What bourbon did you purchase today? (Fall '07)

[Gillman]

Okay great, thanks, that covers both sides of it although I was looking at it in terms of visiting the U.S. (i.e., returning to Canada after minimum 48 hours). Sounds like a couple of items at least are different. That WT 8 is really good, I was surprised how good (I tried it recently courtesy a friend). I don't recall the old U.S. WT 101 8 being quite that good. Probably they choose their best for the export market. I like Sherry Signature too.

Gary

[craigthom]

Sorry, I forgot which direction you'd be coming from.

Canadian restrictions are

48 hours to buy booze

C$200 maximum after two days, C$750 after a week

1.14 litres of booze

50 cigars!

[OscarV]

I don't recall the old U.S. WT 101 8 being quite that good.

Gary

In the USA we don't get 8yo Turkey.

It is a vatting of 4, 6 and 8 yo.

The 8yo export is far and away superior.

[Gillman]

I agree but I thought WT 101 used to be 8 years aged in the U.S. too. Maybe I'm wrong on that. Yes those restrictions apply that Craig mentioned coming back here. You can bring more but if so you have to be prepared to pay the duty. Sometimes they will waive it though (they have a discretion) if you are over, I suppose it is similar going the other way for Americans.

Gary

[OscarV]

I agree but I thought WT 101 used to be 8 years aged in the U.S. too.

Gary

[QUOTE][/QUOTE]

Yes, used to be. I don't know when they dropped the 8yo statement here.

Maybe someone else can help out on that date.

[scratchline]

Here's an interesting one. Not as exciting since the 100 proof FRSB showed up in NYC this year, but unusual nevertheless.

[HighTower]

Never seen those before! Is it new or old?

Scott

[Gillman]

I have a friend in The Netherlands who has bought the FRSB pictured, he said it was side by side with the older, 86 proof decanter shaped bottle (the one with sloped and curved shoulders, it looks kind of like a cognac bottle) and he assumed that the one pictured was replacing this other one.

However, is this also now being sold in the U.S.? I'm wondering in other words if it will replace the rectangular-shaped bottle issued some years ago to inaugurate the brand in Kentucky.

Gary

[NickAtMartinis]

I purchased a bottle of Four Roses and the entire BTAC's for '05 and '06 and the Bourbon Heritage Collection all at this very old liquor store called "Kitchen Sink Included."

[ThomasH]

The last time I went to Windsor, Ontario, we bought a couple of bottles at duty free in Detroit and when we went across the Ambassador bridge, Canadian customs said we had to pay duty on the bottles. We went into the customs office to pay the duty and the guy inside asked if the bottles were for our personal use. We told him they were and he laughed about the other guy making us pay duty, marked our slip OK and told us to have a nice day. I live 4 hours from Detroit/Windsor and you will never see the day that some few dollar duty will keep me from buying a bottle I want. I have always had good luck coming back to the US. The key is to be polite and honest. Most of the customs people are helpful and friendly!

Thomas

[OscarV]

Here's an interesting one. Not as exciting since the 100 proof FRSB showed up in NYC this year, but unusual nevertheless.

That's an old FRSB from before Kirin owned them.

From the '90's when Seagram's owned FR.

I posted your pic again below.

[Gillman]

Actually I now can see this is 43% ABV too (like the cognac-shaped bottle I mentioned).

However my friend mentioned buying a 100 proof FRSB recently in The Netherlands which was shaped differently to the one we know here.

Can someone explain all the variations and chronology...?

Gary

[OscarV]

Are you sure your friend got a European export at 100 proof?

I am only aware of the Euro at 86 proof.

By my count there are 12 different FR labels.

Small Batch- KY and Japan, recently added US markets

Single Barrel- same as above

Yellow Label- ditto above

New Yellow Label- see above, new recipe

Single Barrel- from the '90's under Seagrams ownership, US only

Single barrel- European export, 86 proof

Single Barrel- 40th Jim Rutledge ann.

Single Barrel- The Party Source bottling

Super Premium- AKA The Platinum bottle, Japan only 86 proof

Black Label- Japan only, 80 proof

Blended Whiskey- looks like the Yellow Label bourbon

Blended Whiskey- Prior to the Yellow Label look-a-like

I have 10 of the above, I will get the other two in a couple of weeks in KY, they are The Party Source bottle and the New Yellow Label.

[Gillman]

Okay many thanks, I will check with him.

Gary

[Special Reserve]

Keep in mind that you are only entitled to shop duty free if you spend a minimum of 48 hours in Canada. I'm not saying I (and probably others) have always spent 48 hours in Canada, but those are the rules. You should know this if only so you don't tell the border agent "oh, I just ran across the border to visit the duty free shop!"

I have gone across the border just to buy whiskey. When you do that and don't stay in Canada for 48 hours (let alone 48 minutes), you can buy numerous bottles and declare them at customs (don't try to fool them as they have your license plate number and know how frequently you cross the border and they take your license plate at the duty free in Canada) you will have to pay customs of about $2 to $3/bottle and they will search your car with dogs etc. while you are paying your bill. It's a good idea to have a passport. Additionally, I believe the tunnel toll is about $3.50 each way.

Their bourbon selection is hit or miss. I've found it to be more miss except for the WT products discussed above.

There are terrific values on Canadian and Scotch Whiskeys and Canadian wines.

They used to have bargains of the month listed but they stopped recently.

Their phone numbers are listed below.

http://www.dutyfreetunnel.com/contact.php

[nor02lei]

That's an old FRSB from before Kirin owned them.

From the '90's when Seagram's owned FR.

I posted your pic again below.

Oscar,

I got 2 bottles looking like that with the exaction that the labels are green. It is a Europe SB edition from the 90-is before the current one.

Leif

[Gillman]

Okay I didn't have it quite right (sorry), I checked and the Four Roses Single Barrel available in Europe currently is still packaged in the same, decanter-shaped bottle (somewhat reminiscent of some Cognac bottles) and is still 86 proof. However, I am informed that its palate is rich and very similar (fruitcake, red hots, cinnamon) to that of the Four Roses Single Barrel 100 proof (the rectangular cut glass bottle) sold here.

In the past, that 86-er was (I am informed) more subtle - blander if you will - presumably to appeal to a market used to fine brandy and liqueurs - I agree with that because I have tasted that version although not the earlier, Seagram's-era one that has been mentioned. But the most recent bottlings available there are I am told in every way like our Four Roses Single Barrel 100 proof except for the lower proof.

Gary

[stroker394]

Bought these 2 bottles today in a store in Columbia, TN. I was suppose to meet with asome guys from work and have a tasting session. They all bailed. Which do I open first? OGD or VOB?

[OscarV]

I would start with the VOB, try it several times, then go to the OGD, you will notice the extra 20 on the proof, OGD's spice is a favorite of mine.

[gothbat]

I tried to make the best of today and grabbed myself a one liter WT 101 8yr from Duty Free today and then sadly walked down the long terminal to my plane to go home. I wanted to grab a bottle of the Four Roses and another WT101 8yr but I had to pass. I don't check anything so it all would have been too much to carry; I was probably over the carry on limit even without the one bottle I bought.

It's nice and all to be back at my own pc rather than paying to use some piece of junk in a coffeeshop internet cafe but I think I could have suffered for a while longer...

[ACDetroit]

Received my Binny's order today:grin: :grin: !

2 - A.H. Hirsch 16 yr. (foil) $69.99

2 - Rittenhouse Rye BIB $11.99

1- Weller 12 hand selected by Brett

I need more room or more time to drink.:slappin:

Tony

[TBoner]

Picked up a WTRB 01-91 (the first bottling, if I'm not mistaken). This is the second one of these I've scored.:cool:

[SBOmarc]

Searched once again for the elusive ( at least in these parts ) RR Rye and WT American Spirit. Settled for Fall '06 Stagg.

[luv2hunt]

Still none of those here yet either....I left empty handed. I think I'll drive across the border this weekend.

Dawn

[NickAtMartinis]

I just purchased a bottle of EWSB 1997 and a bottle of Weller Antique. Again, I saw ORVW 10/107 for a much higher price than Weller Antique which is expected but this time the spread was $8!!!! That's ridiculous to me. There is no way ORVW 10/107 is $8 worth better than Antique.