Fred Minnick Picks (Total Wine & More)

[GaryT]

I received an email on this 'press release' https://shorefire.com/releases/entry/fred-minnick-total-wine, and because 'sharing is caring' - here ya go  

 

 

 

FRED MINNICK BRINGS HIS WHISKEY EXPERTISE

TO TOTAL WINE & MORE WITH“FRED MINNICK PICKS”

SELECTED FROM BLIND TASTINGS, LAUNCHING TODAY (3.21)

 

Today (3.21), America's leading bourbon expert Fred Minnick will share his sophisticated palate and spirits expertise with Total Wine & More customers across the country via “Fred Minnick Picks,” which were selected in a blind tasting. 

 

Customers will be able to learn more about Minnick’s bottle picks via in-store displays and shelf talkers, in addition to watching tasting videos featured on landing pages for select products. Minnick, who is renowned as a top spirits critic around the globe, has made appearances on The TODAY Show, Bravo’s “Top Chef,” Discovery’s “Moonshiners” and more. But these appearances came on the heels of a nearly two decades of spirits journalism, authoring seven books and the founding of the American Spirits Council of Tasters.

 

With Total Wine & More, Minnick continues helping bourbon lovers discover their next favorite bottle.

 

“Fred Minnick Picks” will be featured in Total Wine & More stores across the U.S. and online until April 24th. To view Minnick’s thoughtfully selected spirits recommendations, visit totalwine.com/content/trending/fred-minnicks-whiskey-picks.

 

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So . . . setting aside my critique of the presser ("leading bourbon expert"?), I thought "Ok - so are they going to have Fred doing some of their single barrel picks maybe?  That would be interesting.  Or is he going to let the cat out of the bag about just how good Evan Williams BIB is compared to some of the utter crap that Total Wine pushes, like 'Two Stars Bourbon' (which on a 5 star scale - is generous)?"  

 

I clicked the link, which listed Black Eagle Bourbon ($14)  - which Total Wine lists as 'Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey' (but it doesn't say 'Kentucky Straight' or even 'Straight' on the label).  No private barrel picks, but at least it didn't try to push that Two Stars crap!

 

Except . . . 

 

 

The video shows it was his 8th whiskey tasted, and the look on his face isn't a look I see people who LIKE what they are drinking make . . . but he didn't call a spade a spade either.

 

Now maybe I'm just in the minority and not liking Two Stars, or Black Eagle.  If you've tried them - please share your thoughts.  

 

Or if seeing them as one of Fred Minnick's Picks is going to have you rush to the store to snag one - please be sure to share your thoughts after.

 

Personally, I think this is just a campaign by Total Wine to get @smokinjoe to spend more time in their stores, knowing he'll want to read what Fred has to say about these amazing whiskies  

[PaulO]

I've said it before - stick with known brands from the legacy distillers if you visit TW.

So now that Fred is shilling the Spirits Direct brands, and working for TW, will he give up the cravat for a white shirt and tie (like the other TW associates).

If you all wonder about the Spirits Direct Bourbon or Rye whiskies - just read the label.  It's source is a mystery, it's barely aged at all, and most is 80 proof.  I call it bottom shelf well liquor with a fancy label.  Do you see any SB.com members that know anything buying or drinking this stuff.

[Richnimrod]

"America's Leading Bourbon Expert"?   By his own estimation, I guess.    I've tried (only a few thank goodness) of Mr. Minnick's 'off-the-wall' selections of "don't miss this one" Bourbon recommendations.    Your cheddar is your decision, of course; but, I won't be seeking any of these out with my own funds.   Just MO, and I am nobody's expert Bourbon taster; but, I know what I like.

[fishnbowljoe]

Fred who? 🫣

 

Biba! Joe

[Guss West]

I laughed...

 

 

[fishnbowljoe]

24 minutes ago, Guss West said:

I laughed...

 

 

I thought I heard something.

 

Biba! Joe

[Guss West]

Not fair to just give it to Fred when the friggin' Wine Enthusiast gives that swill a 91.  

91 out of what?  

 

I'd take that sweet gig in a heartbeat.

[GaryT]

20 minutes ago, Guss West said:

Not fair to just give it to Fred when the friggin' Wine Enthusiast gives that swill a 91.  

91 out of what?  

 

I'd take that sweet gig in a heartbeat.

Oh - for me it is a given to NOT trust Wine Enthusiast ratings of whiskey.  They need to stay in their lane  

[BottledInBond]

I have limited tolerance for Fred in general. I’m sure he has plenty of knowledge, I’m just not a fan of his approach to a lot of things. This TW thing is about as bad as it gets in terms of dragging your own name through the mud to earn some cash. 
 

I don’t doubt that he picked these from blind samples. Of course I’m sure TW decided what all the blind samples were, and there were no legacy distilled products within the options.

I would love to hear Fred defend these “recommendations” to people that actually know what this really is.  

 

[Kjbarth]

TW is hoping for the Minnick effect on their house brands to drive tater traffic their way. He has had this effect on legitimate good and possible under priced bourbons in the past (ref HMcK 10 BIB) that caused supply to dry up in some areas and then prices to jump significantly. Maybe taters will jump on this and leave legitimate good stuff alone. In my mind, a good thing.

[flahute]

9 hours ago, Kjbarth said:

TW is hoping for the Minnick effect on their house brands to drive tater traffic their way. He has had this effect on legitimate good and possible under priced bourbons in the past (ref HMcK 10 BIB) that caused supply to dry up in some areas and then prices to jump significantly. Maybe taters will jump on this and leave legitimate good stuff alone. In my mind, a good thing.

We can only hope!

[PaulO]

23 hours ago, Kjbarth said:

TW is hoping for the Minnick effect on their house brands to drive tater traffic their way. He has had this effect on legitimate good and possible under priced bourbons in the past (ref HMcK 10 BIB) that caused supply to dry up in some areas and then prices to jump significantly. Maybe taters will jump on this and leave legitimate good stuff alone. In my mind, a good thing.

I'd say in order for the taters to really go hog wild after these, supply would have to be limited and go for spans of not being available.

As it is, any given TW store has more of their own branded well liquor than anything else, enough to float a battleship.

 

"Selected from blind tastings" - doesn't list any criteria.  It's not the same as positive comments.  On its' face value - a neutral statement, tells us nothing.

[Guss West]

On 3/23/2022 at 8:31 AM, BottledInBond said:

I would love to hear Fred defend these “recommendations” to people that actually know what this really is.  

 

 

People who know what this (2-Stars bourbon) really is; don't need recommendations from Fred. 

 

That's marketing, baby!  

 

I like his content in small doses, and his charity work speaks to the quality of his character.  

Not a fanboi, but ya gotta give it to someone who makes a living drinking whiskey!  

 

[berto]

They should make punch cards and when you fill the card by buying all of Fred’s “picks” you get a free TW ascot.