Got a hold card: how to play it

[graftonbc1]

I bought a select bottling of Virginia Distillery Highland Malt, and my go to LS gave me a hold card for allocated bourbons that are on their way. I am pondering putting it in for a Stagg, Four Roses Limited Edition, or an Elijah Craig 23. Or something else? Any thoughts?

[Flyfish]

Are there other options? Do you know that these three are definitely coming or are they just on your wish list? Of the three, my choice would be Stagg. The 4R option is too vague: Some of the 10 iterations I would jump at; others, I'd stay seated. And the 23YO is too far gone for my palate. And that's the bottom line for you, too. What does your palate say?  My opinion is worth exactly what you paid for it.

[graftonbc1]

7 minutes ago, Flyfish said:

Are there other options? Do you know that these three are definitely coming or are they just on your wish list? Of the three, my choice would be Stagg. The 4R option is too vague: Some of the 10 iterations I would jump at; others, I'd stay seated. And the 23YO is too far gone for my palate. And that's the bottom line for you, too. What does your palate say?  My opinion is worth exactly what you paid for it.

We don't know exactly what's coming in, with the exception of OF Birthday, and a couple of others. They tend to get a few of each of the BTAC, but no promises and high demand. I am big time into higher proof bourbons, Four Roses and 1792 barrel proof among my favorites. Stagg has sort of become a bucket list bourbon for me. I picked up an EC 11 year old store select and I love it, which raises my interest on the EC 23

[jvd99]

If it were me, I'd go FR LE small batch.  I'd also avoid EC23.  

[JoeTerp]

I'd go with the four roses, but I would probably prefer a William Larue Weller above all

[CardsandBourbon]

My choice would be Stagg.  The Stagg Jr. I have now is probably my favorite bottle.  I had the pleasure of sharing a pour of Stagg with The Black Tot earlier this year and it blew my socks off (well actually with it's proof it burned my socks off LOL).  But, everybody has their favorites.  Final decision is yours.

[Kane]

I would definitely go for the Stagg. That said, don't get your hopes too high, I personally never had much luck with that certain liquor store and their hold card system (I know where you shop!). For every card I have, there is somebody with five, and there is usually a looooooong list of people who already put their cards for the few LE bourbon the store will get every year. I really prefer the good old raffles, at least you have a fair chance, and I did get lots of stuff that way.

[Special Reserve]

20 hours ago, JoeTerp said:

I'd go with the four roses, but I would probably prefer a William Larue Weller above all

My exact thoughts as well. Nicely done.

[graftonbc1]

12 hours ago, Kane said:

I would definitely go for the Stagg. That said, don't get your hopes too high, I personally never had much luck with that certain liquor store and their hold card system (I know where you shop!). For every card I have, there is somebody with five, and there is usually a looooooong list of people who already put their cards for the few LE bourbon the store will get every year. I really prefer the good old raffles, at least you have a fair chance, and I did get lots of stuff that way.

Thanks for the wisdom. 

[graftonbc1]

8 hours ago, Special Reserve said:

My exact thoughts as well. Nicely done.

I believe the Weller allocations are spoken for. Good tip, though

[ken_mays]

The only BTAC I'd go out of my way for is Thomas Handy. 

[Special Reserve]

2 hours ago, ken_mays said:

The only BTAC I'd go out of my way for is Thomas Handy. 

Interesting, back in the day, Handy was the last to be sold.

[Kane]

17 minutes ago, Special Reserve said:

Interesting, back in the day, Handy was the last to be sold.

It still goes last, as in 0.2 seconds behind GTS and WLW...

 

But I must admit, I always look for THH first too, and like you said I could sometimes even find leftovers after a lottery. Isn't it a beautiful thing when your favorites are everybody else's pass?

[fishnbowljoe]

1 hour ago, Special Reserve said:

Interesting, back in the day, Handy was the last to be sold.

 Hmmmm.   For some reason, I always thought of the ER17 as the weak step sister of the BTAC. The bourbon lovers always seem to go for the GTS and WLW, and the rye folks the THH and Saz18. Which leaves the ER17 sucking hind tit. 

 

Off topic here folks. Sorry, but I really have to tell a funny story. 

 

A number of years ago when J.T. Webb still owned Liquor World in Bardstown, he'd get master distillers to come to his store and do bottle signings during the KBF. One time Harlan Wheatley was there. It was slow at the time, so I actually got to chat with him for a bit. Somehow the topic came around to the BTAC. I told him that I wasn't a rye guy, but liked the bourbons, especially the WLW. I also mentioned what I said above. I thought the ER17 was the least favorite of the bunch to most folks. He looked at me quizzically. I then told him about my idea. I told him that I thought that if he'd replace the ER 17 with ER 10/101 in the BTAC line up, it would be a big hit. Again, a quizzical look. Then he said, "What? You don't think people want a 17 year old bourbon at a decent price?" I told him that I didn't think that at all. I just said that many true bourbon lovers out there would absolutely love to see the ER 10/101 be reintroduced. I then got "the look", and he said, "Ain't gonna happen."  I reckon he didn't like my idea.  About that time some folks came up to get bottles signed. I told him thanks and shook his hand, then grabbed my bottles and went on my merry way. 

 

Cheers! Joe

[GeeTen]

7 hours ago, ken_mays said:

The only BTAC I'd go out of my way for is Thomas Handy. 

 

Huh, I scored a THH with my meager collection of Hold Cards last year.  Even a blind squirrel can find a nut every once in a while, I guess.  Delish!   

 

[Harry in WashDC]

1 hour ago, GeeTen said:

 

Huh, I scored a THH with my meager collection of Hold Cards last year.  Even a blind squirrel can find a nut every once in a while, I guess.  Delish!   

 

Sure.  Make us all think you are a blind squirrel.  Or a nut.  FWIW, the only THH I've seen was last year's, and the tag was $299.  And, NO, Frank, I don't need a taste.  I still have some GTS I scored a couple years ago.

 

My complaint - I own real property (with a house on it) in Virginia but am NOT allowed to participate in the Virginia ABC lotteries in spite of spending [censored] amounts of money in ABC stores because I am not a "resident".  Hence, I envy your Hold Card process whatever it is.

[Jackinbox]

Since the WLW isalready spoken for, then I'd go with the Stagg.  I wouldn't buy EC23 even if it were offered to me at half the retail price.

[fishnbowljoe]

The only problem with hold cards is that sometimes you might not be informed that the game has changed, so you're left holding the hold cards. This probably doesn't happen often, but I will say that it's happened to me at least once.  Just sayin'.

 

Joe

[flahute]

Skip the EC23.

As for deciding between Stagg and 4RLE. Are you a BT guy or a 4R guy? That will direct your decision. If it's a tie, go for the Stagg as it's generally the harder to find and more expensive on secondary.

[Kepler]

On ‎9‎/‎24‎/‎2017 at 8:56 AM, graftonbc1 said:

 I picked up an EC 11 year old store select and I love it, which raises my interest on the EC 23

Not sure why you'd assume that just because you liked the EC 11 year that you would like a version over twice its age.  Different animal. 

I agree with the others in that I would avoid the EC23 even at half price.

 

If you get a chance to purchase the GTS anywhere near retail you should do it, otherwise you'll likely regret it later.

 

But you can't go wrong with 4R Limited Edition Small Batch either. That would be a strong choice too.

[flahute]

45 minutes ago, Kepler said:

Not sure why you'd assume that just because you liked the EC 11 year that you would like a version over twice its age.  Different animal. 

I agree with the others in that I would avoid the EC23 even at half price.

 

If you get a chance to purchase the GTS anywhere near retail you should do it, otherwise you'll likely regret it later.

 

But you can't go wrong with 4R Limited Edition Small Batch either. That would be a strong choice too.

Quoting this to agree with Kepler and to stress the point: stay away from the EC23. Though it is possible that it's good, it's also just as possible that it tastes like sawdust, 

And, I don't know anyone who prefers hyper aged EC to any of the BTAC or 4R LE.

[graftonbc1]

Thanks for the inputs on the EC23. I love the Four Roses offerings, and have several barrel selects open right now. I am quite intrigued by Stagg, however, as I enjoy the higher proof bourbons, and Stagg is spoken of in such revered tones. I appreciate everyone's input and anecdotes.   

[Masset1982]

I would for the Stagg, apparently it's better than last year. 

[Clueby]

10 hours ago, Masset1982 said:

I would for the Stagg, apparently it's better than last year. 

Last year's was pretty good!!

[Masset1982]

3 hours ago, Clueby said:

Last year's was pretty good!!

I agree, and this one will be better and less hot, can't wait to get my hands on it.