Will be in Virginia anything I should pick up?

[kevinbrink]

So I'm taking a quick trip to VA next weekend and figured I should ask if there is anything I should look for while I'm down there. Going to visit the Bowman distillery, and hope to grab some of those cute Blanton's 375's everyone seems to buy when they are there assuming they have them at whichever ABC I can convince my friends to stop at. Thanks!

[TheBrownHound]

What parts of Virginia going to?

[DCFan]

Go to abc.virginia.gov and designate a store in the town you'll be visiting. From that you can view the inventory status of every product they have on hand or it will see if it's available at the stores nearby. That's a very cool feature. And if you see something and there is a limited quantity call them up and ask them to set it aside for you. They'll also tell you their delivery day so you can pop in later to see if they got in anything interesting.

[kevinbrink]

50 minutes ago, DCFan said:

Go to abc.virginia.gov and designate a store in the town you'll be visiting. From that you can view the inventory status of every product they have on hand or it will see if it's available at the stores nearby. That's a very cool feature. And if you see something and there is a limited quantity call them up and ask them to set it aside for you. They'll also tell you their delivery day so you can pop in later to see if they got in anything interesting.

Awesome, thanks for the tip! 

 

2 hours ago, TheBrownHound said:

What parts of Virginia going to?

Really just passing through though the plan is to go to the Bowman Distillery.

[DCFan]

Something else to consider on your trip  down here , I don't know if the Costcos in Jersey can sell liquor or if you're even a member but the store in DC does and at a considerable discount. The nice thing is that it's a very short distance off of I-295 so you won't have to traipse all thru the city getting to it.

[kevinbrink]

5 hours ago, DCFan said:

Something else to consider on your trip  down here , I don't know if the Costcos in Jersey can sell liquor or if you're even a member but the store in DC does and at a considerable discount. The nice thing is that it's a very short distance off of I-295 so you won't have to traipse all thru the city getting to it.

Awesome, we have Costco and while I'm not a Costco member the friends I'm traveling with are, we are spending some time in DC so might have a chance to check it out.

[JoeTerp]

In general Virginia is pretty terrible for finding good bourbon.  It's a control state and you have to buy it in an ABC store (often at prices higher than a lot of other states).  I think a better bet would be if you could find a good liquor store along the way in Maryland.

 

If you're going to use an ABC store I would first check out the website and pick a store near where you'll be and then check if they have any products you're interested in.

 

Now A Smith Bowman is a really good place to see.  They'll have both of their standard offerings (the Bowman Brothers Small Batch and the John J Bowman Single Barrel) available there.  They should also have the Mary Hite Bowman Bourbon Cream if you're interested.  It's pretty tasty.

[DCFan]

I always considered the ABC stores to be average in pricing and selection. The unicorns only available via lottery and stuff like Blantons and Buffalo Trace always found in stores in a 10 mile radius from my house but strangely enough never in my store. 

[JT3NSB]

Joseph A Magnus

[kevinbrink]

8 hours ago, JoeTerp said:

In general Virginia is pretty terrible for finding good bourbon.  It's a control state and you have to buy it in an ABC store (often at prices higher than a lot of other states).  I think a better bet would be if you could find a good liquor store along the way in Maryland.

 

If you're going to use an ABC store I would first check out the website and pick a store near where you'll be and then check if they have any products you're interested in.

 

Now A Smith Bowman is a really good place to see.  They'll have both of their standard offerings (the Bowman Brothers Small Batch and the John J Bowman Single Barrel) available there.  They should also have the Mary Hite Bowman Bourbon Cream if you're interested.  It's pretty tasty.

Truth be told the Mary Hite Bowman Bourbon Cream is the way I'm sneaking the distillery visit in, my friend Karen has begrudgingly gone on quite a few Distillery tours and brewery visits with me and the only saving graces for her have been Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream and Barton Chocolate Bourbon Ball Liqueur, when she found out (from me telling her) there was something similar at Bowman she was all aboard! I'm sure I'll dig it as well, we actually planned this trip on short notice after popping the last bottle of the Barton CBB on Saturday night. 

[kevinbrink]

22 minutes ago, JT3NSB said:

Joseph A Magnus

I thought about this one, is it worthy of the hype and the price tag?

[JT3NSB]

I believe so. i really enjoy it. 

[kevinbrink]

Is there anywhere to taste it before buying in DC?

[kevinbrink]

2 minutes ago, kevinbrink said:

Is there anywhere to taste it before buying in DC?

Actually just looked it up on the old Googler, looks like they have a distillery, might have to try and do some convincing to get another one in!

[DCFan]

15 minutes ago, kevinbrink said:

Actually just looked it up on the old Googler, looks like they have a distillery, might have to try and do some convincing to get another one in!

 

After doing a quick search it's  $92 and readily available at my store and others nearby.

[jackthedog]

If you so the Magnus distillery, check Groupon. They had one that was a pretty good deal for a while. Not sure if it's still available. 

[Harry in WashDC]

11 hours ago, kevinbrink said:

I thought about this one, is it worthy of the hype and the price tag?

As JT said, it is a personal choice.  While it is expensive, I did NOT feel ripped off.  Search for Jos.A.Magnus discussions here on SB for some views.

 

IF you do not want to spring for a whole bottle or take chances, visit the JAM's Murray Hill Club for tastes; it's a bar at the distillery.  I am NOT in any way associated with JAM or MHC; but I am fortunate enough to be able to afford their products.  OTOH, I treat them like rare cognacs, excellent armagnacs, and late harvest Rieslings - occasional sippers on special occasions to be shared with friends.    http://josephmagnus.com/

[kevinbrink]

Thanks for the intel, found that Groupon as well, might just have to make that an evening activity!