Best Place to Buy Single Barrel

[BarrelHunter]

I have been an avid bourbon head and this is my first post here. I've done the liquor  store hunting but i'm tired of crazy markups and wasting time driving from store to store.  Are there any good sites that focuses on single barrel selection. 

[FasterHorses]

I think anwalt has had good luck with K&L 

[Anwalt]

8 minutes ago, FasterHorses said:

I think anwalt has had good luck with K&L

 

Good Lord, yes. KL. Yes. Some prices are up, sign of the times.

 

But.

 

Excellent store picks. Be sure to look out (and sign up for) there Insider's Advantage arrangement. Some of those prices are just sick, if something sits they drop the price to move it. Some of the guys here are quite familiar with KL's SP's, they are very open to sharing info if you shoot them a wee text. Google KL and you'll see who they are.

 

The below are not SP's....but still.

 

BBC WV Rye? $140 elsewhere. $88 KL.

 

BBC Disc9 (I love the Discovery series) $66 there, $140 elswhere.

 

WB Saffell 375 ml $50 - worth, and lowest price I've seen other than Denver TW. Speaking of which, some of the CA TW's have some nice prices- and I've normally liked their SP's. And the Costco's. Oh, the Costco's. SP's are rare there, but good when you get them.

 

The Armagnacs are very well chosen & priced - still super new to that, like what I see so far. Lotta great wine deals if that's your jam.

 

 

[fosmith]

22 hours ago, BarrelHunter said:

I have been an avid bourbon head and this is my first post here. I've done the liquor  store hunting but i'm tired of crazy markups and wasting time driving from store to store.  Are there any good sites that focuses on single barrel selection. 

K&L is your best bet.  They have great store picks and they ship within Calif.  Sign up for the Insiders Advantage email to get significant discounts on some great bottles.  I buy most of my liquor there online and have it shipped/delivered to my house so I don't have to drive into San Francisco to pick it up. 

[IamMatt]

Another +1 for K&L.  I have gotten good picks from Hi-Time Wine Cellars in Costa Mesa and they ship.

[Richnimrod]

The very best place to buy a single barrel of any privately picked Bourbon is a place where you were on the tasting panel!   Lacking that option, choose a place where a sampling is offered before the purchase decision.

[mbroo5880i]

On 4/8/2024 at 2:04 PM, Richnimrod said:

The very best place to buy a single barrel of any privately picked Bourbon is a place where you were on the tasting panel!   Lacking that option, choose a place where a sampling is offered before the purchase decision.

 

This.  If you talk with a local retailer, you might be able to work your way into helping pick a barrel.  Even if you can't work you way in to picking a barrel, you will probably have more luck locally than online.  However, as you are in California, if you have a K&L local to you, that would be a great option. Just curious, where in California are you located?

[gurgalunas]

On 4/8/2024 at 2:04 PM, Richnimrod said:

The very best place to buy a single barrel of any privately picked Bourbon is a place where you were on the tasting panel!   Lacking that option, choose a place where a sampling is offered before the purchase decision.

I rarely buy single barrels anymore without the chance to try it first.  LS that have a tasting bar or just a bottle behind the counter are my choice.  I'm sure I've missed some good releases, but I'm sure I've saved myself a lot of money on mediocre bottles.  

Edited May 11, 2024 by gurgalunas