Bowling Green

[Old Lamplighter]

Any estimates on how long it would take to make a round trip from Nashville and do some bourbon hunting along the way? Any recommendations on where to go in BG?

Thanks in advance for any help/advice.

[kickert]

Any estimates on how long it would take to make a round trip from Nashville and do some bourbon hunting along the way? Any recommendations on where to go in BG?

Thanks in advance for any help/advice.

[PODSJP]

What a wonderful response to a fellow members request. I live near Chicago and not even taking that trip but makes me want to !! I just had to comment on this one. As Borat would say Very a nice a !!!!

Pete

[cowdery]

The best thing about Nashville is that it is so close to Kentucky.

Bowling Green isn't right across the border, but it's probably the first place you can get to that's wet. Russellville may be a little closer. Both are wet cities in dry counties but Bowling Green is a lot bigger and that's where you'll find a good selection.

It's not a bad drive, but I'm not sure how much you can find in BG that you can't find in Nashville.

[ratcheer]

Every time I go through Bowling Green, I stop at Chuck's on I-65 and stock up. When I walk in and look around, it is like being in heaven!

Tim

[kickert]

There are actually two Chuck's just off the interstate. The one off 22 usually has more of the higher end stuff and special releases, but the one off of exit 28 actually has a better selection. Two totally different clientele though. The southern Chuck's caters to a more upscale crowd (Their wine guy Blake really knows his stuff). The northern Chuck's is right by my house and caters more to the bootleggers. However, the northern one is also the one Chuck himself is always at, so the bourbon and scotch selection is incredible. There is plenty of $150+ bourbons there in a cabinet by the registers.

If anyone is in the area, shoot me a message, I would gladly share a drink with you.

[Old Lamplighter]

Really appreciate all the help and advice. Next weekend, I will let ya'll know what I find and buy. Chuck's will definitely be on the visitation list.....both of them!

Been working in & around Nashville most of latter half of the year.....taking up most of my time which explains my long absence here. Tried to hit as many stores as possible there but did not find a whole lot of anything I did not already have. However, time was very limited working 6-7 days a week. Got to head back up there on 11-12th and thought I would shoot up to KY as much as time allows. BG seemed like the logical place to target being close to Nashville. Hoping to find some Weller Centennial and maybe some older WT (LOL on that one I'm sure). Did not know WC had been discontinued until yesterday.

Thanks again.....back in touch soon!

[wku88]

Being a WKU grad, I have real good memories of BG. Had my first Blanton's at a place on State street, called Downtown Liquors...

I digress. Anyhow, the Chuck's at X22 would prolly take care of your needs if you are limited on time. The drive from Nashvegas to BG is a nice one, and like the guys have said, you can make it in less than an hour without getting in a hurry. If you have time, drive around downtown and campus.

[robbyvirus]

I drove through Bowling Green today, and stopped at Chuck's to check out the selection. The selection was pretty awesome, and included the entire BT Antique Collection. Unfortunately the prices were not awesome...$99.99 per bottle for the BTAC. I left empty-handed.

[kickert]

I drove through Bowling Green today, and stopped at Chuck's to check out the selection. The selection was pretty awesome, and included the entire BT Antique Collection. Unfortunately the prices were not awesome...$99.99 per bottle for the BTAC. I left empty-handed.

Really? Did you go to the exit 22 Chuck's? I am disappointed with their $100 asking price for the BTAC (but people will pay it for sure), but I thought they had sold out of Stagg. I called down there a few weeks ago to check and that is what they told me.

[ratcheer]

Unfortunately the prices were not awesome...$99.99 per bottle for the BTAC. I left empty-handed.

I agree that the prices were not what I would call great, but when you are from a state like mine where the selection is limited and the prices are very high, Chuck's is a great place to shop.

Tim

[kickert]

I agree that the prices were not what I would call great, but when you are from a state like mine where the selection is limited and the prices are very high, Chuck's is a great place to shop.

Tim

Chuck's has great selection and good prices on the sub-$30 category. The specialty stuff he tends to jack up the price (PVW23 is $300 and BTAC is $100). However, if you want some WR sweet mash, just wait a few months. I have never seen so much in my life. I have a feeling he will have to lower his prices on that.

[luv2hunt]

If that were my local liquor store, I'd be going out of town to get my bourbon! That's not the kind of retailer I would choose to do business with. It's too bad the distilleries don't see what he's doing and refuse to supply his distributor. Just saying........:skep: :skep:

[kickert]

Its annoying, but I don't see it as unethical. Even at $35 over MSRP he sold out of GTS at all 3 stores within a month or two. I could not have bought it from him even if I had wanted to.

Of course Chuck is also the guy who pulled me into his office to let me try GTS for the first time. It is things like that that keep me coming back.

[luv2hunt]

Exactly how far from Bowling Green would you have to drive to find a liquor store with a normal $60+ price tag?

Even in Indy it's not that high priced and the retailers here claim they have slightly higher prices because of transportation. Chucks only excuse is GREED. Nope, your right, it's not unethical, it's greedy and I'm shocked that he has loyal customers willing to fill his pockets.

Dawn

[smokinjoe]

Dawn, you know I love you :kiss:...but, I have to get Chuck's back on this one. Over the years, I have seen his prices on the Antique Collection to be somewhat high. So, I've not bought any there. But, I find most retailers who carry the BTAC to be higher than MSRP. The BTAC is, what it is. We've all seen it. If a retailer knows what he has with it, I almost expect them to crank up the price. Some folks (me early on in my Bourbonia Exploration) would gladly pay $100 for Stagg. (Luckily Cliff bailed me out! Thanks, Cliff.)

But, Chuck's other items are very fairly priced, and his selection is Top-Notch. Plus, they are really good people. Particularly, the folks at the North exit (Tristen, et al) location, which is where I have done most of my shopping while in BG. Always willing to spend some time talking bourbon. Always remembers Jimmy and I when we come into the store twice a year, while on our way to Bardstown. And, they've never failed to offer case discounts.

I'd have to count myself as a satisfied customer of theirs.

[luv2hunt]

Good to know that his prices aren't like that for everything!

Your experience tells everyone why this community is so valuable. Friends don't let friends pay too much to get good bourbon :cool:

Love you too Joe!!

Dawn

[robbyvirus]

Really? Did you go to the exit 22 Chuck's? I am disappointed with their $100 asking price for the BTAC (but people will pay it for sure), but I thought they had sold out of Stagg. I called down there a few weeks ago to check and that is what they told me.

You're right, they didn't have the Stagg...that was the only one of the Antique Collection they were missing. Not sure which exit number it was...it was the last Bowling Green exit as you're going south towards Nashville. The store is on the right-hand side of the freeway.

[cowdery]

While we're on the subject of Bowling Green, I see where it's getting a new micro-distillery. Corsair Artisan Distillery is on Bowling Green's historic town square, according to the ADI newsletter. Lexington is getting one too, called the Barrel House.

[kickert]

While we're on the subject of Bowling Green, I see where it's getting a new micro-distillery. Corsair Artisan Distillery is on Bowling Green's historic town square, according to the ADI newsletter. Lexington is getting one too, called the Barrel House.

Irony of ironies, I knew about the LEX micro distillery, but I had no idea about the one in my own hometown. And I spend lots of time on "Bowling Green's historic town square." After I saw Chuck's post I emailed the owner and am setting up a time to go visit and ask questions.

If anyone is interested, here is a link http://www.corsairartisan.com/

You can read an article about it here: http://www.justaddbourbon.com/bourbonbuzz/article.aspx?id=137

As the article mentions, there is also a new micro-brewery. They have put out a few different beers: american pilsner, brown ale, pale ale, wheat ale.

Right now they are working on a bourbon barrel beer. They have taken their brown ale and aged it in Woodford barrels. The Brew Master (who by the way is only 26) says both barrels are quite different, but he is excited about how they are progressing. I look forward to trying that.

[craigthom]

How hoppy is the pale ale? I've got to drive down to Columbia tomorrow or Friday, and I could manage a detour if warranted.

I love that I get an extra hour when I drive down there. I hate that I lose an hour when I get back home.

[kickert]

Honestly, the Pale Ale has been their most dismal offering. I only had the first batch, I don't know how later batches have been. The pale is pretty bitter and hoppy. I like it much better from the bottle than from the tap, but not great. (Disclosure: I am not a fan of hoppy pale ales - there are few pales that really do it for me.)

The distillery is located at the Veterans Memorial Chuck's location, but you can get it at the exit 28 Chuck's if you are just swinging in.

[craigthom]

If you don't like the style it's hard to tell how good it is.

I may not have time for that much of a detour, although the highway tends to balance the increased distance. Columbia is very close to being just as close to Lexington and Nashville and Knoxville as it is to Louisville. It's just chance, I think, that it's in my area.

[kickert]

The Distiller/Owner/Janitor/etc. is opening up the distillery for me on Saturday afternoon. If anyone is in the area and would like to join me for a tour, you would be more than welcome to.

[cowdery]

I hope you will consider taking a camera and giving us a virtual tour.