Seasonal Stocking, NYC Bourbon/Rye Shopping Tips. . . .

There's been a massive cool-down here in Pleasant Valley Sunday, USA over the past few days. Four straight days where the low has ranged from the upper 40's to the mid-50's. Now, that doesn't mean more hot weather, even triple digit highs, can't happen, but it's in about the second or third week of August every year, that the loss of daylight is really noticeable, and visions of cold weather, pumpkin pie and the NFL dance in my head.

That also means it's time to at least start thinking about, if not just plain stocking up, on bourbon and rye. Soon, merchants will be changing their window displays to bear witness to the coming season, and bottles of bourbon and rye will be in full view. And what's to come of the new season? What will the 2006 George T. Stagg be like? Where is the Vintage Rye that should have been in/on more than just a couple web sites by now? And will the Vintage Bourbon line, two of which impressed me enough to become instant all-time favorites, stand up to the at-large opinion polls of the internet bourbon smoking community?

Hey, I just said bourbon smoking community. I must be Da Swimmah!!!

:cryinlaugh: :cryinlaugh: :duh: :duh:

It is in anticipation of that season, and with bourbon weather already being upon us up here, at least temporarily, that I have begun stocking up, and shopping around. If you live in or very close to NYC, 70 miles south of me, and where I am a good part of each week, you think I'm speaking Southern Clingon here. The nights down there have only just begun to dip in to the 60's, so it's still not exactly prime bourbon drinking weather just yet. But, trust me, like Jesus some day, autumn is indeed coming, . . .

soon. So stock up.

And before I go any further, I would like to say that although certain life crises have sapped a great deal of my internet time, as well as focus, the Top 25 has been attained by Sam Houston "Bang, Bang, Shoot 'Em Up" 10 year old bourbon. Actually, the Bang, Bang, Shoot 'Em Up is just my silly shtick :roll: , but I have been continually impressed by this bourbon, and all my tastings have come during the summer. When my palate becomes a bit more adjusted to some cooler weather, perhaps it will be an even better time for me to figure out exactly where to place it. My initial thoughts are that it warrants a placement somewhere between No. 20-25, but it has indeed cracked the list.

Back to my Jewish side. Let's do some shopping!!! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Because I am within striking distance of two of the best liquor stores in The History of The World :roll: , located within a couple blocks of each other in NYC, I have begun to purchase an increasing percentage of my bourbon from these locales.

What's easy about Astor Wines is that they have a web site. If you are in, near or going to be in NYC any time soon, or any time at all, this is a fantastic place, with great prices on most items. They are STILL running that ridiculously low price on Knob Creek ($20.58/$18/99 + tax), and I just picked up another one of those bourbons that Bloof's been curious about for a while, Peter Jake's Private Keep 10 year old, 90 proof, on sale ($34.66/$31.98 + tax).

Please note that certain items will not appear if you just use a keyword search that says "bourbon." Sometimes you have to put in the product name, as with Knob Creek. Don't ask me, but just get down there, if you can.

The other place is Warehouse Wines. No web site, the surroundings that you walk in to are not "expensive," or as some folks might like to say, "classy." It doesn't matter, if you know your stuff, what you're looking for, and what a good price is, you couldn't have come to a better place. It's located at 753 Broadway, directly upstairs from the front of "R" train platform's 8th Street stop.

Warehouse Wines is just a place that I have to make a mental note of to stop in at whenever I'm near, even if I'm not spending money. You just never know. On a recent trip in there, I noticed that they had marked the Baker's down to the incredibly low price of $32.50/$29.99 + tax. Folks, you're not going to get a better price on Bloof's No. 14, and remember, it tastes like oaky butter. Got a better idea at that price? So, I am now the proud owner of my latest bottle of Baker's.

This season is going to be taking the knowledge of the El Cheapo market that I explored last year, coupled with the increasing amount of frugality I've had to reach for in my life, and exploring only certain avenues. Those will be new releases of Stagg and any other new release that isn't beyond a certain price range, no matter who's putting it out, and some carefully selected new tries, like the Sam Houston and the Peter Jakes Private Keep in tasting now. If the finances change, I might loosen up. And also, I'll be focusing exclusively, aside from those new releases and tries, on old favorites, Top 25 material only, and with a very discriminating air, particularly according to price.

To that end, I currently have unopened, a bottle of William Larue Weller, for which I paid a great price at Binny's at the end of last season, a bottle of Vintage 21 year old, and also the 23 year old, which Michaelsean sent me on the sly. These will remain unopened for a while, at least until some good 20-something degree mornings and/or NFL games have been viewed.

For the time being, some cheaper and lesser old favorites, such as the very cheap Baker's I just bought, along with an opened bottle of Knob Creek, and a backup bottle of Knob Creek, both bought for that crazy low price at Astor Wines, and the aforementioned new tries, will suffice.

Remember folks, drink responsibly, and enjoy the NFL season. My Jets will go 0-16, and that's a fact. But we already all know that.

Here's a really good tip. You're never going to see a price like this on a bottle of Pappy's 20 unless you steal it. :? :?

Oh, well, in that case, you wouldn't see a price at all, would you? :help:

Anyway, they usually have the best price on Pappy's 20 anyway, just a few bucks more than this, but if you have the money and don't buy it at this price, you're just being . . .

:roll: :roll: :roll:

"difficult." :cop:

:cryinlaugh:

http://www.shoppersvineyard.com/product ... 753&cID=10

The price has been up for a few days. I don't have the money, and won't for a while, so jump on it quick, because who knows when they're taking it down.

Hey folks, check this out at Binny's. Go to the last item at the bottom of page 3, and the first item on the top of page 4 to see what's most important to me in the five new items they're showing on the bourbon list.

http://www.binnys.com/search/spiritsear ... sc=&astxt=

I see they were smart enough not to waste their time on the 17 year old, and once again, Binny's hits a home run with the best price in the country on the 23 year old, by about $9 or so for a "walk-out price" (pennies less than $100) were I to put in an order. They also have a WHALE of a sale price on the 21 year old, astounding, as it would come to me at a "walk-out price" of pennies less than $68, roughly $8 less than the next best price I can get.

I notice that they list it in the "K" section of the alphabet, thereby unmasking the originators of these releases. Very interesting.

Folks, the 21 year old is No. 5 on my Top 25, and the 23 year old stands at No. 2. If you like bourbon, or are adventurous, and have the money, treat yourself to the best prices in the country on these bourbons. You never know how long they'll last. When people who know these bourbons hear about these prices, the stock certainly won't last.

Lo and behold, further research reveals that indeed, they also have the brand new 21 and 23 year old ryes, which I have not tried. Again, having shopped around, I can tell you these are also the best prices in the country on these rare rye whiskeys.

http://www.binnys.com/search/spiritsear ... sc=&astxt=

Oh, and don't forget to check Page 3 in the Bourbon section at Binny's, folks. I guess I went right by it in previous perusals. The Fall 2005 release of Stagg, my No. 11, is there for the best price you're ever going to see. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

In keeping with the spirit of the thread, continuing with some of the latest shopping tips in The Wonderful World of Bourbon and Rye, some of the latest news.

As mentioned elsewhere, personal finances are once again at an excruciatingly bad level, as continued family troubles, etc., "worst year of my life," blah, blahhhhh, have combined to blah, Bloofy blather, blahhhhhh. There are so many people that I know in the same boat, both well to do and poor, but a different episode from me, that it's not funny.

Yes Virginia, even rich folks have problems.

But in light of such personal hardships, it makes for some of the smartest shopping that one could ever do. As we all know, last season I delved into . . .

The Realm of El Cheapo, and as such . . .

sharpened my shopping skills. Hey, being a Puerto Rican Jew, I've got pretty good shopping skills on BOTH sides of the family. 8) :roll: :?

ANYWAY, . . .

from the files of "as we all know," one of my favorite liquor stores, Warehouse Wines . . .

http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/7087751/

does not have a web site. So, I'll make time to check up by going in every now and then. In the past week, despite all my money woes, I was able to combine dollars to stretch for the Old Potrero Hotalings Whiskey from Astor Wines, whose web site I can check, and also on another day stopped in at Warehouse Wines to buy a gift for a friend.

On that day, my finances could permit me to stretch a bit further in my own behalf. I spied many gems, the discontinued Wild Turkey Russell's Reserve for its usual low walk-out price of $30.33 ($27.99+tax), Baker's at a walk-out price of $32.50 ($29.99+tax), Eagle Rare 10, 90 proof for the walk-out price of $21.66 ($19.99+tax), and way down on the bottom shelf, very hard to see, especially when you're 6'2" with a 36 inseam, was the latest release of the Van Winkle Family Reserve 13 year old rye.

As discussed elsewhere, this is actually the original VWFRR13 all grown up, aged to 19 years, and then married with another rye about the same age. This was begun with either the "G" bottle release, or perhaps the "F" bottle release. (Master Whiskey, 13th Dan, knows for sure) The bottle I just bought at the wonderful walk-out price of $35.75 ($32.99+tax) is H5391. Hard to tell about my first tasting from this bottle. I've been severely stressed out lately, with my eczema acting up, and my palate at times is stifled by seasonal asthma struggles. Further assessments of this particular bottle will follow on other threads, perhaps.

I just wanted to pass along to folks who are or may be in the NYC area at any time in the near future, of all the bargains going on constantly at two of the best liquor stores in the country. Both establishments are operating within blocks of each other, minutes from midtown Manhattan.

Oh, and speaking of those two stores downtown, remember that ever so low price on Knob Creek that I was crowing about down at Astor Wines since the summer? They're still running it, $20.58 ($18.99+tax).

If anyone out there is curious about the new Bernheim Wheated Whiskey (at least 51% wheat in mash bill), the first such whiskey in America, at least in modern times, the price has been dropping little by little since its release. Warehouse Wines, at 735 Broadway, just upstairs from the downtown "R" train platform, now has it for a walk-out price of $32.50 ($29.99+tax). It's not likely to go much lower, at least in the near future, and although I'm going to hold off, having committed to other things this season, it places this product within range of worthwhile R&D.

This is a laugh, but I had to go there. After I don't know how many months of keeping a ridiculously low walk-out price on Knob Creek Bourbon, $20.58 ($18.99+tax), a week or so ago Astor Wines (http://www.astorwines.com) raised their price "sky high" back to a much more "normal" level, and so, you'd better make sure you have your holiday bonus check on you if you go down there for a bottle, because it's now costing $23.83 ($21.99+tax). Boo hoo.

My No. 17, STILL, after a three dollar and twenty five cent price raise, EVER the Best Bang For The Buck Bourbon In The Universe. An' ya KNOW that!!! By the way, a tip on my No. 18, ever the second best bang for the buck bourbon in the universe, Pure Kentucky.

First, let's review. I originally discovered Pure Kentucky in a different bottle, in a galaxy far, far, awayyyyy, okay, okay, it was Binny's about two or three years ago, warning of a "closeout." Well, Pure Kentucky was well over 12 years old back then, a rich, full body and plenty of flavor. Binny's price was $19.99+shipping, so I got a few bottles for pennies under $25, a fantastic bargain.

All of a sudden, a few months later, Binny's doesn't have it any more, but everybody else does, in a different bottle, and prices are crazy. Eventually Binny's gets it back, but it's all of a sudden ten years old. OHHHHHHHH, I get it, Pure Kentucky wasn't discontinued at all, as your ad said, it was discontinued as a 12 year old bourbon. OHHHHHHH, makes all the difference, like the corporate exec in the meeting who repeats what some guy in the mail room says, but because he "went like this" instead of "like this" it "makes all the difference," and the snide corporate exec gets the accolades from the sycophants at the conference table.

Okay, so until the price got sane on the "new" Pure Kentucky, I didn't touch it, but when I did, discovered that the new 10 year old PK was pretty much the same, just with a slightly lighter body. Therefore, it stayed at No. 18, because it was still worthy.

But there are upheavals in the whiskey industry, this we know. Some of them are delightful, and bring us products like the Vintage Bourbons, of which the 21 and 23 are worth every penny in the opinion of the man with the purple turban, Elvis sunglasses and empty bottle of Hirsch 16 masquerading as a crystal ball. But, some may not be, or did I just get a "bad bottle?"

Why is The Great Dumboni taking us through this drone? Well, one of my favorite liquor stores, Warehouse Wines, at 735 Broadway in NYC, has PK for a walk-out price of $21.66 ($19.99+tax) all the time. I've had a bottle or two from their stock but it's been a while. I bought one a few weeks ago, because what's $21.66 when you're getting a nice 107 proof smashmouth bourbon, with rich, tantalizing flavors? Well, I'll you what $21.66 was this time. It was a shameful waste of good money that I could have bought a 10" key lime pie from The Little Pie Company of NYC with enough left over for a ride on the subway for, that's what it was.

But, . . .

was this an accident? Did I just get a "bad bottle," and should I just give the rest away with a warning, get over it and try again some day? Did industry upheavals cause some good whiskey to migrate over to another label, at least for a while, and the folks who bottle PK are hoping we don't notice? Will FedEx ever become a gangsta rappa? Will Charles Barkley ever become the Governor of Alabama? Has Pure Kentucky died, and is this bad bottle one of many in the funeral procession as the label makes a final exit? What kind of weird whiskey will Old Potrero come out with next?

Stay tuned to WBLF-6969.69, All Bloofy, All The Thyme Internet Silly Ass Radio. Not that you'll get the answers to these burning questions, but do stay tuned. umpkin: :mrgreen: :sm_angel:

Do you all want to read something funny?

"Due to changes in our shipping rates, it’s cost effective if you order at least 3 bottles. It can be any 3 bottles on our website. I suggest you call your friends, family members or even that annoying guy you work with to put together at least a 3 bottle order and minimize the shipping charges."

That text was copied and pasted directly from an e-mail I received from Shopper's Vineyard, telling about this tremendous sale they're having on the Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Old, Lot B. As many of you will note, this bourbon is No. 12 on my all time list, and one of the best tasting, most consistent bourbons from bottle to bottle that you'll ever lay your lips on.

Could that advice have been written by yours truly? As a matter of fact, how many times over how many years have I given the exact same advice, on several web sites?

Yes folks, the Bloofingtonian Influence is felt far and wide throughout the bourbon industry, pointing you in the direction of the best web sites, the best sales, the best bourbons, and the smartest shopping tips you'll ever be privy to. Here's another tip. If you're able to receive shipments from SV, get your ass over to their web site and order up this bourbon. I actually got my last few bottles at a weeee bit less than what you will if you take advantage of this offer, because Warehouse Wines in downtown Manhattan was selling it for $35.99+tax, which in NYC comes out to 39 flat.

But if you don't live or work in NYC, and can't get down to 8th Street, the per bottle cost on a three bottle order from SV, depending on where you live, isn't going to be much above $40. You may never have another opportunity to get this very special bourbon at this very special price again. Don't take forever to make up your minds. If you think their stock will last at that price, you're wrong. SV's price is $34.99+shipping. Get your ass over to http://www.shoppersvineyard.com.

And now, having done my duty for the day, The Biggest Thing In Bourbon is off to listen to The Biggest Thing In Radio.