8 Whiskies That Almost Got It Right!

[@StevenWalt]

The problem with Buffalo Trace products is distribution. There are many states that you can walk into a grocery store or Costco and pick up a BT, ER or Stagg any day of the week for MSRP. But other states see a few bottles a month if that. Distribution should be equal in every single state.

[@Average_BourbonDad]

Yeah Texas has horrible distribution with BT. We are starting to see Wellers SR again as well as standard Buffalo Trace, but anything else is damn near impossible to find. You’ll never walk into a random store and see those products on the shelf at MSRP. Some independent store may have a Stagg at $300 or Col Taylor at $200 but that’s it.

[@WhiskeyRow]

Very good point!

[@dancindan85]

Wisconsin is also fucking terrible. As soon as regular BT hits the store its gone and only a few bottles at a time. As far as Stagg, EH or Blantons etc.... Good luck. Everyone around here uses them as raffles or for "right to buy" or the liquor stores hoard them for their buddies or they are so overpriced, you just have to laugh and leave with a bottle of Rare Breed. I have yet to find a any of the mid to high end in the wild. I also refuse to pay secondary market price for anything.

[@Average_BourbonDad]

@@dancindan85same here. I’ve found some AMAZING store picks and single barrels that are just collecting dust. A local distillery TX, I guess they are nation wide now, has a cask finish series that is just exceptional. They sit on shelves every where for $65 and are just amazing pours. People gotta find that local stuff and quit falling for FOMO!

[@joshgoodmanson9534]

Tell me the state(s) where Stagg is on the shelf any day of the week at MSRP.

[@jeffwinbush5039]

Totally concur with you about the Russell Reserve 10-year, David. It's a fine bourbon, but nobody talks about it the way we do regular Wild Turkey and certainly not Rare Breed. I like the price point, but I pass Russell's all the time and don't think twice about it.

[@eviltrain24]

I have a lot of scotch, not many bourbons. That said, I’m starting to realize that I (tentatively think) I want my Kentucky climate bourbons to be aged not less than 6 years. The youthful spikiness and often unintegrated acetone sweetness are things I don’t want to “work with” or “look past” anymore. I’m not on board with higher proof though. I had my “proof hound” period and I know how a drinker ends up on that street and it can VERY MUCH feel like a one way road. More proof = more flavor. TRUE. More proof = deader taste buds. Also true. Proof gives, but it also takes away.

[@drrobert8678]

Total agreement on RR. I don't keep it here in current form, but at 101 proof.... I'd bite: Buffalo Trace... I really want to support them, buy into the supply and demand and expansion excuses. I can now find Buffalo Trace at MSRP pretty regularly in NY., so when I found a Weller Special Reserve at $29 yesterday (which I would pay every time) instead of $$70 (which I will not), I had hopes that Buffalo Trace finally is solving distribution problems. I asked my favorite store how many he received and he said two, and offered me both. I took one, hoping that some other hunter scores. Bottom line with Buffalo Trace... Does it REALLY have to be this way? Have my doubts. Thanks for a well thought out video and reading the rant.

[@umami0247]

Just got back from New Orleans went for the Jazz festival. My wife scheduled us to do a tour and a blending class at the Sazerac house. It was fantastic and we ended up getting 4 bottles of Eagle rare and a BT and a sipping rum. The Eagle rare bottles were 30 each. They actually make Sazerac rye at this distillery and ship it to Kentucky to age. We are giving away one of the Eagle rare bottles but I’ll hang on to three of them. And they do get EHT at times but didn’t have any this trip. But I will definitely return. And your right about upping the proof on both RE and Russell’s 10 year the single barrel is so much better that the 10 year. Enjoy!!

[@WhiskeyRow]

Thanks for the feedback and hope you had a great trip!!!

[@curetiamhices289]

BT products were virtually impossible to find, but are getting a little easier to find. I did though see a bourbon hunter in South Carolina show a store with Eagle Rare sitting on the shelf for around $45 and they had cases stacked to the ceiling in the back of the store. Crazy!

[@whiskeynature]

Love the advice on making great bourbon better. Looking forward to my wheel horse to come in

[@CascadianExotics]

Absolutely agree with the availability issue with the BT core lineup. ER10, EHTSB, ETL, Blanton's, Stagg Jr, the four core Wellers. I see so many people in my area hoarding them when they do become available as bargaining chips to trade for more limited stuff from people who likely don't need any more of them. It makes it impossible for people who aren't trying to get super limited stuff to get their hands on something that is priced and intended for us common enthusiasts to enjoy.

[@robertsmithUH60driver]

I also wish the BT stuff was on the shelf. In AL, it flies off the shelf and never seen a Stagg for less than $200. That's wh I still dont have one.

[@nuttinfancy]

Great video. Couldn’t agree more about RR10.

[@mariojohnson4695]

I agree, make Russell’s 10 year a 100 proof. I still like it though. By the way Russell’s 10 year is $33.00 bucks here.

[@WhiskeyRow]

I'm jealous!

[@Ken-Dad23]

Generally agree re OF single barrel, but the bottle I just picked up actually seems much better than in past years. Definitely worth a try. Will probably grab a backup, unless ECBP B524 comes out first and is a hitter.

[@EricPerry-hf4bo]

I went to Preservation Distillery last weekend and tried their 15 year and it was amazing but the price of their bottles isn’t the cheapest. I bought the cheapest and it was $99.99. I would like to see a cheaper bottle from Preservation!

[@rickmoreland5206]

I agree with the 101 proof 10 year

[@rogerduroux4616]

i totally agree on Russell's Reserve at 101. I like it at 90 proof but would be even better at 101 proof.

[@martyp5976]

Si, great content as always!

[@WhiskeyRow]

Much appreciated!

[@roybrice7743]

David totally agree with the E H Taylor issue, it’s a good bourbon but here in the UK it ranges between £90 to £125 which is mad On a more positive note love the videos and the channel 10/10

[@WhiskeyRow]

Thank you so much!

[@clemonsjoey]

Completely agree with every suggestion you mentioned!

[@raymondalexander5848]

The new Benchmark line came out a while ago and I haven't seen one bottle in any of the stores in my area. When I asked about them,i was told they haven't received any.

[@robertlee6781]

I actually saw a Stagg for $149 a week ago. Still too high. Getting better though.

[@rickmoreland5206]

See if you can find you some Store pick Jimmy Red Single Barrel 115.9 proof

[@StevenScone]

I absolutely agree with all of this.

[@WhiskeyRow]

Appreciate the feedback!

[@007JRP1]

Agree with OF blue label. I got a store pick last month. Very underwhelming and is probably my biggest disappointment so far in 2024. Way too hot.

[@Average_BourbonDad]

All true! Great video.

[@WhiskeyRow]

Thanks for watching!

[@Average_BourbonDad]

@@WhiskeyRow absolutely. Love y’all’s stuff

[@Average_BourbonDad]

For sure!

[@mlrrock1]

Right on David.😅

[@WhiskeyRow]

Thanks for the support!

[@mikemelichar9362]

I’ve been burned too many time on Old Forester Blue label… Way too hot… I’m done

[@nefarious_saint]

Russell’s 10 year is terrible donkey piss. Never again will I buy that bottle. WT101 is miles and leagues better in every way. Russell’s single barrel is no award winner either. Overpriced underperforming disappointments.

[@vikingsoftpaw]

I am very leary of EC 18 year. Long aged bourbons can take on overly woody notes. Also 90 proof?

[@WhiskeyRow]

I like it, but the low proof diminishes the value

[@vincentfrazier2936]

This is the reason why people who can't afford like you can. Stop making market of whiskey go so high. Let us have some whiskey at a affordable to enjoy. Get on KZbin say this and that Distillery hear WHT you're saying. I thank you can pass it long to others

[@eltro7208]

My brain hurts reading this

[@vincentfrazier2936]

When I hear you and others talk about whiskey taste good and it's affordable price. Then I hear how much you're willing to pay more it. I know I'm not the only one that's hearing what you are saying. Retailer's are hearing you to. So they mark up the price. It's bad now that allocated whiskey that Regular Joe guys love to have can't afford. I do understand that you have your own opinion but sometimes when you say things like that you all make a whiskey go high because of your opinion. That's all I'm saying.