New Bourbon Thread: Bourbon Trail

Discussion in 'The Mainboard' started by tjsblue, Dec 2, 2019.

  1. tjsblue

    tjsblue I was right at the time
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    Welcome

    Please find below some helpful information.

    Bourbon Trail Information:

    One Man's Experience - Bishop
    I recommend doing this in a party of no more then 4. Visiting the distillers is more about seeing the history of these places and purchasing a hard to find pour or two not getting drunk. Save that for Dinner and the Bars. Nothing is more annoying then the "Bro" who just wants to get to the tasting. You will likely experience these guys coming off the Bus Tours.

    Louisville


    Peerless
    Tour 4/5 Great Micro Distillery Tour. Good first stop out of Louisville.
    Tasting 4/5 Get to try all products and a 5th option from their current new selections
    Gift Shop 4/5 Great Selection of Bottles. Gets $$$.
    Bar n/a No Bar

    Old Forester

    Tour 4/5 Solid Tour. Heard it gets very crowded on the Weekends.
    Tasting 4/5 Did the entire Whiskey Row series. Gave the history and story of each bottle
    Gift Shop 3/5 Nothing Special.
    Bar 5/5 Lots of options to try hard to find pours. Had this past years Birthday Bourbon

    Evan Williams
    Tour 5/5 More of an Experience then a Tour. Walk through the history of Louisville and Evan Williams.
    Tasting 4/5 Normal Evan Williams offerings. Highlight is a 12 Year Evan Williams only available on tour
    Gift Shop 3/5 The 12 year cost $150. Luckily you get to taste it first.
    Bar n/a no bar

    Stiztel-Weller
    Tour 4/5 So much history. Short Tour but well worth it.
    Tasting 3/5 A lot of Bulleit products. Do get to try Blade and Bow.
    Gift Shop 3/5 Good Merch and Bottles of Blade & Bow. Sell 1 bottle of 22 Year a Day.
    Bar 4/5 Nice Garden & Gun Club Bar upstairs. Bulleit, Orphan Barrel and Blade & Bow bourbons available. Can get a pour of Blade & Bow 22 year old for $150. Comes with some extras.

    Frankfort/Lexington Area

    Four Roses
    Tour
    n/a Was unable to book tour
    Tasting 4/5 Went through the whole Four Roses lineup
    Gift Shop 5/5 Had a Private Select Single Barrel available for purchase w/ engraving available
    Bar n/a 9am tasting was a lot. Bar was open but we did not participate

    Wild Turkey
    Tour n/a No Tours during renovations
    Tasting n/a No Tasting during renovations
    Gift Shop 3/5 Temporary Gift Shop still had good selection of Wild Turkey Offerings
    Bar n/a Temporary Bar in back making mixed drinks and a small selection of pours

    Buffalo Trace
    Tour 5/5 Tours are Free and get booked quickly a month in advance. Check their site. Did the Trace Tour and it was excellent lots of history. Our Tour Guide suggested the Hard Hat Tour.
    Tasting 2/5 Wheatley Vodka, BT, Weller Reserve, Blanton's, Bourbon Cream, Root Beer. Small plastic cups are used and other tours have made fun of BT for doing this.
    Gift Shop 5/5 Huge! Get ready to spend some money. They have a rotation of what is available between EHT Small Batch, Weller Reserve, Eagle Rare, and Blanton's. BT is always available
    Bar n/a They have a bar that serves the tasting for that day that you can purchase if unable to do the tour

    Woodford
    Tour n/a Was unable to book tour
    Tasting n/a unable to book tasting
    Gift Shop 3/5 Nice Gift shop. Plenty of different bottles to buy.
    Bar 4/5 Good Selection. The best part is the back patio that over looks the Distillery. Great to chill and have a drink.

    Castle & Key
    Tour 5/5 The Grounds are amazing. The Tour Takes you through the Castle and tells more of the history
    Tasting 2/5 Cocktails for their Vodka and Gin. 1 pour of their Small Batch
    Gift Shop 2/5 Sell all of their offerings and a lot of clothing for women.
    Bar 2/5 Lots of drink options. Had the worst tasting Highball. Get a Vodka or Gin Drink and chill in the Gardens.


    Bardstown

    Willett
    Tour n/a Was unable to book tour
    Tasting n/a unable to book tasting
    Gift Shop 4/5 Good offering of their lower tier offerings. Plenty of Old Bardstown variations
    Bar 5/5 The Highlight. Book a reservation at the Bar over anything. Food is also incredible. Expect to spend some money.

    Heaven Hill
    Tour 5/5 BiB Tour was great. Believe it is the only tour where you drink while walking the rickhouses
    Tasting 5/5 Had all BiB offerings while on the tour and learned about each of them.
    Gift Shop 5/5 Lots of offerings. Was told the EC18 was put out when they opened.
    Bar 5/5 Very Wide Selection of Heaven Hill offerings. Can taste about anything if will to spend the money

    Bardstown Bourbon Co.
    Tour 3/5 Nothing Special. More Modern then others with video presentation and headphones. Built for IG influencers.
    Tasting 2/5 White Dog, 3 Year old Bourbon and a pour of their Fusion Series
    Gift Shop 3/5 Has everything they offer if you want to spend the money
    Bar 3/5 Bar and Restaurant our their highlights. Book the restaurant over anything else.

    Jim Beam
    Tour 5/5 Very expansive tour. Can bottle your own Knob Creek Single Barrel and add your thumb print into the wax.
    Tasting 3/5 Jim Beam, Knob Creek and some Basil Hayden
    Gift Shop 4/5 Very Cool space. Lots of Merch. Not sure if they put out anything allocated.
    Bar 5/5 The Kitchen has a great bar and food. Was able to have a pour of Little Book and some Bookers at great prices.



    Note: Bourbon availability varies. Some are common in some areas and rare in others:

    Entry Level Bourbon Under $30: Bolded we highly recommend and are well regarded in the drinking world. Not bolded, we recommend
    Four Roses Small Batch
    Bulleit
    Wild Turkey 101
    Woodford Reserve
    Buffalo Trace (hard to find in some areas)
    1792
    Makers Mark - Wheat
    Old Gran Dad 114
    Elijah Craig

    Jefferson
    Weller Special Reserve (Green Label) – (hard to find in some areas) Wheat

    Common Bourbon $30-$50:
    Jefferson's Reserve
    Russell's Reserve 10
    Old Scout - Smooth Ambler
    Eagle Rare (Hard to find)
    Michter's (including American Whiskey)
    Four Roses Single Barrel
    Wild Turkey Rare Breed Barrel Proof

    Rowan’s Creek
    Noah’s Mill

    Common Bourbon $50-$100:
    Four Roses Single Barrel Select Barrel Proof (most prefer the "OE" batches, but all are good)

    Barrell Bourbon – Infinity & Cask
    High West Bourye - Hard to find
    EH Taylor Small Batch (40-55)


    Buy on Sight (price ranges listed) (Underlined if super rare)
    High West Midwinter Night's Dram (80-100)
    Blanton's & Blanton’s Gold (55-90)
    Old Forester 1910 (55-65)
    Old Forester Birthday (100-120)
    Barrell Bourbon - Dovetail (80-100)
    Elmer T Lee (40-60)
    John J Bowman Single Barrel (50-60)
    McKenna 10 (45-55)
    Michter’s 10 (120-150)
    Rock Hill Farms Single Barrel (70-100)
    Parker's Heritage any (150-170)

    Weller Antique 107 (Red Label) (55-75)
    Peerless Bourbon (70-90)
    Weller 12yr (Black Label) (40-60)
    Stagg Jr (60- 70)
    Weller Full Proof (Blue Lable) and CYPB (70-80)
    Elijah Craig Barrel Proof (70-100)
    Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (I believe msrp on all is $99)
    William Larue Weller
    Sazarac 18
    Thomas H. Handy
    Eagle Rare 17
    George T Stagg
    Pappy Val Winkle (Good luck finding!)

    PVW 23 (300-400)
    PVW 20 (200-300)
    PVW 15 (120-200)
    Old Rip Van Winkle 10 (75-100) & ORVW Family Reserve 12 (100-125)

    Caribou Crossing (very similar to Blantons) (50-65)
    EH Taylor Single Barrel (70-100)


    Maybe Try Something Else
    I.W. Harper (Regular & 15 Year)
    Rabbit Hole for the price
    Whistle Pig for the price
    Orphan Barrel for the price
    Town Branch
    Rebel Yell
    Evan Williams (non-single barrel)


    The 5 Bourbon Commandments

    1. It must be made in the United States. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t have to be made in Kentucky, although 95 percent of the world’s supply is.

    2. Aging must take place in a new, charred, oak barrel. Whiskey can be aged in used barrels and often is. The bourbon must be aged for at least two years to be considered a straight bourbon.

    3. The mash must be at least 51 percent corn.

    4. The whiskey cannot enter the barrel at higher than 125 proof. It cannot enter the bottle at a proof less than 80.

    5. Nothing can be added but water and only to lessen the proof when necessary. Other whiskeys can add color and flavor. Not bourbon, it must be au naturel.




    goblue31602 Detlef Schrempf Anison visa pperc15 BrickTamland NYGator Artoo xec @Thoros of Bourbon
    Baseballman86
    Beeds07
    Daniel Ocean
    WillieHuff

    To that end, it may be helpful for some of the people here to get a primer on how to create a label. We should probably add it to the OP too.

    In general...
    1. Open an account at Fedex/UPS.
    2. Click on create shipment.
    3. Enter addresses and phone numbers
    4. Choose "use my own packaging" (doesn't require dimensions)
    5. Add weight. Typically 3.5 lbs. per bottle.
    6. Select shipping method (usually lowest rate - generally $15-22 - Ground)
    7. Choose Print label.
    8 Click on printer icon or actual print button and print as PDF.
    9. Save PDF file to computer and email or attach as file. (If you are too technologically impaired, take a high quality picture of it and you should be able to use that to attach as a file.)

    Always just put 2lbs, they're going to adjust it to whatever it actually comes out to, they never credit you if you overpaid

    artoo is out of the bourbon game and we are updating the first post with recommendations and requiring single barrel select type posters. Please be patient as we hand select the best options.
     
    #1 tjsblue, Dec 2, 2019
    Last edited: Apr 27, 2023
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  2. pperc

    pperc Well-Known Member
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    xec and tjsblue like this.
  3. pperc

    pperc Well-Known Member
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    tjsblue now it’s your job to create a first post with bottles, MSRP prices, etc. because people lazy.
     
    xec, Thoros of Beer, Anison and 4 others like this.
  4. Beeds07

    Beeds07 Bitch, it's Saturday
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    Not sure if I posted on the old bourbon thread, but I'm all about that Larceny life.
     
  5. gilstein21

    gilstein21 Tight Rip 26 Seal Right
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    Auburn TigersSt. Louis CardinalsGreen Bay PackersWyoming Cowboys

  6. BrickTamland

    BrickTamland You're not Ron...
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    Florida State Seminoles

  7. BrickTamland

    BrickTamland You're not Ron...
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    Florida State Seminoles

    So let’s help out with the OP.

    Let’s figure out our price points. Thoughts on:
    • Under $30
    • $30-50
    • $50-100
    • >$100
     
  8. goblue31602

    goblue31602 Well-Known Member
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    Chicago BearsDetroit Red WingsTool

    [​IMG]
     
  9. tjsblue

    tjsblue I was right at the time
    Donor

    Categories?


    Buy on sight

    Hard to find

    Readily available

    Nope
     
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  10. MoJo

    MoJo It bees that way sometimes...
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    Southern Mississippi Golden EaglesNew Orleans Saints

    Which coke is best to mix with bourbon; Pepsi, RC, Coke or Chek cola ( real sugar variety)

    thanks in advance
     
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  11. Beeds07

    Beeds07 Bitch, it's Saturday
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    I've been going ginger beer or ginger ale if that's not available. Íll go Coke if they have neither.

    At home it's ginger beer.
     
    MoJo likes this.
  12. BrickTamland

    BrickTamland You're not Ron...
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    Florida State Seminoles

    Like it.

    Not sure how that would work though. Think they’d need price ranges too. (Midwinter Night’s Dram is probably a “buy on sight” at $80, but a “nope” at $150.)
     
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  13. goblue31602

    goblue31602 Well-Known Member
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    Chicago BearsDetroit Red WingsTool

    I'm working on it
     
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  14. tjsblue

    tjsblue I was right at the time
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    Can one of your robots do this for us?
     
  15. goblue31602

    goblue31602 Well-Known Member
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    Chicago BearsDetroit Red WingsTool

    After the one I designed to kill you is put into motion, I'll get working on it.
     
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  16. BrickTamland

    BrickTamland You're not Ron...
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    Florida State Seminoles

    Like an Artoo?
     
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  17. Thoros of Beer

    Thoros of Beer Academy Award-Winning Actor, Tim Allen
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    That's me, I'm the lazy one
     
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  18. tjsblue

    tjsblue I was right at the time
    Donor

    I was thinking more

    buy on sight
    MWND $80-$100 and leave it at that with a range
    Nope
    Laceny, 1792, and any of the crap goblue31602 loves.
     
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  19. Emma

    Emma
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    Eagle Rare is good stuff
     
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  20. tjsblue

    tjsblue I was right at the time
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    If your boys beat OSU, I’ll give you a bottle.
     
    Emma likes this.
  21. Tiffin

    Tiffin ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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    Alabama Crimson TideLos Angeles LakersNew Orleans SaintsGrateful DeadToolAEW

    Why the new thread?
     
  22. tjsblue

    tjsblue I was right at the time
    Donor

    Because you touch yourself

    artoo is out of the bourbon game and we are updating the OP with recommendations and requiring single barrel select type posters.
     
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  23. Tiffin

    Tiffin ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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    Well that's not going to change with a new thread.
     
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  24. Detlef Schrempf

    Detlef Schrempf Back to Back to Back AAU National Champs
    Donor

    I would put a price range on bottles for msrp. For instance msrp for me in Florida on EHT SB is typically $42 but I know it can range from 39-49 depending on where you live, etc.
     
  25. BrickTamland

    BrickTamland You're not Ron...
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    Florida State Seminoles

    upload_2019-12-2_21-31-21.gif
     
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  26. goblue31602

    goblue31602 Well-Known Member
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    Chicago BearsDetroit Red WingsTool

    OP is lazy, so I will start something that he can paste into the first thread. Feel free to add, this is off the top of my head.

    Use https://www.ohlq.com/category/whiskey to search Ohio's controlled prices for a good guideline on what a bottle SHOULD go for. After you confirm you're over 21, there is a search function near the bottom. Everything will be close enough for comparison sake, assuming Ohio sells it.

    Common Bourbon Under 30 (note: in all lists below, some are common in some areas and rare in others):
    Four Roses Small Batch
    Bulleit
    Larceny
    Buffalo Trace
    1792
    Elijah Craig
    Jefferson
    Weller Special Reserve

    Common Bourbon 30-50:
    Jefferson's Reserve
    Eagle Rare
    Michter's (any of them, including American Whiskey)
    Four Roses Single Barrel
    New Riff
    Wild Turkey Rare Breed

    Common Bourbon 50-100:
    Four Roses Single Barrel Select Barrel Proof (most prefer the "OE" batches, but all are good)
    Barrell Dovetail
    High West Bourye

    Buy on Sight (price ranges listed)
    High West Midwinter Night's Dram (80-100)
    Blanton's (55-70)
    McKenna 10yr (35-55)
    Weller Antique (50-65)
    Weller 12yr (40-60)
    Weller Full Proof and CYPB (60ish?)
    Elijah Craig Barrel Proof (60-75)
    Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (I believe msrp on all is $99)
    Elmer T Lee (35-50)
    Caribou Crossing (very similar to Blantons) (50-65)
    EH Taylor Small Batch (40-55)
    EH Taylor Single Barrel (65-80)
     
    #26 goblue31602, Dec 2, 2019
    Last edited: Dec 2, 2019
  27. pperc

    pperc Well-Known Member
    Donor

    Does MSRP actually change with geography?
     
  28. tjsblue

    tjsblue I was right at the time
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    Wait until the field of 64 March madness bracket!! I have plans!!!

    narrator: He has no idea what he was doing
     
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  29. pperc

    pperc Well-Known Member
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    EHT small batch is $36 here
     
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  30. Detlef Schrempf

    Detlef Schrempf Back to Back to Back AAU National Champs
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    100%, pricing at my major chain retail stores is different from what you and WillieHuff see in your stores sometimes more and very rarely less.
     
  31. pperc

    pperc Well-Known Member
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    I’m not sure major chain retail stores all follow MSRP do they?
     
  32. Thoros of Beer

    Thoros of Beer Academy Award-Winning Actor, Tim Allen
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    Is Blanton's rare? I can buy that at my grocery store
     
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  33. pperc

    pperc Well-Known Member
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    Most of the country has a hard time finding it at $59.99
     
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  34. Beeds07

    Beeds07 Bitch, it's Saturday
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    I didn't think it was honestly

    Maybe that's one of the upsides of have two liquor reps for friends. They have everything just readily available.
     
  35. goblue31602

    goblue31602 Well-Known Member
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    Chicago BearsDetroit Red WingsTool

    Yeah it was top of my head. it's 38 here. If they see it for 36 they'll just know they're getting a good deal :usasmug:
     
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  36. tjsblue

    tjsblue I was right at the time
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    This angers me! Yes it is rare in Ohio and NC for sure.
     
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  37. NYGator

    NYGator Well-Known Member
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    I hope this means all my past spending sins are erased.
     
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  38. goblue31602

    goblue31602 Well-Known Member
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    Chicago BearsDetroit Red WingsTool

    Yes, do you live near South Bend, or Indiana at least? I may need to make a trip.
     
  39. Thoros of Beer

    Thoros of Beer Academy Award-Winning Actor, Tim Allen
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    I see it at Martin's just about every time I've been in there
     
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  40. Thoros of Beer

    Thoros of Beer Academy Award-Winning Actor, Tim Allen
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    Yes
     
  41. BrickTamland

    BrickTamland You're not Ron...
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    Florida State Seminoles

    This is solid. Are we including rye whiskeys?

    I’d add Buffalo Trace to the sub $30.

    Is there a spot for McKenna 10? I still think it’s a good bottle at $49 (not sure if it’s cheaper elsewhere.)
     
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  42. Beeds07

    Beeds07 Bitch, it's Saturday
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    That's probably because you're at the bougee Martin's :beerchug:
     
  43. goblue31602

    goblue31602 Well-Known Member
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    Chicago BearsDetroit Red WingsTool

    Yeah, like I said, top of my head. Buffalo Trace for sure. McKenna 10 I have in the rare
     
  44. tjsblue

    tjsblue I was right at the time
    Donor

    Lets start with the bourbons and then work on ryes after.

    Then break down to wheats, sour mash...
     
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  45. goblue31602

    goblue31602 Well-Known Member
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    Chicago BearsDetroit Red WingsTool

    I thought about that. It's such a broad category. It's kinda why I said any next to Michter's. Bulleit Rye is a good daily as well. And I'm having a glass of Redemption Rye right now. Really can't go wrong with this stuff.
     
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  46. Emma

    Emma
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    Wisconsin BadgersMilwaukee Brewers altMilwaukee BucksGreen Bay Packers

    [​IMG]
     
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  47. Beeds07

    Beeds07 Bitch, it's Saturday
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    Notre Dame Fighting IrishSt. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis Blues

    The other day I got
    5th of Larceny
    5th of Bulliet
    5th of Long ranch
    5th of Elijah Craig Special Reserve (gave it as a gift)
    $75
     
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  48. Thoros of Beer

    Thoros of Beer Academy Award-Winning Actor, Tim Allen
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    Yep, well I used to be. I don't live in Granger anymore, but that location has an incredible selection for a grocery store
     
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  49. tjsblue

    tjsblue I was right at the time
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    It’s going to end up being the biggest OP in history.
     
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  50. Detlef Schrempf

    Detlef Schrempf Back to Back to Back AAU National Champs
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    They mostly do follow MSRP, at least the major chains do.