Bourbon in Las Vegas?

[Jace]

Hi, fellow bourbon lovers!

 

My friend is going across the Atlantic for a trip to Las Vegas and asked if he should look for any whiskey to bring me home. But, since I have no idea which bottles are usually available there, I'm not really sure what to tell him - and since he's not into whiskey himself, he would have no idea what to buy when stepping into a store. I've considered just telling him to look out for Booker's(can't go wrong with that one), but some of you might have a better idea, some background knowledge, and maybe some suggestions. Something I'd be hard-pressed to find here in Europe would be great, of course. But I also don't want to send him on a wild goose chase. 

 

Cheers!

Edited September 23, 2018 by Jace

[Richnimrod]

5 hours ago, Jace said:

Hi, fellow bourbon lovers!

 

My friend is going across the Atlantic for a trip to Las Vegas and asked if he should look for any whiskey to bring me home. But, since I have no idea which bottles are usually available there, I'm not really sure what to tell him - and since he's not into whiskey himself, he would have no idea what to buy when stepping into a store. I've considered just telling him to look out for Booker's(can't go wrong with that one), but some of you might have a better idea, some background knowledge, and maybe some suggestions. Something I'd be hard-pressed to find here in Europe would be great, of course. But I also don't want to send him on a wild goose chase. 

 

Cheers!

I'd ask him to search out a couple bottles of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof.     That one seems to more readily available lately that it was for a year or more. 

Booker's should be easy to find; but may set you back more coin; generally a decent pour, however.

Another option that may interest you is Wild Turkey Rare Breed.   That's one of 'go-to' pours and always hits the spot.

[Jace]

1 hour ago, Richnimrod said:

I'd ask him to search out a couple bottles of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof.     That one seems to more readily available lately that it was for a year or more. 

Booker's should be easy to find; but may set you back more coin; generally a decent pour, however.

Another option that may interest you is Wild Turkey Rare Breed.   That's one of 'go-to' pours and always hits the spot.

Thanks!
WT Rare Breed aren't really that hard to come by here, so it's probably a waste for him to fly the bottle back home. But yes. That is good juice.
Is Booker's that much more expensive in the US? In the EU it's usually the ECBP that's the more expensive of the two.
Also, is the ECBP still age-labeled? I don't think I've bought any since the bottle-change, so I'm not really up to date on the back label.

[fosmith]

2 hours ago, Jace said:

Is Booker's that much more expensive in the US? In the EU it's usually the ECBP that's the more expensive of the two.
Also, is the ECBP still age-labeled? I don't think I've bought any since the bottle-change, so I'm not really up to date on the back label.

Booker's prices have crept up in some areas to ECBP territory but mostly it's a bit less.  And ECBP still has the 12 yr. age statement, thankfully, which makes it a better value than the Booker's.  I love Booker's but ECBP is a step up. 

[Richnimrod]

In my area, ECBP is about $10 less than Booker's or even a bigger difference depending upon where you find the ECBP.   

Of course, any retailer is entitled to 'mark-up' whatever brand he thinks he can still sucker folx with.

[Darwin]

You can look on the TW&M web site.  Just set store locations to those in the area. That's  the only stores that I know has a web site,  might be others.  www.totalwine.com

Edited September 24, 2018 by Darwin
M

[Kepler]

Nothing earth shattering, but might suggest some Col. E.H Taylor Small Batch or Single Barrel (or Barrel Proof but you have to be very lucky bastard to come across one of those).  EH Taylor is a fine bourbon that should be fairly easy to find, and although I guess it's available across the pond, it should be much less expensive in the US from what I hear. 

Another option would be Stagg Jr.  

 

But from the prices I've seen in Vegas, I don't think you could pick a higher priced place in the US to purchase bourbon. 

Edited September 24, 2018 by Kepler

[robertckim]

Yes, unfortunately, the casinos have the buying power and greedily suck up anything of note (haven't seen any weller or blanton's anywhere in years or ever).

 

Total wine is the most convenient since there is a location just at the end of the LV Strip, south of Mandalay Bay.  They generally have 4Rs, Booker's, etc., maybe some EC.  Stagg Jr. is a great suggestion.

 

Good luck...

Edited September 24, 2018 by robertckim

[Jace]

Thanks for the replies. I guess I'll take a look at the totalwine homepage when it isn't down for maintenance; and also not get my hopes up. Sounds like he picked a bad place for a vacation - bourbon-wise. 

[birdie]

Just came back from a Vegas trip, check Lee's Liquor Stores, I think they have a few locations, when I was in there they had Elmer T Lee, Weller 12 and 107, now the prices were high, $130+, but they had them. I bought back a bourbon called Two Bitch and it was so good I ordered two more.

[thebourbonreport]

I was just there.  Go to any Total Wine and pickup some Four Roses private selections.  Go visit Roy’s Liquors in Summerlin.  He had Rock Hill farms, Elmer, EH Taylor Barrel proof when I was there.  Tell him I sent you and he’ll take care of you.

[thebourbonreport]

Don’t waste your time with Lee’s.  They’re price gougers.  

[smokinjoe]

48 minutes ago, thebourbonreport said:

I was just there.  Go to any Total Wine and pickup some Four Roses private selections.  Go visit Roy’s Liquors in Summerlin.  He had Rock Hill farms, Elmer, EH Taylor Barrel proof when I was there.  Tell him I sent you and he’ll take care of you.

What prices did you see at Roy’s?

[thebourbonreport]

11 hours ago, smokinjoe said:

What prices did you see at Roy’s?

$79 for RHF, $119 for EHT BP, don't remember what the ETL was...didn't buy it.  Had some BTAC's priced too high.  But a lot of good stuff for reasonable prices.

[Bob_Loblaw]

That is a markup, but if you are not US based and thus have almost no access $200 for RHF and EHBP is worth buying IMO.  Those are two of my fantastic pours and are super hard to find.