No mas!

[TunnelTiger]

I had intended on posting this last night but decided to sleep on it so to be sure that I would feel the same in the morning.

I do and with that I have made the personal decision that I am done with any LE bottleing starting today.

Yesterdays encounter with CETH Cured Oak @ $300 just pushed me over the edge. It's not that I can't afford it because this is my hobby and in the grand scheme of hobbies that's not a lot of money.

It's the fact that the distiller thinks so little of my great state (Georgia) to only allocate us 21 bottles. Ar you kidding me! Twenty one bottles for a bourbon guzzling state like us, jeez! :hot:

Secondly that a Ga distributor knowing he has a few bottles jacks up the cost to my dealer so that in order to make a profit he has to sell it @ $300! :hot:

So starting right now I pledge that I will no longer pruchase any bottle that exceeds $100. I will never buy any over priced NAS, NDP "craft" crap offering. I will start working on drinking up my bunker and stash and once empty I will only purchase new bottles that are always on the shelf.

My future bunker/stash will consist of what's open on the bar.

Amen, hallelujah! :grin:

I will enjoy reading other members posts of their adventures pursuing the prize.

[dSculptor]

Hey TT, Been there done that, it didn't last long. I am always feeling the same way when these LE's come out , but ...I end up pursuing them anyway, not because of the drinkability, but because of this damn hobby! But I am gaining ground!! I have held out on a lot of Le's that I just didn't care about, and frankly..I am beginning to feel more content with my everyday pours, KC, FC, EC, and all the Bib's. However, will I still try for the BTAC when it comes around? You bet, that is one that I try not to miss out on, I love me some GTS, SAZ18,I'll take those 2 over any of them any day. Oh and I'll probably try and get me a bottle of EC18 when it comes around again. But otherwise I'm with you.

[Richnimrod]

I'm kinda with dSculptor, having sort of limited myself on at least some of the 'unicorns' that have become so difficult (and expensive) to obtain. The further out I've come from that decision last Spring, the more I'm certain I made the right decision. I too, am more than pleased with almost all of my bunker, and very little of it consists of LE's any more ... maybe about 10-bottles left of various things. I reach for stuff in the 25-to-60 dollar range more than any other. There are quite a few readily available ones in there that I find wonderfully satisfying. I haven't given up entirely on 'Dusties', but I find myself less and less willing to expend the time and gas searching for 'em....so, I suppose they're next on my list of stuff not to worry over any more.

Say La-vee... That's French for something or other. HA!

[dcbt]

I'm fairly similar. I'm working my way through my bunker. I've purchased very few bottles of bourbon this year. I will ask around for stuff (like Cured Oak), but I'm not going to the ends of the earth for it anymore. I figure (ok, hope) that I have enough in my bunker to get me through this boom so that once equilibrium becomes more normal I can partake in buying again.

I think the enlightening moment to me came when I had tried to establish relationships with store owners or managers to try and "jump the line", but either they quit working at the stores (in two cases), or in another case the guy just never remembered me despite my constant barrage of purchases and conversation. So I quit giving him my business and pretty much quit trying with anyone else. Now I take more of a shotgun approach, and there isn't much rhyme or reason as to which store I try for which LE. But I try once and maybe follow up and I'm done. Worked this year for ECBP, MMCS, Lost Prophet, and Forged Oak, but not for Cured Oak. I'm ok with that. It's less stressful, frankly, and this hobby should be fun and not stress-inducing.

Edited April 22, 2015 by dcbt
forgot about a few others bottles I had bought this year, I originally thought it was just one.

[JDSmith619]

Having not been in the bourbon game that long, I actually completely get your point. I've got a number of close friends that wont hesitate to drop big money on the secondary markets. It honestly makes me sick.

Here's to shelf turds!!

[Paddy]

If it's on the shelf, or offered, I'll buy it if so inclined. I've never bought a bottle off the secondary market, and I'm to stubborn (and old) to hunt and/or stand in line with a bunch of flippers... for anything!

Folks, there's just too much damn fine liquor out there to justify having to do any work for this hobby, let alone allowing yourself to get robbed! My 2 cents...

[GAbiker]

TT....it was actually 42 bottles, not that double the amount makes a hill of beans of a difference.

I.don't search out "special" bottles anymore either. I'd spend more than $100 for a BTAC, but not much more, maybe $125. There are plenty of good bourbons and ryes out there under $100 to make it worth the time and expense to me.

[mbroo5880i]

I understand frustration with walking in a store and seeing what 3 years ago was or would have been just another option today being considered an exclusive offering. For me, it is less "no mas" and more my just moving to different offerings.

[Harry in WashDC]

If it's on the shelf, or offered, I'll buy it if so inclined. I've never bought a bottle off the secondary market, and I'm to stubborn (and old) to hunt and/or stand in line with a bunch of flippers... for anything!

Folks, there's just too much damn fine liquor out there to justify having to do any work for this hobby, let alone allowing yourself to get robbed! My 2 cents...

I'm with Paddy - if it falls in my lap or if I just stumble into it AND it is at/about MSRP (not including costs of shipping from a commercial establishment) AND it's something I'm sure I'll like, well then, I'll step up.

I've been lucky; I get by with a little help from my friends so stuff does make itself known to me. So far (going back over about ten years, anyway), on average I say "Yes" and purchase less than a half dozen bottles a year, probably closer to three than six. But those few, those precious few . . .

Edit - And, only the most recent four are still with me as I have no will power. But they sure fit nicely into my regular rotation.

Edited April 23, 2015 by Harry in WashDC
clarification

[Happyhour24x7]

Yep. If I find one on a shelf at a reasonable price, I'll buy. But I refuse to pay 2,3,5x retail on general principles, and can spend my time much more enjoyably than chasing around looking for limited editions. It sucks, because a few of them I really LIKE....but I'm done.

[Spade]

Yep. If I find one on a shelf at a reasonable price, I'll buy. But I refuse to pay 2,3,5x retail on general principles, and can spend my time much more enjoyably than chasing around looking for limited editions. It sucks, because a few of them I really LIKE....but I'm done.

I couldn't agree more — if I come across something interesting at a fair price I'll buy it. Otherwise, I'll continue to enjoy what I have and those bottles that are easy to get.

[Sean Bond]

I only recently started seriously collecting whiskey/bourbon, but I've already decided I need to rein it in a little. I came to this hobby from craft beer, which, if a new "must-have" bottle of beer comes out for $15 every week, I won't be happy, but I can deal with it. However, with the bourbon boom, it's really hard to collect with any sort of patience, because prices are jumping up rapidly, and stock is getting scarcer and scarcer. I've always collected with the philosophy of "try a bunch of stuff really quickly, and find out what you like. Then just buy that," but it's difficult to do in an industry where $100 bottles sell in a day or two. So I've decided to enjoy what I've got (which, in the last few months is a decent haul, so I can't complain), and only worry about purchasing more when I either run out, or run into one of the big ones.

[dcbt]

I suppose it could be worse. Someone on ebay is flipping ice cream:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Blue-Bell-Ice-cream-/151657457313?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item234f7d26a1#shpCntId

[kjbeggs]

I suppose it could be worse. Someone on ebay is flipping ice cream:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Blue-Bell-Ice-cream-/151657457313?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item234f7d26a1#shpCntId

Awesome! Maybe we Texans can start swapping Blue Bell for LE bourbons now...

[TunnelTiger]

TT....it was actually 42 bottles

Just another reason to piss me off. First the same distributor tells one of my dealers that they aren't getting and them overcharges my other for the one bottle he "bestows" on him and keeps the near wooden box for him self.

[GAbiker]

Just another reason to piss me off. First the same distributor tells one of my dealers that they aren't getting and them overcharges my other for the one bottle he "bestows" on him and keeps the near wooden box for him self.

TT, on a better note, I talked to Greg Fears, the Sazerac SE rep about the continuing issues with "allocated" bottles, especially from the "evil empire". He told me he is going to personally get involved to do everything he can to insure that the next round of EHT special bottles, BTAC and Pappy get distributed more equitably going forward. Especially since some of the "big" stores in town are getting bigger allocations but aren't doing anything to support Sazerac i.e. barrel programs and other areas.

Hopefully we'll see changes going forward. Keeping my fingers crossed anyway.

[DBM]

I think the enlightening moment to me came when I had tried to establish relationships with store owners or managers to try and "jump the line", but either they quit working at the stores (in two cases), or in another case the guy just never remembered me despite my constant barrage of purchases and conversation. So I quit giving him my business and pretty much quit trying with anyone else. Now I take more of a shotgun approach, and there isn't much rhyme or reason as to which store I try for which LE. But I try once and maybe follow up and I'm done.

^^^This.

In the last 2.5 years I spent $22,400 in alcoholic beverages (thanks CellarTracker, but I really didn't need to know that) from ONE store and countless hours commuting there to simply to ask about new arrivals. Not once in those 2.5 years did anyone from that store ever proactively tell me about a bourbon or whiskey arrival, and commonly would say "nothing interesting came in today" when I ask, only to find out days later that an LE or something I was very interested in did come in that day and was promptly sold out. Most store managers and employees are polite in person, but have no interest in establishing relationships or proactively informing their most enthusiastic and best customers.

I too use the shotgun approach now. I hope for the best, but I am no longer bothered if I strike out.

[dboland]

Ok, this is a total newb question and I feel kind of silly for asking it but have to know: Are the LEs worth it? Are the Pappys and BTACs so superior to other offerings that they will blow me away? I only ask because so far in my experience with bourbon I have found little correlation between price and what I like, with a few exceptions (I love FRSB but don't care much for the yellow label, for example).

[EvergladeSlim]

Ok, this is a total newb question and I feel kind of silly for asking it but have to know: Are the LEs worth it? Are the Pappys and BTACs so superior to other offerings that they will blow me away? I only ask because so far in my experience with bourbon I have found little correlation between price and what I like, with a few exceptions (I love FRSB but don't care much for the yellow label, for example).

It all depends. If you can get Pappy/BTAC for msrp, they are absolutely worth it (with an exception or two). However - for a "total newb", don't bother. Many of the qualities that make these special will most likely be lost on you. But if you do happen to find one for a reasonable price, buy it and save it until you have confidence in your palate so that you can really enjoy it for what it is.

[TXNewDude]

I know you all curse the secondary market, but what other option do I have if I MUST have a certain unstocked bottle?

For the past few months I've been hitting up several liquor stores every few weeks just to see if I bump into anything special. I can't say it led to much, but it was fun for a while.

I've now decided to only stop by a big box right by work once a week.

Otherwise, because of my line of work, I am better off spending my time earning more income and use that to get an assured bottle in the secondary. It's less headache and disappointment for me, because I really do enjoy a good sip.

I agree with you all in the principle, but sometimes we just have to have something : /

Ok, back to work...

[amg]

I know you all curse the secondary market, but what other option do I have if I MUST have a certain unstocked bottle?

For me (and I know for a lot of others here) it's about coming to the realization that there is no such thing as a bottle I *must* have. I get a few LEs every year, and that's great, but none of them have been essential. If I could only get the stuff that's on the shelf I'd be perfectly happy.

[garbanzobean]

I know you all curse the secondary market, but what other option do I have if I MUST have a certain unstocked bottle?

For the past few months I've been hitting up several liquor stores every few weeks just to see if I bump into anything special. I can't say it led to much, but it was fun for a while.

I've now decided to only stop by a big box right by work once a week.

Otherwise, because of my line of work, I am better off spending my time earning more income and use that to get an assured bottle in the secondary. It's less headache and disappointment for me, because I really do enjoy a good sip.

I agree with you all in the principle, but sometimes we just have to have something : /

Ok, back to work...

I think you'd be better off accepting that you don't HAVE to have anything. There's so much great stuff that you can just walk into a store and buy. As an alternative, consider looking at store selects to scratch your unicorn bourbon itch. They can often be better quality (and more unique) than LEs. For instance, every single private selection Four Roses I've tasted this year (6 or so) has been more to my liking than last year's Single Barrel LE. Finally, consider this: buying and selling bourbon on the BLACK market (because that's what secondary really is) is illegal. Maybe that doesn't matter to you, but plenty of folk need to be in good legal standing to maintain their jobs, and being made an example of by the ATF and/or local authorities doesn't sound like a lot of fun anyway. Consider developing a network of friends that looks out for one another and maybe does occasional tastings or bottle/sample swaps. Depending on your state laws, that is often legal, whereas monetary transactions are not. If you are going to do that, please do it privately, as we don't want to get SB in trouble. Assuming it is legal to do so in Texas, you're now making friends who share your passion and helping each other out instead of feeding an illegal market that is unhealthy for us all in the long run.

[Paddy]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^This, my friend, wins my post of the year award!^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Thank you Eric!

[Harry in WashDC]

I want to thank those of you who have PM'd me on a few occasions when you've seen something "new" or "just arrived" in a store near WashDC that you guess, from my postings, I might like. F'rinstance, one recent PM prompted me to move up a run to my usual Maryland store by two days, and by doing so, I was able to pick up the "last" bottle of Bourye on the store's shelf. And, this sure saves me time driving everywhere and then having to explain my long, mysterious absences from home to my wife.

[flahute]

What Paddy said.........which means, what Eric said.

I totally get the allure of the LE's and how they can take over your priorities. It happened to me. I'm still transitioning out of it. I can afford secondary prices if I really want something so it's not a "grass is greener" scenario. It's coming to the realization, and it takes a while to get there, that the price jump and hassle jump for the LE's does not correspond to the quality jump at secondary prices (and sometimes even at MSRP). With that realization, the quality of some of what's readily available out there becomes more fully realized. You may have been blind to it before because you thought it was just "regular old whiskey" and that there must be much better stuff out there that you can't get your hands on. Once you identify which of the regulars do that for you, life becomes so much easier and enjoyable.