Favorite bourbon shops in South Florida

[scopenut]

This is my first post to the list. The amount of bourbon knowledge to be found here is really incredible. I hope to be able to add to it in time, but for near future, I'll likely take more tips than I give. At least I don't have to hang my head that I much prefer bourbon to s***ch.

My immediate question is for anyone in the South Florida area. What retailers have you found to carry the best bourbon selection? I've been to TotalWine and Cellars in Ft. Lauderdale, and various Crown Liquors. Overall, it seems most retail employees in this area don't have a clue when it comes to bourbon.

Does anyone have a favorite seller they'd like to share?

[bluesbassdad]

Overall, it seems most retail employees in this area don't have a clue when it comes to bourbon.

Now that you've found this group, that fact will soon becom irrelevant. The only knowledgeable retail employees/owners I've ever encountered are in this group.

BTW for those of us with short memories, would you mind adding your South Florida location to your personal ID info? One's location is often relevant in discussions here. For example, if I say I can't find a particular bottling locally, that carries almost no implications to anyone else because of my remote location in a sparsely populated area.

Speaking of ID's, are you an astronomer, by any chance? If so, I may just start a related thread over in the Off-Topic forum.

Yours truly,

Dave Morefield

[BobA]

I haven't been shopping south of Vero, but I'd say of the chains that are there, ABC seems to be the best bet, Albertson's next, Kash & Karry third. Probably just because it looks like ABC's are a little more variable. But the only really good luck I've had is in independents. "Good luck" for me simply means something that I can't get in GA. So sorry, really the most I can say is look around. And I agree with Dave; I've not found many clerks interested in bourbon, and almost all of those in independent shops. I develop a list of things to look for from posts here, and keep my eyes open.

Bob

[scopenut]

Thanks for the profile listing advice, Dave.

In the S. Fla area, there are gobs of rums and tequilas available, but bourbon seems to get shortchanged. Plus we can't get it shipped in via mailorder.

I've managed to find a source for Pappy's 20, ORVW 10/107, and Lot B. The Beam small batch collection is available, but almost no Weller, Old Charter, etc.

BTW, no I'm not an astronomer (oceanographic programmer). But I collect kaleidoscopes, hence scopenut (www.kaleidoscopecollector.com).

-Kevin

[BobA]

Now that you mention it, I don't recall seeing Old Charter in FL. Not sure on the Weller, but I keep an eye out for the OCPR, and I think I remember deciding that FL is Charter-free. Hope I'm wrong.

Van Winkle products seem to be pretty available, and don't forget the Wild Turkeys. Stagg and Saz are some I've scored in FL but never seen in GA.

If you get into looking for "dusty bottles," those stores in areas where the local clientele has changed in the last decade or so can be worth a trip. What I've found has usually been hiding behind the tequila or something.

Bob

[scopenut]

Yep, I've been trying to find OCPR in FL ever since I found it in NH while on vacation. No luck, although you can find OC 8yr (I think).

I'd love to find a source of Stagg, but I think that's a lost cause.

Yes, forgot to mention the WT line as well, as that's available almost everywhere. Maybe life's not so bad in FL after all.

Kevin

[pepcycle]

PHEWWW!!!

I was hoping you didn't indicate a love for various oscopy procedures.

Kaleidoscopes, much better.

[scopenut]

Mainly due to the improvement in image quality :grin:

Now back to other probing issues.....

Kevin

[smokinjoe]

Welcome Kevin. If you ever get up to Leesburg, I know of a retailer there who carries Stagg. I can't recall the name as I type this, but I think I could run it down for you if you're interested.

JOE

[scopenut]

Hi Joe,

Yes, I'd definitely be interested in knowing more about the Stagg retailer, many thanks for that!

Kevin

[smokinjoe]

The store was/is Bob's Discount Liquors 352/315-0000. They're on 14th St. in Leesburg. This was back in late December, but I hope they still have it on the shelves. Good Luck!

JOE

[scopenut]

Thanks for the lead, Joe.