Yup. I've found a few bottles I enjoy, that are always on the shelf, and just replace those. I still apply for the ABC lottery, but have never been chosen.
I wish liquor stores up here in WA would sell the special allocation at close to msrp and what would be "fair". Everything up here has a $25+ per gallon spirits tax and then the 9% state sales which typically leads to 33% taxes on 750ml products. So essentially add about 10-30 bucks extra on stuff your buying in your area. Im so happy i can get stuff on base, but we dont ever see really allocated products, closest thing so far ive seen relating is bookers and mckenna 10 bib.
I'm not a big Maker's Mark fan, but I like Rebel 100. In fact, I'm a-sippin' on it now. 🙂 This past week was the only hunting I've ever done - and the one I wanted the most I couldn't find. In fact, most of the bottles I'd planned to get either weren't available or I changed my mind. But what I did get is almost all worth it. This'll almost certainly be my last hunt, 'cause a sudden large access of fundage isn't likely again. 🙂 I don't know about other Basil Hayden expressions, but the basic bourbon, in my judgment, isn't any better than Jim Beam white label.
@@BourbonBammer Jim Beam Black 7 year, Holladay Soft Red Wheat BiB, Still Austin Cask Strength, Bulleit Barrel Strength, Knob Creek 12, and one I already like - Larceny Small Batch. Tomorrow the last acquisition will be Hard Truth bourbon, and maybe something else if the Hard Truth doesn't cost too much. 🙂
Congrats on the JD12, I stumbled into one of the local stores in my area & they had a JD10/JD12 for a little over msrp. I too am a OF fan, was treated to a OF SB rye sample that was delicious. Great haul! Waiting till the 18th of this month to crack the JD12 for my birthday. Cheers
I paid secondary for a Jack 10 and was a little disappointed. I actually liked the JD SBBP better. I'd be interested to hear your opinion on the Jack12.
I think batch 3 Jack 10 is better than Batch 2 Jack 12 (the two 2024 releases). I'm in the minority on that opinion in my bourbon group. Jack 12 is HEAVY oak forward. Also - don't pay secondary on Jack products. They are good - but they are cheap MSRP (for what you get). My opinion is that nothing from a legacy distillery is worth paying secondary to obtain. You'll always be left disappointed. The only bottle I've paid much of a markup to obtain and was happy with my purchase was Bomberger's 2022. I did pay almost $200 for that bottle (mostly because I didn't know MSRP off top of my head) but it's my 2nd favorite bottle out of over 700 bottles sampled over the past year and a half. I've been disappointed in many big hyped bottles that I've sampled. One of the best things to do is become part of a bottle share group. It's the best way to learn about whiskies without breaking the bank. Being part of an in-person bourbon group is also the best way to gain information about bottle drops and events. I've met tons of sales reps, retail managers, and distributors through my bourbon group and it's dramatically improved my knowledge about upcoming drops in my area. Most online groups are pretty shy about sharing honey holes and "insider" information. Friends (which bottle share groups quickly become) are not shy about helping you find the good stuff. As someone who spends a ton each month on bottles - my favorite thing to do is share my bottles with the group. A chunk of my purchases are actually just to share them with the group. I don't like most Sazerac products and I love being able to share my Weller lineup, and etc with people new to the hobby. Sazerac stuff seems to fall into your lap a ton when you have a decent bourbon budget and it's nice to have something to do with those bottles. I don't sell or trade bottles but I often give them away.
Is regular makers mark a screw top dipped in that wax? Never had a single makers product. Dont think im a big wheated fan but have had a couple of wheated bourbons before and dont think its to great other than mixing for cocktails.
I recently got my Dad a regular bottle of makers, it was not a screw top. And man it was really smooth. I made an old fashioned as that's how I like my bourbon. And it was a great pour.
Thank you I appreciate the recommendation! I've seen them on the other base im near by. I also see some service member "exclusive" products not sure if it's the license plate stuff since I'm not 100% what those are but they're about 70 bones flat. I believe those are the "BEP" series/wood finished series correct?
Unfortunately wheated bourbon just isn't my thing. Weller, Maker's, Pappy, Holladay, Larceny. Just can't find one that doesn't torch my innards and make me angry. Allocated stuff can be an aggravating endeavor. Russell's 15 dropped last week here in Wisconsin. Sold out within a couple hours. Listed on facebook and forums in the hours after that. Really pisses me off. It was dropped mid-day on a Thursday. I'm sorry, normal people are working. The stores can't be bothered to hold them until a Saturday or Sunday so regular people can get a chance at them? No instead retired boomers get all of it and flip it. Some were asking $1,500 for the 15 on the forums. Absolute insanity. I see a ton of Old Forester on your shelf. I have a few bottles of the old black top Early Times. I'm very fond of that pour and I have to micro-manage my friends when they are over because they all love it too! Do any of the Old Forester bottles mimic the old Early Times Bonded? I wasn't sure if OF 100 proof would be similar or just vastly different. Some others have told me Old Forester and Early Times are apples and oranges. I still need to make it down to Illinois to find the newer blue top Early Times made by Sazerac.
