Hit up a few stores this morning. Found the Booker’s 23-04 for msrp. Snagged a bottle of ER for a friend too.
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Glad you found the Booker's, Bob.

A couple months back I bought a Knob Creek single barrel that was almost 11 years aged, as most being dumped now are less than 10 years. So the guy offered to throw in a different 9 year pick for another $30, and I said "sure, why not?"

I opened the "throw in" last night, and the crazy thing is it's much better than the older one. A little less oak but a lot more brightness and sweet notes. Go figure.

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Gotta like that. Nice score Tom.
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Went to meet a friend to drop off the two bottles of ECBP C923 I had for him. Hit up a couple stores I hadn’t been to before. They’re in a smaller downriver area from Detroit. First place didn’t have a huge selection, but they had three bottles of JD SiBBP rye. 135.9 proof. Snagged one of those, especially since it was $25 cheaper than my usual store. Second store had a smaller selection too, but was shocked to see both Stagg Jr, Blantons Gold and WFP on the shelf. Prices were too steep though.
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Bob, stores around me have Weller CYOB, Pappy 15 year, William Larue Weller, etc...and they will continue to have them at the outrageous prices they're asking.
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The Stagg was $250. Didn’t ask about the rest.
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At that price, you didn't need to. :-)
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Had a good two weeks of hunting. Two were from trades (Blantons), the rest at MSRP.

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Nice haul there!
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Boom goes the Weller, Tony! :-):
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is that forester a texas only bottle?
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Yes, due to the presence of King Ranch in south Texas. I like it, found it to be a bit sweeter in the taste.
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Ugh. Local store has EC18 on the shelf for not much over msrp. And what’s everyone’s thoughts on JD Sinatra?
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I've been passing on EC18, msrp is too damn high these days and most bottles don't deliver but it's a single barrel and there are some good ones out there. JD Sinatra is an easy drinker but also an easy pass at the price. Makes for a good gift for somebody who doesn't drink a lot of bourbon, cool process of making it (they cut grooves in the staves to give more surface area when aging because "Sinatra liked the taste of oak") but the final product just isn't super special
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Thanks Ben, I passed on those. Did find a couple bottles today.

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Had a pour of Charlie’s Batch. Like it very much.

So the store I bought it from had a FB post about Bookers for $99 while supplies last. FYI, that’s msrp for Michigan. Normally they sell it for $159. :-) Stopped in as I was going by there. Excited to see this bottle, since I have the other 3 from this year. Shop owner proceeds to tell me that “corporate” hasn’t updated the price in their POS system. He starts grabbing other bottles to make up for the difference rang up. Tell him I don’t want those other bottles. Takes about 15 minutes for them to figure it out, reset their system, etc, before I get it for the $99. Had it not been the Charlie’s Batch, I would’ve walked out. Shady af. Same place has the most outrageous museum prices for other bottles. Stagg Jr, $449, Blantons and EHT SB for $169. You get the idea. I won’t be going back.
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Nice pickups with the ECBP and Charlie's, Bob. Ben steered you right on the Sinatra and the EC18.

So I bought this Maker's Mark gift set of 375s because it has the 2019 Private Selection which is delicious. Also included are the 2023 Private Se;ection and 23-01 Cask Strength.

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I opened the Cask Strength to pair with a cigar. I can see why this sells for $29 for a 750ml, it isn't very good.

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I drank about 1/2 oz before pouring the rest of the pour into the sink. I didn't drain pour the bottle, I'll keep it for guests who want to try it. If they all hate it..... :LOL:

Opened the 2023 PS just to get a better pour. It's better by far than the CS, but doesn't touch the 2019 PS. Last years' gift set that had 3 years of Private Selections was much better.

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I’ll have to look for that gift set around me.

Ok, what’s everyone’s thoughts on Bakers 7? Starting to see it show up around my area. One place had some that was 8 years old.
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Well shoot. Someone take away my credit card.

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Not sure I’ve tried the ‘new’ SiB Bakers, Bob. Interested to hear what you think. The ‘old’ small batch bottles were generally great, imo.

Stood around in the cold this morning waiting to spin the whiskey wheel. Passed time sharing a couple Montes & Coffee BCBS with Ben. Good times!

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