bourbonturtle Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 I am done with Buffalo Trace! Impossible to get their bourbons at MSRP! Tired of chasing them down and I am not paying the prices on secondary market. Just like trying to buy tickets for rock concerts. All this illegal scalping going on. One thing good about it is, I am really finding some great non BT bourbons. Great prices and are there to buy.. Months ago on the way to Bourbon and Beyond festival, stopped at BT in Frankfort. Bought a bottle of Single Oak Project bourbon. 85 dollars for 375 bottle. So in December I decided to open bottle up. When I did the cork broke off and half of it fell in bourbon. Cork was dry rotted. So no more BT products for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richnimrod Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 Degraded corks SUCK! I recently opened on "old" Noah's Mill from '12?, '13? and a similar experience. The pieces of cork that I was able obtain were very dry and loose. Dunno if it was just age, or maybe a substandard cork in the first place. Certainly leaving the bottle so long before opening it didn't help. (One note regarding BT products: the regional or state-to-state variability of supply volume is unbelievable.) Making the decision to stop pounding your head against an unforgiving wall of exorbitant expense and difficulty in sourcing is absolutely a good decision, borbonturtle! There exist a vast array of fine pours that are available and reasonable. Finding a few that please your taste buddies shouldn't be too hard. Good Luck! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishnbowljoe Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 I’m sorry you feel the way you do about Buffalo Trace. To each their own though. I happen to like Buffalo Trace and their bourbons. I’ve been to the distillery many times, and was able to participate in a barrel pick there once. I‘ve also been lucky enough to have been able to purchase and/or taste numerous private picks from BT over the years. I can get most of their items very near or at MSRP if I’m just a little patient. FWIW, I really like me some Weller’s. BT-Usually $25.99-$27.99. Sometimes on sale for $22.99. ER-I bought one not long ago for $38.99. Weller 12-I bought one a few months ago for $38.99. Blanton’s-Normally $69.99-$74.99. I’m not a rye drinker, but …. Sazerac Rye-$24.99 Below is a receipt for purchases I made Saturday. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulO Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 11 hours ago, bourbonturtle said: ... Bought a bottle of Single Oak Project bourbon. 85 dollars for 375 bottle. So in December I decided to open bottle up. When I did the cork broke off and half of it fell in bourbon. Cork was dry rotted. So no more BT products for me. I thought the Single Oak Project was done years ago. So maybe you bought a bottle that had sat around a long time. I remember when BT came out with that, a SB.com member said it was an experiment - an experiment to see how much people would pay. Never, ever did I hear or read anyone who opened one of those praise it or plan to buy more. I used to be a regular customer for Weller Antique, W12, ETL, and sometimes RHF. Prices were ~$25 for the OWA and ETL, <$30 for W12, and $50 for RHF (a splurge). I feel those prices were more or less correct for what you're getting. That ship has sailed. Even though I liked the other Wellers, Weller SR was and is a pass for me. Trusting my own taste buds, BT mash bill #1 is probably my least favorite recipe put out by a legacy distiller. It's tolerable, but something good is missing. Right now, the one BT brand I would buy to drink is Sazerac Rye. For my Bourbon needs: Wild Turkey, Old Forester, Heaven Hill, Beam, Four Roses, ... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LW25 Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 I'm still in the "I want to try everything" stage of bourbon, and it drives me bonkers that this stuff is so damn hard to find, and crazy high prices when I do. For all I know ETL might be the absolute perfect whiskey to me, but I may never know because I'm not going to shell out 300 bucks for one on the one or two times a year I even see it. Note that there's two problems there. Stores charging secondary prices, and distribution sucks. The Saz distributor in my area told me that in 2024 my state (MS) received a grand total of 6 bottles (not cases) of the new EHT BP Rye for distribution to liquor stores across the entire state. There were more than that for restaurants/bars. How the hell is anybody ever supposed to get their hands on this stuff? Kinda glad that the reviews of it I've seen have been largely negative... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clueby Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 1 hour ago, PaulO said: I thought the Single Oak Project was done years ago. So maybe you bought a bottle that had sat around a long time. I remember when BT came out with that, a SB.com member said it was an experiment - an experiment to see how much people would pay. Never, ever did I hear or read anyone who opened one of those praise it or plan to buy more. They are STILL releasing at the gift shop sporadically. Just had some out yesterday. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richnimrod Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 2 hours ago, LW25 said: I'm still in the "I want to try everything" stage of bourbon, and it drives me bonkers that this stuff is so damn hard to find, and crazy high prices when I do. For all I know ETL might be the absolute perfect whiskey to me, but I may never know because I'm not going to shell out 300 bucks for one on the one or two times a year I even see it. Note that there's two problems there. Stores charging secondary prices, and distribution sucks. The Saz distributor in my area told me that in 2024 my state (MS) received a grand total of 6 bottles (not cases) of the new EHT BP Rye for distribution to liquor stores across the entire state. There were more than that for restaurants/bars. How the hell is anybody ever supposed to get their hands on this stuff? Kinda glad that the reviews of it I've seen have been largely negative... Sounds like you have a possible case of FoMO, LW25. That isn't throwing shade your way, just an observation, and it isn't hard to catch this disease either. There may be no guaranteed cure; but, generally the symptoms subside to some degree over time, particularly if you have options you find enjoyable. Your outlook can improve your odds of a "cure", too. Try thinking only about the satisfaction you're getting from enjoying those brands you do find worth your time and money; and not worrying how much you might like something that is not much more than a 'mirage'. Good Luck to ya'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulO Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 5 hours ago, LW25 said: I'm still in the "I want to try everything" stage of bourbon, and it drives me bonkers that this stuff is so damn hard to find, and crazy high prices when I do. For all I know ETL might be the absolute perfect whiskey to me, but I may never know because I'm not going to shell out 300 bucks for one on the one or two times a year I even see it. ... Maybe you can find a bar that has it and try a pour. ETL and regular Blanton's - if you put either into a blind tasting, it's very mild mannered whiskey, nothing wrong with it, but no wow factor. My $.02 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulO Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 5 hours ago, Clueby said: They are STILL releasing at the gift shop sporadically. Just had some out yesterday. I had no idea. No one has talked about those here for a long time. I wonder if those are left over. I guess if the gift shop can sell their standard products for $85 a 375ml because of a barrel story, makes business sense. I'm waiting for the joker that claims to have to full set unopened. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clueby Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 56 minutes ago, PaulO said: I had no idea. No one has talked about those here for a long time. I wonder if those are left over. I guess if the gift shop can sell their standard products for $85 a 375ml because of a barrel story, makes business sense. I'm waiting for the joker that claims to have to full set unopened. They are $75 per 375ml at the gift shop. I'm guessing these are leftovers. They had bottles from barrels #90, #114, and #58. They are treating these as part of their "regular rotation" bottles where you can only buy one every 90 days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kepler Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 On 1/20/2025 at 7:52 PM, bourbonturtle said: ... Months ago on the way to Bourbon and Beyond festival, stopped at BT in Frankfort. Bought a bottle of Single Oak Project bourbon. 85 dollars for 375 bottle. So in December I decided to open bottle up. When I did the cork broke off and half of it fell in bourbon. Cork was dry rotted. So no more BT products for me. If you are judging any product by a single cork failure, I'm sorry but I have little sympathy for you. I detect either an extreme lack of experience or, alas, insincerity in your post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinsfan1311 Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 Buy a bottle of WT101 and thank me later.... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FacePlant Posted January 22 Share Posted January 22 A lot of what's available and at what price is location. If you're here in Memphis you find BT stacked by the case, offered at MSRP. In TX you might find shelves full of Weller. And so on. I've even heard strong rumors on this board that in MA GeeTen finds Pappy often. Never say never, keep an open mind and check out stores on your travels. Good journeys. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulO Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 On 1/22/2025 at 2:33 PM, Skinsfan1311 said: Buy a bottle of WT101 and thank me later.... My local grocery store gets multiple cases of standard BT Bourbon and sells it at MSRP. For roughly the same price, I much prefer WT 101 or OF 100, so that's what I go with. Every once in a great while, I might be gifted or purchase a bottle of BT. It's ok, but nothing to get shook up about. I do find (with that same mash bill) BT tastes better to me than the Benchmark lineup (too young) and believe it or not better than many barrels of ER (the extra few years of aging can pick up some off notes). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeeTen Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 On 1/22/2025 at 5:49 PM, FacePlant said: I've even heard strong rumors on this board that in MA GeeTen finds Pappy often. And BTAC, too! I'd rather be lucky than good! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IamMatt Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 I had a couple of Stagg releases last weekend at a whiskey event, and it is very goo. But very hard to find and very expensive when you do. For me, it competes in the same space as ECBP and JD SIB BP both their bourbon and rye and the latter are more available at a reasonable price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbroo5880i Posted January 31 Share Posted January 31 (edited) On 1/21/2025 at 9:10 AM, PaulO said: I thought the Single Oak Project was done years ago. So maybe you bought a bottle that had sat around a long time. I remember when BT came out with that, a SB.com member said it was an experiment - an experiment to see how much people would pay. Never, ever did I hear or read anyone who opened one of those praise it or plan to buy more. I used to be a regular customer for Weller Antique, W12, ETL, and sometimes RHF. Prices were ~$25 for the OWA and ETL, <$30 for W12, and $50 for RHF (a splurge). I feel those prices were more or less correct for what you're getting. That ship has sailed. Even though I liked the other Wellers, Weller SR was and is a pass for me. Trusting my own taste buds, BT mash bill #1 is probably my least favorite recipe put out by a legacy distiller. It's tolerable, but something good is missing. Right now, the one BT brand I would buy to drink is Sazerac Rye. For my Bourbon needs: Wild Turkey, Old Forester, Heaven Hill, Beam, Four Roses, ... I am with you except for CEHT and Stagg for MB #1. My favorite was Old Charter but it is not available any more. Just haven't cared for recent releases of BT or ER. The only recent MB #2 I have had was Blanton's that I overpaid for as a gift to my son to celebrate the birth of my grandson. It was really good. Weller? What is that? I never see it in my area? I used to drink WL12 and OWA regularly but that was then, this is now and I live in Indiana which has a tainted distribution system. Edited January 31 by mbroo5880i 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulO Posted February 1 Share Posted February 1 On 1/30/2025 at 8:38 PM, mbroo5880i said: I am with you except for CEHT and Stagg for MB #1. My favorite was Old Charter but it is not available any more. Just haven't cared for recent releases of BT or ER. The only recent MB #2 I have had was Blanton's that I overpaid for as a gift to my son to celebrate the birth of my grandson. It was really good. Weller? What is that? I never see it in my area? I used to drink WL12 and OWA regularly but that was then, this is now and I live in Indiana which has a tainted distribution system. I used to be a regular purchaser of Old Charter, but haven't seen one in years. I checked online and it is still available in KY. I don't think the current version has an age statement. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kepler Posted February 2 Share Posted February 2 11 hours ago, PaulO said: I used to be a regular purchaser of Old Charter, but haven't seen one in years. I checked online and it is still available in KY. I don't think the current version has an age statement. I still see Old Charter NAS on the shelves here in Texas. The current version is not worth purchasing. Gotta be careful because the labels still display a very prominent big "8" on the label (without the "years" part of course). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulO Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 On 2/2/2025 at 1:06 AM, Kepler said: I still see Old Charter NAS on the shelves here in Texas. The current version is not worth purchasing. Gotta be careful because the labels still display a very prominent big "8" on the label (without the "years" part of course). My guess is at this point, it's basically the same as Benchmark 80 proof NAS. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquavite Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 On 1/20/2025 at 8:52 PM, bourbonturtle said: I am done with Buffalo Trace! Impossible to get their bourbons at MSRP! Funny. I thought you were going to talk about the taste of it. I still have more than half my 1st bottle of BT which I got from WAL-MART LIquors when they had it at $23.85. Out of stock, now. I keep checking on pricing whenever I do go shopping (as high as $28.95 at Winn-Dixie Liquors, but they had it; $25.94 at ABC Wine & Spirits and in stock). WAL-MART still shows the price at $23.85 even if out of stock. We'll see what happens the next time they get some in stock. I mention "taste" because, even in my limited experience, I find BT to have the most "watered down" taste I've experienced, so far. And, although, for example, I know that Bulleit Bourbon and BT are the same proof (90), BT just seems to taste a bit more "watery." Then again, I'm just getting into 100pf + stuff (ECBP & 1792 Full proof), so that may be part of it. Anyway, I'll most likely restock my BT when I'm getting close to "Empty," as I restocked my Bulleit. We'll see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kepler Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 20 hours ago, PaulO said: My guess is at this point, it's basically the same as Benchmark 80 proof NAS. You are probably correct on this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbroo5880i Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 On 1/20/2025 at 9:37 PM, fishnbowljoe said: I’m sorry you feel the way you do about Buffalo Trace. To each their own though. I happen to like Buffalo Trace and their bourbons. I’ve been to the distillery many times, and was able to participate in a barrel pick there once. I‘ve also been lucky enough to have been able to purchase and/or taste numerous private picks from BT over the years. I can get most of their items very near or at MSRP if I’m just a little patient. FWIW, I really like me some Weller’s. BT-Usually $25.99-$27.99. Sometimes on sale for $22.99. ER-I bought one not long ago for $38.99. Weller 12-I bought one a few months ago for $38.99. Blanton’s-Normally $69.99-$74.99. I’m not a rye drinker, but …. Sazerac Rye-$24.99 Below is a receipt for purchases I made Saturday. I believe the frustration is availability. In Indy, CEHT...forgetaboutit. WL, OWA, even WSR...none. Stagg Jr...if you know the right person. I get that the three tier system is part of the problem but I can't help but think that BT can leverage distribution by limiting how much they provide to those distributors who set back BT products as rewards to select retailers. Unfortunately, the scarity has created pent up demand that will result in any BT product on the shelf other than BT or ER disappearing within minutes. Lots of former BT product regulars now feel left behind. No problem. I can find plenty of WT and HH products that are just as good, if not better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbroo5880i Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 On 2/1/2025 at 1:40 PM, PaulO said: I used to be a regular purchaser of Old Charter, but haven't seen one in years. I checked online and it is still available in KY. I don't think the current version has an age statement. I loved OC10, even at 86 proof. I also liked OC101. OC10 is available on line for $3000 and OC101 for $300. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bourserker Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 On 1/20/2025 at 8:52 PM, bourbonturtle said: I am done with Buffalo Trace! Impossible to get their bourbons at MSRP! Tired of chasing them down and I am not paying the prices on secondary market. Just like trying to buy tickets for rock concerts. All this illegal scalping going on. One thing good about it is, I am really finding some great non BT bourbons. Great prices and are there to buy.. I feel ya man! I've not been into whiskey as long as some folks on this board, but I have been sipping and buying since 2011. Back in those days Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, Elmer T. Lee and Blantons sat 10 deep on the shelf here in VA, and for really good prices (like ETL was $25 a bottle, Blantons was $49, Eagle Rare was around $30). You could also find E. H. Taylor and Stagg (Jr. at the time it came out) for MSRP without a huge amount of work, and I was even able to get all of the BTAC collection at MSRP again without a huge amount of work. Once things got out of hand in the late 20-teens and all the BT stuff up and disappeared, I got pretty annoyed with BT Distillery in general and vowed I'd write them off. I'm not super in tune with the marketing strategies of these distilleries and may not even know what the heck I'm talking about, but Sazerac (the parent company) has played this to perfection. They created a false scarcity, which created a higher demand and got a whole new group of people freaking out and FOMO'ing about their stuff. It was genius at the time, but I wonder what the long-term effects of that will be. I mean you have long time customers like me that are pretty jaded about the whole thing, and a new batch of potential customers that may have just moved on to something else because they couldn't score a single bottle, not even a plain old Buffalo Trace. So yeah, I'm sure they'll be fine but I often wonder in 10 - 20 years from now if this is gonna put a big dent into sales because they missed out on a whole group of new potential long-term customers...I guess we'll just have to wait and see. At any rate, I now rarely buy their products because I live in VA and we are one of those control states where all BT stuff is allocated, which means it's tough to get. To this day in 2025 you have either be lucky when they randomly put it on the shelf or get in some online groups where folks will notify each other about drops. I have no motivation to put any effort into trying to find their stuff if it would take me any longer than just walking into a store and grabbing it off the shelf. Some other parts of the country are swimming in BT products, so it's definitely just a distribution thing. You might ask how do I feel about it now? Well, to be honest they make excellent tasting high quality products, so I'll still occasionally buy a bottle if I can find one. In particular I'm a big fan of Eagle Rare and Stagg. It is all up to the end user and your palette though. There are a ton of other equal or higher quality products out there and it really just comes down to taste. BT products have a low rye mashbill and I generally drink high rye bourbons or rye whiskey. So more often than not I'm gonna be reaching for something from Wild Turkey or a couple of other producers over BT stuff. Oh yeah, and as to the FOMO, their stuff is no better than any other distillery's products. All these inflated prices on their products are hilarious. My favorite is ETL for several hundred dollars...man, that is like maybe a $50 whiskey at most in today's prices. So you are not missing out on anything. Go support distilleries that actually work to keep products on the shelf like Wild Turkey, Brown Foreman (Old Forester), New Riff or even Jack Daniels (their barrel proof stuff, especially the rye, is fantastic) to name a few. Sorry for the TL/DR, I guess that rant had built up in me for a while and needed to be released...lol! 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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