Bourbons to look for when IN Kentucky...

[ReynoldsStrong]

Hey all,

I'm going to the KBF this week, and one thing I thought about doing was stopping along the way - (I'll be coming from the SW up 62) and looking at some local liquor stores (that will probably have better prices than those in Bardstown).

What bourbons should I look for that are harder to find outside Kentucky? Old Fitzgerald? Very Old Barton? others?

I'd like to know what to keep my open for along the way.

[amg]

Heaven Hill 6yr BIB is another good one that's only in a few states.

[dcbt]

Kentucky Owl. (kidding...)

[Hop]

HH6BIB is always good and the Old Fitz is another but don't expect to see any 750s all I saw were "handles" and the price was $30.99 which isn't bad at all. I've got a few on hand so I left the rest. You might also see some ETL on the shelves as I did as well as some decent prices on RHF, Bookers, and Blantons. I didn't see any Charter 101 but you might.

[PaulO]

Heaven Hill 6yr BIB is another good one that's only in a few states.

You could look for Old Fitz 12 year too (good luck). Really I'd say anything you can't find by home and want to try. Now's your chance. KY has a bunch of bottom shelf 80 proofers I don't see in IN. I'd skip those.

[ramblinman]

You're very unlikely to see it since its been discontinued in the last 2 years, but if you see a AAA 10 year you won't be disappointed.

[Hop]

You could look for Old Fitz 12 year too (good luck). Really I'd say anything you can't find by home and want to try. Now's your chance. KY has a bunch of bottom shelf 80 proofers I don't see in IN. I'd skip those.

Looked for the Old Fitz 12 yr last week at Heaven Hill but was told they wouldn't have it until Fall. They did have it during KBF last year though...

[camduncan]

As others have said, anything you can't get at home is fair game... otherwise I'd look for Barton if you can't get it in your area, of the latest Four Roses offering at the gift shop maybe.

If you want something a little different (and if this sort of thing is to your taste), last year Barton had a chocolate bourbon ball liquor for sale at the gift shop.

[Hop]

There were no PS at either of the 4R gift shops but LB Lexington had a big selection. Not that they won't pull some out for KBF but...

[Paddy]

We are blessed with the BIB's, more so than anywhere else. You'll even find the OF BIB in the 750's here in most places I frequent. The one thing to keep in mind is that, although we usually have more brand selection than anywhere else, your likelihood of finding anything dusty or rare is extremely poor here. I think that it's due to a combination of the higher than average bourbon education/awareness that Kentuckians have, along with the fact that we are a drive thru AND tourist destination for bourbon buyers/collectors/enthusiasts.

[camduncan]

along with the fact that we are a drive thru AND tourist destination for bourbon buyers/collectors/enthusiasts.

I prefer to think of you as a FIFO destination - Fly In, Fly Out :cool::grin:

[squire]

I would go for the BIBs and other stuff I couldn't get at home. The high end bottles are spread to markets around the country so the gold nuggets to be gleaned are mid shelf.

[Paddy]

I prefer to think of you as a FIFO destination - Fly In, Fly Out :cool::grin:

Cam, I think Harry's car could float long enough to get you over the big pond (if he cleaned out the trunk)!:icon_pidu:

[flahute]

Cam, I think Harry's car could float long enough to get you over the big pond (if he cleaned out the trunk)!:icon_pidu:

This!!!!..........is killing me.......

[fishnbowljoe]

About the only thing I actually look for any more on my trips to Kentucky are BIB's I can't get, or are hard to find here at home. Like Hop said, HH 6 yr BIB, and add to that JTS Brown BIB and EW BIB. I don't seek out much else, but if I see something I like, or that's a good deal…..well that a horse of a different color. :grin:

Cheers! Joe

[jsrudd]

The other thing to look for is store selections, especially if you're coming from a control state. Last time I was at liquor barn they had a lot of them.

[silverc]

I will second the Liquor Barn stops. Go to as many of them as you can because the selection can vary widely between them. I went to most of the LB's around Louisville about 6 weeks ago and found the best selection at the Springhurst store, although there were good selections at all of them.

Springhurst Towne Center

4301 Towne Center Dr

Louisville, KY 40241

Also, if you have time to stop in Bardstown or Clermont, which aren't far off Interstate 65, you can get some gift shop exclusive stuff (Old Tub at Beam, HHSS or William HeavenHill at Heaven Hill, etc.)