Why Bourbon Hunting in Gatlinburg, TN Drained My Wallet

[@Brewzle]

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[@DavidSmith-hh3cc]

You need to come to VA to tour the distilleries around Charlottesville and then to the Fredericksburg area. A lot of history including GW's distillery at Mount Vernon. Any time after April 1st since some shut down tours during the winter months.

[@ImTheOGslowski]

you messed up not getting the Kings! i have their honey barrel and its amazing

[@alexrhoton1329]

Heck yeah I would buy that stag for $130 because in Michigan it's 400 bucks

[@DavidCJ]

I love the new editor’s notes that pop up. Now newbies or people who just enjoy your content can learn more.

[@kongpongreviews1997]

Have a feeling the editors name is David. ;)

[@Noah6692]

Blantons more than Stagg, that’s crazy

[@lilbopeep6059]

@@TravelingStackerwow where at??? All the shops I’m finding it at in my area want 250+

[@TravelingStacker]

@@lilbopeep6059 Small city called Streator. I was working in the area for a few months. Owners were cool as could be. I think they sold it a little higher but cut me a deal since I spent quite a bit in there. Although I have no proof of that. They even had Pappy starting in the $300 range. Not my bag but I've never seen anyone selling it that cheap outside of a store lottery.

[@Rob-no9nr]

TN sales tax is high. But we are one of the few states with no state income tax.

[@twiztid83222]

Stagg is bursting with flavor. Same with makers mark private select

[@Lithanify]

Was just at the Duty Free shop in PHL. They had two shelves of Blantons... $140... so 2x MSRP. Saw one in DE a few weeks ago @ $135, so It seems the secondary price is $120-130 or so in this area. Stagg Jr is... $220-250 the rare times I see it (In DE, never seen it in PA). That said; I can drink Stagg all day at my local whiskey bar for $18/2oz pour (so a better deal than Brewzle found)... so why would I pay the same or more to take it home?

[@danw6530]

I understand not wanting filming in your store, but what a way to miss out on massive free marketing/advertising

[@majhaze]

Yeah I don’t quite get it… be friendly, show off what you do have which is reasonable and hope you bring some folks in

[@richpaul6806]

because they know their prices were insane and they dont want that fact plastered all over the internet

[@jameslane9267]

The real reason is because they have bottles that they bought at msrp from grocery stores or large liquor chains that they’re now selling for secondary. Some of these stores have a shit ton of allocated stuff, but when you look around, there’s no cases of Fireball or Wheatley vodka. Where are they getting Pappy and BTAC from if they’re not selling cases of Wheatley/Fireball?

[@hatchetwound666]

Old timers gonna old timer I'd let brewzle record at my store despite store policy lol.

[@zecrosyache2319]

Museums didn't want to show their prices

[@pcpricw9096]

The little graphic explaining what “bonded” meant is fantastic thank you🙏🏼

[@Jason-pl7yy]

Had a similar experience when visiting Gatlinburg last year. It's a tourist town so you're going to pay a premium for named brands however you can stumble upon some dusty bottles (last year's lots). Honestly, I had better luck at the little Mom & Pop stores on the way back from Gatlinburg - significantly cheaper and much friendlier staff.

[@chunkylover46033]

Missed out on the Jones Brothers. Good bottle for the price. Locally sourced, distilled, barreled, aged, and bottled in all in Sevier County.

[@christianmaloney9400]

I work at one of those 6 liquor stores. Won’t say which one but we did allow filming so there’s a hint. It’s hard when it comes to pricing and allocations bc a lot of people don’t even get to lay eyes on some of these bottles but we don’t want to just throw it out the door either. The liquor tax here is indeed MUCH higher than a lot of places so people come to town and accuse the first store they visit of highway robbery basically. As a rule of thumb, we have to immediately charge 20-25% above MSRP on EVERYTHING. We don’t set those prices. It’s city/county law. This was a great video. Thanks for all the exposure to not only the town but the liquor stores as well

[@williamsedlock3903]

I love picking up different buffalo tray store picks myself single barrels I recently took a trip through there and got some different foolproof 1792 single barrel store picks they seem to be out and about just came back on a whiskey run all the way from Michigan to Florida Great times

[@00ducks00]

Just picked up a Rock Hill Farms for $100 and a Weller single barrel for $120, both on my birthday. Great B day present. Recently bought my first Stagg for $115. It was a C23. Love the hunts and the live streams. Keep up the great content and take out a third mortgage for a bigger hunt budget.

[@zachf4061]

Definitely missed out on some of the Kings family distillery stuff. Swing by there next time you are in town, they do free tastings of anything they have. It is MGP sourced but their finishes are where they excel I think. My personal favorites are the toasted, the honey bourbon, the Ryeconic, and the cherry brandy barrel finished Ryeconic. Nice people and really transparent on what they have going on.

[@Dan-vv2fu]

You literally saved me an entire vacation day with this video. Thank you Brewzle you are the man!

[@dchevron77]

Were you planning to go here?

[@TheKingnothing314]

I'm planning a vacation for the summer in the area, was hoping to do some hunting, but maybe it wont be as great as i hoped@@dchevron77

[@TheKingnothing314]

I commented before the brewery part. Definitely have to try to get there.

[@dustinhurt4274]

​@@TheKingnothing314don't go to these stores. Stop at Christy's and East End in Knoxville... good people, good selections, and good prices.

[@eddiespaghetti54321]

11:44 Evan Williams green label was discontinued not long ago. There’s a few places in Augusta and Atlanta that still have it collecting dust.

[@wfmitch83]

Nelsons green brier is a good sour mash. I use to buy a case of it every time I went to Tennessee.

[@BlueOvalTavern]

we were in Gatlinburg a few weeks ago as well, it's one of our favorite places in the world. I went to King's Distillery to do some samples and ended up buying their 110 Wheated and it is super delicious.

[@pizzawarlord9232]

The Kings wheated is a great bottle

[@1Drgnrydr]

To funny , gatlinburg is a tourist shithole

[@ThaPABproductions]

They lady at the first store put me on to old Forrester a couple years ago. I’m very thankful for that. But In that some store, they had a bottle of weller special reserve for $200

[@hatchetwound666]

That's bananas hope no poor sap parted with $200 for special reserve.

[@chuckbakerisright]

Nelson's Green Brier is my favorite Tennessee Whiskey.

[@martinjames6148]

You do the best bourbon hunting videos on KZbin, love these videos so much, you are built for this, thank you!

[@curetiamhices289]

$130 Stagg is a definite buy for me. $99 for Heaven Hill BiB at that one store! I can get it for around $45. Crazy the difference in availability and price around the country.

[@Kyleman7401]

My Whiskey Acres Bloody Butcher Bourbon is one of my favorite bottles in my selection. Great craft whiskey.

[@dspags21]

Balvenie 14 is my favorite scotch. Finished in a rum cask.

[@bradlybarnard1022]

The slide to the side move of the store sign that was rude full secondary was a nice little slight lol😂

[@RealMadisonHuff]

I’m having a seizure trying to read this

[@nitronamous]

T.J not sure if you’re making your way back through MD from NY but if so visit Fishpaws in Severna Park MD. You will not be disappointed. Barrel picks of Bowman, & Jack Daniel’s single barrel barrel proof Whiskey and Rye, just to name a few. Prices are extremely fair

[@ryank1117]

You asked about scotch and personally Balvenie Caribbean Cask has always been one of my favorites. If you like sweet bourbons definitely give it a try.

[@geecee1990]

I go to Gatlinburg about three times a year. You'll find tons of allocated stuff. And you'll pay through the nose for it also :)

[@teslamodelyguy8343]

Stag Jr at $130 is a BUY all day! I'd get as many as I could at that price.

[@ThaPABproductions]

Hell yea. I love spending money

[@apeekintime]

Not me. Anything over $70 is a pass. It's massively overrated IMO. Even batch 22a doesn't match up to most of the high proof bottles I have that are 120 proof and above. I have too many store picks that are just better and $60-80. Seems pointless to overpay for a bottle just because it has hype if the juice isn't better than other $60-80 bottles available.

[@adamlewis6597]

$130 is a steal at what I normally see. I’ve seen 2 bottles recently for $299 and a third that was priced at $1,000. Outta their damn minds!!

[@thomasmichael6509]

Agreed

[@BourbonJawnt]

If it was actually a “Jr” from years back yea that’s an insta buy

[@TheChiefSteel]

I live in Chicagoland. The Bourbon County Stout sat on the shelf here. Banana Fosters was not my favorite. There is a Chicago area only release. (Rice Pudding) You need one of those.

[@1sloth55555]

That’s awesome you’re hitting all 50 states. I’ll be keeping an eye out for your trip to Oregon, we have a decent selection of local whiskey.

[@smileymalaise]

I'd love to see him in CA

[@ImTheOGslowski]

next time youre in TN you have to go to cristys liqour store in knoxville their selection is inbeatable. they also have a kings honey barrel store pick and its sooooo good.

[@gamingdad864]

I’m personally an Ole Smoky Moonshine person myself. I’m not really big on the rye. Haven’t tried their whiskey yet. Will when I go back in May

[@TheBigburcie]

The beers at the end looked fantastic. I love dark, barrel aged beers. It's what brought me to dipping my toes in the Bourbon world.

[@chtruckerhat]

A lot of mexican whiskey makers use ancient heirloom corn. Haven't tried any yet. I think absolo is the biggest one on the market right now

[@mikehammett6652]

Best brown for me is Dog fish heads indian brown ale. Or Moose drool for American style. For English style Rouge brewwings Hazelnut brown nectar or Lazy Magnolias suthern Pecan. Good stuff.

[@sprocketmonkey9170]

Whiskey Acres in Dekalb Illinois does Bloody Butcher. They’re also working on their own hybrid corn to use. Seed to Spirit

[@Bushy556]

I’ve been in Parkway a few times. Their shelf stuff is reasonably priced. I always pick up a few Early Times while I’m there since I can’t get it at home.

[@DanTheBourbonMan638]

Is it true that the Eagle Rare bottles that have the 10 year label are from 2012 or older? I found some at a small store where I live and there's still more there.

[@joshking3700]

Love to hear the love for Sugarland. Their sippin creams are my absolute favorites. The banana pudding is my go to.

[@clabough1069]

So Greenbrier's is the original first TN whiskey. They started before prohibition and was the first distilled in the state here. Shut down during prohibition and their family just picked it back up with the original recipe around 2019 if I'm not mistaken. Just a cool piece of history bc ppl think Jack when they think TN whiskey

[@cherokeelaketennessee7895]

You see a lot of green label around east Tennessee. My son works at a local package store, he gets a good discount so I'm always trying new stuff but haven't tried the green label Evan. Going to grab a bottle and try it. 90% of the time I'm buying anything Buffalo Trace. I love bourbon but I'm not a collector but I really enjoy your channel. Make sure to hit Knoxville the next time you're around, you're going to get a lot better selection and prices.

[@gyranthir]

MSRP of the boxed 2023 Bourbon County's is 42 (Eagle Rare/Angel's Envy). MSRP on the Backyard and Banana's Foster is 24. MSRP on the Proprietor's (Chicago only, baby blue box) is 30.

[@junji2453]

they only have Backyard and Banana Foster here in Texas. Definitely want to try the Proprietor's.

[@gyranthir]

Proprietor's changes every year. It's a unique blend of adjuncts. 2023 it was Imperial stout aged in Bourbon barrels with raisins, cassia bark, brown sugar, toasted rice & natural flavors. Think Bourbon Rice Pudding.

[@marklar47]

@@junji2453 they had them both at my HEB for $24.99

[@lsands01]

I got the Eagle Rare and Angels for $32 on release day MSRP

[@seanpuffer8436]

​@@junji2453I'm by a place that has cases upon cases of proprietor. It sits for a while around here.

[@greghoward280]

I have a Bloody Butcher from Jeptha Creed that I got 2 years ago in KY. I tried it there and loved it. I opened the bottle I bought and it was terrible. I have gone back a couple times in the past 2 years. Still terrible. It has to be a spoiled bottle cause I loved it at the distillery. 🤷🏻‍♂️ I really hope you like it.

[@wittmanist]

While in the UK our options on American spirits is limited, Asda currently have 70cl Buffalo Trace for...24 dollars 😀

[@jamesskinner762]

These hunts are SO much better when you buy something. I think this was one of your best. Thanks! Buzz

[@c.j.miller2665]

I ain't going to lie, I love how you blurred those people's faces that asked you not to film, or in the end when you just did it without being asked. That was the coolest thing of the video. Second coolest was you not buying ALL the C923 at that price and leaving some for others with telling them where to go. That just isn't the normal. Cheers to you and your family!

[@blakemeadows2700]

That Jeptha Creed Bloody Butcher Corn is really good. I'm nursing the bottle I have since they don't distribute in Virginia yet.

[@samalnashi2636]

Recently found your channel! Been binge watching most videos! Awesome! Sam from Sweden!

[@joefoldessy8678]

The King's Family Ryeconic is great. We went to the tasting room and I grabbed a bottle of it. It's Double Oaked MGP rye. Grab it next time Brewzle!

[@joelr5646]

From an entertainment point of view this is just the best channel for bourbon hunting. To bad its just so hard to get hold of anything in the UK to try

[@michaeltrott4098]

I like the greenbriar Tennessee whiskey, it’s a wheated mash bill

[@tig3r_lily]

I don't even drink and I love these videos! Take my ad money and comment for the YT algorithm

[@mbarton36]

Trying to keep my resolution of not buying any more bottles until I’m through the stash I’ve got but that $130 stagg and $89 EC C923 got me thinking I need to take a 45 minute drive to Gatlinburg. Enjoy these hunt videos and the enjoyment you seem to get from meeting people and following them to other places

[@EddieDixon-c8t]

The purple toad winery stuff is legit! A lot of their stuff can be sweeter, but it’s really good.

[@17RWilliams]

Liberty Pole Spirits in Washington, PA uses bloody butcher corn and their whiskey is fantastic!

[@fredknotts4031]

Just bought their spirited whiskey today, That is Christmas in a bottle.

[@johnh8268]

@@fredknotts4031 - I think you meant spiced. Good stuff with ginger ale.

[@fredknotts4031]

@@johnh8268 You are correct sir!

[@KPX-nl4nt]

The only scotch I saw that I would have recommended was the Macallan Classic Cut. It’s an annual limited edition cask strength NAS single malt that used to be relatively easy to come by until recently and one of the few Macallans that’s actually a decent value.

[@upsithurism1]

Liberty Pole Spirits in Washington, PA uses exclusively(i think) bloody butcher corn. Their single barrels are nice, though you will probably be pressed to come by one out of state, however they are growing.

[@markolson9000]

Stagg is usually secondary in Socal at about 250 to 300, I'd buy both bottles

[@chriswarren1973]

Nelson’s Greenbrier is my go-to! Hope you enjoy it

[@williambigbills-9665]

If you’re ever in Ohio and make it near old man’s cave in a small town called Logan. There is a restaurant called 58 west, they have a distillery in the back and their rye whiskey is the best Rye I’ve ever had. Buy it for a buddy in Michigan who brings me mead.

[@ze1and0nly]

You're one of the only people i've seen that shares the same thought about sugarlands that i do. If i see a sugarlands bottle that says its x flavor i know its gonna taste like it without even having to try it.

[@IFunkyCheese]

I said on a different video but if you head west again and hit Wyoming come see us at Northridge liquors in Laramie would love to talk whiskey and show you our store!

[@Klugen]

You need to come to Illinois for your Goose island BCS bottles. All the variants sit in the shelf for several weeks after release and they're half the price what you see them for.

[@seandavis8831]

This is PERFECT because my fiance and i are honeymooning here this year and i need to know where to stop! I currently live in a terrible state for whiskey finds

[@unconquerable5888]

TJ, just put a topper on your Tundra and you will always have room to haul any road trip finds!

[@loganrozengard6032]

Gatlinburg has a beautiful river stocked with rainbow trout as well

[@fritts93]

That Stagg for 130 I’d have bought all of them. Our area is dumb around 225-300. Ridiculously priced. Going to that Gatlinburg Brewing Co was an awesome experience!! Very cool

[@vwr32jeep]

I was in Parkway Liquors a few weeks ago when we went to Gatlinburg and saw the $399 Penelope Rio. Crazy price. I bought mine at State Liquors (Next door to Top Hat) in Louisville for $145.

[@jeffreuter8843]

WH McBrayer. McBrayer Legacy Spirits. 88.4% Bloody Butcher corn. Great pour!

[@KyleW1719]

The Jesse James bottle around 13:35 is actually Jesse James Dupree. Singer from Jackyl. And in all honesty, you're not missing much. It's not a mixer, in my opinion.

[@Bajablast_scuba_cat]

The woodhat distillery bloody butcher corn is very different. My first thought was “everyone needs to try this, but not many would buy a second bottle”

[@sirrjjay9583]

Well watching this video has made me realize that I have to go deeper into your catalog the videos I love your voice I love the way you present the product that you are talking about and your aura is a welcoming one you know I feel like if I seen you out in the streets I can walk up to you and say hi and that makes me feel good watching you you have a good character I love watching your videos I'm originally from Detroit Michigan and now I reside in the Netherlands

[@kjbober]

In my opinion, those Bourbon County stouts fall off and taste oxidized after 4 to 5 years. Interested to hear your opinion of the older bottles that you have. Keep up,the great videos TJ!

[@nickp5511]

Love your haul videos! Stagg in my area is 250.00- 400.00 so 130 I would’ve done about two months ago, however I walked into the local BevMo and they had one c23 for 72.00 bucks! Then a week later at a different place I bought 9 bottles of Stagg b23 for 42.00 bucks each and 10 Weller 12yr for 70.00 each! Traded a friend bottle for bottle and got a Stagg 22a and 23a! I had another great haul that’s unbelievable last Monday !

[@Lithanify]

Where in gods name do you live finding that amount of bottles at those prices?

[@BrandonMcClanahan]

Weller 12 year for 70 bucks I would have done the same thing lol

[@BenCrews]

I've visited King's. They're doing some interesting stuff with finishes on their MGP. Some weird stuff like an Islay finished bourbon, and some other stuff like Maple Syrup barrels or honey finishes.

[@IanHutchison]

Shoutout to the Singha shirt! I found them at one of my local liquor stores and bought it on a whim. It's a great beer! 👍

[@jimmy_fun]

I just picked up a bottle of Garrison Brothers from down in Texas. I’m really enjoying it

[@svictor7573]

If you are ever going through western Pennsylvania, Liberty Pole Spirits is using Bloody Butcher corn. The Rye and wheated are pretty good

[@joepenwell7744]

I like the Jeptha Creed Straight 100 poof 90% bloody butcher corn they had out last summer when we were there. its also a cool little craft distillery to visit.

[@kubankronic3656]

Bourbon barrel aged anything is my fav. I got some small batch dessert style stouts from a small brewer in florida called corporate ladder, they are aged in elijah craig barrels for 28 months,blantons barrels for 24 months, and 14 yr austin nichols barrles for 20 months

[@SGE22-]

If you are in Indiana I highly recommend coming to Kokomo Indiana. We have a restaurant called Halfmoon and they make their own beer right there at the location. Then we also have sun king brewery and they also make their own beer right on site. Some damn good beers

[@greghoward280]

YES on the Stagg! Last time I saw one on the shelf here in SoCal it was 400. 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@haydenschneider5643]

Come to Illinois for Bourbon County. Can get those vairants for $10 each at some stores. Binny's would be your best chance.

[@richdunn9774]

I’d buy both since you don’t see them for less than $250 at least usually in New England

[@williamsedlock3903]

Sugarlands does a good job I always keep tickles cinnamon on my shelf and a lot of other bottles from them

[@leeboone7552]

The Kings Rye is one of my favorites. Did the tasting at their shop in pigeon forge. Didnt like the bourbon but really like the rye. Im on my second bottle now.

[@masfinoreviews3814]

Terrific video! I thought the visit to the Gatlinburg Brewing spot was a nice closer, looks like a good spot to have a brew.

[@nathanscoggins5993]

That Nelson Green Brier’s so underrated and slept on

[@C_GOODIES]

I know the internet gives you a lot of heat because you are encouraging stores to have mark ups from buying from them, but I think you definitely do get a pretty good price for things.

[@fatcat1236]

If you ever come down to California in the Central Valley I know few places that have rare/ allocated bourbons. It’s a lower class area so those bottles sit there.

[@popwalk]

I am fortunate enough to know the right people and got a Stagg Jr. for MSRP at the store. At $130 I would consider it for sure!

[@fredknotts4031]

There is a store in Pittsburgh called Pennsylvania Libations that sells nothing but Pennsylvania made brands. They also have a bottle of everything open for tastings. I bought a spirited whiskey that tastes like Christmas in a bottle and an apple moonshine that was outstanding. Just an idea for ya.

[@Floreypottery]

we were their all week too on vacation did some cider hunting

[@shaneb395]

around 2016 at rouses supermarket in new orleans you could get a BT store pick for under $30, they had cases of it just sitting on the floor. no limit. I brought one but at the time wasn't impressed. I was drinking mostly rittenhouse rye + ginger ale (college days)

[@trentonfettig7265]

Should have bought a second C923. Love mine, haven't been able to find a replacement and since it was my first elijah, buying the B523 and A123 after were disappointing compared.

[@jasonhampton2792]

Kings family distillery is fantastic and the bottle shop is in Pigeon Forge. You can sample all their offerings at the bottle shop. The owner was the master distiller at ol Smoky moonshine and his wife's family are farmers from Indiana who supplies MGP grains, so I think she has a connection to get some great barrels.

[@jasonhampton2792]

Also they source from other distilleries besides MGP.

[@Hoosierallocations]

sugerland penuntbutter sippin cream is the best flavored moonshine

[@jonathanbluhm4765]

Love Jeptha Creed. Polarizing bourbon for my friends but I love it. Great story and distillery too. Crayola crayon on the nose.

[@mikemattis1204]

Kings family distillery makes excellent whiskey, and their 15 year light whiskey is amazing

[@NickKoelsch-d7c]

Old Forge Moonshine in Pigeon Forge is probably my favorite flavored shines.

[@keeqen]

One of my local bars (tourist beach town) has OWA for $12 a 2oz pour

[@SP0RTS-N3WS-N0W]

Guys any recommendations for me, I’m just getting started (3 or so months in) tried Buffalo trace woodford reserve and the double oaked, 1792, KC9, And Jim beam bib