Ready to find out which bourbons made the cut? Check out our picks for the Top 5 Allocated Bourbons of 2024 and let us know your thoughts in the comments! Cheers! 🥃
Im the same but I have a buddy that had a bottle of Pappy 15 now that was freaking awesome pour I would pay 200-250 but that would never happen other than that 150 is my max period.
Trenton and Kurt, you two have got to be two of the best out of any of the Bourbon/Whiskey UA-cam channels. I recently became much more interested in Whiskey and Bourbon and your channel is my go to for information and reviews. Honest, down to earth, funny and no hokey stuff I find on other channels. You guys are solid!
Totally agree on the RR15. I got to get a pour at the Tasting Room for $45. They even gave me the rocks glass I had it in for no charge. Top that off with meeting Jimmy Russell and getting a RR SB signed, and that's just about a bourbon drinkers perfect day!
I feel like Little Tim looking in a snow covered butcher's store window at a big Christmas Goose! Only to slowly turn away limping through the snow with only twopence in pocket and my tears freezing on my cheeks. The winter winds blow ever so cruelly gentleman... Thanks for the video as always and for the Channel content.
One of my fav comments ever! Still laughing. Yeah, that Top 5 lineup is pushing $1000 MSRP. I have 3/5 of them, and really do miss the kidney I had to sell to get them. 😀
Of this group, we've only managed to get our hands on the Russell's 15, but we celebrate everything that Cedar Ridge produces. And those Heaven Hill Heritage Releases have been all-stars. Thanks for sharing!
@@perfectophil The US usually create bubble markets and ruin things but the Asian market when they get into something absolutely destroy them there will be asian billionaires with rooms full of bourbons they have no interest in ever drinking
Thanks for the video! You guys are awesome and have really peaked my interest in bourbon and the distilling process over the last year. Just scored my first bottle of Stagg Jr. and I am over the moon!
As an Iowan I’m so happy to see cedar ridge on this list… the few people I know that have tried it weren’t huge fans of their stuff so I never really looked at it till y’all recommended it
Makers mark has for sure been killing it. That heart release was fantastic. I also kept seeing it on the shelf at my local Kroger so I couldn’t stop getting a bottle each time and have about 4 on my shelf atm 😊
The Maker's Mark store picks are even more amazing flavors than Heart Release or Cellar Aged, esp ones with Mendiant staves, way better than Frenc staves in 46.
My June 2024 112 proof Heart release is absolutely PHENOMENAL. I go back to it pretty often and it even has opened up since the neck pour, which was great.
PA had the Russell's 15 priced at 49.99 by accident so on drop day they stopped selling them until the problem was fixed in the statewide system. That sent alot of people home empty handed on drop day morning. I just happened to walk in a store later in the day just as the stores were putting them back out with the correct pricing. I picked up mine. No one else was in the store.
I actually like videos of any bourbon that’s interesting and good. Y’all telling me a car guy won’t watch a video of a Lamborghini he will most likely never have. The dynamic of Trent and Kurt is just as important as the Whiskey info.. great video fellas.
Today I picked up a bottle of Masters Keep Voyage at my local supermarket in Tokyo - ¥29500 seemed like a good price. Also added a bottle of Wild Turkey 12 which I think is a special Japan release. Ready for the holiday
@johng5710 it depends on the quantity available of the limited item. Sometimes an LTO is released in large quantities and we won't put it on allocation but most of the time LTO come with limited quantities so we have to put them on a reservation in the system. AKA "allocated" (I work for a distributor btw)
I do wish I found this video about 2 weeks ago. My state had its annual at which I was selected. I did pick up a Russell's 15 and it is truly amazing. My top pick was actually George T stag and I don't regret it though I have yet to try it. There was the Heaven Hill 18 available except it was double the price. I also picked up a Jack Daniel's Coy Hill which is a little different than the Russell's but really pretty good. I must say the Russell's would be my number one at this point such a full experience
I spent secondary for Russells 15 & haven’t had a pour yet. I don’t have buyers remorse at all! Planning on cracking it open during holidays. Btw you guys are the best!!!
I’m a lucky man! I’m a barber here in Texas and it has benefitted me greatly in my bourbon collection. I got a makers cellar aged from a client and today another client brought me the Russell’s 15. Can’t wait to try it later tonight
@@bobmarley2140 I have some awesome clients! This one owns a bar and has access to bottles I normally can’t get so he will bring me one from time to time.
@ Thank you! I try. I’ve been doing it a while and have built a good clientele. I do a lot for them as well because if I didn’t I wouldn’t get the love I do from them.
I got lucky at a local bar and had a pour of RR13 for $13 and RR15 for $38. I chased the 15 at $400 but failed to find it. Too slow. It is worth it to me. It is outstanding. Someday I hope to find a bottle.
They need to tread lightly on all things OCD after the debacle in the last bourbon bracket where it somehow got entered and won. It is essentially an unobtainable product unless you visit the distillery when they have a bottle available and thus it is not something that should be included with more mainstream items that actually have distribution albeit on a limited/allocated basis.
While RR15 is truly phenomenal stuff, I still feel the best release of the past few years is ECBP C923. A 13 year, 133 proof bourbon for 80 bucks. It’s truly a delicious pour, and possibly a “generational bottle,” based on how ECBP is trending. For this year, other than RR15, the Smokeye Hill Barrel Proof release is excellent!!! I think it goes for 80-90 bucks (I think I paid 80 mine; don’t remember). Highly recommended!
Good to see Glenn's Creek getting some love. They are worth a visit. They are in the abandoned Old Crow DIstillery. I stopped by and we did a tasting. Ended up buying ¡Cuervito Vivo.
I was able to snag a 2024 William Larue Weller at retail ($169.99), and even though WLW was already my favorite bourbon, this year's release is exceptional! As far as a more approachable price point, (I paid $59.99 for mine), I think the Wild Turkey 70th Anniversary was also pretty stellar!
First of all I want to thank you for your review a few weeks back of Cedar Ridge Amontillado Sherry finished bourbon and I was thrilled to see it in your top 5. I am fortunate to live in Cedar Rapids just a few miles North of the distillery. They are putting out some gang busters special releases along with their standard products. I am sure they will be pleased with your review. I went out and purchased a bottle and now I definitely need to go get a backup or will be a great bourbon for gifts. Love your videos. Unfortunately that is the only bottle in your top 5 I have ever seen here in IA. Merry Christmas to your and your family.
I visited Glenn's Creek last December (3rd time) and did their tasting event. Had an opportunity to buy the OCD Premium and, against my wife's recommendations, declined to buy it. When I was there in August, they confirmed that this channel has now made it impossible to get. The last barrel sold out in 10 minutes.
I live an hour away from the distillery and did a tasting there a few months ago with Dave. I was too afraid to ask him about the OCD Premium because he was too busy obsessing over the amazing hot sauce he’s been making lol
I've watched to many videos to not subscribe. BTW, gonna try Kurt's Bloody Mary mix this weekend. My wife says it looks good! Thanks for the videos guys!
I passed on the RR15 when it first came out since other than batch 1 RR13 is not a $150 bottle. Decided to try it last night at a bar and paid $50 for 2oz and man did I make a huge mistake in not getting a bottle and 2 backup bottles!
I saw a RR15 on the bottom shelf of a display at a small local store that I know does museum pricing. $350. I probably wasn't going to buy it at even closer to MSRP, but felt lucky to see one in the wild. Regarding Buffalo trace, I'm about done with them on my Bourbon Journey. The pricing across the board for Sazerac is getting ridiculous. The only 2 products I'm really interested in are Eagle Rare and Early Times BiB and then the ET BiB hasn't been on store shelves in my area for 6 months now. One store owner I talked to said it looks to be allocated now. WTH Sazerac?!
I thought for sure we'd see the Westward Milestone release in this video. I believe it was Kurt that said it was the best thing he ever tasted!! Great picks though.
@@johng5710sadly $400 is a good price for the RR15, that’s the price point I’m hoping to find one at but no luck so far but I’ve tasted it and it’s worth it
@@johng5710 you'll probably only ever buy 1, maybe 2 in your life unless you have real money. it might be worth that extra 150 for a lot of people, just for the experience. That said, I wouldn't jump at it for 550
Allocated and "Don't" miss these" do not mix here in Kentucky unless you have a really good friend in the business. I have never been able to get an allocated bourbon unless I wanted to pay the ridiculous high prices on the secondary market, which is something I refuse to do.
A couple months ago I checked in at my summertime “honey hole”…and when I walked in, the store manager told me that he had a RR 15 year and did I want it. I had just purchased a Stagg jr a couple days earlier for 80 bucks and wasn’t thinking about spending 250+ tax ….so I passed…..walked back in the next day and bought it. Same day I went to a second store that helps me out….and they had a single bottle of RR 15…same price but this time I bailed out…I just couldn’t pull the trigger on another 250….lol….Ive never had 2 bottles like that fall into my lap on the same day!
What you'll never hear from a whiskey channel about their Best of lists... "We got ripped!! Good thing we wrote this down cause I don't remember anything!"
I am in GA and have never seen a single bottle of cellar aged. Its on the top of my want to try list now that I have tried the BTACs (Handy is the best for me)
I live up in the Jasper area, so I tend to range from Ellijay to Cumming to Gainesville ... I've found all of the LE that Maker's puts out without what I'd call unusual effort, and I've never seen a cellar aged either. The local distributor, I am sure, does what he wants with them.
2025 is going to be my second year officially of being a bourbon nerd. Can't wait to go in the spring to Glenn's Creek, Castle and Key, and Four Roses. I went to BT 5 times this year and I really plan on diversifying next year in terms of going on tours and spending more time in Kentucky. I still haven't tried Four Roses as a distillery and I am honestly wanting to wait until I go to the gift shop and try to score something special. Plus, I think I would like the OESV profile. I almost want to get an OBSV single barrel but I've refrained as of this point. If they somehow have OCD Premium when I go sometime next year, I will make my best attempt to find a random person on the side of the road to help me get a second bottle. I'm so serious. Look at that color! It's as dark as the cork topper. What. That is crazy.
I was blessed to have been able to try RR15 through a friend. Wonderful! I was also blessed to be able to get a bottle of the Glenns Creek OCD#5 Premium. It is sooooooo good! SO GOOD! ❤️
@@davidmeier1811I just calls ‘em like I tastes ‘em - and Glennscreek puts out some awesome stuff! Hopefully the word will get out more and more and you’ll expand with a shipping department and start spreading the goodness throughout the country. Too many bourbon folks aren’t aware of GCD - and they need to be! ❤
Hey guys, seeing the Cedar Ridge gave me an idea for a video! Why don’t you taste some finished whiskeys along with the product that they were finished with? E.g.: taste something Amontillado finished along with some Amontillado sherry? Or something port finished along with some port? You could even taste some ice wine along with the recent Barrel ice wine finish. It could give you a good idea of what the finishes taste like in their initial state.
Surely not the best allocated out there, but as far as best bang for your buck allocated, I snatched an Eagle Rare 10yr today for $47 out the door. Can't beat it period.
Trenton ... As a Rye lover, you never mention any of the Whistle Pig products ... I was curious of your opinion of them and specifically the 10 year Rye
I visited Glenn’s Creek in September and got two OCD #5. Unfortunately no OCD #5 Premium. On the same trip I did find a RR 15 in the wild, but priced at $475… no way I’m paying that.
im going to give the heart release another look, i do have 1, but, my first try says i have to dis agree with you on this 1, that maple note just kills the sip, i would love to try any or all of the others listed
I was able to acquire samples of a bunch of 2024 LE's this year and here was my blind results: 8 - Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged 7 - Parker’s Heritage Collection 6 - Four Roses LE 5 - BBC Discovery 12 4 - Jack Daniels Coy Hill 3 - Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2 - Russel’s Reserve 15 1 - Booker’s The Reserves I think RR15 will dominate the year end lists, but that Reserves just hit me like no other bourbon this years. I was actually surprised at how poorly the MMCA 24 did for me as the 23 was a top whiskey for me last year. Anyways, loved to see how you all ranked those. And I agree, the OCD Premium this year was really good. Cheers y'all!
I really enjoy Russell products. In saying that, I'm still pretty upset on how they rolled out the botched release of the RR15 online. After the first attempt online the website crashed and then on the second attempt it was just as screwed up. They need to do better! Take care of your base customers, not the secondary hounds.
This is the perfect example of "preference". I won a sample of Russell's 15 on another site and to me it elevated the dusty flavor of Turkey. Not a big fan. Also, I had a MM private select barrel pick that I liked better than the Cellar Aged.
Russells 15 is great and I love it however it's still only a three flavor note hitter, possibly 4 notes....it doesn't come back with different notes, or flavors so it's not what I would call complex. Complexity to me means new notes with every other sip. Then different notes next week when you sample it. I dunno just me I guess 🤷🏼♂️😁😃😁 In my humble opinion
Oh man, Trent. You are missing out brother! Eagle Rare has been the best bottle in the BTAC line for like 3 years in a row now. I can't explain it, but it's not just me. The guys at Bourbon Pursuit, Fred Minnick, and a couple of others have been saying it too. Eagle Rare BTAC has been either the #1 or #2 bottle for 3 straight years.
Michter's 20 is 114.2 proof. I was lucky enough to have a small pour of it, it was amazing. I was finally able to acquire a bottle of Russell's 15...for $400 lol. But I can't say I'm mad about that purchase because it's a delicious pour and deserves all the hype it has gotten. You guys should definitely do a blind of Michter's 20 vs. Russell's 15, it would be interesting to see the results.
Sadly, in North Carolina we are under the ABC system which is operated by the State. Most ABC stores only sell the popular pours that can be found in most places. To find unique, quality whiskies, NC residents must travel out of state.
I was in Pinehurst visiting my mother in law and stopped in to get a bottle for the week. 1st place had 2 bottles of eagle rare (I grabbed one since in Illinois can only buy at marked up prices) and about 6 bottles of Bardstown disco 12 at around $130. Later in week stopped at another place and they also had an eagle rare.
@@johng5710 The guy said they drop occasionally and then they usually sell out. The place that had the 2 bottles of eagle rare, I bought 1 bottle and while I was looking at something else someone bought the other bottle. Might want to ask the next time you visit.
Ready to find out which bourbons made the cut? Check out our picks for the Top 5 Allocated Bourbons of 2024 and let us know your thoughts in the comments! Cheers! 🥃
Just bought buffalo Trace $25 , can’t beat it for the price, about to do a comparison to widow Jane..
What was the list of bourbons you tried? Not in any order, just interested in what these bottles went up against.
Im the same but I have a buddy that had a bottle of Pappy 15 now that was freaking awesome pour I would pay 200-250 but that would never happen other than that 150 is my max period.
Trenton and Kurt, you two have got to be two of the best out of any of the Bourbon/Whiskey UA-cam channels. I recently became much more interested in Whiskey and Bourbon and your channel is my go to for information and reviews. Honest, down to earth, funny and no hokey stuff I find on other channels. You guys are solid!
I love this video. You can really see not only your knowledge, but your passion for the good stuff. I'm a newbie and I'm learning a lot from you guys!
Totally agree on the RR15. I got to get a pour at the Tasting Room for $45. They even gave me the rocks glass I had it in for no charge. Top that off with meeting Jimmy Russell and getting a RR SB signed, and that's just about a bourbon drinkers perfect day!
I feel like Little Tim looking in a snow covered butcher's store window at a big Christmas Goose! Only to slowly turn away limping through the snow with only twopence in pocket and my tears freezing on my cheeks. The winter winds blow ever so cruelly gentleman...
Thanks for the video as always and for the Channel content.
😂
One of my fav comments ever! Still laughing. Yeah, that Top 5 lineup is pushing $1000 MSRP. I have 3/5 of them, and really do miss the kidney I had to sell to get them. 😀
Awesome comment!!! 😂
Tiny ... it's Tiny.
Of this group, we've only managed to get our hands on the Russell's 15, but we celebrate everything that Cedar Ridge produces. And those Heaven Hill Heritage Releases have been all-stars. Thanks for sharing!
I agree that RR15 is a generational bourbon. Best release in the past several years.
Agree, it IS exceptional but not at $250+ Not even 5 years ago this would have been just over $100, these oversea owners are ruining bourbon
Its the best Wild Turkey product of the last 15 years IMO
@@perfectophil The US usually create bubble markets and ruin things but the Asian market when they get into something absolutely destroy them there will be asian billionaires with rooms full of bourbons they have no interest in ever drinking
Thanks for the video! You guys are awesome and have really peaked my interest in bourbon and the distilling process over the last year. Just scored my first bottle of Stagg Jr. and I am over the moon!
As an Iowan I’m so happy to see cedar ridge on this list… the few people I know that have tried it weren’t huge fans of their stuff so I never really looked at it till y’all recommended it
Happy Holidays to the Strong Like Bull family, so much love & respect.
Makers mark has for sure been killing it. That heart release was fantastic. I also kept seeing it on the shelf at my local Kroger so I couldn’t stop getting a bottle each time and have about 4 on my shelf atm 😊
I can’t find a single one in my area :/
@ if you’re near Cincinnati Newport Kroger has a couple left
The Maker's Mark store picks are even more amazing flavors than Heart Release or Cellar Aged, esp ones with Mendiant staves, way better than Frenc staves in 46.
My June 2024 112 proof Heart release is absolutely PHENOMENAL. I go back to it pretty often and it even has opened up since the neck pour, which was great.
@@cabster7 I’ve honestly never seen a store pick of makers before but I’m not surprised.
Recently discovered your channel and absolutely love you guys and what you do! Thank you keep it up!
I’ve only been into bourbon for a few years, but that Russel’s 15 is the best bourbon I’ve ever had. It is amazing.
Hell, it be an honor just to see a RR15 in the wild !
I saw one at $450 over Thanksgiving. I just kept walking. At retail or a little above...I'd probably bite.
PA had the Russell's 15 priced at 49.99 by accident so on drop day they stopped selling them until the problem was fixed in the statewide system. That sent alot of people home empty handed on drop day morning. I just happened to walk in a store later in the day just as the stores were putting them back out with the correct pricing. I picked up mine. No one else was in the store.
What a wild story. I think I read that on reddit that it was absolute madness.
I was one of those sent home in montgomery county pa.
Exactly the same thing happened to me. Walked in about 11am and they just got permission to start selling them and I got one!
@@noworldforeric what I don't get is if they know the correct price why can't they just adjust it manually?
I actually like videos of any bourbon that’s interesting and good. Y’all telling me a car guy won’t watch a video of a Lamborghini he will most likely never have. The dynamic of Trent and Kurt is just as important as the Whiskey info.. great video fellas.
Love your show, great true tastings
I got to try Russell’s 15 a couple weeks ago at a local tasting. Unreal.
Today I picked up a bottle of Masters Keep Voyage at my local supermarket in Tokyo - ¥29500 seemed like a good price. Also added a bottle of Wild Turkey 12 which I think is a special Japan release. Ready for the holiday
WT12 is a must grab in Japan! Was about $45 when I visited and it’s awesome.
"Limited" comes from the distillery "allocated" comes from the distributor. Hope this helps 👍
So basically anything limited from the distillery is going to be allocated by the distributor
@johng5710 it depends on the quantity available of the limited item.
Sometimes an LTO is released in large quantities and we won't put it on allocation but most of the time LTO come with limited quantities so we have to put them on a reservation in the system. AKA "allocated" (I work for a distributor btw)
@@Bourbonpickers Any way you can distribute directly to me? 😂
@johng5710 haha!! I wish I could.
I do wish I found this video about 2 weeks ago. My state had its annual at which I was selected. I did pick up a Russell's 15 and it is truly amazing. My top pick was actually George T stag and I don't regret it though I have yet to try it. There was the Heaven Hill 18 available except it was double the price. I also picked up a Jack Daniel's Coy Hill which is a little different than the Russell's but really pretty good. I must say the Russell's would be my number one at this point such a full experience
I spent secondary for Russells 15 & haven’t had a pour yet. I don’t have buyers remorse at all! Planning on cracking it open during holidays. Btw you guys are the best!!!
Cedar ridge is my favorite distillery. Love to stop by there when traveling. Great restaurant at the distillery as well!
I’m a lucky man! I’m a barber here in Texas and it has benefitted me greatly in my bourbon collection. I got a makers cellar aged from a client and today another client brought me the Russell’s 15. Can’t wait to try it later tonight
Samples? Because there'd have to be a cold day in hell before I gifted my barber an entire bottle of Russell's 15 or cellar aged
@@bobmarley2140 I have some awesome clients! This one owns a bar and has access to bottles I normally can’t get so he will bring me one from time to time.
You must be one heckuva barber! Congrats on having a loyal & generous set of customers!
@ Thank you! I try. I’ve been doing it a while and have built a good clientele. I do a lot for them as well because if I didn’t I wouldn’t get the love I do from them.
@@jp4942 were they samples?
I got lucky at a local bar and had a pour of RR13 for $13 and RR15 for $38. I chased the 15 at $400 but failed to find it. Too slow. It is worth it to me. It is outstanding. Someday I hope to find a bottle.
I wish I could get my hands on any of these bottles. Oh well!
Saying OCD premium is somewhat limited is the understatement of the year. They only have like 200 bottles of it per year
It is limited NOT because of bottles produced but the very limited number of states where it is distributed
@@perfectophil The OCD Premium is not distributed anywhere. It is distillery only and 1 barrel per year. We do not limit it in purpose.
They need to tread lightly on all things OCD after the debacle in the last bourbon bracket where it somehow got entered and won. It is essentially an unobtainable product unless you visit the distillery when they have a bottle available and thus it is not something that should be included with more mainstream items that actually have distribution albeit on a limited/allocated basis.
Russell’s 15 is special stuff. Generational is a good word for it
While RR15 is truly phenomenal stuff, I still feel the best release of the past few years is ECBP C923. A 13 year, 133 proof bourbon for 80 bucks. It’s truly a delicious pour, and possibly a “generational bottle,” based on how ECBP is trending. For this year, other than RR15, the Smokeye Hill Barrel Proof release is excellent!!! I think it goes for 80-90 bucks (I think I paid 80 mine; don’t remember). Highly recommended!
Found Makers Cellar Aged in Japan for under MSRP. Excited to get home and crack it open.
You guys make it seem so easy to get these bottles. They're so hard to find and expensive if I ever see them by me.
It's because they have a YT channel and have a good relationship with a local liquor store owner.
Great list .
Saw some Cedar Ridge in one of my local stores for the first time today.. picked up the Barrel Proof. 49.99. it is phenomenal
I like how Trenton waited foe Kurt to turn his back before he reached from the Russell's 15.
I love the Cedar Ridge!!!
Good to see Glenn's Creek getting some love. They are worth a visit. They are in the abandoned Old Crow DIstillery. I stopped by and we did a tasting. Ended up buying ¡Cuervito Vivo.
That's our favorite of the available options, too.
I was able to snag a 2024 William Larue Weller at retail ($169.99), and even though WLW was already my favorite bourbon, this year's release is exceptional! As far as a more approachable price point, (I paid $59.99 for mine), I think the Wild Turkey 70th Anniversary was also pretty stellar!
First of all I want to thank you for your review a few weeks back of Cedar Ridge Amontillado Sherry finished bourbon and I was thrilled to see it in your top 5. I am fortunate to live in Cedar Rapids just a few miles North of the distillery. They are putting out some gang busters special releases along with their standard products. I am sure they will be pleased with your review. I went out and purchased a bottle and now I definitely need to go get a backup or will be a great bourbon for gifts. Love your videos. Unfortunately that is the only bottle in your top 5 I have ever seen here in IA. Merry Christmas to your and your family.
I haven't found it anywhere and I'm bummed lol.
@@ChristopherMayer326Benz has it in CR
I visited Glenn's Creek last December (3rd time) and did their tasting event. Had an opportunity to buy the OCD Premium and, against my wife's recommendations, declined to buy it. When I was there in August, they confirmed that this channel has now made it impossible to get. The last barrel sold out in 10 minutes.
I live an hour away from the distillery and did a tasting there a few months ago with Dave. I was too afraid to ask him about the OCD Premium because he was too busy obsessing over the amazing hot sauce he’s been making lol
When I last visited, I decided to wear my SLB tee shirt, hoping that it would help me get one. No luck.
@@nathansnyder1043 It was long gone by then
@@johnf.kennedy5454 Well it was sold out by the time you came back. You listened to your wife?? LOL
I've watched to many videos to not subscribe. BTW, gonna try Kurt's Bloody Mary mix this weekend. My wife says it looks good! Thanks for the videos guys!
I passed on the RR15 when it first came out since other than batch 1 RR13 is not a $150 bottle.
Decided to try it last night at a bar and paid $50 for 2oz and man did I make a huge mistake in not getting a bottle and 2 backup bottles!
I really wish I could find that Cedar Ridge Amontillado cask.
I think the makers you were thinking of was The Lost Recipe. The unforgotten was a wild turkey release from a few years ago
Personal opinion this years OFBB belongs on the list. Best one I’ve gotten to try
I was lucky enough to snag a ocd premium bottle thanks to your recommendation. I am saving it for a special occasion
Jack single barrel rye deserves to make the rye list, will be shocked if it doesn’t.
It's not really considered allocated though, but I agree they're really good
Bardstown Disco 12 could be on there. Not sure if it tops 11 (tall task) but definitely more allocated and delicious.
I would say top 10 for sure
The Cellar Aged is the best I have had in a long time. I preferred it over the Russell's 15.
Russ 15 and Stagg jr 24B are my top 2 for sure
2024 GTS is a beautiful pour!
Got my RR15 at Walmart for 255.00. Somehow, my friend has 3 now.
I saw a RR15 on the bottom shelf of a display at a small local store that I know does museum pricing. $350. I probably wasn't going to buy it at even closer to MSRP, but felt lucky to see one in the wild.
Regarding Buffalo trace, I'm about done with them on my Bourbon Journey. The pricing across the board for Sazerac is getting ridiculous. The only 2 products I'm really interested in are Eagle Rare and Early Times BiB and then the ET BiB hasn't been on store shelves in my area for 6 months now. One store owner I talked to said it looks to be allocated now. WTH Sazerac?!
I wish I saw one for that price, I paid $400 for mine and still don't regret it
Saw the video title, and looked right in between them only to see that Russel’s 15 was missing off the shelf lol
I thought for sure we'd see the Westward Milestone release in this video. I believe it was Kurt that said it was the best thing he ever tasted!! Great picks though.
Saw a Russell's 15 this past weekend for $550 in Albany, NY wow
I told myself that $400 would be the highest I go on a RR15, and sure enough I found one for $400. $550 is ridiculous.
@@johng5710sadly $400 is a good price for the RR15, that’s the price point I’m hoping to find one at but no luck so far but I’ve tasted it and it’s worth it
@@johng5710 you'll probably only ever buy 1, maybe 2 in your life unless you have real money. it might be worth that extra 150 for a lot of people, just for the experience. That said, I wouldn't jump at it for 550
Allocated and "Don't" miss these" do not mix here in Kentucky unless you have a really good friend in the business. I have never been able to get an allocated bourbon unless I wanted to pay the ridiculous high prices on the secondary market, which is something I refuse to do.
A couple months ago I checked in at my summertime “honey hole”…and when I walked in, the store manager told me that he had a RR 15 year and did I want it. I had just purchased a Stagg jr a couple days earlier for 80 bucks and wasn’t thinking about spending 250+ tax ….so I passed…..walked back in the next day and bought it. Same day I went to a second store that helps me out….and they had a single bottle of RR 15…same price but this time I bailed out…I just couldn’t pull the trigger on another 250….lol….Ive never had 2 bottles like that fall into my lap on the same day!
$250? That is cheap. More like $480 the couple times I’ve seen them.
@@deankruse4491 I would have bought both at 250. But nobody treats me that well haha
What you'll never hear from a whiskey channel about their Best of lists...
"We got ripped!! Good thing we wrote this down cause I don't remember anything!"
I buy one bottle over 150 every year. This year was Limestone Farm. Cellar aged was on list
I am in GA and have never seen a single bottle of cellar aged. Its on the top of my want to try list now that I have tried the BTACs (Handy is the best for me)
I live up in the Jasper area, so I tend to range from Ellijay to Cumming to Gainesville ... I've found all of the LE that Maker's puts out without what I'd call unusual effort, and I've never seen a cellar aged either. The local distributor, I am sure, does what he wants with them.
Can't find the Cedar Ridge anywhere. Is it available somewhere?
Iowa
Is there somewhere that y’all list the prices paid and MSRP?
2025 is going to be my second year officially of being a bourbon nerd. Can't wait to go in the spring to Glenn's Creek, Castle and Key, and Four Roses. I went to BT 5 times this year and I really plan on diversifying next year in terms of going on tours and spending more time in Kentucky.
I still haven't tried Four Roses as a distillery and I am honestly wanting to wait until I go to the gift shop and try to score something special. Plus, I think I would like the OESV profile. I almost want to get an OBSV single barrel but I've refrained as of this point.
If they somehow have OCD Premium when I go sometime next year, I will make my best attempt to find a random person on the side of the road to help me get a second bottle. I'm so serious. Look at that color! It's as dark as the cork topper. What. That is crazy.
I was just at Four Roses a few weeks ago and they had a bunch of different single barrel barrel proofs available...I believe OESV was one of them
I paid $60 for a pour of the RR15 and I don’t regret it.
I was blessed to have been able to try RR15 through a friend. Wonderful! I was also blessed to be able to get a bottle of the Glenns Creek OCD#5 Premium. It is sooooooo good! SO GOOD! ❤️
Thanks Father Rick. You are the best!
@@davidmeier1811I just calls ‘em like I tastes ‘em - and Glennscreek puts out some awesome stuff! Hopefully the word will get out more and more and you’ll expand with a shipping department and start spreading the goodness throughout the country. Too many bourbon folks aren’t aware of GCD - and they need to be! ❤
Hey guys, seeing the Cedar Ridge gave me an idea for a video! Why don’t you taste some finished whiskeys along with the product that they were finished with? E.g.: taste something Amontillado finished along with some Amontillado sherry? Or something port finished along with some port? You could even taste some ice wine along with the recent Barrel ice wine finish. It could give you a good idea of what the finishes taste like in their initial state.
Surely not the best allocated out there, but as far as best bang for your buck allocated, I snatched an Eagle Rare 10yr today for $47 out the door. Can't beat it period.
That HH18 is sooooo good
Cedar ridge hodling it Down 💯
Trenton ... As a Rye lover, you never mention any of the Whistle Pig products ... I was curious of your opinion of them and specifically the 10 year Rye
Yes!
When are you guys releasing your non-allocated list?
On my tour last month heavenhill said they have a 26yr they’re going to try to release for HHH.
I have been searching for a year for the MM Cellar aged bourbon in Dallas and Fort Worth.
I am still looking for a 2023 Cellar Aged too
I visited Glenn’s Creek in September and got two OCD #5. Unfortunately no OCD #5 Premium. On the same trip I did find a RR 15 in the wild, but priced at $475… no way I’m paying that.
The OCD Premium sold out in 45 minutes
where would one get a bottle of the OCD #5 Premium?
im going to give the heart release another look, i do have 1, but, my first try says i have to dis agree with you on this 1, that maple note just kills the sip, i would love to try any or all of the others listed
If you have a list in order of the rest that were included in the tasting?
Hope to see Angels Envy Rye in the rye lineup
I was able to acquire samples of a bunch of 2024 LE's this year and here was my blind results:
8 - Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged
7 - Parker’s Heritage Collection
6 - Four Roses LE
5 - BBC Discovery 12
4 - Jack Daniels Coy Hill
3 - Old Forester Birthday Bourbon
2 - Russel’s Reserve 15
1 - Booker’s The Reserves
I think RR15 will dominate the year end lists, but that Reserves just hit me like no other bourbon this years. I was actually surprised at how poorly the MMCA 24 did for me as the 23 was a top whiskey for me last year. Anyways, loved to see how you all ranked those. And I agree, the OCD Premium this year was really good. Cheers y'all!
Love your guys videos! Pretty sure we're from the same area. Keep it up!
I’m looking for a back up bottle of RR. It’s phenomenal and would pay 300 all day long, I’d buy a case.
I really enjoy Russell products. In saying that, I'm still pretty upset on how they rolled out the botched release of the RR15 online. After the first attempt online the website crashed and then on the second attempt it was just as screwed up. They need to do better! Take care of your base customers, not the secondary hounds.
I'd put Coy Hill above cellar aged for sure
Agreed
What about the 2024 Birthday Bourbon? i know you stated in your video, its close to Russells 15
If I ever find a cellar aged at MSRP I will be grabbing it. The OCD 5 sounds very interesting and I will be getting my hands on one.
No 13th Colony Double Oaked??
I think you guys should have stretched the list to 10 bottles honestly. A lot of bangers dropped this year.
Lots of great bottles this year, disagree on the 13th DO, huge drop-off this year
This is the perfect example of "preference". I won a sample of Russell's 15 on another site and to me it elevated the dusty flavor of Turkey. Not a big fan. Also, I had a MM private select barrel pick that I liked better than the Cellar Aged.
I Know yall said BTAC is the pinacol but I really want to know how they compare to Russels 15 considering the way people speak about it
Is there any place online to get that cedar ridge? It's not in their website.
I have looked and looked to no avail.
Its on their site whe they have it
@@Lawyerboyleslie72 it's not right now.
RR15 not on the shelf in the back at the start of video can tell that's on the list before watching.
Russells 15 is great and I love it however it's still only a three flavor note hitter, possibly 4 notes....it doesn't come back with different notes, or flavors so it's not what I would call complex. Complexity to me means new notes with every other sip. Then different notes next week when you sample it. I dunno just me I guess 🤷🏼♂️😁😃😁
In my humble opinion
Where can I buy that Cedar Ridge?
Limited release, mostly in Iowa this last summer. Very hard to find!
Oh man, Trent. You are missing out brother!
Eagle Rare has been the best bottle in the BTAC line for like 3 years in a row now.
I can't explain it, but it's not just me. The guys at Bourbon Pursuit, Fred Minnick, and a couple of others have been saying it too. Eagle Rare BTAC has been either the #1 or #2 bottle for 3 straight years.
Michter's 20 is 114.2 proof. I was lucky enough to have a small pour of it, it was amazing.
I was finally able to acquire a bottle of Russell's 15...for $400 lol. But I can't say I'm mad about that purchase because it's a delicious pour and deserves all the hype it has gotten.
You guys should definitely do a blind of Michter's 20 vs. Russell's 15, it would be interesting to see the results.
Maybe during your next live stream, you can raffle off a sample of all of your top five whiskeys
Never seen Gleens Creek
That colour though DAYUM
You will never see Gleens Creek because it is Glenns Creek! LOL
Cmon Trent you couldn’t Finnish the tiny sip you had to pour it back in the bottle lol
Sadly, in North Carolina we are under the ABC system which is operated by the State. Most ABC stores only sell the popular pours that can be found in most places. To find unique, quality whiskies, NC residents must travel out of state.
I was in Pinehurst visiting my mother in law and stopped in to get a bottle for the week. 1st place had 2 bottles of eagle rare (I grabbed one since in Illinois can only buy at marked up prices) and about 6 bottles of Bardstown disco 12 at around $130. Later in week stopped at another place and they also had an eagle rare.
They don't do monthly allocation drops?
@@johng5710 The guy said they drop occasionally and then they usually sell out. The place that had the 2 bottles of eagle rare, I bought 1 bottle and while I was looking at something else someone bought the other bottle. Might want to ask the next time you visit.