Major differences when something is "specially selected?"

[squire]

Very thorough Jon, thanks, wish I could talk you guys into swinging by to pick me up next time you head North. Heck, I'll even help drive.

Edited February 3, 2013 by squire

[HighHorse]

All of the TPS Willetts I've had are vastly inferior to the DC Willetts. The TPS KCSB from two years ago, however, was fantastic. Their 4R stuff always is good and sometimes great. HighHorse, you might be an exception, but from many years of experience with TPS (my family has lived 10 minutes away from them for 9 years), there's as much variability with store picks as there is with buying random bottles.

Thanks for your comments all. Scientist, I'm sure I'm not an exception. I do think that being in a team of 5-6, plus typicall distributor and distiller reps, keeps us honest and away from individual taste preferences. I'm also sure that you probably would not like all of our choices. Sailor (Steve), for example doesn't always give us a thumbs up and I hold his opinion in high regard. All we can do is take our best shot and that, I contend, will usually result in a product not just different from the shelf brand, but superior for those of us that like complexity and taste that shouts good. But you know .. when you're selecting from the majors .. you're trying to beat the best. What the hell makes us think we can outsmart Jim Rutledge or Harlen Wheatley?? We don't.

But we find some damn good barrels.

Willetts, IMO, are the toughest picks. There you have to depend on what they pull and it just may be that the DC guys have an excellent relationship.

So I guess I'm just saying that one should expect an excellent pour from a personal selection. Don't shy away from them. If you and others have issues with too many of them .. maybe it's time to put other folks on the selection team!