Very nice collection Showtime! I might start the search challenge as well.

I've had better luck with chains, just because it's easy for them to get it from distributors. I have also found it at the occasional smaller, higher-end store.

Thanks! I am on a bit of quest for it myself.

Picked up a bottle of Willett tonight and I'm really impressed with it.

Have been curious about the Willett. Must admit, that bottle is very eye-catching.

Thats what initially caught me. I tend to walk down the bourbon section and see what catches me/sounds good. I was looking at the Willett bottle when an employee came by and said that it was good, similar to Woodford Reserve (which is one of my favorites). I kept looking at bourbon and came back to Willett. It was a bit pricier than I had wanted, but it is worth it. Very nice, light and smooth bourbon. It was great neat and great with Dublin Dr Pepper as well.

Dublin & Bourbon

about Willett...I agree 100%. I was stuck on makers mark for a long time thinking others wouldn't come real close, but it really impressed me. Don't know if I've hyped it up in my mind since then, but still..

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It was great neat and great with Dublin Dr Pepper as well.

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Dublin & Bourbon

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Currently on the shelf is Eagle Rare and Basil Hayden's. Nothing too special but I am more of a single malt drinker.

I have the good fortune of being friends with the GM of a whisk(e)y shop/bar/importer here in Singapore so I can get my hands on quite a few good bottles (lots of rye). Heck, they even have a bottle of bourbon from 1901 for sale. I will need to investigate further as to what it is and report back if I get the chance.

elmer t lee is my current favorite

Max, I just went to the liquor store to pick up a bottle of Maker's 46 and saw they had ONE bottle of Willett single barrel left. I picked it up instead of the 46 based on your post. It is GOOD. Thanks for the recommendation!

Just finished up my first bottle of Basil Hayden's last week. It was really light and refreshing. Good warm weather bourbon.

Glad you are enjoying it, I sure am enjoying my bottle.

I had the Elijah Craig 18 year old this weekend. It's nice, but I really do prefer the 12 year old. In fact, I agree with this guy's review:

http://sourmashmanifesto.com/category/reviewsratings/elijah-craig/

Sad to say I killed the very last of my George Stagg to celebrate the win over Tech.

sad?

PMW-

Which Stagg?

I want to say it was a bottle from 2009. Working on Blanton's now. Very good.

Already burned through my reserves of WL Weller 12 and Buffalo Trace. Need to get another "every day booze" to add to the decanter (once the Dewar's Blue currently inside has been imbibed).

Parents gave me 100 dollar gift card to Sigel's for my 21st.

1.75 L of Woodford Reserve for sipping.
750 ml of Maker's Mark for drinking.

what'd you do with the other $30?

to those of you who may be seeking finer spirits:

I found a couple bottles of Buffalo Trace's Antique Collection ('09/'10) on the shelf of a store, plain as day. Majestic Liquors on Eastchase & I-30 (edge of FW/Arlington) had a couple bottles of George T. Stagg (about $78) and a bottle or two of the Thomas Handy Sazerac Rye (about $73).

I've never had Rye. What's it about and what is the difference?

Rye isn't a bourbon.

Bourbon must be made with >51% corn. Rye whiskey is made with rye as the dominant grain.

Knob Creek Single Barrel and Maker's Mark are my on-hand favorites.

I have tried to be adventurous, but I ALWAYS come back to Maker's Mark.

It has me by the balls.

No need to rush. I drank Maker's and Maker's only for five years or so before I branched out. I still keep a bottle in the bar at all times, because it's a standby, and can always get the job done. Plus, if I want a Manhattan, it's useful.

I'm the same way with Wild Turkey...

although, Kentucky Spirit stole my heart when I tried it at the distillery.

I love bourbon.

1) I like bourbons that use rye as the small grain. Blanton's is the top of the line in that category, but Willet, Knob Creek and Bulleit are other great examples of the style.

2) I love me some Rye whiskey, as well. Bulleit makes a rye now that is outstanding, and Sazerac is also another good choice. Rye has a deeper, more dominant flavor. It will hit some pallets as richer, like the difference between molasses and corn syrup. For others it is sweeter, or hits their pallet like cherries or other type of berry.

3) That display of Van Winkle is very, very impressive.

4) I keep the following around for cocktails: A) Makers (if I can keep my wife out of it) for Manhattans and Mint Julips; B) Jim Beam for coke; C)any rye for a sazerac (along with St. Georges and bitters).

For those of you waiting for Garrison, the word is that the fall release is happening next week. Expect an announcement soon on their blog.

RE: Garrison

Just stopped in at Georgetown and Hye and they are all out. Shipments rumored for next week as the distributor is releasing it a week early.

I've reserved a case in my name.

Woodford Reserve has been my favorite. Going to try some Willett tomorrow if Spec's has some.

May have to have a relative grab me a bottle of Garrison in SA if they really don't distribute in Houston. Is this one of those deals where if you aren't waiting in line for the liquor store to open, you miss out? Or should there be available stock for a reasonable amount of time?

Still have a case of last year's Garrison Bros. release, it is worth the price if you can find it.

Is Garrison Bros. actually good, or is it a novelty since it's made in Texas?