Quote :

"I'd heard 8 - each has a small letter, which spells out b-l-a-n-t-o-n-s if you get all of them."

dammit i had the number wrong. it is 8

4/7/2014 12:46:03 PM

^ you can get nice little barrel staves with all the 8 tops spelling "blantons" at the BT gift shop. but probably more fun just to drink 8 bottles to collect them yourself!

speaking of barrels, finished "curing" my barrel yesterday and plan on filling it tonight with a large batch of manhattans. finally settled on a recipe to use for my first batch:
- 2.5 bottles rittenhouse rye
- 1 bottle cocchi vermouth
- 50 dashes of angostura bitters
- 20 dashes of orange bitters

my typical manhattan uses about 2.5 ounces of rye per drink, which is about 10 per standard 750ml bottle. so i'll get about 25 drinks out of this batch. my 5L barrel is only gonna be about half full, but if i rotate it 90 degrees every few days i should get pretty good wood interaction. didn't want to invest in a full 5 liters until i can be sure i have something i really like. now the trick is gonna be to not drink it all "sampling" it over the next month.

4/7/2014 3:18:15 PM

is there an optimum time to let it sit?

4/7/2014 3:20:57 PM

the manager of the bar near me that sells one says about 4 weeks. since i have a new barrel, may be a bit less. i'll start sampling after a couple of weeks and see what the sweet spot is. read a post online where a bartender aged a manhattan then used the barrel to age a negroni, i'll probably do that at some point as well since i like negronis a ton too.

4/7/2014 4:15:16 PM

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007ACTN54/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Just ordered these. Looking forward to trying them out. The high class versions look really nice, but someone would have to be crazy to pay ~$700.00 for a spherical ice baller.

4/7/2014 7:00:58 PM

Hope the barrel aging turns out well! I had a barrel aged cocktail a few weeks ago that was freaking fantastic--I wish I could remember what was in it other than that it was based around tequila. But it was so smooth...

Trying right now to figure out more candidates for my "basic"/"everyday" bourbon. I may be in the minority here but I've come around to the fact that I'm not crazy about Buffalo Trace. I don't dislike it but it's definitely worth my while to see what else can be had around the same price point (sub $30). Thinking Elijah Craig 12 ($26 here in VA) will be the next "interview".

4/7/2014 8:31:49 PM

Two tips regarding those...

1. use filtered water if you can. the spheres will be clearer and it will impart less taste on the whiskey.

2. there is a fill line indented on the plastic piece. Fill it up just a touch under that line and the spheres will shape better.

4/7/2014 8:32:11 PM

anyone have the extra cash and time to experiment with this mixture?

mix of Weller Antique and Weller 12 to make a "poor man's pappy"

http://bourbonr.com/blog/poor-mans-pappy/

4/8/2014 9:24:41 AM

I don't know if you can find this in NC but Angel's Envy Rye is amazing. It probably retails for $60 a bottle.

4/8/2014 9:55:19 AM

^plenty of Angels Envy bourbon at Cameron Village ABC....somewhere between $50-$55 a bottle. I am not sure I knew they had a rye product.

4/8/2014 2:04:41 PM

Wanna give a shout out to The Raleigh Wine shop. They have Carpano and a bunch of other top/mid shelf Vermouths and a variety of bitters.

4/13/2014 11:21:24 AM

holy crap, went to this website today and some of the prices people are selling limited bourbons for made me

http://www.bottle-spot.com/

4/14/2014 2:26:04 PM

Stopped by the Sandy Forks ABC over the weekend. Its really nice, and has much more space than Cameron Village, but probably only 2-3 more "premium" bourbon choices than CV. They spread out the offerings over 3 rows, and make it look really nice, but not much more to be had. Also, Buffalo Trace is still sold out. Is that a difficult bottle to come by around here, or is the draught still a result of the prior sale?

4/15/2014 9:32:14 AM

it's not a very difficult find when in stock

4/15/2014 10:06:06 AM

^I know our ABC system is crunked, but why would it be out of stock for weeks on end? Seems like a supply chain/logistical problem to me.

I guess under simple logic: Pappy is also easy to find when in stock.

Anyone had any luck in south carolina? I will be down there for Easter and hoping to find some stuff that isn't available in NC.

4/15/2014 12:23:52 PM

It is pretty widely rumored that buffalo trace is having supply chain problems. straightbourbon.com has a thread about it up

Also, WolfMiami - Sandy Forks is Wake County's ABC store #1. It is the only store that will get specialty bottlings and limited releases, and they do have a better selection than any other store in Wake County. They get trucks in every other Wednesday, so if you're hunting, I would just call them and ask if they have what you're looking for on those days

[Edited on April 15, 2014 at 12:28 PM. Reason : sandy forks]

4/15/2014 12:24:52 PM

^^Supply chain issue and a state wide discount pretty much wipes it out. You should be able to easily find it in South Carolina while you're there. I'm not sure where you are going but i've made some posts a page or so back about a few SC stores just across the NC/SC line that have nice selections of things you will not find on a shelf here.

4/15/2014 12:59:20 PM

since I saw the "poor mans' pappy" comment above - Weller 12 year is the same mashbill as Pappy, and hard to find, but not impossible. Weller 10/107 is on the shelves everywhere in NC, as far as I can tell.

I believe the Weller 12 year has to be special ordered. I'm going to contact ABC about a case order. If you would be interested in 2+ bottles, let me know.

4/16/2014 12:21:43 PM

I'll let you know late next week, but I may be if i can't find any during my trip to ATL next tuesday.

4/16/2014 12:59:07 PM

I would be interested in 2 bottles if you make a case order.

4/16/2014 1:30:20 PM

^^ buddy of mine is headed to Sigman Bottle shop Saturday, asked him to see if they have any Weller 12 right now. will let you know.

Oh, and I sampled the manhattan stewing in my barrel last night. It was excellent I may go ahead and bottle it as I don't want it to get too oaky. But was it smooooth. Almost too smooth, too easy to drink fast! It had only been 10 days, but I imagine it aged fast due to the barrel being new and only filling it halfway.

[Edited on April 17, 2014 at 12:05 PM. Reason : .]

4/17/2014 11:58:49 AM

did you rotate the barrel each day? that's awesome.

and thanks! yeah if he spots anything that looks worth stopping in for let me know.

I was reading http://www.thirstysouth.com and he echoed your recommendation about Decatur Package Store. Do you think they still have the 4R single barrel?

4/17/2014 1:24:36 PM

Bulleit Bourbon currently on sale at the ABC store

(at least the MV store. can only assume it's on sale other stores)

4/17/2014 8:58:53 PM

I wonder how much it would cost me to mail it from TX both of them are very prevalent here...

4/17/2014 9:24:18 PM

Just heard back from ABC rep:

Quote :

"Yes, you can special order Weller 12Y. The price for a case of 12 is $384.56."

That comes down to $32/bottle. I was really hoping that was a 6-bottle case. If WolfMiami and Jeepin4x4 are in, is anyone else reading on here interested at that price?

Jeepin4x4 - can you let me know if/where you find Weller 12 across the border? i've got a trip planned to Charlotte in a couple of weeks and I can hit up state line and frugal macdugals if they've got it in.

4/18/2014 8:43:02 AM

^ i have not seen Weller 12Y at either of those, nor Southern Spirits, in any of my trips there. Hence the special order, or hope to find in Atlanta. But i'll swing by F.M. next week on my way down to ATL just to double check.

4/18/2014 8:52:25 AM

I am in SC and will check on the Weller 12. My parents found some blantons down here last week and got me a small bottle.

4/18/2014 9:22:55 AM

Is Blantons not commonly available in NC? It's a standard stock item at my local abc store in VA, though it has an ongoing price quirk in that two 375 ml bottles cost considerably leds than one 750 ($23 for a small bottle, $51 for a fifth)

4/18/2014 10:02:30 AM

it's available, just popular so some stores are always out.

i feel like i should buy a bottle just to save i have blanton's on the shelf. My friends always ask for it first when i offer them a drink and before i get a chance to show them my selection


i really need to get some martini glasses to start practicing my manhattans

4/18/2014 10:21:01 AM

just finished off my bottle of noah's mill last night, going to go back to Willett 11, I think (which coincidentally owns or distributes noah's mill)

4/18/2014 10:27:51 AM

Jeepin - my buddy said there are about 5 bottles of Weller 12 at Sigman right now, so you should be set if you roll out there. $32.99. Regarding the store in Decatur, they still had some store selected four roses, but didn't see any barrel proof, just the standard. I had a bottle though and it was quite good!

4/20/2014 9:35:22 PM

Decatur Package Store..was ultimately disappointed in the overall selection. They had several store selected barrel options including Four Roses, 3x Elijah Craig 12, and 1792.

They had just gotten a fresh delivery of Four Roses store selected barrel strength. A little pricey but I wasn't walking out empty handed. Nice store, just underwhelmed.



However, Leon's Full Service in downtown Decatur had great food and awesome cocktails.

4/22/2014 9:50:58 PM

this was probably mentioned along the way somewhere, but i'll be going out to anaheim next week for disneyland and was wondering if anyone knows of any good bourbons in that area/LA/San Diego? I'm trying to pack light in anticipation of bringing back a couple of bottles of something good

4/23/2014 6:46:10 AM

^^ thanks for the heads up on the Four Roses, I will make sure to stop by this week and pick up another bottle. Love that stuff! And glad you enjoyed Leon's, I end up there pretty regularly during the spring/fall when the weather is nice. And I always end up consuming more french fries than anticipated.

4/23/2014 10:21:22 AM

I had the mussels and frites and they were beyond delicious. Also, try to make it by while their spring cocktail list is in and try the Lead Belly. It was amazing.

4/24/2014 9:37:32 AM

http://www.drinkspirits.com/bourbon/review-bookers-25th-anniversary-bourbon/

Anybody had? May be able to land a couple bottles but need to move fast. Thinking of adding it to the collection

[Edited on April 24, 2014 at 9:38 AM. Reason : ,]

4/24/2014 9:38:04 AM

^ i have a bottle of the 25th anniversary bookers but haven't opened it yet. read good things, but can't attest to it personally unfortunately.

4/25/2014 12:19:45 PM

StingrayRush, if you're going to be in Anaheim and will have access to a car, you should go 20 minutes further south to Costa Mesa and visit Hi-Time Wine. Their selection of all sorts of liquor and craft beer is fantastic: http://www.hitimewine.net/.

4/25/2014 12:37:34 PM

http://redwhiteandbourbon.com/2014/03/01/rittenhouse-rye-bib-review-dsp-ky-1/


the opening comments in this post are very interesting regarding high priced rye whiskies. thoughts?





also, i was browsing the May 14 list of the NC ABC and noticed that Stagg Jr. is listed under the "Special Packages" section. Has anyone heard anything about this becoming readily available in NC? It's listed at $49.99

4/25/2014 3:26:54 PM

^^ word, thanks. any specifics you recommend? price isn't really an option since it'll be a vacation splurge

4/26/2014 2:10:20 PM

Well, not switching back to Willett. They've dried up everything but the pot still apparently.

Picked up a Four Roses Single Barrel at 110 proof.

4/26/2014 2:41:10 PM

^OBSK?

4/26/2014 3:38:10 PM

OBSV. My local store does their own a barrel every year or two and then sells off something like 180 bottles. It's pretty smooth for being 110 proof.

4/26/2014 5:36:03 PM

yeah, the bottle i picked up in ATL was OBSK store selected. 117 proof. I have yet to dive into it though.

4/27/2014 12:06:48 PM

Quote :

"also, i was browsing the May 14 list of the NC ABC and noticed that Stagg Jr. is listed under the "Special Packages" section. Has anyone heard anything about this becoming readily available in NC? It's listed at $49.99"

I picked up a bottle (they had 8 on the shelf) at Wake County store #1 on Sandy Forks last Wednesday.

4/28/2014 10:15:54 AM

I tried some Old Overholt Rye and it had little complexity. Might be good in a cocktail. I had it neat. It made me appreciate the sweetness of other rye.

I really want to try the 101 Wild Turkey but that price increase is stupid. I don't know what Bulleit does after they get the LDI rye but it is waaaaay better than the same LDI Redemption stuff.

4/28/2014 10:51:19 AM

Ok peoples, I'm in Kentucky for Derby weekend. Brought some 120 proof Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve to wet my whistle while I shop/taste/decide.

#1 - What should I buy while I'm here? I'm especially interested in good shit I can't buy in NC. I'm typically a Knob/Woodford/Beam/Johnnie Walker imbiber, but I'm open to whatever. If there's an accessible rye out there I'll give it a shot. I'm planning on coming back with a box full of whisky.

#2 - If anyone wants anything, just PM me and I'll pick it up for ya. I can only assume the prices are cheap...will confirm tomorrow.

5/2/2014 3:03:09 AM

are you going to any of the distilleries while you are there? Perhaps something from the Buffalo Trace antique collection could be a good place to start.

https://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/brands/antique-collection

not sure how readily available any of those are there though. good hunting.

5/2/2014 8:39:03 AM

the BTACs are all released in the fall with Pappy. Don't think you'll find 2014 bottles now, but maybe some leftovers from 2013?

5/2/2014 11:36:42 AM

Assuming I can find some Pappy...what are some reasonable prices?

[Edited on May 2, 2014 at 12:28 PM. Reason : in fact is there a pricebook somewhere for this stuff?]

5/2/2014 12:24:49 PM