What bourbon are you drinking in Australia? - Summer 2014/15

[Duxnutz]

Rare Breed: Didn't enjoy my last bottle (duty free Syd). Ironically I'm loving my recent bottle of Turkey 101 tho. It's been my break between nights of rye (baby Saz and Russels Reserve 6yr). Wish we'd get more rye here for when my bunker evaporates.

[DBM]

Bars: Baxters, Barber Shop, Smoking Panda, Ramblin Rascal Tavern. There are more, but they are the ones off the top of my head. When I have time tomorrow, I will actually write a better breakdown of what you can get in each and why I would go to them and in what order.

Retail: Oak Barrel, Camperdown Cellars, Dan Murphys Double Bay (heard good things, not been there) and if you are willing to travel about an hour and a bit out of the city, then Kempscreek Liquor Master.

I have not seen SFTB in any store or in any bar in Sydney.

If I think of anything else, I will be sure to add it in.

Just got back from the trip. Went to Barber Shop and Baxter Inn (easy to get from one to the other ) which were both awesome. I preferred the cocktails at Barber Shop, but Baxters obviously had more selection. Also at Baxters, my wife and I befriended two guys who bought us three rounds of drinks, so I repaid them with a round of GTS old fashioneds.

Dan Murphy's in Double Bay is nice, and the prices are really good compared to other places, however there was nothing intriguing (or reasonably priced) except for Jim Beam Distiller's Masterpeice for $159, though not enough to buy a bottle. Instead I took advantage of the Australia TRS (full GST and WET refund!) and the strong US dollar to acquire a lot of great wine.

Thanks for the suggestions!

[holdtheice]

Decided to mix up a Boulevardier using some KCSB (the bottle is rapidly approaching its demise). First time I've had it any way other than neat but I have to say it makes for a richly flavoured, robust cocktail - just like my previous bottle of Bookers.

I think Bookers and KCSB are fantastic high proof Bourbons. It's fortunate that my palate finds them most agreeable since they are the only affordable high proof Bourbons I can find here. Fingers crossed that Suntory don't put an end to that, though I have a sinking feeing that it's only a matter of time!

[deathevocation]

Makers Mark 90 proof.

[deathevocation]

Best place to get EW SB nowadays? Price too?

[camduncan]

Sazerac cocktail shootout tonight...using Old Overholt Rye first, then Bulleit Rye second. OO is ok, but a little rough and seems to overpower the sugar, bitters and absinthe.... but the Bulleit really really mixes well. It still has a rye kick but I can pick up characteristics of the other ingredients. A fun experiment

[camduncan]

Best place to get EW SB nowadays? Price too?

[deathevocation]

Haven't looked for it in years. Not since Coles lost the rights and the new distributor doubled the price thankfully I've got plenty of 93 through 97 stock on hand.

[camduncan]

Yeah, we used to pick up EWSB for $45 a bottle, $40 when it was on special. Ironically, EC 12 was $39.... and I'm only talking 5-6 years ago....

[deathevocation]

Yeah, we used to pick up EWSB for $45 a bottle, $40 when it was on special. Ironically, EC 12 was $39.... and I'm only talking 5-6 years ago....

EC price is ridiculous now.

[holdtheice]

I've seen EWSB (2003 vintage) at two stores for $80 and $90 respectively. Needless to say, they remained on the shelf.

[bjbronwyn]

I know the prices of ewsb has doubled since the changes in distibutor, but there is worse bourbon out there that's more expensive Imo

I think I have 2 left and both fantastic. 01 and 02.

[Vietish]

Haven't looked for it in years. Not since Coles lost the rights and the new distributor doubled the price thankfully I've got plenty of 93 through 97 stock on hand.

Damn it all. I have used Lawsons heaps in the past and now the cat is out the bag!

I missed that auction cause I had to start a new job. I still look at those results and nearly cry.

I have seen EWSB for about 90 at a couple of places around here. But even they are getting rare. I dont know who has distribution rights, but they are not doing a good job.

[camduncan]

I live in hope (dare I say it) that Dan's will pick up the HH portfolio at some point. They already have EC12, Rittenhouse, Rittenhouse New/Tri Make, Bernheim Wheat Whiskey and Nelson County (which is a HH product). At least if they got all the rights price would be consistent, and it'd have a national distribution.

[Robbie BTAC]

Would be nice if that started to stock the new parker's heritage 8th Edition, would be nice to get my hands on some.

[Duxnutz]

Hacked open a bottle of Michters Toasted Barrel tonight.

[Sydney BJW]

Haven't been around much lately, been busy with work and young family.

I finally got a bottle of Blanton's Gold, the first few pours have been extremely smooth but you do also notice the alcohol kick. It is right up their amongst bourbons I have tasted. Now to hunt a straight from the barrel bottle (hopefully someone I know will be going to Japan Soon last time they went they brought me back I.W Harper when I told them I was after Blanton's or Four Roses)

[camduncan]

Singapore has Blanton's Straight from the Barrel too, so if someone's going there, you double your chances of finding one

[camduncan]

Also, noticed Dan's are listing a couple of High West Rye's on their site. Same price that all of the smaller locals have it listed as, so I assume they're on-selling and not sourcing it themselves.

[Andre28]

What do you think of High West? Worth the price here over something like Rittenhouse?

[bjbronwyn]

What do you think of High West? Worth the price here over something like Rittenhouse?

Personally I prefer high west rendezvous rye to Rittenhouse, thats not saying I don't like ritt. They are both good in their own way. If you really like you're heavy spice rye at 100 pf, Rittenhouse is the go, however I prefer a more subtle rye so high west is my preference, even at a lower proof. The double rye is quite good also.

worth a try imo

Love to know others preferences

[deathevocation]

My preference tonight is Old No.7. Sorry.

[Sydney BJW]

Singapore has Blanton's Straight from the Barrel too, so if someone's going there, you double your chances of finding one

Thanks for the tip, I will have to keep an eye on all my friends/family travel plans

[MauiSon]

Those Lawson's sales prices were jaw-dropping on a bunch of unobtainium.

[deathevocation]

Those Lawson's sales prices were jaw-dropping on a bunch of unobtainium.

Yep. Incredible.