Bourbon

[billfromlaketravis 11352]

2 hours ago, CoachEmUp64 said:

Anyone ever seen this released from Redwood or know anything about it?

not a huge malt fan, but it at least peaked my interest to take a picture of it lol 

Personally, I'd stay away unless you like scotch. The only malt whiskey I've liked is the Jack Daniels Special release from 2022. It was a hitter. I happily paid $200 to get a second bottle. 

 

[USCATX 1067]

On 2/7/2024 at 3:31 PM, TxTower said:

My guess is that they get a shit ton of Barton or other distillate bottled under their made up store brand names and then sell it as “hey this is just as good as (insert name here) but costs less”.

Blanton’s.  It’s better than Blanton’s.  

[Mrs Whiggins 13049]

On 2/6/2024 at 9:09 PM, Slacks said:

Dont know what this is, so I probably paid too much for it. 

Our oldest bought a bottle of that for my husband but she lives out of state and said it wasn't as expensive as it is here. Husband gave it an 'okay,' but not one he'd go out and buy for himself. Agree with the TW technique--I only ever buy bottles I already know he likes from them because otherwise they'd see me with my cart and just know I don't do bourbon.

[SurlyGator 860]

Am I the only person that opened this thread this morning and briefly panicked when I saw Page 404 in the header tab?  Not sure if that means I need to drink less or pour one now to calm my nerves.

[billfromlaketravis 11352]

What's the story on 6th Street Spirits? It's MGP right? I wouldn't think they're distilling in Giddings.

[BigDHornfan 6522]

What's the story on 6th Street Spirits? It's MGP right? I wouldn't think they're distilling in Giddings.

Well it says distilled in Indiana, so yes.
It’s MGP.

[billfromlaketravis 11352]

1 minute ago, BigDHornfan said:

Well if it says distilled in Indiana, you have your answer.

Do they have any Texas distilled bourbon or rye? I hate this shit where Texas businesses call themselves a distillery and the only thing getting distilled on site is vodka. 

[billfromlaketravis 11352]

Give me the Baby Saz Spec's pick over the Buffalo Trace pick. 

That's just a good to great rye for $26. I'm not going to put it out there in the universe what they could charge for it. 

[BigDHornfan 6522]

Do they have any Texas distilled bourbon or rye? I hate this shit where Texas businesses call themselves a distillery and the only thing getting distilled on site is vodka. 

I have a lot of Balcones.
Single malts are where they shine, but they’ve done some pretty damn good ryes as well.
Bourbon not so much, except for the Wheated.

[Txslnghrns 1350]

Picked this up Friday night. Just sitting on a shelf at Specs. I’ve a had a few of these bottles in the past. The 124.7 was really good IMO. The 5 malt made me question life itself. As long as this is better than the 5 malt I will be happy with it.

I also picked up a Kentucky Spirit which I oddly had a hard time finding. I’m a big time fan of just about all things WT and was super jazzed to purchase one. Leads me to this question….when does total wine come out with their RR10 pick? I bought one years ago and I can’t remember what part of the year it was.

[USCATX 1067]

30 minutes ago, Txslnghrns said:

Picked this up Friday night. Just sitting on a shelf at Specs. I’ve a had a few of these bottles in the past. The 124.7 was really good IMO. The 5 malt made me question life itself. As long as this is better than the 5 malt I will be happy with it.

I also picked up a Kentucky Spirit which I oddly had a hard time finding. I’m a big time fan of just about all things WT and was super jazzed to purchase one. Leads me to this question….when does total wine come out with their RR10 pick? I bought one years ago and I can’t remember what part of the year it was.

Nothing is worse than the five malt, so you should be safe.  

[KeysPhoneWallet 807]

Grabbed a tincup 14er and really like it. Drinks above its proof in terms of flavor. Could drink the whole damn bottle too easy

[JCHIL 414]

Received this as a gift this past weekend.  Haven’t opened it yet.  Apparently only available in Japan….anyone tasted it ?

[BigDHornfan 6522]

Received this as a gift this past weekend.  Haven’t opened it yet.  Apparently only available in Japan….anyone tasted it ?

Tastes like Blanton’s to me.
Good, not great.

[deft 6772]

Sounds like it’s shit. I’ll take it off your hands.

[BigDHornfan 6522]

Time for my annual birthday pours.
2019 OFBB and my birth year 1973 Jim Beam.
Makes being old worth it.

[Yev Kassem 1026]

Snagged the new batch of JD12 off the shelf at TW today. Happened to get lucky and be there just as they were putting it out. 

[billfromlaketravis 11352]

1 hour ago, Yev Kassem said:

Snagged the new batch of JD12 off the shelf at TW today. Happened to get lucky and be there just as they were putting it out. 

You truck following SOB. 

 

[billfromlaketravis 11352]

Spec’s has joined the club of cute pricing on their picks. I paid $75 each for a JD BPSiB and a Kentucky Spirit pick. 

[RichUT 1790]

How is $75 cute? Because it’s not a round number? Would you feel better if they charged $80?

[freyguy 4245]

a friend got me this for my b-day awhile back.  Just recently opened it.  I'm no whiskey aficionado, but to me it's very good.

Edited February 15 by freyguy

[Yev Kassem 1026]

18 hours ago, billfromlaketravis said:

You truck following SOB. 

 

Actually a buddy tipped me off that they dropped at his TW yesterday morning, so I went down to the store by my house and got lucky. Been on the other side all too often, so glad the Bourbon Gods delivered in my favor for once. 

This new batch is unbelievable by the way. So oaky, rich and full of flavor for only 107 proof. 

[billfromlaketravis 11352]

9 hours ago, RichUT said:

How is $75 cute? Because it’s not a round number? Would you feel better if they charged $80?

The JD pick is about $20 higher than MSRP and the Kentucky Spirit pick is $15 higher. 

[Jack Handey 57]

Have an opportunity to pick up Blanton's SFTB for $200, which appears to be more than MSRP but less than secondary market. Worth it?

[Herbie Hancock 7302]

I would do it. You aren’t going to find it at retail ever, and that’s cheaper than secondary.

[billfromlaketravis 11352]

1 hour ago, Jack Handey said:

Have an opportunity to pick up Blanton's SFTB for $200, which appears to be more than MSRP but less than secondary market. Worth it?

I would do it. If they have another bottle/deliver please let me know. 

[billfromlaketravis 11352]

Has anybody used Froot Bat before?  Prices are ok and I’ve heard good things. 

Edited February 16 by billfromlaketravis

[RichUT 1790]

The JD pick is about $20 higher than MSRP and the Kentucky Spirit pick is $15 higher. 

So? Inflation has been high and everything is more expensive in general. Not to mention that liquor stores know that whiskey demand is showing no signs of slowing down. Which is something you validated by still buying at those prices.

[Herbie Hancock 7302]

Do yourself a favor and put slappy the taterrific jackass on ignore. Then the only time you’ll be subjected to his stupid hot takes is when someone quotes him

[billfromlaketravis 11352]

26 minutes ago, RichUT said:

So? Inflation has been high and everything is more expensive in general. Not to mention that liquor stores know that whiskey demand is showing no signs of slowing down. Which is something you validated by still buying at those prices.

I’ll pay more for a store pick if there’s a story behind it. Deb’s claims they do their picks in Kentucky, and charge a premium to cover their expenses.

Spec’s either has the distiller make the pick for them or if the employees are lucky, the distiller will send samples and they’ll have a tasting. They’re not incurring any additional expenses. 

Edited February 16 by billfromlaketravis

[BigDHornfan 6522]

9 hours ago, billfromlaketravis said:

I’ll pay more for a store pick if there’s a story behind it. Deb’s claims they do their picks in Kentucky, and charge a premium to cover their expenses.

Spec’s either has the distiller make the pick for them or if the employees are lucky, the distiller will send samples and they’ll have a tasting. They’re not incurring any additional expenses. 

As someone who has gone on multiple trips to do picks, I will tell you the stores I have been partnered with don't charge premiums to cover expenses.  Only expenses are either gas to drive to the distillery or airfare.    They charge premiums because people are willing to pay it.  

[billfromlaketravis 11352]

57 minutes ago, BigDHornfan said:

As someone who has gone on multiple trips to do picks, I will tell you the stores I have been partnered with don't charge premiums to cover expenses.  Only expenses are either gas to drive to the distillery or airfare.    They charge premiums because people are willing to pay it.  

Fair enough. Again I don’t mind paying for more if it’s for charity or something,  but those picks are limited almost exclusively limited to private groups. 

[Mo Horn 8795]

Won a raffle from the club I'm part of to buy this at a discount. Looking forward to cracking it open tonight. 

[KeysPhoneWallet 807]

Anyone know anything about woodford Sonoma triple finish?

[Hank Kingsley 20635]

22 hours ago, RichUT said:

Not to mention that liquor stores know that whiskey demand is showing no signs of slowing down. 

It has absolutely slowed down in Houston. 

 

[billfromlaketravis 11352]

8 minutes ago, Hank Kingsley said:

It has absolutely slowed down in Houston. 

 

Maybe. Specs not being able to move their Elijah Craig BP pick for weeks and weeks could be the canary in the coal mine. It’s a little young at 8 years and not priced well at $92, so it could be a one off. 
 

Based on the December drop picks, I’d say Austin and Dallas have cooled off. I might drive up to Austin next year for it. 

Edited February 17 by billfromlaketravis

[Hank Kingsley 20635]

The majority of the store employees that I've spoken with say it's been slooooooow for months. 

[deft 6772]

Demand is slowing down?

[KeysPhoneWallet 807]

Went to my local specs last night and saw a bunch of bottles I had interest in for once:

Joseph magnus cigar blend batch 225 for $180
Remus gatsby reserve for $230
Remus repeal reserve 7 $90
EC toasted barrel for $55
Barrel cask strength 6yr for $76
Russel reserve single barrel rye $60
Woodford reserve Sonoma triple finish $130

Walked out with the JMCB which is my first time to find one on a shelf and try it. Really liked it, but need to try again when not already drunk.

[BigDHornfan 6522]

Anyone know anything about woodford Sonoma triple finish?

Didn’t care for it.
Especially for the $

[billfromlaketravis 11352]

5 hours ago, KeysPhoneWallet said:

Went to my local specs last night and saw a bunch of bottles I had interest in for once:

Joseph magnus cigar blend batch 225 for $180
Remus gatsby reserve for $230
Remus repeal reserve 7 $90
EC toasted barrel for $55
Barrel cask strength 6yr for $76
Russel reserve single barrel rye $60
Woodford reserve Sonoma triple finish $130

Walked out with the JMCB which is my first time to find one on a shelf and try it. Really liked it, but need to try again when not already drunk.

I like it quite a bit, but I haven’t stumbled across a bottle yet. That’s a pretty decent price. I think Total sells it in the $220 range. 

[Buzzrock 14867]

Took January off but got into this in Feb



It’s good

[KeysPhoneWallet 807]

Love the jcmb, this is a batch 225 at 54.54%. Very good. Hits a lot of dark notes. Notes of leather and the smell of fresh tobacco rubbed in the hand of an attractive Native American woman, toffee sweet and oak.

[CoachEmUp64 79]

Ok I’m in New Mexico skiing and found Jack Daniels Sinatra at basically msrp, Stagg jr at $249, and Midwinters(2023) at $179. 
 

Stagg is a pass for me at that price. Midwinters is intriguing bc I can’t find it anywhere. 
 

Who has had Sinatra? I’ve never seen it. I know that upper level Jack stuff is delicious tho. Thoughts? 

[Herbie Hancock 7302]

I live by the rule that if a celebrity has their name attached to it, there’s an overwhelmingly high chance it’s terrible and overpriced so I’ve never bought it.

Stagg and MWND are both terribly overrated, and that Stagg price is absurd.

[RichUT 1790]

Neighbor has the Sinatra. It’s unremarkable. I’d pass on all three, but the MWND is probably the best combo of good product at a price that’s not terribly out of line.

[billfromlaketravis 11352]

59 minutes ago, CoachEmUp64 said:

Ok I’m in New Mexico skiing and found Jack Daniels Sinatra at basically msrp, Stagg jr at $249, and Midwinters(2023) at $179. 
 

Stagg is a pass for me at that price. Midwinters is intriguing bc I can’t find it anywhere. 
 

Who has had Sinatra? I’ve never seen it. I know that upper level Jack stuff is delicious tho. Thoughts? 

I’d pass on all 3. Sinarta is interesting, but I’d recommend just getting a pour at the bar. 

[BigDHornfan 6522]

Get 2 JD Barrel Proofs over 1 Sinatra.
Better whiskey for less money.

[USCATX 1067]

On 2/16/2024 at 8:10 PM, Hank Kingsley said:

It has absolutely slowed down in Houston. 

 

It’s definitely slowing down and the big players like Heaven Hill caught up a year or two ago outside of the Texas market.   
 

Meanwhile, I’m wrapping up bangers I opened up 5 years ago.  Double digit MGP is properly rated as very excellent and I enjoyed this one from start to finish.  

[Buzzrock 14867]

I like the way you pour.