Antique Collection - What to buy/not to buy?

[drli]

I wish I had a local independent store that would stock a good supply of fine Bourbon. And, I could go there all year and buy some at will... All I can find here is a good selection of Tequila. But, hey, I live in San Jose, CA. BevMo is all I got left after Liquor Barn moved out. Yea, I can order online. At least we get the black label Evan Williams, and not the green label at the local Longs Drug for $12.99 per 1.75L.

So, anyway, I am glad that I am able to get some of the Antique Collection and just a few weeks back some of the Van Winkle offerings from BevMo. Well, actually, I was only able to get 2 bottles each of the Winkle 10y 107p, 13y reserve rye, and 15y pappy... but I had to go to two different stores to do it. Dam, this fine Bourbon goes fast around here. You really need to be on your toes.... or its just plane gone.

It wasnt that long ago that we got the Buffalo Trace namesake bottle at BevMo. I have yet to buy a bottle at Bevmo since I have one bottle ,single barrel, left that I ordered from binnys, still in the bunker.

Dam, I really like that Van Winkle 13y Rye.... wish I could get more.., but they dont show any bottles available... at bevmo....

[CrispyCritter]

Tonight, I opened my three BTAC bottles and had a pour from each: first Saz 18, then Handy, then Stagg.

All of them are knockouts - every bit as good as I was expecting. As for the Stagg, I tried a couple of sips neat, and it didn't seem any more powerful than the '06 version - then again, '06 was mighty powerful! I then added an unscientific amount of water (I would guess I brought it down to about 125 proof or so), and it really opened up nicely, while still retaining its Staggness.

I know some have criticized Saz 18 and ER17 for being 90 proof, but I still feel that they're worth the price. With the BTAC, you get your choice - extra age (ER17, Saz 18), barrel proof (Larue, Handy) or both (Stagg).

I'd love to be able to afford more of this year's crop, but I have a full set of '06 (plus a spare '06 Saz 18 and Handy, and Spring and Fall '05 Staggs) bunkerized, so I'm not in too bad a shape.

[Phischy]

I was sipping Larue and Stagg last night. I do not care for the Larue...I just find it boring and too hot. Stagg is of course stronger but there's more going on.

Haven't seen the ER17 '07 but I like the 06s and the Saz's.

But really, for the price there's other stuff out there that's just as good. Aside from the Saz, I may be skipping the rest of the BTAC. To think that, after all the waiting and hunting and asking...to just realize it's good...but not great.

And since the Larue is a bummer...I wish I'd picked up the Pappy Rye.

*sigh*

[Rughi]

I had Handy last weekend and it was very, very good.

Even though you could look at it as just Saz Jr. Barrel Proof, what's in the bottle is at an age that balances youthful brightness with just a slight touch of old barrel flavors. A profile not to be had anywhere else - including its sister Saz Jr. and its unrelated namesake Saz 18 (which is 18 the way Jack Benny is still 39).

Is BT making a bigger profit off of this than other, more aged, brands? I guess Hell yeah, but it delivers. Like Blanton's, it's the barrel selection not the age, that defines the product.

I can't wait until this juice becomes Saz 18 - and I hope even more they offer a mid-aged barrel proof of this in coming years to fill the gap between.

Roger

[doubleblank]

The difficulty in getting excited about this year's BTAC's is that they are 1) not only competing with what's out there in the current marketplace, but are up against previous BTAC's and 2) are up against the "collections" many members here have in their bunkers. If their only competition for accolades were current bottlings, we'd all be pretty excited by the variety of flavors and proofs offered by the 2007 BTAC's. But I (and many here) have Staggs going back to 2002, Saz 18s back to 2000, extensive bunkers, etc, etc. And that's tough competition!

When Stagg arrived in 2002, we didn't know the future of BTACs and many of us stocked up on any we could find in 2002, 2003 and 2004. Now that its clear this will be a regular bottling (and occasionally multiple releases in a year like the 2005 Staggs), I don't feel the need to grab each and every BTAC upon release. I've tried this years Stagg and W Larue and find them both fine, but neither screams "buy all you can" in the context that I probably already have a lifetime supply of Stagg in the bunker and prefer ORVW 15/107 and other wheaters to the W Larue Wellers.

I know this doesn't exactly answer "what to buy", but I'll generalize by saying that if you're new to the BTAC's....by all means grab a few. If you have a bunker with plenty of previous releases.....then taste before you buy.....unless you're keeping a vertical collection intact (I'm doing that with Stagg only).

Randy

[snakster]

I was sipping Larue and Stagg last night. I do not care for the Larue...I just find it boring and too hot. Stagg is of course stronger but there's more going on.

I too had them back to back and liked the stagg better (or is that, liked the weller less?). I think what brings the weller down in this instance is having it immediately compared to the Stagg. I think in a vacuum I would find it quite good.

[jburlowski]

The difficulty in getting excited about this year's BTAC's is that they are 1) not only competing with what's out there in the current marketplace, but are up against previous BTAC's and 2) are up against the "collections" many members here have in their bunkers. If their only competition for accolades were current bottlings, we'd all be pretty excited by the variety of flavors and proofs offered by the 2007 BTAC's. But I (and many here) have Staggs going back to 2002, Saz 18s back to 2000, extensive bunkers, etc, etc. And that's tough competition!

When Stagg arrived in 2002, we didn't know the future of BTACs and many of us stocked up on any we could find in 2002, 2003 and 2004. Now that its clear this will be a regular bottling (and occasionally multiple releases in a year like the 2005 Staggs), I don't feel the need to grab each and every BTAC upon release. I've tried this years Stagg and W Larue and find them both fine, but neither screams "buy all you can" in the context that I probably already have a lifetime supply of Stagg in the bunker and prefer ORVW 15/107 and other wheaters to the W Larue Wellers.

I know this doesn't exactly answer "what to buy", but I'll generalize by saying that if you're new to the BTAC's....by all means grab a few. If you have a bunker with plenty of previous releases.....then taste before you buy.....unless you're keeping a vertical collection intact (I'm doing that with Stagg only).

Randy

Randy,

I hear you and agree up to a point.

I feel the BTAC is diminishing with quality from year to year. Part of this is probably a reflection of the growing shortage of extra-aged bourbon. I mean, this year's WLW is only ten years old!

Having said that, these are still all seriously good whiskies and I would recommend them (assuming one agrees with the price proposition). Grabbing all you can get? Not me. I'm not much of a "bunkerer". I'll buy what I can drink in a year with an extra bottle or two for trade or as gifts.

Like everything else on this board: to each his own.

[Sweetmeats]

I'll buy one each of the barrel proofs and that's it.

[fog]

Not diluting the bourbon does not cost Buffalo Trace enough to justify a super-premium price. I do not want to pay for something which is artificially made scarce. Particularly while there are other producers (Four Roses, Wild Turkey) selling quality bourbon at near optimal proof, without demanding extra cash for the lack of dilution.

That said, I hope to purchase a bottle of Stagg, ER, and Sazerac, while passing on the Handy and Weller.

Perhaps I am wrong, and the Handy and Weller represent barrels selected for exceptional quality?

[TBoner]

Well, I can't speak for the Weller, but damn if the 2007 Handy isn't one of the best whiskeys I've had. Buy it. Period.

Unless you hate rye. Or unless you're going to get mad at me if you don't like it.:grin:

Really. Great stuff.

[fog]

Well, I can't speak for the Weller, but damn if the 2007 Handy isn't one of the best whiskeys I've had. Buy it. Period.

Unless you hate rye. Or unless you're going to get mad at me if you don't like it.:grin:

Really. Great stuff.

I would most likely enjoy it, but I am already content with the standard Sazerac Rye for $20. Is it that much better?

[HipFlask]

I plan on getting Saz 18, Stagg, and Handy. I haven't seen any here in Wisconsin yet. And then all of the 13 yr rye I can get. I also want to stock up on any Four Roses I can get in Chitown. My wife will put the breaks on when she notices how much money I will have spent on whiskey. Shh.... don't clue her into my plan.

[drli]

Since it is Thanksgiving, the wife agreed that it is special occasion enough to open up one of my 2 freshly bunkered bottles of ’07 William Larue Weller. I didn’t purchase any of the past offerings, so this is a 1st taste for me.

I find it very good for a wheated bourbon (I actually prefer Rye). This is by far the best Weller bourbon available and I have tried all the rest. Very drinkable, sweet, great as an after Thanksgiving dinner drink. I dont find it very stong as I am use to the Winkle Family Rye at 95.6.

[staggmeister]

It is beyond fantastic. I have only had the Saz 18 and the Handy so far this year, and the Handy is just killer. I tried it neat with the intention of adding water after tasting it full strength, but it was so smooth that I finished the sample without adding water no problem. It is super rich, full bodied and has a greatly balanced spiciness. Definitely a rye fiend's wet dream.

I bought Stagg and 18 year old Sazerac this year. The Stagg is just magnificent, but I find the finish on the Saz a lot woodier than last year's.

[heatmiser]

I just purchased the Stagg, Weller & Handy. I am on vacation visiting the in-laws this week and couldn't wait to open them up until I got home. All three are excellent with the Stagg being the stand out for me. The Stagg was the tops for me last year as well. IMO the Stagg is a must try for a bourbon drinker.

[gr8erdane]

I'm not sure if this is your meaning but for sure, it's not Buffalo Trace that is driving the prices up on the BTAC. The varying prices from merchant to merchant shows that there is a wide range of pricing that as you say is artificially inflated to a point but that's not BT's fault. If anything, the pricing for a barrel proof limited bottling is VERY reasonable (unless you have to buy on eBay) for the product IMHO. Especially for the Stagg which consistantly garners high marks from all the "experts". Personally, I have one of each of the others, and like Randy only keep buying the Stagg to keep the vertical line going. But I digress. If you want to point out who's driving the prices up, look to the distribution, sale, and resale markets. As long as I can find Stagg at 60 bucks or less I consider that a bargain well worth the cost I doubt I'd pay for many of the other superpremiums.

[drli]

I originally bought one bottle of Stagg to bunker... but after hearing all that’s going on... Today, I bought 2 more bottles.

And,

I actually like this years Weller. I am working on a bottle now, but I also didnt taste any of the past offerings.

Besides, Weller is sold out here where as Stagg, Sazerac, and ER is still available. I have been unable to get any Handy as of yet.