BTAC and Van Winkle nonsense

[Jwilly019]

There are A LOT of stupid people out there. Not because they pay money, extreme money for all of this but I just watched on auction for a 20 year old bottle and it ended for $295 which is absolutely insane. Insane because there are 3 other auctions I see right now where someone could have bought it now for $190 and $240. My god people, id sell mine if I knew I could get it for $295.

Here here. Heck, I might even buy a couple more.

[Happyhour24x7]

Heh. Coincidence is funny. Walked into a store last night that had "all of the above" on the shelves; PHC, BTAC, several Pappys, and on and on and on. If anyone in DC wants to pay a really high price for these guys, PM me and I'll give you the location. Full disclosure, I couldn't bring myself to pay the price; but my girlfriend pulled the trigger on a bottle of Pappy for me.:cool:

[BFerguson]

Now come on everybody, let's be serious for a moment..........

If there wasn't all this nonense about Pappy, and heck, even other limited availability bottles, we would not have nearly have the post on the forum that we do.

This is the stuff that makes life interesting. Half the fun of any interest, hobby, collecting, is the thrill of the hunt. I for one love it. I don't spend a excessive amount of time in the search for these, and I will probably be lucky enough to get a couple of bottles. But if i don't-well that's that, and I'll move on.

Hell, I've probably wanted some lower end bottles just as much to see what the hubbub was about and to further my palate and reference taste library.

Mellow Corn, VOB BIB, Weller 12-and others that folks talk about that are good all around bargains-just are not available where I am.

So the lust factor is there at both ends of the dollar spectrum.

B

[Whiskey Willie]

If I can't go to the store and buy it, I'm sure as hell not going to spend countless hours trying to get it. There are many different Bourbons, Scotches and Irish to be had and enjoyed with a simple trip to the store and a purchase.

Bingo. There are plenty of choices on the market.

[fitzharry]

Now come on everybody, let's be serious for a moment..........

If there wasn't all this nonense about Pappy, and heck, even other limited availability bottles, we would not have nearly have the post on the forum that we do.

This is the stuff that makes life interesting. Half the fun of any interest, hobby, collecting, is the thrill of the hunt. I for one love it. I don't spend a excessive amount of time in the search for these, and I will probably be lucky enough to get a couple of bottles. But if i don't-well that's that, and I'll move on.

Hell, I've probably wanted some lower end bottles just as much to see what the hubbub was about and to further my palate and reference taste library.

Mellow Corn, VOB BIB, Weller 12-and others that folks talk about that are good all around bargains-just are not available where I am.

So the lust factor is there at both ends of the dollar spectrum.

B

I like what you said regarding some of the lower-end products such as Mellow Corn and Very Old Barton.

Back when I thought I knew everything--many, many years ago--I pretty much figured that what was offered in liquor stores here in Houston were the same products offered in liquor stores throughout the country...

*Sigh*

Now, after years of traveling across the country and reading various forums I've seen how really difficult it is for some folks to have access to even some of the most inexpensive whiskies that are common in one area of the country and unobtainable in other areas. Never tasted Mellow Corn, Very Old Barton, Old Fitzgerald, Heaven Hill BIB, and numbers of others that are mentioned and reviewed here on this forum.

I've even contacted Heaven Hill regarding Mellow Corn, but to no avail: they just don't ship it here, and that's that.

So, we have supply and demand stripping our shelves of the BTAC and Van Winkle products (in some areas) and distiller apathy/marketing strategy/lack of product available stripping our shelves of some lower price "regional" products. Eventually, the only whiskies some of our states will be left with will be...

Jim Beam and Jack Daniels.

Ugh.

[T Comp]

So, we have supply and demand stripping our shelves of the BTAC and Van Winkle products (in some areas) and distiller apathy/marketing strategy/lack of product available stripping our shelves of some lower price "regional" products. Eventually, the only whiskies some of our states will be left with will be...

Jim Beam and Jack Daniels.

Ugh.

And on cue...Beam Inc. announced yesterday line extensions for Red Stag with, soon to come in a market near you, spiced and honey tea versions.

[DeanSheen]

And on cue...Beam Inc. announced yesterday line extensions for Red Stag with, soon to come in a market near you, spiced and honey tea versions.

Shelf Queens pushing out other offerings.

[dohidied]

I was in a liquor store in the San Francisco today talking to the owner about the BTAC. He had 2010 THH and GTS left on the shelf (I took the $64 Handy, left the $80 Stagg) and didn't know when the 2011 stuff would come in. He said the rep keeps telling them it isn't in stock yet. My brother saw the 2011 THH in the North Bay, so I know the rep is lying. This guy just wants an allocation, but doesn't understand why they won't give him anything this year. This is a nice liquor store too, but I think its placement in the Excelsior District has something to do with it. They move a lot of Mexican beer and Tequila.

[BFerguson]

And on cue...Beam Inc. announced yesterday line extensions for Red Stag with, soon to come in a market near you, spiced and honey tea versions.

[BFerguson]

I like what you said regarding some of the lower-end products such as Mellow Corn and Very Old Barton.

[Young Blacksmith]

You're right about the Mellow Corn and Texas. I travel to Texarkana, AR, and that's where I pick it up.

[politely]

Well, I think my first hunt was well worth it, because I got to experience it after hearing so much about it. Now, I take a more laid back approach. I have managed to get some allocation this year, and I'll gratefully take it, but I won't drive all around a few states like I've done in the past. While they're all very good whiskies, there are very many different expressions of whiskey and only so much storage space - and money and time. I get to try as many other expressions as I want, with the freedom to return at some later point. And after having been around the block with whisky, I know for a fact that there will be another "amazing" "96-100 point" "whisky of the year" just around the corner. It's not like it's a marriage... thankfully.

[StraightNoChaser]

I can't complain so much any more I guess. WLW, GTS and THH basically just landed in my lap. Saz18 on the way too. PVW15 and VRFRR also queued up. I'm done after this.

[Flyfish]

Like Obi-Wan said "I feel a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror, and were suddenly silenced."

Nope just the members of SB groaning..........The Scots must think we're nuts for bringing products like his to market. I can't imagine anybody there thinking of a product like this to market.

Shaking my head.......

B

[BBQ+Bourbon]

I didn't buy a single BTAC in 2010 and it looks like I missed the 2011 allocation as well. I haven't lost a second of sleep over it. If I see a Pappy 15 on the shelf for less than $70 I will buy it, otherwise I'll pass.

There is a certain hyperbolic fervor over these and other labels that I suspect arises from the reputation earned on the internet. Truth is, these labels are great bourbon and worth buying but they are just bourbon. Having missed 2010 Pappy and BTAC all together, I can happily report that I survived intact.

Might be time to clear out some local hordes though! :bigeyes:

[bad_scientist]

I just saw the 2011 BTAC in my local liquor store... for $100 a bottle. Not only was that outrageous, they had some left over from 2010 and marked those up to $100 (from an already insane $85), except for the ER17, which they had at $120.

I don't know how any whiskey lover in DC has any molars left, considering all the teeth-grinding we all must do every week.

[timd]

This has been an interesting roll out year for BTAC. Seems like Saz 18 is the only "rare" bottling. I've managed to secure as much as I want (1-2 bottles) of each offering, with more still on the shelf (or behind the counter, in most cases) - except the Saz 18.

That's taken LOADS of work - phone calls, contacting chain managers, distributors, etc. - I've gotten 2 bottles of it, and only 1 was local. The other was $80+shipping.

I still stand by the fact that Handy shouldn't be "rare" and based on the increased production year to year of Weller & Stagg, those aren't truly "rare" either - Saz 18 has only a finite amount left in their stainless vats... Just like much of the Pappy line. There's an end in sight - whereas the others will continue to be made in ever increasing volumes.

I remember 3 years ago you couldn't find a Weller to save your life. Some large markets got as few as 3-4 bottles for the entire area. Now it's Saz with that little - the entire DFW area got an allotment of 12 bottles!

[mosugoji64]

One manager told me that Indiana's allocation of WLW was only 24 bottles. Anyone else hear what were the numbers?

[unclebunk]

I still stand by the fact that Handy shouldn't be "rare" and based on the increased production year to year of Weller & Stagg, those aren't truly "rare" either - Saz 18 has only a finite amount left in their stainless vats... Just like much of the Pappy line. There's an end in sight - whereas the others will continue to be made in ever increasing volumes.

Very good points, Tim. I share your sentiments.

[tigerlam92]

I do agree with the sentiments, for a number of years, I was hunting and searching, spent hours driving and calling to find the bourbon that I like, PVW, BTAC, and good SW juice.

Then I started to get frustrated as well and tried other pours. Unfortunately, my palate only prefers those I mentioned above. Some of the specific recipes by 4R were good to me as well.

So now, for 1-2 years, I have stopped searching and bunkering as well. Fortunately, my bunker gotten quite big even to my surprise so I am set, drinking through my collection of what I like best only.

Cheers

--Hugh

[jburlowski]

Yeah, yeah, yeah... sour grapes... yeah, yeah, yeah.

[birdman1099]

One manager told me that Indiana's allocation of WLW was only 24 bottles. Anyone else hear what were the numbers?

So that means I got 20% of them.. :cool:

[callmeox]

So that means I got 20% of them.. :cool:

You got 4.8 bottles?

[ThomasH]

I haven't bouht any BTAC for myself since 2006. I have however bought plenty of dusties for less money that I was much more pleased with!

Thomas

[2highcal]

I do not know how rare any of them are but I had to order a Stagg from the Party Source and the rest were already sold out. None of it here in WA yet