doubleblank Posted August 11, 2004 Share Posted August 11, 2004 Well....I lived out a dream project this morning. I met with Julian at BT and picked out a single barrel of his 12yo Lot "B" for myself. OK, first an answer to all I discussed this with....what are you going to do with this much bourbon (approx 14 cases)? 2 to 3 cases for various charity auctions we participate in. 2 cases for my younger brothers. 2 cases to cellar for my 10 yo and 15 yo daughters' graduations, engagements and weddings. 3 cases for my friends at this year's gazebo....leaves about 5 for my enjoyment. Anyway, here's what happened today.I invited Brenda to join me on this project. We met Julian at 10am Tuesday August 10th to taste from five different barrels. The tasting area was set up with the five barrels and plenty of glasses. Julian had drawn up a personalized neck label which looked great. We discussed the bourbon in front of us while the warehouseman popped the bungs out of the barrels...a hard whap on each side of the bung released it. He then used a "thief" to put two samples of each barrel into graduated glasses. One was left at barrel proof and the other reduced to approx 80 proof. My plan was to nose each glass prior to tasting to see if anything was off. Everything smelled great. Next we began tasting.....no spit bucket, but an open window which worked very well. All of the bourbon had been barrelled on the same day in March of '92 so I expected a lot of similiarities. Samples 1 and 2 were a little smoother and lighter than 3, 4 and 5. Since I am giving a lot of this away to friends and charity, I thought it best to lean towards the smooth, sweet side versus a spicier, hotter barrel. Julian, Brenda and I tasted away and Brenda took lots of photos (which I hope she'll post later). I finally decided on barrel no 2....a lighter, sweeter version of the 12yo lot "B".All in all it took about 1 hour to "suffer" through this and am anxious to see the results. BT is currently out of the cognac bottles but hope to have them in soon. I want to give all forum members who attend this years's festival a bottle. PM me so I can have one with your name on it (I'm having about half the cases delivered to Toddy's in Bardstown). Of course a PM is not required for the many forum participants I already know will be there.....Bettye Jo, Bobby, Brenda, Dane, Chuck, Mark, Bob, Omar, Tim, Wade, Jeff, Ed, Gary, et al.Side Notes - Brenda was almost beside herself we left so much good bourbon in the tasting glasses....but it was 10am. Also, these high crude oil prices and natural gas prices had nothing to do with my project....well, maybe a little to do with it. Think of each bottle as a small rebate against your gasoline or utility bill.In summary, it was great fun and Julian and the BT people were great. The new visitor center and photo gallery are exceptional. Take a new visit to BT to see it.Again...PM me to reserve a bottle in September. See everyone then. Hope the botttles show up!!!!!Randy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TNbourbon Posted August 11, 2004 Share Posted August 11, 2004 Randy, there are no words... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrel_Proof Posted August 11, 2004 Share Posted August 11, 2004 Incredible! Marvelous! Delicious! And very special, indeed. P.S. (Thank you!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeNell Posted August 11, 2004 Share Posted August 11, 2004 Wow! I am so envious. Thanks for such a wonderful posting. I sure hope to be doing the same some day! Just got to get LeNell's through the teething and toddler stages of business and enough moolah in the bank. Your kindness to be repaid, you can bet on that. Look forward to seeing ya in Bardstown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgonano Posted August 11, 2004 Share Posted August 11, 2004 We are all envious. It must have been a great experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gillman Posted August 11, 2004 Share Posted August 11, 2004 I can only echo what Dave, Cliff and others have said. Wow. Randy is a true bourbonian in a very special way!Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gr8erdane Posted August 11, 2004 Share Posted August 11, 2004 Tonya, You know, if you were to get a license to ship liquor interstate, I'm sure there are a LOT of people here who would help you build up LaNell's PDQ. I'd personally rather give my money to a fellow SB.com member than a Binny's, Sam's or InternetWines for that bottle that just doesn't quite make it to Missouri. After all, we're all one big happy family here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeNell Posted August 11, 2004 Share Posted August 11, 2004 Thanks for the nice thoughts of support. I wish it was not so complicated to legally ship outside NY. There's a reason why these huge companies are the only ones doing it. It's very costly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbyc Posted August 12, 2004 Share Posted August 12, 2004 Randy, that I'm included on this and don't have to PM makes me speechless. Thank You Profusely! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wadewood Posted August 12, 2004 Share Posted August 12, 2004 Awesome! I know it's only August, but I will nominate Randy for candidate for 2005 Bourbonian of the Year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDKnaebel Posted August 12, 2004 Share Posted August 12, 2004 This had to be a wonderful experience. I hope that one day I (as well as other sb.com members) might be able to do the same. Congratulations! Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepcycle Posted August 12, 2004 Share Posted August 12, 2004 Randy, Green with envy, I closed my eyes and swirled the glass, white lines and all, vicariously. I can hear that bung hammer smacking the barrels. I'm standing right beside you and Brenda. I think we have the makings of a new 900 number for Bourbonians. And the thought of owning a bottle, OH MY. OK, I can hang up now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubleblank Posted August 13, 2004 Author Share Posted August 13, 2004 Ed....You have grasped the experience entirely. It went by way too fast. My post doesn't begin to describe how much fun I had. Hopefully, Brenda will add to my description. And post her pictures....I know she's busy, but they will complete the picture. The bottles this will be put in are on a boat from France......let's hope it's on schedule. Looking forward to seeing everyone in September.....and tasting my project.Randy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowdery Posted August 13, 2004 Share Posted August 13, 2004 A hot bourbon chat line, what a great idea! I can hear it now, one side of it, anyway."What are you pouring?""You like it straight? I bet you do. I bet you like it straight.""How old is it? Really, that's pretty young. You like them young, don't you?""Is your nose in the snifter now? How far in the snifter? Really, that far?""Now lick it, that's right, lick it just like that. Oh God, that's good."I think I better stop here, but you get the idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brendaj Posted August 15, 2004 Share Posted August 15, 2004 Randy, I am soooo sorry it took me so long to do this. I've been in a dead-run since Monday. This was just the coolest thing I've done in a very long time! Here go the photos. We started at the famous Warehouse H... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brendaj Posted August 15, 2004 Share Posted August 15, 2004 Please forgive my poor little 3 megapixel camera... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brendaj Posted August 15, 2004 Share Posted August 15, 2004 So much Bourbon...so little time... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brendaj Posted August 15, 2004 Share Posted August 15, 2004 We looked closely (for a second or two... ) I was so glad the decision wasn't up to me. My only job was to drink... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brendaj Posted August 15, 2004 Share Posted August 15, 2004 I just couldn't get over the fact that these guys were spitting it out!! For Gawd's sake, that's alcohol abuse at it's highest level... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brendaj Posted August 15, 2004 Share Posted August 15, 2004 Sniff alittle, sip alittle...does life get any better than this?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brendaj Posted August 15, 2004 Share Posted August 15, 2004 Yep, yep...think this is the one... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brendaj Posted August 15, 2004 Share Posted August 15, 2004 I just want to tell ya'll what a wonderful experience this was. I've had a big, stupid grin on my face since Monday. FWIW, I agree 100% with Randy's choice. I think everyone is going to be very, very pleased. Randy, I can't thank you enough for allowing me to tag along! It was the sort of thing you tell your friends about for years to come. You rock! And finally, the winner is... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Posted August 15, 2004 Share Posted August 15, 2004 Randy and Brenda, Those pix are soooo cool! I can only imagine how much fun that was. Thanks for sharing. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeNell Posted August 15, 2004 Share Posted August 15, 2004 Chuck,you're a sick puppy...and we love it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeNell Posted August 15, 2004 Share Posted August 15, 2004 Brenda, all we're missing is a pic of YOU! Thanks to the both of you for sharing this experience with us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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