How's y'all's allocated liquor hunt going this year...? (Page 2 of 3)
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I've made countless trips into liquor stores over the past two years, with bourbon being a priority for at least six months. I got an "under the counter" Buffalo Trace for a little above MSRP, near my home. I saw an end-cap of Buffalo Trace in Texas, for $24.99. Grabbed one. I stumbled on a 375 ml Eagle Rare in Texas, for $27.99. Grabbed it. I've seen Weller Antique 107 three times, all at the same store, for $199, $199 and $149. I didn't buy one. I saw a few bottles of Blanton's in Vegas. The clerk said they were either $129 or $109. I didn't buy one. Had we been driving, I might have picked one up if it was $109, just because I've never seen it in a store and would like to have one. I haven't hunted any non Buffalo Trace products and have branched out more into craft whiskey. I still want to find a Weller Antique, since so many people praise it and I've never tried it. |
Pour over coffee is best coffee.
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I pretty much don’t hunt any more. There is a bottle of Stranahan’s I’ll snag when it releases and if I’m near a store with free time, I’ll pop in and check it out. Snagged this in Wisconsin a couple weeks ago Attached File fantastic store pick Locally, I found this at one of the stores today. Didn’t pick it up  Attached File Same store had Blanton’s for $90, cases of BT at $25 a piece, ER at $45, and EH Taylor SB at $70. Didn’t snag any of it. The bookers was $90 but that’s about standard here |
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Originally Posted By Kiltakaze: I pretty much don't hunt any more. There is a bottle of Stranahan's I'll snag when it releases and if I'm near a store with free time, I'll pop in and check it out. Snagged this in Wisconsin a couple weeks ago https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/293626/IMG_4938_jpeg-3548651.JPG fantastic store pick Locally, I found this at one of the stores today. Didn't pick it up https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/293626/IMG_5028_jpeg-3548652.JPG Same store had Blanton's for $90, cases of BT at $25 a piece, ER at $45, and EH Taylor SB at $70. Didn't snag any of it. The bookers was $90 but that's about standard here |
Pour over coffee is best coffee.
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Originally Posted By corwin1968: I need to try some of the higher level Jack Daniel's. I constantly hear how good it is, but in my mind, Jack Daniels (and Jim Beam) are in the same category as Busch Light or any other beer of that category. That crap that everyone who was under-age drank, because it was cheap and what they could get. Seriously colors my thinking about JD, probably to my detriment. I was the same way about Jack Daniel's, but the Single Barrel Barrel Proof products are really outstanding. Especially the rye. If you can find one for under $75 I'd highly recommend picking one up. |
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Originally Posted By corwin1968: I need to try some of the higher level Jack Daniel's. I constantly hear how good it is, but in my mind, Jack Daniels (and Jim Beam) are in the same category as Busch Light or any other beer of that category. That crap that everyone who was under-age drank, because it was cheap and what they could get. Seriously colors my thinking about JD, probably to my detriment. Originally Posted By corwin1968: Originally Posted By Kiltakaze: I pretty much don't hunt any more. There is a bottle of Stranahan's I'll snag when it releases and if I'm near a store with free time, I'll pop in and check it out. Snagged this in Wisconsin a couple weeks ago https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/293626/IMG_4938_jpeg-3548651.JPG fantastic store pick Locally, I found this at one of the stores today. Didn't pick it up https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/293626/IMG_5028_jpeg-3548652.JPG Same store had Blanton's for $90, cases of BT at $25 a piece, ER at $45, and EH Taylor SB at $70. Didn't snag any of it. The bookers was $90 but that's about standard here High end on both of those is great. You’ve probably had high end Jim Beam and didn’t know it. Knob Creek, Bakers 7, Bookers, Little Book, are all Beam. Upper end JD is some of the best available juice on the market right now |
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Originally Posted By Kiltakaze: High end on both of those is great. You've probably had high end Jim Beam and didn't know it. Knob Creek, Bakers 7, Bookers, Little Book, are all Beam. Upper end JD is some of the best available juice on the market right now I also wasn't a fan of Wild Turkey 101 or Russell's 10. I gave the Russell's away. |
Pour over coffee is best coffee.
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Originally Posted By corwin1968: I wasn't a fan of Knob Creek 9 but I haven't had any of the others. I also wasn't a fan of Wild Turkey 101 or Russell's 10. I gave the Russell's away. Originally Posted By corwin1968: Originally Posted By Kiltakaze: High end on both of those is great. You've probably had high end Jim Beam and didn't know it. Knob Creek, Bakers 7, Bookers, Little Book, are all Beam. Upper end JD is some of the best available juice on the market right now I also wasn't a fan of Wild Turkey 101 or Russell's 10. I gave the Russell's away. Apparently you’re just broken
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| Raining cats and dogs here in Virginia…middle of the week…decided on a whim to stop into my local VA ABC….shock of my life…was looking for Buffalo Trace…but sitting together, a pair of Blanton’s!!! Limit one per day….$85 with the tax out the door! |
VCDL
VFW Gold Legacy
2ID Life, 17INF Life, Blackhorse Life
VFW Gold Legacy
2ID Life, 17INF Life, Blackhorse Life
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Originally Posted By bundeswehrvet: Raining cats and dogs here in Virginia middle of the week decided on a whim to stop into my local VA ABC .shock of my life was looking for Buffalo Trace but sitting together, a pair of Blanton's!!! Limit one per day .$85 with the tax out the door! |
Pour over coffee is best coffee.
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Originally Posted By bondservant2: I’m seeing Blanton’s, Eagle Rare and EH Taylor small batch pretty regularly on the shelf around here. Care to share where "here" actually is? I've only ever seen EHT on the shelf once in 4 years in Oklahoma. It was $150+. Have seen Blanton's a few times, recently saw it for $119 (and finally pulled the trigger). Previously it's been $129 on up to $199. I've seen Eagle Rare but I wasn't going to drop $99 for it. Cheapest I've seen it as well, but I can't bring myself to drop that kind of money on it. |
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Originally Posted By DD1801: Care to share where "here" actually is? I've only ever seen EHT on the shelf once in 4 years in Oklahoma. It was $150+. Have seen Blanton's a few times, recently saw it for $119 (and finally pulled the trigger). Previously it's been $129 on up to $199. I've seen Eagle Rare but I wasn't going to drop $99 for it. Cheapest I've seen it as well, but I can't bring myself to drop that kind of money on it. |
Pour over coffee is best coffee.
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Originally Posted By corwin1968: Do you mind sharing where you've seen blanton's? OKC Metro, south side (Moore) Vava liquor on SE 89th and Sooner has one for $199 right now I bet. I think I’ve seen it at Moore Liquor Warehouse at S Eastern and 4th in Moore, for about $129 And I found that bottle for $119 at Bootlegger in Moore at S Eastern and 12th. And its been a few months, but I did see one at the liquor store at Penn and 89th, by a CVS/Walgreens. |
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Originally Posted By DD1801: OKC Metro, south side (Moore) Vava liquor on SE 89th and Sooner has one for $199 right now I bet. I think I've seen it at Moore Liquor Warehouse at S Eastern and 4th in Moore, for about $129 And I found that bottle for $119 at Bootlegger in Moore at S Eastern and 12th. And its been a few months, but I did see one at the liquor store at Penn and 89th, by a CVS/Walgreens. |
Pour over coffee is best coffee.
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I’m partial to Tennessee Whiskey…My team got me these for retirement. Attached File |
Wild Man of East TN
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Originally Posted By corwin1968: I need to try some of the higher level Jack Daniel's. I constantly hear how good it is, but in my mind, Jack Daniels (and Jim Beam) are in the same category as Busch Light or any other beer of that category. That crap that everyone who was under-age drank, because it was cheap and what they could get. Seriously colors my thinking about JD, probably to my detriment. I HATED Jack, due to no 7 being my exclusive experience with "Whiskey" until I was late in life. I even tried a few of their single barrel offerings and was still " meh". I picked a bottle of this up on clearance at a Walmart for $30, and instantly regretted not clearing the shelf. Wow. It's an entirely different level from any other JD bottle I've had, including the Sinatra. 
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Alabama: That the great, general and essential principles of liberty and free government may be recognized and established, we declare....That every citizen has a right to bear arms in defense of himself and the state. (Art. I, § 26)
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Originally Posted By corwin1968: I wasn't a fan of Knob Creek 9 but I haven't had any of the others. I also wasn't a fan of Wild Turkey 101 or Russell's 10. I gave the Russell's away. Same here, I just can't get into the entry level KC. That said if this and kc 12 are on my short list I'll actually buy these days. 
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Alabama: That the great, general and essential principles of liberty and free government may be recognized and established, we declare....That every citizen has a right to bear arms in defense of himself and the state. (Art. I, § 26)
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I finally picked up a couple of allocated bottles while on vacation. The Blanton's and the John J. Bowman were both in a locked case in Grand Junction, CO. They had more of each and also some EHT, but I didn't look closely to see which one since I have no experience or knowledge of that line. I've wanted a Blanton's and very recently added the JJ Bowman to my list. I've been hearing about the higher level JD stuff and found this in a store in Utah. I wasn't sure if it was one that is rare or not and I was half-way thru our trip and still hadn't bought any whiskey, so I grabbed it. The Frey Ranch Bourbon was also found in Grand Junction, but in a different store. The Frey Ranch 100% Wheat was waiting at UPS when we returned. Within an hour of getting home, I took a small taste of each but have only had a full pour from the John J. Bowman and the Blanton's. The John J. Bowman was freaking amazing! As good a bourbon as I've had and very similar to my Frey Ranch Single Barrel Bourbon. The Blanton's was mediocre, an opinion that a lot of people seem to share. No regrets buying it though, because I would have always wondered. Now I've scratched that itch. I'm very close to accumulating enough points to buy a bottle of Weller Antique 107. After that my active allocated bottle hunting is done. I'm focused more on craft/non-Kentucky Bourbon. Attached File |
Pour over coffee is best coffee.
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Originally Posted By corwin1968: I finally picked up a couple of allocated bottles while on vacation. The Blanton's and the John J. Bowman were both in a locked case in Grand Junction, CO. They had more of each and also some EHT, but I didn't look closely to see which one since I have no experience or knowledge of that line. I've wanted a Blanton's and very recently added the JJ Bowman to my list. I've been hearing about the higher level JD stuff and found this in a store in Utah. I wasn't sure if it was one that is rare or not and I was half-way thru our trip and still hadn't bought any whiskey, so I grabbed it. The Frey Ranch Bourbon was also found in Grand Junction, but in a different store. The Frey Ranch 100% Wheat was waiting at UPS when we returned. Within an hour of getting home, I took a small taste of each but have only had a full pour from the John J. Bowman and the Blanton's. The John J. Bowman was freaking amazing! As good a bourbon as I've had and very similar to my Frey Ranch Single Barrel Bourbon. The Blanton's was mediocre, an opinion that a lot of people seem to share. No regrets buying it though, because I would have always wondered. Now I've scratched that itch. I'm very close to accumulating enough points to buy a bottle of Weller Antique 107. After that my active allocated bottle hunting is done. I'm focused more on craft/non-Kentucky Bourbon. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/42575/20250703_115825_jpg-3581911.JPG Nice! I will say, I finally picked up a Blanton’s recently. The first pour or two were ok. But after those pours it was absolutely fabulous. |
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Originally Posted By DD1801: Nice! I will say, I finally picked up a Blanton's recently. The first pour or two were ok. But after those pours it was absolutely fabulous. Originally Posted By DD1801: Originally Posted By corwin1968: I finally picked up a couple of allocated bottles while on vacation. The Blanton's and the John J. Bowman were both in a locked case in Grand Junction, CO. They had more of each and also some EHT, but I didn't look closely to see which one since I have no experience or knowledge of that line. I've wanted a Blanton's and very recently added the JJ Bowman to my list. I've been hearing about the higher level JD stuff and found this in a store in Utah. I wasn't sure if it was one that is rare or not and I was half-way thru our trip and still hadn't bought any whiskey, so I grabbed it. The Frey Ranch Bourbon was also found in Grand Junction, but in a different store. The Frey Ranch 100% Wheat was waiting at UPS when we returned. Within an hour of getting home, I took a small taste of each but have only had a full pour from the John J. Bowman and the Blanton's. The John J. Bowman was freaking amazing! As good a bourbon as I've had and very similar to my Frey Ranch Single Barrel Bourbon. The Blanton's was mediocre, an opinion that a lot of people seem to share. No regrets buying it though, because I would have always wondered. Now I've scratched that itch. I'm very close to accumulating enough points to buy a bottle of Weller Antique 107. After that my active allocated bottle hunting is done. I'm focused more on craft/non-Kentucky Bourbon. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/42575/20250703_115825_jpg-3581911.JPG Nice! I will say, I finally picked up a Blanton's recently. The first pour or two were ok. But after those pours it was absolutely fabulous. |
Pour over coffee is best coffee.
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Originally Posted By smokie: A few that I snagged this week. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/148098/IMG_1276-3673014.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/148098/IMG_1279-3673280.jpg Nice.... I've had a pretty good week so far myself. Purchased (2) of the Jack Daniel's Tanyard Hill Rye, a TH Handy rye and just got word I won a WL Weller in a lottery which I can pick up next week. All at MSRP. Hoping for big things tomorrow at an in-store raffle. |
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Headed to Distillery 291 in Colorado Springs to tour their facility. Will get some goodies. They have damn good juice. I was also able to snag this recently Attached File |
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Originally Posted By Kiltakaze: Headed to Distillery 291 in Colorado Springs to tour their facility. Will get some goodies. They have damn good juice. I was also able to snag this recently https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/293626/IMG_5910_jpeg-3674307.JPG Snagged this just now, and another single barrel weller.  |
24/365's skidmark
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Originally Posted By smokie: Tried the EHT barrel proof recently, it's delicious, great score! Snagged this just now, and another single barrel weller. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/148098/image000000-3674799.jpg Dang Sir..! Those are some mighty fine bottles. |
I no longer chase allocated stuff. Im in 4 clubs and we mainly do barrel picks which are way better. Having said that, my local guy calls me often.  
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"Some people have issues. Sounds like he signed up for an entire subscription." ~Brohawk
Proud member of Team Ranstad.
Arfcom St Jude Mafia 3 years
Arfcom callsign: trenchfoot
Proud member of Team Ranstad.
Arfcom St Jude Mafia 3 years
Arfcom callsign: trenchfoot
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Got a Distillery 291 tour yesterday from the master distiller himself. LOTS of tastings were had and I walked out with a bottle of their XIV anniversary whiskey. It’s absolutely killer. Attached File |
The local store had another “allocated drawing" today with a nice sampling of BT products. I watched as a PVW 12 and 10, then a Weller CYPB got drawn in front of me.  All I got was a pair of Old Forester Extra Old 117. 
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Steve Rose - RAS
"Let your gun therefore be the constant companion of your walks"
Thomas Jefferson - 1785
"Let your gun therefore be the constant companion of your walks"
Thomas Jefferson - 1785
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So....the State had their annual BTAC and Van Winkle Collection lottery 2-weeks ago. A Convenience Store chain took the Lions share of the bottles. Some of these stores are small hole-in-the-wall spots that have ZERO clue as to what they received (think a really small gas station getiing an Eagle Rare 17 or Pappy 20/yr). They didn't know what hit them when the distribution list got published and they started getting flooded with phone calls. Add to that their District Managers (also clueless) decided their own rules own how - and who - to sell to. Some are doing raffles others played some stupid games... ALL were held in contempt by the ACTUAL liquor stores and grocers who got virtually nothing. It's been a bit of a mess, but I put my nose to the ground and was able to grab a few bottles. W.L. Weller, T.H. Handy and I even got a Lot B 12-year - my first Pappy ever. Going to continue trying to chase down a few more, but the word is out and pickings are scarce. I actually had a GREAT month in December and got some of the most sought-after (well known) bottles that came around. And all at, or near SRP. I finally even got a Jack Daniel's 14-year just today, though that one I paid pretty strong for. |
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Since my last acquisition post, I've bought a lot of bottles but the only allocated ones were E.H. Taylor Small Batch and Weller Antique 107. I've also discovered some amazing bourbons that were mentioned to me earlier in this thread, and that I like more than most of the allocated stuff I have. Wild Turkey Rare Breed and Baker's 7 are my top two right now. Widow Jane 10 and Peerless straight bourbon are up there, as well.  I like that Baker's 7 barrel so much, I bought two more bottles from the same barrel and know where about a half a dozen more are for sale. Attached File |
Pour over coffee is best coffee.
Opportunity knocked but I was in the shower.
Joined:
Jun 2010
Posts:
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EE: 100% (140)
OK, USA
| So far just some OWA 107 and ER. I am a TW Grand Reserve member so I'm in a drawing for my choice of a Weller CYPB, SiB, ELT or RR15. |
Proud supporter of Team Ranstad
Tennessee Squire and Maker's Mark Ambassador
"Every time a Garand ejects its clip an angel gets its wings." RIP, I-M-A-WMD
Tennessee Squire and Maker's Mark Ambassador
"Every time a Garand ejects its clip an angel gets its wings." RIP, I-M-A-WMD
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Last raffle of the 2025 allocations was held today at a local chain grocer. Long story, but it took the store this long to get it together to raffle items they've been saving bottles since September, so all 2025 releases. I decided to go last minute and got drawn 2nd ticket. Grabbed the one bottle of JD tanyard hill rye @141.6 proof. Wife got a decent draw and grabbed a bottle of EH Taylor barrel proof. It was a good day. |
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No allocated yet. Last year increase sweet stuff, once I found what day of the week my total wine out their allocated stuff out and figured out the best time to go was between 9:30 to 10:30. It would all be fine by noon. But be Bourbon that started trying this year is The Old Forester row and the Statesmen. Each bottle from the row is a formulation from over the years. I have it all and it’s doing. To be by GO TO for awhile |
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Originally Posted By Kiltakaze: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/293626/IMG_6114_jpeg-3712652.JPG Nice price on that Hennessey...... That appears to be a bit below current msrp...... |
Alabama: That the great, general and essential principles of liberty and free government may be recognized and established, we declare....That every citizen has a right to bear arms in defense of himself and the state. (Art. I, § 26)
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Originally Posted By justsayin: Nice price on that Hennessey...... That appears to be a bit below current msrp...... Originally Posted By justsayin: Originally Posted By Kiltakaze: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/293626/IMG_6114_jpeg-3712652.JPG Nice price on that Hennessey...... That appears to be a bit below current msrp...... I don’t need another bottle so I left it, my father in law was there shortly after me and bought the lot. |
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I got another allocated bottle last week. I had accumulated enough points for a Weller Antique but they never had it, so I decided use them for something else: Attached File So far, it's underwhelming. I'll let it age for a bit but I think it's just not to my taste. |
Pour over coffee is best coffee.
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Originally Posted By corwin1968: I got another allocated bottle last week. I had accumulated enough points for a Weller Antique but they never had it, so I decided use them for something else: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/42575/049_Old_Forester_1924_02_07_2026_jpg-3713268.JPG So far, it's underwhelming. I'll let it age for a bit but I think it's just not to my taste. That is a Shame.......................... Hopefully you didn't pay too much for it. |
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Originally Posted By Sgt6402hpd68: That is a Shame.......................... Hopefully you didn't pay too much for it. I overpaid for my bottle of Antique 107. The fact that it was a charity auction for a population my wife and I work with, made it easier to pull the trigger. |
Pour over coffee is best coffee.