Bourbon

[Whiskyteer 51]

Here’s some industry news that will make the rounds this morning.  Al Young, longtime brand Ambassador for Four Roses, passed on Christmas Day.  I’ve had the pleasure of dining with Al and picking barrels with him.  A great man and a great bourbon historian.  RIP Al 🥃  

[Party_Taco 3,742]

Here’s some industry news that will make the rounds this morning.  Al Young, longtime brand Ambassador for Four Roses, passed on Christmas Day.  I’ve had the pleasure of dining with Al and picking barrels with him.  A great man and a great bourbon historian.  RIP Al  

^^^ Thats a shame... will have to pour out a 4R tonight

[Eggo 3,977]

4 hours ago, Whiskyteer said:

Here’s some industry news that will make the rounds this morning.  Al Young, longtime brand Ambassador for Four Roses, passed on Christmas Day.  I’ve had the pleasure of dining with Al and picking barrels with him.  A great man and a great bourbon historian.  RIP Al 🥃  

Will crack a 4R SBS tonight and shed a Whiskytear. Thanks for sharing. 

[Buzzrock 14,922]

Damn, will have a pour for Al for sure.

In other news, Merry Christmas to me:

[billfromlaketravis 11,517]

I wanted to support a local business, so I picked up a bottle of Whitmeyer’s Bourbon and Rye. The rye is MGP, and the bourbon is a blend of Kentucky and their own product. It’s probably really young, but the Reddit reviews are promising. 

[LCHorn 2,621]

Anyone have an opinion on Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Batch Proof?  I was talked into a bottle but haven’t opened it yet.  

[billfromlaketravis 11,517]

11 hours ago, LCHorn said:

Anyone have an opinion on Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Batch Proof?  I was talked into a bottle but haven’t opened it yet.  

I remember it being pretty good, but not worth the money. I think the initial shock of seeing it on the shelf at a bad Total Wine is what propelled me to buy it. 

[billfromlaketravis 11,517]

On 12/26/2019 at 4:19 AM, Whiskyteer said:

Here’s some industry news that will make the rounds this morning.  Al Young, longtime brand Ambassador for Four Roses, passed on Christmas Day.  I’ve had the pleasure of dining with Al and picking barrels with him.  A great man and a great bourbon historian.  RIP Al 🥃  

RIP Al. Really cool story Whisky. 

I'm sure Brent Elliott and the rest of the Four Roses crew are pretty shook up. Based on the press release, it seems Al's death was sudden and unexpected. 

[burns_312 353]

Should be able to navigate the first couple days in Breck now.



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[Chewbacca 7,780]

Should be able to navigate the first couple days in Breck now.



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Be careful, 9k feet is no joke coming from sea level. If youre good there, welcome to Colorado!

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[billfromlaketravis 11,517]

Alright you heathens, I'm opening a bottle of Heaven Hill 7 tonight. Review forthcoming. 

[Chewbacca 7,780]

I have the opportunity to buy Little Book 3 for$180. Worth it?

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[Buzzrock 14,922]

Dead soldier.



These are good (thanks to the Trader Joe’s thread):

[burns_312 353]

Be careful, 9k feet is no joke coming from sea level. If youre good there, welcome to Colorado!

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I’m from western KS and come up several times a year but that first night always hits different. I’m getting pretty wound up in short order. Thanks for the warm welcome!


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[billfromlaketravis 11,517]

22 minutes ago, Chewbacca said:

I have the opportunity to buy Little Book 3 for$180. Worth it?

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I'd pay MSRP and nothing more. 

[Chewbacca 7,780]

I’m from western KS and come up several times a year but that first night always hits different. I’m getting pretty wound up in short order. Thanks for the warm welcome!


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Met a guy from Kansas a few days ago at The Jane in Winter Park. He was commenting about how much water once needs to drink at altitude. Be like him.

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[billfromlaketravis 11,517]

Heaven Hill 7 is a dead ringer for Evan Williams Bottled in Bond, and not as a good as Evan Williams Single Barrel. I'd buy a bottle just to have it, but it's nothing that should be hoarded. 

[burns_312 353]

Met a guy from Kansas a few days ago at The Jane in Winter Park. He was commenting about how much water once needs to drink at altitude. Be like him.

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Does it count if I mix with bourbon every now and again?


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[USCATX 1,078]

35 minutes ago, Chewbacca said:

I have the opportunity to buy Little Book 3 for$180. Worth it?

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Hard pass.  I’ll stockpile another one before they get hard to find but it’s all over Spec’s for $90 now. Just passed on a few Book 2s today at $89 a full 14 months after its release.  Just be patient and it will come to you.  With that said I did it side by side with Booker’s and a 15 year Knob pick last night and it’s clearly better so definitely pick one up at MSRP or less. 

[Chewbacca 7,780]

Hard pass.  I’ll stockpile another one before they get hard to find but it’s all over Spec’s for $90 now. Just passed on a few Book 2s today at $89 a full 14 months after its release.  Just be patient and it will come to you.  With that said I did it side by side with Booker’s and a 15 year Knob pick last night and it’s clearly better so definitely pick one up at MSRP or less. 

Retail is 125 for Book 3.

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[Beantown Express 2.0 6,559]

Cracked this open tonight. Quite hot at 136 proof but also very tasty.


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[billfromlaketravis 11,517]

39 minutes ago, Beantown Express 2.0 said:

Cracked this open tonight. Quite hot at 136 proof but also very tasty.


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The C918 was knock your socks off good. One of the best high proof bourbons I've ever had. 131.4 proof, but smooth as hell. 

I think consistency is Heaven Hill's problem. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof quality swings wildly. They do better in the single barrel programs. It's a great product run very poorly. The Popeye's of distilled spirits. 

Edited December 28, 2019 by billfromlaketravis

[USCATX 1,078]

1 hour ago, Chewbacca said:

 

 

Retail is 125 for Book 3.

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I saw that online, but paid $116 at Twin and saw it for $90 at Spec’s.  

[Buzzrock 14,922]

Perhaps a stupid question, but if bourbon can go into the barrel at max 125 proof, how can it come out at 136? Can the proof go up during aging?

[billfromlaketravis 11,517]

1 minute ago, Buzzrock said:

Perhaps a stupid question, but if bourbon can go into the barrel at max 125 proof, how can it come out at 136? Can the proof go up during aging?

To my knowledge, they'd have to blend it to increase the proof. Most distillers cut it with water to increase yield/decrease proof.

[Anastasis 23,475]

2 minutes ago, Buzzrock said:

Perhaps a stupid question, but if bourbon can go into the barrel at max 125 proof, how can it come out at 136? Can the proof go up during aging?

Chemistries and shit happens. 

[Neonmoon 38,129]

6 hours ago, Buzzrock said:

Perhaps a stupid question, but if bourbon can go into the barrel at max 125 proof, how can it come out at 136? Can the proof go up during aging?

The bourbon can be distilled up to max 160 proof. Then diluted with water down to 125 proof to enter the barrel. Water molecules are smaller than alcohol molecules. Therefore, they escape the barrel much easier when it’s hot, especially at the top of the rickhouse, hence concentrating the alcohol and driving the proof up. The longer the aging, the higher it can drive up the proof. From 125 up to 150. In contrast, barrels at bottom of rickhouse are cooler and moisture will enter the barrel and proof down the barrel. 
 

Note, it doesn’t have to enter the barrel at 125 proof. That’s just the max. Many quality bourbons enter at less, Pappy at 115 for example 

Edited December 28, 2019 by Neonmoon

[Bert Orange 1,120]

10 hours ago, Chewbacca said:

Met a guy from Kansas a few days ago at The Jane in Winter Park. He was commenting about how much water once needs to drink at altitude. Be like him.

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Most bourbon is 33-50% water. Just drink lots of it. 

[Buzzrock 14,922]

The bourbon can be distilled up to max 160 proof. Then diluted with water down to 125 proof to enter the barrel. Water molecules are smaller than alcohol molecules. Therefore, they escape the barrel much easier when it’s hot, especially at the top of the rickhouse, hence concentrating the alcohol and driving the proof up. The longer the aging, the higher it can drive up the proof. From 125 up to 150. In contrast, barrels at bottom of rickhouse are cooler and moisture will enter the barrel and proof down the barrel. 
 
Note, it doesn’t have to enter the barrel at 125 proof. That’s just the max. Many quality bourbons enter at less, Pappy at 115 for example 

That is a lucid, intelligent, well thought-out response.

[BigDHornfan 6,549]

On 12/26/2019 at 10:39 PM, LCHorn said:

Anyone have an opinion on Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Batch Proof?  I was talked into a bottle but haven’t opened it yet.  

I fucking love it.  I am in the minority, but I don't mind paying the 120 retail for it.  One of my favorites.

[Onboard 2.0 9,083]

47 minutes ago, Buzzrock said:

 

That is a lucid, intelligent, well thought-out response.

 

WTF is that kind of shit doing on the Surly ??!

[Eggo 3,977]

1 hour ago, Buzzrock said:

 

That is a lucid, intelligent, well thought-out response.

 

He must be drinking from the bottom of the rickhouse. 

[Neonmoon 38,129]

27 minutes ago, Eggo said:

He must be drinking from the bottom of the rickhouse. 

Ha I actually prefer lower proof bourbons. 90-110 is kind of my sweet spot. I like mine neat with no ice. Once it starts getting past 115 or 120, it’s too hot for me. 

[Smax 3,800]

 did anyone go to this?

 

[billfromlaketravis 11,517]

8 minutes ago, Smax said:

 did anyone go to this?

 

This was awesome. I took my wife to buy more. Scored two bottles of Weller Full Proof, two bottles of Antique, two bottles of Blanton’s, and two Eagle Rare 10. 

[4th&Five 41,558]

Haven’t been buying much lately...is regular Weller green label readily available these days?

[BigDHornfan 6,549]

Gotta love it when you get a text from Goody Goody hookup that says
Come in today.

[Bozo_Casanova 26,488]

I'm very grateful to have it because that's my "and coke" bourbon, but It's a sad state of affairs when somebody has to pull a handle of Weller Special Reserve out of the back room.
I'm not posting a pic because it's depressing. 

[Godzillatron 292]

I'm very grateful to have it because that's my "and coke" bourbon, but It's a sad state of affairs when somebody has to pull a handle of Weller Special Reserve out of the back room.
I'm not posting a pic because it's depressing. 

Had that happen to me this week.. was told they had some Weller’s in the back and that’s what came out. Still bought it...


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[Smax 3,800]

3 hours ago, billfromlaketravis said:

This was awesome. I took my wife to buy more. Scored two bottles of Weller Full Proof, two bottles of Antique, two bottles of Blanton’s, and two Eagle Rare 10. 

 

 

damn i forgot about it till about 9 and didn't go, wanted the full proof as my er and blantons supply is fine

[billfromlaketravis 11,517]

10 minutes ago, Smax said:

 

 

damn i forgot about it till about 9 and didn't go, wanted the full proof as my er and blantons supply is fine

My friend was in line by 915 am. When we reached the Weller Full Proof they had an entire table of bottles. 

[Party_Taco 3,742]

I'm very grateful to have it because that's my "and coke" bourbon, but It's a sad state of affairs when somebody has to pull a handle of Weller Special Reserve out of the back room.
I'm not posting a pic because it's depressing. 

You want depressing? How about this for ya...

Went to a regular honey hole today that I hadn’t visited in months, only to see all this behind the counter and nearly lose my shit:



Being of sound mind despite my excitement, I asked the lady behind the counter for a few price checks:

Weller Special Reserve: $300
GTS: $600
Sazerac: $800
WLW: $1500
Old Fitz: $400

I laughed and walked to the back, found a bottle of 1910 for $49 and took that out the door.

Such a shame to see so many bottles I’ve been searching for in a single location only to be confronted with aftermarket prices. Fuck the prospectors!

[conVINCEd 21,469]

4 minutes ago, Party_Taco said:

You want depressing? How about this for ya...

Went to a regular honey hole today that I hadn’t visited in months, only to see all this behind the counter and nearly lose my shit:



Being of sound mind despite my excitement, I asked the lady behind the counter for a few price checks:

Weller Special Reserve: $300
GTS: $600
Sazerac: $800
WLW: $1500
Old Fitz: $400

I laughed and walked to the back, found a bottle of 1910 for $49 and took that out the door.

Such a shame to see so many bottles I’ve been searching for in a single location only to be confronted with aftermarket prices. Fuck the prospectors!

I’ll take the WLW and 2 cans of Kodiak.

[ERhine 1,894]

You want depressing? How about this for ya...

Went to a regular honey hole today that I hadn’t visited in months, only to see all this behind the counter and nearly lose my shit:



Being of sound mind despite my excitement, I asked the lady behind the counter for a few price checks:

Weller Special Reserve: $300
GTS: $600
Sazerac: $800
WLW: $1500
Old Fitz: $400

I laughed and walked to the back, found a bottle of 1910 for $49 and took that out the door.

Such a shame to see so many bottles I’ve been searching for in a single location only to be confronted with aftermarket prices. Fuck the prospectors!

Why give them any business at all? Places who want to mark up like that can fuck off, and I won’t spend any money with them.

[Eggo 3,977]

Special Reserve for $300? I just finished a 1.75 I spent $40 on a month ago. 

[Party_Taco 3,742]

Why give them any business at all? Places who want to mark up like that can fuck off, and I won’t spend any money with them.

First time I’ve seen 1910 on the shelf this year - Otherwise I would have happily walked with nothing.

[BigDHornfan 6,549]

When your at your Mom’s house for 2nd Christmas and go looking for some bourbon in the bar and find this:

[billfromlaketravis 11,517]

2 hours ago, Party_Taco said:

You want depressing? How about this for ya...

Went to a regular honey hole today that I hadn’t visited in months, only to see all this behind the counter and nearly lose my shit:



Being of sound mind despite my excitement, I asked the lady behind the counter for a few price checks:

Weller Special Reserve: $300
GTS: $600
Sazerac: $800
WLW: $1500
Old Fitz: $400

I laughed and walked to the back, found a bottle of 1910 for $49 and took that out the door.

Such a shame to see so many bottles I’ve been searching for in a single location only to be confronted with aftermarket prices. Fuck the prospectors!

Weller Special Reserve for $300 is the craziest s*** I’ve ever seen. 

[Okie State 3,821]

My friend was in line by 915 am. When we reached the Weller Full Proof they had an entire table of bottles. 

Do they do this every year?

[billfromlaketravis 11,517]

23 minutes ago, Okie State said:

3 hours ago, billfromlaketravis said:

My friend was in line by 915 am. When we reached the Weller Full Proof they had an entire table of bottles. 

Do they do this every year?

I don’t remember them doing it last year, but I could be wrong. It seems like a drastic change from what Spec’s normally does. 

Both the Full Proof and Blanton’s are store picks so it could be a promotional thing related to that. Regardless, Buffalo Trace hooked them and sent an unusually large amount of Weller Full Proof and Blanton’s. I don’t expect I’ll ever see more bottles of both in the same place for the rest of my life. 

An entire table covered in Weller Full Proof is crazy.