SpiderDude said:

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austinag1997 said:

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PETE2019 said:

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Trying to make my way into the bourbon world of tasting/collecting and figured this would be a good place to start. Do you guys have a list of "must pick ups" when seeing them at retail? Have always enjoyed bourbons from Buffalo Trace but still new enough to not know which are more "premier" bottles. Also trying to expand my palette so any suggestions are appreciated!

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First, welcome! Next, I would recommend some stuff you can regularly by on the shelf. Try the Four Roses bottles. Try Elijag Craig. Those are great places to start. Anybody telling you to start with allocated bottles is not helping you.

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Add to this Knob Creek Single Barrel 120, Rare Breed by Wild Turkey, Old Grandad 114, Benchmark Full Proof and Old Forester Prohibition.

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Totally agree. I have my go to's!

JWinTX said:

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So beyond the Stuff made at Buffalo Trace Distillery, here are my recs for ones to get and enjoy that aren't hard to find:

Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Russell's Reserve Single Barrel
Old Forester's White Label with the year (any and all of them)
Heaven Hill 7-yr Bottled in Bond
Evan Williams Single Barrel (best value on the market)
Makers Mark anything
Elijah Craig

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I like that list except MMCS is more of my jam.

any recs on a travel Glencairn case or kit (either DIY or off the shelf)

I use this one and it works well. Fits in a slot in my bottle bag too. Can get on Amazon.

Shaggie 05 said:

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I use this one and it works well. Fits in a slot in my bottle bag too. Can get on Amazon.

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Bottle bag?

Yeah, they come in handy when traveling, or taking bottles to events/friend's houses. I started with the 3 bottle bag below, and still use it frequently. However, I am now a brand ambassador for Michter's so I have to carry more bottles and stuff frequently, so I upgraded to the 6 bottle "bottle share" bag the bourbon junkies sell.

I did also see that Aged and Ore recently released a 4 bottle bag. Their stuff tends to be well made.

Technically the bottle share bag came with two sleeves for glasses or whatnot, but I prefer the hard glencairn case.

Pac1698 said:

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Is Bakers 13 a good pour? I might be able to get one, not sure on the price, but it should be close to MSRP.

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I like Bakers. I find it a little bit buttery but think it is highly underrated.

Another, local to Austin, I really like is Fire Oak - reminds me a little of 4 Roses. The tasting room and patio at their distillery are really nice. Aggie owned.

suburban cowboy said:

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Scored a 15yr Penelope Founder's Reserve 128.4 proofer today

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Let us know how that is!

suburban cowboy said:

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any recs on a travel Glencairn case or kit (either DIY or off the shelf)

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I saw this recommended here. Haven't bought it yet, but I like the idea.
https://agedandore.com/collections/on-the-go/products/neat-traveler?variant=42919548420259

https://agedandore.com/collections/featured/products/travel-bundle

I have these and love them

Im a big fan of that Makers.

Yep.

Happy birthday!! I hope you enjoy!

I'm a big fan of all of these barrel picks.

trouble said:

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I have these and love them

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Great! Good to hear.

tmaggie50 said:

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Just picked up a bottle of WT Rare Breed barrel proof. 116 proof. Enjoyed my first glass. What are the boards thoughts on this bottle?

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One of the best bottles you can buy.

It's one of our favorites! Always a great pour.

We are going with the WT masters keep and maybe a pour of the Rock Hill.

Great bottles

One of the best bangs for your buck out there. I do a lot of blind taste test with clients and it wins a lot against "better, nicer bourbons

Willett is dropping a new XCF on Saturday. If anyone has access to it, I'd be interested in picking one up.

Y'all seeing these anywhere?! Picked these up at OLC. Y'all know what juice this is (mainly)? Here's a hint...I call them poor man's purple tops.

Found 100% 9yr in Dallas this past week…very good pour. Have had a couple of the 8yr blends, and the 9 was a substantial step up.

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