September 17Sep 17 Public service announcement to Houston Folks, like @billfromlaketravis, the Total Wine near the Heights has Weller Special reserve in stock. Some 750's and a few 1.5s. They're limiting it to one per customer, so I picked up a handle. I know it's not particularly special, but it also just isn't around a lot. I haven't seen it in 6 months or so at that Total Wine.
September 17Sep 17 Saw about 12 EHT Small Batches at Total Wine by Lakeline Mall on Saturday. Very weird to see that many sitting out available for purchase. I didn't purchase. I am enjoying the WT101 8 year a lot right now and starting to see it on the shelf a lot more lately. Did anyone get the Old Fitz 7 release earlier this summer? I wanted to snag one but wasn't that lucky.
September 18Sep 18 On 9/12/2025 at 8:36 PM, BigDHornfan said: So many more bottles that are better, cheaper, and a hell of a lot easier to find. name a few. i probably wont argue, but back in the day blantons was the goat of every day drinkers/always on the shelf. there are about 50 unicorns i'd rather have than blantons, but i cant think of a bottle on the shelf every day today that i'd rather have. as far as trade bait goes, that must mean people have stockpiled, because it's still pretty sought after.
September 18Sep 18 41 minutes ago, thrillhammer said: name a few. i probably wont argue, but back in the day blantons was the goat of every day drinkers/always on the shelf. there are about 50 unicorns i'd rather have than blantons, but i cant think of a bottle on the shelf every day today that i'd rather have. as far as trade bait goes, that must mean people have stockpiled, because it's still pretty sought after. It sits quite a bit here in DFW. But over Blanton's, I would choose Jack Daniels Barrel Proof Single Barrel's Russell's Reserve Single Barrel Knob Creek SiB's Four Roses Barrel Strength
September 18Sep 18 Blanton’s has never been a GOAT. It used to sit and collect dust at $46 ten years ago.
September 18Sep 18 I could blind half the ones listed above with unicorns and I’d bet most would choose the shelf turds.
September 18Sep 18 20 minutes ago, Herbie Hancock said: Blanton’s has never been a GOAT. It used to sit and collect dust at $46 ten years ago. everything sat and collected dust 10 years ago.
September 18Sep 18 29 minutes ago, BigDHornfan said: It sits quite a bit here in DFW. But over Blanton's, I would choose Jack Daniels Barrel Proof Single Barrel's Russell's Reserve Single Barrel Knob Creek SiB's Four Roses Barrel Strength makers mark puts out quality product that i like over four roses but otherwise cant argue with that list.
September 19Sep 19 On 9/17/2025 at 5:09 PM, Pablo said: Saw about 12 EHT Small Batches at Total Wine by Lakeline Mall on Saturday. Very weird to see that many sitting out available for purchase. I didn't purchase. I am enjoying the WT101 8 year a lot right now and starting to see it on the shelf a lot more lately. Did anyone get the Old Fitz 7 release earlier this summer? I wanted to snag one but wasn't that lucky. I never saw Old Fitz 7 in the wild. Not even a close call. It was weird.
September 19Sep 19 I like and agree with Big D’s list. I’d be picky with the JD picks. I think they’ve taken a small step back in quality. I’d probably wait until you hear about a really good store pick. On Four Roses, I’d read the recipes before you buy. Some are floral, some are fruit forward, just buy based on your preference. The proofs and age are all within close range of each other. I’m going to have to rethink my Blanton’s policy. They’re so readily available now that they no longer work as gifts. It’s a good bourbon that is priced about $50 too high.
September 19Sep 19 5 hours ago, billfromlaketravis said: I like and agree with Big D’s list. I’d be picky with the JD picks. I think they’ve taken a small step back in quality. I’d probably wait until you hear about a really good store pick. On Four Roses, I’d read the recipes before you buy. Some are floral, some are fruit forward, just buy based on your preference. The proofs and age are all within close range of each other. I’m going to have to rethink my Blanton’s policy. They’re so readily available now that they no longer work as gifts. It’s a good bourbon that is priced about $50 too high. My club does at least 1 JD BP pick a year, and we alternate between Rye and TN whiskey. I get a case every time and don't have to worry about it.
September 19Sep 19 On 9/17/2025 at 4:29 PM, SydneyCarton said: Public service announcement to Houston Folks, like @billfromlaketravis, the Total Wine near the Heights has Weller Special reserve in stock. Some 750's and a few 1.5s. They're limiting it to one per customer, so I picked up a handle. I know it's not particularly special, but it also just isn't around a lot. I haven't seen it in 6 months or so at that Total Wine. Showed up in my independent joint in Dallas right before Labor Day. Scored a few handles for myself to get me through Fall. Hard to come by in Dallas, and I'm still not coming to terms with that.
September 19Sep 19 2 minutes ago, After irth said: Showed up in my independent joint in Dallas right before Labor Day. Scored a few handles for myself to get me through Fall. Hard to come by in Dallas, and I'm still not coming to terms with that. So odd their distribution. It’s readily available in all my Houston stops.
September 19Sep 19 7 minutes ago, Bert Orange said: So odd their distribution. It’s readily available in all my Houston stops. During my 6 year purgatory in Lufkin, I could easily score Weller (almost) year-round in Nacogdoches. Got spoiled with that. You can find Weller SR and Weller 12 in just about any bar in Dallas, and then a smattering of the other labels off-and-on. They never seem to be on a retail shelf, though. My current favorite go-to move when I'm fucking off in the afternoon, however, is to go sit at Reno's Chop Shop in Deep Ellum and sip cheap pours of Weller 12 (served in a plastic cup) while rocking out and debating playlists with the bartender. I also have one VERY unexpected place where I spied a brand new bottle of William Larue Weller sitting in a corner, and they charge me $50 for a generous pour. I have slowly been killing that bottle. Not sure how/why they have it, but I've been taking advantage of that shit. Dammit...now I want a Weller...!
September 19Sep 19 30 minutes ago, Bert Orange said: So odd their distribution. It’s readily available in all my Houston stops. It's been off the shelf at my total wine for half a year before this.
September 19Sep 19 I never saw Old Fitz 7 in the wild. Not even a close call. It was weird. I finally got to try it at the bar last night… was honestly very impressed. A TON of character for a 7YO and honestly my favorite Fitz pour in a while. Liked it more than the 15… a lot more. If there’s any left when I go back next week I’ll drink the rest of it.
September 20Sep 20 19 minutes ago, Party_Taco said: I finally got to try it at the bar last night… was honestly very impressed. A TON of character for a 7YO and honestly my favorite Fitz pour in a while. Liked it more than the 15… a lot more. If there’s any left when I go back next week I’ll drink the rest of it. Heaven Hill has no idea where the wheater sweet spot is and it's probably costing them millions. If they could dial it in like BT they could take a nice bite of their market share.
September 20Sep 20 12 hours ago, billfromlaketravis said: Heaven Hill has no idea where the wheater sweet spot is and it's probably costing them millions. If they could dial it in like BT they could take a nice bite of their market share. Ironic to say this of the original wheated bourbon. How can you fuck up what Pappy made perfect?
September 20Sep 20 PSA, Twin in Tarrytown had a few of each this morning. I heard the new Specs on 35th had Weller12 and Blanton as well.
September 20Sep 20 Happy for you… it’s just impossible for me to get excited about those bottles anymore, especially with current prices.
September 20Sep 20 26 minutes ago, Party_Taco said: Happy for you… it’s just impossible for me to get excited about those bottles anymore, especially with current prices. Now SFTB for $95? All day.
September 20Sep 20 Now SFTB for $95? All day. That is obviously a different story… I’ll take two!In other news, u revisited Widow Jane 13 last night and that bottle still fucks. Really smooth juice.
September 23Sep 23 Anybody swing by the Spec’s on 35th in Austin? Based on the Reelz, that has to be the nicest Spec’s in Texas. Im Edited September 23Sep 23 by billfromlaketravis
September 23Sep 23 On 9/20/2025 at 4:43 PM, Party_Taco said: That is obviously a different story… I’ll take two! In other news, u revisited Widow Jane 13 last night and that bottle still fucks. Really smooth juice. There's some at my total wine and more. I assume they're generally speaking nice but not too hard to find? I mean it's $120, that isn't nothin'.
September 23Sep 23 On 9/20/2025 at 4:43 PM, Party_Taco said: That is obviously a different story… I’ll take two! In other news, u revisited Widow Jane 13 last night and that bottle still fucks. Really smooth juice. You better get this one right, but word of mouth reviews in this thread are far more reliable than Reddit reviews. I’ll give it a shot.
September 23Sep 23 I have bought 2 EHT SB since they started showing back up and I just don't enjoy it. There is a reason I used to scoff at it when SiB was readily available. Oh well, more for you guys.
September 23Sep 23 I couldn’t do on the Widow Jane 13. I read the small print, distilled in KY, IN and TN. To my knowledge Jack doesn’t contract distilled for anybody, so I assume it’s Dickel. No thanks. Picked up a Baker’s 13 instead.
September 24Sep 24 I couldn’t do on the Widow Jane 13. I read the small print, distilled in KY, IN and TN. To my knowledge Jack doesn’t contract distilled for anybody, so I assume it’s Dickel. No thanks. Picked up a Baker’s 13 instead. Eh, I hate Dickel and can smell/taste it from a mile away… don’t pick up any of those notes in this bottle, but I respect the line drawn… Dickel is drain pour material.
September 24Sep 24 10 hours ago, Party_Taco said: Eh, I hate Dickel and can smell/taste it from a mile away… don’t pick up any of those notes in this bottle, but I respect the line drawn… Dickel is drain pour material. The old 13s were pure MGP. Single barrel 13s are still MGP. But agree on everything g you just said. I don’t get much of any dickel. Must be the smallest percentage of the blend.
September 24Sep 24 I’d rate WJ lucky 13 around a 6.5-7. Worth a try. Just can’t get over the price tag.
September 26Sep 26 Is the Bardstown/Goose Island collaboration worth a spin? It’s staring at me because I like Goose Island when it comes out and have never had a Bardstown collab.
September 27Sep 27 Less than $70. 8 years. Small batch. Double oak. Proof point was in my wheelhouse. The 7 year right next to it was only 5 dollars cheaper. And it didn’t have the nifty packaging. Add in that I had never seen it before (or really ever noticed it) and @billfromlaketravis mentioned it…..I took a chance. This is one of the bottles you see on the shelf, know it’s a solid choice, and buy for a buddies birthday or something. He sees it in a “fancy” box and has never heard of it and thinks you gave him a unique bottle. It’s a good quaff. Doesn’t disappoint and is priced appropriately IMO.
September 27Sep 27 11 minutes ago, Txslnghrns said: Less than $70. 8 years. Small batch. Double oak. Proof point was in my wheelhouse. The 7 year right next to it was only 5 dollars cheaper. And it didn’t have the nifty packaging. Add in that I had never seen it before (or really ever noticed it) and @billfromlaketravis mentioned it…..I took a chance. This is one of the bottles you see on the shelf, know it’s a solid choice, and buy for a buddies birthday or something. He sees it in a “fancy” box and has never heard of it and thinks you gave him a unique bottle. It’s a good quaff. Doesn’t disappoint and is priced appropriately IMO. I liked the wheated more, but the double oak was good. Glad to see them branching out.
September 27Sep 27 I liked the wheated more, but the double oak was good. Glad to see them branching out. I liked the wheated more, but the double oak was good. Glad to see them branching out. Will have to try that one as well. I think I fell for the price based on age statement and proof. About to sip on this now. This was just a random bottle I saw on the shelf. Finished in Colorado. Don’t know much about it but the blue corn intrigues. I assume it’ll be ethanol heavy. I’ve let it breathe for about 15 minutes so here we go…
September 28Sep 28 Headed to Louisville this week for an industry conference. Tour of the Old Forester facility in downtown Louisville for Wednesday afternoon. Would love to score the 1924.
October 2Oct 2 8 minutes ago, BigDHornfan said: all those fucking idiots that paid 150 on secondary. lulz Smirnoff (my Houston guys will know who I’m talking about) said I could buy 3. I could have probably grabbed a case, but if you respect the store, they’ll respect you. Hopefully.
October 2Oct 2 13 minutes ago, huge said: Would you pay $150 for Michters BP rye? Or Bombergers? yes. that's pretty close to retail on the MBSR and not too much over on the Bombergers unfortunately
October 2Oct 2 Thats what I thought. You can get both right now for $150 each at Blackwells. $300 gets free shipping.
October 3Oct 3 12 hours ago, huge said: Thats what I thought. You can get both right now for $150 each at Blackwells. $300 gets free shipping. You’re a saint huge. Thanks.
October 4Oct 4 On 10/2/2025 at 3:51 PM, huge said: Thats what I thought. You can get both right now for $150 each at Blackwells. $300 gets free shipping. Blackwell’s ain’t messing around. Bomberger’s Michter’s BP Rye will get here Tuesday. 3 day shipping from San Francisco to Houston ain’t bad. This will be my first bottle of Bomberger’s. Looking forward to it.
October 5Oct 5 I’ve got a few michters bpr. I see shenks on there too for 150. Shenks + bombergers for 300 a good deal?
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