Found a bottle of eagle rare today. I'm about to pop it open and give it a try. Also the little shop had some Stagg Jr. Didn't really want to buy it but it's a new a store and I wanted to throw the guy a bone and get on his good side. He getting a bottle of BTAC next week and he's going to hold it for me

Sounds like you made a good decision if it is getting you a BTAC.

As far as I can tell, there are three ways to get BTAC and PVW
- be lucky
- have a relationship with a store that will hook you up
- pay an obscene markup

I haven't gotten lucky yet, so I'm stuck with the other two options.

quote:

---

quote:

---

If Austin people are looking for Balcones Single Malt or Elmer T Lee, South Lamar Wine and Spirits had some when I left. If you ask nicely they may tell you about some other things in the back that they aren't advertising.

---

We must have been there about the same time. Probably best selection in town.

What all does he keep in the back?

---

Seems to me that they are slowly trickling out all the BTAC that they already have; so who knows what all they have back there. Hell, they just released some cellared beers tonight that I would have loved to have had the chance to purchase while dropping a few hundred dollars there.

I picked up the last bottle of ETLee SB that was in the glass case, and while I was checking out someone else came in looking for one. He went and grabbed one out of the back and brought out a little bottle that he says his distributor asked them not to tweet about.

King Liquor on Burnet also has a great selection. Grackle is solid as far as bars go.

quote:

---

Any thoughts on the Balcones Baby Blue? I know very little about Balcones, other than it always seems hard to find. My beer guy told me today I could have a bottle, if interested.

---

I really like it. As someone else stated it is a bit sweeter. Anxious to see how the single malt compares.

Sola just released another bottle of pappy 12.

What are you sipping for Repeal Day? 2013 ORVW 107 is my choice! Enjoy!

I had a 2014 ORVW 10 as well earlier with some homemade pretzel bites and beer cheese (Stone Double ******* was the beer). Now hitting some 2013 Sazerac 18 rye. Haven't found any 2014 yet.

Just moved to Kentucky. They are very proud of bourbon.

Had some AH Hirsch and PVW23. Both were great, but the combination of value and taste makes ORVW a solid comparison.

Picked up a bottle of Woodford Sonoma-Cutrer Finish yesterday because, well, I'm addicted to buying whisk(e)y. I've read mixed reviews but haven't had a chance to dig in, yet. Reached for the PVW 15 clone last night, instead.

Anyone have thoughts on the Woodford?

PVW15 clone??

I guess that's a poor choice of words. I was referring to the 60/40 OWA/W12 "poor man's pappy".

I got to do a little tasting this week:

* Parker's Heritage... cask strength wheater - Very strong, strong alcohol taste and smell, once the alcohol taste passes, lots of interesting flavors. Not my favorite.
* Eagle Rare 17 - from '11. Really nice and smooth, quite flavorful. Definitely a step up from the ER 10.
* Old Van Winkle 12 - WOW! Talk about smooth and flavorful!
* Four Roses LE Small Batch Barrel Strength - Very tasty and smooth - nice lingering maple/mint flavors.
* Pappy 15 - Really nice, but I thought the Van Winkle 12 was better...
* George T Stagg - this year's release. Holy Mother of God this is good! It's likely the hottest bourbon I have ever had but it did not taste like alcohol at all. And it was bursting with a variety of flavors after the heat died. Simply incredible.

quote:

---

I got to do a little tasting this week:

* Parker's Heritage... cask strength wheater - Very strong, strong alcohol taste and smell, once the alcohol taste passes, lots of interesting flavors. Not my favorite.
* Eagle Rare 17 - from '11. Really nice and smooth, quite flavorful. Definitely a step up from the ER 10.
* Old Van Winkle 12 - WOW! Talk about smooth and flavorful!
* Four Roses LE Small Batch Barrel Strength - Very tasty and smooth - nice lingering maple/mint flavors.
* Pappy 15 - Really nice, but I thought the Van Winkle 12 was better...
* George T Stagg - this year's release. Holy Mother of God this is good! It's likely the hottest bourbon I have ever had but it did not taste like alcohol at all. And it was bursting with a variety of flavors after the heat died. Simply incredible.

---

Good to hear on the '14 Stagg! I'm waiting on the house purchase and move to open this one up!

quote:

---

I'm addicted to buying whiskey

---

Tell me about it...

I had a pretty good haul on Saturday all things considered.

Balcones Rumble - Extremely smoky. Opens up on ice. Can't decide how much like this one. I'm not used to drinking something over powering in smoke flavor.

Makers Mark Cask Strength - Love this one. Very Strong finish (113 proof) , with the distinct makers mark flavor.

Balcones Baby - Not as smooth as I thought it would be but really good. Vanilla and sweet flavors.

iPanic - do the new Balcones bottles have a really narrow top/neck? I saw a new one in a somewhat shady liquor store and it almost looked bootleg, not to mention the Baby Blue was incredibly light in color.

Here you go.

^^ Had a similar pull on Friday. Balcones Rumble, Single Malt, and the MMCS. Think i might try and swap the Balcones for something else.... still excited.

Maybe I am in the minority, but I haven't found a Balcones product I care to drink.

quote:

---

Maybe I am in the minority, but I haven't found a Balcones product I care to drink.

---

Agreed.

quote:

---

Maybe I am in the minority, but I haven't found a Balcones product I care to drink.

---

Same here. Their single malt was not agreeable to my taste buds at all, but I also typically disdain scotch too.

Have any of you tried BT experimental collection, or BT single oak project? Saw them in the store today.

Is Evan Williams SB a good cheap bourbon? Just curious

quote:

---

Is Evan Williams SB a good cheap bourbon? Just curious

---

Yes, it is a good pour and one of the better values on the market.

quote:

---

quote:

---

Is Evan Williams SB a good cheap bourbon? Just curious

---

Yes, it is a good pour and one of the better values on the market.

---

Seconded.

It was recommended off a new whisky app I found "distiller" is why I ask - pretty sweet app IMO

EWSB almost drinks too easy. Wish HH would bump the proof to 100. Wait they did, it's called Henry McKenna

Is Breckinridge any good? I'm in Denver for work (here once a month) and I see it all over. I'll try it eventually but they're pretty proud of it...

quote:

---

Have any of you tried BT experimental collection, or BT single oak project? Saw them in the store today.

---

Personally I dont think they are worth the price. That being said, I really enjoyed the single oak project bottle I had. Just wouldnt pay $55 for a small bottle not knowing what Im gonna get. The only reason I bought mine was because it came with a Van Winkle 10yr

quote:

---

Is Breckinridge any good? I'm in Denver for work (here once a month) and I see it all over. I'll try it eventually but they're pretty proud of it...

---

I don't think its that great personally

Craft Beer is making me fat...

What's a good sipping Bourbon to get started on? Something not cheap but also not outrageously priced. Somewhere in the extra medium price range.

Blantons is a good place to start.

quote:

---

Craft Beer is making me fat...

What's a good sipping Bourbon to get started on? Something not cheap but also not outrageously priced. Somewhere in the extra medium price range.

---

I'd say Buffalo Trace. I'm not a huge fan of Blantons.

Elijah Craig 12
Elmer T Lee
Angels Envy
Weller 12
Bookers (add ice)
Willett Pot Still

Those are ones you'll find in the store.