What's Your Luckiest/Best Liquor Store Find?

[Underhilltab]

I apologize in advance if there's already a thread like this one and/or this is the wrong forum. This doesn't have to be your most expensive bottle or your best tasting pour, just something that you found at a time when, or a place where, you didn't expect to find it.

I'll start with two stories from the past year . . .

I was in a neighboring state over the summer in an area more known for wine than for bourbon, or even whisk(e)y for that matter. I walked into a store and, while I didn't see much of anything that I couldn't find around my way (other than maybe some Willett Rye), I noticed two PHC bottles in a glass case. I walked a bit closer as I didn't think they looked like the 6th edition that was then currently available. Sure enough, two bottles of the 2nd edition 27 yr. old were sitting there for retail price. I asked one of the employees if they had been sitting around since 2008. He said that they had been there for several months, but he didn't think that they had been there for several years. So, maybe the distributor found some left over in the warehouse a few years after the original release. Anyway, I proceeded to grab one. While retail, it still wasn't cheap, so I thought about the second one -- but ended up leaving it there. About a month later, I called back to pull the trigger on the other one, but it had apparently been sold just a few days before I called. I still think I shouldn't have let that one get away . . .but then again, I was lucky to find the first one and somebody else can enjoy that second one!

I missed the 2013 FRSBLE release. So, when the 2013 FRSmBLE came around, I tried to ensure that I could find one. At first, my hunt was not successful. After a lot of persistence, however, which included many, many, many calls and drop-ins, I found two bottles. One from my local store and one from a store about an hour away. At about the same time, I noticed two more bottles on a website (which surprised me since I don't think I had seen them anywhere on line). This particular store is about 3 hours from my house, but only about 45 minutes from a place I knew I would be visiting in a few months. There was no picture and the proof seemed a little off, but the description was the exact description used for the SmBLE on the FR website. So, I quickly purchased the bottles and then sent an e-mail to the store specifically asking them to confirm that the bottles were in fact what I thought I paid for -- and as advertised. I received an e-mail back confirming that they were indeed the FRSmBLE. I thought I had, cumulatively, quadruple Bingstein! A few months later, I was visiting that other place, and I drove the 45 minutes to pick up the bottles. When I opened the box at the store, lo and behold, the typical FRSmB-shaped bottle was not in the box. I didn't even need to look at the label to tell it was not what was advertised, not what I thought I had purchased, and not what the store had confirmed. I proceeded to take the bottles out of the box and it turned out to be two bottles of the 2013 FRSBLE. I guess I could have either returned my order and/or complained about deceptive advertising practices, etc. trying to get a discount or coupon -- but it clearly seemed like an honest mistake -- the manager didn't realize the difference between the FR LEs because he didn't get the SmB LE and only recently received the two bottles (after the original SBLE release). At any rate, I actually would have preferred what was in the box since I missed out on the SBLE release and, as mentioned above, procured two bottles of the SmBLE. So, it was a pleasant surprise and a mistake I actually enjoyed.

Before anyone asks, I have not tasted either yet. I'm waiting for the right time and the right company.

I'd love to hear any of your stories/experiences if you're willing to play.

[callmeox]

Three handles of SW Old Fitz at a store in Kentucky. I nearly walked out without them but they caught my eye as I was leaving.

I paid for two as the lady behind the counter apologized for the dust on them since they had "been on the shelf for years."

She chased me down in the parking lot as I was about to leave and asked if I wanted another that she found in the back. I was happy to oblige.

I think they were about 25 bucks each with tax.

[wadewood]

4 bottles of 2002 George T. Stagg in a Denver liquor store around 2005.

2 bottles of 2000 Saz 18 in an Austin liquor store around 2009.

5 bottles of Van Winkle Old Time Rye 12 YO in New Orleans store around 2007

[GaryT]

3 bottles of BMH 18yr Rye, stickered at $95 each. I was "dusty hunting" and actually left them behind not being familiar with them. Thanks to SB, I promptly drove the hour+ back to grab all of them.

[bingstein]

ER101 Frankfort last year in an area I know has been well hunted out.

[theglobalguy]

Stopped by a KY store I had dusty hunted on prior trips. Look in the display case, and next to the CEHT they had laying their side (since the tubes we're too tall) was a few 4R LESB '13. This was 3 months after it'd been released...so was surprised to see it around still.

No price. No tag. Locked up.

5 min to find someone with a key, another 5 to find in the inventory system. 10 min well spent and one came home with me for $5 above normal retail.

Edited January 12, 2014 by theglobalguy

[flahute]

Haven't been at this long enough to have the kind of great story that will be populating this thread, but I do have one that made my day.

I was at a local big box store asking about BTAC only to find I had missed the release by a few days. They then asked if I had heard of Stagg Jr. and that there were two bottles stashed away in back. At that time, all the reviews of it were poor, but I was excited to get one anyway. Turns out I really like it so I wish I had grabbed the other bottle.

[jvd99]

SW OW 107 last month for $30.00 and in the same store/same day a 1974 Macallan 25 year Anniversary Malt for $499.00 which is an unbelievably great deal (but simultaneously painful) on two long discontinued bottles.

[skidfive]

AH Hirsch 16 gold foil

09 WLW

09 4r marriage

08 stagg. (Friend found this)

Also found a few other gems I let other SB members pick up

Found all in 2013

[DogfaceSoldier]

Found three bottles of Old Rip Van Winkle 10 year 90 proof for $28 each. They were on the bottom shelf of a seedy liquor store. No idea what year they were distilled. I bought two and my buddy grabbed the other one. We polished one off that week!

Found in 2011.

[TomH]

Didn't realize my luck until a few days after my purchase....several years ago a few months after ORVW 15/107 was discontinued when Pappy 15 was born, a kind SB'er posted about some ORVW 15/107 still on the shelves in NY. Didn't really think too much about it since I was not nearby, but a couple of months later business put me in the general area so I called the stores (a chain of 3 stores) and they still had about 3 cases available. After calling a local friend we decided to buy it, and I went to get it. Since I took my wife with me (offered her a weekend at Niagra Falls - she knew I was after something other than romance), I quickly went into each store to pick up my purchases without really looking at them (other to verify that they were ORVW since the store used the same SKU for the Pappy). A few days later after coming home I went to split the purchase and as we pulled bottles out of the boxes, we realized that some of the bottles were labled differently with a barrel number on the neck. About 1/3 of the bottles were single barrels. Had not seen those before and after tasting we decided we had some great tasting single barrels - a very lucky purchase.

[dcbt]

Not much luck unfortunately. I went through a stretch last fall / winter where I hit up liquor stores on a daily basis hoping to luck into some VW or BTAC. Got to talking bourbon with the manager of one shop and he had a GTS he said he was saving for someone who proved worthy so that's my one 'find' - but the bottle was still hidden and locked away and not displayed so I don't know if that's really a 'find.' I was back in that same store yesterday actually and the manager came over to talk to me just to shoot the shiz, guess he remembered me, that was nice. Too bad his prices on everything else really stink, but I still bought a Weller 12 handle from him just to stay 'top of mind' with him.

[black mamba]

In 2009 we visited Phoenix, and even though not as mental as today, the Pappy craze was already underway. We happened to drive by a Total Wine, and being a large store, I asked the wife if she minded me taking a look. After spending about 25 minutes checking the isles, I stopped an employee and asked if they had any limited release stuff not on the shelves. He got the spirits manager, who went to a locked cage and pulled out a Pappy 20yo, still in the rice paper wrap. He said $84, I said let's go. That was the last all SW juice for me.

[nd2005]

'08 Mariage and JPS 17yr...both in 2013 and at retail prices ...thought the days of seeing both those were long gone.

[BrooklynBorbone]

I had a good year.

July found me a 2012 GTS ($99) and ORVW 10-107 ($49) in a case at one store.

October I found a Japan Import 4R Single Barrel ($45) and an AH Hirsch 16 Gold Foil ($250) both on the same day, in different stores way high up on shelves hidden.

[michaelturtle1]

a case of paper label weller 12, case of faux stripped WSR, 4 EC 18's, 3 BHC Dickels, 4 '91 bookers, 6 wheat emblem weller 12's, 5 paper label OWA's, and a lawrenceberg 10/107. .all out of the same store a couple months ago

[WAINWRIGHT]

A BMH 23 mixed in with a bunch of the current NAS bottles on a shelf of a store I'd been to many times for $99,I couldn't get to the register fast enough.

[garbanzobean]

PVW 20 for $800. Just kidding.

I found a 2013 WLW on the shelves at a store out in Western Maryland. As I was buying it, their whiskey guy asked me if I liked other premium bourbons. I said "Sure" and he brought me a bottle of 2013 GTS to go with it. Sold both to me @ MSRP. Per SB etiquette, I offered to open both to share with him in the store, but he said no thanks. Have opened both since, and they are quite good. This story is probably the weakest of all find stories so far, but you have to understand the current competition level for Bourbon in Maryland right now. Right up to 2012, it was not unheard of to find PVW23 and most of the BTAC on the shelves at the better bottle shops. One year later, all of the stores have started allocating the premium releases and are not putting them on the shelves at all. I guess this is what most of you old timers refer to as "annoying."

The only other decent lucky liquor store finds I have to share relate to scotch, not bourbon:

Was in Miami for work, and I walked to a random liquor store to see what they had available. Lo and behold, they had two dusty old bottles of Singleton of Auchroisk 1983 for around $50 each. Given that is the year of my birth, I popped one on my 30th birthday to share with friends, and have the other one set aside for 40. Really nice pour.

I also found an Ardbeg airigh nam beist today.

[Fodowsky]

Last spring I was in WV visiting my parents and stopped in a small store. There were 2 bottles of Stagg, 1 WLW and 2 Saz 18. All at list price. All were dusty. I left with them all.

[mark fleetwood]

Last Summer asked a store to stock Old Fitz BIB. Went back in 2 weeks later and lo and behold, VSOF for $16.49 ea. I bought all 6.

[smknjoe]

Not all at the same time but I found a case (3 bottles) of PHC 4th edition, the preferred proof, at retail about a year ago.

[Renegator]

Visiting Boston for work and decided to pop into a couple local stores. Found a JPS 18 sitting on the shelf at MSRP. Quickly snatched that one up...

[dcbt]

Not all at the same time but I found a case (3 bottles) of PHC 4th edition, the preferred proof, at retail about a year ago.

Any chance you feel compelled to unload one of those, you know where to find me, hah.

[devillighter]

I'd say an ER 10/101 Lawrenceburg last year. It was lucky because I never would have seen it if I hadn't been hunting with michaelturtle - who saw it as soon as we stepped in the store - in an area I imagine has been pretty well hunted out. Mike taunted me for a while and finally told me to look up - the bottle was on a shelf directly above the glass partition. I am pretty sure I never would have noticed it (feel this way a lot when dusty hunting!). I guess I shouldn't claim credit - as it was Mike's find - but I was driving . Damn good bourbon too.

Edited January 13, 2014 by devillighter

[393foureyedfox]

nothing rare, but good deal....

walking through the pharmacy one day, I saw they had KCSB priced at $18 a bottle. I proceeded to clear the shelf. The little sticker on the shelf said the price was good for like 3 more weeks. So, I came back every few days waiting for them to restock the shelf, but they never did. after about 5 times in there, a young clerk asked what I was looking for and I showed him the spot where it was and asked if they had anymore. He said no, but that he would order a case tomorrow. I came back the next day, and he said that he didnt know it until it arrived that day, that the reason it was $18 was that they were d/cing the stock and had put it half off to get rid of it........but, since he had already mistakenly ordered a case as he told me he would, the price was still valid. He asked me how many I wanted, and looked at me funny when I said "all of 'em". While it's not necessarily my favorite bourbon, it is in my top 3, and at $18 a bottle, tastes even better!