I went to Sam's last night

[cowdery]

Any visit to Sam's (a Chicago institution and the World's Largest Liqour Store) is worthy of a post, so here goes.

The first thing I looked for in the Bourbon section was Stagg. The last time I was there, they had a shelf label for it, but no bottles. This time, alas, even the shelf label was gone.

On the plus side, however, they now have Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, but at $50.99 a bottle, they will have my bottle a little longer. I did pick up a 1.75 L of Old Forester 100 proof for $21.79, quite a nice whisky for that price.

At the moment, I am sipping some 15-year-old Ezra B., acquired for the quite satisfactory price of $23.99/750 ml. I'm detecting a cough syrup flavor, but I mean that in a good way.

I was very happy to see a large quantity of Van Winkle 13-year-old Rye on the shelf and picked up two bottles, one for me and one for my dad. ($23.99/750 ml each) After some experimentation with other ryes on the market, he seems to have taken a particular liking to that one. (I come by my good taste honestly.)

I don't recall seeing anything else that was particularly interesting. I did pick up a few bottles of cheap red wine, but who cares, right?

[Marvin]

Chuck,

Birthday Bourbon $50.99! Holy Crapppieeeooolee!!!!But in a few more months it will probably be $100, but congratulations on buying the Ezra B. I think this is a wonderful bourbon as I buy a lot of it myself.

I was just setting here drinking some Pure Kentuky VO which I thought was really good-at least tonight-but of course Linn disagreed with me "just a little". What is your opinion on it?

I have a friend whose daughter lives in Chicago and he goes there quite often, when he sees something new he gives me a call. He bought a bottle of the Birthday Bourbon and I told him "I can't afford it" but when he got back I helped him drink his, and informed him he should have bought another bottle.

Cheers,

Marvin

[cowdery]

I have to admit I've never tried the Pure Kentucky VO. So much bourbon, so little time.

[ratcheer]

So, when you say "Sam's in Chicago", is that a local store or is that the same as Sam's everywhere else, i.e., the warehouse club stores of Wal-Mart?

$50.99 for OFBB is a total rip-off. I paid $38 in Alabama, home of the world's highest liquor prices.

Tim

[hollywood]

Yes indeed!, but It is still pretty easy to find....If you know where to look! See ya, H'wood

[cowdery]

Sam's Wine and Spirits is named for its owner, Sam Rosen, and is a one-off, no relation to the Sam's warehouse club, named for its founder, Sam Walton.

[rccoulter]

"Sam's in Chicago" is famed as the largest indoor wine seller in the world. (No relation to Sam's wholesale.) Good liquor selection too, but the prices aren't always consistent.

[ratcheer]

Thanks. Every time I have read about buying or ordering from Sam's, I have always thought of Sam's Club. But something in that last post of yours made me think you meant something else.

Tim

[bluesbassdad]

If you'd care to get to know Sam's Wine & Spirits a bit better, then click here .

Yours truly,

Dave Morefield

[CL]

Last month, when I received three bottles of GTS at my parents' house, shipped from Sam's, they said it was the last three they had in stock and they would get no more until the fall. Of course, that started me wondering if there would be GTS 2003. Guess we'll find out in Sept.

[ratcheer]

I appreciate it, Dave, but there is no possibility of ordering spirits into Alabama. So, I would just be wishing for stuff I can't have.

On the other hand, how is that any different from pretty women? I may as well take a look.

Tim