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You were sadly mistaken at 9:10 when you said "...Clyde May's...nothing to get excited about." The Alabama Style (yellow label) and the rye are both excellent.
I'm in NC about 10 minutes south of the VA border. Have 3 VA ABCs within a half hour drive. I tend to do slightly better at the VA ABCs then the ones in NC. At least VA notifies you when they drop allocated, so you can make the mad dash to the store. In NC it's all luck.
Great review. I'm located near Smithfield, VA, but I'm primarily a tequila and bourbon drinker. I continually track tequila costs across several online stores in addition to the VABC. Rarely will VABC provide the lowest price in tequilas. And, the VABC selection is so paltry that I opt to buy online and pay shipping. Virginia could do better by getting out of the 'commercial' sector business and leave it up to private industry. Salud.
I really like KO distillery. Definitely worth the trek to Manassas if you get a chance. Had to go to the Bowman distillery to get some John J Bowman. Limit 1 per person. Probably not that far for you since are near Stafford.
11:16 aand again. Haha. I was just at their distillery on Sunday and am still psyched about their lineup. They have a 4 grain single barrel, single estate that is absolutely fabulous.
Except for the Virginia home brands I didn't a reason to make a special trip there for juice that I can't find here in Ohio or a 100+ mile field trip to Kentucky. I guess Virginia's NOT for lovers...at least bourbon lovers! 🥃
At least you have a chance to buy stuff at close to retail. Down in TX, if you find it, it's going to be well over MSRP. And the big box stores will sell out instantly if you dont get their in the morning during the week day. Unicorns, you can forget about it.
Man, that is depressingly similar to our ABC stores in NC. The one thing I didn't see in yours was any Redwood Empire products. We do get some of those here.
I think you are sleeping on the JDSBBS gold label on the top shelf. That stuff flies off the shelf here in Ohio. One of my favorite non-allocated bottles.
As a European, I find the concept of "state control" of alcohol sales in USA difficult to comprehend. The only places I have experienced such control elsewhere are the USSR (pre-collapse) and Cuba!
Your VA ABC is so much better that we we have here IN NC. Our ABC's are the worst. I've never seen that many Barrell's to choose from - we normally have two.
The grey label Magnus, or OG Magnus as I call it, you totally missed and didn't mention. It's a touch expensive but totally worth the price. If you haven't had, you should.
I go back and forth on the Virginia system. Price wise it is better than most other states, selection wise it is worse than most other states. I find one thing super frustrating, allocated drops are way too Buffalo Trace product focused. Also, regular Buffalo Trace bourbon should not be an allocated thing and always is.
The good thing about the ABC system in Virginia is if you get to find an allocated bottle, it is at MSRP. I also learned that we could order things like the other 5 Benchmark products not available here-but you must order an entire case. I'm not gonna order a case of something I haven't tried yet.
I have found VA VABC stores vary greatly! I have found vast differences in what is stock especially in northern VA. For example vast differences between McLean, Falls Church, and Arlington. I live near Winchester VA and there are differences between Winchester and Front Royal too.
Glad you did this one. You were on point with wording how all the stores are basically the same but if you have a premier store near by it is worth stopping at (there's 5 around the state). Working full time for ABC has perks but being a bourbon drinker doesn't help my case and I've always got my gripes
I hit the last drop at my local store and got a JD 12 year. They had to start doing it this way because people were waiting in line on truck days and taking all the bottles. That meant that people with jobs that are 9-5 could not get allocated products.
@@byoregon1 I don't think that the stores independently pick them, as they're just labeled "The Virginia ABC" on the bottles, although they might just be using shorthand.
@@FakingANerve Interesting. Here in Oregon (also a controlled state), I’ve been seeing more and more store picks. The store owners do the picking and they get all the bottles. I occasionally see one store’s picks in another store - not sure what kind of wheeling and dealing goes on behind the scenes.
dude, you didn't mention the JD single barrel barrel proof. best bottle i saw on the shelf. gold label, square bottle. we are lucky in VA to see it available semi regularly. $70 all day. good call on the Knob 120 black label though! keep up the good work!
Just like NC. My county Guilford doesn't even have a drop date that's available to public. Just guess on the day the truck comes and hope to get lucky lol.
I lived in Northern VA from 2011 - 2015. I remember walking across the street to my local ABC Store in Herndon and buying Eagle Rare for $27. Times were good back then.
GREAT VIDEO, its hard to explain our stores here in VA to people from outside the area......some things I like about our ABC store system but traveling to other states, its definitely some draw backs.
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Just ordered some right after watching the video.
Just found your channel. You guys are great, I live 10 mins from that store.
Tx for sharing David. 👍
Old Elk Double, yep.
Journeyman Silvercross, I was told was really good, if you come across that one
Bourbon and jeeps!
You get a way better selection in VA than we do here in Maryland!
thanks for sharing. cheers
I live in Pennsylvania. Same here.
Finally a bourbon channel in Virginia.
OF signature is my go to sipper.
That 6yo Bare Knuckle is GREAT !!!
You were sadly mistaken at 9:10 when you said "...Clyde May's...nothing to get excited about." The Alabama Style (yellow label) and the rye are both excellent.
It’s crazy how much better this is than PA
Looks very similar to our ABC store in Alabama
Thanks bro for the insight…. Had no idea how it was. Crazy
Very Informative ! Thank you
Laws 4 grain cask is great
5:23 You're Welcome
👍
A lot better than Alabama's ABC stores.
Enjoyed the video.. Great channel!!!
Same in nh. Our selection is a little better though Thankfully Massachusetts is a 20 minute drive away. 😂
I find the inventory between VA ABC varies a lot. And frankly i have come to enjoy the drop system
Nice that's the ABC i check out on my lunch breaks once and a while ..it's a better one than others
old elk Double Wheat... awesome juice. go back and grab that
I live in Va also. KO distillery has a single barrel, barrel proof. The one I have is only 4 years old, but it is dark, rich and fantastic.
Better selection and prices than Iowa. 🙂
definitely recommend the Bare Knuckle 6 year cask strength. it is good and only bare knuckle I would purchase.
Your local abc store has a better whiskey selection than any of the ones I've seen in my area im in the Virginia area as well
Just picked up a Stagg batch 19 this afternoon. I’m down in southern Va.
Bought a couple of nice bottles cheap on my way through on my way home from Kentucky
TinCup 10yr is phenomenal
Hahahaha, wish more states went to this method. Levels the playing field big time
Same thing here in Toronto Canada
We have to Liquor Control Board Ontario ..LCBO
Not much selection .. we dont even have Russell's or Weller here
Actual video starts about 5:20
I'm in NC about 10 minutes south of the VA border. Have 3 VA ABCs within a half hour drive. I tend to do slightly better at the VA ABCs then the ones in NC. At least VA notifies you when they drop allocated, so you can make the mad dash to the store. In NC it's all luck.
Hey Donna so true about NC! I retired to Moore. I’m sadly disappointed. They can and should do better. 🥃
Great review. I'm located near Smithfield, VA, but I'm primarily a tequila and bourbon drinker. I continually track tequila costs across several online stores in addition to the VABC. Rarely will VABC provide the lowest price in tequilas. And, the VABC selection is so paltry that I opt to buy online and pay shipping. Virginia could do better by getting out of the 'commercial' sector business and leave it up to private industry.
Salud.
That knob creek smoked maple is one of my favorites. Can’t get it in Alabama
That is my store. You have to be there within 5-10 minutes before it’s all gone
Try that Laws Four Grain
If you havent tried the ko bare knuckle high rye cask bourbon you are missing out. Better than stagg jr imo. Mgp aged in va, in kelvin barrels
Good ol Stafford County, love to see it
I’m in Roanoke va never seen that many sazerac on the shelf before
I really like KO distillery. Definitely worth the trek to Manassas if you get a chance. Had to go to the Bowman distillery to get some John J Bowman. Limit 1 per person. Probably not that far for you since are near Stafford.
This ABC store method is near identical to UT.
5:50 You're staring right at some solid, local bourbon right there from Filibuster. 👍
11:16 aand again. Haha. I was just at their distillery on Sunday and am still psyched about their lineup. They have a 4 grain single barrel, single estate that is absolutely fabulous.
Except for the Virginia home brands I didn't a reason to make a special trip there for juice that I can't find here in Ohio or a 100+ mile field trip to Kentucky. I guess Virginia's NOT for lovers...at least bourbon lovers! 🥃
If you are near where I think you are, you should try Big Bad Wolf BBQ if you haven’t. You won’t be disappointed.
At least you have a chance to buy stuff at close to retail. Down in TX, if you find it, it's going to be well over MSRP. And the big box stores will sell out instantly if you dont get their in the morning during the week day. Unicorns, you can forget about it.
I really enjoyed this! 😃👍
Way better stocked that Alabama ABC stores… 😢
Whats up man, just found your channel. Love what Im seeing. We are in VA(NoVa) and do a good amount of bourbon content. LMK if you're ever up this way
Man, that is depressingly similar to our ABC stores in NC. The one thing I didn't see in yours was any Redwood Empire products. We do get some of those here.
You poor bastards! I definitely don’t miss living in VA. Texas isn’t the best but its so much better.
I think you are sleeping on the JDSBBS gold label on the top shelf. That stuff flies off the shelf here in Ohio. One of my favorite non-allocated bottles.
As a European, I find the concept of "state control" of alcohol sales in USA difficult to comprehend. The only places I have experienced such control elsewhere are the USSR (pre-collapse) and Cuba!
No Buffalo Trace!
Nope but they had baby saz somehow
Your VA ABC is so much better that we we have here IN NC. Our ABC's are the worst. I've never seen that many Barrell's to choose from - we normally have two.
You have to try the Bare Knuckle
The grey label Magnus, or OG Magnus as I call it, you totally missed and didn't mention. It's a touch expensive but totally worth the price. If you haven't had, you should.
Can’t find Russell’s single in SC at all. I can get plenty of WT RB Rye. I’d be willing to trade on those!
5:24
Anyway that really was about it.....alot😢
Thoughts on Lost Whiskey? It's local from Fairfax, would love a review.
As a Utah resident I feel this video
What was that jack Daniels in the box? Near the end
I love VA. Did most of my grown’ up there. But, it sucks for liquor. State needs to change the law, but it won’t…making too much money off it
I go back and forth on the Virginia system. Price wise it is better than most other states, selection wise it is worse than most other states. I find one thing super frustrating, allocated drops are way too Buffalo Trace product focused. Also, regular Buffalo Trace bourbon should not be an allocated thing and always is.
An amazing selection. I live in Illinois where our selection is crap
This was a really informative video on whiskey shopping in Virginia. My sympathies.
A friend recently went to Martinsville nascar race, I asked him to pick up a John J Bowman for me and yep, out of stock 😕
“The great commonwealth” lol.
Said No one
Sweetens Cove aka Peyton Manning's Dickel juice
Traveling down memory lane for me! Ole Virginny! Thanks for the tour!
Do a video on a DROP. Take the camera to a drop.
You get anything on those rainy drops friday?
Is it all liquor or just hard liquor?
I'm coming to DC in June is it any different to hunt there?
The good thing about the ABC system in Virginia is if you get to find an allocated bottle, it is at MSRP. I also learned that we could order things like the other 5 Benchmark products not available here-but you must order an entire case. I'm not gonna order a case of something I haven't tried yet.
It's a buffalo trace product. Do it lol.
Was that wt Kentucky spiriton the top right, by the scotches?
Minor Case is a great Rye... and Makers 101 is not easy to find. Very good
Missed $5 off Coopers Craft!!
I have found VA VABC stores vary greatly! I have found vast differences in what is stock especially in northern VA. For example vast differences between McLean, Falls Church, and Arlington. I live near Winchester VA and there are differences between Winchester and Front Royal too.
Glad you did this one. You were on point with wording how all the stores are basically the same but if you have a premier store near by it is worth stopping at (there's 5 around the state). Working full time for ABC has perks but being a bourbon drinker doesn't help my case and I've always got my gripes
Where are the premier stores? What are their numbers?
I'm not familiar with the premier ABC stores... how does one locate them?
David is this Store 412? Been there a few times for allocated drops. I’m closer to Store 406. Cheers!
Thanks, for showing your state stores. Was in the Navy in Virginia years ago. PX usually beat the ABC store.
I hit the last drop at my local store and got a JD 12 year. They had to start doing it this way because people were waiting in line on truck days and taking all the bottles. That meant that people with jobs that are 9-5 could not get allocated products.
Are stores picks allowed in VA? How does the distribution of those work?
There are VA ABC store picks, it they're few and far between. They put them in the "new items" area usually.
@@FakingANerve Thanks. Does the store that picked the barrel get all the bottles? Can they trade them with other stores if they’re not moving?
@@byoregon1 I don't think that the stores independently pick them, as they're just labeled "The Virginia ABC" on the bottles, although they might just be using shorthand.
@@FakingANerve Interesting. Here in Oregon (also a controlled state), I’ve been seeing more and more store picks. The store owners do the picking and they get all the bottles. I occasionally see one store’s picks in another store - not sure what kind of wheeling and dealing goes on behind the scenes.
Did not care for the Defiant.
store 412?
dude, you didn't mention the JD single barrel barrel proof. best bottle i saw on the shelf. gold label, square bottle. we are lucky in VA to see it available semi regularly. $70 all day. good call on the Knob 120 black label though! keep up the good work!
Just like NC. My county Guilford doesn't even have a drop date that's available to public. Just guess on the day the truck comes and hope to get lucky lol.
I lived in Northern VA from 2011 - 2015. I remember walking across the street to my local ABC Store in Herndon and buying Eagle Rare for $27. Times were good back then.
Definitely give Bare Knuckle a try. Great stuff coming out of KO distillery
That bare knuckle cask strength is a hitter
GREAT VIDEO, its hard to explain our stores here in VA to people from outside the area......some things I like about our ABC store system but traveling to other states, its definitely some draw backs.
Not sure if you’ve tried it but the Orange Top Pinhook bourbon is damn good
Have a bunch of journeyman because it’s local but never really cracked any.
Copper fox is great if you want something smokey and grain forward. Reservoir single grain spirits are excellent.
My man I gotta know what you are drinking with that big strip of bacon laying across the top of it?