Next Liquor Store Run: Your Suggestions?

[Robmo]

OK so I'm plotting my next liquor store run after payday. Already made up my mind to try Buffalo Trace and Elijah Craig 12 year because they're on sale this month.

Now on to the dilemma: do I get A) one more expensive-ish bourbon + a bottom shelfer; or two moderately priced midshelfers?

Specifically, I'm considering:

A: [bookers or EWSB 2000] + [HH or McAfee 8 yr or JB White]

or

B: [OGD BiB or Jim Beam Black ]+ [Four Roses Black Label* or OldFitz 1849]

I'm leaning toward the JB Black + OF 1849 option, no idea why other than I have heard good things about them.

What do you think? Of course the above has to do with availability and prices in my area. My main goal is to start figuring out what I think of the main distilleries' flavor profiles, if I'm able to discern such a thing. Look forward to your .03...

[CorvallisCracker]

Fitz 1849? From who did you hear good things about that?

[jcg9779]

Fitz 1849? From who did you hear good things about that?

I agree with Scott. I bought the Old Fitz 1849 online and was disappointed and very underwhelmed with it.

I would lean towards B, with the second option being the Four Roses. If you can swing EWSB 2000 and then either OGD BIB or JBB, that would be my choice out of these options.

[Robmo]

Fitz 1849? From who did you hear good things about that?

Funny you should ask but this is where: http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=304

[Robmo]

I agree with Scott. I bought the Old Fitz 1849 online and was disappointed and very underwhelmed with it.

I would lean towards B, with the second option being the Four Roses. If you can swing EWSB 2000 and then either OGD BIB or JBB, that would be my choice out of these options!

I guess I should have clarified a bit more. I can stretch my budget to get the better stuff but my "game" is to see what all I can get for under $100...thus if I get Booker's I would only have enough left over for a cheapie...such is the trade-off involved.

E.g.

BT $30.00

EC 12 $20.00

Bookers $40.00

HH $10.00 --> 100 buckaroos in total

[CorvallisCracker]

Funny you should ask but this is where: http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=304

That thread is from 2000. At the time OFi 1849 was an age-statement bourbon, 8 years old, and in 2000 that would still be stuff produced at Stitzel-Weller. After 1992 it was produced at Bernheim, which belonged to United Distillers until 1999 when it was bought by Heaven Hill.

It was in early 2008, to the best of my recollection, that 1849 became NAS, and its quality, as well as that of the standard OFi ("Prime") and the BiB, is not what it was.

Which is a shame. With MM being $22.95 and Weller SR being $23.95 (Oregon prices) there are no decent under $20 wheaters.

[squire]

Rob I would skip the Bookers and get BT, Craig, OGD, Beam black and FR black. This spreads out your dollars and gives you a taste of different house styles.

[Brisko]

HH or McAfee 8 yr or JB White

I take it that you're referring to the HH 8 y/o-- is it the 86 proof (very rare old heaven hill)? If so, know that it is pretty grassy. Not bad if you like that sort of thing, and a very good price. I keep it as a mixer but it does okay on ice.

Price aside, I like it better than Beam white but about the same or less than Beam Black, for what it's worth.

[flintlock]

If you can get VOB 90 or 100, or EW BiB, don't pass them up, but they're rare outside of the south.

You'll probably love the EC 12 and need to try it. Ditto McAfee - for a low proofer it's a very solid whiskey.

I have had Booker's on several occasions and for me its not worth the money. Try it in a bar before you buy it, if you're interested in getting the most from your budget.

[Robmo]

If you can get VOB 90 or 100, or EW BiB, don't pass them up, but they're rare outside of the south.

Want to try the EW BiB but so far have not seen here in Japan...or any VOB products as of yet. I am a fan of EW 7yr old...by the way do you have a take on EW No. 10 1783?

I take it that you're referring to the HH 8 y/o-- is it the 86 proof (very rare old heaven hill)?

Brisko, actually just this 80 proof thing: https://www.weinquelle.com/artikel/Heaven_Hill_Old_Style_Bourbon_4121.html

I haven't ever seen the 8 y.o. in Japan (where I'm based)

[Robmo]

That thread is from 2000. At the time OFi 1849 was an age-statement bourbon, 8 years old, and in 2000 that would still be stuff produced at Stitzel-Weller. After 1992 it was produced at Bernheim, which belonged to United Distillers until 1999 when it was bought by Heaven Hill..

I will heed your advice and avoid the 1849!

It was in early 2008, to the best of my recollection, that 1849 became NAS, and its quality, as well as that of the standard OFi ("Prime") and the BiB, is not what it was.

What does NAS mean? Couldn't find that on the list of frequent Acronyms

Thanks everyone for the interesting and useful suggestions. I will also stay away from Booker's :grin:

One more question: I was trawling through a couple more liquor stores today and found one more tempting combination to consider:

Old Grommes 12 year old + Old Forrester (standard) (in addition to BT and EC12)

Any opinions on these? I don't think Old Grommes is readily available in the states anymore. Used to be made in Chicago but now it seems to be another one of those Japan-only brands. Or something to that effect.

[Tucker]

What does NAS mean? Couldn't find that on the list of frequent Acronyms

No Age Statement

[squire]

Can't real the label well enough to have a take on Old Grommes but it looks like a Heaven Hill bottle.

[Robmo]

Can't real the label well enough to have a take on Old Grommes but it looks like a Heaven Hill bottle.

Could you fill me in on what Heaven Hill bottles look like?

I can't read the label that well either but I think it says Chicago, IL on the bottom in small print.

[CorvallisCracker]

Nice bottle/label combination. Makes it look kinda like a Scotch. Probably no accident, given that it's probably meant for the Japanese market.

[squire]

Rob I should have said it looks like one of the bottle styles Heaven Hill uses. It is similar to the bottles HH uses for JW Dant, TS Samuels, JTS Brown and any number of other brands produced by Heaven Hill.

[trumpstylz]

Rob I should have said it looks like one of the bottle styles Heaven Hill uses. It is similar to the bottles HH uses for JW Dant, TS Samuels, JTS Brown and any number of other brands produced by Heaven Hill.

[Brisko]

Brisko, actually just this 80 proof thing: https://www.weinquelle.com/artikel/Heaven_Hill_Old_Style_Bourbon_4121.html

I haven't ever seen the 8 y.o. in Japan (where I'm based)

[squire]

Forester is always a great buy.

[squire]

In addition to using the same shape bottle for a number of it's brands HH has a history of producing contract whisky. A company, say, in Chicago, could contract with HH to buy a certain amount of new make whisky from HH who would then age the whisky for the customer and eventually bottle the mature spirit according to the customer's instructions, subject to the appropriate laws, taxes and regulations. So labels other than those owned by Heaven Hill can appear on a HH bottle filled with HH whisky.

[Lab Walker]

Well, the PA stores started carrying new labels. I picked up an Old Forrester 86 Pf @ 18.99...never met him before, so I'll open it tonight and toast my wife's birthday!

[squire]

I like this one Lab, hope you enjoy it as well.

[Robmo]

In addition to using the same shape bottle for a number of it's brands HH has a history of producing contract whisky. A company, say, in Chicago, could contract with HH to buy a certain amount of new make whisky from HH who would then age the whisky for the customer and eventually bottle the mature spirit according to the customer's instructions, subject to the appropriate laws, taxes and regulations. So labels other than those owned by Heaven Hill can appear on a HH bottle filled with HH whisky.

[squire]

That one sure looks like Heaven Hill. Eight years and 90 proof, wish they sold that one here, cool label as well.

[Robmo]

That one sure looks like Heaven Hill. Eight years and 90 proof, wish they sold that one here, cool label as well.

A Japanese company imports them for sale here. It's probably the same stuff you get in various other HH offerings stateside. (Not that I know much about this--just guessing.)

You'd probably also go for these 101 proofers: