What Bourbon Did You Pass On 2024

[smokinjoe]

I passed on a Blanton’s yesterday at $150.  I was tempted to get it, even at that price because I hardly ever see it, and when I do it’s higher priced than that.  But, some other things commanded my dollars.  I’ve been twisting this about in my head since, and may fold and go back for it.  

[dcbt]

6 hours ago, LW25 said:

Also passed on a Still Austin Cask Strength (The Musician one) for $50.  I read that it's only 2 years old?  Went back and forth on that one because I usually like cask strength stuff best but that young age gave me pause for $50...

 

All of the Still Austin products are worth a try and buy.  Best (only?) legit Texas bourbon out there right now that can stand up to the big boys.  I also passed it dozens of times until I read Nancy Fraley was involved with them from the get go.  Good move by them.  

Edited July 9, 2024 by dcbt
Originally said SA, then realized some may still mean that to be Smooth Ambler

[IamMatt]

Saw McKenna 10-yr down to $55 at Total Wine today but still passed.

[Skinsfan1311]

50 minutes ago, IamMatt said:

Saw McKenna 10-yr down to $55 at Total Wine today but still passed.

Good pass!

 

[Cibsie]

4 hours ago, smokinjoe said:

I passed on a Blanton’s yesterday at $150.  I was tempted to get it, even at that price because I hardly ever see it, and when I do it’s higher priced than that.  But, some other things commanded my dollars.  I’ve been twisting this about in my head since, and may fold and go back for it.  

I'd pass on that all day.  Secondary seems to be holding strong at $110 for a couple years now.  Even though it sucks to support flippers, that would be my move.

[FasterHorses]

15 hours ago, smokinjoe said:

I passed on a Blanton’s yesterday at $150.  I was tempted to get it, even at that price because I hardly ever see it, and when I do it’s higher priced than that.  But, some other things commanded my dollars.  I’ve been twisting this about in my head since, and may fold and go back for it.  

No need to spend $150 joe. Come to nashville and you can find it for $79 plus tax fairly regularly. Let me know if you ever get up this way. 

[b1gcountry]

Blanton's frankly isn't that good and the bottle is annoying to pour.

 

IMO the only thing Blanton's is good for is showing off to the people that you spent more time or money hunting it than they did. 

[smokinjoe]

Woowee!!  Now, I just have to go back and get it!  

[PaulO]

2 hours ago, b1gcountry said:

Blanton's frankly isn't that good and the bottle is annoying to pour.

 

IMO the only thing Blanton's is good for is showing off to the people that you spent more time or money hunting it than they did. 

I say, if you put Blanton's in a blind tasting, most people would find it acceptable, but nothing stands out to justify $$$.

[Skinsfan1311]

20 hours ago, PaulO said:

I say, if you put Blanton's in a blind tasting, most people would find it acceptable, but nothing stands out to justify $$$.

Agreed.

I'd venture to say that's the case with a lot of whiskey.  

[Anwalt]

Michter 10 rye at $173 & Michter Toasted Barrel Rye $115, taxes included.

 

Well, OK, first I bought some for me and for friends. Then passed on the rest. Bourbon drops are rare here in PR. And they'll sell you as much as you want if you are first one there....I buy enough wine from the place (and loudly send friends to do the same) that I get a call.

 

Did buy the 10y bourbon at $173. The evidently "better" A batch. Spendy. But I have really liked the Michers 10y stuff. The most flavor in a low proof I've encountered.

 

It did cause me to reduce SFTB purchases...buddy of a buddy is hitting St Maarten this week via cruise ship. 132 proof, $175 each. Dropped a few cases off the list after over-spending on the Michters. Budget is not unlimited.

[smokinjoe]

Didn’t pass today.  Frankly, I simply may enjoy other's “not that good bourbon”, and just like to “show off”…

[mbroo5880i]

I passed on grocery store private barrel 8 Year Old 122 proof ECBP for $75. It may be stellar but I won't buy unless I can try.  One of the liquor stores I frequent just brought in a 9 year old for $100.  They do have stellar private picks but that price is too steep for me.  I already know how this will play out.  I will try it in the store and become mesmorize and buy one.  I do have a good relationship with the store and I do want them to continue to do barrel picks so if stellar, a slight overpay might be acceptable.

 

I am not sure why but all of the private picks in my area seem to be more expensive than the allocated releases of the same brand.  The current price of ECBP releases is between $70 to $75 when available.    

[bayouredd]

On 7/9/2024 at 7:25 PM, IamMatt said:

Saw McKenna 10-yr down to $55 at Total Wine today but still passed.

 

If I was totally out of the HMK, then I would probably spend the $55. I've not had a bad bottle & it seems to fill a craving.

 

On 7/10/2024 at 7:59 AM, b1gcountry said:

Blanton's frankly isn't that good and the bottle is annoying to pour.

 

IMO the only thing Blanton's is good for is showing off to the people that you spent more time or money hunting it than they did. 

 

I don't agree here. The bottles I have gotten in the past 5 years have all been stumbled upon and at $80 & less, I'll take it; I also don't chase. It also "IS" worth it's weight in gold as a gift as most non-SBer types think you have given the best gift at the party.

 

20 minutes ago, mbroo5880i said:

I passed on grocery store private barrel 8 Year Old 122 proof ECBP for $75. It may be stellar but I won't buy unless I can try.  One of the liquor stores I frequent just brought in a 9 year old for $100.  They do have stellar private picks but that price is too steep for me.  I already know how this will play out.  I will try it in the store and become mesmorize and buy one.  I do have a good relationship with the store and I do want them to continue to do barrel picks so if stellar, a slight overpay might be acceptable.

 

I am not sure why but all of the private picks in my area seem to be more expensive than the allocated releases of the same brand.  The current price of ECBP releases is between $70 to $75 when available.    

 This seems to be the way in the past couple of years. Every store pick I have encountered has been this way. They seem to forget that educated bourbonites remember when this was just the opposite. (LS a@@ho!e@)

[mbroo5880i]

Blanton's can be polarizing.  It used to be very good and worth the bump in price.  Many of us enjoyed BT Mash Bill #2 bourbons in our regular rotation - Blanton's, ETL, RHF, HR, AAA10.  Then the taters showed up and availability dried up.  I haven't seen it on the shelf since maybe 2018?  Once it became allocated in my area, it was set aside for $$$ customers who only wanted it because it was Blanton's.  Many of these folks were wine drinkers who wanted it for friends, relatives, and to show off.  "Look, I have Blanton's."  It left the true bourbon lovers out in the cold.  The rationale is irrelevant since we are all consumers and the marketplace dictates availability and price.  I have not qualms about retailers making it available to $$$ customers who may or may not appreciate it as much as others.  They help keep the liquor store doors open.  I do have a problem with tater dicks who buy it as a trophy and collect bottles as an "investment" or immediately sell it on secondary.

 

Now, it is starting to show up a "little" more.  I bought a bottle last week for $79.99 in a lottery.  I could never imagine paying more than $59.99 which is what I paid for my last bottle several years ago. The last two bottles of Blanton's that I bought, including a store pick, were not as enjoyable as the earlier bottles that I bought.  That could have been because it had less age.  It could have been because it was a single barrel.  It could have been because BT released barrels that might not have previously been acceptable for the profile.  It could be because my preferences have differed over time.  My guess is "all of the above" and that is ok.

 

However, when considering what to pick in the recent lottery, my wife reminded me that while there may have been other bottles I may have personally preferred those seem to come around and are available more often than Blanton's.  More importantly, when I offer a pour to company whether they perceive the nuances or not, they almost always ask if I have any Blanton's.  A personal favorite - no.  Something I enjoy - a solid yes.  

 

I am a Cheap Bastard.  But, I can justify the price this way.  There are times, I or my friends want a pour of Blanton's.  I pour generously...2 to 2.5 ounces per pour.  If each pour were $20 (most bar pours are 1.5 oz), this is a $200 bottle.  Would I pay that?  No way.  I am just trying to justify my purchase at a price higher than I prefer.  

 

 

Edited July 12, 2024 by mbroo5880i

[Skinsfan1311]

13 hours ago, mbroo5880i said:

Blanton's can be polarizing.  It used to be very good and worth the bump in price.  Many of us enjoyed BT Mash Bill #2 bourbons in our regular rotation - Blanton's, ETL, RHF, HR, AAA10.  Then the taters showed up and availability dried up.  I haven't seen it on the shelf since maybe 2018?  Once it became allocated in my area, it was set aside for $$$ customers who only wanted it because it was Blanton's.  Many of these folks were wine drinkers who wanted it for friends, relatives, and to show off.  "Look, I have Blanton's."  It left the true bourbon lovers out in the cold.  The rationale is irrelevant since we are all consumers and the marketplace dictates availability and price.  I have not qualms about retailers making it available to $$$ customers who may or may not appreciate it as much as others.  They help keep the liquor store doors open.  I do have a problem with tater dicks who buy it as a trophy and collect bottles as an "investment" or immediately sell it on secondary.

 

Now, it is starting to show up a "little" more.  I bought a bottle last week for $79.99 in a lottery.  I could never imagine paying more than $59.99 which is what I paid for my last bottle several years ago. The last two bottles of Blanton's that I bought, including a store pick, were not as enjoyable as the earlier bottles that I bought.  That could have been because it had less age.  It could have been because it was a single barrel.  It could have been because BT released barrels that might not have previously been acceptable for the profile.  It could be because my preferences have differed over time.  My guess is "all of the above" and that is ok.

 

However, when considering what to pick in the recent lottery, my wife reminded me that while there may have been other bottles I may have personally preferred those seem to come around and are available more often than Blanton's.  More importantly, when I offer a pour to company whether they perceive the nuances or not, they almost always ask if I have any Blanton's.  A personal favorite - no.  Something I enjoy - a solid yes.  

 

I am a Cheap Bastard.  But, I can justify the price this way.  There are times, I or my friends want a pour of Blanton's.  I pour generously...2 to 2.5 ounces per pour.  If each pour were $20 (most bar pours are 1.5 oz), this is a $200 bottle.  Would I pay that?  No way.  I am just trying to justify my purchase at a price higher than I prefer.  

 

 

Good post.

While I understand the love, I'm not a huge fan and have only been gifted a bottle, and this was years ago before the invasion of  the "tater dicks" 

Sometimes even we Cheap Bastards have to bite the bullet, brush the cobwebs out of our wallets, and pay....

[markandrex]

I passed on:

LB8 -$199

Old Carter - $299

ECBP - $120

WRBP - $150

 

I did buy a LB7 at $90.

 

[Kepler]

20 hours ago, mbroo5880i said:

....  I do have a problem with tater dicks who buy it as a trophy and collect bottles as an "investment" or immediately sell it on secondary.

....

 

 

6 hours ago, Skinsfan1311 said:

Good post.

While I understand the love, I'm not a huge fan and have only been gifted a bottle, and this was years ago before the invasion of  the "tater dicks" 

Sometimes even we Cheap Bastards have to bite the bullet, brush the cobwebs out of our wallets, and pay....

 

wait, isn't "tater dicks" an unnecessarily redundant term?    

[Skinsfan1311]

2 hours ago, Kepler said:

 

 

wait, isn't "tater dicks" an unnecessarily redundant term?    

I see what you did there....

[Clueby]

KC18 and JD12 for 400? Uhhh...wut??!?!  Also the others in the pic. Behind the counter they had a HH20 for 600 and a .375 ER10 store pick for 50.

[PaulO]

I'm trying to think of something snarky and clever to say, but that last photo says it all.  

[fishnbowljoe]

1 hour ago, Clueby said:

KC18 and JD12 for 400? Uhhh...wut??!?!  Also the others in the pic. Behind the counter they had a HH20 for 600 and a .375 ER10 store pick for 50.

 

 

Sadly, this reminds me of a local grocery store. I used to go there a lot. I even attended tastings for a local charity there. The liquor manager was a decent guy. He hung in there for a while despite a lot of pressure to keep raising prices. He finally said screw this and left. He worked for a local distributor for a short time. Now he works at our local Binny’s. 

[Wedelstaedt]

7 hours ago, Skinsfan1311 said:

I see what you did there....

Kepler has a way with words

 

Cheers

[Wedelstaedt]

42 minutes ago, fishnbowljoe said:

Sadly, this reminds me of a local grocery store. I used to go there a lot. I even attended tastings for a local charity there. The liquor manager was a decent guy. He hung in there for a while despite a lot of pressure to keep raising prices. He finally said screw this and left. He worked for a local distributor for a short time. Now he works at our local Binny’s. 

The liquor stores will rue the day they turned their backs on regular customers, when the bubble implodes. 
 

Cheers

[fishnbowljoe]

12 minutes ago, Wedelstaedt said:

The liquor stores will rue the day they turned their backs on regular customers, when the bubble implodes. 
 

Cheers