I’m with you on pretty much all of those. You’re obviously in a tough spot because you have a channel and review whiskeys. Now that this whiskey tube thing has been going for a while, I’m wondering if there is a ceiling for purchasing bottles? I mean, pretty much every channel has a monthly bottle haul of 10+ bottles per month. That’s 120+ bottles per year. Idk how that’s sustainable even with viewer subsidies, ads, subscriptions and monetization. People with normal homes also have space issues. Plus, distilleries are pushing the premium price boundaries and I already see it back firing. I’m fiscal fasting from buying this year until I make a dent in the current collection. Anyhow, interesting to hear your thoughts. Thanks!
Being in a controlled state (VA), at least I'm always paying MSRP. However, you've got different allocated drop strategies on the state's part which can be rewarding or punishing. For the most part, I concur with your list. Cheers!
The only one I will be hunting is the Russell 13 for my dad. I mainly drink wine, wine nerd here, and occasionally like whisk(e)y thanks to the bourbon channels I’ve followed. Love Dickel 13 bib and Scotch.
@@rurugbyI ready Whisky Advocate’s review and I disagree with it. I didn’t notice a ton of oak for being a 13yr and a huge amount of pineapple on the noise.
I agree with you guys It’s crazy how many raffles and drawings I have stood in the freezing cold and the rain and the heat to try and score unicorn bottles but we still do it but I agree with you! I keep telling my wife I will stop as soon as I get a stagg or a pappy love your videos ❤
Great choices, totally agree! Weller Antique, Full Proof, EH Taylor, 4 Roses SBBS - If I stumble across one I'm buying but I'm not hunting. EC 18 and Bookers just isn't worth the price IMO, in same situation with OC - I have 3 bottles and might get one when I'm out but not a must buy anymore as I'm seeing them steadily. Also the OF SBBS - totally agree its too hot for my liking, LOVE everything else OF but the barrel strength just isn't my jam. So many great options out there I'm done spending time chasing and/or paying secondary!
Pretty much agree on your “no longer hunting” list. Most of these are becoming more available here in Texas as well. Blanton’s and Weller 107 still a little hard to come by (unless marked up 2x/3x).
I'm still passing on Bookers at $85 locally. I always have one of those KC picks around. OC the problem has become although I've seen more of them around now, they've gone up to $250-$300 from $150 I saw them before just less often. I never liked EC 18 even at half the price. Same with OF anything - don't really like any of it.
I don't know the system but it seems to me that more stores should pick the old forester 100 proof. They would get more bottles and they would sell out a lot faster. In the past few months I picked up 5 blue labels but never saw a black one for sale.
@@0529mpb, I've read that even the higher-ups at Old Forester - including, if I'm not mistaken, former Master Taster Jackie Zykan - think that the 90- and/or 100-proofs are better than the Barrel Strengths!
@donstilton, I've read that any store could still pick Old Forester Single Barrel as a 100 proof if they wanted to. It's not Old Forester's fault you don't see the 100s around.
I've never been affected by FOMO I don't look for anything BT since I don't camp I'll never get one anyway in my state. I'm happy with all the bottles I can get by just walking into my store and getting it. And I'm won't spend over 150 ever no matter what it is.
I have to basically disagree with you on everything except Bookers. I hunt any and all Buffalo Trace brands at all times. I get a a call that a store has them and I fly out the door or leave work. I can never get enough allocated bourbon. I know you said you don't dislike these bourbons but these are top of the line must have brands
The question is what are you willing to spend on a bottle of whiskey. I don't think I'll ever spend more than $200 on any juice no matter what it is. There's plenty of good pours out there under $200.
I came across an OESQ pick here in KY yesterday. The guy wanted $200. I walked on by. I totally agree with you regarding the Knob Creek picks as a sub for Bookers.
I agree 100% with you guys on the bookers! I just picked up a single barrel the other day and it is so much better than the bookers I have!!! The single barrel I have is AMAZING!!!
Love the content guy's! FYI I live in Utah and close to High West, I get cases of evry drop from them every year. Hit me up if you're ever looking for a bottle of something from them.
I think in general trying to worry about allocated stuff is a lot of work for not that much gain. You are better off going to local stores and sampling store picks and find what you like.
I’m new to bourbon, and there are so many wonderful bourbons, too many for this crazy price gouging. So I have adopted a new lexicon: Allocated means NOT FOR SALE Bourbon behind the counter and not in the section with other bourbons means NOT FOR SALE
It's not what it was. Your chances of getting a meh batch is about the same as getting a good batch. I can get it for around $200 when I time it right.
Store picks are so different by brand. knob creek, Rebel, Elijah Craig, Clyde Mays, Makers, and 1792 are crazy common here in WI. Others like Buffalo Trace products and Old Forester pop up here and there once a month maybe. Then some like Russell’s only appear a handful of times a year.
I think a better name for this list is "The bottles we might pass on the shelf even if it's at retail". I'm right there with you and I expected Larceny/ECBP to be on the list. I've walked past the A124 batches many times this year and I doubt I'll add them to my shelf. Most of these bottles actually. It's crazy how you can be searching for a bottle for ages, like OF SBBPs and then suddenly they are everywhere. My local stores all just got a pick of it in and the first one to release sold out in minutes. The third one that released in the same month is just sitting on shelf. Last year I searched 11 states for a bottle of it and had no luck for $100 or less. I've bought 2 this year for $90 each and passed on 2 others. 4 Roses SBBP was the same thing for most of last year. I wanted one so bad and missed every release in my area. Soon as I landed one I had the opportunity to buy 3 more within a month. After adding 3 to my shelf I decided I'm going to spend my dollars on other bottles for a while. Eventually I'd like to have each recipe, but not in a rush.
Would you mind hunting those down for us lol seriously these are pretty awesome bottles but like you said unless you find them at a good price, it’s a pass. Don’t feed the FOMO 🙌 Solid work you two, keep up the good content
I'm with y'all on the pricing. I buy what hits my flavor palate. Rare Breed is one of my favorites. Been getting into ryes and wheaters. Looking for something in an amburana finish to try. Great video 🥃❤️🥃
RD1 and the barrel amburana options are both nicely done and not over finished in my opinion and I think are good entry bottles if you are able to find them
The closest I come to hunting is looking for Jack Daniels Small Batch Barrel Proof Rye. I have a little left from the 2019 batch and really like it. I do check out stores to see if they have maybe a Store Pick or something that is not available in our area (in an ABC state). If I see some of those that you listed and I have not had, I might pick them up if they are in my price. Eagle Rare maybe could be classified a target as they are quite rare in the area also. Thanks for sharing.
Yeah, agree about Blanton's. 10 years ago, most barrels were good to great and now the barrels range from not so good to good. I may long too much for the days where Old Rip 10 was seasonally on the shelf at Total Wine (15 years ago) and Elijah Craig Small Batch had a 12 year age statement.
Because you have so many? No kidding, why try to hunt when you have more than a store? Would rather you talk about how price prohibiting they are.
I’m not buying any toilet paper for my house this year..btw I own a toilet paper factory.
I’m with you on pretty much all of those. You’re obviously in a tough spot because you have a channel and review whiskeys. Now that this whiskey tube thing has been going for a while, I’m wondering if there is a ceiling for purchasing bottles? I mean, pretty much every channel has a monthly bottle haul of 10+ bottles per month. That’s 120+ bottles per year. Idk how that’s sustainable even with viewer subsidies, ads, subscriptions and monetization. People with normal homes also have space issues. Plus, distilleries are pushing the premium price boundaries and I already see it back firing. I’m fiscal fasting from buying this year until I make a dent in the current collection. Anyhow, interesting to hear your thoughts. Thanks!
Four Rose always suffers from me because it is everywhere. It's really good, but I always pass it up for something a little harder to find.
Being in a controlled state (VA), at least I'm always paying MSRP. However, you've got different allocated drop strategies on the state's part which can be rewarding or punishing. For the most part, I concur with your list. Cheers!
The only one I will be hunting is the Russell 13 for my dad. I mainly drink wine, wine nerd here, and occasionally like whisk(e)y thanks to the bourbon channels I’ve followed. Love Dickel 13 bib and Scotch.
I really like the Dickel BIB too. It's crazy how much the Dickel 17 and 18 go far.
@@rurugbyI ready Whisky Advocate’s review and I disagree with it. I didn’t notice a ton of oak for being a 13yr and a huge amount of pineapple on the noise.
I agree with you guys It’s crazy how many raffles and drawings I have stood in the freezing cold and the rain and the heat to try and score unicorn bottles but we still do it but I agree with you! I keep telling my wife I will stop as soon as I get a stagg or a pappy love your videos ❤
Thank you so much!!
Great choices, totally agree! Weller Antique, Full Proof, EH Taylor, 4 Roses SBBS - If I stumble across one I'm buying but I'm not hunting. EC 18 and Bookers just isn't worth the price IMO, in same situation with OC - I have 3 bottles and might get one when I'm out but not a must buy anymore as I'm seeing them steadily. Also the OF SBBS - totally agree its too hot for my liking, LOVE everything else OF but the barrel strength just isn't my jam. So many great options out there I'm done spending time chasing and/or paying secondary!
“It’s called personality” is one of the best lines ever. Tell ‘em!
🤣🤣😊I gotta get em!! 🥃🥃
Pretty much agree on your “no longer hunting” list. Most of these are becoming more available here in Texas as well. Blanton’s and Weller 107 still a little hard to come by (unless marked up 2x/3x).
I'm still passing on Bookers at $85 locally. I always have one of those KC picks around. OC the problem has become although I've seen more of them around now, they've gone up to $250-$300 from $150 I saw them before just less often. I never liked EC 18 even at half the price. Same with OF anything - don't really like any of it.
I don't know the system but it seems to me that more stores should pick the old forester 100 proof. They would get more bottles and they would sell out a lot faster. In the past few months I picked up 5 blue labels but never saw a black one for sale.
Agreed, the 100 proof single barrels are better than the barrel strengths and I'm a proof hound. What you are asking for already exists.
@@0529mpb,
I've read that even the higher-ups at Old Forester - including, if I'm not mistaken, former Master Taster Jackie Zykan - think that the 90- and/or 100-proofs are better than the Barrel Strengths!
@donstilton,
I've read that any store could still pick Old Forester Single Barrel as a 100 proof if they wanted to. It's not Old Forester's fault you don't see the 100s around.
Put ice in those Old Forester SBBP drams.
I agree with you 100%. I was hoping that you weren’t gonna put Russell single barrels on there.🥃🥃🥃
I've never been affected by FOMO I don't look for anything BT since I don't camp I'll never get one anyway in my state. I'm happy with all the bottles I can get by just walking into my store and getting it. And I'm won't spend over 150 ever no matter what it is.
I have to basically disagree with you on everything except Bookers. I hunt any and all Buffalo Trace brands at all times. I get a a call that a store has them and I fly out the door or leave work. I can never get enough allocated bourbon. I know you said you don't dislike these bourbons but these are top of the line must have brands
The question is what are you willing to spend on a bottle of whiskey. I don't think I'll ever spend more than $200 on any juice no matter what it is. There's plenty of good pours out there under $200.
We just got a bunch of Disco 11 in the TN/KY area 🎉
All great bottles and I quit hunting a few year ago as the cost got higher. Cheers U 2.
Left to give the algorithm a small boost...
I came across an OESQ pick here in KY yesterday. The guy wanted $200. I walked on by. I totally agree with you regarding the Knob Creek picks as a sub for Bookers.
Picked up an OESQ yesterday for $99 OTD from Total Wine. I won't go searching, but if I happen to come across I'll grab that one
@@zach_hewittI saw the TW in Lexington had 3 picks for $119 just before I went to the local store that was gouging.
I agree 100% with you guys on the bookers! I just picked up a single barrel the other day and it is so much better than the bookers I have!!! The single barrel I have is AMAZING!!!
I think I'm done hunting most...except JD10, JD12, & RR13 (none of which I have been lucy enough to get).
I don’t know why but I don’t like knob creek but love bookers. 90 bucks in New Hampshire and always available.
MWND is still sitting in some stores in WI. It was EVERYWHERE for 4-6 weeks.
You guys are awesome. Terrific video. I agree!!
Love the content guy's! FYI I live in Utah and close to High West, I get cases of evry drop from them every year. Hit me up if you're ever looking for a bottle of something from them.
Thank you so much 😊 🥃
I think in general trying to worry about allocated stuff is a lot of work for not that much gain. You are better off going to local stores and sampling store picks and find what you like.
Seems productive making a video with this title but the only reason you aren’t hunting them anymore is because you have backups…. 😂
I’m new to bourbon, and there are so many wonderful bourbons, too many for this crazy price gouging.
So I have adopted a new lexicon:
Allocated means NOT FOR SALE
Bourbon behind the counter and not in the section with other bourbons means NOT FOR SALE
Sometimes, allocated behind the counter bottles are msrp. Most aren't, but I ask😊
Sounds smart to me. I am at the same point.
Distribution slow in Colorado? Try Key West 😂😂😂
Of a few comments...
I won’t buy anything from Buffalo Trace anymore. Can’t find it anyway.
You should send me all the midwinters night dram you don't want 🤣🤣🤣
Wow, I wish I could find JM Cigar Blend for that cheap. Have only seen it once in my area and it was going for 350 bucks. 🙁
It's not what it was. Your chances of getting a meh batch is about the same as getting a good batch. I can get it for around $200 when I time it right.
I grabbed one at the end of '23 in a store raffle for $200. I hope it's good.
Hey! Cheers.
Lol
Store picks are so different by brand. knob creek, Rebel, Elijah Craig, Clyde Mays, Makers, and 1792 are crazy common here in WI. Others like Buffalo Trace products and Old Forester pop up here and there once a month maybe. Then some like Russell’s only appear a handful of times a year.
This is the story...
I think a better name for this list is "The bottles we might pass on the shelf even if it's at retail". I'm right there with you and I expected Larceny/ECBP to be on the list. I've walked past the A124 batches many times this year and I doubt I'll add them to my shelf. Most of these bottles actually. It's crazy how you can be searching for a bottle for ages, like OF SBBPs and then suddenly they are everywhere. My local stores all just got a pick of it in and the first one to release sold out in minutes. The third one that released in the same month is just sitting on shelf. Last year I searched 11 states for a bottle of it and had no luck for $100 or less. I've bought 2 this year for $90 each and passed on 2 others.
4 Roses SBBP was the same thing for most of last year. I wanted one so bad and missed every release in my area. Soon as I landed one I had the opportunity to buy 3 more within a month. After adding 3 to my shelf I decided I'm going to spend my dollars on other bottles for a while. Eventually I'd like to have each recipe, but not in a rush.
Those OF store picks are everywhere in Massachusetts right now. Only found one of the 100 proofs.
Would you mind hunting those down for us lol seriously these are pretty awesome bottles but like you said unless you find them at a good price, it’s a pass. Don’t feed the FOMO 🙌 Solid work you two, keep up the good content
After hunting bourbon for a while, you get tired of the chase and realize good stuff is on the shelf.
I'm with y'all on the pricing. I buy what hits my flavor palate. Rare Breed is one of my favorites. Been getting into ryes and wheaters. Looking for something in an amburana finish to try.
Great video 🥃❤️🥃
RD1 and the barrel amburana options are both nicely done and not over finished in my opinion and I think are good entry bottles if you are able to find them
1st
Ok. We get it. Stop reiterating. Get through the list.
Like the list! Many are if I'm out ill get a new one at MSRP
The closest I come to hunting is looking for Jack Daniels Small Batch Barrel Proof Rye. I have a little left from the 2019 batch and really like it. I do check out stores to see if they have maybe a Store Pick or something that is not available in our area (in an ABC state). If I see some of those that you listed and I have not had, I might pick them up if they are in my price. Eagle Rare maybe could be classified a target as they are quite rare in the area also. Thanks for sharing.
Yeah, agree about Blanton's. 10 years ago, most barrels were good to great and now the barrels range from not so good to good. I may long too much for the days where Old Rip 10 was seasonally on the shelf at Total Wine (15 years ago) and Elijah Craig Small Batch had a 12 year age statement.