What Bourbon did you pass up today? Fall '13

[portugieser]

Passed on EC 21 for $149

[Tony]

Took a hard look at a LS&B 13 yr rye, but at $140, decided to pass for now.

[jwacky]

Passed on EC 21 for $149

[Old Dusty]

EH Taylor Straight Rye........$129.99. Just shook my head and walked out.

[JKLS]

JPS 21yo Bourbon @ $130, JPS 21yo Rye @ $150, JPS 25yo Bourbon @ $150 and some more PHC7 @80.

[Old Lamplighter]

First sighting of Stagg this year....I passed at $100, same for the Handy sitting next to it. I paid $75-85 apiece for all of the BTAC offerings last year. An uptick to the tune of 20-33% in just 1 year....too steep for this ole boy. At this rate, it's going to be hitting the $200 mark in less than 5 more years. Done made up my mind: what I've got left of these from the past is very likely all I'll ever have. :frown:

[mbroo5880i]

First sighting of Stagg this year....I passed at $100, same for the Handy sitting next to it. I paid $75-85 apiece for all of the BTAC offerings last year. An uptick to the tune of 20-33% in just 1 year....too steep for this ole boy. At this rate, it's going to be hitting the $200 mark in less than 5 more years. Done made up my mind: what I've got left of these from the past is very likely all I'll ever have. :frown:

Yep, I am with you. I would love to score a bottle of GTS or WLW but I can get 3 solid bottles of whiskey for $100. Heck, Squire could get 1/2 case of Barton for that amount. :grin:

[snifred]

First sighting of Stagg this year....I passed at $100, same for the Handy sitting next to it. I paid $75-85 apiece for all of the BTAC offerings last year. An uptick to the tune of 20-33% in just 1 year....too steep for this ole boy. At this rate, it's going to be hitting the $200 mark in less than 5 more years. Done made up my mind: what I've got left of these from the past is very likely all I'll ever have. :frown:

Agreed. Over the last 3-4 years I've stocked up, especially on GTS. I have 6 GTS, 2 WLW, 2 ER17 bunkered, plus an open bottle of each. It's just not worth it to me anymore, and I tend to ration them anyway, so these should last me a long time. I do love all of them, and the GTS and WLW especially were great values at $60-70 for the high proof. But at $100+, I'll pass every time.

[JKLS]

At $100 I still think the BTACs are worth it. It's not an everyday pour, it should last for a bit, I know I don't plow through the stuff. Save it for a special occasion or whatever. At $75 a bottle, a 2oz pour at your house is costing you $6. Is it no longer a decent value for a high end bourbon at $8?

[snifred]

At $100 I still think the BTACs are worth it. It's not an everyday pour, it should last for a bit, I know I don't plow through the stuff. Save it for a special occasion or whatever. At $75 a bottle, a 2oz pour at your house is costing you $6. Is it no longer a decent value for a high end bourbon at $8?

In terms of the $/drink, you're right - excellent value. For me, since I still have some bottles put away, and that it's so much more work to find them now, the price increase isn't just the $20-$30 per bottle. The time, energy, and gas involved to find them is a factor for me too. If I was still finding them sitting on the shelf, I might buy one now and then.

There are so many new brands and new expressions on the market these days that I'd rather go in that direction. I have bought 3 bottles from the Smooth Ambler line in the last few weeks - Old Scout 6 year, Old Scout Rye 7 year, and the Old Scout Ten. All under $50, with only the Ten even over $35, and I really enjoy all 3. I find that I enjoy finding and tasting new things as much as the satisfaction of finding something hard to find like BTAC.

[CL]

EC 21, $150. Too much $ for me. George Dickel Select (can't remember which #), $54. I don't want to spend that much without having a better idea of what it's like, particularly for a measly 86 proof.

I did buy Smooth Amber Old Scout 7 yo bourbon - 3 bottles - one for me, one for a friend, and one to give to my boat mechanic. I found out yesterday he likes high rye bourbons.

Also bought Old Scout Rye and Old Forester 100 for another friend. More shopping tomorrow.

[Old Lamplighter]

There are so many new brands and new expressions on the market these days that I'd rather go in that direction. I have bought 3 bottles from the Smooth Ambler line in the last few weeks - Old Scout 6 year, Old Scout Rye 7 year, and the Old Scout Ten. All under $50, with only the Ten even over $35, and I really enjoy all 3. I find that I enjoy finding and tasting new things as much as the satisfaction of finding something hard to find like BTAC.

That's what I'm saying. I've picked up a couple of Old Scout store barrel selections that I've been real happy with at this point. At 121 proof, that's about as high as I want to go. The Staggs I've had have all been north of 130, and, while they are in a class of their own, I was never willing to chase all over the countryside to find a few of them each year. Also, in the last 3 years, I've just about completely sold out to 4R. At the current and probable Stagg/WLW/ER17 price in years to come, I can easily buy 2 SBs.... or sometimes a couple of private barrel editions. I'll go even further and say I've got a couple of the 4R gift shop bottles as well as a few TPS SB private bottles that I would put up against Stagg anytime, anywhere with no qualms whatsoever.

Edited November 9, 2013 by Old Lamplighter

[CL]

That's what I'm saying. I've picked up a couple of Old Scout store barrel selections that I've been real happy with at this point. At 121 proof, that's about as high as I want to go in terms of proof. The Staggs I've had have all been north of 130, and, while they are in a class of their own, I was never willing to chase all over the countryside to find a few of them each year. Also, in the last 3 years, I've just about completely sold out to 4R. At the current and probable Stagg/WLW/ER17 price in years to come, I can easily buy 2 SBs.... or sometimes a couple of private barrel editions. I'll go even further and say I've got a couple of the 4R gift shop bottles as well as a few TPS SB private bottles that I would put up against Stagg anytime, anywhere with no qualms whatsoever.

If I lived near the distillery, I think I could live off buying bourbon from the FR gift shop. I think their private selections, even at $60, are great buys and very tasty. Throw in Weller (SR, OWA, 12) and VOB BIB for everyday drinking and I'd be set. :-)

[Old Lamplighter]

If I lived near the distillery, I think I could live off buying bourbon from the FR gift shop. I think their private selections, even at $60, are great buys and very tasty. Throw in Weller (SR, OWA, 12) and VOB BIB for everyday drinking and I'd be set. :-)

In total agreement 200% :toast:

[squire]

There are so many new brands and new expressions on the market these days that I'd rather go in that direction.

Pete I understand your thinking and agree to an extent. There are certainly a lot of new brands on the market but can we call bulk MGP whisky a new expression? I mean, absent some finishing (Port cask, French Oak, etc.) other than the label how is the basic stuff any different?

[theglobalguy]

Wandering around France and Germany on a work trip...came across Horny Honey infused Bourbon (70 ABV if you can't zoom):

Can't seem to rotate, just tip computers sideways

Did see 4R (i'll call it akin to YL, but lower proof and $22 or so in price) and some JD...otherwise a tiny bit of scotch and even less bourbon. I'm in smaller towns which i'm sure didn't help.

[squire]

Think I would go native and dive into the local Eau de Vies. They make some good ones there you can't get here without parting with an arm and a leg.

[WsmataU]

I passed on a FR125 @ $143 and several Lock Stock for $120+. I may go back for the 125 eventually, but not for a couple months.

[SqueakScolari]

Passed on PHC Promise of Hope @ $90. There were 5 or 6.

[Old Lamplighter]

Passed on PHC Promise of Hope @ $90. There were 5 or 6.

[bourbonfoot]

Several Jefferson's Reserve Very Old have started showing up in VA ABC as single barrel offerings. I've seen barrel B-64 and B-29. I passed on them just because I've never been the biggest Jefferson's fan. Anybody had any experience with their single barrels?

[Old Lamplighter]

Elijah Craig 21....$161 just too much for me...way too much for 90 proof IMHO.

[DBM]

Passed on EC21 at $196, PHC7 at $135.

[Old Lamplighter]

Passed on EC21 at $196, PHC7 at $135.

Since its intro, I've not seen much EC21 at all. I'm not convinced it's moving at those kind of prices. The one I saw was alone on the shelf & the store owner said he wasn't going to carry "much stuff like that (EC21) because it just doesn't sell". Hmmmm

[squire]

That's because it hasn't been Bourdained.