What bourbon did you pass up today? Fall/Winter 2014

[suntour]

Inadvertent (idiotic) pass-up...

Heard rumors Weller 12 was coming to Oregon, so I've been furiously searching the registry to see if it'll pop up nearby. Well, it did (OK, Eugene isn't THAT close) and I had some stuff to do there anyway so I had them hold a bottle (not believing it wouldn't sell out immediately) and they said they would, until 5pm. Well, I had it held at the wrong store.

I couldn't afford to drive across town again with a mad baby and a granting but "really?" inclined wife...so I didn't push the issue. I have a splash left, and am not really a huge wheater guy anyway, but man, you don't say no to Weller 12 in 2014 if you've got the opportunity. DHGHNSDKG

[jasmorg1075]

Long time reader and first post. Stopped by a store I normally don't visit and noticed ETL for $99.99. I asked the manager if it was a mistake and he said it wasn't. ETL is difficult to find in Memphis but is easy to find South of the border in Mississippi. I told the manager I could get the same bottle more than $60 less just 10 minutes away and he said to enjoy my drive. I'm now enjoying my $35.99 ETL.

mlittrell, welcome to the site. That's just a fantastic story. You should introduce yourself in the "New to Straightboutbon" forum. What's with all these gougers? I can't stand it and they won't get my business either.

[TunnelTiger]

They are successful at gouging because the non-informed or novice consumer does not know they are being gouged.

[Paddy]

Everything! Passed on lot's of Bowman, HW, and Balcone's (multiple offerings available from each). Also passed on a lot of overpriced ryes, including WPBH.

Didn't see a sniff of anything Weller, no HH BIB, and no VOB BIB. :cry:

[squire]

Long time reader and first post. Stopped by a store I normally don't visit and noticed ETL for $99.99. I asked the manager if it was a mistake and he said it wasn't. ETL is difficult to find in Memphis but is easy to find South of the border in Mississippi. I told the manager I could get the same bottle more than $60 less just 10 minutes away and he said to enjoy my drive. I'm now enjoying my $35.99 ETL.

[Scotch Neat]

Passed on a PHC Wheat @ $169

[393foureyedfox]

Everything! Passed on lot's of Bowman, HW, and Balcone's (multiple offerings available from each). Also passed on a lot of overpriced ryes, including WPBH.

Didn't see a sniff of anything Weller, no HH BIB, and no VOB BIB. :cry:

what?! if theres anything you can count on being on the shelves in KY it is VOBBIB and HHBIB, if only the gold one.

[jvd99]

Passed on SA Contradiction

[Fort Knox]

Long time reader and first post. Stopped by a store I normally don't visit and noticed ETL for $99.99. I asked the manager if it was a mistake and he said it wasn't. ETL is difficult to find in Memphis but is easy to find South of the border in Mississippi. I told the manager I could get the same bottle more than $60 less just 10 minutes away and he said to enjoy my drive. I'm now enjoying my $35.99 ETL.

I was in Savannah visiting a buddy a few weeks ago and went into a riverfront liquor store and they were trying to sell a bottle of BT for $60. When I asked why, the store clerk tried to tell me that it was being discontinued and that was the last shipment they would be getting. I tried to tell her that I was pretty sure that one of the largest distilleries in Kentucky hadn't discontinued their namesake bourbon, but she just gave me a disinterested shrug like I didn't know what I was talking about. So I went a couple miles away and bought a bottle for $24.

[393foureyedfox]

8 year willett BP rye for $105. also saw a SAOS 7 year BP rye for $55. I think Willett really needs to think about this a little more....

[DogfaceSoldier]

I was in Savannah visiting a buddy a few weeks ago and went into a riverfront liquor store and they were trying to sell a bottle of BT for $60. When I asked why, the store clerk tried to tell me that it was being discontinued and that was the last shipment they would be getting. I tried to tell her that I was pretty sure that one of the largest distilleries in Kentucky hadn't discontinued their namesake bourbon, but she just gave me a disinterested shrug like I didn't know what I was talking about. So I went a couple miles away and bought a bottle for $24.

Yikes. There are two quality liquor stores in town and neither is close to River Street. You won't find much of interest down here though - most of the unique bourbons don't make it past Atlanta.

[Hop]

Willett XCF at $149 not bad I guess but I know nothing about it... Also passed on some store select BT but only due to having several others already on hand.

[CorvallisCracker]

Didn't pass up anything today, but I'm hoping that some day I'll have the opportunity to pass up some Whitmeyer bourbon!

[flahute]

8 year willett BP rye for $105. also saw a SAOS 7 year BP rye for $55. I think Willett really needs to think about this a little more....

They will when everyone stops buying it at that price. So far, it's still being bought.

[393foureyedfox]

They will when everyone stops buying it at that price. So far, it's still being bought.

[garbanzobean]

i dont understand why.....with those age statements, most of us know they likely came from the same place

As far as I am aware, Willett has been honest about the fact that their Rye is coming from MGP. I've yet to try any of the Rye Smooth Ambler is putting out, but if the bourbon folks are picking for their private barrels is any indication, it would take 3-4 bad bottles in a row of SAOS for me to give Willett a try. I keep thinking about buying one of the Willett Rye store selections that are floating around here because I want one of their labels for my label collection (they are neat and the outfit does have an interesting history), but the prices are outrageous. I figure I'll wait for the first bourbon of proper age that they actually distilled to be released, assuming it's not like $500 at that point.

[Vosgar]

Passed on Weller 12 at $39.99. Store manager said he was allocated a whopping 4 bottles and had to buy a variety of other BT products just to get those 4.

[garbanzobean]

I passed up some of those BTEC 12 yr Wheated Warehouse location bottles at $60ish. MD SBers, feel free to PM me for the store . . .

[flahute]

As far as I am aware, Willett has been honest about the fact that their Rye is coming from MGP. I've yet to try any of the Rye Smooth Ambler is putting out, but if the bourbon folks are picking for their private barrels is any indication, it would take 3-4 bad bottles in a row of SAOS for me to give Willett a try. I keep thinking about buying one of the Willett Rye store selections that are floating around here because I want one of their labels for my label collection (they are neat and the outfit does have an interesting history), but the prices are outrageous. I figure I'll wait for the first bourbon of proper age that they actually distilled to be released, assuming it's not like $500 at that point.

I agree. I do like Willett and have a number of their bourbons and ryes which I like a lot. The price jumps are just really making me pause any more. Knowing that their rye is MGPI like Smooth Ambler makes it an easy choice to skip the Willett and grab the SAOS. I have an 8yr SAOS barrel strength rye that is just wonderful and at half the price the Willett is now going for.

[TunnelTiger]

I agree. I do like Willett and have a number of their bourbons and ryes which I like a lot. The price jumps are just really making me pause any more. Knowing that their rye is MGPI like Smooth Ambler makes it an easy choice to skip the Willett and grab the SAOS. I have an 8yr SAOS barrel strength rye that is just wonderful and at half the price the Willett is now going for.

Agree. SAOS is less expensive and tastes better. Easy decision.

Shoot even HW is less expensive and tastes better.

I just don't understand the Willet devotion.

[garbanzobean]

I'm telling you guys, it's the neat labels and classy looking bottles. It's like crack to certain demographics.

[Scotch Neat]

I'm telling you guys, it's the neat labels and classy looking bottles. It's like crack to certain demographics.

Packaging always makes the bourbon better!

Why if they prettied up Weller 12 they could get way more for it!!!

[393foureyedfox]

couple of days ago, I passed up some SAOS barrel proof 8 year bottles and a variety of High West items, and at another store passed up a 7 year barrel proof rye SAOS. All were reasonably priced, and I may end up going back for one or more. damned curiosity....

[garbanzobean]

Packaging always makes the bourbon better!

Why if they prettied up Weller 12 they could get way more for it!!!

Yeah, if it turned into an age stated 12 yr E.H. Taylor product at maybe 100 proof (probably even 90), folks would pay $100-$150 a bottle and thank Buffalo Trace for the opportunity to do so. Not folks on here, probably . . .

[PaulO]

Packaging always makes the bourbon better!

Why if they prettied up Weller 12 they could get way more for it!!!

They already do this: sell it under a different brand, allocate it to stores, make consumers wait in line, lotteries, etc ...