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Replies: 19
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Oculus Spirit [42589]
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Bourbon Talk
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Jul 7, 2023, 4:19 PM
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While in Chattanooga last weekend, I did some bourbon shopping and tasting. Tennessee has a variety of bourbons that are not sold in Virginia, or are extremely rare in Virginia. Below are a few bourbons that I tried for the first time, with my first impressions. Also listed below are a few of the bourbons I bought, and my first impression of them.
Bourbons tasted for the first time:
Weller Special Reserve (I'm a fan)
Willett Pot Still Reserve (I'm a fan)
Old Forester Statesman (Not a fan)
Acquisitions:
Blue Note Juke Joint Whiskey Uncut (I'm a fan)
Heaven Hill 7-year (bottled in bond) - jury is still out
Penelope Architect - jury is still out
New Riff bourbon (bottled in bond) - jury is still out
Before my trip, I had wondered if Weller was over-hyped. There was a little hole-in-the-wall bar that had Weller Special Reserve for $8 a pour. At home (Virginia), a pour costs a minimum of $18, so I was thrilled about the opportunity to try it for the first time at such a low cost.
For my taste, Weller Special Reserve is a good-tasting bourbon at the 50-dollar-ish price point. I've seen a bottle in-store just once for $70, and I left it sitting there. A friend of a friend, who lives in the San Francisco area, picked up two bottles for me. It sells for $50 there.
For the bourbons where the jury is still out, I was not impressed by the initial tasting of a freshly opened bottle. I realize that the bourbons' tastes could vary some after a few days, weeks, or months. I will revisit them. For me though, there usually isn't a big difference between my first impression and second and third impression after time has passed.
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Gridiron Giant [15413]
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Re: Bourbon Talk
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Jul 7, 2023, 4:28 PM
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What store's did you visit in Chattanooga? And, curious, who was the little hole-in-the-wall bar you went to?
I live here and if you come back again I can give you some recommendations on both restaurants and Liquor stores to check out.
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Oculus Spirit [42589]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Bourbon Talk
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Jul 7, 2023, 4:42 PM
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The Pickle Barrel. They also had E.H. Taylor small batch for $10. That is one of my favorite bourbons.
I would greatly appreciate any recommendations on liquor stores, or bars with a variety of bourbons .
I have a good friend who moved to Hixon last fall, so I will be traveling to the area more frequently. I am familiar with the Whiskey Thief.
The stores I went to are:
EZ Liquor and Wine
5012 Highway 58, Chattanooga, TN 37416
J&R Liquor
2049 S Kelly St, Chattanooga, TN 37404
Lamplight Package Store
5032 Brainerd Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37411
Riverside Wine & Spirits
600 Manufacturers Road
Eagle Liquor and Wine
6852 Middle Valley Rd, Hixson, TN 37343
Northgate Liquor
5241 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343
Chattanooga Wine and Spirits
6804 Shallowford Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37421
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Letterman [160]
TigerPulse: 80%
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Re: Bourbon Talk
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Jul 7, 2023, 4:56 PM
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Bourbon only comes from Kentucky.I was a Maker's drinker until Buffalo Trace.Nothing else comes close.
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Clemson Icon [26014]
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Ha. Well played.
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Jul 7, 2023, 6:40 PM
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Clemson Icon [24541]
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I like the Old Forester line, but have heard similar reviews for Statesman.
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Jul 7, 2023, 4:38 PM
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For that price point, I won’t try it unless it’s heavily discounted.
What are the tasting notes?
~JKB
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Oculus Spirit [42589]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: I like the Old Forester line, but have heard similar reviews for Statesman.
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Jul 7, 2023, 4:46 PM
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I am not good on picking up subtle tasting notes. I mostly tasted dry oak. It reminded me of a stale version of Old Forester 1910, which I also do not like.
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Ring of Honor [23117]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Oh...my...the sads are thick...
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Jul 7, 2023, 6:36 PM
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Oculus Spirit [42589]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Oh...my...the sads are thick...
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Jul 7, 2023, 6:57 PM
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Well, Old Forester 1920 is one of my favorites.
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Gridiron Giant [15413]
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You should try a 1915
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Jul 7, 2023, 7:07 PM
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Mix 1910 and 1920, equal parts.
It's pretty good actually.
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Ring of Honor [23117]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Nice try...but
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Jul 7, 2023, 10:00 PM
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Associate AD [1052]
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Re: Bourbon Talk
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Jul 7, 2023, 4:40 PM
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Weller special reserve is up there with the favorites to me, Heaven hill bottled in bond is really good, purchased a bottle couple weeks ago, just ran into a Russels 13 year old, I’m pretty happy bout that, and it didn’t break the bank.
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Oculus Spirit [42589]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Bourbon Talk
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Jul 7, 2023, 4:49 PM
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A co-worker told me earlier today that Russells 13 cost him $300 in Maryland. That is one that I would have to taste before buying, and I doubt that I would be willing to pay whatever it costs.
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Associate AD [1052]
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Re: Bourbon Talk
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Jul 7, 2023, 5:19 PM
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$120, and I didn’t flinch, had people behind me in line behind me.Feel like I got lucky, my wife didn’t think so.
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Oculus Spirit [42589]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Bourbon Talk
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Jul 7, 2023, 5:25 PM
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You made out extremely well.
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Clemson Conqueror [11369]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Tip 1: Visit Kentucky
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Jul 7, 2023, 4:41 PM
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Tip 2: Stop blocking everyone or you won’t get some great responses.
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Valley Protector [1419]
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Re: Bourbon Talk
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Jul 7, 2023, 6:04 PM
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Make it a point to go to the Buffalo Trace gift shop. In addition to selling Buffalo trace there, they often sell one of the hard to get bourbons at list price (Blantons, Taylor, etc.) with a limit of one per person. The brand changes daily. They record your DL # and you can only buy one bottle every 3 or 4 months so make sure your wife has her DL with her too so you can get 2 bottles. These are bourbons that typically sell for 2, 3 or even 4 time list on the open market if you can even find them.
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National Champion [7926]
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Re: Bourbon Talk
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Jul 7, 2023, 6:51 PM
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There's so many good ones out there. Good info, thanks for sharing.
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Trainer [40]
TigerPulse: 96%
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Re: Bourbon Talk
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Jul 7, 2023, 10:29 PM
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In the Upstate, if you need a bottle of Weller Special Reserve, it can be had for $50.
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Associate AD [1052]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Bourbon Talk
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Jul 8, 2023, 8:50 AM
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If I’ve seen it in South Carolina, it’s priced at $79 to $130, which is why it’s still on the shelf.
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Replies: 19
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