As someone who works as the whiskey conessieur in our liquor store in Illinois, I appreciate your channel. Thank you for everything you are doing to open the world to stuff outside of allocated whiskey.
I love your videos, Kurt, and my home bar is definitely getting more interesting because of you! I can't help staring at the beautiful bottle collection behind you. I think it would be very cool if you did a video featuring some of the "neglected" bottles that have maybe made their way toward the back of your shelf for reasons good or bad. I know I'm guilty of doing that, and at times I rediscover gems I forgot about and fall back in love with some old favorites. Keep up the great content!
Elmer T. Lee is a great bottle for retail prices, and I agree with a $75 maximum price. Weller 12 has a special place in my heart - it was my granddad's favorite, and he introduced it to me. I would happily pay $80 for it, but not a dime more. I had a bottle of the 2019 Old Fitzgerald BiB and paid $140 (retail then), and would be hard pressed to buy it again. It was a great pour, but do not see it as being 2 to 3x times better than others. I've never found the Stagg Jr. or George T. Stagg locally, so I have nothing to offer there. I did overpay for a William LaRue Weller in 2018 ($300), and would consider buying it again at that price.
Appreciate you noticing that. It bothers me as well while watching other channels. I am not perfect that’s for sure but I don’t see why one can’t express themselves without using bad language.
Great video: brings back SO MUCH memories: i was lucky enough to start sipping bourbon in 2005, then get a small collection of BTAC in 2008-2012 before the madness starts. Now, i take my time to alternate drinking these BTAC with many other bottles more readily available : EZra 7 cask strength, Weller 107, Bulleit Cask Strength, Booker, ...
Thank you for introducing some samples of allocated Bourbons. I have often wondered about the category and what it meant. I also really like your presentations, especially the five (5) bottles. It helps me to know what’s coming, and I can anticipate the next bottle while you’re talking about the current one.
Thanks for the weller advice. My local store here in the south of france has a very limited selection American whiskey but they did have a few bottles of this. at 45€ each it turned out to be a steal.
I live in Chicago, there is a bar 3 blocks from my house that essentially has any bourbon or whisky you could ever wanna try, from Pappy 23 to Col EH Taylor to Blantons to everything in between. I don’t chase any bourbons when I can just go to Longman and Eagle and get a pour
I got GT Stagg at retail last fathers day ($99). I will never get that lucky again. I got 3 Blantons this fathers day. Have not seen an antique collection this year, and I hunt quite a bit.
I'm a manager at a wine and liquor store. The antique collection has been getting released later and later each year. In new york we didn't get it last year until early December. Besides the Pappy 15, the George T Stagg is the best bourbon out there.
@@slbdrinks come to New York I'll get you a Pappy! All kidding aside if you do end up getting a Pappy definitely get the 15yr. Too much wood on the 20 and 23 yr.
I'm new to the channel, and I'm really enjoying your videos. I have been very tempted to pull the trigger on a bottle of George Stagg for $500, but I think it's extremely important for us consumers to not give in to these secondary prices. I've been guilty of it myself. I paid $300 for an Old Carter that was absolutely not worth it. Anyway, keep the great content coming. Cheers🥃
Had a bottle of Elmer T Lee given to me by a dear friend from Kentucky. Put it away for a special occasion. Went out of town. Son threw a party while I was gone. Drank all my Elmer T Lee. That one part is the straw that broke the camels back. Present day still don’t have anymore Elmer T Lee. But as we now share bourbons together (father & adult son) we can laugh about !!
I worked at a bottle shop in college (2010 grad) and back then, we had pappy 12, 15, and 20 on the shelf for $40, $60, and $100. The 23 year was locked up because it was $300. I think that bottle is $7k or so right now... I picked up a bottle of Elmer T Lee commemorative edition for $35 when it came out. I still have it. I tried my buddies bottle, and it was really good! Now you can get one online for $3,500. Nuts! Also, back then, there were bourbons on the shelf that were unreal that nothing today can compare to. Black Maple Hill was my absolute favorite. $40. They stopped making it for a while, but it's back and not the same stuff. I wouldn't buy the current version again. Crazy how the stuff people are raving about today was just "pretty good bourbon" 10 or 12 years ago. Gotta say though, Pappy 12 is still probably my favorite bourbon ever. Cheers!
I know this is a year old video. But, I was able to pu two bottles of Elmer T Lee today at our local liquor store for $59 a piece. Never thought I’d see one bottle! Just so darn excited! Merry Christmas!
Whiskey/Bourbon noob. I've gained a bunch of insight through just a few of your videos. Thank you so much. Separate topic, put your camera on manual focus with a decent aperture and it wont go in and out of focus during your videos. Cheers!
Thanks for the tip that’s been driving me nuts! Trent is a computer whizz and I am worthless with tech stuff so in general we struggle with that camera! Thanks again!
I think he is shooting with a 35- 50mm lens on an APS-C body, or some equivalent. If more light is added behind the lense toward the bar, you can stop up the F-value and lock a manual focus. Kurt, if you read this, don't take it as an insult. Different lighting and framing require separate settings. I know this will sound crazy, but if a family member has an iphone 11 or above, try filming a sample with that. The issue is the camera's autofocus is looking for the star of the show. Sometimes that is the bottle on the bar, other times it is the Old Fitzgerald over your left shoulder (as we see you). This is called focus breathing. As you increase light, you can use a higher f value, and thereby have a wider depth in focus. Depth of field is how much is in perfect focus. For still pictures you can play with light (iso), time (shutter speed), and aperture to make it as thin (facial portraits) or thick (landscape pictures) as you want. In video, shutter speed has a defined range, as does iso. You are left with increasing light to decrease the aperture to create more depth of field, and lock a manual focus. Iphones use magical pixies and technology to get better video quality at low light without focus breathing, and great depth of field. Keep up the great content!
I never take constructive criticism as an insult. I always appreciate the help. Again, I myself am definitely not techy in any fashion lol. We are using a Lumex camera that I know. Trents background is computer not film so he came over last night so we can work on this issue. I screen shot your comment so hopefully we can come up with a solution. Thanks so much for your advice!
I'm the same way with Eagle Rare 10 year. If I catch when it drops I'll pick up a bottle to be bunkered, but if I'm low or down to my last one I'll pay up to $80 depending how badly I feel I need it.
Great to see a bottle of Old Fitzgerald again. I haven't seen it since I bought a bottle in Edinburgh, Scotland in October 2005. Mind you, my bottle did not reach your bottle's price level, he, he. It was a very pleasant price.
I can only imagine. Fortunately we have a couple store owners who sell close to retail. That being said the Fitz was still about 150.00. Far cry from 2005 I am sure.
Just stumbled on to your channel! Great stuff; picked up a bottle of Knob Creek Single Barrel 120 for $49.99! It was the last bottle at Total Wine. Thanks for the tip. Yeah the auto focus is a issue get that sorted and you're set!!!
Great video! I have a near 200 bottle collection of whisk(e)y, mostly bourbon with some rye and scotch. There was a time when all of the allocated bourbons were exceptional. The old stand-byes still are (like BTAC, Birthday Bourbon & Pappy), but they are really really difficult to source now. Many, if not MOST, of the newer & very expensive allocated bourbons really are NOT worth it. We are still in a bourbon bubble with hipsters & the asian markets buying anything that has bragging rights (like very expensive bottles with a marketing STORY). This has brought out a lot of brands that just don't put the proper care into making and aging the juice properly. I stick to the known, quality stuff. In fact, I have a bunch of bottles that I hesitate to open. Some could be sold for $700 to $1,500 each (NOT that I would sell them, I'm no profiteer). However, once you open it, it's worthless. And, now, I can't replace it. So, when it's gone, IT'S GONE!!! The good think is, I've never paid much more than MSRP for any of my bottles (including BTAC and Pappy), so maybe I should just enjoy them! You can't take 'em with you. Separately, not too many years ago, you used to be able to buy Weller Antique 107 for $21, Weller Special Reserve for $23, and Weller 12 year for $40. I used to find more bottles of them than I could buy. Those times are gone. The secret is out and now the hipsters are aware. You're lucky to find any of those for $75 (if not a LOT more). Stores gouge even regular customers, now, too. On the other hand, there are GREAT bourbons on the shelf, that are easy to get and fairly priced. Now, I focus on those and enjoy THEM. People would be shocked if they EVER did a blind taste test. I'd bet $100 that most would regularly pick the easily accessible bourbons over the over-priced allocated junk that's out there. Anyway, enough of my rant. :) Thanks very much for the vids that you put out and the thoughts that you share!
Well thought out and written. I truly wasn’t into bourbon and whiskey before it was popular so I have never seen those kind of prices. Shame what is happening on that level. Nothing but respect for you concerning enjoying what you have. I have never sold one of my bottles but have given some away and shared any and all in my collection including the higher priced variety. You can’t take it with you for sure!
Once more amazing video i am kind of new to this whole whiskey experience but i would say that I enjoy the experience very much and I do learn a lot with your videos I enjoy them and learn from them Thank you very much🎉
Been a while since I have been called “cool” but certainly appreciate it! What you see is what you get with me. Just a simple dude who loves talking whiskey, spirits, and cocktails. I have learned so much from all of you. Thanks so much for your support!
I found the GTS Antique for $200 last year at my liquor store, I bought it. I've seen it for $800 at other mom and pops. The Stagg Jr. I've see at mom and pops for $400, I've bought it at $79. Old Fitzgerald I've had at a bar, never had Weller 12 or Elmer. I'll tell you this, nothing beats that George T Stagg antique collection.
Most of them are never seen where I live in North Florida. The Old Fitz was about $300, The Elmer T. Lee was about $200, never seen the Weller, the Stagg Jr. was about $120, George T. Stagg was $1,200 !! Love the videos , Thanks
Glad I stumbled on to your channel. Great content. Just wondering where you live to find these great prices. I did see a liquorama sticker on one of your bottles. SoCal?
Actually no. Good catch on that sticker but it was an internet purchase. I live in NW In close to Lake Michigan and about 60 min from Chicago. We are fortunate to have store owners in our area that sell at retail or close to it.
First go all, recently found your channel and love it very much. Yes, GTS (I believe I sipped 2018 version) and Four Roses Al Young 50th Anniversary so far are the best bourbon I had tried. Stagg junior is very nice for its MSRP and it was so easy to find back in the day. I am still milling Weller 12 1L bottle and the Stagg Jr till I can find new bottles. Cheers
I'm just getting into Bourbon as well as other mixed drinks. Maybe someday I might pay more than $50 for a 750 ml bottle but as of now there are so many to try in the $25-$30 range. Right now Makers Mark is the winner for my wife and me (just above Buffalo Trace)
In canada stuff like little book, 291 barrel proof, Penelope barrel proof and michters 10 are all 150-250 at retail. Ill pay over retail for stagg jr or weller 12 any day.
Crazy how the whiskey market is so different around the world. I have been looking for Old Grandad bib for weeks around my area and haven’t seen it. Good point on the last 2!
I bought a George T Stagg years ago for $100 and it was excellent. The Lee is Pretty good as well. The Weller 12 I would pay $25 years ago, not that special not even close to as good as Vanwinkle Lot B which was $45 at the time my favorite. Old Fitzgerald, I would go $150 for that bottle I love that stuff, Birthday Bourbon is out of hand but was my second favorite bourbon. I still have some pints flasks of the old Fitzgerald prohibition repeal bourbon that was supposed to be the formula after prohibition ended. It came in a set with two tasting glasses . I had about 15 of these and I believe I am down to my last two or three. I still have a Van Winkle Family Rye left in my collection which is pretty damn tasty as well
I would likely pay double retail for most of these but no more. I recently got a Stag jr 16 at retail, and I would totally pay $100 for another bottle.
@@LeatherDaddy97 there are a few liquor stores in my area that will charge 5× retail for some BT stuff. Plus, BT pricing is very low to start. So that Stag jr that is $50, is better than Bookers that is $100. That George t Stag is $100 at retail, and if someone else made it the retail would likely be $200+. Weller 12 is $50 at retail, but finding another quality 12 year old bourbon under $100 is quite the challenge. But that may just be justifying over spending on these. I have only ever paid more than retail once though.
@@yourdrinkingbuddy to me that just makes the comparison overpriced. I dont think bookers is a very good comparison since bookers should be around 60 tops in comparison to other products. Weller started as a budget whiskey, and it did for a reason, im not paying more than current msrp for any of them. If it isnt, i dont need that bottle. Its just whiskey theres always more of it. Ecbp is under 100, 12 yrs and barrel proof and good every single time, and i can always get multiples. To me thats the benchmark. Is btac 3 times as good as ecbp? Hell no so im not gonna pay it. I cant think of a whiskey ive had that i would pay over 200 or over for. Of course this is all just personal opinion and value is subjective, but ive gotten 3 btac for msrp now, i see no reason to break my mindset.
I have a Elmer T, Stagg Batch 15, and Weller 12. I am lucky enough to pay retail on all but the Weller cause it came as a set w a Full Proof, Antique 107, and the 12.
@@slbdrinks i am lucky enough to be a store manager for a liquor store chain and get 1st dibs. Also i do the barrel picks for our company. I did a barrel of blantons and eagle rare this year for em
That GTS was the 2018 release which was 10x's better than the 2019. That being said I have to disagree that it was better than WLW, which is probably one of my all time favorite expression. I love your collection and yes I see that Hibiki 21 hanging out on the top shelf. Now that's an awesome pour!
Stagg Jr. --- I paid $15 for a pour (1.5 shots) at a local (Baton Rouge) bourbon tasting and fell in love with this! Searched and only found it for $300/bottle online; nothing is available locally. Needless to say, I ordered it. Upon delivery, I gave it a taste and absolutely loved this! Yes, I bought another right away! The bottom line is this... everything and anything is available for a price... if it is valued by the buyer.
Yeh I’ve seen 2 stagg jr’s in the wild. 1 I snatched up for $73 a few weeks back and the other was last week for $200 and I pasted on that 1. The good news is I have a GREAT relationship with a store owner who contacts me first on all of his allocated bourbons. And he sell all of his stuff to me for right at retail. BUT I always throw him a cash tip for helping me out and I’ll surprise him with lunches every now and then.
For the proof point and flavor profile. I personally would pay up to 115ish for stagg Jr. But thats just me. I never had the George t stagg :(. Great content! And great collection you got there!
Stagg Jr. is my absolute favorite of all the bourbon that I have tasted. I have a bottle of George T. Stagg that I paid $107 for and I just can't open it, but I want to soo bad.
I did enjoy the weller 12 guess i used 2 go live on bourbon groups giving my thoughts and opinion. And yep i found 4 bottles ..they each costed 220 but thats cause im in australia so when you find things you feel u gotta pay what ever as that might be the last time i see it ...rather pay 250 for the masterskeep 17yr over grabbing blanton's. Thik on my last blanton's s.r cost 70 but the sftb cost 190 ..but i would love 2 find a stagg jr or any of the antique collection that be good as u never see .guess my go 2 is rarebreed for 89 ...George t stagg .i would love 2 find but that was funny the sounds your wife making when you said 700 lol.cheers
Appreciate you lol! I have read similar comments on Australia pricing unfortunately for you. I never did find the Masters Keep 17 bib so that’s awesome for you!
Another great video. I've had Weller. Underwhelming for the price. I have been searching for Elmer T Lee for a while. I have 2 bottles of Blanton's. One was a gift, the other I paid retail. I don't have any of the others so I will have to check them out. I just enjoyed a glass of Rebel Yell Single Barrel 10 year from Lux Row distilleries. I live in Louisville, KY so getting my hands on KY bourbon is usually not a problem, but some of these are hard to come by. If you haven't tried the Rebel Yell 10 year, please do and give it a review. Also, have you tried the Bulleit 10 year? It's really good. Bulleit 10, Russels Reserve Single Barrel Select and Rebel Yell 10 are my 3 go-to bourbons when I want to drink bourbon neat.
Excellent choices! I did include the Rebel single barrel in the better than Blantons video. You are spot on it is outstanding! Keep up the search for retail or close to it pricing, you will find them.
ah, the cost of the these white wales... I know it all to well, I'm into bourbon, craft beer, and vintage ports.... I have def spent too much on certain things...
Remember with and good bourbon, quality is not dictated by price. Price only indicates rarity. Sometimes the easy to find 30 to 40 dollar bourbon is better than the rarest gems
I was in the liquor store today and they had a bottle Old Fitzgerald. I knew when it was in a glass case it wasn’t gonna be cheap but $400?!?!? Are they nuts?
Hey im new to your channel and i love it so far. But one thing is still bothering me for what does the "SLB" stand in your name :D. Hopefully i m not a fool for not finding it somewhere plain in sight
You are not a fool for sure. I am surprised but you are the only one that has asked. We will have a bar tour video coming up in a few weeks and I will spill the beans on the origination of SLB.
Value is what you put on it. I would rather see people assess their financial situations first before buying to compete with others. And not directed at you. Just a general observation.
I'll say no. I managed to get a bottle of Elmer T Lee before it became "allocated" and I wasn't too impressed. It wasn't bad, but I didn't think it was worth the money I spent on it. Ironically, I've seen more bottles of it since it became allocated!!
@@slbdrinks well, I have to confess, that was several years ago when I was just getting into to bourbon. I wasn't a big fan of higher rye bourbons- hadn't even tried a rye whiskey back then. If I tried it today, I'd probably enjoy it more, but now I don't want to pay the allocated prices to find out!!
I'd buy stagg all day at your price, but we never see it at those prices. Stagg is one of the few I'm willing to overpay for. For a batch I like I'll pay 130ish, as it's destroyed almost everything else I've compared to it.
First time watching your videos. I love your honesty. I agree with you. I love the wife in the background letting you have it ( all to common, if you know what I mean).
Thoughtful and relevant video as usual. But, the pricing info and values need some more context. Are you making a value assessment purely on taste (i.e. in order of your absolute favorites which you'd pay the most for to your least favorites)? (I guess that is where blind tasting is useful.) Or are you also factoring in scarcity? I guess this type of analysis is very similar to your prior video about the accessible bourbons you like more than Blanton's. In any event, that would mean if you liked Four Roses Single Barrel better than George T. Stagg, then you should also be content to pay "$250 or less" for the Four Roses. Or, in reality, does scarcity and msrp act as an "anchor" to what you'd be willing to pay, even if you like it better (e.g. "I can Four Roses Single Barrel every day of the week for $50, so why pay more...even if I like it more than a $250 bottle of another brand.")? Sorry to be longwinded, but let's take your "biggest regret" the $1,000 Kentucky Owl. Do you like that taste better than Russell's Reserve Single Barrel? If not, does that mean you shouldn't have paid over $60 for the Kentucky Owl? (Oh, the things we do for our hobbies! Ha!)
Lol very eloquent my friend! Good points! Quick info, judging by both taste and availability. Every allocated bottle in this video I would prefer in taste over the better than Blantons video. Elmer is very close in the conversation but the remaining 4 are much better in taste IMO. Good thoughts! Thank you
What Ky Owl is she referring to? I have the Confiscated and Rye…both are excellent! Sounds like you didn’t care for it? I love Weller SP easy go to pour…
No unfortunately I wish one of those were it. This is there 100 yr prohibition anniversary bottle called dry state. I have the KO 10 yr rye and batch 9 bourbon I believe which are both very good. Weller sp is another good pour!
Oh no kidding?? I like there line of liqours etc. I especially like their Aquavit, very good. The lime and grapefruit crema I like mixing cocktails with because they have a higher proof than most common liqueur. Add some backbone. Very attentive, good catch!
Of these the only one of had is Weller 12, it’s good but definitely not secondary price good. I’m curious if you’ve tried Knob Creek 12, what you think of it?
Same here man! I refuse to pay anything besides MSRP. Couple reasons: 1. You’re renting the whiskey. It comes out eventually. 2. It contributes to the vicious cycle of flipping dickbags that ruin the bourbon market for the rest of us.
Good conversation here! We did have a guy in our group helping look for allocated bottles etc. I found out he was buying and flipping so he is no longer in the group. That’s one thing I just can’t handle. I buy to enjoy and share with friends.
@@slbdrinks yeah people are gonna flip but theres 0 chance im gonna help somebody do it. I buy everything to drink, and if i dont think ill end up doing so, i get it to someone who will for what i bought it for or less. Never for profit
I never bother with allocated bourbons. In a blind testing you would never pick it out. The most I paid for a scotch was £75 for a 13 year old edradour at cask strength.
Before they mentioned it in Justified and the country went crazy for it, we could buy Elmer T Lee for 25 dollars in KY. After that show we couldn’t even find it
had the weller special reserve the other night … DELICIOUS. i’m writing this post after literally finishing 3 glasses of buffalo trace…. also DELICIOUS
I have a bottle of Weller Special Reserve that was a gift from a friend and it is great. Its my special occasion bourbon. I also had samples of Stagg Jr and it is the best IMO. If I do see Stagg Jr I would pay around $100 for it because its that good.
Just bought 2 of the 2018 They were more than 500 Was it worth it, I don’t know I won’t resell them I may drink them I may not And Kurt I still owe you that 4🌹’s
@@slbdrinks a good merlot from Washington state would be a nice place to start. My favorite though are two Italian wines. Ask for a nero d'avola, or my personal favorite nebbiolo. Those are the names of the grapes.
What’s up you MB’s! (whiskey Tribe Gang 😂); new sub - dig the content! One constructive criticism: which might not be your fault as I’ve never seen a camera with such aggressive auto focus - you put your hand half an arms length towards it - focus on hand - back to you; it’s so temperamental. Maybe its the lights on the bar (lightbox behind cam may fox that?? I don’t know much about video so fix the rapid focus & unfocusing and bellissimo! I’m an audio/digital audio workstation & home studio owner with - video I’m lost with though audio is 8/10 - are you using a lapel, a boom mic, lav or just the cameras on board mic (er or DSLR? 😂 confess I dunno how a DSLR even works lol) Just curious audio is rather good other than sounding distant. Keep up the good work! Cheers you MB’s! *drinks Balcones Texas Rye 100 proof*
Great video! I learned a lot. I'm curious about what you think of Pappy Van Winkle - if you've tried it. I tried one shot of the 15 year at a local bar here in Lexington ky - had to wait in line for a couple hours plus wait a couple more hours once inside but only paid the basic retail price...a few bucks. Finally when I got it I thought it was a bit bitter actually, thus overrated, but I'm no expert.
I am no expert either just someone who enjoys whiskey and likes talking about it. Truthfully, I have never had the opportunity to try Pappy. I heard the 15 yr was the sweet spot but who knows. Thank you for checking in.
I’m definitely not an expert, but I have had Pappy 23 and Van Winkle 12 Lot B. Was it good? Yes. Would I stand in line or pay 5x retail? No. My belief about all this is if you come across it at a reasonable cost, go for it. Don’t fall for the hype, especially given the crazy changes in cost due to the craze. Just find something decent, share it with friends and family, and it will be some of the best bourbon ever.
One of my local stores used to carry Old Fitzgerald bottled-in-bond 100 proof at a very cheap price. Now no Old Fitz at all. I was told the 100 proof b in b was dropped. WTF? It was excellent for the price.
