Dusty hunting

[bmajazz]

Paul W, one of those tastings was hosted by me.. I think the one Compliance was talking about.

I've been participating in a similar discussion in the "Dusty finds" thread, so maybe it's useful to mention something here. I just found a ton of ND OGD 86 the other day. WT Old #8, ND Old Taylor 86, paper label Old Forester, etc. Cream of Kentucky, ca. 1980. In the greater L.A. area. It's true that many places ARE getting hunted out. But nearly all of my finds are in L.A. They can be found.

Also, to counter the myth that you have to visit 50 stores to get a bottle: I respectfully disagree. If you are looking in Santa Monica or Beverly Hills, then you probably will search 25 stores and come up empty-handed. There is some strategy involved.

That said, within the last year or two I found some great stuff in a store, right in the middle of Hollywood. Evan Williams 200th anniversary decanter, and later (at the same store), when I asked, 2 large handles of 7 yr Ezra Brooks from ca 1980. I had to ask about those, however.

And, no, I won't be revealing where I find them. :cool:

Edited August 28, 2014 by bmajazz

[Paul W]

@BlackTot Ha! What I meant was this obsession is less harmful than previous ones to my bank account and domestic tranquility. My previous inane obsessions (mainly having to do with cars) involved more money and resulting in spousal allegations of running a junk yard and being "that guy" in the area who has too many "classic" (junky) cars parked on his lot.

@bma I appreciate your hints and tips and would never expect the exact location (which would be kind of cheating anyway).

Santa Barbara has the Santa Monica/Beverly Hills problem, but I have plans to get out in the wider world (meaning less fru-fru, affluent areas) to find the kind of liquor stores that are more likely candidates. They are out there, even in my area. And I also figure the farther I get from the main freeway going through the area, the better. I know there are things to be found and the fact that it is not easy only makes it more compelling.

[bmajazz]

@bma I appreciate your hints and tips and would never expect the exact location (which would be kind of cheating anyway).

There's no such thing as cheating when buying bottles at retail. At least, I don't think so. The closest thing to cheating is when some owner refuses to sell a bottle because it's "too old" or they just "keep it because it's old". Especially when it has a price on it.

[tanstaafl2]

There's no such thing as cheating when buying bottles at retail. At least, I don't think so. The closest thing to cheating is when some owner refuses to sell a bottle because it's "too old" or they just "keep it because it's old". Especially when it has a price on it.

Next time you are at the Getz take a couple of pictures of old bottles and then say they are yours and you like old bottles for the "historical" value. You aren't really going to drink them because of course the owner is right, they are too old.

Then ask for a discount because of the excessive age...

[kjbeggs]

Stopped by a little hole-in-the-wall store (just down the road from what are probably the flagship Spec's and Total Wine in Dallas).

They had a few liters of Old Charter 10 (from '99), so I grabbed one. Probably should have grabbed more, but I haven't had it yet.

Also grabbed a handle of Old Fitzgerald Prime. I've never even seen that one on the shelf. Not sure how to determine the age on that one.

(There was a 96 on the bottom of the bottle and the UPC starts with 88076).

Edited September 3, 2014 by kjbeggs

[proof and age]

Quick question, AA 90 proof and Old Charter 8 year (age stated), are these rare yet?

[kjbeggs]

Quick question, AA 90 proof and Old Charter 8 year (age stated), are these rare yet?

I see the OC 8 year in pretty plentiful supply in my area.

[bigmzungu]

I still see OC 8yr occasionally but mostly the new OC 8 with NAS.

[393foureyedfox]

i see lotsa 8 year in louisville. then one day, suddenly it will all be gone.

[Paddy]

I see the AA 90 everywhere (and it's not the one I look for). :searching:

[Paul W]

I had a dusty near-miss this weekend. Found a place that sells liquor that you would not think sells liquor by the looks of it from the outside. On the bottom shelf there were dusty bottles with tax strips. Unfortunately, no bourbon. Sloe gin, Midori, other wierd stuff, but no bourbon. I spoke to the older lady behind the counter about the old bottles with tax strips. She says, "Oh yes, I have a lot more of those at home. It used to be my husband's." (This place used to be a bar 20 or so years ago, but has been converted into a tourist item store.)

I told her I would love to see what she has at home and maybe buy it as I collect older American whiskey. She did not show interest and so I just gave her my card and wrote "old bourbon" on it, telling her to give me a call if she is interested. I suspect she has an entire liquor store/bar of old liquor at home, but I also suspect that she has no real interest in following up with me.

So close!

[squire]

Probably has no interests in letting a stranger see what's in her house.

[Paul W]

Probably has no interests in letting a stranger see what's in her house.

Thought of that. I suggested she could bring it in to the store...

[squire]

Surprised she wasn't receptive to that unless she really isn't interested in selling.

[PaulO]

We can't assume her husband had good taste in liquor, but giving her your card was the right move.