What Bourbon Did You Pass On 2025?

[Bourserker]

7 hours ago, Jazz June said:

You should check out some mezcals, there are a lot of really good ones. I think they get a reputation for being overly smokey  because of some of the common ones recommended for cocktails, but that isn’t true. 

Mezcal is what got me going on tequila...ha ha.  I've been watching Ralfy's channel for years and he did a mezcal review one time.  I went out bought that one and loved it (I'm into peated scotches too).  The one issue with mezcal for me is the a lack of access. 

[markandrex]

I passed in a set of 375ml 117 Series bib rye this morning direct from OF.  I had them in the cart but at $175.99 I decided to pass.  Too many other choices out there.

[markandrex]

Another pass day for me.  I went into one of my regular stores that I haven’t been in since first of the year.  Not a single face I recognized.  I asked about 4 or 5 people and the guy behind the counter just shrugged.  I think I was bothering him.

I proceeded to walk the aisles and inventory was booming.  BT, Weller, ER, Beam and OGD were overflowing on the shelves.  This place was known for store picks (I’d done a few with the previous manager)and there were none in the store.
Behind the counter were a few notables:

PVW15 - $2100

CEHT BP rye - $795

CEHT BP - $500

CEHT SmB - $179

1792 bib - $179

The owner came over and wanted to talk about pricing.  I asked about the overflow on the shelf and pricing, he felt it was just a temporary slow down in the market.  I showed him a few online offerings the were a fraction of his pricing.  He did not seem to care and said, “they’ll sell eventually.”  Considering the dust on the bottles, doubtful.
At that point I decided to continue the conversation outside with the ice machine as it likely had a better grip on reality. One of the clerks was out there loading up a bunch of beer for a customer.  As I got into my car she said, “Everybody quit about two weeks ago and my last day is tomorrow, this place sucks.”  I smiled and wished her luck.

I don’t think I will bother to stop again until I see the New Management sign go up.  It is a shame, it used to be a good store with a knowledgeable staff.  I bought a lot of great bottles there over the years.

 

 

Edited March 21 by markandrex

[MM818]

25 minutes ago, markandrex said:

Another pass day for me.  I went into one of my regular stores that I haven’t been in since first of the year.  Not a single face I recognized.  I asked about 4 or 5 people and the guy behind the counter just shrugged.  I think I was bothering him.

I proceeded to walk the aisles and inventory was booming.  BT, Weller, ER, Beam and OGD were overflowing on the shelves.  This place was known for store picks (I’d done a few with the previous manager)and there were none in the store.
Behind the counter were a few notables:

PVW15 - $2100

CEHT BP rye - $795

CEHT BP - $500

CEHT SmB - $179

1792 bib - $179

The owner came over and wanted to talk about pricing.  I asked about the overflow on the shelf and pricing, he felt it was just a temporary slow down in the market.  I showed him a few online offerings the were a fraction of his pricing.  He did not seem to care and said, “they’ll sell eventually.”  Considering the dust on the bottles, doubtful.
At that point I decided to continue the conversation outside with the ice machine as it likely had a better grip on reality. One of the clerks was out there loading up a bunch of beer for a customer.  As I got into my car she said, “Everybody quit about two weeks ago and my last day is tomorrow, this place sucks.”  I smiled and wished her luck.

I don’t think I will bother to stop again until I see the New Management sign go up.  It is a shame, it used to be a good store with a knowledgeable staff.  I bought a lot of great bottles there over the years.

 

 

I agree with her. This place sucks! I’m hoping I just got my acronyms screwed up. I get the PVW15 and the BPs. But small batch and 1792 for $179 is hysterical. 

[PaulO]

8 hours ago, markandrex said:

Another pass day for me.  I went into one of my regular stores that I haven’t been in since first of the year.  Not a single face I recognized.  I asked about 4 or 5 people and the guy behind the counter just shrugged.  I think I was bothering him.

I proceeded to walk the aisles and inventory was booming.  BT, Weller, ER, Beam and OGD were overflowing on the shelves.  This place was known for store picks (I’d done a few with the previous manager)and there were none in the store.
Behind the counter were a few notables:

PVW15 - $2100

CEHT BP rye - $795

CEHT BP - $500

CEHT SmB - $179

1792 bib - $179

The owner came over and wanted to talk about pricing.  I asked about the overflow on the shelf and pricing, he felt it was just a temporary slow down in the market.  I showed him a few online offerings the were a fraction of his pricing.  He did not seem to care and said, “they’ll sell eventually.”  Considering the dust on the bottles, doubtful.
At that point I decided to continue the conversation outside with the ice machine as it likely had a better grip on reality. One of the clerks was out there loading up a bunch of beer for a customer.  As I got into my car she said, “Everybody quit about two weeks ago and my last day is tomorrow, this place sucks.”  I smiled and wished her luck.

I don’t think I will bother to stop again until I see the New Management sign go up.  It is a shame, it used to be a good store with a knowledgeable staff.  I bought a lot of great bottles there over the years.

 

 

Did the owner or manager change.

Unless the guy has a lot of business selling other merchandise, I don't see the Bourbon museum being viable.

Once I decide a store is run by jerks, I don't need to waste my time there, makes life easier.

[markandrex]

The owner inherited the store from his mother.  He was content to sit back and just take the profits before she died.  Last Fall, the old manager left after being reduced to a glorified stockboy by the owner’s wife who wanted to play manager.  That lasted to the Holidays when she got bored.  He then took over and  set pricing based on Google searches.

He knows nothing about bourbon (or whiskey, scotch, vodka, rum, wine or beer).  He lacks the personality to engage customers.  
His main interest is profit and seems to feel there is no end to the public’s thirst.

Really sad.  He seems to feel there is no bust looming.  It will be a hard lesson.  

[jvd99]

A few passes, FR at a pretty good price and HM at retail, but still a pass because I just got one at Costco

 

 

[Special Reserve]

I found an Elmer T. Lee in the wild, only $250. In a different store that at one time was good with the pricing, Blanton's $249.99. He commented that he no longer offered state minimum pricing.

 

I'll have to check back in a month to see if they are still there.

[WhiskeyMaier7]

I passed on this simply because I don’t know anything about it. Does anyone have info they could pass along? Love the value! 

[fosmith]

24 minutes ago, WhiskeyMaier7 said:

I passed on this simply because I don’t know anything about it. Does anyone have info they could pass along? Love the value! 

I've never tried it but I've heard it's not very good.  Not many 80 proofers are, IMO.  

[Kepler]

9 hours ago, WhiskeyMaier7 said:

I passed on this simply because I don’t know anything about it. Does anyone have info they could pass along? Love the value! 

 

Easy pass.  Just do yourself a favor and buy Evan Williams black label and save ten bucks.

 

 

[JCwhammie]

I'm not sure how long these will sit here, but it is nice to see stuff like this being on a shelf instead of behind a counter with a $300+ price tag. 

[PaulO]

On 3/28/2025 at 3:44 PM, WhiskeyMaier7 said:

I passed on this simply because I don’t know anything about it. Does anyone have info they could pass along? Love the value! 

That price is around double what it should be.  I tried it years ago.  Imagine the standard Heaven Hill mash bill (EW etc.) bottled at 4 years old, 80 proof.  

[smokinjoe]

57 minutes ago, PaulO said:

That price is around double what it should be.  I tried it years ago.  Imagine the standard Heaven Hill mash bill (EW etc.) bottled at 4 years old, 80 proof.  

In some fairness, I’ll point out that it is a 1.75 liter bottle.  Regardless, I wouldn’t pay $13 for it…

[rzelinka]

On 3/27/2025 at 10:26 AM, jvd99 said:

A few passes, FR at a pretty good price and HM at retail, but still a pass because I just got one at Costco

 

 

That is a really good price on the Four Roses. Binny's and Lou Malnati's are two things I really miss about Chicago. We finally got Portillos here now. While it's not the same, it's better than none.

[jvd99]

3 hours ago, rzelinka said:

That is a really good price on the Four Roses. Binny's and Lou Malnati's are two things I really miss about Chicago. We finally got Portillos here now. While it's not the same, it's better than none.

First post - Welcome to SB!

 

There's a section for newcomers to introduce yourself if you're interested

[smokinjoe]

3 hours ago, rzelinka said:

That is a really good price on the Four Roses. Binny's and Lou Malnati's are two things I really miss about Chicago. We finally got Portillos here now. While it's not the same, it's better than none.

Welcome to SB!  OK, so here’s some good news!

While you lost Binny’s, you gained Spec’s.  = PUSH!

While you lost going into the smell and comfiness of the neighborhood Lou’s (while always on business visits, Elk Grove Village Lou’s was like my own neighborhood place, from even down here in Georgia, but I did hate when they remodeled the bar…), you can still order on line from Taste Of Chicago, and you can order frozen Lou’s.  While not quite as good, it’s enough in the right direction to get you back.  OK, it’s a LOSS for you, but it’s a nice consolation, nonetheless.  Glass half full!!

You got Portillo’s?!?!  Even, if not the same, that’s a dang WIN!!! 

 

Now, go to Poison Girl bar in Houston, and you might forget Delilah’s!!   

 

 

 

[rzelinka]

7 hours ago, smokinjoe said:

Welcome to SB!  OK, so here’s some good news!

While you lost Binny’s, you gained Spec’s.  = PUSH!

While you lost going into the smell and comfiness of the neighborhood Lou’s (while always on business visits, Elk Grove Village Lou’s was like my own neighborhood place, from even down here in Georgia, but I did hate when they remodeled the bar…), you can still order on line from Taste Of Chicago, and you can order frozen Lou’s.  While not quite as good, it’s enough in the right direction to get you back.  OK, it’s a LOSS for you, but it’s a nice consolation, nonetheless.  Glass half full!!

You got Portillo’s?!?!  Even, if not the same, that’s a dang WIN!!! 

 

Now, go to Poison Girl bar in Houston, and you might forget Delilah’s!!   

 

 

 

Many thanks. I do like Spec’s. That said, I prefer Binny’s. We do get a monthly shipment of frozen Lou’s. It’s better than nothing.  Chicago will always be where I am from but Texas is home now. Happy to be here. 

[rzelinka]

On 3/30/2025 at 2:12 PM, jvd99 said:

First post - Welcome to SB!

 

There's a section for newcomers to introduce yourself if you're interested

I will try to find the section. I am still learning how to navigate here. Thank you for letting me know

 

[Kepler]

Passed on ER10, CEHT SmB and Blanton's multiple times in the past 2 weeks.  Don't need anymore, especially at the new retail prices.

[fishnbowljoe]

1 hour ago, Kepler said:

Passed on ER10, CEHT SmB and Blanton's multiple times in the past 2 weeks.  Don't need anymore, especially at the new retail prices.

Just curious, what are the retail prices in your area @Kepler? 

[Kepler]

1 hour ago, fishnbowljoe said:

Just curious, what are the retail prices in your area @Kepler? 

 

Well the stores that sell at retail here are selling ER10 for about $48-49, CEHT SmB is at least $55 (I can't remember what their exact price was)  and Blanton's is now in the 70s.   No Mas.

 

And these are not markup or "tater stores."   These stores sell all allocated items for msrp.

 

 

Edited April 20 by Kepler
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