Elmer T Lee & Weller Special Reserve

[typf2]

I won a bottle of ETL & WSR during a call-in bourbon lottery at a local liquor store in my area this past weekend. Pretty excited to give these two a try, and just wanted to get this wonderful community's opinion on both. Scored both bottles for a total of $82. I've had Weller 12 Year before and loved it, but never have had WSR so I'm excited to give that a try. I've actually never had either of these. The bottles that went the fastest were Pappy 23 Yr, Pappy 15 Yr, Pappy 12 Year, Pappy 10 Yr, & George T Stagg. I must have been too slow to score any of those. Lucky for me, I get one more chance this weekend. There is a bourbon festival at the fairgrounds that includes tasting of different whiskeys, Meet & Greet with Maker's Mark founder Bill Samuels. They've got all kinds of Pappy, Weller 12 Year, & a bunch more. Hopefully i'll be able to post next week with some sweet winnings! Cheers y'all.

[HoustonNit]

WSR isn't bad, I prefer vastly over standard MM but not near as good as OWA or W12. ETL is good for what it is but I wouldn't pay more than Blanton's for it. I think I prefer it over Blanton's but wouldn't spend more than say $45.

[graftonbc1]

I find WSR to be a sweet and smooth pour. To me, it is similar to MM or Larceny. ETL is a nice bourbon. I was lucky to get a bottle last year at 23 bucks. I would not overspend for it as I feel there are bourbons that are just as good in the 25-30 buck price point. 

[GeeTen]

54 minutes ago, graftonbc1 said:

I find WSR to be a sweet and smooth pour. To me, it is similar to MM or Larceny. ETL is a nice bourbon. I was lucky to get a bottle last year at 23 bucks. I would not overspend for it as I feel there are bourbons that are just as good in the 25-30 buck price point. 

 

Should we tell him we paid $18.99 OTD for the WSR earlier this year?????  Nah.   

[HoustonNit]

 
Should we tell him we paid $18.99 OTD for the WSR earlier this year?????  Nah.   

Or that I paid $26 for a handle?

[GeeTen]

1 hour ago, HoustonNit said:

 

Or that I paid $26 for a handle?

 

 

For the WIN!   

 

[fishnbowljoe]

You got a couple of decent bourbons, but you probably over paid by at least $20.00, if not a bit more. 

 

Hopefully you'll have better luck this coming weekend. State fairgrounds on 38th Street?  

 

Sláinte! Joe

 

 

[Dango]

I was in Indianapolis and also scored some WSR and OWA for 40 per bottle. Since then I have seen WSR and OWA in many places. For instance when I was recently in in Austin WSR was everywhere for 25-35 depending what store. I happen to score a Weller 12 in Austin for 25.00. Up here in my area I don't see WSR or OWA  a lot but when I do it's never been less than 40, however in the places where it's been less, it goes as soon as it comes in. I don't sweat it, just enjoy it decide if it's something you really like, then decide what your willing to pay for it again. PM me I'm coming to Indy next week, and may have an extra OWA if interested. 

[HoustonNit]

If I wasn't in Texas I'd probably pay those prices. Until then,

[Charlutz]

Welcome to the site typf2! I have both of those bourbons on my bar and enjoy them regularly. I suspect you will as well. The reactions you are getting are not against you or your purchases but rather that these bourbons were considered ‘value pours’ for a long time. Very good in relation to their price. ETL got overhyped because of its scarcity and many stores now charge more than its typical $35-40 retail price. All things Weller are also hyped and the WSR is the entry level Weller and typically less than $20. Once the prices go crazy and they start appearing in lotteries, these whiskeys lose the ‘value pour’ status that made them so appealing. It’s a bit of a pendulum swing and the prices will bring out some critics. Enjoy the whiskey. Most will agree it tastes good.

Edited November 28, 2017 by Charlutz

[NDN98]

I think you will enjoy both bourbons.  ETL is a very solid pour and a good value in the MSRP range.  As far as basic wheated bourbons go, I prefer WSR to Larceny or Maker's.  I haven't bought any WSR in a few years, mainly due to my preference for Weller 12 and OWA, which I can find at least a few times a year in my area.

Edited November 28, 2017 by NDN98

[kevinbrink]

Like many here for quite a while Weller and ETL were available and priced fairly, now at least where I am many people would be happy to find those two bottles for that price, unless you put in more effort to find things than they are probably worth which has it's own price ultimately.  In other places that might not be the case.  I think you will enjoy both. 

[GeeTen]

Welcome to SB.com typf2, WSR is one of my favorite "value" pours that I haven't been able to find as easily as two or three years ago.  I keep my connections at the local Total Wine store and get notified when it comes in - still the best prices around.  ETL is also $22ish when it shows up.  It just goes to show that working with your local connections (whether at a "big box" store or a local grocery) always pays off in the ling run.

 

And I'm sorry if I sounded like I was making fun of your purchase - it's tough to show my slanted eyes in a smilie when I post.   

 

[typf2]

1 hour ago, GeeTen said:

Welcome to SB.com typf2, WSR is one of my favorite "value" pours that I haven't been able to find as easily as two or three years ago.  I keep my connections at the local Total Wine store and get notified when it comes in - still the best prices around.  ETL is also $22ish when it shows up.  It just goes to show that working with your local connections (whether at a "big box" store or a local grocery) always pays off in the ling run.

 

And I'm sorry if I sounded like I was making fun of your purchase - it's tough to show my slanted eyes in a smilie when I post.   

 

 

No worries man. I took no offense to it! Over the past three months I've called over 200 liquor stores in Indiana and this was the first time i was able to obtain the harder to find whiskeys (at least in my area they are). 

[typf2]

16 hours ago, HoustonNit said:

WSR isn't bad, I prefer vastly over standard MM but not near as good as OWA or W12. ETL is good for what it is but I wouldn't pay more than Blanton's for it. I think I prefer it over Blanton's but wouldn't spend more than say $45.

Unfortunately here in Indiana, when i can get Blanton's, I have to pay $55 to $64 for it. I do have two bottles right now, so far it has been hands down the best whiskey I have had yet. 

[typf2]

12 hours ago, fishnbowljoe said:

You got a couple of decent bourbons, but you probably over paid by at least $20.00, if not a bit more. 

 

Hopefully you'll have better luck this coming weekend. State fairgrounds on 38th Street?  

 

Sláinte! Joe

 

 

Yes sir. The pour list looks great, and the lotteries are always fun! I'll try and add that list here so that everyone can chip in if there's any must sample whiskeys that I need to try!

[typf2]

10 hours ago, kevinbrink said:

Like many here for quite a while Weller and ETL were available and priced fairly, now at least where I am many people would be happy to find those two bottles for that price, unless you put in more effort to find things than they are probably worth which has it's own price ultimately.  In other places that might not be the case.  I think you will enjoy both. 

Thanks man! I'm looking forward to cracking them both open at some point this week.

[typf2]

10 hours ago, NDN98 said:

I think you will enjoy both bourbons.  ETL is a very solid pour and a good value in the MSRP range.  As far as basic wheated bourbons go, I prefer WSR to Larceny or Maker's.  I haven't bought any WSR in a few years, mainly due to my preference for Weller 12 and OWA, which I can find at least a few times a year in my area.

One of my good friends that got me started on whiskey lives in Texas. He scored a half gallon and a fifth of Weller 12 outside of his hometown near San Antonio two weeks ago that had me extremely jealous! Is WSR easy to find where you are?

[typf2]

11 hours ago, HoustonNit said:

If I wasn't in Texas I'd probably pay those prices. Until then,

 

WOW! File this under "Things you will NEVER see in Indiana". That's amazing.

[typf2]

Here's the pour list. If anything stands out to anyone as "must try" let me know! Same with if there's any i shouldn't waste my time on.

 

Thanks!

BourbonExpo2017PouringList.pdf

[GeeTen]

8 minutes ago, typf2 said:

Here's the pour list. If anything stands out to anyone as "must try" let me know! Same with if there's any i shouldn't waste my time on.

 

Thanks!

BourbonExpo2017PouringList.pdf

 That's quite a list!  Here's my suggestions for "Must Try":

 

CEHT SmB (Col. E. H. Taylor Small Batch)

Maker's Mark (just to meet Bill Samuels!)

KCSiB (Knob Creek Single Barrel)

OF1920 (Old Forrester 1920 Prohibition)

WR (Woodford Reserve)

HWRR (High West Rendezvous Rye)

WTRB & WTKS (Wild Turkey Rare Breed & Kentucky Spirit)  

RR10(Russell's Reserve 10yr)

ECSmB NAS (Elijah Craig Small Batch Non-Age Statement)

Rittenhouse Rye (or Pikesville Rye - Rittenhouse's big Brother)

HMcK10 (Henry McKenna 10 yr)

 

I'd probaly wait to try all the Craft stuff and scotch for another day.

 

This is a mix of inexpensive to mid-shelf stuff that will help you get an idea of what's out there.  Drink plenty of water and have a great time.  

[typf2]

31 minutes ago, GeeTen said:

 That's quite a list!  Here's my suggestions for "Must Try":

 

CEHT SmB (Col. E. H. Taylor Small Batch)

Maker's Mark (just to meet Bill Samuels!)

KCSiB (Knob Creek Single Barrel)

OF1920 (Old Forrester 1920 Prohibition)

WR (Woodford Reserve)

HWRR (High West Rendezvous Rye)

WTRB & WTKS (Wild Turkey Rare Breed & Kentucky Spirit)  

RR10(Russell's Reserve 10yr)

ECSmB NAS (Elijah Craig Small Batch Non-Age Statement)

Rittenhouse Rye (or Pikesville Rye - Rittenhouse's big Brother)

HMcK10 (Henry McKenna 10 yr)

 

I'd probaly wait to try all the Craft stuff and scotch for another day.

 

This is a mix of inexpensive to mid-shelf stuff that will help you get an idea of what's out there.  Drink plenty of water and have a great time.  

 

Awesome! Thanks for the help man. I now have a list and a plan of attack 

[HoustonNit]

 
WOW! File this under "Things you will NEVER see in Indiana". That's amazing.

At least your right next door to Kentucky. If you like Blanton's you should like ETL. Another option for the same mashbill is Abraham SB.

[JTaylor]

Nothing wrong with paying a small premium for stuff you're really wanting to try, or favorites that are hard to come by. You'll probably be glad you bought them, but realize they won't be a repeat buy at those prices. 

[CardsandBourbon]

I'm a fan of both WSR and ETL.  They're as hard to find around here as in Indiana.  Prices also vary based on where you live, availability, whether you're in an ABC controlled state, etc.  

 

Anything Mash Bill #2 from BT is high on my list of must haves.  Those include Hancock's President's Reserve, ETL, Blanton's & RHF.  I think I'm going to have them put he loved Mash Bill #2 on my tombstone.  Also, any of those on the list that people have suggested would be good to try.