Bourbon Run

[wadewood]

P.S. I was just informed that there might be an issue with transporting liquor across state lines. Does anyone know anything about going from KY to PA with a trunk full of booze?

It is a risk, but in reality the odds are pretty low of anything happening to you.

[flintlock]

What can you only get in Lexington/Louisville/Bardstown? Are there bourbons there that you honestly can't get anywhere else? If not, are there relative rarities that you can only get there and perhaps in only a very few other places?

Having never been to a store there, I wonder can you walk in to a good one and find it well stocked with Van Winkles and other rarities?

[BrianBradford]

Alright folks, its that time again! Time for the Bourbon RUN!!!!!!

So far I've tasted,

Buffalo Trace

Evan Williams black label

Old Crow Reserve

Woodford Reserve

Heaven Hill

Knob Creek

And now its time for another bottle. Im thinking something in the 20-30 dollar range. Any suggestions? I was thinking Eagle Rare Single Barrel.

[PAspirit1]

As far as what is available in PA, Beam Black comes to mind.

[chefnash51]

Elmer T Lee available?

[BrianBradford]

I just did a check on the PA website. Elmer T. Lee is available, but its not in any store nearby. Beam Black sounds like a plan. I am kind of intimidated by Beam though. There is quite the large crowd that say they HATE Beam and that it requires a taste for it.

[SMOWK]

I just did a check on the PA website. Elmer T. Lee is available, but its not in any store nearby. Beam Black sounds like a plan. I am kind of intimidated by Beam though. There is quite the large crowd that say they HATE Beam and that it requires a taste for it.

A huge rule of thumb: Never be afraid of a bad review. And never be afraid of the bottom shelf.

We all like different things. If you have cheap taste, then you are blessed with extra money in your wallet.

[BrianBradford]

...If you have cheap taste, then you are blessed with extra money in your wallet.

I just might.

Heaven Hill that I am currently sipping on cost me like 8.99 for a 1.75 litre. I thaught it tasted smooth!

I might just have to try the Beam black just to get the whole Beamophobia out of my mind.

[Parkersback]

A huge rule of thumb: Never be afraid of a bad review. And never be afraid of the bottom shelf.

We all like different things. If you have cheap taste, then you are blessed with extra money in your wallet.

I like this post. And to add one more rule of thumb, IMHO there's no such thing as a bad American straight whiskey. I like PVW15 as much as anyone, I think it's a steal at $60, but depending on what you're looking for and what you're expecting, there's much to be said for JB White. In the right context, I love JB Black.

Somewhere on SB I read there's two kinds of bourbon: good bourbon, and better bourbon, and I think that's mostly right.

[Scrub]

Can I get in on this? I have to make a bourbon run tomorrow after work.

NC is a control state so I have limited choices.

I like ERSB, OWA 107; and Bulleit all quite well. I have MM, OGD BiB; WTRB; JBB, Rebel Reserve, JB Rye in my stash.

So what so you guys suggest I add for under $30 {The other $30 is for replacement of my empty Bulleit}

[ThomasH]

Go for the one you like best. All 3 you mentioned are regularly 30.00 or less. As far as jim Beam Black goes, it is my favorite of everything Beam makes. It has been said before that it is closest in style to JD. I like this style of whiskey and I like JBB's age and proof better than JD!

Thomas

[Scrub]

I just want to try something new. This is starting to get interesting.

[PAspirit1]

I agree with SMOWK about ignoring reviews or at least not letting oneself get overly influenced by them. I was re-reading the review section of Whisky Mag issue 78. Dave Broom pans Mcdougals 18, 53.3 giving it a 5 and Martin N. gives it the highest review of all the ones tasted, an 8.8. That is a big diference of opinion between two professional tasters. I even ignore the consensus of small groups.

Moving up and down, then back up in proof seemed to help me love Bourbon.

I think my next Bourbon purchase from the PLCB will be the regular Four Roses next month.

[BrianBradford]

Well I decided to go for the suggested Beam Black. I took a sip and am not sure yet. Seems very smooth. Can't pick out too many flavors besides a woody kinda feel. After work tonight, I will give myself a nice pour and really study it.

[MaltNut]

I like this post. And to add one more rule of thumb, IMHO there's no such thing as a bad American straight whiskey. I like PVW15 as much as anyone, I think it's a steal at $60, but depending on what you're looking for and what you're expecting, there's much to be said for JB White. In the right context, I love JB Black.

Somewhere on SB I read there's two kinds of bourbon: good bourbon, and better bourbon, and I think that's mostly right.

I thought I agreed with you until I tasted Old Crow. Then I tried Old Crow Reserve because it has to be better, right? --Boy am I a glutton for punishment-- I am damn sorry, but I can't agree with you now.

...

As far as Beam goes... Bookers is decent stuff, and I can appreciate KC, I even find OGD 114 to be amazingly(and enjoyably) scotch-like, but as to the rest... I guess I am just not a Beam guy.

But +1 on reviews and loving cheap bourbon! I am afraid that for cheap stuff if I can't get VOB, Charter 101, or the occasional HH I would rather just have a good beer, water, or even <gasp> vodka. Thankfully I have only had a couple of shots of vodka in the past year. Talk about counting your blessings.

[Luna56]

I haven't had the Beam Black but I'm curious to try it. I think Booker's is the best thing Beam makes. I agree with SMOWK about not fearing the bottom shelf and I enjoy bourbon from all strata. But it doesn't hurt to hit the top shelf once in awhile for the sake of research and "well rounded perspective." :grin:

Cheers!

[StraightBoston]

JBB (ignore the "Double Aged" twaddle) is a perfectly good bourbon and quite unlike Jim Beam White (fortunately). Good for rounding out your middle shelf tour of different distilleries.

I'd go for the Eagle Rare SB on the next trip and compare/contrast with your thoughts on Woodford Reserve...

[unclebunk]

I haven't had the Beam Black but I'm curious to try it. I think Booker's is the best thing Beam makes. I agree with SMOWK about not fearing the bottom shelf and I enjoy bourbon from all strata. But it doesn't hurt to hit the top shelf once in awhile for the sake of research and "well rounded perspective." :grin:

Cheers!

The Beam Black is quite good, as is the Jim Beam 7 Year Old Distillers Select which I've been finding at Sam's Club for $9.99 ($26 at Binny's!).

[BrianBradford]

Well I tried the JBB straight, on ice, with water, with sours, with coke, and lastly, with tonic and lemon. My thaughts....

Straight was smooth and VERY yummy. On ice, it kept the burn, but with alot less flavor. Cut with water, Less burn, less flavor. With sours, no thanks. With coke, the pairing was perfect, 1 oz. JBB with 2oz. coke, delicious. Tonic and lemon, I couldn't get the amounts right. Didn't want to waste too much time, so no thanks. Over all, I thaught it was a good Bourbon straight or with coke. Price wise, I still perfer BT for sipping and Heaven Hill for mixing.