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Kurt, How awesome is it to be involved in a program and format like this with your son ma?! How many dads would cherish a platform to enjoy and be so so blessed to do this with their son. Out of all the things and interests that could have separated ou guys here you are. Be blessed and really enjoy your extra chapter with Trenton and you guys make a great team!
@@darinkonopaski I've been trying to figure out without asking or looking too hard in the comments lol. My assumption would be Step son with the way they speak to each other. They seem to share memories when Trent was young and he refers to his wife as "your mother".
I work at a store with the initials TW. I can tell you the most “asked” for bottle from the everyday customer is just regular Buffalo Trace. Blantons and Eagle Rare share a tie for second
Idk if I just have a honey bottle or what, but I think Blantons (at MSRP or even a little above), is an amazing bottle. Every time I go back to it, I’m shocked at how rich it is, and while its not overly complex, it satisfying throughout the entire palette and experience
There are such things as honey bottles, that's certainly happens with single barrels. I've got a 2016 I only touch for special occasions because it's that good. So I end up drinking all my newer bottles instead. And, as usual, some are duds, most are good, and some are very good.
My last two bottles were good not great, this bottle I have now is a knockout. Caramel and green apple with oak and vanilla on the end. One of the reasons I enjoy Single barrels, the chance to get one that knocks your socks off
Pretzels. Pizza with arugula, prosciutto and fig jam. A-1 steak sauce. The banter between the two of you is just a joy, even before we get to the bourbon.
I just won a free bottle of Blanton's at a local liquor store today in Alcoa, TN. City Farms wine and spirits were having a tasting and raffle. BT, E.H. Taylor, Eagle Rare, and Weller were the others available. Can't believe I won the bottle I wanted. So happy right now!
When talking about the most sought-after BT bottle, I think you have to discern between "shelf" bottles and BTACs. In my area, Blanton's is probably the most sought-after accessible bottle. And we all need a sugar daddy like Trenton! 😂
The hunt for BT starts with Blanton's and Eagle Rare then I think evolves to EH Taylor, Stag and the Weller line up. I think you just hope to get luck enough to buy a Pappy one day and aren't actually hunting them.
In Wisconsin, most people hunt for Buffalo Trace, followed by Eagle Rare. No one ever expects to find anything other than those 2, if they do, it's a miracle
Reindeer and caribou are the same animal and are a member of the deer family. In Europe, they are called reindeer. In North America, the animals are called caribou if they are wild and reindeer if they are domesticated. The at-risk woodland caribou are the big-antlered ones on our 25-cent coin that inhabit Canada’s southern boreal forests. Moose is a completely different animal, come on Trent!…much love from Canada, eh!
I picked up one bottle of Blanton's last year, still have not opened it but have a lot of whiskey to get through. Started collecting local craft whiskey (and still do though I have branched out a bit) then added Bourbon to my collection. Actually picked up the Blanton's because the one I really wanted was delayed (I live in BC and the government liquor stores have 2 or 3 special releases each year). Of course here you have to add at least 30% to the US price then import duties etc so our prices are often significantly higher although from some of the comments on here in some cases we are actually cheaper than some US states. Oh and to purchase Pappy up here you need to win a special lottery draw in order to have the opportunity to purchase one (or a $40,000 bottle of Scotch). Eagle Rare this year seems to be less available as, thought it only comes out a few times a year, it is found in numerous stores but this year it really seems to be limited this year. I generally pick up a couple when I see them depending on what I have in my collection at the moment.
CC is available in Oklahoma. My local store carries it. If they are out they can usually get you a bottle in a few weeks. Blanton’s is very tough, but I have a half a dozen stashed in my cabinet over the last two years that I drink only with family. Usually find it in tiny towns across the state and nobody knows what it is since their customers prefer JD or JB. Pappy is not even distributed in this state. I totally agree with your review of CC. Good, but probably one and done here. Lots of Bowman Brothers here but not seen John J in a while. Maybe I should start looking… Thanks for the videos!!!
If you have a Meijer in your area, take a look for their occasional allocated drops. Plus, they are at or below MSRP. I have picked up Blanton's ($55), Blanton's Gold ($110), and Eagle Rare ($30) in the last year. I just missed Elmer T Lee on Saturday for $34! Crazy. The manager at my local store just puts them out randomly.
I live in Grand Rapids, MI, the land of Meijer, and can confirm. I've gotten Booker's and Eagle Rare at different locations without even hunting. It helps if you can track down a liquor manager or employee, as they often keep allocated stuff in the back.
I got that Caribou Crossing at our Spirit release in BC in June. Those were pre-orders but ended up in stores on the shelf anyways @ $101.00 CAD pretty sure. I snagged one just to have a try, I haven't opened it yet but good to know I didn't waste my money on it.
I’ve been binge watching your channel. Relatively new sub. Love the content. Great back and forth between the two of you. 😀 There was a mention of Old Carter in one vid from a month or so ago. Would love to see some Old Carter make the rounds. I know it’s higher proof, Kurt, but take one for the team and let’s see y’all taste some 😬
As a newbie bourbon drinker, the first bottles I hunted were Blanton's and Eagle Rare. In SoCal, we have plenty of regular buffalo trace, but rarely see anything Weller (including Special Reserve), I got lucky to grab one at BevMo. All this within a month or so. The next bottles I'm looking for are EH Taylor Small Batch, Blanton's SFTB, and Stagg, though Stagg will be a difficult one. I won't even bother with any of the BTAC or Pappy lineup. So in response to your question, I do think new bourbon drinkers start off with Blanton's and Eagle Rare, then we move on to other products.
General pop... For sure Blantons. Spot on. I definitely say for me getting more into bourbon it was Blantons-> ER-> EH -> now trying to find a bottle of Weller, EH, or stag.. Ive had papi before and its insane.. Don't think ill ever find a bottle. Nice vid gents! I have yet to see a Blantons in the wild ever. Let alone for well over MSRP. ( I'm in WI).
Blanton's is a very good bourbon and will always be top shelf and highly sought for people who enjoy a lower proof point. Not everyone is looking for barrel proof depth and richness.
I have heard so much good stuff about John j bowman being the Blanton killer. Have not been able to try it. I personally would rather have eagle rare over blantons
@@peterwhite507 Excellent clarification. Acceptable additives are limited to wine or spirits aged in wood a minimum of two years. J.P. Wiser's Union 52 (with 4% 52 year old Scotch), Alberta Premium Dark (with 8% Old Grandad) and the entirety of BearFace's One Eleven Series all use this to their advantage.
I have an A1 story - my parents stopped at a Hoss's when I was maybe 8 years old and I tried A1. It was so good, I ended up drinking the entire bottle. I regretted the decision over the next 24 hours (I'll leave that to your imaginations) but I still love A1 steak sauce to this day
I came across two bottles last week for $39.99 each in a city that has it for $80-100. I have no idea why or how it happened, but I was happy to give the store the shelf room. 😊
EH Taylor was always the most sought after for me (again, with Pappy being a pipe dream). Always seemed much more difficult to come by than ER or Blanton's.. at least in MA
Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare 10, Col. EH Taylor small batch and Weller Res. I like all of these and would buy at near MSRP, I tried Blanton at Bardstown Bourbon Company Restaurant and bar, it was a reasonable price for a 2 oz pure $20 about 2022, it was not my favorite. I came across an Eagle Rare 17 year at a local Store for $2200 it was still there when I left, I bought several 1.75L of Knob Creek 9, Elijah Craig, Woodford and Makers Mark, that will last a while, as we are in our 70s we have 45ml very night. We use to drink Canadian but then they talk about adding a tax on Bourbon going into Canada, so, down in Texas I though I help out the American Whiskey producers, haven't any Canadian for several years now. Not going to either. Love you channel.
I just found an older bottle of blantons from 2015 in my pantry. Totally forgot I had it. Only about a quarter bottle left but a pleasant surprise for sure :)
The Alberta Premium Rye Barrel Proof you turned me on to is the best thing I've had from Canada...I just went to get another bottle and it just sits on my local store's shelf because nobody knows how good it is...
My guess would be that Blanton's is the most sought after bourbon in the regular Buffalo Trace lineup. I was at BT last November and picked up a bottle of Blanton's at the gift shop for $63. I know that single barrel products will vary, but this one has a sort of an off flavor of oak that is not very good. I'm sure that most people want the bottle more than they crave the bourbon that is inside.
I have never been a "burbon hunter" but thought I would try it just for fun. I started in November of 2022 and since then I have found Buffalo Trace, Wellers Special Reserve, Eagle Rare, Blantons Single Barrel, Stag 22B, and E.H. Taylor Small Batch. The most I have paid for any bottle was $65 and all were within 1 mile of my house.
@@jamesdibiase346 ok , I live in a small city 25 miles outside of Birmingham Alabama , this kind of whiskey down here is almost impossible to find , unless you pay out the nose for it !!! Cheers 🥃!!
@@Jjkmbowmanyeah I live in Bama too and there is no chance in paying msrp unless you are lucky enough to win the lottery or give up a good bit of time to camp out for the quarterly drops!
Recently, I visited NorCal and made sure to obtain some Buffalo Trace. It is intensely allocated in PA, so I was happy to score. I came across several Canadian whiskeys while in California. One of those being Caribou Crossing. It was 90-110$ at most places, and I was curious, but I did not purchase. I could not believe the selection in California and hope to find a CC next time I cross the Rockies.
I’ve been into bourbon for about a year now. I live in California and I’ve been able to pick up a few Blantons, but I’m currently looking for Stagg. I’ve found a few bottles but I’m not willing to spend the secondary markup for it.
Caribou Crossing is just a nice easy sipper. Good nose and mouthfeel with a fast to instant finish. Do not go to it often but when you feel like it then it is great. Easy to get near me and $50. Keep one on bar and a backup on shelf (1/2 the time it gets gifted to guest who likes it or can’t find it) Blanton’s is a terrific pour and drink it much more than Caribou Crossing but only go to it once or twice a month. Definitely like Blanton’s more but CC is great when you don’t feel like a bourbon. This year was a great year for finding Blanton’s for me. Found so far 37 (only once did I get more than one bottle at a store) of which 11 I found for friends and 10 I gave away. Getting a case of store picks next month when store gets their barrel. I think Blanton’s is most hunted followed by Eagle Rare. I hunt Rock Hill Farm the most and have yet to find one.
@@LeatherDaddy97 Because when I worked 5:30am to 6pm I could never find the sought after bottles. Now I set my own hours and have been extremely successful finding hard to find stuff in the 3 states I hunt in regularly. I then offer it to my whiskey/bourbon club friends who are in the same spot I used to be in regarding never being able to get to store. I actually enjoy Blanton's even if I only have it a few times a month. I also gift a lot of them away. Passed on them today at 3 different stores all at msrp of 65
@@pizzawarlord9232 im just not sure why you would need 16 bottles of the same whiskey at home i guess, especially if you onluly drink it a couple times a month. If you like it, sure, buy it, i just dont really get the mentality personally.
Great video guys, Thanks! So for your request on the most sought after BT product, since there are varying levels of "How allocated and rare is this" with their line, so I will limit to ones that I have > 0% chance of finding (admitting most of them are pretty close to that 0% here in PA), I look for Eagle Rare the most. The profile is firmly in my bourbon wheelhouse, and even though the cost is up quite a bit lately (Last one I bought in 2018 or 2019 was $24 at FWGS's MSRP, now I've heard between $35 and $40 here). I still have about 2 fingers left in the bottle and won't finish it until I find another, or just can't take waiting any more. Blantons is good, but is quite expensive now (aside from very hard to find too), and I don't like it as well or find it to be much of a value at the $60-$70 price. There are much better bourbons out there in that price range, and I don't care that much about the cool horsey cork (but I did keep the bottle I will admit). Yes, I know it's a single barrel product, but I just don't like it as well. I was able to stumble across a bottle of standard Buffalo Trace last week for $29.99 so I had to pick one up. I don't like it's flavor profile as much as ER or even Blantons, but it's not bad on a small cube neat, and is nice to have around.
A liquor store I frequent has a waiting list for Blanton’s, they got 3 bottles of Eagle Rare a week ago and they were gone in 15 minutes. They had Buffalo Trace on the shelf with a one bottle limit and they were gone in less than a day. They keep Wellers behind the counter. It’s crazy!
Hey guys, my wife and I really enjoy watching the content. My wife doesn't like anything but crown royal products for mixers. Could you guys do a comparison on Canadian whiskey? I really like the VO GOLD but I'm not a fan of any other seagrams products. I also hate crown royal! Thanks and keep up the great work
I live in Ontario and we get everything for MSRP through our government controlled liquor store, LCBO. Not sure why Caribou Crossing is $100 CAD vs Blanton's for $75 CAD here. I'm glad you guys did this review so we know the value behind both.
Right?! Maybe it's just the markup Buffalo Trace put on them? Would take a Blanton's over a Caribou Crossing any day. Wiser's Deluxe is better than Caribou.
Good day, I found Stagg Jr. Last Friday for 65$😊, I was so happy. Eagle Rare has a price tag from 40$ all the way up to 85$ in Colorado. But I have seen many. Thanks for your channel.
Regarding which BT is most “hunted”: I guess it depends on what you define as “hunting”. When I “hunt”, it’s with an expectation that I may like come across the bourbon to actually buy. Sure, I’d love to come across a Pappy 15, but they are just not around in the same percentage of other BT products. So I’d have to default to say Blanton’s is the most hunted.
I’d honestly hunt for EH Taylor and Weller other then Special Reserve products over any other Buffalo Trace products. I personally like Blanton’s over a Eagle Rare. But, I like EH Taylor anything over Blanton’s. And I bought a Blanton’s last week for MSRP. And I was one person away from buying a CYPB for MSRP two weeks ago.
I agree with you. Fortunately EH Taylor gets dropped multiple times a year in my area. A 2-3 hr wait gets you one. The Barrel Proof or RYE requires a little longer wait.
I just found 2 Caribou Crossing, in a small liquor store /gas station In Torrington Wyoming last week. My son in law really likes Canadian Whisky, and I thought he'd enjoy these. You are right, some bottles are very hard to find. My guess on most sought out bourbon from Buffalo Trace would be Eagle Rare
A lot of Canadian whiskies distill each grain separately and marry them in the barrel. There is no mash. Blantons may be the most hunted Buffalo Trace product. But some of the harder-to-find Weller bourbons may be up there too. I can only get the Special Reserve in Vancouver.
I always look for Caribou Crossing (my current bottle I prefer over Blanton's, even the store pick one I have) but rarely find it or if I do it's for more than my price cap (70 bucks at most). I think the general public certainly hunt down Blanton's more than the rest of the BT line. I gave away my last bottle of ER, after buying several at MSRP I got sick of it. Took my 2 years to finish my 2nd to last bottle so just gave the other away to a friend that can't find it cheapish. I greatly prefer my JD12 bottle to any of these though which I was lucky enough to get at MSRP.
I’ve got 4 bottles of Blantons because every time I find it for msrp I pick up a bottle for myself or a buddy. Lately I have been finding it quite a bit so I don’t even bother anymore. Just a few months ago I had 6 😅 and Blantons isn’t even a go too, I just pick it up generally because it’s harder to find.
Looks good on a shelf... I keep it around to share with other people... I don't reach for it... Those are all signs that the whiskey is not worth the hype. I totally agree too. Blanton's is a single barrel and they will vary.. yadda yadda yadda... That doesn't excuse the number of just average or below average bottles of it you find. I've yet to drink one that made me think "Dang, that's a good $65-70 bottle of whiskey". Alberta Premium Cask Strength is a bottle made me say "Dang, that's a good for $62.99". Redwood Empire Cask Strength Pipe Dream - '"Whoa, that's incredible for $69.99". Caribou Crossing is one of those bottle you only buy because it's hard to find now (because of weird animal topper collectors). No one is out there claiming it's a great pour. That's why it's insane that people keep perpetuating the hype cycle. The few bottles I've seen in the wild are $200-250.. similar to Stagg secondary and EHT Single Barrel (I like these bottles but wouldn't pay that for them either). FOMO is worse than heroine.
I hunted caribou when I first got into bourbon (I actually liked Canadian first) and now I have a few reserves I don’t hunt it. Blantons I only hunt because I’m one letter away from the set, Eagle rare I keep an eye out for because it’s harder to find in my area, maybe only twice a year I see it, it drops monthly but kinda rotates what stores get a case. Weller is next to impossible in my state, even special reserve you pretty much have to win a raffle for.
Caribou Crossing is readily available here in Canada, but it is $100. Blanton's comes in stock a couple times a year and goes for $75. Have never been able to bring myself to buy the CC.
I have managed to find 2- Blantons, 2 EH Taylor’s, SB and one Eagle Rare all for MSRP over the last couple months. I will only buy these at MSRP which is challenging but not impossible.
Ok, I'm pausing the video about 5 minutes in and have one word, just one for Trent ref A1.....MEATLOAF! I feel better now and will return to the whiskey content part.
Could you do a state specific whiskey review? Or even a region? Most of us know that decent whiskey tends to come from the state of Kentucky (not all, but a fair amount). Im curious how certain whiskeys compare to others made within the same state. For example: a line up of the top 5 selling Texas whiskeys or colorado whiskeys. Or maybe a look at the top ten selling that are outside of Kentucky or Tennessee. I am not asking for a scotch review or an Irish whiskey review, nor a Canadian review. Hope to see a video of this soon. Thanks
Lol, “Trenton is my sugar daddy”. You two fellas are as entertaining as you are informative. Sounds like the Caribou would make a nice shelf ornament? But, more importantly, A1 is great on a burger or meatloaf. And Trent, if I were getting effervescence from any bottle of whiskey it’s time to pour that bad boy down the drain!😂
I’d say it’s blantons for the new folks. Everyone likes blantons and eagle rare. But I actually think it ends up being weller 107 in my area. It’s hard to find and truly exceptional
I’m in Nashville, TN. I feel like Blanton’s and Eagle Rare are neck and neck. However, anytime I see Eagle Rare and Blantons stocked at the same times, it’s the ER that is gone by end of day, and the Blantons may be around for another day or two. But also, I find ER for around $40-$60 and Blanton’s is consistently $100-$130. If I find ER at $40 I usually snag it, makes a great gift every time, so I like to have them around. Blanton’s I don’t mind waiting because Ive had 1 opened and one in the box for about 2 years, so unless I found one for $60, I probably wouldn’t snag another at $100 until these ran out.
A-1 steak sauce is good stuff! Now that I grill my steaks on a pellet smoker I don't use nearly as much as I used to. Still use a small dab on some meat.
We need a video where Trenton tries all of these foods that he has never had. P.S. Where I am in California I can’t even find a Buffalo Trace very often.
Try Safeway in the Bay Area. We get some crazy stuff at great prices and the four or so near me almost always have a bunch of Buffalo Trace and sometimes Eagle Rare and I got my last bottle of Blanton’s there too, all around SRP
I got both Eagle Rare and Blanton’s for just a hair over SRP at Safeway (in California) and we usually see ER at $50+ and Blanton’s at $100-150. There are plenty of small mom and pop shops with a lot of them either on the shelf or behind glass but they just sit because the price is so high. If I’m hunting bottles I always ask the price when I see them just so I can say “oof, a little high for me, I’ll wait until Safeway has them again.” I never overstock myself up either, just send a text to whatever friends I know are looking.
Bought Blanton's and Weller at the Buffalo Trace Distillery back in April for MSRP. They only allow you to buy one bottle every 90 days...no doubt to keep the secondary marketers at bay. Sadly, Eagle Rare was offered on a day that I wasn't there. I don't mind a store grabbing a bit of profit...but when you see a bottle that is MSRP for around $40 with a price tag of $100...you just have to walk away. I totally enjoy the banter...and Trenton needs to get out of his comfort zone...try A-1 Steak Sauce on a burger...maybe not a favorite...but just different enough you may like it better than ketchup and/or mushrooms you picked in your backyard! Cheers!!!
In my area, Eagle Rare can be found more often than not. At Xmas last year, it was on sale for $32 a 750ml. Blanton's, no way. That's why I buy it whenever I see it, which is hardly ever. Right now, I have 2 bottles of Eagle Rare, and 2-1/2 of Blanton's. Will have to give the Caribou Crossing a whirl. I see it's sold nearby, but it has a maple leaf on top instead of a caribou.
I just scored Blanton's for $69.99 in Louisiana. The first one I've seen under $100. I've found Eagle Rare for $39.99 750ml and $69.99 for a 1.75 lt. Saw my first bottle of Mello Corn for $13.99. I had to pick that up. Also Benchmark Top Floor for $17.99.
My first bottle of Eagle Rare was a 1.75 liter bottle at $99.13 in upstate NY. They wanted $75.00 for a 750 ml so yeah a no brainer. A little difficult pouring but I’m working on it
In Alabama, I feel it’s definitely Blanton’s. When the ABC has their monthly allocations, the stores that do not receive Blanton’s usually have 20 or less people in line; for the stores with Blanton’s, it’s 30+ and folks arrive prior to 5:00am to claim their spot in line.
That’s because Bama puts it in that higher tier too! If they’re bringing out the Blanton’s you have, not only a chance at getting one, but also a decent selection that they’ve brought alongside them!
@@brettheiner7125 you can typically find the release list a bit before the drop date. I think the choice of store really depends on your location. For me the ones closer to the city get much greater quantities but that also brings much more people. For the regular monthly’s I’ve had no problem showing up to the store near me right at opening and picking up what I wanted being a few back in line. I think the main key is to keep your expectations in check so you don’t overhype your chances haha
@@brettheiner7125 not sure how well sharing this link will work, but it’s the page where they update their releases for all locations “ alabcboard.gov/stores/events/limited-release-programs “
I buy the caribou every time I find one at msrp, I stack them in the corner with the others, only for the reason it’s hard to find and I think it’s released in small quantities?
In Canada 🇨🇦 up to 9.09% of other can be added, and still be considered neat. Try the Canadian Club Chronicles Series aged 44 or 45 years. A very finesse style whiskey, definitely different than Bourbon.
Would love to see a Bowman Single Barrel vs EHT Single Barrel vs Buffalo Trace Single Barrell. All from mash bill 1 and I'm curious which one would win. Maybe throw in some mash bill 2 single barrels too? I don't think anyone has a made a video like that.
Blanton's is the best example of a very middle of the road 'good bourbon' that I can't think of anything that really stands out in the crowd in. It's good, but that's about it.
Just bought a Blanton's the other day for $99.99 because it was the first time I've ever seen one for sale. I'm not going to try it until I get another one for backup.
In Alabama, we have a 3 tier system for distribution of liquor. Blanton’s and Eagle rare are allocated and released by the state during monthly releases, 8 times a year. Many people camp out to acquire these. Most flip them.
@@LeatherDaddy97 it’s a damn monopoly is basically what it is… Wr do have retail at stores in AL outside of the ABC stores. But they have to buy from the ABC 🙄
KURT!!!! A-1 on a good hamburger is AWESOME!!!! I def hunt for Blanton's!!! I have 1 bottle of it which I keep under lock and key, with armed guards!!! CHEERS family!!!