Bourbon Availability Downunder

[camduncan]

Gents, rather than get too far off-topic here, I will start a new thread shortly (or you are welcome to start one) for a Brisbane SB.com get-together...

[HighTower]

So I got an email from nicks today, letting me know they have some new bourbons. They have Eagle Rare 10 YO 90 proof (which is apparently part of the Buffalo Trace antique collection) for $110 a bottle, and Cabin Still 80 proof for $45. So that brings me to ask, what is Cabin Still like?

They also had 2 duty free items, Jack Daniels Silver Select ($110) and Jack Daniels Scenes from Lynchburg no 7 1L ($110). How do they get a hold of items mapped out for duty free stores?

Scott

[TNbourbon]

...They have Eagle Rare 10 YO 90 proof (which is apparently part of the Buffalo Trace antique collection)...

No, this is the single-barrel 'replacement' for the old 10/101 ER bottling. It's running considerably older than the stated 10 years -- more like 12-14. The Antique Collection contains the Eagle Rare 17yo.

...what is Cabin Still like?..

That's a good question. Not seen around these parts much. The original version was a Stitzel-Weller product, the current one isn't -- it's made by Heaven Hill. I'm not even sure it's still a wheater, though HH does now have a wheat mashbill since purchasing Old Fitzgerald.

...They also had 2 duty free items, Jack Daniels Silver Select...and Jack Daniels Scenes from Lynchburg no 7 1L...

Though it's not saying much, the Silver Select is the best JD I've tried. I'd still prefer a whole lot of bourbons to it, though.

The "Scene From Lynchburg" bottle raises a chuckle -- it's a good example of the marketing JD/Brown-Forman does. Domestically, the series is "Tennessee only", and we're on scene #3 currently, in 750mls only. I saw that bottling, though, in liter size more than two years ago in Mexico. All of them, apparently -- five or seven, I don't remember now -- have long been distributed as exports, but they're touted as "Tennessee only" here to give them a cachet. Also, it appears they were all bottled some time ago, as they all contain 86-proof whiskey, not today's 80-proof.

[HighTower]

No, this is the single-barrel 'replacement' for the old 10/101 ER bottling. It's running considerably older than the stated 10 years -- more like 12-14. The Antique Collection contains the Eagle Rare 17yo.

Sorry Tim,

I meant to throw in one of these ->:slappin: ...couldn't quite detect my sarcasm. I was pointing out their ignorance, this is even after I spoke to one of the guys there after I received my 06 BTAC, I even sent him a picture!

Though it's not saying much, the Silver Select is the best JD I've tried. I'd still prefer a whole lot of bourbons to it, though.

The "Scene From Lynchburg" bottle raises a chuckle -- it's a good example of the marketing JD/Brown-Forman does. Domestically, the series is "Tennessee only", and we're on scene #3 currently, in 750mls only. I saw that bottling, though, in liter size more than two years ago in Mexico. All of them, apparently -- five or seven, I don't remember now -- have long been distributed as exports, but they're touted as "Tennessee only" here to give them a cachet. Also, it appears they were all bottled some time ago, as they all contain 86-proof whiskey, not today's 80-proof.

I know about the bottles, I am one of those weird JD collectors, I have Scene 1,2 and 3 in 750mL signed by Jimmy, Gold Medal series, monogram, maxwell house....and the list goes on. Although, since joining this site I have been considering letting them all go and sending the proceeds to Binnys:grin:

I was more wondering how this retailer has stock that has previously sold only in the duty free market. They also sell Blantons Silver, Gold and Special reserve.

For $45 I might have to check out Cabin Still, and at $110 I'll leave the ER10 alone, considering Binnys have it for $24!!

Scott

[camduncan]

I don't know what is "standard" for other distilleries...but when we call for a "proof check" after circulation or wash out (on the line)...It's done in "proof gallons"...Upstairs (Tank room) :grin:...they use Wine gallons and Proof gallons for measure :grin:

On a few EXPORT labels the proof is 74.4 ABV...We use the same unit of measure for all :grin: on the line :grin:

Actually...the way "we" check proof (it's the same with all, with exception of "sweet" products such as Copa De Ora, Schnapps etc...we have to "cook the sweet stuff to get a ABV :grin:) I will take a bottle...with at least 200 bottles on that particular run to the lab...Take a syringe of product and inject it into this neat little machine :grin: Set the proper numbers and "Wella" like magic it will give me the exact proof in less than a minute :grin: Alot faster than the "old fashioned" way they have to do in the dump room :grin: This unit of measure is standard for all white and brown product on the line--U.S. and Export-- :grin:

Sooooooo...it's the same unit of measure here...it could possibly be different numbers there...I have noticed that the ones with 74.4 and 74.6 got to Australia...but I have noticed that a few of those go to Japan too...

:grin: :grin: Bettye Jo :grin: :grin:

Hey Bettye Jo,

If you happen to see this post....

Do you know if the labels for Nelson County bottles shipped to Australia have changed?

I was at a store last week, and they had different bottles with Green labels....

[camduncan]

I really don't want to get started on this, but.... Several months ago I was asked to attend a meeting of the KDA (Kentucky Distillers Association) because my boss was out of town. That was the third time I did it and as far as I am concerned, my last. I was so ticked off because they took a vote to see if the KDA should support bourbon going to Australia at less than 80 proof.

I raised the issue that the regs stipulate that bourbon can not be bottled at less than 80 proof and retain the name "bourbon". You see, the problem is that an 80 proof bourbon is taxed at a rate much higher than a 74 proof whiskey. It all boils down to profitability and the ability to compete with other lower proof spirits. This is one of the reasons RTDs are so popular in Australia, they have an inherently lower proof.

At the end of the KDA meeting we took a vote and as I recall, Jimmy Russell, a gentleman from Maker's Mark, and I were the only ones voting against the proposal. When we get to Australia with Buffalo Trace, it will still be 90 proof, despite the tax implications. Now you get an idea why Stagg is sooooo expensive down under!

Ken

Ken,

It's been a couple of years now.

Is there any progress on Buffalo Trace making its way down to Australia?

[HighTower]

Yeah bring it on! Send a few barrels of it down here, and Cam and I will bottle it in our spare time, we're good like that :grin:

I have a bottle here, can't wait to open it when I am drinking again! It would be good if when it was time to replace it I could just walk down the street and buy another!

Scott

[boone]

Hey Bettye Jo,

If you happen to see this post....

Do you know if the labels for Nelson County bottles shipped to Australia have changed?

I was at a store last week, and they had different bottles with Green labels....

Yes, they have changed them. The old label gave us too much trouble. I have not seen the green one yet. The one I saw had a white background black letters, with red accents and black cap. Didn't stop to pick one up, just kinda glanced at it in passing and noted the change :grin:

Bettye Jo

[camduncan]

Bettye Jo, as always, you are a wealth of information :bowdown:

Thank you :D

[camduncan]

I think Scott (Hightower) and myself may have secured some of the last bottles of Fighting Cock to retail on our shores :smiley_acbt:

If anyone else Downunder comes across a few bottles.... it may be worth buying one just to try a different flavor profile that we can no longer get.

[TroyM]

Hi guys. If anyone is looking for WT RR101 in Victoria, there are about a dozen or so bottles at 1st Choice Liqour in Tooronga Village. They are around $74 each

[HighTower]

Troy, you can also pick it up at any Vintage Cellars store, for the same price.

Pernod Ricard have said there is enough stock in Australia to last until June/July, however I think that the supply should last beyond that. In all the 1st Choice stores and VC stores I have been into up here, the shelve have been full.

Scott

[TroyM]

Hi Hightower, Nicks have Buffalo Trace if you cant find it up your way. Picked a couple of bottles up of it around xmas.

[HighTower]

Yeah Nicks is the only place I know in Australia that has it, but I can get it posted here from the states cheaper than what they sell it for. I got some Blanton's from them, I found Adam great to deal with.

[camduncan]

Does anyone know of some good bourbon retailers or bourbon bars in Sydney (North Sydney, City area)?

I'm staying in Nth Sydney next weekend and was planning a little scouting trip.

[HighTower]

Does anyone know of some good bourbon retailers or bourbon bars in Sydney (North Sydney, City area)?

I'm staying in Nth Sydney next weekend and was planning a little scouting trip.

Cam, I don't know of any good retailers for bourbon (although on the north shore I'm sure there would be a few)

I remember going to the Palladium in the city, not sure if it is still of the same name, but it is right next to the Metro theatre in George Street, across from the cinemas. They had Jim Beam Bonded and the Small Batch collection, they had JW blue and stuff like that so they may have had better bourbons, but this was back in 1999 when I was a novice :grin:. Even back then I paid $8 for the bonded and $25 for JW Blue (which I must say I wasn't impressed by, I just had to try it).

There is a club in Kings Cross called "The Bourbon", but I've never been there and unsure if it is named due to it's large selection of our favourite beverage......www.thebourbon.com.au

it doesn't really look like some gangster club where people would be drinking straight bourbon and smoking cigars, but you never know....

Scott

[HighTower]

Cam,

This information is 2 years old, but here it is nonetheless.

Sydney's bourbon bars

Bayswater Brasserie 32 Bayswater Road, Kings Cross (probably Sydney's best bourbon selection).

Mooghotel bar 413 Bourke Street, Surry Hills.

The Bourbon 24 Darlinghurst Road, Kings Cross.

The Vanguard 42 King Street, Newtown.

So they're all in the same general area, which can only be a good thing.

Scott

[BarItemsPlus1]

Hey Cam,

let's know how you got on with locating a bar and what they had...

Cheers!

[camduncan]

A new bar in Brisbane is stocking Van Winkle 12yo and Pappy 15yo -

www.siana.com.au

[HighTower]

Have you been there Cam??

[camduncan]

Hey Scott, not yet, but am planning on going soon for dinner/drinks.

Jen has been a couple of times for work related dinners and says it is an excellent venue.

[pete_d]

Has anyone ordered stuff from Binny's or anywhere overseas lately? What is the rough conversion/shipping/tax rates that have been applied?

[HighTower]

Current customs import/duty rates are:

$64.72 per litre + 5% of invoiced value + GST

These rates were taken from an invoice I received from them this month instead of the 6 bottles:hot:

I got the 6 bottles, after I paid the invoice, but I would have just preferred the bottles!

Scott

[BourbonJoe]

Current customs import/duty rates are:

$64.72 per litre + 5% of invoiced value + GST

Scott

What a hose job!!! And I thought the US was crazy.

Joe :usflag:

[camduncan]

Current customs import/duty rates are:

$64.72 per litre + 5% of invoiced value + GST

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think (from my 2004 Stagg/Saz import experience) that the $64.72 per litre is on alcohol volume, not liquid volume? So a 1000ml bottle at 50%abv is only $32.36 (plus 5% of total invoice, plus 10% GST tax)