What $1000 Will Get You In Sought After Bourbon! - Bourbon Hunting Lexington, KY

[@GrandslamSammy]

more of these bourbon hunting videos, please! This was fun. Hunting is one of the funest parts of the hobby.

[@TimTamSlam2]

Can't agree more. Love these type of videos.

[@andrewjager4220]

Don't take this the wrong way or anything but.. I tend to enjoy the drinking the most.

[@ThaPABproductions]

Most fun*

[@mswwalker12345]

I visited a Total Wine just outside Louisville while up there on my almost-perfect Kentucky distillery visit weekend. It was a treat for me, since I have nowhere even close to that kind of selection in a single store living in the alcohol wasteland of Alabama (Lord help me). After wandering around a bit, looking I'm sure like a couple of awestruck teenagers at a concert, we heard a guy ask if we were looking for anything in particular. He was one of the employees there and we struck up a conversation. He poured us a couple samples of some bourbons they were clearing out and we just had a ball sitting there talking whiskey history with him. As we turned to leave he said, "Hold on. I may have something special for you" and pulls out a couple bottles of Blantons. Now I know that doesn't seem like a big deal to you guys up there, but for us it was truly special; Blantons without a ridiculous secondary markup? Gold. Anywho, that one act of kindness put Total Wine on my fav stores list for life. I just need to find one closer... ;) Great show, lady and gent. Cheers,

[@kylehenning]

That's a great story. Our TW's in MN filter all the allocated stuff out the back door into their own trunks while telling customers lies about never getting any in.

[@rayedmondson2412]

Same State problem😩. Both TW’s in Atlanta are worth the trip. Also if you get to SC, Columbia is good also…just remember SC does NOT sell liquor on Sunday.

[@slightguync]

I’ve been on KZbin for over ten years. I’ve commented on maybe two videos. This is your best video of the year. More of this type of hunting content. So much fun going on the journey with you.

[@ItsBourbonNight]

Thank you so much!! 🥃

[@richl172]

Great video. People talk about hunting whiskey, but never really show what it looks like. Valuable content for people getting into the game.

[@phtevenmolz5030]

Sarah: Should I go out with $1,000 and pick up a bunch of whiskey, whatever I can find? Me: Yes. Sarah: No. Chad: No. Me: …No.

[@MISTAJZA]

You two bourbon-hunting could easily be its own channel. You could do this in every state and I’d watch them all, maybe even do an online version of what bottles you can find at online retailers.

[@bbaum17]

No wonder I can’t find anything good at my local stores… you all are store-hopping my go-to spots and picking my stores clean! 😉

[@LP23D6]

"On the Hunt with Chad and Sara". (you can use that if you like) Looks like you had fun and you picked up some good ones. Just a FYI, you may find the Benchmark Bottled in Bond a bit more tasty than the full proof. Those all would be fun to do side by side. "Nice for the price" is my motto. and on a last note: Beautiful eyes Sara. And yes, you are a handsome lad Chad. (poetry) Cheers!

[@berkleycumbie6359]

I love your videos. Your doing a great job and your knowledge of the whiskey that you're reviewing is great. I'm an old man who has been tasting whiskey for over 45 years. I have a small collection. I only give advice to a select group of friends. Keep up your great work.

[@thickerliquor]

2:58 I saw a bottle of ultimo argumento tequila - super cool bottle that comes apart too. Neat.

[@SippersSocialClub]

Excited to hear about that Calumet 16! Still crazy to me how most of the bourbon on that one-per table was (at one time) budget, average whisky, no one ever hunted

[@CampariMM]

Also, the $1000 is an investment into your business/channel. They may end up being featured in upcoming videos, or for research. Big difference from someone spending $1000 randomly on 10 bottles. I loved this video. Keep up the work guys! Cheers! Drink more bourbon 👌🏻

[@malmeyer]

Awesome video. Very cool to see you going through multiple stores in KY and seeing what's on your shelves compared to here. Lots of nice finds and I think you did great. Cheers Chad and Sara!

[@PDXBeach]

Good news in Oregon. The prices of bottles is regulated by the state so you won't have price variability. Bookers is $89.95 at every store you will visit.

[@dmrolen]

We didn’t know about Total Wine putting rare ones out on Saturday mornings. We have been looking for Blood Oath for a while. After watching this video, my brother went to Total Wine in Houston this morning and found it. We are super excited.

[@leeacto]

This is awesome. I live in Lexington, so it's nice to see the local spots.

[@michelleglab3578]

That was a great video. I've often wondered what Bourbon shopping would be like in KY. I love Bourbon shopping in the US (I'm from Canada)! So much variety, but I've only made it to Indiana and Binny's in IL. So jealous to see OGD at Costco.

[@a.ericschlobohm97]

First time caller, Long time listener... Fun Video Chad and Sara, I love you guys!!

[@gone4days956]

I have found bourbon zen. I have my daily drinking favorites that are easy on the wallet. Gone are my days of hunting and spending lots on whiskey.

[@enricojaun2880]

Yea, me too. Its not even fun anymore. Between priced and lower quality im kind of over this hobby...

[@davidg5308]

Great show, and I thought y'all did a great job! You have an advantage there in KY. We visited the bourbon trail in late Feb this year, and my mantra was to not buy anything I couldn't get in CA. That left mostly distillery specials which was fine...except for Heaven Hill - they had nothing (miffed)! Good tasting but what a disappointment. Wish they would all save something aside for tasting tours, like Buffalo Trace did. Anyway, as for me on that table, I would have picked the EH Taylor, Blood Oath, or OKI - none of those make it out to CA very often. Like Kris says below, we don't have those tasting areas like in your Liquor Barn out here in CA - wow! Cheers!

[@Da1Prophessor]

This demonstrates why I appreciate shopping in VA; I don’t need to worry about price gouging. The fact that the VA ABC is the only store to purchase distilled spirits in VA makes me feel great… of course I have access to other sources within the state.

[@debrac3032]

It baffles me that Buffalo Trace and Baby Saz are on the “allocated” table.

[@BourbonondaBayou]

That’s Sams Club bottles for me

[@mdstrobe]

@NoName99 NoFace88 I wouldn't say it's nothing special. It's pretty decent actually.

[@ericeckenrode1837]

Everything Buffalo Trace puts out is overpriced due to demand and people not understanding there are better bourbons out there for less.

[@roccomac8943]

People are crazy these days. Baby Saz is almost always on the shelf here but BT is less common. I can’t believe people are paying $100 for Bookers. It was $40 for the longest. It didn’t magically get twice as good.

[@joshuahenderson3193]

Seriously I can get buffalo trace for $32 off the shelf in GA

[@brianyancey4778]

As someone who works from home I usually go on my lunch break to find new bottles, blood oath for 85 and EH small batch for 65. Have been my best finds. just keep hunting! Love the video

[@joeblo5516]

I’ve got the Calumet 16 and it is wonderful. Top of my hunting list is Wild Turkey Masters Keep 17 and Russell’s 13.

[@ericeckenrode1837]

I have fellow bourbon hunter friends and it's crazy how availability and prices vary around the country (I live in PA, which is state run so prices are decent but not so much availability). Seeing more like this would be helpful for fellow hunters to understand pricing and when to jump on things or hold off.

[@rinzlerF14]

This is a great episode! I live in Montana and the struggle is real! When you passed on the first Booker’s I freaked out, then you kept running across it! Haven’t seen a Bookers in three years!

[@Celtic-Texan]

My head exploding seeing the Ironroot Harbinger sitting on the shelf at your Total Wine & More! Ugh, here in Texas where it’s made you never see it on the shelf.

[@stefanschwalenberg8320]

I think the most I've spent on whiskey in one go is $250 (90 or 100 proof juice is the vast majority of my purchases, as I'm a relative noob still trying to determine my flavor wheelhouse) so the idea of spending $500 in one pop (good grief, forget $1,000) makes me positively queasy. Those tasting stations make absolutely green w/ jealousy.

[@RandallChase1]

Just got home from NOLA… went to Sazerac House museum. It’s free to attend just need a reservation. TOTALLY WORTH IT!!!

[@drgallup]

Bought 10 bottles today in 3 stores. Spent under $500 but I spent more than you did for my Bookers.

[@ItsBourbonNight]

Good hunting!

[@bourbonbill]

Great video do more of these. Interesting to see how it is in KY. Here in PA it’s vastly different

[@sharkparty1027]

Wow, I am not a spirit nut, but seeing that money fly out of your pocket for spirits is quote insane. What an expensive hobby/love. For an episode, you should do a show on what you would stock in your cabinet for those without big pockets. Like a $100-$300 cabinet. Is it quantity vs quality or ect. What would you keep? Is variety better or two bottles better?

[@tonyjandora9674]

Looking for an EHT and Calumet 16.

[@dannoneyabiz1277]

I watched this video and the one from Austin. hard seeing price differences between KY, TX and my home in CT. I have seen people here charging 140 for Blantons, 60 for BT, little book for well over 140.

[@J155P]

Just got back home from Kentucky. Hit about 10 stores and only left with a few bottles of Weller SR. Saw a Blanton's for $140...nope. Saw a Weller 107...can't remember the price..80 or so, but you also had to buy a store pick. Wasn't interested. Wish I would've seen this video while down there.

[@rcaddell23]

Very timely and helpful video. Making my first trip to Lexington and Louisville in just a couple weeks… with a similar budget that I’m sure to blow.

[@explorewithkevinwightman6466]

Im curious if the saturday morning allocated table is common across america. Im from canada and in the Province of BC we have TWO allocation days a year. One in spring, one in fall and thats basically it. Whats on the shelf is basically there year round and the selection isn't very good for bourbon/rye. Thanks for the info!!

[@TylerEvans2008]

I was able to pick up the Blackened Rye the Lightning for $75 in Ohio a few weeks ago.

[@jimidrammer4187]

My trunk hauls look a lot like this since my best shopping area is a couple hundred miles away so I get all the goodies at once and I'm set for 6 months if my timing is right, checking online inventory is a plus before you leave the house.

[@chadm6981]

Here in northwest Florida benchmark small batch and barrel proof are regular finds.

[@mikecurran5646]

Nicely done, refreshingly fun to go with you 'hunting' in your home turf. Loved the c.u. of Sara, great skin, eyes green maybe? No tasting stations here in MD. I didn't even know they existed. I would go wild if they were. Thks

[@TravisG88]

I got that Saints Alley The Herald batch 1 from Total Wine in Woodbury, MN on Super Bowl Sunday this year. It was their last one and the guy working in the whiskey aisle suggested it to me and let me sample some. Absolutely wonderful juice! I still have a bit left of it. I will be sad when it’s gone.

[@asteriskreaper5182]

Can't wait to bourbon hunt on my vacation in july, you'd be surprised how limited our selection in just across the Mississippi River in Missouri. I had never heard of Benchmark before you guys!

[@joewolf9933]

Great video! I really liked it for a reason different from most of the commenters: I was in FL (Kissimmee) 2 weeks ago and got a Calumet 16 ($150) and Blue Run Reflection ($90) at a small mom and pop. I thought they were good prices - not too marked up - and the video confirmed it! Also bought (and drank) Redwood Empire - Lost Monarch and Widow Jane 10 - none of which I can get in PA. Thanks for the great channel

[@TonyClarkGuitar]

Hey guys. I'm up in Louisville and rarely find the goodies that you guys found. Seems like I need to start bourbon hunting out your way. Maybe I can go with you guys next time. 😁

[@dvandentop]

yeah the Indian owned stores were horrible when I went last weekend

[@slow3131]

love the newer variety of content! keep up the great new ideas! also jelly of the bourbon available! on the allocated table i think i go McKenna just because i've never had the opportunity to taste it.

[@SilentKiller-fx1qj]

Thought that liquor barn looked familiar glad to find a channel in my area.

[@GenerationDigital]

Total Wine is one of my favorites. Lots of options and typically great prices.

[@davidnewcomer5120]

Bourbon hunting is the best! I always look forward to it

[@jameschandler2776]

It can be an expensive habit. There are so many good bottles out there without paying for unicorns. I really enjoy hunting for bourbons. Right now, I am on pain medication and cannot drink alcohol, that sucks.

[@ItsBourbonNight]

Dry month here too :/

[@ericchambers9914]

Great idea and of course jealous of all the options you have to choose from! This should be a 1a and 1b video where the 2nd part is doing a tasting of everything you bought in the 1st part!

[@Beyondwhiskeyrow]

Love the bourbon hunting videos! Wish Virginia had tasting bars! Great video! This helps us so much with our Kentucky trip in September! Cheers🥃

[@adamevans5764]

having done 3 bourbon trips to Kentucky on various occasions, was surprised that many allocated things were still not available or places that had them were very much overcharging, so try to know the value of anything you're looking for. The people at Liiquor Barn seem to be the most personable, and the tastings there are a great place to geek out. Maker's Mark is a must stop, and Yellowstone (passion project of Steven Beam) was really cool. Old Forester is the place to schedule to go if you are into woodworking or want to see barrels made and toasted/flamed. If you walk out of Old Forester and turn right, the restaurant on the corner has something like 1800 whiskeys on the menu.

[@claytonlewis8799]

One of the my favorite stores I visited when I was in kentucky was Legacy liquors in Stanton KY

[@tonylopez6213]

I'm in Lex KY as well guys and I can attest to how fast you can spend lots of money on bourbon. I have to resort to a strict budget as it was getting out of control.

[@jreezy70]

Kroger Wine and Spirits in Kentucky is the best! Coming from Indiana, I love walking into those Kroger locations.

[@farmdwg]

Still looking for Elmer T Lee

[@gokdog1999]

Great video, I am going to be going on a business trip soon and could drive a few hours to do some picking/touring in Kentucky. I love this video, but what area would you recommend, and do you think that the availability on a Friday would be there or should I spend that extra day to get to Saturday morning like in the video? I am planning on being around Louisville/Bardstown area mostly.

[@ItsBourbonNight]

Thank you! Availability on a Friday vs Saturday mainly depends on when the store gets their trucks. Example; if a store gets their (insert any distillery) truck on Friday mornings, you would have the best chance of snagging something when they are unloading the truck, but most locals will have already memorized when their favorite distilleries get delivered. So in that scenario it's really a craps shoot on when the trucks come in for the store you're visiting. For the big box stores, they may decide to put out some things they've been holding back (like Total Wine did in the video), and I would say that is more likely to happen on a Saturday than a Friday. As for areas, both Louisville and Bardstown are equally picked over, you really just have to luck out with stock hitting the shelves when you get there. There's just too many people in KY looking for the same things. If you want some vintage pours by the ounce, I would check out Franklin Ave. Liquors, Justins' House of Bourbon (also go here for buying bottles), and Neat Bourbon Bar - all in Louisville. For Bardstown, check out Bardstown Bourbon Company for pours (and food), Keystone Liquors and Toddy's Liquors for bottles. Happy Hunting!

[@renardrobinson7518]

You guys are lucky! I think in MD at Total Wine you have to be a Grand Reserve member to buy allocated bottles. Great video as always.

[@davidlavin3492]

Great vid, this shows a few things. How much better selecrtion of allocated bourbon is in your area to mine. We all know how quickly bourbon bottles add up lol, but also why bourbon prices have risen. So many are hunting and willing to pay top dollar, so prices will not be going down. Paying over $100 for a bottle of bourbon seems insane, but I must admit I am guilty of it.

[@ragingirishman6969]

This is a great new video and I hope you'll make more of the hunt videos. I hope you and you're families are all safe from the floods.

[@JEpst1]

Great video, love that it's what a realistic random Saturday would look like. Would love to see these quarterly just so people outside of Kentucky can get an idea for the time of year they're visiting.

[@coolerunning985]

Cool upload, It's good to see what's on the shelves in US stores, being from across the pond in UK. Cheers.

[@joshualcaraway]

I have been hunting for Blantons since July I just turned 40 trying to find one to celebrate hard to find in Louisiana

[@stephaniedenis88]

The best!!! So glad you did this episode. I’m a huge fan of yours and thanks to you I’ve become a proof hound. 🙌🏾

[@robsII]

Jeez, Benchmark Full Proof is available here in Indy for $19.99!!

[@gaylemcgee2221]

This was a great video! I often wonder how I can sell bottles that I bought and tried but don't care for. Does anyone know how to do such a thing? I only tried a sip of them.

[@WhiskeyWars]

Good stuff Chad and Sara. Hunting is always a good time , but there are always a couple bottles that are impulse buys or that you overpay for . What can you do 🤷

[@curtboxley7678]

I picked up a bottle of Calumet 16 for $125.00. From an online retailer. Only bummer was shipping charges. Cheers

[@pharm3]

Why didn’t you both make a purchase at the “pick one” table?

[@StanReitanStanTheWineMan]

I'm always looking for Elmer T Lee.

[@jasonc.5718]

You're fortunate to have so many good spots to hunt. Many places have only a few small stores without much selection.

[@jamesstreet1144]

This is a great video. Very fun. You missed out passing on the Woodford Batch Proof 2022. It’s terrific.

[@jasonmilliken1427]

Great episode. Need to do this again, but do one hitting mom and pop stores, and one hitting big box stores. The compare the two in separate episode. Love this content though!

[@timloucks4325]

Fun video. I’m typically looking for scotch or occasionally Irish Whiskey. I’d agree that Costco usually has the best (or damn near) prices but a weak selection. Impulse buys to be sure when I’m doing other shopping. The Bookers I got at Costco was 83.99. All the Total Wines are in different counties. A fun trip, but when I factor in gas & bridge toll, they’re not a bargain.

[@claytonlewis8799]

I recently visited Kentucky to take some distillery tours. I budgeted $1K for whiskey hunting. I ended up spending over $2K 😆 it's very easy to over do it

[@zerodynamic]

Great bourbon hunting video! I'm surprised that regular BT is allocated at Total Wine. Here in Northern California, it's just hanging out on the shelf and everyone has it. Same thing with HM 10, some Total Wines have no limit to how much you can buy, others say limit 1. Then again, they just raised the price of it to $70, so I suppose most of us will pass on it. Blanton's and Weller SR are something that they use for whiskey lotteries out here; I can't tell you how many bottles of Blanton's I've been selected for, I'm sick of it. Also, not bourbon related but that bottle of Hibiki at Kroger for $86 is just overpriced. Not sure how much Japanese whisky makes it out to Kentucky (so it might be priced just right out there), but you can get it at Costco of $66, or chain liquor stores out here for $75. Super jealous of the tasting bar at Liquor Barn and $4 gas!!

[@Celtic-Texan]

Was it just Hibiki Harmony? The real catch is Blenders Choice, 12 year, or 17 year. I just missed getting a bottle of 21 year for $350 at Narita airport leaving Japan, they sold the last one 10 minutes before I hit the store.

[@zerodynamic]

@@Celtic-Texan yes, I believe it was the Harmony. The 12 year and 17 year have long been discontinued. Not sure about the 21 year though. I just bought a bottle of Blenders Choice for almost $400 from a chain liquor store here in CA. AFAIK, it’s the only place you can get it on the west coast due to extremely limited supply and it being a domestic Japanese market item that was imported into the US.

[@zerodynamic]

@@Celtic-Texan Yep. just checked. If you pause the video at 5:15 you'll see the box is labeled as Japanese Harmony.

[@Celtic-Texan]

@@zerodynamic I have a 3/4 bottle of 17 I'm still savoring, and picked up a bottle of blenders Choice for $115 on my last trip a few months ago, haven't opened it yet. I had a glass of 21 at my buddies bar while I was there, it was very good.

[@zerodynamic]

@@Celtic-Texan $115 for blenders choice?!? I’m so jealous of that and your mostly full bottle of the 17 year old. Japanese whisky is just crazy out here on the west coast. For the time being if I want a similar flavor profile I’ve been enjoying Dalwhinnie 15.

[@vihtoripuurola3775]

8:10 If you hunt around some and get lucky you can find bottles of the Horse Soldier Bourbons signed by some of the actual Horse Soldiers. Good stuff right there. Not to mention they are building their new distillery in Somerset, KY.

[@dplunk13]

The Calumet 16 straddles the line of too oaky for me. Most of the time it's just under it and I really enjoy it. I still see a lot of 15 and 14 that I should probably try too.

[@billslone242]

Kentucky has become a miss 355 days out of the year. If you know the right days you can score big time but that info is highly protected

[@TheMjphoto45]

Wow. What a grab. Blood Oath and Taylor would have been mine. I picked up this week Calumet 16. Plenty of Caramel overtones. Celebrating my bday today 7.31.22

[@TobyGarmon]

Just goes to show it's costly to get some of the more higher end bottles.. interesting thing, I see people comment often that Texas get all the good stuff, but I live in Texas, I'd say 80% of the allocated or harder to find bottles I have were purchased in Kentucky. It's very rare I get anything like that in Texas. You have to be able to wait in line on a Tuesday or bounce stores in the middle of the week to get them. Regular 8-5 people miss out.. nice finds, I've been eyeing the blackened rye myself.

[@socosurf]

I find it wild that the buffalo / sazerac / henry mckenna were all 'limited 1 per customer' on a specific table with a line of people, yet I could walk into a Safeway in California and grab any of those off the shelf and it would be restocked the next day.

[@jeremiahbergstrom9368]

Great video! You got 3-4 more bottles than we were expecting. Nice work and keep them coming.

[@dennissimons339]

So crazy that those were on the allocated table. All easily obtainable in California. Plus the Buffalo Trace is $29.99 here. Wild how it differs across the country

[@standardsloshy]

I know my Lexington liquor stores when I see them! I don't know if y'all live nearby but I hope y'all had fun in my hometown

[@mikemoore85]

Will there be a review for the blue run reflection coming up?

[@dvswia1831]

Calumet 16 is probably my favorite bourbon ever! Unfortunately, the cost is a bit prohibitive.

[@jpcampbell]

Total Wine never has anything in Texas on the shelf. You have to be on their premier trier list after spending a zillion each year. Would love to find an HM 10 year on the shelf. So weird seeing booze in grocery stores. We are missing out in Texas. Please share future IBN field trips!

[@DavidSmith-ee2yf]

Kroger liquor stores are separate from the main grocery stores as are Costco and Sams Club stores.

[@dennyraincrow6294]

What are your thoughts on Smoked Bourbons. Just purchased my kit.

[@tfrogginhfroggin]

Need to visit Kentucky, never see any of those bottles

[@stevefromchicago8277]

That was great, and no one would think either of you super nice people are flexing. I do get to visit your great state at least once per year so this was helpful

[@coreyw2098]

Fantastic video more of these . looked like fun day .

[@charlier1977]

Really like your light fixtures in the background

[@maul_360]

Absolutely loved this video. Was different compared to others. Also gives me a better idea of good bourbon and prices

[@anthonycirillo1446]

VA just instituted the 1 limited per person table. How long as that been in KY?

[@stefanloof1643]

Yes, more of this! Really interesting 👍👍 Cheers from Sweden! 🇺🇸

[@skramzy6628]

I do not live in an area with Total Wine stores, but I'll be going to Austin in a week and I'll be there on a Saturday. Is that allocation table something that all Total Wines do on the occasional Saturday?

[@ItsBourbonNight]

Depends on the store, but yeah, more likely to have it out on a Saturday or Sunday.

[@bobatwood1384]

I just picked up 2 bottles of the Buffalo Trace at my local Costco for 19.99 each, they had a limit of 2

[@bryanwalker1737]

Even down here in Texas we can hunt some Texas whiskeys. Ironroot and be tough to find, for example.

[@paladonis]

I don't do big collections of Whiskey. Mostly space and money. I do like to sample and try new things and have found fun ways to do that. Even with that said I was really sad when Ironroot pulled the higher proof Harbinger from shelves out here and all you can get is the 45%. It's good, but just not the same as that 115 proof! So I keep my eyes open for it. A few others are Old Forester 100 proof rye that disappeared out here and the Benchmark you guys mentioned. Only the regular stuff is out here and it's good, but I would love to see it at higher proof as well. I thought this was a great concept to a video! Thanks!