Are RARE Buffalo Trace BOURBONS Worth It? Blantons, Elmer T Lee, Eagle Rare & RockHill Farms
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As an employee of Sazerac, seeing Elmer T Lee going for $400, Blanton's for $200, and ER10 for $100 on the secondary market really shows everything that's wrong with the Bourbon community today. BT will always stand by their MSRP prices. For bottles like this, it's best to get with a local bourbon group and have a sip of someone else's bottle, because sharing your expressions is really what this community should be about. With so many warehouses going up the the distillery right now, we should be able to find all of these a little more regularly in some years. Just have to wait for everything to age.
Buffalo Trace cannot control the secondary market, nor can they travel back to the past and make more bourbon. clearly they didn't anticipate 10 years ago how much people would want Eagle Rare in 2023. if you make too much, you're stuck with it and lose money. If you don't make enough, well, we see what's happening. You can fix the problem with egg supply in a year, but not bourbon. That takes a while, especially for 10-year.
Hoping for sooner rather than later, maybe anticipating the larger output they can start releasing larger volumes in the next 2 or 3 years...
@@josephthomas2226 thank you for stating the obvious
@@vervor you are so welcome
@@josephthomas2226 it's really simple fix. When you buy a bottle at MSRP retail. They open the bottle for you and pour you a sample sip! If you want it you pay the retail. If you pass ok whatever the next person will! And no one will sell on secondary because it has been opened!
A very good, well balanced, tasting vid. Thanks gentlemen! I have a 175+ bottle whiskey collection and no longer get caught up in all the hype of allocated, high-price whiskey. From this tasting, I like four of the five (I've never been a fan of Blanton's). We all have different palates. I would buy Buffalo Trace and Eagle Rare, as daily sippers, every time. They used to be $28 (BT) and $36 (ER). Now BT is going for $70 and ER is going for $90 in my neck of the woods (Western MASS), if you can get them. That's nuts. I won't pay that, when there are so many great whiskies in the $20 to $50 range. Most people paying the big money for the name brands would NOT be able to pick them out or discern them as "THE BEST" in a blind taste-test. So, why should they ever pay stupid money for them?
Wtf. I walk in to any store Los Angeles and get Buffalo trace for $26 and under anytime. Eagle rare is still $40 and under a bottle. Same with Sazerac and many others.
@@YellowBrother That's how it used to be here, too. However, I know other parts of the country have been dealing with this for quite some time. Hopefully, it won't happen in YOUR area. I can still get Sazerac Rye for $27, though.
Very well said!
Wow! $70 for BT? $22 in California! ER for $40!
Where?
Just a beginner in the hunt for some of these bourbons and the information you are putting out there is huge for me. Of course I have heard about all these "rare" bourbons, but I value your opinions on what is a decent price for some of these and I will be patient in my search. Thanks for the information and I will be watching your other videos to learn even more!
Im in the same situation exploring good bourbon/ whiskeys.. heard of most of these but haven’t tasted them all
I just found your channel and I really enjoy it. I have the luxury of being able to go to my local state liquor store on wednesdays and being able to usually find all of the buffalo trace products, not every wednesday, but still pretty commonly. I generally get there an hour before the store opens and i wait until they open in line if the store workers say they got some good stuff in. I generally get Buffalo trace for $27, eagle rare $38, Blanton's for $65, Weller 107 Antique for $50. Plus there are others that show up from time to time like Bookers, Shenks and some other stuff. I've been trying to get some bottles at MSRP for my friends and family and ive been having a decent amount of luck although, I have yet to see Elmer T Lee or EH Taylor and I keep my eyes out for them. I live in Ohio for reference.
Interestingly enough, three of these were the first bourbons I tried. My buddy and I went to Nashville on a trip and I happened to be 21, so he took me to The Graduate Hotel bar (the only 5-star hotel in Nashville I think) to do drinks. My first legal drink was an old fashioned with Blantons, which was nice. We then tasted RockHill and Elmer T. Lee. I wasn't impressed with the RockHill, but that Elmer T. Lee is still my favorite bourbon I've ever tried. Never found it in a store near me and I'm not paying 150 bucks, but if I see it anywhere near MSRP I'll get it in a heartbeat. Fond memories.
That’s what it’s all about! Memories!
Eagle rare has been one of my favorites and go tos. It was what got me into bourbon. Maybe one day it can be available enough to be my "everyday" drinker again.
Just got my first bottle of it about 3-4 months ago. Only had a few sips and I really like it. But it’s hard to find so I’ve been reluctant to drink much more right now.
Yall need to do an Old Forester lineup like you did with Buffalo Trace
^this please^^
I concur, statesmen is one of my favorites dollar for dollar but their whole lineup is fantastic 👌
No, don’t start telling people about that and have the price inflated due to increased demand and scarcity. I live in an ABC controlled state, and it’s hard enough to find good bourbon and whiskey. Old Forrester is one of the few reliably stocked brands.
I’m an Old Forrester guy too. 100 is my daily go to. Can’t get BT or any of their products here in Central MO.
I think they already did this a bit ago? Just search SLB old Forester and it comes up.
I have all of those on my bar and tend to agree with your comments. At MSRP, regular BT is a great sipper and easy to share. I've had some Eagle Rare barrel select that have had a more complex profile than the typical store versions. The Rock Hill is a bargain when you can grab it under $80
Most reasons prices are so vastly different across state lines and different areas are whether you're in an ABC STATE where the state runs the liquor stores and have warehouses full of these bourbon, OR in a state like TN where I live and work in a liquor store we buy from private distributors and pay what they want or we don't get the product, then state law says we have to charge a certain percentage over our cost. On top of that these are what I like to call "scalper bottles" my phone rings they go down the list , (Blantons, Weller, Eagle Rare, Taylor) they look for them at lower prices to resale later so some store have gone as far as grossly over pricing them to deter the scalpers. If someone genuinely wants to enjoy the bourbon they'll buy it but until the secondary market is handled these bottles as mediocre as they are will be "King". I tell people everyday there are bottles from Old Forester and Chattanooga Distilling Co that have such a better palate than these, but people don't want to hear that and think BTAC are the holy grails. They're a bit boring in my opinion.
Buffalo Trace is a great deal! Not as costly and super tasty. Eagle Rare is more costly, but consistently tasty. Blanton's is also super tasty and a higher priced bottle. Never had the Elmer, but heard good things. Not familiar with Rock Hill at all.
I'd be curious to see a tasting of various Wild Turkeys (since there are a few) as well as a tasting of the various Beam/Suntory bourbon/whiskeys out there. I only learned that Bookers, Bakers and Basil Hayden were all under Beam/Suntory which I also didn't know where one entity either.
Great video. Loved it!!
Here in Michigan I pick up BT for $26.99. For me this is a solid bourbon for that price. I picked up ER for $31.99 and Blanton’s for $59.99 at the same grocery store one day. That was a good day. I have never seen ETL or RHF in the wild. I’ve had ETL and loved it, so I would over pay for that if I see it someday.
I saw Blanton’s at the San Antonio airport for $160 a few weeks ago. It is a hard no for me at that price, but if I didn’t already have one it would have been a tougher decision.
I also live in Michigan and picked up Blantons and ER for the same price you did back in April lol. I haven't seen either bottle on a shelf since.... 😂
Meijers?
@@thardin69, yep!
Love you guys and really enjoy your videos. I always get a kick out of the pricing for some of those high end bottles. Here in So Cal, bourbon is super hot and desirable and the latest fad, so hunting for those 12 point bucks is both labor intensive AND wallet draining.
For anyone wondering if So Cal is worth bourbon hunting in, regular buffalo trace is readily available here in for under $30 at any large chain market. Eagle rare is becoming more available, but still hit or miss unless the store is charging secondary prices, in which case people balk at the price and it sits. Blantons is usually going for $150 at the liquor stores that have it, Elmer T Lee is close to $300 in those same stores. I've never seen a Rock Hill Farms bottle in any of the stores here and in fact most of the stores have never heard of it.
Appreciate your input here!
I always liked Blanton's when I could get it for $40. When it went higher, it forced me (poor me ;) ) to taste more bottles. Now, I would never go back. So many other bottles out there that fit my taste. Not to mention I have not seen a bottle in a dozen years. Great video as always
Try Buffalo Rare:
1 part Buffalo Trace
1 part Eagle Rare
I searched and scratched to afford these “great” bourbons. 🤷🏼♂️ I’ve been drinking Dickle 12 year and LOVE IT!
I live 2 miles from BT so I just go stand in the line and buy any of them
Exactly the hype isn’t worth it
It's amazing how much this bourbon has gone up in price. On 12/30/22 I was in Lexington. A retailer had several bottles of Blantons. They we were priced at $150.00, ridiculous!
So this happened in the music gear world as well. When I started playing in the 90s you could still get a 60s strat for $2k. Turn the page into the early 2000s and the scarcity of stuff really started taking hold and the boutique (craft in the bourbon world) market REALLY took off. Now there are so many brands out there that put out some great stuff that is better than a lot of the original equipment it's based off of, but people still just pay a fortune for the original stuff.
Is that right?! Must be a specific mindset with some folks. Got to have the original!
Interesting comment. Seems underated if true; which seems plausible.
Try a Roland Jupiter 8 synth from 1981. It is currently going for $25000 and up on eBay!
Kinda like that with older cars too. All original is worth so much more in most cases. Take that same exact car and customize it to make it better and its not worth as much as the original, unless its a super crazy high level build
I just have to compliment you guys on how dang KIND you are during these reviews. I know you've seen the animosity and callousness that often permeates the broader bourbon forums, particularly when it comes to Blantons. So I really, really just love how you guys are always so respectful and open about drinking what you want to drink the way you want to drink it, and also understanding the wide differences in availability and pricing of so many of these bottles. Thanks for all the great content!
Thank you. Honestly that means a lot. Appreciate you saying that.
I have had all of these except for the Rock Hill Farms, I didn't even know Buffalo Trace made it. I enjoy Buffalo Trace products, but they have become extremely difficult if not impossible to find in my area. For the money, it's hard to beat Buffalo Trace and Eagle Rare. I used to think Blanton's was the be all end all, but there are so many great bourbons for the same price or less, I don't even think about Blanton's anymore. Great review!
Thanks! Same here. Love a lot of what BT offers but can’t ever find it.
I’m a casual bourbon drinker and was able to visit the BT distillery in Frankfort. Picked up a bottle of Blanton’s and EH Taylor at retail (plus a few BT). Of the two I enjoyed the EH more. Blanton’s was good but not worth paying extra with all the great options out there. I was able to try ER from a local retail spot at $36. Enjoyed that as well.
Great video! BT has been my go to for 7-8 years, I love it. You guys hit it right on the money, Blantons is not that great of a bourbon to me. When I got into bourbon collecting, I hoarded it like it was "the precious". Now, I practically give it away. So much better bourbons out there. The ETL? I had a 90 year anniversary version, it was probably one of the best bourbons I ever had, but I'll probably never find it again. But the RHF.... outstanding. I nearly finished all of the bottle I bought. I did some research, I put the rest of it up until I can get another bottle.
Just found this video. I got turned on to Bourbon about 25 years ago after watching a documentary on the history of Bourbon.
I remember there was an interview with Elmer T Lee and I was fascinated watching and learning and becoming proud of the true American Spirit.
I bought a bottle of ER 10year Single Barrel and ETL and enjoyed them both.
For reasonable priced Bourbon, especially for mixing, I really like Maker's Mark and for drinking neat or on rocks I am very fond of the MM Private Select.
More than 15 years ago I was able to get 4 or 5 bottles @ $40 ea of Elijah Craig 18 year, that is the best I've had. Too bad you can't get it for a reasonable price anymore.
After reading some of the comments, I think I'll have to try the RHF and the basic BT at some point.
At my liquor store where I work, we regularly have Buffalo Trace, Weller Special Reserve, Eagle Rare, and even EH Taylor Small Batch. Eagle Rare and EH Taylor are allocated, one per customer and you must buy a certain dollar amount before we even mention we have it, but the others are just on the shelf. I bought a bottle of the EH Taylor, but I rarely drink whiskey and two fingers in a high ball almost made me lose my dinner. I am mainly a tequila and gin drinker. But it was still the best bourbon I have had the opportunity to drink.
Great video. I have to agree with you on Blantons. I’ve bought it a couple of times but I got an Eagle Rare for msrp and wow. That was worth the buy.
You can find ER for $35? It's $75 minimum in OKC. Blanton's is a Blue Moon bourbon here, and it's $200. I have paid that due to wanting the bottle. I miss it at the distillery when I go as it seems like I'm always a day late or early. ETL... I have never seen it on the shelf. Secondary, yes...for $300+. But not on the shelf. I have never seen Rock Hill. Ever. Anywhere I've ever traveled. Never had a sip of it, either.
Great video!
In Germany 35 Euro Sometimes under 30!! Blaton 90 Euro
Trenton has connections and you guys live in a very different place than some of us.
3 years ago, Buffalo Trace and Eagle Rare were always on the shelf at about $30 and $40 respectively.
Now, $45+ for the Trace and $50+ for the Eagle Rare IF, repeat IF you can even find it . On a road trip in a different state today and found 3 bottles of Buffalo Trace sitting on a shelf in a small town for $25 each. Not to mention Bookers Noe Strangers at msrp $85 ( SIX bottles !!! ) which I have never even seen on a shelf back home at any price ever.
Amazing how the supply and demand can vary so greatly geographically.
Only 5 hours away from home, but that state line is into a different world
You are so correct! Price and selection vary greatly from state to state!
I can get BT for $23 and ER for $35 all day here in Miami 🏝🦩🐠
I've finally got my hands on Blanton's, and had a taste, it was a good dram, but I don't think I will go out of my way anymore chasing this bottle. But if I see it at MSRP or close to it, I'll still pick it up.
I paid $90 for a bottle from jersey. Never again. May buy for $60 tho if it’s there
Same here. I am ok with Blantons at msrp. Nice pour just not for top dollar.
There are way better whiskey's out there than overhyped Blanton's. I agree its good to buy at normal price but I wouldnt pay 2 to 3 times what it cost.
Super overrated. NEVER pay over MSRP.
I'm in agreement. The only reason I've been able to have Blanton's is our family in Lexington and Frankfort, KY. Happen to be there on a day they had Blanton's in the gift shop. I wish you guys had some EH to add to the mix.
Gentlemen another great show! As I am one of your older watchers I’ve been around bourbons whiskeys and spirits for the better part of 60 years! With so many new choices with bourbon whiskey and so on it’s difficult to discern with so many different taste profiles. However just like you stated and most people would agree they do taste better when they’re not overly priced!
Exactly! Thank you for choosing to watch our shows! Thank you sir
What’s some of your top 5 go to?
Great video guys! I definitely think all these bottles are worth MSRP and likely $10-$20 more than that. But I am totally with you on these bottles not being even close to hugh secondary pricing.
Cheers buddies 🥃
All quality pours but at the right price for sure!
I am fond of Eagle Rare personally, but in my area they like to jack the price up to $70. A that price it is not very good, but at the $40 price it works well for me (in fact, having some now :P). Blanton's is good, but there are so many better Bourbons for $70. Again though, in my area they try to sell it for $250-300 because they know they hype and somebody always buys it. To me though, it is a cool bottle and collectible, as far as a sipper though I prefer others. Pendleton Rye has a dang cool bottle too though and tastes better to me. I mean honestly, give me a Woodford Double Oaked any day over it, but that is the beauty of bourbon. Everyone has their own preference and taste. I like what you said about the guy who over paid, we have all done it and to be honest he didn't over pay. It was worth the $ to him for "reasons" and that is all that matters.
Nice job. Mixing the right amount of spirits with the right amount of refresher to make it taste delicious is one thing - but making the mood takes the right music. We have you covered with the tracks selected just for the right mood.
Used to get Elmer T for around $35 about 8 years ago. Loved it. For the money it was the best pour I could find.
Yep. And then they went to a "limited run" and IF you can find it the price is generally in the $90s or more.
I can buy at least two bottles of other bourbons that I enjoy just as much if not more so.
Wonderful pour for 35.00!
Secondary on ETL is now $400.
Elmer Lee used to be a $35 - $45 bottle not too long ago. It is actually one of the bourbons that started me diversifying from more traditioanl entry level whiskies and bourbons. I found it enjoyable.
Now IF you can find it the price is generally in the $90s or more. I can buy at least two bottles of other bourbons that I enjoy just as much if not more so. So it's not even really on my radar anymore.
More like 290 or more
which is really sad. after i did the bourbon trail in 2009 and spent a couple of nights driniking in a JW Marriott lounge that lined the walls with bottles of Elmer, it became my go to. Bevmo used to have plenty of stock at the price you mentioned. obviously if i had a time machine, I would have bought cases of the stuff - all for me...
Went to store trying to charge $500+. No way!!
They started drinking Elmer T on Justified and it got super expensive....as things do.
Elmer was my daily drinker back when is was $30 a bottle. Then the old gentlemen died and they restricted production sharply to increase scarcity. Haven't seen a bottle in 10 years
Hi, I’m new to the bourbon world and gain so much knowledge from you and your son so I can put together a nice selection of bourbon, I’m finding the “ hunt” is sometimes disappointing but exciting when I score. Keep the info flowing !🎼🎶
That’s exactly how it is lol! Sometimes disappointing but sometimes exhilarating!
great video, I had no idea BT made rockhill farms so I learned something new today. I am amazed at the amount of unique glass bottle designs they use. Most distillers will try to keep it down to a few unique designs to help with costs and inventory. I feel like that may have helped drive some people into their products years ago and they just don't want to stray away from their usual go too sipper. I know there are a decent amount of people that will just stick to one beer and one whiskey, and nothing wrong with that. Just sucks for those who have been drinking BT for years can no longer easily get it. I only got into bourbon after the hype, so I have never seen any of these on the shelf with exception to BT here (south FL) so it's nice to get your take/opinions on these hard to get bottles. thank you!
Same as you. My brother tells me stories all the time when he used to walk in a store and get about any bourbon he wanted right off the shelf.
I moved from Kentucky out to Utah last year and wish so badly I could find Eagle Rare where I’m at. Great review! Miss having all the bourbon I wanted at my fingertips. Would love to see a review of Wilderness Trail sweet mash out of Danville, KY or Old Pogue Masters Select out of Maysville, KY if y’all ever get a chance!
Need to look for that Pogue!
I live in KY and still can't find Eagle Rare anywhere
I like blantons because it opened the world of bourbon for me. It holds a special spot in my heart. When I can grab one for MSRP I do it. I share it with all the bourbon newbies and it never fails to convert them.
As much as I love the bottle on a Blanton's, as a new-to-whiskey person, I don't think this will be anything that I spend TOO much effort to find after watching this. Thankfully, I don't necessarily have to grab one since I ran across a 50ml shot size bottle of it near my house...and it's pretty much the dadgum same thing in a hilariously small bottle.
I'm glad to hear your opinions since I don't have a crazy wealth of knowledge or tasting experience to combat the hype of certain bottles. Keeps me from spending too much money on stuff I may not like.
Of all the Buffalo trace offerings I think the standard Buffalo trace is the best value. It’s the only one that I regularly find, typically find at MSRP, and I’m willing to pay that price for the bourbon inside.
Actually availability is really poor, i have yet to see it in any liquor store here in Minnesota.
@@lars2894it’s all over the place in rural Illinois. One store even has handles although those they have packaged up with garbage bottles for 90 bucks.
Benchmark is also known as Baby Buffalo. It is the same mash bill but I believe it is aged for 4yrs not the BT 8yrs. It is my goto mixer and also nice neat.
Great taste.
Blanton's was considered a "special" bourbon 40 years ago and I used to get it now and then. No jacked-up prices, no chasing around trying to find it. The bottle was a marketing gimmick to show how special it was, like Crown Royal's velveteen bag or the Mateus rose bottle. And Chivas Regal was considered the ultimate in scotch. Kind of a charmingly innocent slice of life back in the day. But a lot of other bourbons have come out at the same MSRP since then that surpass Blanton's.
I agree with preferring Buffalo Trace to Eagle Rare, and BT is readily available in my area for under $30. Elmer T. Lee was a big favorite of mine till it got so hard to find. I've got an unopened bottle I bought for $36 years ago that I'm reluctant to open because I feel like it will be my last bottle ever, but then I'm not really getting much out of it hidden in my liquor cabinet.
My brother had the same experiences as you. His first Blantons was a gift. After that he could find it at will. Not anymore.
I've had the Buffalo Trace and the Eagle Rare. I absolutely love the Eagle Rare. That has become my personal favorite.
It is very good!
That’s crazy how everyone likes Eagle Rare. I think it’s actually one of my least favorites. Blantons to me is 10x better.
@@haydenblack5648 Its disgusting, I personally dont see the hype!
@@davidtuck3080 It’s crazy how good marketing can taste huh? Lol
@@haydenblack5648 This was my intro neat pour in bourbon, Special place in my heart. Under $50 I’m all day long, are there better at $50…sure
really enjoy your videos, you both keep it real. Cheers! happy thanksgiving
Never been a bourbon fan till I found Blantons. Our local bottle shop has been doing a "rare bottle lottery" which I think is a great way to do it. Just got a bottle of Old Elk that I can't wait to try. Great video...👍👍👍
I just got a weller full proof single barrel store pick for $65, and an old elk wheated single barrel store pick for almost $100. To get the weller had to get another store pick, they had a few to choose from. I think thats fair instead of paying crazy secondary, and not having to buy 3 high priced bottles like ive seen other stores do. This way you get 2 good store picks for retail(ish)
I first began drinking Eagle Rare about 2013. It used to be 92 proof. I thought it tasted a little better at the slightly higher proof.
My father owned a grocery store and I managed the liquor department, this was in the 1990s I was going through the order book and saw Blanton's Bourbon, I loved bourbon and had never seen Blanton's. Well I fell in love with it and told everyone about Blanton's and to try it, you could always find it and it was affordable, Blanton's, Handcocks Reserve , Rock Hill Farms, and Elmer T Lee I started drinking them and selling them, I can't believe the bourbon market today, it's just nuts , these days I drink alot of Wild Turkey products like Russell's Reserve, lots of great whiskey out there on the shelves, please don't support the secondary market
i mostly drink evan williams and ezra brooks. both fine bourbons
Eagle Rare is one of my favorites. Was under $30 & on the shelf in PA, now hard to find. Drink of choice for this year's Super Bowl.
I couldn't agree more on Blanton's and it's price point. Old Forester 1920 is my favorite in this price range. For me, the 1920 is a top 5 whiskey of any style or price. Cheers!
Agreed!
1920, 1910, and WR Double Oaked are all soooo good. Brown-Forman has earned a bunch of my money.
I’ll have to admit I add just a dab of water to the 1920 and it brings all the flavors out and I enjoy the best that way. The chocolate notes are ridiculous good.
My son got me a bottle of Blanton's for Father's Day. It wasn't worth the hype until I made an old fashioned with it. Hands down the best old fashioned I've had with the various bourbons I've got. Smoothest, easiest to sip and refreshing cocktail I've had
Hancock's President's Reserve is the only one missing from this lineup. Great video👍🏻
Yep
I really wish I could have found that one. Agreed.
@@slbdrinks should've asked the subscribers. I have one sitting on my shelf👍🏻
No. Van Winkle is made by Buffalo Trace. That lineup (5 total whiskies) are the truly rare whiskies made by Buffalo Trace.
Just saw a new batch of Eagle Rare in our government liquor stores at $60 cdn. Buffalo Trace is somewhat easy to find in government and private liquor stores @ $43. There is a special barrel select release @ $46.
Today I saw Buffalo Trace on the shelf for only the second time in almost two years of drinking whiskey - it was the only bottle. And the clerk offered me the only bottle of Eagle Rare in the store. I grabbed both.
I know I like Buffalo Trace, but my first glass of Eagle Rare wasn't much. On the other hand, I've learned never to judge a whiskey on the first glass, unless it's just undrinkable swill. I did like the Eagle, but in the first glass it wasn't noticeably better than Evan Williams BiB. Probably the second glass will be a significant improvement.
I came away without a receipt, but out of a hundred dollar bill I got $26 and something back (as I recall), so the bottles before tax would've been not to bad as far as price.
I work in a liquor store and these bourbons are the bane of my existence. The number of people who line up at the door on a Thursday morning, two hours before we open, just to find out if we *maybe* have a bottle of mediocre bourbon is absolutely staggering. Bourbon hunters truly are a different breed.
yep, I've been in the beer wine and spirits industry for over 25 years. I remember the same thing happened with hard to come by craft beers in say 2008 -2013 or so. The maniacal hunt, people following distributors trucks around, overpaying for things... mercifully it died off in the mid 20-teens as more options became available. Here we are 15 years later and the same thing is happening with bourbons and whiskeys. Nuts. The crazy part is, just because it's rare does not make it the best, but people would pay top dollar for a bottle of pond scum water if you told them it was rare and they couldn't have it
@@bendalton5221 I may not be in the business, but I feel you guys where I'm from in the early 2000s. You cannot find a case of Sierra Nevada IPA to save your life. People would literally line up outside of grocery stores and liquor stores waiting for them to open so they could snatch up a 12 pack.
@@highwayman187 Which IPA for Sierra Nevada? Do you mean torpedo sierra Nevada isn’t really known for IPAs
@@deankruse4491 just the original green label one. This was back in like 2001 2002 times
@@highwayman187 OK, that is a pale ale not an IPA. Cheers 🍻
In PA they occasionally sell it online and you can get it. The stores get surprise drops and it’s gone in a day. All allocated and controlled by the state. (This is Buffalo Trace)
Thanks for the reviews guys. It was definitely odd when I travelled to Kentucky to visit some distilleries and found that Buffalo Trace was hard to find in liquor stores. When I did find it, it was $45. I can head down to my local Safeway right now and buy it for $26. Eagle Rare, on the other hand, can't be found anywhere near me for less than $80. There are places that carry Eagle Rare for MSRP, but they are always out, and there is no limit. I have a theory that there is one guy who buys it all when he sees it. I really only want it for MSRP, so I'm bummed that I never get to have it. I got lucky and got a $30 bottle of it a few years ago, but ever since, I've found the shelf empty.
Awesome review and break down guys!!! I would be happy to find any of them at msrp!!!
Cheers guys!!!
For me, with regards to buffalo trace products, it's not so much the whiskey in the bottle, it's the history behind the bottle. To sit and watch Elmer T Lee interviewed about his time at the distillery makes me want a bottle every time. From being told by Albert Blanton that "we're not hiring hands today son", then 40 years later he's running the distillery. The owners at the time asked him to create a "premium bourbon" and he relayed stories of Albert Blanton having special barrels pulled from his favorite rickhouse for party guests, and Blanton's single barrel bourbon was born. A few years later they wanted to brand a bourbon after him, but his caveat was that he had to pick the barrels. The list goes on, George Stagg, EH Taylor, they aren't just names on a bottle, there's bourbon history in those names even if the whiskey isn't what it used to be. I'd pay a tidy sum to purchase an unopened late 80's bottle of Blanton's to compare to today's version.
Ehhh, it's gotta taste like the price you pay for it. Stories don't tantalize the pallet 😉
@@detroyt232323 I pay normal retail and they all taste plenty good for that price. I don't shop gougers, but around here IF the good retailers get these bottles, they are either raffled or sold to "Preferred customers". I lost most of my preferred statuses during the apocalypse.
If that's supposed to be a teaser for their history then I don't see the appeal. It's sounds totally mundane leaving these still just bourbons.
Is it an American taste thing? Because here these bottles are very rare too but why would I buy any bourbon when I can get a good whiskey for less and actually enjoy it?
I have all except Rock Hill Farms. But I’ve tasted it in a restaurant and it wasn’t too bad. They are all decent but nothing to go crazy about in my opinion.
I would agree, spent the weekend with a buddy and his dad had 3 Wellers, eagle rare, BT, and EH Taylor bib ( he has a guy). All very tasty but not mind blowing like the secondary market prices would lead you to believe.
@@KobeG24 exactly! Secondary prices here are insane! It’s tough to find bottles at MSRP. The Wellers though are great 👌🏼
Agreed. All good pours but not other worldly good.
I love the cheaper bourbon’s like eagle rare and blantons. Elmer T Lee is overrated IMO. I am pretty lucky as I can pick these up at retail. Trace stinks to me! People say my taste is in my mouth!
I've had blanton and it's sub par and eagle rare taste just like wild turkey it's just alot smoother but they are definitely not worth it
The first 3 are available here in BC, at government liquor stores Buffalo Trace is $42.50 and available regularly (excluding strikes of course). Eagle Rare shows up a few times a year generally around $60 and Blanton's perhaps once a year, cannot remember the price. Private liquor stores are generally close to government prices although some do charge about $10 a bottle more and a few charge less or vary with some prices higher and some lower.
I can def live with that. A few bucks more here or there ok!
@@slbdrinks Well, with exchange and taxes prices in Washington State are often close to or even sometimes higher than here depending on where you purchase them. Other than wine and beer it appears to be, for the most part, cheaper to shop at home though the variety is much lower.
Here in South Texas, prices on Eagle Rare is 99.00 and Blanton's is 120.00. Crazy. Love your programming. I do agree with you guys. Very, very fair on your comments. Keep it up.
Blantons was my favorite for a long time. The prices by me (Illinois) are 200 a bottle. I agree with you, it’s just not worth that price.
"Tackle your grandma". Great line, Kurt. I'm still laughing. Another on point review. So glad I watched this one twice.
Hey there guys... Buffalo Trace is fairly easy to find out here in California for 750ml ($22.99 USD) & 1 Liter bottles. Usually a one bottle limit at Total Wine and More or BevMo. Eagle Rare is hit or miss. I found a hole in the wall liquor store in my area that sells it for $37.99. I have two bottles of Blanton's unopened. My best friend gifted me a bottle for my 50th birthday. Blanton's is a special occassion bourbon but very controversial. Never seen or even tried Elmer T Lee or the Rock Hill Farms in stores. Seen them in restaurants and bars. Any chance you could review the Kirkland Small Batch 1792 Barton from Costco compared to the regular 1792 Barton? I just bought a one liter bottle for $18.99 USD. That is my go to everyday sipper and in my opinion is a steal.
Would love to do the 1792 comparison!
Buffalo Trace is our house bourbon where I bartend at. It's also extremely hard to find here in NYC. Good stuff!!
RHF is hands down the best of the bunch. It’s one of my personal favorites. I would pay up for another bottle. I have 1 that’s almost empty & 1 more on the shelf.
And I agree with the statement of drinking what you really like regardless of the price.
That’s why I love blind tasting, cause many will ended up liking a less expensive bottle. 😅
I'm fairly new to the bourbon game and appreciate your content and feedback very much! A shame that when I finally found BT, it cost $48! Keep up the great work!
Just found your page. Love the content! I haven't had Buffalo Trace, I love Eagle Rare. It's the only one on this review I have tried. You can't find Blanton's anywhere near me.
Yes! Buffalo Trace price point in upstate NY is about $39.99 and some liquor stores only get one case others can’t get it! My go to is Four Roses now or Evan Williams for similar price range.
"I'd rather you be generous than a hoarder" - right there is why I love your channel! Keep up the fun, it's nice to have a drinking buddy.
Indeed! I feel exactly the same!
I was in the liquor for a while and loved every minute of it. The best bang for your buck was always the boutique brands mostly unheard. They usually surpassed the quality of these name brands and by nature were small batched and handles with care. They were also usually better priced. Liquor customers suffer from a herd mentality, and wannabe snobs. Therefore bourbon hunters drive up the prices and availability just to be able to brag to their friends.
I would like to taste the Lee and Rock Hill, as I never had those.
Agree about Bourbon hoarders. Greed has made finding bourbon so frustrating! Also agree with Blanton's. I think it's very okay, but not worth the hype. When I was looking for it, I had two buddies pickup bottles for me. I drank one. The other, I'm selling to another buddy for what I paid for it ($60). I would rather spread the karma then make money on it. For $60, I can get a bottle of Angel's Envy, or J. Henry (one of my favorites out of Wisconsin) and still home with a few bucks in my pocket.
While on vacation, I brought buffalo trace, eagle rare and blantons (I managed, somehow to be there at the state store on delivery day. I live in southeastern pa) and one night had an impromptu tasting. There were about 12 of us. Eagle rare was hands down the crowd favorite due to it's notes and after burn...don't call it spice, please.....I'm willing to spend the $32 for it....Blanton's came in 2nd with buffalo trace last at $62 and $28 respectively. Any suggestions regarding a smooth not high rye content at the Blanton's price point?
Even cheaper I would suggest Early Times bib.
Thanks! Every heard of angels envy?
Legally here in Ontario Canada there is no secondary market and you have to order quickly online when ER and Blantons become available, but we can get ER for 58 Canadian and Blantons for 70 Canadian. This is consistent with other bourbon MSRP pricing (rare breed is 67 dollars here's). There are thousands available each drop but they sell out in days. I prefer turkey myself but we actually have reasonable pricing for these BT products, which is a bit surprising.
Here in some states greedy store owners can price at will. Part of the problem.
Great video guys! I am a big fan of Buffalo Trace...hard to beat it for the money. In my area, I have no problem getting it in the 25 to 27 dollar range. Are there better bourbons, yes...but not readily available at that price.
Great buy at that price!
Hello, I am new to your site and really enjoy you knowledge and honesty on various bourbons, as I don’t spent a lot of money on a bottle my everyday drink is either Jim Beam devils cut or Jim Beam double oak, as it turns out very unexpected I have become a fan of Basil Haden then found out it to my surprise made by Jim Beam, what is your take on basil haden as I haven’t been able to find a review of yours on it, don’t get me wrong I do not only drink Jim Beam, I have Clyde Mays, Woodford reserve, makes mark, buffalo trace and Blantons so I do like a verity. Getting back to original question, what’s your take on Basil Hayden?
From the Buffalo Trace distillery, for me Weller 12 is where the magic is at. As with everything from "the Pappy Van Winkle distillery" it's going to be really hard to find without markup, but if you can get it at it's retail price, I've not found any other 12 year Kentucky Bourbon at it's price point to match... The regular Buffalo Trace is very hard to find here. I might snag it once or twice a year at retail price, but it's not something worth paying over retail for. In its price range, Wild Turkey 101 is my usual go to
In '91 a friend at a widow's request was clearing out her late husband's (full-bird Colonel) bar. I was given a tax-stamped 1968 bottle of Weller & Stiztle. The cork was a little loose but it survived. That was the best I have ever had. High proof but smooth and easy going home
I have found that Blanton's does really well in blinds because it just has a great balance. A lot of the sweeter and spicier notes come out when you're trying it against other whiskies blind. But considering it's a single barrel product they do very a bit. The one I have open right now is really good. Eagle Rare is the same thing to where I have a bottle open that I don't really like at all but the other bottle I have open is fantastic. I've never seen Elmer T or Rock Hill Farms in a store or online at a price that I would pay. With Buffalo Trace expanding rick houses hopefully we'll see more of that available. Great lineup, cheers 🇺🇸🥃
I had always liked Blantons Until I had gold. Then I had SFTB which is the real King. Unfortunately I think blantons gold is too close in price to SFTB to be compared to the level of SFTB.
I know there are quite a few who love Blantons and I think that’s great! Like you I hope at some point more of the BT lineup will be more readily available.
Good luck finding any of those in Virginia. I've checked with the State operated ABC store here and they do release a "limited availability notice" on these to select stores. When these notices are released, there is a run on the store and they are cleared out in a couple of hours.
I work in a Virginia ABC store in the southwest part of the state. We received an allocation of three of the Buffalo Trace bourbons: BT, Eagle Rare, and Blanton's. We had two cases of BT, and one each of ER and Blanton's. The Blanton's was gone in an hour; the Eagle Rare didn't make it past two hours; and the two cases of Buffalo Trace? They lasted a little over three hours. As an employee, we can't buy them when they first come out, and I was working late shift that day so had no opportunity, either. The next day, I visited a sister store some 20 minutes away and snagged an Eagle Rare. I agree with their opinion in the video, too.
Eagle rare in Vegas is hard to come by. I have been trying for a while and came across it and limit 2 bottles at 54bucks each. It was a Father’s Day gift. My dad couldn’t wait and tried and to him, it was amazing. Since getting him watching your videos as well as myself, his burbon taste has grown. From plain wild Turkey to over 30 different ones. Thanks for turning my dad into a bourbon monster. Please try some Michigan ones
Yep - in the St. Louis area it is very difficult to find Buffalo Trace on the shelves. I don't know why.
Here in Minnesota, Buffalo Trace is usually mid $30’s, Eagle Dare $75 to $100 and Blanton anywhere from $125 to $235. They are difficult to find and demand is so high people will pay the higher prices. They all taste amazing, regardless of price
You're buying from places that are gouging you hard. Blanton's is good but no where near worth that price. And you can find Buffalo Trace and Eagle Rare for $25 and $35 respectively in Minnesota
Where do you buy Blanton then? Please lmk
Sorry I live in Frankfort, so I grew up on ( BT ) Ancient Age back in the day before the explosion of the bourbon industry, AA was our go to AAA (10YR) along with the Turkey 101 . Living here in the middle of bourbon world, BT , Old Grand Dad, Wild Turkey in Lawrenceburg, Woodford Reserve in Millville, Bullitt in Shelby County , all within a 15 minute drive . Love where I live
I appreciate your candid opinions. ADHD Whiskey has the same opinion on Blanton’s. I can’t get any of these anymore and now I don’t really regret it.
Matt has a wonderful palate so that doesn’t surprise me. Great bottle for the shelf and a decent pour.
Great selection there guys. Quite a few restrictions here in Ohio on all of those. You all are lucky to have great access to those bourbons!
I’m in Ohio and come across BT, ER and Blanton’s pretty regularly. Elmer and Rock I guess I’ve never really looked for but I will need to see. About the only thing I’ve never seen on the shelves here is Stagg or Stagg JR.
Since you like RHF (as do I) you might want to track down a John J. Bowman SiB. I believe that it's still BT distillate shipped to Virginia, distilled again, and then aged there. No one seems to know for sure if it's mash bill #1 or #2. It's also 100 proof and supposedly 9-10 years old.
I just got one in Vegas a couple weeks ago!
I visited Buffalo Trace a month ago and was able to get it for $58. While Blanton's will always have a special place for me (it was my first bourbon) I would never pay more that $75 / bottle.
By me I see it for $140+. cheapest I’ve ever seen it was $95 and the same store had it for $120 a couple months later.
Here you n the Sacramento area Blanton’s is hard to find so the prices are driven too high. I’ve been able to enjoy a pour at a good local restaurant bar but unless I can find it for MSRP, I think I can do without. On the other hand, I see Buffalo Trace at Sam’s Club for $19-$22 and it’s so drinkable and mixes well I’m always grabbing a couple bottles.
I would love to see a show on Pappy Van Winkles though. Talk about hard to find! Sheesh
I am starting to see more Buffalo Trace and some Eagle Rare. At retail, they’re a good bourbon. They’re are other great bottles out there on the shelf when Buffalo Trace products aren’t around.
Buffalo Trace is what got me into bourbon. It's still my number one favorite. I'm in northern VA. You can't get it here unless you order it online. VA ABC stores get them by lottery, only six at a time. They're gone as soon they get into the store. Wish they were easier to get. They are also spending a billion dollars to expand their distillery, so hopefully within the next ten years it'll be more commonplace 🙄. Eagle Rare and Blantons are nice to have also.
BT are fabulous whiskeys no arguments there! Like you, just wish they were more accessible.
Up here in Minnesota these are all pretty hard to find. Years ago these were findable, but in the last few years they've disappeared. I never see ER, Blantons, ETL, or RH. Those all usually end up in a lottery. Even standard BT is pretty infrequent and when you do find it it typically is around $35.
You're more than welcome to come down under to Australia. Here you can buy enough ER & Blantons to bathe in for around $60 per bottle of the regular stuff. We have 4 Blantons varieties available. Straight from the Barrel is a little harder to find but it's out there for $150. The Gold can be found everywhere for $100. We also have a green label 'special reserve' version which is lower proof ABV 40% for $50. All these bottles are gathering dust because Australians don't buy them. Eagle rare is on special. There's too much of it. I think Wild Turkey is most popular here for taste, variety & value for money.
@@terryl7749 Haha. Sounds like a good problem to have. I was just saying to my wife last week that I'd really like to go to Australia. I've never been to the southern hemisphere.
@@TheMNbassHunter Yes, you should visit. Our tourism industry has suffered enormously during Covid. We are desperately trying to get back overseas visitors. Maybe take a trip to Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef. It's an experience you'll never forget & unique. It's now Spring in Australia which is perfect time to visit as the whales migrate to warmer waters and you can swim with dolphins. Otherwise take a trip further down to South Australia into the wine region of Adelaide which I suppose would be similar to your Napa Valley. Similarly it's designated as one of the World's great wine regions. If you're brave you can also go cage diving with Great White Sharks in Port Lincoln. My friend did it for his 60th birthday. It was on his bucket list.
So come down under. Take a dive, enjoy the local food, visit some famous beaches and wineries, and pick up some Blantons on the way back home. However funny that sounds to travel outside the USA to be able to buy a product made in your own country! Likewise, being an Australian I'd never seen a kangaroo in person until I visited a zoo in Japan.
@Bill Fukkayommamanigga I just bought some Eagle Rare to see what all the fuss is about. It was on special. $5 cheaper than the regular Blanton's at the store I go to. I've seen it $10 more than Blanton's at some shops. The liquor store also had an opened bottle of Blanton's and 20 year old Ron Zacapa rum for tasting. They can't sell it so they have free samples. What a shame!
One thing people may be interested to know is that whoever handles marketing at Buffalo Trace (maybe ownership) made one move that blew up the popularity of the distillery and inflated the prices. It was being an early advertiser on the Joe Rogan Podcast, which ended up being the biggest podcast in the world. They still advertise with them to this day.
Interesting! Thanks for sharing
Stores are selling Blanton's in my area in New England (if you can find it) for $300, not all stores are selling for that price but I got my bottle for $78. And I agree with you guys it's good but there is better for less. And I will no way buy Blanton's for more than what I purchased it for. It's plain and simply not worth the $300 and up Price. Oh and by the way you guys did seem a little more loose today. LOL I think it made for a better show! Great video guys I really enjoyed it!
I live in Allen Texas which is a suburb of North Dallas. I just found a bottle of Buffalo Trace for 22 at Total Wine on the allocation shelf. I also just found a bottle of Eagle Rare for 36. These are very difficult to get here in Dallas.
I have a considerable bourbon collection but I always go back to Eagle Rare. Absolutely love the cherry note. On a different note, Eagle Rare is a sneaky drinker. I can have a couple drinks of higher proof bourbons and be fine but a couple drinks of the Eagle gets me a little swimmy headed haha. The Eagle at 90 proof, for some reason, hits harder than higher proof bourbons to me.
That’s interesting. I am usually a two drink guy myself anyway 😂
I can’t get Eagle Rare here. I’ve always wanted to taste it… someday
Same for me. I love the ER.
Check out the wild turkey rare breed. That shit hits HARD.
@@kedrickswain6509 I have a couple bottles of it. Its my 2nd fav.
I ran across Buffalo Trace for $27 last week and Eagle Rare for $44. Both had at least 5 bottle on the shelf. I was south of Atlanta and they had pretty much everything. Wellers was over $100 up to several hundred. I grabbed the Buffalo Trace and Eagle Rare. I really liked the Eagle Rare.
I’d been really upset if I paid $40-$50 or more for the BT. It was good but not $40 good.
Edited to say I live in SC and i can’t find any BT right now.
Cant get the Blantons here in PA, keep me in mind if you get your hands on an extra, would appreciate, great, honest video 👍🏼🥃
KURT & TRENTON!!! Great part 2 video!!! Buffalo Trace =Hit and miss availability. That Blanton is def on my list!!! CHEERS you guys!!!
Thank you Tim!
Here in TX, these are almost nonexistent. I’ve been able to pick up a single Buffalo Trace and one EH Taylor SB. Everything from BT is allocated down here. Great video by the way.
I can find Weller’s, BT and ER in the DFW area. The others are unobtanium. I have never seen them.
If you are near a Liquor Depot they usually get shipments in around the middle of the month. If been able to get Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, and Weller special reserve there. If I were you, buy an aging barrel and a few bottles of the Buffalo Trace White Dog mash bill one and age it for a few months. I aged some in one of my 2 liter barrels for 4 months and it was amazing. It’s 125 proof which is their barrel proof.
Interesting ive heard the opposite about texas, including from friends who went there
Availability of all BT products varies so much across the country.
In the last 10 days, I've found E.H. Taylor BIB for $39, Eagle Rare for $30, Buffalo Trace for $22, and a handle of Weller Special Reserve for $39 all at Spec's in Arlington and Ft. Worth.
Buffalo Trace availability really depends on the state. i’m from NJ originally and there it was tricky to find, i now live in Vegas and it’s everywhere and the local Total Wine has it on the shelf almost always for 21.99.
in some states it’s super rare… just depends on the state.
From all the comments here you are correct. Wish I knew why though.
@@slbdrinks in NY Buffalo trace is regularly $35-45 now and Eagle Rare $60-70, if you can even find it.
@@slbdrinks distributors and where they have success moving products. Lots of bourbon is highly regional and challenging to break into existing consumer trends, as many folks drink what they know.
not here in savannah. The 8th store I visited had it for $36. Another guy told me he paid $57. almost impossible to find here. I didn't like it at $36 - tastes like a $25 bottle to me
I'm in NJ and can't find that or Eagle Rare anywhere ever
Blantons > RHF > ETL in the last side-by-side tasting I did of 3 freshly opened bottles. Actually tried two Blantons, the Japanese version which is apparently aged two years longer, and the American one. I slightly preferred the American one, which was unexpected. Japanese bottle label looks nicer though, and was just VERY slightly behind the regular Blantons imo. This was a non-blind tasting, and the results were almost the opposite of what I expected. I figured I would like ETL the most, and RHF the least. ETL was the smoothest, but it felt very muted in aroma and taste. Seems like it would have been better at a higher proof.
Love the videos guys I just got into bourbon and whiskeys and your cha nel has been super helpful
I'm still pretty new to bourbon but I have had BT, ER, and Blanton's. The ER and Blanton's were fine but didn't blow me away, especially for the secondary prices on them. Even at retail I'd reach for the Buffalo Trace 10 times out of 10 over the other two.
Buffalo Trace and eagle rare are both really good bourbons for the price. I still wanna try Blanton's, and I also like old Forester bourbon, it's also 1 of the best bourbons for the mid shelf as well.
I hear that the John J Bowman Single Barrel is a good alternative to Blanton’s
Just go get a bottle of Russell's Single Barrel. It's about the same price as Blanton's ($65) and it'll beat the pants off of it every time.
This week (Nov 22, 2022) I saw Buffalo Trace at a local liquor store in the Boston area for $44. It’s usually sold at most other places - if you can find it - for $30 to .$32.
Damn, I find it where I live for $22 at Costco or $25 in the grocery store
The eagle rare in my area is close to 100 so I appreciate this video. I have always heard good things but couldn't afford to chance that much money on something I never tried. Thank you guys for the information. I love buffalo trace and its 32 here
I buy Eagle Rare for 33
@@Bluegrasshero I take it its worth that?
I personally find Eagle Rare overrated.