BT stated at the beginning of the year that even though their production is up that it would still be in short supply this year. That being said, I see Blantons on the shelf at hyVee almost anytime I am there.

No shit? That pisses me off. You in KC?

In STL, Lukas hasn't had any in months, and the other local "superstore" (Randalls) has been in short supply - just bought the last three bottles they expect to get anytime soon.

Yes, KC area.

Same here for the Blanton's. I can grab it off the shelf about 90% of the time I'm in any of my favorite shops.

Sipping tonight on a Smooth Ambler single barrel cask strength 8 year rye. So much flavor with very little burn. A tall pour of High West 16 will probably be next. Nothing beats a good pour on a chilly night.

I owe you both a mea culpa. You were right and I was wrong - Makers is better. It's so clean. Wonderful. It's my new favorite.

Picked up one of these today for $28. I am trying to expand my tastes into more "expensive" bourbons.

Am I supposed to be able to look something up about the warehouse number and barrel number written on the front?

http://i.imgur.com/GSUzEsv.jpg?1

That's one of my absolute favorites!!

No, you cannot look that up, it just tells you the skinny on it if you wanted to try and match it again. I have had many of these and unless it is one of the "special batches" (bottled for specific stores), they are usually pretty on par with each other.

I visited that distillery a few years back and it was hands down my favorite distillery visit as well. Very "old school" in how they did things.

Plus, $28 is a STEAL for that! Cheapest I can get it here in Vegas is about $40.00

Thanks for the info. I am just getting into this. Me and my dad actually.

Fry's grocery does a sale a few times a year where you buy 6 bottles and get 30% off. I picked up this among 5 other bottles today. Normally $40 there but 30% off comes to $28. They have some higher end stuff I can get there too including macallan 12 and Balvenie DoubleWood 12.

I wanna try that

I tried the regular 4 Roses, which is a blend not a single barrel, and frankly I thought it was swill. Definitely not something to drink straight. How was your bottle?

Yes my sentiments exactly and my experience would make it highly unlikely I would take a chance on the bottle above.
I set that 4 Roses bottle out on the edge of the dumpster and work I figured the bum who comes thru on his dumpster run would get a prize. When I got in from the field it was gone and I wonder if it was an employee or a bum:D

To each his own. I find the 4Roses single barrel to be quite good.

When I was in Co Springs last month I picked up a few bottles that aren't available in the Wichita market. One was Noah's Mill which was very very good and the younger sibling Rowan's Creek which was pretty good too.

Also picked up a bottle of Elijah Craig barrel proof (138.8). Pouring it neat will put some hair on your balls and fire in your belly. I prefer a little ice

There are 3 main Four Roses bottles - 1 is swill but the other 2 are great:

- Four Roses - Yellow Label (swill)
- Four Roses Small Batch - REALLY Solid Low Cost ($25-$30)
- Four Roses Single Barrel - Amazingly Good Mid Price ($40)

There are some Single Barrel special editions (Total Wine in my area has 2 different ones) that go for even more, but personally I prefer the primary Single Barrel.

Its amazing at how much a difference there is considering how blah the Yellow Label is.

I'll take the Four Roses Single Barrel over the Macallan 12 and Balvenie DoubleWood 12 any day, regardless of price.