BTAC 2012

[Old Lamplighter]

In store yesterday & first time it was brought to my attention that the 2012 ER17 is actually 19+ yrs old. At present, it nudges me a bit but still not totally convinced it worth $80 for a 90 proof. Time to decide though - as usual, plenty of it on shelves along with THH in these parts.

[HighHorse]

Methinks that we'll be seeing higher prices very soon in the good ole USA. Distributors are informing their stores to expect higher prices. In some cases, the higher prices are already arriving. Heard talk of one brand (Scotch) going up over $100 a case. It's fun to find a dusty on a shelf with an old price on the bottle .. and it's a matter of time before we'll be looking at today's prices as the good ole days. Best time to buy is always today!

Edited October 23, 2012 by p_elliott

[Trey Manthey]

Best time to buy is always today!

Perhaps, but I think this kind of mentality is a bit alarmist. There is frequently talk of a "whiskey bubble" that is forming, and the rising prices are a result of higher demand for a limited stock. Assuming the growth reaches a zenith and demand starts to taper off, the resulting glut will likely force those prices back down. I think at this point, there's no reason to buy any more than you want to drink. It's not gold, people.

Edited October 23, 2012 by p_elliott

[Bmac]

It's not gold, people.

It is when the economy crashes. Demand for booze would sky rocket...not to mention a fantastic product for bartering, etc. It would be like having gold

[Restaurant man]

It is when the economy crashes. Demand for booze would sky rocket...not to mention a fantastic product for bartering, etc. It would be like having gold

Pretty sure your "double foil unopened pappy with Julian's signature" would be worth about as much as comodity vodka if we had a full on ecconomic crash. Caviar woudln't be worth a whole lot either.

[MauiSon]

Perhaps, but I think this kind of mentality is a bit alarmist. There is frequently talk of a "whiskey bubble" that is forming, and the rising prices are a result of higher demand for a limited stock. Assuming the growth reaches a zenith and demand starts to taper off, the resulting glut will likely force those prices back down. I think at this point, there's no reason to buy any more than you want to drink. It's not gold, people.

It's better than gold, 'cause it tastes good and has a tendency to vanish over time. Even so, I'm not buying for investment purposes, though heritability is another plus. :skep:

[luv2hunt]

Hit Indy yesterday. 100 dollars per bottle at Payless. Opened the WLW.....not my 2006, that's for sure!

[Tony]

Still waiting in Michigan. Was able to get an Eagle Rare 17 in Chicago this past weekend.

Best regards, Tony

[Bmac]

Dallas TX hasnt gotten their BTAC allotment yet. They probably will tomorrow or next week.

[boneuphtoner]

Picked up a WLW, GTS, and ER17 last weekend. First time I've tried all 3. So far WLW is my favorite, and although different for sure, I liked it equally to one of my favorite pours, JPS18. ER17 is a great pour, but for my palate, only marginally better than 2 of my almost favorite pours, Woodford and JDSB. My experience with GTS was interesting. First few sips neat were absolutely delicious, possibly as good as WLW, but perhaps it numbed my palate or something because it went downhill as I sipped it more. Today I cut it to 90 proof and compared it to the ER17. The Stagg had more complexity for sure, but I'm not sure I liked it better than ER17. I've never had a monster like this before (well, that's not completely true, I've enjoyed Handy, Willett ryes cask strength, as well as Booker's), but something seems out of balance and I can't put my finger on it. Any suggestions?

Edited October 26, 2012 by boneuphtoner

[Bmac]

The Stagg had more complexity for sure, but I'm not sure I liked it better than ER17. I've never had a monster like this before (well, that's not completely true, I've enjoyed Handy, Willett ryes cask strength, as well as Booker's), but something seems out of balance and I can't put my finger on it. Any suggestions?

If you're into conspiracy you could try some air-time

On a more serious note, here is how I best experienced my GTS. Pour a standard dram in a Glencarin if you have it. Splash in 3 - 4 drops of cold water. Swirl it around and then place a lid, or coaster on top of the glass. Wait 5 - 10 minutes for it to "settle down." Remove the cover, sniff and enjoy. Just my two-bux....

[univibe88]

I've always been able to get it at the NH state liquor store. Usually it will show up on their website about a week before it hits the shelves. I haven't seen it on the website yet this year. I'm hoping I didn't miss it.

[CADMixes]

I've always been able to get it at the NH state liquor store. Usually it will show up on their website about a week before it hits the shelves. I haven't seen it on the website yet this year. I'm hoping I didn't miss it.

Interestingly, the catalog entries for the BTAC (and VW) used to be in their inventory year-round, but recently when I started checking they seem to have been purged. Not sure what it means, but last year the BTAC hit shelves either last week or this week, and so far there has been absolutely nothing.

[bad_scientist]

Interestingly, the catalog entries for the BTAC (and VW) used to be in their inventory year-round, but recently when I started checking they seem to have been purged. Not sure what it means, but last year the BTAC hit shelves either last week or this week, and so far there has been absolutely nothing.

They got removed from the Montgomery County, MD lists, as well. I know they switched to a sort of list-based, secretive distribution program at least one year ago, but they kept the listings until about a couple of weeks ago.

[univibe88]

Interestingly, the catalog entries for the BTAC (and VW) used to be in their inventory year-round, but recently when I started checking they seem to have been purged. Not sure what it means, but last year the BTAC hit shelves either last week or this week, and so far there has been absolutely nothing.

Hmmm.. My recollection over the last few years is that about a week before the product hits the shelf they will sku it up on the website. It will show 0 available inventory for about a week. Then it will hit the shelves and show 2-3 bottles at each location. As soon as it's gone they'll pull the skus off the website.

[CADMixes]

Could be though I remember the listings sticking around for longer. Really hope they don't (didn't?) go to a more secretive system.

[CADMixes]

Update--BTAC is in in New Hampshire. Maybe not on the shelves yet but at least one store has it all in the back.

[bpt]

I got a call from a store that told me that they will possibly have it on Monday in Ft. Worth. Also told me that the price will probably be double of last year. After a little checking it won't be quite double but close enough. This place always had the best prices on these ($65-70) and this year most will be about $105. They may have finally priced me out of the market.

[univibe88]

Oddly the NH liquor store website is still not updated with skus or inventory. But I went into a store yesterday and their computers were updated. The cashier showed me her screen that indicated all the stores that had inventory (all single digits and most likely already gone - their systems don't update in real time as product as purchased. It said her store still had 2 bottles of Saz 18 but it was gone.)

[ChainWhip]

Is it just me or is the WLW hard to find this year?

[MacinJosh]

Is it just me or is the WLW hard to find this year?

It's not just you.

[wripvanwrinkle]

I'm sad to report that things have taken a turn for the worse in Colorado. One of the retailers did a "first come/first serve/1 bottle per customer" event. As a friend that I had not seen in a while was going to be there, I joined the fun. I arrived 30 minutes early and was number 30 in line. I thought that was nuts. Before store opening there were at least 50 people behind me.

I recognized few in line from the of the local whiskey community. Those that I spoke with were mostly there to pick up the PVW that had received so much buzz. For example, this store had the WLW for $5 more than the VWFR12. There were only 3 WLW. When my turn came, the VWFR12 had sold out and noone had yet purchased a WLW.

For what it is worth, to me this is more proof that the current craziness is marketing/buzz driven. I don't get the impression that the eBay flippers account for much scarcity.

A larger store is having a similiar event tomorrow. I'm curious if things will be even worse.

Edited November 16, 2012 by wripvanwrinkle

[Trey Manthey]

I definitely noticed a difference in my part of the country, for what it's worth. Stock has lingered on the shelf for more than 2 weeks, whereas it would usually sell out within a couple days. The store with the best prices does a "one bottle of each type per person" limit, and I was very surprised that all the bottles were available even two days after the allocation came in.

Not sure of the reason. Larger allocation? Maybe there were just a bunch of flippers in my area that have moved on or been disenfranchised? The story I heard from two store owners was of a few guys that would clean them out as a team. Then again, no one around here has an Apple store style line for whiskey releases. Usually I'm the only nut that's asking about this stuff. Strange for a city known for its drinking prowess....

[michaelturtle1]

My local store had an allotment of 18 BTAC bottles I have bought 12 and there are still 3 staggs and 3 THH left.. Another store close by had 10/107 van winkle left on the shelf a week after the allotment arrived so I guess it comes down to certain localities having a ridiculous demand

[petrel800]

I found a case of Sazerac 18 on the shelf at the MSRP. That being said, I know of one local place that is doing a PVW sale today at 6PM where you have to line up and you can buy 1 bottle. Forget that, personally I think it kind of sucks that if you do your research and know when it is going to be available in your area, it would nice to be rewarded instead of these stupid "everyone gets a chance" line up deals. I don't have a problem with 1 per customer, but the "everyone line up crap" just drives the insanity.

I wonder sometimes how much of this good bourbon gets drowned in coke and bad cocktails because someone read a magazine or blog and just had to have the #1 whiskey of the week. Hansell posted 4RSmB 2012 as #1 on a list and it's disappeared in just 2 or 3 days from the posting.