New Buffalo Trace Experimental Bottles

[DreamTheater]

Is anyone picking them up? Has anyone already done so? I would really love to hear how they are.

Also, my local liquor store is selling them for $60/bottle! BT's website said that they should retail for $45. What say you to this?

Look forward to the responses!

[Restaurant man]

Is anyone picking them up? Has anyone already done so? I would really love to hear how they are.

Also, my local liquor store is selling them for $60/bottle! BT's website said that they should retail for $45. What say you to this?

Look forward to the responses!

Personally, i feel i must avoid "experiements" at 100+ per 750 milliliters. there's too much other stuff i want to get. I am happy to swap sips with my bottles of "other stuff" though, just to try them.

[GaryT]

I'm with Restaurant Man - way too overpriced for what might be ordinary (or maybe great, but if so - very hard to find again). Someone had one of the two latest releases at the Gazebo for KBF, but not sure who. I thought someone mentioned that they thought it was OK, but nothing special (and it was the 23 yr old I believe). I bought one on a whim, and honestly couldn't tell the difference between it and BT (it felt somewhere between BT and Eagle Rare if you can imagine that).

[ebo]

No way I'll pay those prices just to sample something. I'd buy 5 bottles of EWB before I spent that on one bottle of "experimental" bourbon. But, that's just me.

[DreamTheater]

I know what you guys mean but I am what I would characterize as an "unique whiskey enthusiast." Yes, that is a stupid name but it also says what I mean - i like to try whiskies that have been barreled in unique ex-barrels, use surprising char levels in a cask, etc. Scotch does this way more often than bourbon (simply b/c bourbon must be placed in virgin oak) - but that kind of thing is what piques my interest the most.

These BT Experiments are not too radical, but interesting enough that I really want to try them. It just is outrageous and downright offensive that they ask so much for them. Just b/c people will pay a certain amount doesnt mean that you should demand it (if you know that your costs are not comparable to the price people are paying).

[GaryT]

I hear you. If I have a chance to try it, I wouldn't turn it down necessarily just to see what they are like. Hopefully some of SB nation will help you out with some feedback. If there are crazy people who would buy such things - good chance some of them are here And when I say crazy, I mean that in a good way!

[B.B. Babington]

Some folks don't mind paying too much to sample something new. It broadens perspectives. The real test: is it worth buying a second bottle?

[michaelturtle1]

$60 per bottle is really high considering the suggested price was $45.99 for both bottles... I have the "set" just havent had occasion to open them yet

[Restaurant man]

$60 per bottle is really high considering the suggested price was $45.99 for both bottles... I have the "set" just havent had occasion to open them yet

[wadewood]

I was at Spec's in Houston the other day. They have a glass case for more expensive or limited bottles. The case is now overflowing with the BTEC bottles, this release and past as well as the Single Oak project. They are priced at $65. I would not buy them even if they were at the MSRP. Glad the see the general Houston bourbon buying public seems to agree.

[Bourbon Boiler]

Some folks don't mind paying too much to sample something new. It broadens perspectives. The real test: is it worth buying a second bottle?

And therein is another problem. If it is worth buying a second bottle, can you?

[DreamTheater]

Yes - all the Experimentals are in those abominations (aka half-bottles).

I do not mind paying a lot for a bottle if it is rare and delicious. As a scotch guy you can be guaranteed that I've blown up to $250 on a bottle. But it hurts. And when the value is dubious at best, as with the Experimentals (I bought TWO each of last years Experiments: the Rice and the Oat) and they weren't really worth it. Shame on me. I might be passing on these but I will say this for them: $60 for a 19 year old and a 23 year old? Try finding any full bottles at that age for less than $120. Good luck with that.

[DeanSheen]

I have 2 sets from 2009 and 2010 I think. I stopped after that as I tired of the chase and these are collectors bottles. I do have one open that is not bad. I'll probably let the others collect dust for the next decade or so. I'm sure they will provide a welcome distraction someday.

I have purchased no single oak either and have no intention of doing so.

I also hear that bourbon isn't as tasty when made in small barrels, so there's that as well............:deadhorse:

[c2walker]

I also hear that bourbon isn't as tasty when made in small barrels, so there's that as well............:deadhorse:

I'm not all that keen on defending overpriced bottles of variable quality, but Buffalo Trace decided not to release their small barrel experiments since they weren't up to BT's standards. The current BTECs were aged in extra large barrels.

[michaelturtle1]

And I'm pretty sure it's $60 for a "half" bottle

Guess I got a hell of a deal then... I bought both from the PA wine and spirit website for $45.99 plus shipping...the wording on the website made it seem like it was sold as a "set" and now when I read BT's press release they clearly are sold individually