cowdery Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 If you are coming to the bourbon festival, coming from out of state, and driving, you don't want to miss the stock-up opportunity. Depending on where you live, prices may be better in Kentucky, but more importantly you probably can find things there that you can't find back home.In my case, Chicago prices are pretty comparable to Kentucky prices, so my motivation is mostly availability. Long at the top of my list for whenever I visit Kentucky is Very Old Barton. I favor the 100 proof expression, but it is available in 80, 86 and 90 as well. It is very good and very cheap.Another must-have is Four Roses Single Barrel. It is not cheap but is simply a terrific bourbon. I usually pick up some of the Heaven Hill brand bottlings when I'm there, as they are usually a very good value, but I noticed that none of them have age statements on them anymore. Neither does the Evan Williams black label, which used to make much hay about its seven years of aging. No more. There is a bit of a bourbon shortage going on right now. Maybe this is another result.Many places can't get Buffalo Trace, so that might be on your list.Although Eagle Rare Single Barrel is pretty widely available, I've only seen the 1.75 liter size in Kentucky. Really a stunning bottle and something special for your bunker display. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbuzbee Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 Thanks Chuck, very good recommendations. They were all on my list (except the 1.75 ERSB - wasn't aware of that bottling). Buffalo Trace is the one I'm most looking forward to.Cheers,Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 Here's a picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbuzbee Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 Wow... It's ERSB all growed up!Thanks!Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbyc Posted August 26, 2005 Share Posted August 26, 2005 Oh please,Ken, bottle a small run of Stagg in the 1.75! I just need 1 for the visual effect alone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barturtle Posted August 26, 2005 Share Posted August 26, 2005 Yeah, and do it as a preorder only, you know like buying a Ferrari Enzo, not available to the general public, just the people who really want it and are willing to pay in advance..in other words the StraightBourbon.com members...matter of fact how about it says StraightBourbon.com Special Edition. Might be asking a bit much here...but its fun to wish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeNell Posted August 26, 2005 Share Posted August 26, 2005 Damn! That's purdy! I ain't ever seen one that big! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowdery Posted August 26, 2005 Author Share Posted August 26, 2005 It's a thing of beauty. Really stops you when you see it in a store. Thanks for the picture, Jeff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff Posted August 26, 2005 Share Posted August 26, 2005 I ain't ever seen one that big! I get that all the time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BourbonJoe Posted August 26, 2005 Share Posted August 26, 2005 Jeff, You must be doin' a heap of drinkin' if your poundin' them babies. Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
halpap Posted August 26, 2005 Share Posted August 26, 2005 Chuck:I think Binnys has the Eagle Rare 1.75 (in-store only no shipping). Their private barrel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brendaj Posted August 27, 2005 Share Posted August 27, 2005 Hi Chuck, There is a bit of a bourbon shortage going on right now. Maybe this is another result. Is that a result of the HH fire, or a combination of increased demand & the fire?Bj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barturtle Posted August 27, 2005 Share Posted August 27, 2005 I'm not sure about HH, but even BT is having one(as evidenced by the canceling of both AAA and ER 101), and I was in Louisville about a week ago and didn't run across any Van Winkle (not even the 10yr) though I only visited about six stores. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowdery Posted August 29, 2005 Author Share Posted August 29, 2005 The Heaven Hill fire was almost nine years ago at this point and the whiskey lost was a mix of everything from new make to mature, so it could be affecting the availability of stock nine years and older. The loss of the distillery itself didn't really affect production going forward because the industry had excess capacity and Heaven Hill resumed making whiskey immediately, albeit using other peoples stills. So, to the extent the Heaven Hill fire (or subsequent smaller fires at Turkey and Beam) factor into the current shortage, it is in a minor way. The main cause is stronger-than-expected demand in all markets, domestic and international. It is being felt most in the bulk market where people seeking to buy bulk whiskey of a certain age simply cannot find any available at any price. Today every distillery is operating at capacity and most are making the necessary capital improvements to expand capacity. In most cases, this means adding fermenter capacity. Most of the distilleries have excess distilling capacity but are limited by the number of fermenters they can set. There is no crisis, but there is a tightening in the availability of whiskey of certain ages, which is something the industry hasn't experienced for at least 40 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ripvanfan Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 Ken,If you go through Frankfort and stop by the Buffalo Trace giftshop you will be able buy both the ERSB 1.75 and the buffalo trace you are looking for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbuzbee Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 Ken, If you go through Frankfort and stop by the Buffalo Trace giftshop you will be able buy both the ERSB 1.75 and the buffalo trace you are looking for. It's on our agenda. We get into Frankfort around 2pm Tuesday Then we're leaving for Bardstown (via Mammoth Cave) around 11 am. We have a tour at Mammoth at 2pm but they are Central time aren't they??? That's 4 hours. Is that enough time to get there?? Thanks!! Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffRenner Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 If you go through Frankfort and stop by the Buffalo Trace giftshop you will be able buy both the ERSB 1.75 and the buffalo trace you are looking for. I was just in Lexington Saturday and the Liquor Barn on Richmond Ave. has the ERSB 1.75 on sale for $44.95. BT was $17.95, I think.I didn't buy it because earlier in my trip I had bought a 750 ml bottle in central Wisconsin for $18.79. Prices there are typically the best I've seen, and in the big grocery stores, selection is pretty good, too. I will be posting soon on two unusual bottom shelf ryes that I picked up there.Jeff (longtime lurker and bourbon/rye drinker and homebrewer) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowdery Posted August 30, 2005 Author Share Posted August 30, 2005 I saw the ERSB 1.75 at Sam's here in Chicago over the weekend. It asked me to say hello to everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ripvanfan Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 Frankfort is in the eastern time zone. I believe the last tour begins at 2pm. Might be 3 during the week. It's on their website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratcheer Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 Yes, Mammmoth Cave is in the Central time zone (I was just there in July).Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbuzbee Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 Thanks Tim, any idea how long to allow driving from Frankfort??Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TNbourbon Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 Thanks Tim, any idea how long to allow driving from Frankfort?? Via the Bluegrass Parkway past Bardstown to Elizabethtown, then south on I-65 (to either Exit 58 or 53), figure around 110-120 miles -- so, two hours, then 75 minutes back to Bardstown. Or, since you're so close, you could slip down to Chuck Evans Discount Liquor in Bowling Green (Exit 28) or Chuck's (Exit 22) -- really good bourbon selection, though Dawn and Randy bought them out of Weller 19. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luv2hunt Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 OH....definately stop at Chucks! They still have a great bourbon selection even without the Wellers on the shelf. If you go to the one off exit 22, make sure you look at his personal collection....it's in a ceiling type display by the exit....it's impressive!Dawn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbuzbee Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 Thanks Tim, any idea how long to allow driving from Frankfort?? Via the Bluegrass Parkway past Bardstown to Elizabethtown, then south on I-65 (to either Exit 58 or 53), figure around 110-120 miles -- so, two hours, then 75 minutes back to Bardstown. Or, since you're so close, you could slip down to Chuck Evans Discount Liquor in Bowling Green (Exit 28) or Chuck's (Exit 22) -- really good bourbon selection, though Dawn and Randy bought them out of Weller 19. Thanks guys, we'll definately stop at Chucks on the way back. This is gonna be a lot of fun!!! See you all in a few weeks. Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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