I’ve got 5 bottles lined up for our next blind tasting (14, 25, 22C, 23 A and B iirc). Just too much of a hassle to chase now that they’re hitting three releases a year.
Picked up a Michters 10 Bourbon this week and am now regretting that I skipped 22 and 23 on the vert. Might have to trade for them now to get the streak back.
Nice
That B520 I remember being fantastic
I know you have all heard this story before
A quick story. I had a former co-worker who was “a friend or family member” of an employee of a new Costco opening in San Jose and was invited to a preview night to see the layout of the store ad the products on offer. He spotted the whole Van Winkle lineup in a display case and asked and asked if he could reserve one. Nope but he could show up at 4AM and get a ticket to by the one of each they had. Goes at 2AM and two people were in line. At 4AM a manager came out and gave the first six people in line a ticket to buy one of the bottles (15yo for him) and to return when the store opened to pickup their bottle. Some how the bottles “vanished” when being transported from the display case to the secure room and when he went was told the bad news. They took down his info and told him they would do their best to make him whole. Two months later he received a call from the store manager that they couldn’t get the 15yo but had a bottle of the Old Rip Van Winkle for him. Of course he jumped on it.
FWIW when I worked for Liquor Barn in the 1980’s while going to college the Van Winkle lineup were shelf turds and we could always replace a bottle when we sold one.
Stories on our local news about the Pleasanton store, which is just over the hill from me.
B520 was a wrecking ball on the C923.
@Alan_Rath - what’s up with the Pleasanton store? Brother is in town from Walnut Creek.
Grand opening of new store. The rush is over, happened this morning from what I can tell. Not something I was interested in doing lol. I’ve heard they can bring in some nicer wines on opening, especially in a more affluent area like that, so might be some interesting stuff. San Ramon and Livermore are known to get the best wine selections around the Bay Area, so wouldn’t be a surprise to see some interesting stuff at Pleasanton right now. I’ll bet it’s a zoo, though, particularly day before Tday.
Love these! My last purchased was 3x cases in 2013 at $35/btl from Jason at Bottle Barn. On a cellar rat’s pay that was ALOT of money. I gave almost a third away and drunk the rest (before the major price creep). I’m nursing the last opened bottle. When was the last time anyone saw these in the market?
I’ve grown to really love the KC 12 year old. I find it regularly for $60 and think it’s a good value for what it is. It’s relatively hard to find, especially at $60, so I always grab a couple when I see it at that price.
The KC 9 year 100 proof is my daily drinker. It’s very consistent. Can find the 1.75 for about $62, which is under $27 for a 750. This has been my go-to bourbon since it came out in 1992.
I’m also a big fan of the 9 year 120 proof, which is also a great value. I feel like I can drink this whenever I want a barrel proof, over say a ECBP, since I can replace at any time. It is crazy how readily available this is.
I’m lucky that my buddy buys the 18 year old whenever he see’s it and pours it often when I’m over. Excellent, but it’s too steep for me to buy when I consider it’s 3x the 12 year price.
