The weller 107 isn't bad either, but you really need time for the wheat to work it's magic in the barrel and the benefit just isn't realized in the younger bourbons imo.

On a side note if you ever see WL Weller 12 (which you probably won't) buy it all, like literally every bottle they will sell to you.

My plan is to pick up anything I can find Weller brand. Apparently Houston is a pretty crappy market to find bourbon.

I have a few places in mind and if needed one a little north of me. Only issue for my liquor hunting trips is my job and kids get in the way. Stupid domestic responsibilities.

That is a 1.75L bottle, 750mls are around 30. I cracked a bottle of Jerffersons reserve last night, pretty good stuff. It was around 35, also enjoying 1792 at around 30.

Gotta admit to being a big fan of the Weller. Can be difficult to get in the UK at times.

Duh feel better now.

Been hunting for bourbons, there's a new smaller liquor store down the street will probably pick up some Stagg Jr. which I haven't elsewhere as some old Scout possibly.

Taylor small batch and smooth ambler old scout single barrel imo.

Nit,

I like that EH Taylor.

I really like the old scout a lot, but FYI it has a pretty sweet/fruity flavor profile.

I'm really thinking about the Stagg Jr., it's hard to get and it would be nice to have one high proof bourbon.

Guys sorry I want to give a full write up at some point but decided for now to give a few quick notes.

Trying to find decent bourbon in 2017 is difficult. Nothing surprising here.

Have hit up several liquor stores in my area without much luck. I think Houston gets a decent selection but demand is strong. For instance when looking for Weller I just missed out on some 12 and Old Antique. Supposedly Texas is one of the main traditional markets for Weller I'm on the waiting list for Weller 12 and think I've got a good chance of getting some. They had a full shelf of Weller Special Reserve 750 ML and was able to get a 1.75 handle for $26 last in stock at case price. That being said said I don't think I'm a wheated whiskey guy. WSR reminded me why I'm not a fan of Makers. That being said from the nose and finish you could tell this is something that probably ages well. Reminded me of a like when you drink a good wine which is too young. You know if you wait 10+ years this is going to be awesome.

Same place I got WSR was able to get Eagle Rare 10 based on Diablos recommendation. Full shelf at $26 bottle. I was really excited about this one. Minus the tacky Ed Hardy like bottle had very high hopes. Was very impressed by Regular Buffalo Trace and figured the 10 year sorta single barrel version would be awesome. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed this but not as much as a bottle of single barrel Evan Williams I picked up a few weeks back.

Based on my like of EWSB I started looking into the Heaven Hill offerings. I've missed out on Elijah Craig 12 year old but from research decided to hunt down some Henry McKenna 10 year old BIB 100 proof single barrel. Holy crap this stuff is good and cheaper than EWSB at $27 a bottle vs. $30.

This Friday plan on making a small road trip to a chain that has just hit the local Houston area. Supposedly they've got Old Scout Ambler 10 in low $50s, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof low $50s and Stagg Jr in $40s. Might also be able to get Elmer T. Lee for $30.

Supposedly they have some 12 year old Weller at this place I'm hitting Friday.

I've put myself down on waiting lists for the following bourbons at my local chain curious if I have any chance at them.

- entire Buffalo Trace antique Collection
- Weller's 12
- Elmer T.Lee
- Blanton's
- Parkers Heritage

Will likely add Elijah Craig barell proof and Old Forester bday. If I'm missing anything let me know.

Oh yeah forgot I put myself down for all the Pappy's as well.

Don't pass judgement on wheated bourbon until you have had one with 10+ years of aging on it.

The EC barrel proof is very good imo, and if you cna get it for ~$50 a bottle it is well worth it.

I am not a big fan of stagg jr. but if you can ever get your hands on George T Stagg, that is better then Pappy 15 imo.

@nit -

Of your list, in order of likelihood to receive:

-Blantons
-Elmer t Lee
-Weller 12
-Parkers heritage
-Btac
-Van Winkle

Fwiw, all BT juice save the parkers.

If you're gonna get on lists for all the annual releases everybody wants but doesn't get, add four roses annual limited.

That's kind of what I figured. That being said if I could easily get the handles of WSR for less than $30 this we'll probably be my go to mixer.

Pretty much what I figured. I'm pretty sure I'll get some Blantons when the next shipment hits. Also think I should be able to get some Emer T. Lee which I'm really looking forward to.

For the annual releases I'm hoping there's a big gap in demand for the Parker's heritage vs. BTAC. I don't expect to get any Pappy but would hope I get at least one bottle of BTAC maybe not the more popular ones. For intance a bottle of the Sazerac 18 or ER17 and not Weller or Stagg.

I went to the main location of our big chain in Houston Spec's. They where pretty helpful on putting me on all the lists, seemed nice I think I have a chance of getting some of these, they didn't give the impression that it's impossible. Also going to check a new chain that just started branching out to Houston called Total Wine. They have a store opening in a few weeks down the street from me and another one about 30 minutes away that I'm going to check out Friday. The good thing is I think both get good allotments on the annuals are in huge war against each other http://www.dallasobserver.com/restau...nefits-7043169

I think they'll try to get as many bottles as they can into as many different customers hands as possible to try to build loyalty. I might just get really lucky and get multiple bottles of all the annuals and will have to create a 2+2 markeplace to offload excess bottles

Re: parkers vs. btac - generally true that btac is more popular than the annual parkers release, but every parkers release is different, so kinda depends on what they're doing in a given year. Also, the bourbon world is so crazy these days, every single allocated item is really tough to come by.

Re: btac desirability. Usually goes something like: Weller/stag/saz >>> handy > er17.

Just pointing out that your less likely to get a saz than a handy or er. Although that may be changing a but now as they just ran out of the tanked saz and reviews of last year's were not good (I didn't have any myself).

Re: surplus of allocated whiskey. Godspeed my friend

Re: 2+2 aftermarket - people in this thread have been know to help each other out every now and then

Re: general bourbon secondary market. You're late to the game on creating one of these....Many places exist (mostly on FB, where you can grossly overpay for aftermarket whiskey)

Nit,

What exactly are you looking for? Initially you were posting about trying to find good $30 range bourbon, now you're getting on lists for $100 bottles. There's a bunch of good stuff in the middle that is not hard to get.

Diablo,

Sorry I guess to clarify initially I was just curious what others where drinking in the $40 range or less that's somewhat available just to get some different opinions and ideas on bottles to pick up. Thanks to yours and others recommendations I have a couple of bottles on my short list. That being said I had always intended to try to get my hands on some of the higher end harder to get bottles.

Lets see, I'm trying to be optimistic and hoping that death match that the local liquor stores are in will create an environment where I can actually get my hands on some of these hard to find bottles.

Also as you mentioned might need to put my name down for the Four Roses limited edition, however might pick up a bottle of the single barrel first to see if like it. I had some Old Forrestor and didn't care all that much for it so probably won't put myself down for there Bday bottles.

Time machine back to 2015:

So I've had this bottle of Lagavulin 12 yo Cask Strength which had about 2-3oz left in in it sitting in one of my cupboards for a while. I tasted it side by side with the original sample I saved in 2015 when I opened the bottle and below is what I thought of both. "Older sample" refers to the sample I saved back in 2015, "opened bottle glass" is the one that had been sitting with the bottle almost empty for at least 6 months.

Older sample glass is sharper, opened bottle glass has sweeter nose, with a little toffee. Mouth and finish neat is spicier and lasts longer in the older sample.

With water the open bottle glass is still sweet, you really have to get in the glass to get the more herbal and zesty notes. Those notes, which are my favorite in this Scotch, are much more noticeable in the older sample. The taste and finish of the open bottle glass is kind of flat. The finish on the older sample if spicier and way longer.

There's definitely a difference between the two, but it's not as bad as one may expect. The open bottle glass is fairly good and drinkable, but not as outstanding as the older bottle sample.

Sample size of 1, and not a blind taste, but at least there's some evidence that opened bottles of peaty Scotch do not hold up as well.

I had the Stagg Jr in a bourbon tasting and it was the only one I didn't like. Too harsh for me. Really goes down hot. I can't taste anything but the burn.

I really like Blanton's and haven't had any trouble getting it in L.A.

I'm hoping the Blanton's shortage in Houston is a one off. Curious what price did you get it for? I seen empty aisle space with price tags for it here anywhere from $50 to $85.

I like to get my hands on a bottle just to have it as an option but would love to get my hands on Elmer T. Lee which appears to essentially be the same thing at a better price and a less gaudy bottle.

For the Stagg Jr. I see a reviews all over the place for it. I think you need to be ready it for but I really would like to have something barrel proof over 130 proof to try.

Here's some prices for bourbon at a local place where I got my last bottle. Blanton's is $57.95.