I live in Cleveland, Ohio, and drive frequently to Pennsylvania for work and that’s where I get almost all of my allocated bourbons most things I can find sitting on the shelves collecting dust
I have 2 bottles of Birdgang. I have cracked one open and I’m holding the other one for the next Eagles Super Bowl. I actually really like it. Every time I drink it I find myself saying “this is one of the best $35 bourbons I’ve ever had.” Blue eyed six is O.K. But nothing to write home about. Thistle Finch is a distillery in Lancaster. It is pretty good. Their Rye is what most of the bars in the area will carry. Resurgent is one of my personal favorite distilleries in the SE PA area. Good whiskeys with a different flavor profile than most are used to. Their Bourbon is hard to come by but the Whiskey Tribe guys said it is fantastic.
The Blue Bird Four Grain is slammin! Best Pa Whiskey I've ever had was from Resurgent. It was a limited release good label custom cask, 118 proof, AMAZING!
Thanks for the video and info… I happen to work for FWGS , I enjoy watching these reviews and tastings and hopefully give my customers a good feedback when they ask “ How good is this and if it’s worth the price “… Keep at it 👍🏻👍🏻
Nice video on FWGS. Your store has a great selection. The High West Camp Fire is good but not worth rebuying at 80. Batch 1 was very polarizing as it was so unbalanced and tasted like an old burnt stick and young whiskey. What they are producing now is totally different a nice light smoke (well I love Octomore so I think light). PA has probably the highest prices of any ABC state. It is ridiculous. A significant amount of common bottles are $5 to $10 more expensive than other states. For instance; Michter’s rye SiB is over $50 plus tax but easily bought elsewhere for under $40 (and no tax in some states I get it at . Normally pay $37 total) Ardbeg Corryvecken in PA is $130 plus tax and I picked mine up last month on a business trip for $87.99 and no tax Barrell Seagrass PA $85 but easily found for $65 to $75 elsewhere Middle West Double Cask Ported Pumpernickel PA $130 elsewhere $90 That Pikesville should be no higher than 55 The PA state agency sets the price and it is drastically higher than it should be for an ABC state that also has such a limited bourbon and other whiskey selection (come on PA only 2 Sagamores sold in the state! The distillery is right next to us) PA/FWGS just doesn’t really care and hasn’t for decades about overcharging its citizens. They figure the few hundred enthusiasts who travel out of state to purchase don’t matter in the long run since they have a mostly captive audience they can keep overcharging. Sorry for the rant but when you buy a lot of whiskey those $5, 10,15,25 ,45 ect of overcharging adds up to other bottles you could have bought.😂
That sounds right. I was in VA ABC and their stuff was cheaper although they have a higher tax. I wish the government would get out of the retail business or quit trying to make a profit.
PA resident as well - pretty close to Ohio too so i do venture outside the state from time to time. FWGS stores need to get better at coordinating releases. I literally walked into my store and Blantons was on the register counter - and no one knew anything about them coming. It would just be nice to know - ok - some good allocations are coming on Day X so that i can prepare to be there/get in line etc.. Thanks for the vid.
I agree. I was just talking with someone who had the exact same experience with Banton’s but it was in cases behind the counter. He needed to get the manager to sell one. The staff doesn’t even know what’s coming or when until the delivery arrives.
Simple way to get Basil Hayden as a value: Old Grand Dad 😺 If you want value priced Pikesville, it's Rittenhouse. Early Times BiB isn't distributed in several states nearby. Sazerac these days is pushing Benchmark heavily in that level. Campfire is a blend of bourbon, rye, and Scotch. Peated Scotch at that - so yes, you're going to get strong opinions for sure.
Stumbled across your channel and this is a solid video. I’m from the Chester County area and have a FWGS store that’s similar to the one you visited. I’m only 1yr into the Pa Distilleries and I’m having a blast! There’s so many good options out there. I hit that subscribe button and am looking forward to your videos on what this great state has to offer in whiskey! Cheers
If you get there within an hour or two of a delivery you may be able to get Buffalo Trace or Eagle Rare. Or ask at the counter. If you consider them special.
@TheBourbonTable yep! That's my circuit lol. I've had some luck and got blantons, bt, some other allocated stuff, but can't seem to luck out and get eagle rare near me!
You have to get there the same day as the delivery. You can ask one their employees when that is. You can also call and ask if they got in any new or allocated bourbons in. If they did they have to sell it to you. I’ve had a manager pull one from behind the counter for me. But if you miss the first day they will be gone. The good news is that you will buy them for MSRP or a couple dollars above. I get Eagle Rare for $41.
price and selection in PA fine wine is really a travesty. I rarely buy anything from them. I end up placing orders with a friend who lives in Kentucky and have him bring me large orders for a shopping fee twice a year and its still cheaper for me
You completely ignored Resurgent from your pictures. They are also PA based and are my personal favorite of all the PA ones you mentioned in this video.
Fine wine and spirits is the Worst. Terrible selection. The online ordering is terrible, employees are lazy and rude. Pennsylvania needs to sell it. I always buy out of state when I can
Don't buy PA bourbon. Stick with the stuff that is being chased. there is a reason people chase it. I usually hit a philly suburb when they run out of the good stuff in the middle of PA, so the store you showed was exactly as I expected.
I live in Cleveland, Ohio, and drive frequently to Pennsylvania for work and that’s where I get almost all of my allocated bourbons most things I can find sitting on the shelves collecting dust
That’s awesome! Any location in particular?
I have 2 bottles of Birdgang. I have cracked one open and I’m holding the other one for the next Eagles Super Bowl. I actually really like it. Every time I drink it I find myself saying “this is one of the best $35 bourbons I’ve ever had.”
Blue eyed six is O.K. But nothing to write home about.
Thistle Finch is a distillery in Lancaster. It is pretty good. Their Rye is what most of the bars in the area will carry.
Resurgent is one of my personal favorite distilleries in the SE PA area. Good whiskeys with a different flavor profile than most are used to. Their Bourbon is hard to come by but the Whiskey Tribe guys said it is fantastic.
Great info! Thank you! I just tried Resurgent. I get it. Interesting about Bird Gang. I never would have thought.
The Blue Bird Four Grain is slammin! Best Pa Whiskey I've ever had was from Resurgent. It was a limited release good label custom cask, 118 proof, AMAZING!
I’ve heard that. I’m gonna have to try it.
Thanks for the video and info… I happen to work for FWGS , I enjoy watching these reviews and tastings and hopefully give my customers a good feedback when they ask “ How good is this and if it’s worth the price “… Keep at it 👍🏻👍🏻
Thank you so much! Just starting out I appreciate the encouragement.
Thistle and Finch is In Lancaster PA at 417 W Grant St behind the fire station they are pretty good
Wow. So many PA bottles! Thanks for the confirmation.
Nice video on FWGS.
Your store has a great selection.
The High West Camp Fire is good but not worth rebuying at 80. Batch 1 was very polarizing as it was so unbalanced and tasted like an old burnt stick and young whiskey. What they are producing now is totally different a nice light smoke (well I love Octomore so I think light).
PA has probably the highest prices of any ABC state. It is ridiculous. A significant amount of common bottles are $5 to $10 more expensive than other states. For instance;
Michter’s rye SiB is over $50 plus tax but easily bought elsewhere for under $40 (and no tax in some states I get it at . Normally pay $37 total)
Ardbeg Corryvecken in PA is $130 plus tax and I picked mine up last month on a business trip for $87.99 and no tax
Barrell Seagrass PA $85 but easily found for $65 to $75 elsewhere
Middle West Double Cask Ported Pumpernickel PA $130 elsewhere $90
That Pikesville should be no higher than 55
The PA state agency sets the price and it is drastically higher than it should be for an ABC state that also has such a limited bourbon and other whiskey selection (come on PA only 2 Sagamores sold in the state! The distillery is right next to us)
PA/FWGS just doesn’t really care and hasn’t for decades about overcharging its citizens.
They figure the few hundred enthusiasts who travel out of state to purchase don’t matter in the long run since they have a mostly captive audience they can keep overcharging.
Sorry for the rant but when you buy a lot of whiskey those $5, 10,15,25 ,45 ect of overcharging adds up to other bottles you could have bought.😂
Just like Michigan 🤔😖🫣
That sounds right. I was in VA ABC and their stuff was cheaper although they have a higher tax. I wish the government would get out of the retail business or quit trying to make a profit.
Well said. Not to mention the allocation system is disturbing at best. When I travel out of state, I hunt and purchase.
I would agree with everything that was said. You can’t find anything and I go to Jersey to hunt,which isn’t much better.
PA resident as well - pretty close to Ohio too so i do venture outside the state from time to time. FWGS stores need to get better at coordinating releases. I literally walked into my store and Blantons was on the register counter - and no one knew anything about them coming. It would just be nice to know - ok - some good allocations are coming on Day X so that i can prepare to be there/get in line etc..
Thanks for the vid.
I agree. I was just talking with someone who had the exact same experience with Banton’s but it was in cases behind the counter. He needed to get the manager to sell one. The staff doesn’t even know what’s coming or when until the delivery arrives.
Simple way to get Basil Hayden as a value: Old Grand Dad 😺 If you want value priced Pikesville, it's Rittenhouse. Early Times BiB isn't distributed in several states nearby. Sazerac these days is pushing Benchmark heavily in that level. Campfire is a blend of bourbon, rye, and Scotch. Peated Scotch at that - so yes, you're going to get strong opinions for sure.
Great points! I forget sometimes that it’s the same juice in different bottles. Thanks marketing. Lol
Subscribed - I'm close by in Chalfont.
Awesome! Thank you!
Wow, a lot of great info here! 👍🏻
Thank you!
Stumbled across your channel and this is a solid video. I’m from the Chester County area and have a FWGS store that’s similar to the one you visited. I’m only 1yr into the Pa Distilleries and I’m having a blast! There’s so many good options out there. I hit that subscribe button and am looking forward to your videos on what this great state has to offer in whiskey! Cheers
I love it! Thank you! Dad's Hat and Bluebird are two good distilleries if you haven't visited them.
Chester county here too! Shelfer prices are generally pretty good but good luck trying to get anything special!
If you get there within an hour or two of a delivery you may be able to get Buffalo Trace or Eagle Rare. Or ask at the counter. If you consider them special.
@TheBourbonTable yep! That's my circuit lol. I've had some luck and got blantons, bt, some other allocated stuff, but can't seem to luck out and get eagle rare near me!
Sup Chester County friend? I’m from Coatesville!
Try the Flourtown store in Montgomery County. They have a great bourbon selection too.
I’ll check it out. Thank you!
What’s the trick to finding allocated bottles at Fine Wine? They seem to always keep it in the back and it’s very hush hush unless you ask directly
You have to get there the same day as the delivery. You can ask one their employees when that is. You can also call and ask if they got in any new or allocated bourbons in. If they did they have to sell it to you. I’ve had a manager pull one from behind the counter for me. But if you miss the first day they will be gone. The good news is that you will buy them for MSRP or a couple dollars above. I get Eagle Rare for $41.
PA had Early Times BiB, but when it sold out they never more. Great bottle for the price, still have two left.
Don’t tell me that. I can’t find it in three states.
This was before the fwgs website changed July 2023, you could search inventory by county.
price and selection in PA fine wine is really a travesty. I rarely buy anything from them. I end up placing orders with a friend who lives in Kentucky and have him bring me large orders for a shopping fee twice a year and its still cheaper for me
I love that! Kentucky is a great place to know someone.
Lancaster City has a great selection of bourbons, I'm from Pa
It’s interesting how they are different.
@ true I feel like Lancaster city has the best in the central pa area
Great video. Where did you get your shelf for your bottles? I’m needing a new one, and that looks like it holds a good amount of weight. Thanks
Amazon: a.co/d/4hYL5ii
Well, that was certainly thorough
Bourbon hunting is quite the trend.
@ you old scoundrel
Truth
You completely ignored Resurgent from your pictures. They are also PA based and are my personal favorite of all the PA ones you mentioned in this video.
Great detail though very informative just felt like Resurgent intentionally ignored when everything next to it was commented on
Good catch! I haven’t had it but I have heard that they are very good. A quick count I found 20+ PA distiller bottles on their shelves.
@@TheBourbonTableappreciate it! Great video overall. Glad UA-cam algo recommended it!
Social Still you didn’t mention from Bethlehem. The shelfers are young and I’d pass. They had limited aged product that was good at distillery.
Cool. Thank you!
Dads hat
Good one!
Fine wine and spirits is the Worst. Terrible selection. The online ordering is terrible, employees are lazy and rude. Pennsylvania needs to sell it. I always buy out of state when I can
@@drewspencer9769 Better selection in NJ.
PA sucks. Hate getting into bourbon and ryes as a PA resident.
It’s tough. I live near the NJ border and work near the Delaware border so I go there from time to time and get some good stuff.
I go to Bourbon Street in Jersey
great video ty sir! I frequent these stores man what a shit show!
Thank you! Yeah, it seems random how some locations are full of great stuff and others don’t have a damn thing.
Don't buy PA bourbon. Stick with the stuff that is being chased. there is a reason people chase it. I usually hit a philly suburb when they run out of the good stuff in the middle of PA, so the store you showed was exactly as I expected.
I get lucky every now and then. But most of the good stuff I get in Jersey or Delaware.
Don’t waste your money on Pennsylvania bourbon
None of them?
Bluebird you mentioned isn’t bad. My favorite is Holy Ghost that’s only sold from their distillery. Not in fwgs.
Liberty Pole is actually pretty solid