Holy crap, Blanton pops up near me and it’s $99 for the 750 and $49 for the 375. Store owner claims he only could get 1 case of each. He only has 1 Blanton 750 left and 6 of the 375. Still can’t find a replenishment bottle of Eagle Rare 17 YO for my bar anywhere. 
The 2016 Pappy offering was emailed out today and was extended to Grand Reserve members for the Norwalk, CT Total Wine location and was valid on a first-come, first-served basis where one is allowed to purchase up to TWO bottles (if available). ONE of the Pappy Van Winkle 15 (@ $150), 20 (@ $220), or 23 year (@ $420), and ONE of the Rip Van Winkle 10, 12 (@ $100), or Rye (none available in CT this year). If the store is sold out of the 15, 20, or 23 year or if you prefer, you can purchase TWO bottles of the 10, 12, or Rye (if available). I was the second person in line and ended up with my choice 
A few years back a really nice board member shared a tasting line-up of PVW 15, 20, 23, and a Jefferson Reserve 21. My preference was the Jefferson Reserve first, and the Pappy 20 second.
Scott, I think the Eagle Rare 17 was about the best Bourbon I ever owned and I nursed my one bottle for two years.
I’d be happy to find some Weller 12 yr these days, but I get by on Basil Hayden, Eagle Rare 10, Blantons, and Four Roses Small Batch - all of which I can usually find easily at decent prices,
Lucky! I was only able to come out with a 10 and 15 year 
I’ve been driving to my local Total Wine store every morning for the last 2 weeks before store opening. I did the same today but left a little early and didnt check my email till 3 hours later and saw that the email had come. bummer
How does one become a Grand Reserve member at Total Wine?
Gotta sign up and started spending some money there. They track it with points. Basically close to $2k a year there to get to that level if I recall correctly.
For some reason they don’t do that program in Missouri. They told me it is illegal; I am fairly certain that it is not. It’s okay as Total is not as good of a store as Wine and Cheese locally and Randalls is probably better as well, but getting a Pappy or BTAC allocation would be nice.
So I apparently had the account set up but rarely tell them my number at checkout. Even then, I don’t think I get close to $2,500 (if I was offered cult Bourbon it would definitely get there).
Getting offered the Pappy is almost worth it in itself in my opinion. I’m actually hoping they create another tier above the grand reserve level. I should have used another phone number and email to create a second account as I would have two grand reserve statuses by now and twice as much pappy haha
Yeh, I got offered the Pappy at Total Wine also. The email came at 1:00pm and I went there are 4:00pm and it was long gone. Next time I will just tell me boss to go jump in a lake, and leave work. 
I agree with this. The last two years have been very good and have been a bit of a change up from 3-5 back, where I thought it was overly harsh and didn’t taste like it had been a barrel.for 10 years. At $100/bottle, it’s a spectacular gift… feel free to add me to your Christmas list 
My current options are limited to Bulleit at 28 euros or paying 1.5x at a specialty shop (I.e. Buffalo Trace at 36 euros is entry level).
Not sure if many are aware, but I have been told that Booker Bourbon is now going to be a normal retail of approx $100.00 from $60.00 starting Jan 1. Now, I’m no bourbon guy but, that seems a bit steep. Anybody else starting to hear this? That is a huge price jump. Was it worth the $60? How about now at $100?
I thought the bourbon shortage was starting to ease. Was told that this drastic price increase was due to a shortage of aged barrels. Not sure I believe this.
That’s correct, it is going up to $100 suggested retail. No, it’s not worth it. $50-$60 is about right on today’s market, but they’re probably hoping others follow them. And they can always push other brands at lower price points.
Those are always on the shelf and seems to last all year.
Wow I had no idea, Ill need to pick up a bottle this week. How is the bookers? I’ve seen it recently at costco in the mid 50’s I believe.
Yes, I need to go get another bottle. I like Booker quite a bit at $55, not going to consider it again at $100.
So, I guess I will find out tomorrow if I got a bottle of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection from Total Wine. The email to Grand Reserve members said “First Come First Served” and I clicked the link and reserved within about 5 seconds of getting the email. I can’t imagine anyone did it faster…I happened to be online when it came though.
wow, are prices going up! Just got an ad for the regular Blanton’s at $90.
Yeah that’s a crazy jump in price coming for Bookers. The bottles around here have been creeping down in age as well over the last couple of years. Many barrels were close to 8 yr old but now its almost all low 6 yr aging on the new stuff.
All that talk about Bookers price increase on some forums are pretty funny. Interesting that you guys here are not saying “boycott” Beam products. Now, in other news, I visited a liquor store today that already wants $100 for Bookers and $599.99 for Bookers Rye! $700. for William Larue Weller, $150 for Elmers T, $259 for Woodford Reserve. He has Pappy and the price is full on retarded which is not even worth mentioning.