it's products. I resent BT for creating the artificial shortage of its brands, and think they treat their potential customers as easy, desperate marks. If I want the BT flavor profile, I'd rather give my money to A. Smith Bowman.

There are more and better ryes on the market than ever before, including Pennsy or "monongohela" style ryes that recall historic rye recipes and mashbills before the "barely legal" Kentucky-style variety became so dominant. PA distillers like Dads Hat are now offering fully aged takes on historic ryes, and I love the new trend in malted ryes. Meanwhile, I was a work event last night and sipped Rittenhouse Rye most of the evening. I can't think of a tastier whiskey for just 25 bucks a bottle.

After-dinner pour of 2023 13th Colony Double Oaked. This is amazing. Bacon, maple, chocolate amazingly complex. The color is remarkable.

Wheater Wednesday... Busted open a last-year Origin. Did a couple pours; not bad. Finished with an OWA. Sorry but old school won, hands down. I really wish OWA was an easy pick-up like "the strip" hookers...

Whelp. Had a friend over who knows even less than I do. Last time we determined that he likes higher rye bourbons. So we tried things in the order listed. Turns out he’s a barely legal rye guy. He loved OO CS 10y and BBC WV rye. He really liked WTMK Unforgotten, the JDSBBP, and the OE7. Nothing was to be despised. St Cloud 7y (meh), Remus V (good), 4R LE 2022 (very good), WTMK Unforgotten (very good), OO CS 10y (very good), Michter BS Rye (very good), JD SBBP R (very good), Belgrove 100% Rye (I do so love that bottle), Peerless High Rye bourbon (good but hot), BBC WV Rye (very good), OE7 Rye (quite good).

I have been outside prepping the pool mechanicals to open this weekend. I decided to reward myself. Top of the Flock

And now 10.

Yes, someone that had been in their warehouses for barrels selection, said that Willett had at one time barrels from all but one of Kentucky's major distillers. (I never found out which one they never had, but wondered.) Also, heard most was from Heaven Hill. They have transitioned to their own distillate. Steve said up to 9 years old now.

Not really Industry News, but I had to post this somewhere. https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/vultures-connecticut-drunk/

Agreed, I was one and done with HMcK10 several years ago, I tried one knowing its reputation for variability and got a dud. With shelves packed with MUCH more reliable choices that I know I like and don't need to "feel lucky" when I pull it off the shelf, I saw no point in pursuing it any further. Now again that was years before the price hike and with the shelves now busting with even MORE choices than before, especially ryes, I don't care if I ever see one again.

That’s true @PaulO. However, loose lips make barrel bands slip. Once upon a time I was told that the vast majority of Willett’s sourced distillate came from HH. Very few barrels came from other distilleries. I heard this from a reliable, knowledgeable source. That being said, my favorite purchase of a WFE was a private pick that actually came from BF. It was picked by the aforementioned reliable, knowledgeable source.