Which LE would you pick?

[DonutsNBourbon]

So I went to a whiskey tasting today at a store and the draw (besides the tastings) was there was a raffle for All the Pappy's (23, 20, 15, 12, 13 Rye, and ORVW) and also all the BTAC's (Saz 18, Handy, GTS, ER17 and WLW) and ETL, Stagg Jr and OFBB. They started the lottery halfway into the tasting and started calling the numbers... lookie who got 1st pick... I was shocked... didn't expect to be picked at all. First pick... I didn't hesitate at all and immediately looked for the Pappy 15. So if you were in my situation, what would you have gone for? After I picked up the pappy 15 and purchased it, I thought, maybe I should've gone for the Saz 18... ah well, I'm happy with my selection. so what would you have gone for?

Edited November 19, 2015 by DonutsNBourbon

[Louisiana]

To each his own. I wanted some of the BTAC more this year!

I think you made a good decision if you didn't hesitate. Congrats.

[jaxn slim]

I don't think you could make a bad decision there. But if I'm ranking them, I guess it depends on the prices they were asking. Pappy 15 was likely a great choice.

[Jazz Nut]

I would have picked Pappy 15 most likely, so good choice in my book! WLW would be a close second. I was faced with a similar situation today, though Pappy 23, 20, 15, and Lot B were already taken, and some of the BTAC. What was left was Handy, ER17, OFBB, Elijah Craig 18, and ORVW. I chose the ORVW, and I think they charged around MSRP, $52.59. I also left with a bottle of Russell's Reserve 1998!

[elmossle]

Plenty of good Whiskey to choose from that is for sure especially with the first pick. Any choice made is a good one. I would have most likely gone after the Saz 18 first because it is the last of the tanked juice. If not that, most likely the VW Rye as those are impossible to find and also running out of tanked juice. But if Rye's are your thing than GTS or PVW20 would be next on deck.

[ccleve23]

Van Winkle Rye would have been my first. I have had all in the Pappy line and that is my favorite (I had a bottle that seemed to go way to fast.) Then I would have gone with the Saz 18 since this is the last year of the tanked.

[DonutsNBourbon]

I would have picked Pappy 15 most likely, so good choice in my book! WLW would be a close second. I was faced with a similar situation today, though Pappy 23, 20, 15, and Lot B were already taken, and some of the BTAC. What was left was Handy, ER17, OFBB, Elijah Craig 18, and ORVW. I chose the ORVW, and I think they charged around MSRP, $52.59. I also left with a bottle of Russell's Reserve 1998!

[Harry in WashDC]

Goodness, DnB, I am jealous. I've been partial to Lot B particularly over the older PVWs although the last couple of years it just hasn't had, for me, the zip it had in the OLDEN DAYS (like, up to 2007). Hence, I'd have picked the GTS (which I usually dilute to about 85 proof or sip an ounce or less over two hours or so) or the Saz 18. I saw a Handy in an otherwise reputable store this week for $300. WTF? You know how many bottles of OGD 114 that is?

[DonutsNBourbon]

not gonna lie, I never thought I'd have a pick. I always just thought I'd pick up whatever I'd come across at MSRP. I got GTS last year, and love it, so I figured I'd get something else. and they didn't have any OGD in any variation at this store, blasphemy, right Harry??

[Harry in WashDC]

Absolutely blasphemy. Lemme say this about that -- be SURE to check out those labels on the OGD. Darn new Bonded label is so close to the 80 proof label that you can get easily confused. That's why I've actually written to them (via email so we know they pay NO attention) complaining about the decision to drop the orange twisty cap.

Still - there are no bargains on BTACs in WashDC.

[b1gcountry]

The new cap on ogd is a cork is it not?

[Harry in WashDC]

The new cap on ogd is a cork is it not?

[b1gcountry]

Thanks. I just picked up my first bottle and was wondering it it wasn't some slightly different variation.

[VAGentleman]

I would have picked Pappy 15 most likely, so good choice in my book! WLW would be a close second. I was faced with a similar situation today, though Pappy 23, 20, 15, and Lot B were already taken, and some of the BTAC. What was left was Handy, ER17, OFBB, Elijah Craig 18, and ORVW. I chose the ORVW, and I think they charged around MSRP, $52.59. I also left with a bottle of Russell's Reserve 1998!

I think you really scored on the RR 98. To my palate that beats the Pappy's and BTAC's hands down

[squire]

I would've picked the Pappy 20, not to drink but to give as a gift. For drinking the VW Rye.

[GreggJ]

Personally, I would have gone WLW then PVW15 but, in all honesty it is splitting hairs. You can't go wrong with the 15yr and it has more Cache if you are sharing with friends. They will appreciate trying that over the WLW.

Enjoy, You have some excellent whiskey.

[Richnimrod]

A whole bunch of very nice choices there! I agree with GreggJ about the Larue First; after that I guess a tie with GTS and Pappy 15, followed by P-20.

[mbroo5880i]

You picked what you wanted which was a good choice. Part of the decision would be price. If the price were MSRP, I would have probably picked the VWFRR or Saz 18. However, PVW15 or PVW20 would be great choices to share with friends.

[flahute]

I would have picked the VWFRR simply because this is likely the last year of all or predominantly tanked whiskey. They aren't likely to make them that way after it's gone. After that, either WLW or PVW15.

[DonutsNBourbon]

yea, after I left with the PVW15, I was thinking I should've taken the saz 18. ah well. this question was more not to question what I picked out, but to see how you guys would have picked having the pick of the litter so to speak.

[bourbonfish]

I was asked a similar question last week - "Do you want PVW 10 or 12?"

I went with the 12 as I had seconds to decide.

[Louisiana]

I got asked the same today with a Saz 18, ER17, THH, or Lot B.

I could only choose one. Didn't even hesitate.

[DonutsNBourbon]

I got asked the same today with a Saz 18, ER17, THH, or Lot B.

I could only choose one. Didn't even hesitate.

nice, I'm guessing Saz18??

[Louisiana]

Of course. It's the creme brûlée de kenturkey right?

[Louisiana]

"The Cream of Kentucky"

I'm more of a bourbon fan, but the Sazerec 18 is apparently very good.

Since this is the last year for the old batch I acquired 2 bottles.

One for now and one for my boys later in life.

The barreling date means a lot to me also!