Van Winkle's Lot 'B'

[WsmataU]

OK, I have to ask...

I recently bought 3 bottles of Lot B in Ky based on the rave reviews posted here. I bought them on sale at Toddy's. To be perfectly honest I prefer the bottles of Willett I bought that day for less money. But, much to my chagrin I found two different ABCs here in VA that had a shelf full of Lot B for $45/bottle. Now I feel ike I fell for a marketing ploy.:smiley_acbt:

Does anyone else have a similar experience?

[shoshani]

What did you pay for your bottles - more or less than $45?

(Lot B goes for around $40 in the Chicago area, so $45 is more but not horribly so.)

[callmeox]

Wait...Toddy's "sale" price is higher than 45 a bottle for Lot B?

[barturtle]

Wait...Toddy's "sale" price is higher than 45 a bottle for Lot B?

From what I understand, never having had occasion to shop there, Toddy's is known for his selection for his location in Bardstown during the KBF, but not for his prices...

[Attila]

I am on record for not being a fan of there being several versions of Lot B. I have been flamed on this board for not being a fan of there being several versions of Lot B.

[cowdery]

Nobody has to like anything or defend what they do or don't like.

I think Lot B is great and I've never tasted a bad bottle of it.

But, yeah, a sale price at Toddy's is probably going to be more than the regular price at Liquor Barn. I buy at Toddy's because it's Toddy's, a great Bardstown institution, and because Guthrie is always a hoot.

For those who don't know, Toddy was Toddy Beam, now long dead but a member of that esteemed clan.

[WsmataU]

To clarify; the point of this post was the availability of Lot B, not Toddy's pricing. To be perfectly fair Guthrie gave me an additional 10% off because I bought several bottles.

Maybe I misunderstood, but I thought people were bunkering Lot B because of low volume. Personally, I'll save my pennies and buy a bottle of Van Winkle 20 instead of two Lot B's.

[OscarV]

Personally, I'll save my pennies and buy a bottle of Van Winkle 20 instead of two Lot B's.

Let's say price being equal.

I would buy 1 bottle of Lot B over 1 bottle of Pappy 20.

[jburlowski]

I'm with Oscar & Chuck on this one.

Lot B seems (relatively) plentiful right now but, historically, has fluctuated dramatically through the calendar cycle. IMHO, this is simply outstanding whiskey and I have been bunkering it a lot.

It's availability may become common (but I doubt it) but, in any case, I won't feel bad about having extra bottles on hand.

Based on quality and pure drinking pleasure, this is as close to a sure thing as you'll find in the bourbon world.

[polyamnesia]

my one brush with lot B was priceless. well, more like $44+....but that wasn't the issue. i can't complain. at all.

[cowdery]

If I gave anyone the impression that Lot B is on the endangered list I apologize. All of the Van Winkle products are relatively small volume, therefore spot shortages are common, but Lot B is definitely in current distribution.

Whether or not it stays where it is, price wise, is a different question but, there again, I have no direct indications that a price hike is coming but, then again, you usually don't hear about such things in advance.

It depends on your bunkering philosophy. I don't go through anything very quickly but Lot B is something I like well enough to always have a couple of bottles on hand, just in case.

[Buffalo Bill]

I'm with Chuck on this one - I've NEVER had a bad bottle of Lot-B. On sale in MA for $42 at the moment, a short supply. Even upon opening it's always ready-to-drink, it's a Wheater.

Here's a trick: Try putting a shot in a 16oz plastic solo cup, wait 10 or 20 minutes, then swirl it around rapidly. Let it stand for another minute and nose it. NEAT! No water, no ice. Get beyond the first sip with a clean palette, not after a hearty meal. Try it before dinner... and if you're smoker - that's one way to not get an accurate read on it. Wait before you light up...

BB

[shyster512]

I also find Lot B to be a fine bourbon pour. And this year's version is superb

[WsmataU]

Here's a trick: Try putting a shot in a 16oz plastic solo cup, wait 10 or 20 minutes, then swirl it around rapidly. Let it stand for another minute and nose it. NEAT! No water, no ice. Get beyond the first sip with a clean palette, not after a hearty meal. Try it before dinner... and if you're smoker - that's one way to not get an accurate read on it. Wait before you light up...

BB

[cowdery]

What excites me the most about the current release of Lot B is that it has weathered the transition from SW to Bernheim/BT and remained truly outstanding, and very similar to its former self, if not exactly identical. Van Winkle is a perfect example of what a non-distiller producer (I'm separating Van Winkle from BT just to make this point) should be, which is a superb selector of whiskey, using a talented palate to put something truly special into the bottle.

[BourbonJoe]

I'm glad to hear the good endorsement of the modern Lot-B. All of mine are Stitzel-Weller (based upon when I bought them) and I have not bothered to get any of the new stuff. Your endorsement will make it easier to purchase one when the time comes.

Joe :usflag:

[Special Reserve]

I've had both, old S-w product and the current product, you should not be disappointed with either.

[shannichols]

Has anyone seen Lot B in Lexington recently? I was up there a couple of weeks ago and could only hit the Liquor Barn out on Man 'O War and didn't see it. I would like to pick one up to bring home next week.

[cowdery]

I'm glad to hear the good endorsement of the modern Lot-B. All of mine are Stitzel-Weller (based upon when I bought them) and I have not bothered to get any of the new stuff. Your endorsement will make it easier to purchase one when the time comes.

Joe :usflag:

It may also make it easier for you to go ahead and drink the ones you have.

[BourbonJoe]

It may also make it easier for you to go ahead and drink the ones you have.

I'm never in too much of a hurry to drink up the classics.

Joe :usflag:

[DeanSheen]

I just got a bottle of this on Tuesday and by Thursday it's about 1/3 gone.

Relaxing tonight after being out and I find this stuff to be simply seductive.

Lot B is starting to feel like a half case buy. This stuff drinks, tastes, and feels good. The price point is also excellent for all the things it does well.

If there are more selections out there that do this many things as fine as Lot B I cant wait to find them.

Its going to be a standard based on pure value and subjective enjoyment. Its just good.

[smokinjoe]

I just got a bottle of this on Tuesday and by Thursday it's about 1/3 gone.

Relaxing tonight after being out and I find this stuff to be simply seductive.

Lot B is starting to feel like a half case buy. This stuff drinks, tastes, and feels good. The price point is also excellent for all the things it does well.

If there are more selections out there that do this many things as fine as Lot B I cant wait to find them.

Its going to be a standard based on pure value and subjective enjoyment. Its just good.

Dean, it is a mighty fine pour. I usually don't bunker current releases to any great degree. But, your idea of making a half case buy on this one, is sound IMO. Although, it is released yearly, it's pretty much doesn't rehit the shelves after the first wave is gone. So, getting it now while it's available is a good idea.

Cheers!

[fishnbowljoe]

Yes, it is a good pour. I wasn't that impressed with last years bottling. I wondered what all the hype was about. Then I tried this years. Wow! What a difference. It's been a while since I had last years. Might have to revisit it and compare the two. I finished my first bottle of last years Lot B pretty quick, knowing that I had one in the bunker. Might have to take my time and be a little more attentive this time. Joe

[shyster512]

What excites me the most about the current release of Lot B is that it has weathered the transition from SW to Bernheim/BT and remained truly outstanding, and very similar to its former self, if not exactly identical. Van Winkle is a perfect example of what a non-distiller producer (I'm separating Van Winkle from BT just to make this point) should be, which is a superb selector of whiskey, using a talented palate to put something truly special into the bottle.

I will give you a definite amen to this.

[Buffalo Bill]

It may also make it easier for you to go ahead and drink the ones you have.

Chuck, how long ago did the SW stuff exist, has that been over the past five years? BB