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Great minds Gabe? :D Although I actually finished mine last night.

https://i.imgur.com/4Wd3Q1k.jpg

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Nice! I have a bottle of 1920 that's still sealed somewhere in the back of the cabinet...

...but I also drank about a full bottle of it camping one weekend a few months back so I have a very good idea of how good it tastes :dr

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Found another new (to me) Booker's yesterday.

https://i.imgur.com/b3Sf71d.jpg

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Nice find! I can barely find any on the shelves recently, let alone some that have a little dust on the top

I did find a bottle of Hibiki Harmony over the weekend, cool looking bottle and the stuff inside is supposed to be pretty stellar, I was gonna crack it last night but being National Bourbon Day I thought it wouldn't make sense to drink Japanese.

I had a very full weekend of drinking Bourbon, which included:

Blantons SFTB
Hancock Reserve
BT Store Pick (2x stores)
Jefferson Reserve Ocean Voyage 19
Larceny Store Pick
Henry McKenna 10

And probably some other stuff :al

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Now THAT'S a weekend! :D :al

Does it seem that the store pick makes a big difference for the Buffalo Trace, Ben?

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I think so, but also I'm not sure the last time I had a non-store pick. I definitely notice a difference between bottles, I actually have three different ones open now (but one only has a couple pours left, it won't make it to the end of the week), I wouldn't say they are different enough that I would grab one over another because I was looking for a particular profile but some I get more maraschino cherries than others, which I like. I had a pour from the almost empty bottle that tasted like a cherry vanilla ice cream I had when I was a kid. BT is my go to for a warm up pour, most nights that I'm trying a few it starts with that. But I'm also very lucky that it seems a different store around here gets a BT barrel each week, so I never have to pay more than $26 or have to look too hard. I just grab one pretty much any time I see them and throw it in the back of the cabinet :tu

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Good to know. Next time I see one here I'll grab it, assuming the price is good. :tu

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Nice Tom! I did some research before buying the 1920 and glad it also gets the Icehog seal of approval! Question for everyone, I’m fairly new to High end Bourbon and enjoying my journey, the 1920 will be my first whiskey that high in proof, do you add a few drops of water to it and barrel proof bourbons? I normally drink my bourbons neat. Will it be an all out burn fest? I’m currently enjoying the last of my Elijah Craig small batch 94 proof and love it but there is a decent burn to it? Am I being a puss lol? Going to crack open the 1920 on Fatjers Day to enjoy with Dad and watch golf.

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You're not being a puss! Give it a try neat, if it's too much throw a couple splashes of water or an ice cube, try again. I think you'll get up there quickly, I never used to be able to drink scotch without an ice cube but when I started switching to bourbon I tried skipping the cube and for the most part only drink neat now, but sometimes certain pours need a little water to open them up.

I've heard barrel proof bourbon described as being able to enjoy three ways: neat, splash of water, over a little ice. All three will give you a little different experience, try them out and see what you like best.

I also once had a guy at a liquor store tell me I should buy a bottle of Barrell Bourbon because I could add enough water to basically get two bottles of 80 proof for the price of one so it was a good deal. I didn't buy it... or anything there...

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I agree with Ben, Gabe, try it neat first, then with a few drops of water. I find that sometimes the water really opens up different, richer flavors, so I do it sometimes even though I love the heat.

I disagree with Ben about you being a puss though, no way that EC 94 proof should be too hot. ;) ;s :r

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I never said too hot just I nice kick to it! Lol!!

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;s :r

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Last night's pours:

https://i.imgur.com/s7lzmJ1.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/RCgt5xA.jpg

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Around here, anything that gets a good review seems to disappear overnight. Wierd.

I went ahead and tried Total, nation wide, but the only store that has it (and in store pickup only) was Miami. I need to get my hands on 6 bottles, for medicinal purposes only, of course. Now, if someone were to find several bottles of the Dickel BiB they don't want (yeah right), I would be interested. Just sayin.

Today I did find Four Roses Small Batch and the SB Select in Shrewsbury Mass. Put a couple of bottles of each on hold. It's 28 miles to the store, but I am thirsty :dr and will be headed there tomorrow to pick up a few bottle of each.


Thanks!

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I would suggest the Four Roses Single Barrel over the Small Batch and Small Batch Select, Scott. So much better than the SB, and just as good as the Select and $15-20 cheaper most places. Thank me later. :D

Only place I have seen the Dickel BiB around here is at the United Center is a whiskey bar before a Blackhawks game, and there obviously only available for a pour.

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Local store just put up a post about an 11 year EC store pick. Wasn't gonna wait for that one to sell out, ran right over, $34 for 11 years seems like a fair price :)

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Looking forward to hearing how it compares to the regular EC 94. I see store picks at Binny's and Garfield's around here from time to time.

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I'll take your advice and pick up a bottle and give it a shot. I have been broadening my horizons as of late (nothing else to do), so this is now my new past time, as long as the Honey Do list is finished !! :noon

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https://i.postimg.cc/GpTmQGmr/ADC6-B...CDE00-D043.jpg

This is so weird! On a whim I picked this up at the store today. I was torn between this and Wild Turkey Rare Breed but ultimately went with Four Roses. This stuff is awesome!! Maybe next time I try small batch out as well!!

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It's becoming mine as well, much to the chagrin of my liver. :al :r

Great minds, Gabe! :D

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A pour from the Infinity bottle last night. Right now it averages just above 116 proof. Tasty and rich, but I still like my 125+ proof stuff best.

https://i.imgur.com/IaUHwQv.jpg

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OK, no joy on the Four Roses Single Barrel. I called last night and they said they would hold two bottles for me. I drove almost 30 miles and when I got there they said they were out of stock. I was slightly perturbed, but the manager said he would give me a 10% discount on two bottles, but they won't be in stock until July 2. I'm good with that. Picked up some Four Roses Small Batch and a bottle of Balcones Texas Single Malt to try. I am not an expert/experienced taste tester per se, but I do like to "taste" different whiskeys and bourbons and enjoy them immensely.

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I am not sure we have any "experts" here, Scott, but a lot of other "enjoyers". Cheers! :al

Let us know your thoughts on the ones you picked up after you've cracked them.

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Well, since it was 5 o'clock somewhere, I cracked open the Balcones for a taste. This is my first review, of anything, so forgive me if it sounds off.

After letting it sit neat for a few minutes, I had a sip or two. This Whisky has a very rich body/aroma, almost caramel like. At 53% by volume, it's a strong drink neat. I then splashed a little water in the glass and that brought the temp down a bit, but it still smelled great. I gave that a minute and then put an ice cube in the glass and waited another minute. The cube seemed to bring out a lot more flavor and made this a more enjoyable drink.

Truth be told, it will take me a while to get through the bottle, but the Four Roses Small Batch will be forth coming.

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At least a few hours, hopefully you're not driving. ;) ;s :r

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Every time you go to the store pick up 2-4 bottles, eventually they'll all be hard to finish because you'll keep grabbing pours of different stuff

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Last night's pour. I was inspired by a review I was texted. ;) :D

https://i.imgur.com/4aKPVG0.jpg

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https://i.postimg.cc/XvvX3Bgy/A842-F...5-F6-DE7-A.jpg

I really need to stop!! I live in PA which has state run liquor stores. I’m working an hour away in Allentown and they have a store with a “bourbon boutique” saw these for $30 so I grabbed them. Almost bought Larceny Barrel Proof but passed!!

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Last night had a pour of High West Bourye thanks to the Texas Santa. ;)

https://i.imgur.com/6pSatn2.jpg

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https://i.imgur.com/LZnQuDS.jpg

Kentucky Chew. Picked randomly by QTEE, she insisted that I give her credit anyways. :D

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Went for a hike yesterday, stopped by a liquor store before heading back to Denver. Got excited when I saw the handles of Weller SR and Eagle Rare, but quickly realized the situation when I saw the bottles of Blantons, Taylor Small Batch and Rye, Weller 12 and OWA and... Bookers 30th, all with no price tag. I had already had a regular bottle of ER in my hand when I asked about the price of the Wellers. She laughed and said OWA $199 and 12 was $299 because "they are allocated." I put the ER down and walked out, no need to ask about other prices

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Doesn't it just break your heart sometimes? Seeing a semi-unicorn and then finding out it's 5 times MSRP?

I still would have had to ask about the Booker 30th though. If nothing else, because I'm a bourbon masochist. :r

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Honestly I don't see it too often, most of the "pricier" places I shop add $10-$20 for hard to get bottles but they're small shops and I'll usually pay it to help them out if I want that. Otherwise I just go to bigger stores that only charge MSRP. Of course none of these places regularly have allocated stuff on the shelves, but it's nice when they do

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I'll give you $100 to shoplift a Booker's 30th.

I keed, I keed! :D

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I also wouldn't mind paying a few dollars to a mom and pop store for a highly rated bottle I would like to try. it's keeps them afloat and I get to try something new or on the rarer side. But like Icehog says, jacking the price up 3 or more times retail is just crazy. Around here that seems to be the case, especially in the bigger stores and chains. And, if it rates in the mid 90's r higher, good luck in finding some to try.

But I guess supply and demand drives what we see at the stores. Maybe I'll just be drinking JW Black the majority of the time:D

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Found a Mom & Pop store yesterday with a bunch of Booker's Little Book. Unfortunately, they're all Volume 2, which is kinda mediocre. If it had been Chapter 3, I would have bought them all.

Last night, some Country Ham, and some OWA thanks to Black Carl. :D

https://i.imgur.com/OBi2D3O.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/G2I8Ven.jpg

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So last night I had a pour of Elmer T Lee. I was thinking about the Hancock Reserve I bought a couple weeks ago, and how it was one of only three BT products to be made with Mashbill #2, along with ETL and Blanton's SiB. So I decided to have a pour of all 3 back to back.

https://i.imgur.com/Jsj41ov.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/CIxbfHT.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/rf8QSC1.jpg

The similarities between the flavor profiles is obvious, but there are also significant differences. The big question, how would I rank them without considering cost. I understand that different things can affect the palate and I might rate them differently on a different day, but I'm pretty confident with the result.

1) Blanton's
2) Hancock's
3) ETL

Crazy because ETL is by far the more expensive on the secondary market. So good for my wallet going. Frankly, I'm unlikely to buy the ETL or Hancock's again as my palate definitely prefers the higher proof and heat now. Blanton's, I'd buy that under $60 or so.

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Found a new honey hole...well. sorta, prices are high, just appreciated seeing stuff I haven't seen in the wild around here. Larceny Barrel Proof, McKenna 10 Year, Barrel store picks, Old Fitz, Heaven Hill, older Booker's (but nothing new to me), bunch of other things I forgot. Most of it was within $10-15 of MSRP (McKenna's an exception at $69, hard pass), so I will definitely drop in once a month or so and see what's new. Only thing I bought was the newest ECBP batch, first time seeing it in the wild.

https://i.imgur.com/0d0WRri.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/T6DGQdG.jpg

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That'll kill just about any virus!

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So I tried the OF 1920 and was blown away. Hands down the best bourbon I’ve had yet. As for the heat of the 115 proof there almost no burn. Now I wanna try some more more Barrel Proofs!

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:dr:dr

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Did you say Old Fitz? How much was the Old Fitz? Never seen it in the wild, a store posted it once but I got there an hour later and was laughed out of the store when I asked if they still had any

Nice to see the B520, we still haven't seen A120 for ECPB but there's still plenty of C919 around, just saw some on the shelf earlier this week so I think as soon as they flip over I shouldn't have any issues getting the new bottles

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Old Forrester* Ben

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Sorry I was referring to Tom's post. I friggin love Old Forester 1920 :dr

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X2

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After all the 130+ stuff I've drank this quarantine, I should be immune. ;)

OF 1920 is a solid pour. And Barrel Proof are the way to go, Gabe. :dr

If I remember the Old Fitz was $199? Wasn't over 120 proof so I didn't look that closely. ;) :r

That C919 is the sh!t. I have a spare, and will probably pick up another. It blows away the other ECBPs I have had so far, and since they've all been great, that's saying something.

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Ready for that next northwoods visit, say when Icehog. :banger


https://i.postimg.cc/85BKt6k8/20200626-210051.jpg

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Very nice, Kyle! :dr :al

3 pour night last night, including killing the Willett FR 4 year.

https://i.imgur.com/o2U642i.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/iEJncIY.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/6q3Cpl7.jpg

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Cut it down to two pours last night, weaning down the weekend. ;) :r

https://i.imgur.com/XX1Cp3a.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/xFHopKm.jpg

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Holding steady with Front Porch batch and Batch 13.

https://i.imgur.com/uvPmXcC.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/5KDXbMW.jpg