Thank You Buffalo Trace!

[Guest **DONOTDELETE**]

I'd like to thank Ken Weber; Elmer T. Lee, and Omar The Bourbonian for a great time at Buffalo Trace. HUZZAH!

Ken picked us up in the 'Bourbon Police Paddy Wagon' and hauled us off to Buffalo Trace to do 'hard time' in the Stony Point Manson Correctional Facility. We were forced to drink fine bourbons with Master Distiller Emeritus Elmer T. Lee and to eat 'prison food' for lunch. I'm trying to dream up a crime that would get me life without parole.

While there are other threads on this trip, I thought that our 'thank yous' desevered its own special place. Rather than being a 'post hog' I'd like everyone to post there take on the event. Omar couldn't make it to BT - the very trip he worked so hard on to bring to fruition. He did get to Bardstown but that is a complete story in and of itself. There was a lot of digital imaging going on by those with digital cameras. It would be great if y'all would post your best shots along with your comments.

When it was all over we made off with all of Ken's bourbon and quite a lot of Buffalo Trace's tasting glasses and rocks glasses.

THANKS KEN!

Linn Spencer

Have Shotglass. Will Travel.

[Guest **DONOTDELETE**]

Thank you so much, to Ken and Elmer and Omar. Despite the tragedy that will forever be associated with our memory of this year's bourbon festival, the festival itself was easily the best we've been to. And the (what I sure hope will be First Annual) Straightbourbon Distillery Close-up was absolutely a <u>dynamite</u> opening event.

Said Linn, "When it was all over we made off with all of Ken's bourbon..."

Well, maybe not quite ALL of Ken's bourbon -- there were still a few warehouses full of barrels as we headed out the gate And most of those we drank were bottles of rare bourbons we brought with us to share. Ken's "unusual offerings" were fine indeed, and included whiskeys not normally available to mere mortals such as ourselves. I especially enjoyed the corn whiskey he went and dug out of a closet just because I'd asked about it. Hosting just doesn't get any better than that.

It's a shame that Ken, being not only the host but also the designated driver, couldn't join us in tasting them all (well, we did twist his arm on a couple, but he was very moderate). Ken really put on a fabulous event and Omar would have been proud to have been there to witness the success. Next year I think one of us (yes, I'll volunteer) should drive out and pick up Ken and bring him to the tailgate party, or better yet, maybe we could all chip in and get him a room for the night at Straightbourbon.com Headquarters. He certainly deserves to be there with us.

I have four photos to share. Apparently you can only attach one file to a post, so I'll post them separately. The one with this message is of Ken guiding everyone through a tour of the dumping house. Left to right we see Linn & Vicki Spencer, Evelyn & Marvin Franz, Chris & Kris Giammarco with (Mash)Bill Legge in front, Linda Lipman (I'm taking the photo, so I'm not there), Ken Weber, and Mike Veach.

Thanks again!!

=John=

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://w3.one.net/~jeffelle/whiskey>http://w3.one.net/~jeffelle/whiskey</A>

[Guest **DONOTDELETE**]

The photo attached to this message shows the food and glassware table at Stoney Point Mansion. The chafing dishes contained mini quiches (two varieties), meatballs, and spicy buffalo (how appropriate) wings. The array of glassware soon contained a variety of fine liquids. Elmer T. Lee sits in the background. He appears to be the only one awake, but Linda and Bill just happened to blink as the camera shutter caught them.

=John=

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://w3.one.net/~jeffelle/whiskey>http://w3.one.net/~jeffelle/whiskey</A>

[Guest **DONOTDELETE**]

The photo attached to this message shows the fireplace and den at Stoney Point Mansion. It's really in the same room as the dining table, but that gorgeous overstuffed leather sofa divides the room into two areas. Mike and Kris are tasting, and, while Chris appears to be concerned about the blue bag, I believe he's actually checking his camera adjustments. The original buffalo portrait over the mantle is awesome.

=John=

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://w3.one.net/~jeffelle/whiskey>http://w3.one.net/~jeffelle/whiskey</A>

[Guest **DONOTDELETE**]

This photo is a true collector's item...

What you see before you is none other than Linn Spencer holding glasses of not one, but TWO wheated bourbons. And he was observed to taste from each of them. I don't recall that he finished both, though.

Linn's wearing one of JoBettye Boone's finely embroidered T-Shirts. She and her sister Connie, operating as ABC Embroidery, do the logos for many (most? all?) of the distillery apparrel products, as well as for companies in other industries. As with all of her work, the quality is outstanding. And the price must have only barely covered the costs. Thank you to Boone for this contribution. I'm pretty sure she has other Straightbourbon.com items coming up, and I encourage all members to order some from her. You will be very impressed.

I should point out, though, that Linn's shirt is different from everyone else's (why am I not surprised?). Instead of a large logo in front, his is made with the large logo on the back and a pocket-sized logo in the front. JoBettye, I don't know how much more it costs to make it that way, but next year I want one (two? three?) like that.

=John=

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://w3.one.net/~jeffelle/whiskey>http://w3.one.net/~jeffelle/whiskey</A>

[Ken Weber]

For those who attended the Buffalo Trace Bourbon Tasting Symposium, I would like to personally thank you! We had a great time and I really enjoyed getting to meet everyone. If anyone is interested in doing this again next year, just let me know.

You know how marketers are always looking for unique ways to sell their products? Well, I am trying to figure out how to apply the appropriate spin in order to use Linn's ringing endorsement for our Weller 19. As I recall, Linn said that Weller 19 was the absolute WORST wheated bourbon he had ever tasted. My best efforts have failed me and I now realize I need a true professional. Somehow, I need to get in touch with former president Clinton's PR staff!

Thanks again to all who attended and I look forward to seeing you again soon!

Ken

[Guest **DONOTDELETE**]

Ken I haven't said anything in print yet about the 19 year old Weller, but since you've brought it up I'll just say it now - W.L. Weller 19 Y.O. has displaced Maker's Mark as the Worst Bourbon on the Planet. It is very much an unbalanced and over aged bourbon. Anyone that likes the malt horror will love this one, and no matter how bad a bourbon it may be it will allways be better than the very best scotch.

Linn Spencer

Have Shotglass. Will Travel.