I'm not nearly enough of a bourbon drinker to offer up an opinion on your question. But I think the bottle is cool. When it's empty you can put it with your trophy collection.
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I've never been a fan, but it's been a long time since I've had some. My tastes may have changed since then. But I'm not paying what a lot of places are asking for just to try it again.
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Nice grab! I picked one up for my brother for his wedding, he poured it for like 15 of us and most people were amazed they got to have Blanton's. I tried explaining that it's a gold and the differences but nobody gave a f*ck, at least my brother knew and appreciated it :-)
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I am not a big Blanton's guy but I did like the Gold that Massphatness sacrificed to me and Big Ash a couple years ago. Now if I could get my hands on a SFTB..... :-)
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I've only had a few drams of various Blanton's over the years, I've like the Black a lot that I had at SoCal last year. The regular version is okay, but not always to my palate. I do have a number of bottle of regular Blanton's in my collection (trying to get all of the letters). This was a call from Spec's that I wasn't expecting and wasn't going to pass up on either.
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Called the store I found Blantons at a few weeks back. They mentioned having Bookers. They still do. Question is do I pay secondary prices? $180 for the 23-01, $190 for the 22-03. No deal on buying both.
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Prices on Bookers has gone up in the last year. I was used to paying $80-$90, now they are $115 at TW and Spec's. Those are definitely secondary prices. I wouldn't pay that unless I really, really liked the batch.
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Msrp is $100 here in Mich. Those aren’t crazy secondary prices (one place was selling Blantons for $200), but not having tried either of these, I can’t justify dropping the cash. So it’s a no go.
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While Booker's 22-03 and 23-01 are the best batches in years, those prices are crazy. It's become a bit harder to find, but when I do it's at $89 and tax. Even FB secondary groups are only at $115-130, those prices are nits Bob.

Replaced one of my favorite bottles of '22 earlier this week.

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I'll take one as well please, my first one went so incredibly quick
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I did not use much restraint with my first one either, Ben. I lucked into one at retail, not sure how I can get lucky again. Skipped going to Binny's yesterday and missed out of Jack Daniel's 10 and 12 Years, as well as lots of trade bait (EHT, ER, Buffalo Trace sps).
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Is any of the basil Hayden stuff worth buying?
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I don't think so. They want around $50 for their regular offering which is 80 proof. I can get an owner's pick Rebel Cask Strength for the same price that is much tastier. Hell, I can get 3 liters of WT101 for that and I enjoy it more.
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Haven't liked any of their expressions, Clay, and I actually poured the Dark Rye down the drain. Knob Creek, Baker's and Booker's (also all from Beam) blow i away.
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I agree 100%.

I've heard reviewers call Basil Hayden's a beginner's "quality" bourbon, where folks feel they're getting a good bourbon because of the price, and the proof won't scare them off. One YT channel mentioned how BH fans are always remarking about how smooth it is. Their response was along the lines of "Yeah, it's smooth because they water it down to 80 Proof, taking away all the complexity and leaving an inoffensive yet mildly tasty pour. Bottle it at 90 or 100 Proof and see how it does."
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My friend just texted a pick of the latest Hazmat he snagged. 144.36 proof. Holy schnikes!
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Started off with a very small pour of BT to prime the palette.

Pour #1 1792 single barrel. Lots of corn flavor, but more like buttered popcorn.

Pour #2 Old Elk Meijer store pick. Really new bottle, but super delicious. Getting some caramel notes.
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Wow!
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Well put, James. :-)

What's the bottle, Bob?
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Northern Rye, Barrel #300
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