Whiskey is better!

Discussion in 'Food and Drink' started by JoshMorr, Oct 4, 2015.

  1. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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  2. Mithrandir41

    Mithrandir41 Friend

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    Just took a tour of Fettercairn Distillery. Not a big whiskey drinker, but still very cool /interesting. 20180912_134936.jpg
     
  3. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    Went to my local liquor store and saw this

    405D34B5-8BED-4E2E-90D8-8495FC537450.jpeg

    Man that's pricey. I hope @JoshMorr had this when it was cheaper.
     
  4. JoshMorr

    JoshMorr Friend

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    Your liquor store is price gouging pretty bad there. Recommended resale value is about $100 for the 15 year and $130 for the 20 year. I think they could lose the right to get it in future years if they are seen for selling at those prices. The RIP Van Winkle and B Stock are just average whiskey with a prestigious name. The real stuff, 15, 20, 23 year Pappy is great but not $1000+ good. the 15 year is actually most peoples favorite because it's less refined and has more bite. Hype drives price up and people get greedy. All of this stuff is just made at the Buffalo Trace campus and just slightly different ingredients and aging process than a $30 bottle.

    I get a bottle every other year or so because I have decent relationships with a few liquor stores, and it is carefully rationed for special occasions and a few friends who can appreciate.
     
    Last edited: Sep 17, 2018
  5. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

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    Any recommendations for a introductory whiskey for around $35 that is pretty readily available at a smaller store?
    I like a good rum but have not really tried whiskey.
     
  6. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    https://www.binnys.com/suntory-toki-blended-japanese-whisky-943418.html
    My favorite intro level whiskey. Smoother and lighter than most budget whiskeys. Not peaty (like some Scotches) and not too sweet (like a number of Bourbons). A nice touch of smoke.
     
  7. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

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    Not sure I'll be able to find that at my local store. I don't recall seeing any Japanese whiskeys. And I can't really shop anywhere else due to certain legalality reasons
     
  8. JoshMorr

    JoshMorr Friend

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    Woodfords Reserve and Bullit are 2 bourbons that are decently priced and readily available. Not absolute purists favorites, but good enough to drink neat, with a splash of water, a few cubes of ice, or mix into a cocktail. A bit of ginger ale is much better than coke, wont over power the bourbon. Also could snag a bottle of bitters, steal a few sugar packets and an orange from school cafeteria and make an Old Fashioned, which would be one hell of a classy move for a college student.
     
  9. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

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    Sounds good, I'll look for those. Though the guy at the store will special order something for me if he doesn't have it. Real nice guy.
    I don't want to bridge the gap from classy, to that one kid I saw dressed in a full suit and top hat flying a kite in the quad.
     
  10. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

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    I really like Buffalo Trace at the price. A little more rye flavor than typical but I like rye. The Bullitt is good too, as is their rye.
     
  11. GoodEnoughGear

    GoodEnoughGear Evil Dr. Shultz‎

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    You could do worse than Johnny Walker Black.
     
  12. caecillius

    caecillius New

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    I paid $45 for my 12yo Pappy a few years ago. For that price it was amazing and perhaps the best pour I've ever experienced. For $599 I can think of a lot of other things that would bring me happiness and I'll stick with some Angel's Envy.
     
  13. famish99

    famish99 Friend

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    I dunno how readily available this may be at the stores you go to, but I quite like this for the price you've listed: https://distiller.com/spirits/russell-s-reserve-10-year-bourbon I quite like it neat, but it's cheap enough I don't mind mixing it with coke if need be.

    @JoshMorr suggestions should be nearly guaranteed finds.
     
  14. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    How would one actually go about getting a reasonably priced Pappy that doesn't have a big reputation with a vendor? Seems to be a pretty scarce product. Is there some sort of waitlist or lottery?

    Also what are some good recommendations for something that comes close to Pappy but is accessible?
     
  15. JoshMorr

    JoshMorr Friend

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    I have a really thoughtful wife, who for the first couple of years called every single liquor store in a drive-able distance and chatted up whoever answered the phone. This was a couple of years ago, and maybe before people would sell their soul and or dignity for a bottle. I think what worked best was a good story (buying as a gift it for husband) and offer of their favorite baked goods.

    One of the reasons I really love bourbon, is that its much more affordable that other types of liquor. $35 can buy you some very good bourbon (or some overpriced bleh bourbon). The Russels Reserve is a good recommendation too, I've liked most of their other releases. A personal favorite at aroudn the $25-$30 is Evan Williams Single Barrel. Good flavor, not to harsh, slightly sweet finish. You might be able to find Eagle Rare or Four Roses single barrel on sale for those prices too. I tried to recommend the most common brands as a start, something you would even find at most halfway decent bars (you know, if Spwatch was legal drinking age).
     
  16. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

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    Yeah, the store I go to has a decent selection, though not that big. But the nice guy still special orders me my Flor De Cana 12. Though he said the one place was out of stock, but he is working on it.
    Ill check out the whiskey selection next time I am there. If I don't see anything that was recommended here, ill see what the owner recommends. He knows our names and that I like rum; first time I came back after summer he pointed out some of the new rums he had.
    Still don't know why the police never shut him down but whatever...
     
  17. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

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  18. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    Oof, yeah, I can get it on sale here in Chicago for only $25, normally $30. I do hope you enjoy it.
     
  19. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

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    Yeah, I might have been able to get it cheaper elsewhere, but they wouldent sell it to me...
    Whatever, smells pretty good, and $45 isn't too bad.

    Also picked up some bitters to make an old fashioned at some point.
     
  20. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

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    Pretty good stuff. Nice flavor and smell, and smooth.
    Ill try a bit more tomorrow, when its not a wednesday.
     

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