Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

When I acquired this JDSBBP pick a few weeks ago, I didn’t realize it was a Jay West (T8ke) pick until Ben told me. Every pick of his I’ve had (Pinhook, Barrell, Knob Creek etc) has been great. This one is even better than that, just a banger. Hard to believe it’s only 127 proof, it's got a lot of flavor and punch. I kind of lucked into this one.

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

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Sounds yummy!!!! Got to love barrel picks you trust and enjoy.

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Not MSRP. Trying out the 24-03 now. I like it.

https://i.postimg.cc/2yzHSXjB/IMG-0429.jpg

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We have Pinhook Swamp nearby my mom that is regionally infamous because there was a lot of moonshine made in it back in the day, and several locals hid out in it when the Revenuers were chasing them.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Ain't it the truth about trusted "pickers", Dave.

I'm hearing great things about 24-03, Dave, I'll have to open one this weekend.

The Reserves is excellent, you should enjoy that too. Keep an eye out for the Little Book Infinite Blend if you can.

Too funny, Greg! :r

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

I opened the newest Booker's (24-03, Master Distiller's Batch). First pour was excellent, very promising balance of sweet (vanilla, molasses) and savory (peanuts, oak). I'll wait a few weeks to pass a real judgement on this one, but first taste was delicious.

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

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Finished the El Cerritos 6 Year single barrel and opened the 8 Year The latter started much like the first pour of the 6 Year, good but not great. I'm hoping it opens and improves like the 6 Year did.

https://i.imgur.com/KZc2gjR.jpg

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Killed some great bottles this weekend. Lots of stuff not pictured including 4 different Old Carter batches, Booker's The Reserves and exports.

https://i.imgur.com/qaqHe4N.jpg

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Looks like a great time, ER17 has eluded me. Those early catches of OC were something special, the financials that have come out as part of the divorce sale show a dramatic reduction in their cost of goods last year which lines up with what I've seen happen with the quality. Swapping out the 12+ year barrels with 6-8 year stuff and still sell for $200+ is a great way to make oodles of cash :r

I finally got a chance to try Bookers Reserve and LB Infinity, if I were to buy one it would be the LB, nothing wrong with the Bookers but it didn't blow my socks off. I don't think I'll end up buying either but I'm glad I got a chance to sample them

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I agree that LB Infinite is the better of the two, Ben. But I still bought three of each. :r

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Oh yeah. If a little is good, a lot is definitely better. Party and Herf time!!

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Had a pour of the Michter’s Shenk, this afternoon. Man that’s some good juice.

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I come to New York to buy bourbon, smoke cigars, and drink out of paper cups.

https://i.postimg.cc/RCHpCsNv/IMG-0459.jpg

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:D

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Nice, Dave. :al :r

Ran up to Sal's to see if they had any new Booker's. They released a JD BP single barrel pick. Score!

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

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Ohhhh nice. I’ve a 24-02 and 24-03 at home when I get back. Still haven’t tried the 24-02.

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It's ok but not great, Dave, I prefer the Master Distiller's by a bunch.

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https://i.imgur.com/LDwajE1.jpg

I've decided I don't like this at all. The Sweet Wheat was ok, but I wasn't a fan of the small batch, bottled in bond or single barrel. The only 1792s I have liked (and loved) are the full proof picks.

Garfield's is dropping their 1792 FP Sazerac pick today, I will grab one to replace this nasty stuff on my bar.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

I stopped in at a place I don't get to very often and they had just gotten in their barrel pick of Elijah Craig. I definitely can't pass that up. I also grabbed a 4RSBS. They also had a barrel pick of Woodinville Bourbon, but I know nothing about their product so skipped it...this time.

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

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Nice pickups, James. What's the proof on the ECPB?

I've sampled the Woodinville line, nothing I'd seek out.

Got the holiday call from Binny's last night, it was a good one.

https://i.imgur.com/2YpF7DO.jpg

Now, do I open it, or try to package a trade for a Booker's Rye? ;)

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Nice score Tom!

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Nice, Tom!

The ECBP I grabbed is 125.3.

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Nice pick up Tom. I would drink it but I have never had it so that would put sh me that direction. Bit a trade for something you like better, yeah for sure.

Now stuck here in NY over the weekend but the Total Wine here is stocked up!!!! They didn’t have these on the shelf but the app gave them up.

https://i.postimg.cc/6qX8Lffy/IMG-0471.jpg

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Thanks Bob, just happy Binny's put me on the roster. :D

Very nice, James!

Congrats, Dave, big score!

I actually opened an Infinite last night. It was a bit hotter than the samples I had, but they had probably been open a bit. I'll revisit this one in a few weeks.

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

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Trade for a Bookers Rye, otherwise keep it :dr

Not expecting anything that fun this year, but did manage to snag a Pride of Anderson County rye yesterday (10 year barrel proof Wild Turkey rye). The price was such that I can only afford to keep half, but the first release last year was neck and neck with Bookers Rye when I tried them blind, a lot of others came to the same conclusion. Looking forward to getting that one in :dr

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Sounds amazing, Ben. Really expensive, huh? Impressive that it compares favorably to Booker's Rye. A pour of that has still eluded me, nut I have the potential trade bait now.

Opened the recent Maker's Mark Lost Recipes release, "mocha". I'd put it middle of the pack of MM wood finished releases on first taste. We'll see how it opens up going forward.

https://i.imgur.com/lfW9FTV.jpg

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

I got an ounce off a friend when he cracked his Booker's and poured half of it in a blind against POAC, Parkers 10yr Rye and THH at the end of last year. It was clear just from the nose that two of these were not like the other two, ultimately I picked Booker's as the top but it could have gone either way. Methinks I'll drink the other half of the sample when this POAC gets in and try it against the first batch as well, probably do Kentucky Owl Rye Batch 1 as the fourth

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Looking forward to hearing the results, Ben. :tu

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Needed a second luggage for the crazy NY bourbon find. I have to fly to NY to get bourbon I want at Total Wine. West Coast just isn’t that into Bourbon. Well, they are happy charging a premium for Bourbon.

https://i.postimg.cc/TwL0jgMD/IMG-0491.jpg

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

That second bag is worth it for that haul, Dave! :tu

Opened up the 1792 Full Proof. First pour wasn't great, only the second (semi)-disappointing 1792 FP pick I've had. Hopefully it opens up with time. At least it wasn't pricey.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Well worth it. I always bring a second bag when I go to KY, probably good advice for any trip though. You never know when the bourbon fairies will show you the way :noon

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My local store got the Widow Jane Black Opal in this morning. Cool packaging, but is it worth the $500 price tag? Not for me.

Anyone have thoughts on the HH grain to glass? They also had a couple of those.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

I tried them all at a tasting, the wheated was my favorite but I didn't think any were worth buying

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Yea, that was what I figured. They have it for $99. I’m being picky on any pickups now. Plenty of good wheaters for less.

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I'd skip the WJ Black Opal at $500, Bob. I'd skip it personally at $100, because I'm just not pick on finished whiskey.

Almost needed a suitcase for some bottles I was gifted in SoCal last month Ben, but I opened 'em and shared 'em instead. :al :D

I passed on the HH G2G as well, like you said, better wheaters out there for cheaper.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Picked up a couple Jack Daniels BP picks (Sal's and Whiskey Consensus to back up the Jay West pick I'm drinking from now.

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

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

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Nice grabs, Tom.

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Thanks James.... seems like the JDBP picks are either good or great, I haven't had a bad one yet.

Last night I had a couple pours of the MM Lost Recipe Edition 1.

https://i.imgur.com/nAzsM25.jpg

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

I've had the first 4 of the annual Pinhook War Series releases 4,5,6 and 7 year) and enjoyed them all. I saw the 8 Year months ago at Binny's, but passed with the increased price. Thought about it almost every time I went in though.

Well, today they had it marked down $20 (and just 1 left), and I had a $15 coupon, so I bit the bullet.

https://i.imgur.com/9PQ8JET.jpg

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Nice discipline on waiting for the price to go down. That’s tough.

I have that on my list but there is more to try then time and money hah.

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Ain't it the truth, Dave! :D

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I liked the 7 Year better, Dave. This one has a viscosity and sweetness that reminds me of Eagle Rare. Good, just not great.

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

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Well found some Pinhook 9 at my local Total Wine.

Open this up tonight and see what this has to offer.

https://i.postimg.cc/qqmZk3Zs/IMG-0521.jpg

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Nice, Dave. Is the Pinhook the 8 Year or 9 Year?

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

It is the 9. It’s good. Price is good at $89 at Total Wine. I like the oak that is coming through coupled with the typical caramel / vanilla. Proof is good. It’s worth another pickup. Seems to go under the radar here.

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

I'll probably grab one of the 9s when they release it here, Dave, it wiill be good to compare to the 8 I have open.

Stopped int Binny's to see if they dropped anything yesterday. They had 3 Old Forester BS picks (limit 1), two bourbons and 1 rye. I grabbed the 133.8 bourbon. It's hot and a bit muddled, I'm hoping it will improve with a little time open.

https://i.imgur.com/6GSDV2F.jpg

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Hit the Binny's to see what they dropped today. The new Mid Winter's Night Dram (hard pass between being finished and being $199). Also a new Woodford Batch Proof, I'm not a Woodford guy.



Had time to stop by Garfield's before work, and it was lucky that I did. They had a case of the new Booker's (24-04, Jimmy's Batch) without a limit, I grabbed 2. They also dropped a couple new single barrel store picks that were no-brainers coming from there. A Jack Daniels Barrel Strength at 127.6 proof and an Elijah Craig 9 year Private Barrel at 119.5 proof. I'll probably open the EC tonight. I'm still working on an open JDBS and have a couple other picks as well.

https://i.imgur.com/Na1urSA.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/NMI0BJv.jpg

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Damn, nice!

Re: The Bourbon Thread!!
 

Thanks James!

Opened the ECPB, it's an oak bomb in the best possible way.

https://i.imgur.com/sG87fdD.jpg