Seattle and Washington Area Thread

[dementedavenger]

Anybody able to score any of the BTAC or FR 125 that was distributed last week? Total Wine was the only retailer to get an allocation (I confirmed this with the distributor, Young's) and it's all gone if my calls to the stores are to believed.

[ChainWhip]

Anybody able to score any of the BTAC or FR 125 that was distributed last week? Total Wine was the only retailer to get an allocation (I confirmed this with the distributor, Young's) and it's all gone if my calls to the stores are to believed.

Thought BevMo was going to get some too but oh well... Maybe Total Wine was the only one to buy enough Skol or Rain Vodka. There's still some 4RSmBLE'13 floating around - I think you're right though, the smaller shops all said they weren't getting any BTAC.

Edited November 4, 2013 by ChainWhip

[DBM]

One can only hope that retailers work will together and pressure the state or propose legislation to require fair distribution.

[ChainWhip]

PSA:

Buffalo Trace Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley will be at the Issaquah BevMo Thursday afternoon from 2-5pm.

[ChainWhip]

PSA:

Buffalo Trace Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley will be at the Issaquah BevMo Thursday afternoon from 2-5pm.

Mr. Wheatley will also be at the Bellevue, WA TotalWine from 3-5pm Wednesday.

Maybe I'll see some of you yahoos there!

Edited November 5, 2013 by ChainWhip

[MtnDew]

PSA:

Buffalo Trace Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley will be at the Issaquah BevMo Thursday afternoon from 2-5pm.

The issaquah store is in my neighborhood, but sadly I work regular hours

[ChainWhip]

Woodinville Whiskey set to release Bourbon aged in standard sized barrels (almost 4yrs old):

We're excited to announce our 2013 special release date! On Saturday, December 7th, 2013 we will be releasing our "2013 Limited Collector's Edition Bourbon." This special release will be the first 5 barrels of whiskey we ever made at Woodinville Whiskey Co. We have 207 bottles of a bourbon that has rye as the flavoring grain, and 388 bottles of bourbon that has wheat as the flavoring grain. It has been aging in standard sized barrels for almost 4 years. This collector's edition bottle features a custom pewter label and custom display box. Doors will open at 7am and we'll have coffee and doughnuts for all at 6am. The retail price for a 750ml bottle including all tax is $149.95 with a limit of 1 bottle per person. Thanks and we look forward to seeing you!

Photo from Woodinville Whiskey FB post https://www.facebook.com/woodinvillewhiskeyco

[squire]

Well, we do get a box and free doughnuts.

[ChainWhip]

Well, we do get a box and free doughnuts.

[LostBottle]

Woodinville Whiskey set to release Bourbon aged in standard sized barrels (almost 4yrs old):

We're excited to announce our 2013 special release date! On Saturday, December 7th, 2013 we will be releasing our "2013 Limited Collector's Edition Bourbon." This special release will be the first 5 barrels of whiskey we ever made at Woodinville Whiskey Co. We have 207 bottles of a bourbon that has rye as the flavoring grain, and 388 bottles of bourbon that has wheat as the flavoring grain. It has been aging in standard sized barrels for almost 4 years. This collector's edition bottle features a custom pewter label and custom display box. Doors will open at 7am and we'll have coffee and doughnuts for all at 6am. The retail price for a 750ml bottle including all tax is $149.95 with a limit of 1 bottle per person. Thanks and we look forward to seeing you!

[MyOldKyDram]

If micros can't do it cheaper than that then they simply need not do it.

That being said, idiots will be queued up to get some.

[ChainWhip]

I tasted some at the Bourbon Bash - it's good stuff but I don't feel like waking up early to stand in line to pay ~$185 for it. It stood toe to toe with the releases from the Majors but it obviously still has a ways to go price-wise.

I think it's a great milestone for them but I hope future releases are more reasonably priced.

This bottle is a collectors item to me.

[smokinjoe]

It stood toe to toe with the releases from the Majors...

That is a huge statement, CW. I take "toe-to-toe to the majors" to infer the Major's "equal". In "as good as". Also, I take that to mean it "tasted" like a bourbon? And, not a whiskey taste. Majors is a pretty big category. Can you shed some insight on what you mean? So you know where I'm coming from, I've tasted some micro bourbons that I could drink, and less that I could say I enjoy, and only one that resembled having the taste profile of bourbon as we know it. Please know i am not challenging your opinion, but rather, sincerely interested in your additional thoughts and comments. :toast:

[ChainWhip]

Ok, let me say that I have no affiliation with WW Co. I had it at bourbon fest type thing that was hosted by a local steakhouse.

All the players were there and available for tasting:

BTAC

4R

Van Winkle

Willett

etc etc etc

So... When I say toe to toe with the majors, what I'm trying to say is it didn't taste like a micro Bourbon wannabe to me (I'm not a fan of the stuff the little guys have been putting out in general - there are exceptions ofcourse).

Even after sampling all the limited allocation bourbons & ryes, I was pleasantly surprised that the bottle Woodinville Whiskey produced from under the table was as good as it was (yes, it tasted like a bourbon). I'm not saying it was as good or better than the limited allocation whiskies I sampled but it was certainly on par or better than most of the standard bottlings from the Majors that day.

Is it worth $185 for a bottle? Not to me but they've come a long way from their micro-barreled whiskies (which I did not enjoy).

[MyOldKyDram]

So as drinkable as a $20 bottle then?

[DBM]

3yo whiskey for $149? Line forms at 6am? What a f*cking joke.

My initial thought was close to this, but I wouldn't have posted it verbatim.

My feeling is that there is _less_ value for "first" when it comes to making a consumable product. I hope they learned a few things along the way to improve upon, which makes the "first edition" is not necessarily the best product. It's just new, young bourbon with no reputation.

I think Woodinville Whiskey Co. paid too much attention to Garrison Brothers' business model.

Cool label though.

[wadewood]

I think Woodinville Whiskey Co. paid too much attention to Garrison Brothers' business model.

Yep, the micros charge $60 to $75 for 2 year and less stuff so when they finally put out something with some decent age, they must think OMG we can get $175 for this. Good for them if they can get it; I'll pass.

[smokinjoe]

Ok, let me say that I have no affiliation with WW Co. I had it at bourbon fest type thing that was hosted by a local steakhouse.

All the players were there and available for tasting:

BTAC

4R

Van Winkle

Willett

etc etc etc

So... When I say toe to toe with the majors, what I'm trying to say is it didn't taste like a micro Bourbon wannabe to me (I'm not a fan of the stuff the little guys have been putting out in general - there are exceptions ofcourse).

Even after sampling all the limited allocation bourbons & ryes, I was pleasantly surprised that the bottle Woodinville Whiskey produced from under the table was as good as it was (yes, it tasted like a bourbon). I'm not saying it was as good or better than the limited allocation whiskies I sampled but it was certainly on par or better than most of the standard bottlings from the Majors that day.

Is it worth $185 for a bottle? Not to me but they've come a long way from their micro-barreled whiskies (which I did not enjoy).

Thanks, CW. I appreciate your comments. Even saying that it tasted like a bourbon is a monumental step for the micros in my opinion. Maybe, there is hope for that segment. I certainly wouldn't mind a taste at a Gazebo table some time in the future... Christian!!!!!!!!! Get your butt up there, and take one for the team!!!!!

[MtnDew]

Hmmm, I stood in line for both their first release (micro barrel bourbon and american whiskey) and for their second (rye) but missed the third (micro barrel mashbill number 9). If the bottle was more around the $100 mark I'd probably do it, mostly out of the desire to support our local businesses and encourage them to keep up the good work. I actually really enjoy their rye and personally find it worth the $50 a bottle. Sure, if I can get it Rittenhouse is nice but the WW rye drinks so much differently. I'm not a rye connoisseur (maybe obvious) so I can't compare this to the greats, but to me it's just a darn good drink and makes a great sazerac. I can hardly get Glenfiddich 12 for $50 in this state so the WW price is not bad.

All that being said, I'm still not going to get a $150 bottle of their first straight bourbon release

[ChainWhip]

Stopped by TotalWine tonight and had a chance to meet Harlen Wheatley - had a good chat and couple of interesting facts that were news to me (may not be news to you):

- Ancient Ancient Age 10yr is being discontinued

- Saz18 has about a year or so left before being switched over to BT distillate (will remain at current proof)

- Sazerac is getting into the China market in more ways than I thought... Apparently, Mao Tai is a part of that strategy

- BT is making 10x's the rye today than they were 4 years ago

- They liked the French Oak experiment enough to continue it (they have about 40 barrels purchased for this aging)

And something not news to me is that it's always fun to geek out about whisky - it was great to meet BT's Master Distiller in person and he was was gracious in answering my questions.

Edited November 7, 2013 by ChainWhip

[MtnDew]

Stopped by TotalWine tonight and had a chance to meet Harlen Wheatley - had a good chat and couple of interesting facts that were news to me (may not be news to you):

- Ancient Ancient Age 10yr is being discontinued

- Saz18 has about a year or so left before being switched over to BT distillate (will remain at current proof)

- Sazerac is getting into the China market in more ways than I thought... Apparently, Mao Tai is a part of that strategy

- BT is making 10x's the rye today than they were 4 years ago

- They liked the French Oak experiment enough to continue it (they have about 40 barrels purchased for this aging)

And something not news to me is that it's always fun to geek out about bourbon - it was great to meet BT's Master Distiller in person and he was was gracious in answering my questions.

Will the Saz18 be the same age? Or is the BT whiskey younger?

As for the french oak thing, that must make you happy

[ChainWhip]

Will the Saz18 be the same age? Or is the BT whiskey younger?

As for the french oak thing, that must make you happy

At least 18yrs old for the BT rye in the new Sazerac 18. And yes, I'm happy about the french oak thing being continued :-)

Edited November 7, 2013 by ChainWhip

[smknjoe]

Thanks for the info Johnny.

Did you ask if they were going to bring back a 10yr. wheater?

Edited November 7, 2013 by smknjoe

[ChainWhip]

Thanks for the info Johnny.

Did you ask if they were going to bring back a 10yr. wheater?

[ChainWhip]

Anybody want to go to the SMWSA Extravaganza on Friday? (11/8)