@EverydayDrinker i felt like I stole something walking out. My GF was in the car and when I walked out I held it up like the Stanley cup and even her jaw dropped!
If in the STL Missouri area check out the ABV Barrel Shop. They focus on small distilleries and have mostly barrel picks in store and will let you try before you buy.
For me, its check in regularly with your liquor stores and bargain shop at big box stores(look for what’s on sale. Got a JD Single barrel select rye(94 proof) for $35 last year from total wine as an example. Also, checking with the small places, you can see what comes in. Leading to my next lesson, go there with an open mind. The unicorns will pop up in time, meanwhile, there are great craft and shelfers that are looking to be picked up and it build a relationship with the business. My latest lesson is that store pick shelfers can be much better than unicorns. I got a few Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye Heroes Selection, one being 138.4 proof. It’s a banger i would love to go against a coy hill. I can get the Heroes Selection for $70 all day long without hunting. And the most important one, whiskey is meant to be drank. Preferably with friends and family
I learned that I really enjoy JOMO (Joy of Missing Out). I never hunt anymore but will pick up an allocated bottle if I happen to see one. I don't mind bundling to get an allocated bottle.
I 100% agree with supporting the small stores, i have gotten more allocation from the small stores because of that personal relationship you build with them. Just getting that phone call out of the blue man the feeling you get because you know its going to be something good. The last calls i got was for a Old Fitzgerald 11 year BiB, a Elijah Craig 18 and a Penelope Estate all at MSRP. Ive never had either of them and just to touch base on what you said about how proof isnt everything that EC18 is amazing even if its 90 proof.
Last year I decided not to actively hunt anything just go to stores a lot and see what I find. A couple of stores that know me and know what I like do bring out good things a lot.
I feel like why I like higher proof at least over 110 is not because I consider myself a proof hound. I just dont think I have as refined of a palate as some folks and need the higher proof to concentrate the nuances of some bourbon. Ex. Michters 10 is an amazing pour but I have trouble indentifying notes to describe because of the proof point.
I only started my Bourbon journey in September 2024 after years of drinking beer, rum, tequila, and scotch at various times. I pretty much only drink Bourbon now and have assembled a great collection of 240+ bottles that I'm drinking through. pretty much daily. The hunt has been the most fun. What I've learned is my palate/taste and also what to avoid including secondary prices. I can wait with so many good bottles. And your nuts for passing on any Coy Hill 2024 for SRP. Send them all my way. I now have to take your opinion with a bigger grain of salt. I'm also not a fan of single malts. I'll leave those for you. Hopefully fans of single malts band wagon will leave the Coy Hills and bourbons for me.
Having a fairly decent collection of bourbon, I do look for specific bottles. I may not want to spend the money for an unknown. That being said, I have picked up an unexpected bottle now and then.
I am with you. There is no way you can buy every bottle. I'm a JD collector and love their juice. I specifically hunt for that so my wallet doesn't hurt as much.
You’re so right about this years coy hill. I paid $40 for a pour like an idiot. It didn’t live up to the hype. I also prefer the single barrel barrel proof bottles.
Disagree with first point. Tunnel vision saved me from spending money on bottles I don't need. What ended up happening with looking for specific bottles...ended up finding other real cool unique bottles as well and had great conversations with owners that lead to nice relationships. Agree with the MSRP talk...very rarely will anyone get something at MSRP. Agree with you on the Coy Hill...countless fights with folks on that one lol...the SIB BP bottles are as good if not better. With Lesson 5...completely agree...that was the biggest lesson I learned...don't just buy a pick because it's unique. Did that and the store didn't align with my palette on any of their picks...so I stopped buying from them. American Single Malts = poo poo! Lesson 7...I always forget to haggle lol. Always a smooth talker with stores...but I forget to haggle...need to push that more.
I laugh everytime people post pics of bottles saying "At MSRP", without showing proof of receipt 😂😂😂. Who cares if it was at msrp or mark up, it is not a flex either way.
I walked into a store and they had a stagg 24a on the counter for 90 bucks. I picked it up and was thrilled to pay that!
Well done. Paid 70$ in RI, but I’d pay 90$ alll day.
Exactly!
@EverydayDrinker i felt like I stole something walking out. My GF was in the car and when I walked out I held it up like the Stanley cup and even her jaw dropped!
$20 extra on a stag jr. Not bad, I can respect the store owner. $90 for and eagle rare... I laugh at them and walk out.
@@brettmchan2855 dam bro, I grabbed two at that time and I still got the pic my wife took of me holding them up smiling like the Grinch
Great video cheers 🥃
Have you had a chance to try that Westward Milestone 2 ASM? Definitely in my top 3 of the year
Those are great lessons. Awesome video cheers!🥃
Cheers to ya! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
If in the STL Missouri area check out the ABV Barrel Shop. They focus on small distilleries and have mostly barrel picks in store and will let you try before you buy.
For me, its check in regularly with your liquor stores and bargain shop at big box stores(look for what’s on sale. Got a JD Single barrel select rye(94 proof) for $35 last year from total wine as an example. Also, checking with the small places, you can see what comes in. Leading to my next lesson, go there with an open mind. The unicorns will pop up in time, meanwhile, there are great craft and shelfers that are looking to be picked up and it build a relationship with the business. My latest lesson is that store pick shelfers can be much better than unicorns. I got a few Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye Heroes Selection, one being 138.4 proof. It’s a banger i would love to go against a coy hill. I can get the Heroes Selection for $70 all day long without hunting. And the most important one, whiskey is meant to be drank. Preferably with friends and family
All really good advice. Thanks for putting that out there.
I'm always happy to share and give some advice when I can haha
I agree with the proof lesson!
Cheers Mike!
lots of great advise. thanks for sharing. cheers
Agreed on the ER17 over GTS. ER17 has all of the best flavors of GTS without the extra stuff
Setup is looking good
Thanks!
Gotta agree with American single malts getting better and better, love the deep dark and rich flavors from single malts.
Cheers🍻❤️
I learned that I really enjoy JOMO (Joy of Missing Out). I never hunt anymore but will pick up an allocated bottle if I happen to see one. I don't mind bundling to get an allocated bottle.
I 100% agree with supporting the small stores, i have gotten more allocation from the small stores because of that personal relationship you build with them. Just getting that phone call out of the blue man the feeling you get because you know its going to be something good. The last calls i got was for a Old Fitzgerald 11 year BiB, a Elijah Craig 18 and a Penelope Estate all at MSRP. Ive never had either of them and just to touch base on what you said about how proof isnt everything that EC18 is amazing even if its 90 proof.
Last year I decided not to actively hunt anything just go to stores a lot and see what I find. A couple of stores that know me and know what I like do bring out good things a lot.
The JDSBBFR Heroes Selection is my favorite bottle and I can get it for a reasonable price
I feel like why I like higher proof at least over 110 is not because I consider myself a proof hound. I just dont think I have as refined of a palate as some folks and need the higher proof to concentrate the nuances of some bourbon. Ex. Michters 10 is an amazing pour but I have trouble indentifying notes to describe because of the proof point.
I only started my Bourbon journey in September 2024 after years of drinking beer, rum, tequila, and scotch at various times. I pretty much only drink Bourbon now and have assembled a great collection of 240+ bottles that I'm drinking through. pretty much daily. The hunt has been the most fun. What I've learned is my palate/taste and also what to avoid including secondary prices. I can wait with so many good bottles.
And your nuts for passing on any Coy Hill 2024 for SRP. Send them all my way. I now have to take your opinion with a bigger grain of salt. I'm also not a fan of single malts. I'll leave those for you. Hopefully fans of single malts band wagon will leave the Coy Hills and bourbons for me.
Having a fairly decent collection of bourbon, I do look for specific bottles. I may not want to spend the money for an unknown. That being said, I have picked up an unexpected bottle now and then.
I am with you. There is no way you can buy every bottle. I'm a JD collector and love their juice. I specifically hunt for that so my wallet doesn't hurt as much.
I get ya!
I understand that for sure!
That I actually do like some rye whiskey 😮
RYE RYE RYE!
You’re so right about this years coy hill. I paid $40 for a pour like an idiot. It didn’t live up to the hype. I also prefer the single barrel barrel proof bottles.
That's the beauty of it. Everyone's pallets are different. I paid $50 for a pour of RR15 and it was underwhelming. I much prefer EHT small batch.
Very underwhelming for sure
I would think that the people that go into a store only looking for 1 specific bottle is really low. If not it would blow my mind.
You would be surprised!
I REFUSE to spend more than MSRP. I don't NEED any bottle of whiskey. If I can't get a bottle at MSRP, there are thousands of other bottles available.
Yea but if you’re looking for a specific bottle sometimes you need a little wiggle room
I agree. There's so many bottles out there. Also I won't shop in a store that marks anything up.
Yeah, but I’m so much better and more worthy of love and respect because I will only pay MSRP. 😂
Disagree with first point. Tunnel vision saved me from spending money on bottles I don't need. What ended up happening with looking for specific bottles...ended up finding other real cool unique bottles as well and had great conversations with owners that lead to nice relationships. Agree with the MSRP talk...very rarely will anyone get something at MSRP. Agree with you on the Coy Hill...countless fights with folks on that one lol...the SIB BP bottles are as good if not better. With Lesson 5...completely agree...that was the biggest lesson I learned...don't just buy a pick because it's unique. Did that and the store didn't align with my palette on any of their picks...so I stopped buying from them. American Single Malts = poo poo! Lesson 7...I always forget to haggle lol. Always a smooth talker with stores...but I forget to haggle...need to push that more.
Cheers Robert! I see where you’re coming from off of the first point. Hope you have luck hunting in 2025
I laugh everytime people post pics of bottles saying "At MSRP", without showing proof of receipt 😂😂😂. Who cares if it was at msrp or mark up, it is not a flex either way.
You must be single. The woman would tell you it’s not what you spend it’s what you save
$190 for stagg jr. I don't give a fk i buy it