Thanks for the Memories...and the Bourbon!

[angelshare]

We had a GREAT time in Bardstown, and the great time was 20% bourbon and 80 % company (who brought most of the bourbon)! It has been said before, but the people we met at Bettye Jo's and the gazebo are some of the finest folks we've met anywhere.

I know I'm going to leave someone out, but we would like to throw in very special thanks to:

-Bettye Jo for a great soiree;

-Omar for organizing an amazing tour of WT;

-Randy and Val for chauffering on the 4 Roses/Stagg hunt adventure AND throwing Randy's complimentary one of a kind Van Winkle SB on top of it;

-Tim for bringing us bottled wild life (two Turkeys and a Stagg) that are hard to come by in VA as well as the the object of my pathological affection, IWH 4 year;

-Dane and Bobby for arranging trades with a newbie you'd never even met;

-Chuck for making the unveiling of The Book a group event in which we could all share, and imparting pearls of bourbon wisdom throughout the festival;

-Everyone who brought bourbon exotica and allowed us to share it;

-And, finally, HUGE thanks to Jim Butler, without whom the gazebo gathering would never have happened! We hope you're proud because you should be!

We plan on posting some photos on this thread. I'll try not to duplicate what's been done so far, but if the moderators feel they are superfluous or just plain taking up too much space, they should not hesitate to edit them.

[angelshare]

One person we'll never forget from this year's festival is Jimmy Russell, whom we saw three times in three days. After giving the SB.com tour personally, he stopped by the gazebo Friday night. There, he graciously signed our bottle of Tribute (yes, I had vowed never to buy it, but got caught up in WT enthusiasm after the tour) and chatted. Finally, while checking out the still manned by David and Craig Beam at the festival, Jimmy happened to stop by. For would be moonshiners, he imparted this wisdom: you need thirteen coils, and the more copper, the better.

[angelshare]

In a display of hospitality difficult to match, Bettye Jo opened her home to SBcomers, and it was a night to remember. The food was incredible - thanks to all who brought things for us to share. Also, special thanks to whoever brought the EW 12 year (I can't remember who that was now) and Wade for the 22 year Classic Cask rye. Both were unique tasting experiences.

One interesting sideshow to the party was the introduction of the new kittens who were residing near Bettye Jo's deck. I hope we didn't disturb them too much. I cut off the top of Bob's head in this picture, but hopefully you'll get the idea.

[angelshare]

Straightbourbon.com merchandise is embroidered not by elves but rather by Bettye Jo herself in her secret basement workshop. Here Jeff watches in awe as Bettye Jo's sophisticated equipment guided by her expert hand creates yet another fashion statement.

[jeff]

Bettye Jo's sophisticated equipment guided by her expert hand creates yet another fashion statement.

A statement that I proudly wore the following day

[angelshare]

The Guru sits with disciples Brenda and Jeff at Bettye Jo's party. Note the glow of bourbon spirituality that surrounds him. This is one of those supernatural phenomena that is only rarely caught in photographs.

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At Four Roses, the barrel proof bourbon literally flowed like water. With Mr. Rutledge himself at the helm, a barrel was opened and lucky visitors were served a sample. If you wanted seconds, you could grab the pitcher.

I wonder if Marvin keeps a similar pitcher of AAA at his house?

[angelshare]

While visiting BT, we saw this barrel in the dump room. The guide wasn't sure what the deal was. Outsourced bottling perhaps? Any other ideas?

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As I recall, it went something like this-

Tim: Psst! Hey! Hey, buddy!

Wade: Yeah?

Tim: You like bourbon?

Wade: Maybe. What kind of bourbon?

Tim: What kind do you like?

Wade: What kind you got?

Tim: (opening trunk) I got yer Stagg. I got yer Turkey 12 year. I got yer Benchmark bottled in New Orleans. I got yer original Michter's in the collectible King Tut decanter. I got-

Wade: Gimme two bottles of that Stagg.

[angelshare]

Tina spots the elusive animal in it's habitat at the Liquor Barn. Despite it's status as endangered, we reckless poachers showed no mercy.

[angelshare]

Before I go to the bank and apply for a home equity loan to pay for all the bourbon we bought, I thought I would post a photo of a few of our spoils. From L to R:

The ultra rare Randy Blank Van Winkle Single Barrel

Stagg 03

Stagg 04

WT 12 year split label

WT 12 year gold foil

WT Tribute signed by Jimmy Russell

I wonder which one goes best with Ramen noodles?

[brendaj]

Those are great photos!

I don't know which was better, the photos or the captions...

Thank you. This year's Festival was the best yet.

Bj

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Just got into Houston and unpacked. Boy did Santa make an early visit to Bardstown. Listed below are my new toys and who delivered them.

Misc Case of Brooklyn Beers - Bob and Mark (in absentia)

The Queen and Pawn of Old Crow - Cliff

Prichards - Bobby C

A H Hirsch 16yo Wax Label - Tim

Stagg '02 - Dave G

Pendennis Club - Bobby C

Old Commonwealth 10/107 - Cliff

Forrester Barrel Reserve 96 Proof - Wade

Pikesville Rye - Dave G

Evan Williams 12yo/101 Japan - Koji

Evan Williams 15yo/101 Japan - Koji

Wathens '01 - Dave and Tina

OFBB'04 - Self Purchase

Stagg '03 and '04 - Self Purchase

ER 17yo '04 - Self Purchase

WT Tribute - Self Purchase

VOB BIB 100 - Self Purchase

Van Winkle Family Reserve 17yo/101 Japan - Auction Purchase

Van Winkle Lot 'B' Single Barrel - Self Purchase

Wow......I still feel like a kid at Christmas. Thanks to everyone for these great treats. After today's seven hours on the road, it's time for a drink......but only after I get the bugs off of the "rolling still."

Randy