Bourbon hunting look what I found

Used to be around $115-$120. Their toasted barrel is pretty good as well.

Eagle Rare for around $90-$100 is a good bourbon, and if you really want an excellent bourbon try Blanton’s. I think it is made by the same distiller as Buffalo Trace and goes for around $150 to $175 a bottle. Not cheap but if you are looking for quality over quantity this would be a excellent choice.

Tlazer wrote:

Eagle Rare for around $90-$100 is a good bourbon, and if you really want an excellent bourbon try Blanton’s. I think it is made by the same distiller as Buffalo Trace and goes for around $150 to $175 a bottle. Not cheap but if you are looking for quality over quantity this would be a excellent choice.

im really big into bourbon and whiskey and have over 150 bottles. if your paying $100 for eagle rare then i have 6 of them ill sell you msrp on that is only like $35. as for blantons the msrp is only about $65 but can be found all over on the secondary market for $100. both are decent bottles but there are so many better options for less money out there that you can find on the shelf every day.

fishthumper wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>John Rasmussen wrote:</div>
FT I have had some that really tasted smokey and did not care for them. This one did not turn me off, in that way at all. For the price I would pick some other ones before it that cost less but it is good for sure.

What price point are we talking on the Elijah Craig 18yr? These days I prefer quality over Quantity. I don’t drink all that much, but when I do I want to enjoy what I’m drinking

EC 18 year I have seen going for $130-200 depending on the store

fishthumper wrote:

What price point are we talking on the Elijah Craig 18yr? These days I prefer quality over Quantity. I don’t drink all that much, but when I do I want to enjoy what I’m drinking

I paid $199.99 there was only two on the shelf and I was back in there a couple days after and the other one was gone. It is the first time I have seen it on the shelf. The last time I saw it was during allocation distribution a couple years ago and a buddy swooped it up.

Coletrain27 wrote:

im really big into bourbon and whiskey and have over 150 bottles. if your paying $100 for eagle rare then i have 6 of them ill sell you

I would be willing to give you $50 a piece for as many as you would sell me, I can’t find that stuff anywhere, it seems easier to find Blantons lately.

Coletrain27 care to share those secondary markets with us? Most the online markets I have seen for Blanton’s single barrel is around $145 and haven’t seen it around my area for sale but would assume the local liquor stores would be a higher price. Would also like to see where you are seeing the MSRP for Eagle Rare at $35. Most of the online markets like Caskers has it at $85. I have seen it at Sam’s once and only once for $39 a bottle and bought the last 2 bottles they had. Hard to believe I paid over MSRP at Sam’s but guess I could have. Looking forward to seeing your list on the secondary market so we can all save some money on good bourbon.

Tlazer wrote:

Looking forward to seeing your list on the secondary market so we can all save some money on good bourbon.

It’s not secondary markets it is what we all should be paying. Once a year or more liquor stores will have raffles or other ways you can get in on msrp for allocated bourbons. They all do it a little different, a couple times one I frequent will make you buy a certain amount of money to get the right to purchase a bottle you want. Earlier this year I bought $300.00 worth of product so I could purchase a Weller at msrp. The problem with the market it people are willing to pay these inflated prices so you rarely see the popular ones at msrp.

John Rasmussen wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>fishthumper wrote:</div>
What price point are we talking on the Elijah Craig 18yr? These days I prefer quality over Quantity. I don’t drink all that much, but when I do I want to enjoy what I’m drinking

I paid $199.99 there was only two on the shelf and I was back in there a couple days after and the other one was gone. It is the first time I have seen it on the shelf. The last time I saw it was during allocation distribution a couple years ago and a buddy swooped it up.

I guess my idea of Quality ( $ ) is way less than I thought. 199.00 a bottle is outside my budget point. I’m willing to probably spend 50.00-60.00 but for 200.00 I’d have to taste and really like it. I’m not sure I could get myself to spend that much even if it was really incredible tasting.

Tlazer wrote:

Coletrain27 care to share those secondary markets with us? Most the online markets I have seen for Blanton’s single barrel is around $145 and haven’t seen it around my area for sale but would assume the local liquor stores would be a higher price. Would also like to see where you are seeing the MSRP for Eagle Rare at $35. Most of the online markets like Caskers has it at $85. I have seen it at Sam’s once and only once for $39 a bottle and bought the last 2 bottles they had. Hard to believe I paid over MSRP at Sam’s but guess I could have. Looking forward to seeing your list on the secondary market so we can all save some money on good bourbon.

if you have facebook there are a couple really good groups to check out if your looking for allocated stuff one is “minnesota/bourbon: no rules” another one is “mn tater water elite: no rules”. im in rochester and there are also 2 local groups that i use also. those online markets are way overpriced most the time and alot of them are scams also so be careful. last bottle of blantons i got was $88 with tax from a local store. they can be found for $100 usually on them facebook groups. if your looking for allocated stuff my advice would be to visit your local shops alot and buy stuff from them and build relationships with them. alot of these places that get allocated bottles dont even put it on the shelves. they hoard them and sell them to the customers that frequent there store alot.

also most stores will sell over msrp to a ceartin percentage but some of them are asking 2-3x msrp which is rediculous

Coletrain27 wrote:

msrp on that is only like $35. as for blantons the msrp is only about $65 but can be found all over on the secondary market for $100. both are decent bottles but there are so many better options for less money out there that you can find on the shelf every day.

What are some of those better options for less money Bourbons that you would recommend a new bourbon drinker to try?

John Rasmussen wrote:

It’s not secondary markets it is what we all should be paying. Once a year or more liquor stores will have raffles or other ways you can get in on msrp for allocated bourbons. They all do it a little different, a couple times one I frequent will make you buy a certain amount of money to get the right to purchase a bottle you want. Earlier this year I bought $300.00 worth of product so I could purchase a Weller at msrp. The problem with the market it people are willing to pay these inflated prices so you rarely see the popular ones at msrp.

the secondary market is what has ruined prices. we should not be paying 2-3x msrp for bottles but thats what people have been selling them for on the secondary markets and people are crazy to pay them prices. my local hyvee has a raffle every couple months which is free you just need to show up and they give you a raffle ticket. local cub also just had one about a month ago.

ive had alot of allocated bottles and samples and there is no whiskey or bourbon worth over $200 to me. there are so many excellent bottles available on the shelf every day but people get caught up in the unicorn bottles. i like to set up blind tests. ill have the wife pour 4-5 different samples and rate them without knowing what they are. you will soon learn that there are alot of good stuff out there besides buffalo trace and sazerac products.

fishthumper wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Coletrain27 wrote:</div>
msrp on that is only like $35. as for blantons the msrp is only about $65 but can be found all over on the secondary market for $100. both are decent bottles but there are so many better options for less money out there that you can find on the shelf every day.

What are some of those better options for less money Bourbons that you would recommend a new bourbon drinker to try?

here are just a few that are all good and most stores will have all these on the shelf. if your new you might want to start with lower proof stuff if you are not use to the higher proof stuff. i prefer higher proof and drink it neat with no ice but some people like ice to tame it down. great value bottle for the money is wild turkey rare breed for about $40 at sams club. its a higher proof and decent stuff. here is a list of popular and good stuff with average prices.

penelope architech $55-65
penelope wheated $35-45
1792 full proof $50-$60
wild turkey rare breed. can be found at sams for like $40
old forester 1920 $60-70
old riff single barrel $45-55
jack daniels single barrel select $50-60
jack daniels single barrel barrel proof $65-75
elijah craig single barrels $70-90
makers mark 46 $35-45
woodford double oak $40-50

the jack stuff is considered a whiskey and not a bourbon but drinks like a bourbon imo

fishthumper wrote:

What are some of those better options for less money Bourbons that you would recommend a new bourbon drinker to try?

Sazerac Rye, Four Roses, Traveler, Heaven Hills, Whistle Pig, Willeit. If you can find them any Weller, Eagle Rare or Blantons. If your ever near my place in Blaine feel free to hit me up and you can try everything I have, but you might need a sober driver.

fishthumper wrote:

What are some of those better options for less money Bourbons that you would recommend a new bourbon drinker to try?

Four Roses Barrel Select, 1792 Small Batch, Henry McKenna Bottled in Bond are all excellent bourbons in your price range and still at a fair price imo.

John Rasmussen wrote:

If your ever near my place in Blaine feel free to hit me up and you can try everything I have, but you might need a sober driver.

Be careful John, I may take you up on that offer and I’m not all that far from Blaine. I wish I could find a place where they do some tastings. m not against spending some better $ for quality but would prefer to taste prior. Hate to spend good $ to only find out I don’t like something.

Coletrain, John, Bigwerm

Thanks for the suggestions, I may have to start playing around in the bourbon world to see if its something I’ll like.

Its on the sweeter side but angels envy is pretty solid.

I wish I could find a place where they do some tastings. m not against spending some better $ for quality but would prefer to taste prior. Hate to spend good $ to only find out I don’t like something.
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In my area there is a Bourbon Bar that has a big selection of high end Bourbon and Whiskey. I know having a bourbon bar is not common everywhere, but next time you are at a bar ask what they have for high end whiskey & Bourbon. I might surprise you what they have on the shelf behind the bar. There is a small bar on my lake that carries Blanton’s, Eagle Rare & Buffalo Trace. So it may surprise you what they may have to try.

Found this at safeway

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When the wife and I did our bourbon tour in Kentucky last year, the least liked bourbon was Buffalo Trace. The distillery tour, free, was outstanding. The bourbon, not so much. Makers Mark and Woodford were at the top of our list.

On my way home last night I stopped at 2 different liquor stores. One in Sauk Rapids and Westside in Sartell. Not a lot of those mentioned were on the shelves at either. I did get on a list at Westside for them to hold a few and call me if they get any in as they sometimes do. Really wanted to try a Weller or Blanton. Did not find either of those but Westside says they do get some nice in once in a while. They said try the Westside in Waite Park as they often get more high end bottles. Going to check there. They did have several 2XO blanks there to try. Both were OK but nothing I’d buy. One of the workers there said he purchased a shot of the Eagle Rare at a bar recently and paid $20.00 for a shot. Ouch ! I did pick up another bottle of the Basil Hayden I really like. My BIL owns a restaurant / Bar in Chicago. I talked with him and he said he gets some Weller and Blanton from time to time. He said he’d see if he could round me up a bottle or 2 and bring them to me on his next’s visit in mid April.

Hey all you Bourbon Drinkers. Help a fellow member out here. If I’m going to start with 1 bottle of Bourbon to try to see if its anything I like, what is 1 or 2 that you would recommend to start with? For now lets say in the under 75.00 price point and hopefully something I’m likely to find on local store shelves. Going to stop and check a few different stores after work tonight to see what I can find. Thanks in advance for your suggestions and thoughts.

For my do all bourbon that I keep around and like to sip, but don’t feel bad mixing in cocktails… Woodford Reserve

Everybody has it, it’s a reasonable price, and it’s just good.

There are lots more fancy and sought after bottles, but this is my favorite “old reliable”. It’s like the 1/4 jig and plastic version of a bourbon.

This triggers a lot of Bourbon snobs, but Jim Beam is my regular bourbon. I like it on the rocks, or in a bourbon and 7. If you want a slight step up but still affordable Jim Beam Devil’s Cut is very nice. Jim Beam is the best selling bourbon in the world and they’ve been making it since 1795, which speaks for itself. And if it’s good enough for Ulysses S. Grant…”By the Civil War, bourbon was so popular that even General Ulysses S. Grant was a big fan. As legend has it, President Lincoln once said about him, “Find out what he drinks and send a case to my other generals.””

Jim Beam is my regular bourbon

that was my go to when I was in the Marines!! had my fair share!!!

Left my name on 2 stores list yesterday for either a Weller, Blanton, or Eagle rare. Both Managers already called called me this morning. Both said both very rarely arrive at their stores. Like maybe a bottle or two every 2-3 years but will keep my name just in case.

Hard to beat 1792 full proof for the price. I don’t think it drinks as hot as you would believe.

FishThumper Head out to Melrose They have a great selection of whiskey and can probably help you out.

I feel like a decent starter is Makers Mark. It is available everywhere its cheap. It is on the sweeter side.