Bourbons Available Only In Kentucky

[Jackinbox]

When I head down there next week, I'm looking to pick up a few things that aren't available here in Indy.

So far, I'm planning to be on the lookout for AAA and HH BiB 6 year. I know AAA has shown up in a few various stores around the country, but I have yet to find a bottle near me.

Any other recommendations?

[SMOWK]

Rather than look for things available ONLY in Kentucky, take the approach of finding things that AREN'T available in Indy. If you visit your local stores often, it should be pretty easy to spot new labels.

I suggest Mellow Corn BIB and JTS Brown BIB

[Flyfish]

I buy all of my AAA. VOB, and OWA & Weller 12 in KY because they aren't available in OH. I also look for what's on sale at TPS and the Liquor Barn because prices are controlled in OH. Not all KY prices are better but the selection is most definitely better.

[squire]

A visit to Kentucky is a chance to pick up brands not available elsewhere, I've found some neat stuff there over the years.

[Richnimrod]

I suggest Mellow Corn BIB and JTS Brown BIB

[SMOWK]

I'm a cheap date.

[mark fleetwood]

Not sure if Indy has it or not but Fighting Cock is a decent buy in KY.

[MauiSon]

I see what y'all er doin'. Talk 'im down so he don't hoard all the good stuff. Nice try.

[393foureyedfox]

When I head down there next week, I'm looking to pick up a few things that aren't available here in Indy.

So far, I'm planning to be on the lookout for AAA and HH BiB 6 year.

theres at least two BIB HH here. the gold and black label ( i think its a 3 year, but no more than 4), and theres a white label 6 year BIB. The white's better in my opinion. Even the green 6 year 90 is a good cheap one. Theyre all about $10/750

[bllygthrd]

I totally agree with going for what you can't purchase at home. For me ... the full line of VOB and all BIBs. Check the "high priced spread" sections of TPS and Liquor Barn ... occasionally you'll fine something exotic and/or hard to get. That's how I picked up my first GTS and PVW.

[GaryT]

I second SMOWKs advice and look for things you can't find back home (and if you haven't tried them before, check if they have half-pints or pints first). And - oddly enough - don't be afraid to check Krogers. I am NOT kidding - I drove by one without giving it a second thought as we hit 2 or 3 other stores - only to later to check it out and find they had two of the drams we were hunting! AND better prices on many labels! Not sure how many of the stores sell liquor (technically, they are in space adjacent to the store with a separate entrance), but the one in Bardstown had a decent selection.

[mbroo5880i]

I second SMOWKs advice and look for things you can't find back home (and if you haven't tried them before, check if they have half-pints or pints first). And - oddly enough - don't be afraid to check Krogers. I am NOT kidding - I drove by one without giving it a second thought as we hit 2 or 3 other stores - only to later to check it out and find they had two of the drams we were hunting! AND better prices on many labels! Not sure how many of the stores sell liquor (technically, they are in space adjacent to the store with a separate entrance), but the one in Bardstown had a decent selection.

I am following along this thread because I am also going to be in KY next week. The advice has been great as I am also looking for stuff not carried on the west side of Indy. Kroger is an interesting suggestion. I find the Kroger in my area carries a decent selection of bourbons at solid prices.

[higgins]

I traveled through Kentucky last Fall, and this was what came back with me:

3x HH BIB 6yo

2x HH BIB Gold

3x VOB BIB

2x AAA 10yo

1x OF Signature

1x JTS Brown BIB

My only regret was not buying more of the 6-year-old HH BIB. Tastes may vary, but next time I'm coming back with a whole case of that.

[c2walker]

You might want to taste JTS Brown BIB before you buy a whole bottle. The profile is, shall we say; not for everybody. IMO not a particularly good pour; but, of course others may disagree. I still have a half bottle I've been using exclusively for sours for a year (I don't make many sours). Just sayin'....

I, for one, prefer JTS Brown BIB to most other current HH bottles. I usually switch off between JTSB and Virgin 7/101 as my house whiskey. Decent enough to sip with a cube in the summer. Cheap enough for guests to mix with soda. I recently had a bottle of EW 1783 that a friend brought over that was so bad it ruined perfectly good mixers. Even the drain tried to spit it up.

[mosugoji64]

Well, from another Indy resident I can tell you that I usually stock up on AAA 10yr, VOB BIB, and HH BIB Gold Label when I go to KY. You might also give Old Ezra Brooks 7yr 101 a try since we can't get it here. It's a decent pour, though I prefer the ones I mentioned before. Those are about the only things available there that we can't get here. The HH 6yr BIB is available here, though sporadically. It's also available to the east and south of us as I've seen it in numerous stores outside the city. W12 used to be on my list but it is now readily available here. If you make it to TPS, check out some of their private selections. Some are very good. Liquor Barn has private selections as well, though I haven't tried any. Can anyone comment on the recent CNB picks?

There are also gift shop exclusive bottles at the distilleries if you get a chance. I highly recommend the Four Roses exclusives.

Edited May 23, 2013 by mosugoji64

[Jackinbox]

Rather than look for things available ONLY in Kentucky, take the approach of finding things that AREN'T available in Indy. If you visit your local stores often, it should be pretty easy to spot new labels.

Good point.

I suggest Mellow Corn BIB and JTS Brown BIB

I'm not familiar with Mellow Corn. Is that a white dog?

Check the "high priced spread" sections of TPS and Liquor Barn

Is there a TPS location anywhere near Louisville or is it just the one location near Cincy?

Kroger is an interesting suggestion. I find the Kroger in my area carries a decent selection of bourbons at solid prices.

Kroger has really good deals if you mix & match 6 bottles. If you're just buying a single bottle, it seems like Meijer has better prices (or at least here on the NW side). Plus, Meijer carries quite a bit of the single barrel offerings.

The HH 6yr BIB is available here, though sporadically.

Really? I wasn't aware of that! Do you happen to remember which store you've seen it?

It sounds like VOB BiB is a must-add to my KY shopping list.

[mosugoji64]

Good point.

I'm not familiar with Mellow Corn. Is that a white dog?

Is there a TPS location anywhere near Louisville or is it just the one location near Cincy?

Kroger has really good deals if you mix & match 6 bottles. If you're just buying a single bottle, it seems like Meijer has better prices (or at least here on the NW side). Plus, Meijer carries quite a bit of the single barrel offerings.

Really? I wasn't aware of that! Do you happen to remember which store you've seen it?

It sounds like VOB BiB is a must-add to my KY shopping list.

1. Mellow Corn is a corn whiskey, not a white dog and is very tasty. I forgot about that one not being here.

2. You're correct - there is only one TPS location

3. HH 6yr shows up at Kahn's occasionally. I can't remember seeing it anywhere else in the city.

[black mamba]

Sometimes you will find a whiskey which is available in your area but significantly cheaper in KY. Hancock's single barrel is 45-50 dollars here in MO, but I picked it up for $28 at Liquor Barn. If you've never had it, it's very similar in profile to ETL, and well worth $30 a bottle or more.

[squire]

At $30 dollars, yes. Hancocks is one of those that when you drink it you say, that's nice, I like that, then you forget about it. There are simply too many other plain vanilla Bourbons out there that cost less.

[Jackinbox]

I would like to try a case of Ale 8 also. Is that readily available in the Louisville-Lexington areas or am I going to have to do a little hunting?

[MyOldKyDram]

READILY readily available.

[squire]

Ale 8 is not hard to find, wish that were true here.

[Halifax]

JTS Brown... Good stuff.

[PaulO]

The VOB B.I.B. is definitely one to get that we don't get in IN. AAA 10 year is only officially in KY. I think it's ok, some people love it. Honestly, I'd say grab anything 90 proof or above that looks interesting that you want to try. I'd stay away from non-distiller producer stuff. I'd try some beer brands we don't get here too (if you have room).

[squire]

You may also, and this is just a suggestion, pick up bottles of the 86, 90 and 100 proof Bartons for a comparative tasting. They are 6 years old, relatively inexpensive and I don't see Sazerac keeping all three in the lineup for the future.