Stationed at Cape Horn for a Year

[Barrel_Proof]

You've just been awarded the 2005 maintenance contract for the Ushuaia Lighthouse in the Bay of Cape Horn. Lucky you!

Not only that, but your employer has allocated $600 to bourbon provisioning. No more than 18 bottles may be provisioned, however.

The company guidelines are strict. Your employer will provide you with one bottle of bourbon for each month of duty, providing none of the 12 costs more than $20 U.S. ($240 allocation).

In addition, your contract provides for one pricier bourbon per season, providing none of the 4 costs more that $40 U.S. ($160 allocation).

Finally, you are permitted 1 or 2 additional bottles for special occasions, provided the additional bottle or bottles total no more than $200 U.S.

Cape Horn Bourbon Provisions

Monthly Allocation ($20 max each)

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Seasonal Allocation ($40 max each)

Summer (Jan-Mar)

Fall (Apr-Jun)

Winter (Jul-Sep)

Spring (Oct-Dec)

Special Allocation ($200 max total)

1.

(2.)

P.S. Your bourbon will travel via company jet. Since the unscrupulous TSA inspectors won't get anywhere near your bourbon, HazMat is permitted and all of your bottles will arrive in Patagonia!

[Paradox]

Cape Horn Bourbon Provisions

Monthly Allocation ($20 max each)

Jan - Wild Turkey Russell's Reserve 10 yo

Feb - Old Forester 100 Proof

Mar - Ezra Brooks Single Barrel 15 yo

Apr - Buffalo Trace

May - Elijah Craig 12 yo

Jun - W.L. Weller 12 year Old

Jul - Makers Mark

Aug - Old Commonwealth

Sep - Evan Williams Single Barrel

Oct - Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel

Nov - Virginia Gentleman

Dec - Eagle Rare Single Barrel 10yo

Seasonal Allocation ($40 max each)

Summer (Jan-Mar) - W.L. Weller 19 yo

Fall (Apr-Jun) - Sazerac 18 yo

Winter (Jul-Sep) - Eagle Rare 17 yo

Spring (Oct-Dec) - A.H. Hirsch 16 yo

Special Allocation ($200 max total)

(1.) - George T. Stagg

(2.) - Pappy Van Winkle 23 yo

[OneCubeOnly]

I like this exercise! The challenge is going to be keeping some variety and keeping satisfied on the <$20 monthly bottle.

Monthly Allocation ($20 max each)

Jan EC12

Feb Buffalo Trace

Mar EC12

Apr Old Forester

May EC12

Jun Buffalo Trace

Jul EC12

Aug AAA 10yo

Sep EC12

Oct Buffalo Trace

Nov EC12

Dec Wild Turkey 101

Seasonal Allocation ($40 max each)

Summer (Jan-Mar) OFBB (any of 'em!)

Fall (Apr-Jun) Eagle Rare Single Barrel

Winter (Jul-Sep) Blanton's (send the buying crew to Montgomery County...they'll get it for $29.99 on sale!)

Spring (Oct-Dec) OFBB (preferably the new '05, as it should have just been released)

Special Allocation ($200 max total)

1. Pappy 23 (because I've never tried it!)

(2.) A.H. Hirsch 16yo

As you can see, I've gone heavily with the EC12. While it's not my overall favorite, it is a definite 'go-to' bourbon for me, as it always seems to satisfy when nothing else sounds good.

Also, I've had a recent change of heart with Wild Turkey 101. I actually bought some for the first time in years, and it's infinitely better than I remember.

[gr8erdane]

Cape Horn Bourbon Provisions

Monthly Allocation ($20 max each)

Jan EC12

Feb Buffalo Trace (Binny's Hand Picked)

Mar EC12

Apr Weller12

May EC12

Jun Buffalo Trace (Binny's Hand Picked)

Jul EC12

Aug Weller12

Sep EC12

Oct Buffalo Trace (Binny's Hand Picked)

Nov EC12

Dec Old Commonwealth (thought I was gonna say Weller12, didn'tcha)

Seasonal Allocation ($40 max each)

Summer (Jan-Mar) EC SB 18yr

Fall (Apr-Jun) Blanton's (Binny's Hand Picked)

Winter (Jul-Sep) Weller Centennial

Spring (Oct-Dec) Van Winkle Special Reserve Lot B

Special Allocation ($200 max total)

1. Pappy Van Winkle 23yr

Kind of get the idea that I like EC12? You betcha! Also, used Binny's page to make sure I keep to my budget as well as insuring that I get their hand picked selections.

[SteveZZZ]

jan -- WTRR

feb -- KC

mar -- EC12

apr -- BT

may -- Old Forrester 100

jun -- ERSB

jul -- Weller 12

aug -- MM

Sep -- Old Commonwealth

oct -- WTRR

nov -- VG90

dec -- EWSB

Spring -- OFBB

Summer -- WTKS

Fall -- VWSR 12 'b'

Winter -- Stagg

Special occasions

Pappy 20

Black Maple Hill 16 (or older )

WT12 (if I can cheat and split my budget 3 ways)

[brendaj]

Mark,

I've never tasted Virginia Gentleman, Sazarac 18 or Pappy 23 but, the rest of that list was damnear perfect...

Yepper, I think we could work together...

Bj

[jeff]

Monthly Allocation ($20 max each)

Jan: Weller 12

Feb: Old Forester 100

Mar: Wild Turkey 101

Apr: AAA 10yo

May: Buffalo Trace

Jun: Maker's Mark

Jul: Virginia Gentleman

Aug: Old Charter 12yo

Sep: Elijah Craig 12yo

Oct: Evan William's Single Barrel

Nov: Elmer T Lee Single Barrel

Dec: Weller 12yo

Seasonal Allocation ($40 max each)

Winter: Stagg '03

Spring: Eagle Rare 17yo

Summer: Elijah Craig 18yo

Fall: Kentucky Spirit

Special Allocation ($200 max total)

1. Pappy 20yo

2. Pappy 20yo

[dgonano]

MONTHLY ALLOCATION

jan- Old Forester 100

feb- EC 12

mar- Buffalo Trace*

apr- Makers Mark

may- Elmer T Lee SB*

jun- Kentucky Vintage

jul- Evan Williams SB*

aug- WT RR*

sep- Old Charter 10

oct- Old Fitz 100

nov -Weller 12

dec -ORVW 10yr 90

SEOSONAL ALLOCATION

spring- OFBB , any

summer- Stagg , any

fall- VWFR 12yr lot b

winter- ORVW 15yr 107

SPECIAL ALLOCATION

1- Pappy 20- old

2- Pappy 20- new

*provided I drive to Montgomery County,to get their

ridiculous sale prices.Plus this is where I found

the old version of Pappy 20 yr for $53 last year.

[LeNell]

Monthly Allocation ($20 max each)

Jan - EB101

Feb - VG90

Mar - WT80

Apr - JB BLACK

May - EB101

Jun - OF

Jul - OGD

Aug - EB101

Sep - EC12

Oct - OW12

Nov - EB101

Dec - OW107

Seasonal Allocation ($40 max each)

Summer (Jan-Mar) ORVW LOT B

Fall (Apr-Jun) ORVW 15

Winter (Jul-Sep) ORVW LOT B

Spring (Oct-Dec) ORVW 15

Special Allocation ($200 max total)

1. PAPPY 20

(2.) PAPPY 23

This is fun. If I could have my way, I'd just wallow in Van Winkle stuff all year long, but it doesn't fit the $20 or below requirement.

[Barrel_Proof]

This was tough! In provisioning my own allocation, I realize that a good number of fine $30 bourbons fell through the cracks. They were too expensive to be a monthly, but couldn't knock out the seasonals. It was tough to leave Baker's, Blanton's, Old Charter Proprietor's Reserve, and Ridgewood Reserve 1792 off the list, but that was a consequence of the price points, not the bourbons. I've also restricted my allocation to bourbons still available: no Henry Clay, Martin Mills, or Mellow Mash here. In any event, these are my selections, varied by distillery and mashbill to keep things interesting thoughout the year!

Cape Horn Bourbon Provisions

Monthly Allocation ($20 max each)

Jan - Old Charter "The Classic" 12yo

Feb - Wild Turkey Russell's Reserve

Mar - Old Fitzgerald BIB (Cracker Jack)

Apr - Knob Creek

May - Ezra Brooks Single Barrel 15yo

Jun - Old Commonwealth

Jul - Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel

Aug - Johnny Drum Private Stock 15yo

Sep - Evan Williams Single Barrel

Oct - Old Grand Dad 114

Nov - Old Forester Pendennis Club Special Reserve

Dec - Four Roses Single Barrel

Seasonal Allocation ($40 max each)

Summer (Jan-Mar) - Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 1989

Fall (Apr-Jun) - Wild Turkey 12yo

Winter (Jul-Sep) - Elijah Craig Single Barrel 18yo

Spring (Oct-Dec) - George T. Stagg 2002

Special Allocation ($200 max total)

1. A.H. Hirsch Reserve 16yo

2. Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve 23yo

[TNbourbon]

I'm not as widely 'tasted' as many of you here, so I'm going to leave off some that I know others will (would) include simply because I haven't tried them yet. Additionally, I'm using some price points for some items that match what others have used -- Tennessee (the so-called 'sin' tax seems to be the only popular tax in the state legislature!) may be well-stocked with brands, but the prices here tend to be on the high side for many items, so what may cost some of you $20 is likely in the $25 range here.

MONTHLY ALLOCATION

Jan- Weller 12yo

Feb- Jim Beam Black

Mar- W.L. Weller Antique 107

Apr- Wild Turkey 101

May- ORVW 10/90

Jun- AAA 10yo

Jul- Evan Williams SB

Aug- Rebel Yell (Hey, I like it!)

Sep- Old Forester

Oct- Buffalo Trace

Nov- Old Charter 10yo

Dec- Old Charter 12yo

SEASONAL ALLOCATION

spring- ER 17yo

summer- ERSB 10yo

fall- Stagg

winter- VS Old Fitz 12yo

SPECIAL ALLOCATION

1- Sazerac Rye

2- Pappy 20

[cowdery]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned, and which I don't believe is excluded by the terms of the engagement, is that you might want to consider stepping down a notch some of your monthly, $20 allocations and pick up a couple of cheap 1.75 L sizes instead of just getting 750s. Old Fitzgerald is a good choice available here in Chicago in the 1.75 L for under $20.

Although I haven't played exactly, I think this is a really cool game.

[brendaj]

Chuck,

you might want to consider stepping down a notch some of your monthly, $20 allocations and pick up a couple of cheap 1.75 L sizes instead of just getting 750s. ...Although I haven't played exactly, I think this is a really cool game.

geez...I like the way you think...

Bj

[bourbonmed]

Cliff,

Fantastic choice for August! I don't know if the current 15y Drum is anything like it was 2-3 yrs ago... ...

Doubtful we'd get a real answer if we asked.

Omar

[bluesbassdad]

Special Allocation ($200 max total)

1. A.H. Hirsch Reserve 16yo

Cliff,

Through the end of February you can get this one from Sam's at the ridiculous price of $32.66, IIRC.

OTOH, I'd love to know where you (and others) find some of the prices implied by your list(s). Perhaps the most startling to me on your list is WT 12 y/o under $40. I can't seem to find that one at all now.

Yours truly,

Dave Morefield

[Barrel_Proof]

1) Through the end of February you can get this one from Sam's at the ridiculous price of $32.66, IIRC.

2) I'd love to know where you (and others) find some of the prices implied by your list(s). Perhaps the most startling to me on your list is WT 12 y/o under $40. I can't seem to find that one at all now.

1) Very true. With a price like that I was able to provision both a Hirsch 16 and a Pappy 23 with my $200 "special allocation."

2) Although Wild Turkey 12yo is no longer distributed domestically, it is one of the most widely available bourbons in duty free shops around the world (not just DFS Galleria) and is uniformly priced at $40.

[brendaj]

2) Although Wild Turkey 12yo is no longer distributed domestically, it is one of the most widely available bourbons in duty free shops around the world (not just DFS Galleria) and is uniformly priced at $40.

I realize I'm beating the proverbial here, but sometimes I'm alittle slow... I'm having trouble wrapping my head around the logic here.

How/Why can this Bourbon be sold outside of Kentucky cheaper than inside Kentucky??

Turkey 12 is one of my alltime favorites, and I just think that's wrong on several levels...

I'll get down now,

Bj