Had some of the 2012 Garrisons. It was absolutely horrid.

2011 was weak and 2012 was weak too. So much for the 2012 being the end all be all like they wanted people to think.

Specs in Clear Lake had a shelf full of Garrison the other day. Glad I didn't buy any and chose Blantons instead.

Sorry to hear that. Glad that it leaves more for me.

Bought a bottle of Evan Williams single barrel last weekend, solid everyday bourbon for reasonable price.

I keep Garrison Bros, Buffalo Trace, and Blantons as my rotational 3 right now.

I like all 3 very much.

Stopped by Costco on the way home tonight to pick up some things, and made a quick pass through the liquor store there. Sitting in the case was a bottle of PVW 23 for $229.99. I quickly told the clerk I wanted it...she said they unexpectedly got in 5 bottles of various Van Winkle, and this one was all that was left. She wasn't sure what others they got in, but thought she had sold a couple 10 year olds and a 12 year old. Wish I had been there earlier to get some of the others, but am thrilled with the 23. A nice surprise to say the least.

that's a great price for the 23.

The Paddy is good stuff! Very light and smooth. Might bump Redbreast down a spot on my list in that price range. It comes in a 1L bottle, too!

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Stopped by Costco on the way home tonight to pick up some things, and made a quick pass through the liquor store there. Sitting in the case was a bottle of PVW 23 for $229.99. I quickly told the clerk I wanted it...she said they unexpectedly got in 5 bottles of various Van Winkle, and this one was all that was left. She wasn't sure what others they got in, but thought she had sold a couple 10 year olds and a 12 year old. Wish I had been there earlier to get some of the others, but am thrilled with the 23. A nice surprise to say the least.

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Frak. If you're in Houston, I saw Poison Girl was able to get one of those bottles. Found out too late.

I just found a restaurant that has whiskey flights...I don't know how good any of the whiskies are, but I've never seen whiskey flights before.

Where was this?

Portland, OR

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I just found a restaurant that has whiskey flights

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You can get pappy 23 for 199.99 in Colorado, and it isnt even that hard (even during the off season)

One of the many bebefits ofnot lviing in Texas

Place near me just raises prices on stuff like PVW until he sells out. He said he sold his last bottle of 15 yr old for around $120.

He has two bottles of 23 for around $400, and one bottle of 12 at $70.

"Place near me just raises prices on stuff like PVW until he sells out. He said he sold his last bottle of 15 yr old for around $120."

Me too. He's still got 2 bottles of the 23 on the shelf.

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You can get pappy 23 for 199.99 in Colorado, and it isnt even that hard (even during the off season)

One of the many bebefits ofnot lviing in Texas

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Where in CO? I'd love to find some 20 before the November shipment.

Really find it odd that Garrison provokes such a heated response from some people. It's not the best bourbon ever, but many people do enjoy it.

for me it's the fact that you can get something like Pappy 12 for the same or less money than the Garrison Bros.

I'll admit I haven't had the chance to try it, not living in Texas, but from pretty much everything I've heard it's not worth anywhere near the price they charge. That fact, I think, makes many resent the fact that you're basically getting a $25-$30 bottle of bourbon, and paying another $50 because it's marketed so prominently as "Texas" Bourbon, essentially exploiting the state loyalty of Texans.

Just my observations after having followed many Garrison Bros discussions. Also, for the record, I would like to try it for myself if I ever get a chance, not sure I will at the current price though.

I need to try it. I've had an unopened bottle for a couple months now. May be about time.

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for me it's the fact that you can get something like Pappy 12 for the same or less money than the Garrison Bros.

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Based on what I paid this year, you can get both a bottle of Van Winkle 12 ($43) and VW 10 107-proof ($28-30) for less than Garrison. Both of the 10 year VWs are much better than Garrison.

I think the VW 15 was about $55.

I, too, believe that much of the angst relates to price.

It is not really terrible, but, cmon, $70+?

I'm not sure a new distillery could make it on $30, but there has got to be some middle ground here that makes sense.

Then again, liquor stores can't keep it on the shelves right now. Might as well make hay while the sun shines.

Having tried it already, I would maybe consider buying a bottle if it was $20-25. I can think of at least 15 bourbons in my bar that are better than Garrison & most are less than $45 for 1.75 or less than $25 for a 750.

"Liquor stores are having no problem keeping it on the shelf."

Asked a specs guy about it on Saturday and he said it was moving very slowly.

I think that is part of what turns people off to the product. Those that drink it are more arrogant than tsips. They dog on other established, well rated spirits when they cant name what they like about the product that distinguishes it from any of the 15 other lower priced quality boubons other than it is made in texas. They cant even name any awards won by the spirit in international or domestic recognized competitions, but know its better than anything with a lower price point (ROFL). Its always that they got to be part of the bottling or know the owners. Sorry, but that doesnt make whats in the bottle any better. Instead of admitting that bottling it is fun but that doesnt make it not overpriced, they always have a litany of excuses as to why the data that doesnt support their claims should be ignored, or why those that dont like it have uncouth tastes.

The "you dont like it, sucks for you, more for me" line doesnt hold water at $75+ a bottle and only makes you look like an arrogant sip. I guess us poors will be stuck drinking higher rated bourbon for 1/2 the price while you garrisons drinkers play dog with each other trying to convince yourselves you are part of some "elite" club.

[This message has been edited by MisterHancock (edited 4/23/2012 1:11p).]

So are there places in Houston that still have PVW 12 yr in stock? I am insterested in trying it. (Ducks and Quantum, I'm looking at you since you mentioned people having it.)

I am in Pearland BTW.

[This message has been edited by Jim01 (edited 4/23/2012 2:30p).]

Village Liquor at Wirt and Westview (Northwest side of town) had a bottle of 12 for $70. If you want I can check if it is still there, or pick it up for you.

^ that's my liquor store and he had two 23 yo last I was in there. Excellent store with a huge scotch selection.

If you want to try pappy, there are bars in town with it. Pappas steak and branch water tavern to name a couple. FYI.

About a week ago he still had two of the 23, the 12, and a 10 yo. I just can't justify $400 for the 23 right now. He does have an excellent scotch selection, and a handful of bourbons that even the Smith St Specs doesnt stock. He convinced me to try the Colonel E.H. Taylor, and I have really enjoyed the Single Barrel.

Old Rip Van Winkle 12 is not PVW. It is good stuff from Buffalo Trace, but the 2 shouldnt be confused. Buffalo trace bought the right to the old rip van winkle name, but the family wouldnt sell the pappy van winkle brand.

I know that the "PVW" name was reserved for the 15, 20 and 23, but I thought that Buffalo Trace was doing the bottling and distilling for the whole Van Winkle line under the Old Van Winkle name.

I believe buffalo trace is only doing the distilling for PVW.

I was under the impression that Buffalo Trace made PVW these days, but I'm not sure.

I can walk over to Buffalo Trace on my lunch break next Friday and ask if y'all want.

Other bars in Houston with PVW - Anvil, Poison Girl, and Brasserie 19.

and Reserve 101

PVW is a joint venture between thefamily and BT. Old Rip van Winkle is owned by BT just like the names in the antique collection.

The JV between the groups means that BT uses the specifics set by the JVW ancestors, but their hardware and space. JVW team is a father and son only.