@@Triggerman4 you sound so entitled. the owner doesn’t have to offer you anything you don’t have to shop there either. It’s his choice whether or not he wants to offer you that bottle or not.
Yeah but that same bottle is still cheaper with the sales tax in California. In mt experience at least. A local whiskey is sold here for 49.95 and its sold for 35 at my old liquor store in California....
What makes no sense is is that ER is $37 delivered in the UK (£30) just order from Amazon. It does vary but it's at that price several times a year without leaving the property. Most big supermarkets carry it too.
@nathankoon7749 Yeah, i find it really odd that I can literally walk into this distillery, just on the highway, whenever they are open and pay more for it than someone who has to have it shipped.
One cool thing about oregon, besides no sales tax, is ALL LIQUOR is to be sold at liquor stores so that entire economy goes to a lot of small businesses instead of Costco, Walmart ect bigger stores
@@sao1776 as of a few years ago (not sure if it changed) we had the highest liquor tax in the country. And pretty much nobody advertises the after tax costs.
You mentioned that you are going to visit every state for bourbon hunting. I live in Maine and I don't believe you have filmed an episode up here yet. Maine is just like Oregon where the pricing is controlled by the state and retail sales are done by independent retail stores. If you haven't visited Maine yet, make sure to check mom and pop gas stations and country stores. Allocated bottles are distributed to retailers randomly and I have found Blantons on a gas station shelf for $70. My Christmas haul from country stores in Aroostook county included Rock Hill Farms for $65, Blanton's Gold for $129, and Elmet T Lee for $50. In addition, I found EH Taylor single barrel, straight rye and small batch at MSRP. Love watching your channel and keep up the great work!
Totally agree, from Maine as well. Had some good luck in Southern Maine but up the coast is where I’ve had my best luck up near Bar Harbor, definitely can find some good stuff, just have to drive sometimes
Very true. I live in Michigan but my job had taken me to Maine for the last 5 years. I go a few times a year for two weeks at a time and love the prices there. I go all over but always stop at Bow Street Beverage in South Portland as well as a few others. Always come home with a few.
I actually screamed when he said Woodinville Whiskey Co- I drive past it every day on my way to work, and it has been HANDS DOWN my favorite bourbon since I moved a few years ago.
One good thing about Oregon is the ABC stores, on the state ABC website you can see and search for bottles by name and see what stores have them, it's not 100% but damn close
You’ll still run into issues where the inventory site says they have something and you still won’t find it on the shelf. They hold back allocated stuff all the time. At least around the more populated areas like Portland.
The first gentleman you talked to gave you a fairly good description of the liquor distribution process in Oregon. A finer point that he touched on briefly - the liquor stores themselves are the distributors to both bars/restaurants and individual purchasers. Under current practice, the vast majority of allocated whiskey bottles end up in bars/restaurants and are unavailable for purchase by the general public (i.e., you will never see them on the shelf). This is a sore point for individuals like me, and you - and many others, who would enjoy the opportunity to buy these bottles on the shelf. In response to this discontent, the state now runs a limited lottery for Oregon residents only, 4 times per year, where approximately 4% of the allocated bottles received by the state are entered into the lottery where winners have the chance to purchase said bottles at the state-controlled retail price.
Also the stores are independently owned and operated. If you build a relationship with an owner that has several stores, you can often be awarded things from the “back office” and also possibly participate in a barrel pick. The state controls the price and the distribution so no extra margin on liquor. That’s why you see many stores selling other items (like wine, beer, mixers, cigars, cigarettes, etc) because they can make more money selling add-ons than the liquor itself.
@@PDXBeach The stores may be independently owned and operated, but they operate in a state-sanctioned monopoly (i.e., state controls # of stores per municipality and the liquor supply and prices) where all the liquor in their possession is the property of the state until sold, upon which they collect an 8.38% commission. Although some stores do operate "back rooms" and preferred general public customer lists, these practices clearly violate state regulations as specified in the OLCC Retail Operations Manual: "The liquor inventory in each store is the property of the State of Oregon. Allocated items or items in limited quantities must be sold immediately or made available for purchase to the public or licensee upon request. Agents must make any product available for legal sale to any customer." In recent past, and currently, the state has shown zero interest in curbing these non-permitted practices - instead focusing much of their enforcement efforts on stamping out underage liquor sales.
And let’s not forget the debacle that was the state officials getting their hands on the highest allocation valued bottles before they ever hit the market. Folks lost their jobs in that mess.
First store in the video, Oregon Spirits whiskies right in front of them distilled in Oregon from Oregon grain to included some BiB products, bourbon or wheat whiskey.
I have worked at a liquor store in Beaverton ,Or for about 13 years and and the bourbon hunters have gotten out of hand. If we get our delivery at 6am they have been there since 5am. I remember having 20 case stacks of Eagle Rare back in the day. Now it’s maybe 3 bottles a week. And we always have the guy that tell us they know what we are getting and demand we sale it to them. So if so,e one is tipping them off that source works at the OLCC. I have even seen people sale bottles from their car that wasn’t even purchased that day. The only good thing is all Oregano liquor stores have the same price throughout the state
I’m kind of over the bourbon hunting fashion. Many have more than they could drink in five lifetimes. I just want prices to come back down now. It’s getting ridiculous.
You just have to be discrete about it. Gotta keep the people happy who've spent thousands in your store. Not some guy traveling the country hunting bourbon who may never step foot in your store again.
There are mcmemanin Oregon distilled whiskey that I think are only available through a mcminamin pub or brewery. You may want to check that out, mcmemanin establishments are all over the state and brew their own beer, distill their own liquor and make their own wine. Lots of haters out there, but worth checking out when in Oregon.
The biggest cities in Oregon are in the valley rather than the coast. But most stores don’t shelf that WT70, Eagle Rare or Weller so that was a find. For Oregon distillers look for Ewing Young and Branch Point. The distilleries are up north in the Newberg area.
Love seeing Oregon get the respect it deserves here. There's definitely some oddities with our system given the state-owned product, but it's a cool place to be a liquor enthusiast.
Easy to get behind schedule along the Oregon coast. For those traveling during the winter months be prepared for landslides but there are deals to find and great views
When you come up to Washington you should stop in at Woodinvilles distillery and do the tour and tasting! Great place, great people, great whiskey! I’d love to join you if you opened it up to local fans as well!
Come to Vermont..Whistlepig isn't the only big player here and you can hit up the Duty Free Shops on the Canadian border. They have export picks and you don't have to actually go into Canada if you pay sales tax on them. Also New Hampshire has zero sales tax and has massive destination liquor stores that attract people from all over New England.
I love having these videos on as I work, great way to not get bored out of my mind, and really interesting as someone from Scotland who likes the American whiskies as well as Scotch, can sometimes find some of these items that are rarer in some of the states on shelves here for £40 to £50.
Thank you Brewzle!….I found your channel early in the beginning of my bourbon journey. You have helped me immensely!…so much knowledge you have shared, and it really helps that our taste is close to the same. Hopefully I run into you on the road!. Love this channel!.
Cant pass up Rockhill for 65. Never found one or had the chance to buy one. But a local bar does get it in for 7 a pour so I go for happy hour regularly!
I live in Long Beach WA just across the river from OR. The store in Seaside OR is a really nice place to go. But I normally shop in Warrenton and Astoria just because they are onyl about 40 minutes from me.
There is a distillery in Joseph, OR and they have hands down the best Bourbon in all the northwest!!!! Its right downtown Joseph. I saw you pick it up, its the 5 year! Yummy stuff super smooth!
My brother and I are Texans. Tried our first Garrison Brothers yesterday. The Boot Flask. We thought it was the naugahyde ripped from the bottom seat of a semi truck after being driven cross-country for 40 years. 😆😆😆 But there was nothing to "kinda like" about it. 🤣
There’s a few distilleries in Eastern Oregon that have whiskey products, Stein is good I actually own a bottle, there’s a Glacier 45 distillery which uses an odd method but they both distill their own stuff!
The sauce is to make friends with liquor store owners and let them know what you like. Find out when they get deliveries and be there when they open. This gives you a solid shot of getting a small batch bottle at MSRP. Be flexible. Get something different if they don't have your first pick. You can always trade up later.
Love this video! Oregon born and bred but now get to try hunting in VA ABC. Taking a trip back home this summer to the coast so I'm looking forward to the next video where you'll be in the more Central and Northern half of the Oregon coast. It's a long drive all the way up 101 but a great first time experience when iy comes to views and not having previously experienced anything like it.
When I saw all of that stuff sitting on the shelf at the California store at those markups, I got extremely nervous when he asked about the price of the pappy 23.... And I was not disappointed lol
Another great hunt video. I saw early the store keeper mentioned Woodinville. Damn good juice! Especially the rye. Here in Iowa all our liquor comes through the state's warehouse. The retail stores get allocated bottles through a lottery so you never know who may have what. What is the most fair way to sell those bottles? One store gives you points for your purchases so the good customers get a chance to buy the allocated and barrel pick bottles. A local store has a Easter egg hunt where he hides his allocated bottles throughout the store. Now that is a lot of fun. Sorry for being so long winded. Cheers!
So funny seeing people go look at bourbon in other states. The prices and rarity are ridiculous. They have every age of pappy at my favorite Irish bar here in Kentucky, if that tells you anything. Just about every upscale restaurant and gastropub also have all the top shelf stuff hanging around. But there are so many bourbons most people don't even know about that are amazing quality that you can find here just because they are made in such smaller quantity by a small producer with extra care for their product instead of one of the large-scale manufacturers.
$39 Eagle Rare...Nice! I paid 59 euros for it in Germany. Brewzle, thanks sir. I'm from Louisiana and been stationed in Germany going on 2 years. I followed your recommendations to start a (Collection) I can drink and enjoy. Trying to learn my palate currently. I cannot wait to go home on vacation and take a ride up to Spillway. Thanks sir!
Stationed in Germany as well. I can find Eagle Rare and other Buffalo Trace products regularly at AAFES, although they seem to mark them up about 50%. There’s lots of decent bottles available locally too and I can usually find .75L Eagle Rare at about €33. Can’t beat it for that price. I’ve also had luck finding some Wellers, Blantons, and Michters. Happy hunting!
@DB-os7wl I just started seeing the eagle rare at my local AAFES as of maybe 3 weeks ago. I only been to a shop in the downtown area. Got Blanton's, Michters, E.H. Taylor, etc. I need to shop another spot and see other stores
Goonies was filmed on the Oregon coast. Haystack Rock, Canon Beach. Bull Run is MGP but my favorite “Oregon” bourbon. For ASM’s Westward and Mcarthy’s are my favorites. You should have bought that Milestone at Gold Beach. I don’t think you would have regretted spending $250 and no tax. 🥃🥃
When you come to Colorado you have to try Snitchin Lady Distillery in Fairplay. Produced and aged from start to finish in Fairplay, distilled in a copper pot still in the back of the old bank building on main st.
Did you continue on through Idaho on this trip? I'd be curious what you thought of bourbon hunting in Idaho. All state run. No store picks per say. They do have state picks but who knows who chose them...probably sample packs or just the master distiller's selection. All the stores look the same and generally have the same things. Everything allocated is called a treasure hunt item meaning the managers will randomly put out a bottle or two throughout the day. Even the treasure hunt policy is dictated by the state. Of all the places I've seen you hunt, this one would be the hardest IMO, especially just travelling through. Best bet is to spend a day or two in Boise and hit every store in the treasure valley, OR hit all the small town stores on a drive through the state. Hitting the small town stores on a long drive would probably be most fruitful as Boise has quite a prevalent bourbon hunting community and it doesn't take long before their snatched up. But if you do make it to Boise, hit me up and I'd be glad to show you around and maybe introduce you to a couple of the connoisseurs that have a huge selection of some really really special bottles. There's a few around here that spend thousands per bottle on liquor websites and auctions.
I'm a little disappointed that none of the coast stores seemed to carry any of the Bull Run. That is an Oregon Whiskey aged either all kinds of Oregon casks...
When you said Brookings at the beginning of the video, my heart skipped a beat and for a second I thought you were in my city. Wrong state, however. ;) Love the vids. Show us your rum collection someday!
Just stumbled upon your channel and have no clue if you’ve made it through Oregon but there’s an amazing whiskey bar in Astoria if you do any bars called Blaylock’s. That place is a must in the Oregon coast.
If you're still in Oregon you need to get a Bulls Run cash strength. It's distilled just outside Portland and i will drive 2.5 hrs south from WA to get some. Phenomenal.
It would be a very interesting video to go to Ohio or Oregon and compare the app inventory vs the actual store inventory. That would be super interesting to watch!
I was on the Oregon Coast last week. Happened to hit it just after they had deliveries. My haul over 2 days: - 2 Eagle Rare - 1 Big Eagle Rare - 2 Knob Creek 12s - 1 Stagg - 2 Blantons Then an assortment of other bottles.
I'm not doubting your haul - but for others to gain some perspective - your haul would be considered a "unicorn" per typical Oregon bourbon hunting opportunities. For even further perspective - I have set foot in over 150 liquor stores within the state (often guided by using OLCC liquor search) - many times at some locations - over the past 5 years. In all those times, I have never had an opportunity to buy any of the bottles you list (except the Knob Creek 12) or any other high-end BTAC products.
Ransom, Freeland, and Stein are three great Oregon whiskey distilleries. :) And you can check current inventory at all stores at Oregon Liquor Search, which is run by the OR Liquor Control Commission!
you will find more stores in Portland. In Olympay WA there is not much two or three stores but the prices are not good and we have a 22% tax add on to the sales tax.
Hey TJ, make sure to get up to Astoria. I've got a close Navy Brother up there. It's a pretty decent sized town right on the NW corner of Oregon and US101 goes right through there. Gorgeous country all up that coast. Seaside is also a little party town that might have some bottles. Good Hunting!!!
I think if you came up the I5 corridor you might find more of the rare stuff. Tend to have larger stores in larger towns, Maybe the super touristy spots near seaside might have some stuff
Here in our area we have southern distillery, it's in the statesville nc area. They make some great bourbon. You should come through and check them out
Got some Rock Hill Farms on a cruise, I didn't like it at first but that second pour! My GAWD was it tasty. Probably never get it again until my next cruise lol
Welcome to Oregon! You won't find a lot to hunt for, but when you do, it is a great price. Mostly commodity shopping. The reason the store right across the border in California could sell Stagg for $150 is because you aren't likely to find one in Oregon. If a store gets it, they usually hold it in the back "for a friend". Hunting in Oregon can be really frustrating, but rewarding once in a blue moon.
I’ve heard of people getting a chance to purchase 😉 And the oregonliquorsearch…oof. It gets you excited to find things they never knew what happened to them.
@@Logistical_Nightmareonce in five years is better than zero which is my luck where I live in Oregon no matter how well I know the owner. Stagg Jr. used to be easy to find before 2020 and now not a chance.
Oregon liquor is restricted to liquor stores only, you will not find spirits at a grocery store. I live in Brookings myself, and you're correct, we're very limited in our selection based on our lower population. But Brookings Liquor's owner who you spoke with is correct, Medford, OR has a much larger selection at that location. We drink the good stuff, but not many locals want to purchase higher end product due to cost. I myself prefer scotch, but bourbon is difficult to find the good stuff here. What we lack in bourbon, we more than compensate with views!
I wish I had known you were in the area. I get a lot of my bottles from that All Star you went into. It's really not that long of a trip to run out to Medford. WE have 3-4 somewhat decent stores. Most of the time you have to have your name on a list but occasionally I get lucky.
100% agree that JD twice barreled is the best rye Ive ever had. I was able to get my hands on 5 of them drank them all!!!! and they were all about 60 bucks a piece
"Well worn, sweat in... Wrigley Field in the summer..." LMAO, TJ. From someone who lives a short L ride north of "the friendly confines," I approve of that review.
glad you hit Oregon hard to beat alot of prices, but hard to find bottles at certain places. the website works pretty good but not perfect. The coastal route is def going to be a harder hunt but you can get lucky. Central Oregon is not any easier and its hit or miss out here for me but i get lucky here and there.
First- love the videos. I am a beer guy but your videos have got me trying bourbons now so I am a 50 yr old newbie. I am sure its not high on the list of priorities but would love to know where you end up stopping in at when you get to CT. I am just starting my bourbon journey so my knowledge is limited on where to go.
If he's heading up the coast, I sure am looking forward to him hunting Washington. Highest taxes in the country and a ton of museum stores. Have to hit grocery stores here.
Are there hidden gem grocery stores that have anything special? I can't ever remember seeing something in a Safeway/QFC/Fred Meyer (in the greater Seattle area) that you couldn't get for the same price or less at Total Wine.
@@airplanenut1 I have seen some decent bottles in Town and Country (Or as i remembered it as Central Market). Also i think i seen some Barrel Picks in Safeway.
Qfc is my go-to, just got to find a good one. There is a big difference in selection at different stores, but some locations have legit selection and lots in stock. The managers of those stores seem to put alot more stuff on sale too. On new years we found a $30 off sale on the 1.75 eagle rare 10year bottles. Past few months I've found deals like, turkey 101 & buffalo trace for 23.99, & Elijah Craig for 21.99. Also found the limited edition kraken attacks from Seattle bottles from kraken rum marked down to 11.99 so had to grab a few to stash away at that price
@ I'll need to keep my eyes peeled. I've never seen anything too exciting there, the closest being U Village (right by UW) having a full QFC liquor store next door. They had a nice selection, but nothing I was looking for (I can't remember if that also included anything I hadn't seen elsewhere, but they probably had some bottles you wouldn't find at Total Wine, albeit not ones I was looking to buy).
James came thru with that RHF , totally understood the assignment 😎
I’d rather had that bottle go to one of his better customers than a rich UA-camr
@DietBajaBlast he was just excited about seeing a youtuber he likes.
Oh boo hooo awww you didnt get the dirty water awww @tryggveborchers8721
@@Triggerman4 you sound so entitled. the owner doesn’t have to offer you anything you don’t have to shop there either. It’s his choice whether or not he wants to offer you that bottle or not.
@@Triggerman4this UA-camr may have brought him a lot of entertainment & joy so he wanted to repay him with that.
Don’t be so whiney
Oregon doesn't have sales tax either, so a 38.95 bottle of ER is 38.95 out the door
Yeah but that same bottle is still cheaper with the sales tax in California. In mt experience at least. A local whiskey is sold here for 49.95 and its sold for 35 at my old liquor store in California....
What makes no sense is is that ER is $37 delivered in the UK (£30) just order from Amazon. It does vary but it's at that price several times a year without leaving the property. Most big supermarkets carry it too.
@@BrandenH-O051 agreed. the price list is published online. a handle of jameson is $60 in OR. it's like $40ish in CA
@nathankoon7749 Yeah, i find it really odd that I can literally walk into this distillery, just on the highway, whenever they are open and pay more for it than someone who has to have it shipped.
Not that it will help but the OLCC website will give you cost and what stores have st7.
One cool thing about oregon, besides no sales tax, is ALL LIQUOR is to be sold at liquor stores so that entire economy goes to a lot of small businesses instead of Costco, Walmart ect bigger stores
Price control is communism.
PA is like that tho they are state controlled stores as well
Can’t wait to see your reaction to WA liquor taxes 😂
And price gouging!
Came here to say this. We are pretty much the worst state in the country to hunt in. High prices and 20% sales tax
No kidding WA is horrible!
Yep! WA is gonna be an episode for sure! Lol
@@sao1776 as of a few years ago (not sure if it changed) we had the highest liquor tax in the country. And pretty much nobody advertises the after tax costs.
James is a legend for that for sure.
You mentioned that you are going to visit every state for bourbon hunting. I live in Maine and I don't believe you have filmed an episode up here yet. Maine is just like Oregon where the pricing is controlled by the state and retail sales are done by independent retail stores. If you haven't visited Maine yet, make sure to check mom and pop gas stations and country stores. Allocated bottles are distributed to retailers randomly and I have found Blantons on a gas station shelf for $70. My Christmas haul from country stores in Aroostook county included Rock Hill Farms for $65, Blanton's Gold for $129, and Elmet T Lee for $50. In addition, I found EH Taylor single barrel, straight rye and small batch at MSRP. Love watching your channel and keep up the great work!
Better to come in the summer can get seafood and lobster rolls
Totally agree, from Maine as well. Had some good luck in Southern Maine but up the coast is where I’ve had my best luck up near Bar Harbor, definitely can find some good stuff, just have to drive sometimes
Very true. I live in Michigan but my job had taken me to Maine for the last 5 years. I go a few times a year for two weeks at a time and love the prices there. I go all over but always stop at Bow Street Beverage in South Portland as well as a few others. Always come home with a few.
Northern Aroostook county here
@aarondufour245 Same here! I live in Caribou and I'm a loyal Sleeper's customer
I actually screamed when he said Woodinville Whiskey Co- I drive past it every day on my way to work, and it has been HANDS DOWN my favorite bourbon since I moved a few years ago.
And it’s carried at Costco on Woodinville-Snohomish Rd. Their port cask bourbon is awesome.
One good thing about Oregon is the ABC stores, on the state ABC website you can see and search for bottles by name and see what stores have them, it's not 100% but damn close
Alabama also has that kind of search ability.
@Crosmyn we do but, I've not seen the availability of bourbon available here like Oregon
Maine is price controlled, but the website is worthless other than looking up prices.
You’ll still run into issues where the inventory site says they have something and you still won’t find it on the shelf. They hold back allocated stuff all the time. At least around the more populated areas like Portland.
@@Tractor311 Absolutely. 'Searching' is definitely not the same as 'Finding' :)
The first gentleman you talked to gave you a fairly good description of the liquor distribution process in Oregon. A finer point that he touched on briefly - the liquor stores themselves are the distributors to both bars/restaurants and individual purchasers. Under current practice, the vast majority of allocated whiskey bottles end up in bars/restaurants and are unavailable for purchase by the general public (i.e., you will never see them on the shelf). This is a sore point for individuals like me, and you - and many others, who would enjoy the opportunity to buy these bottles on the shelf. In response to this discontent, the state now runs a limited lottery for Oregon residents only, 4 times per year, where approximately 4% of the allocated bottles received by the state are entered into the lottery where winners have the chance to purchase said bottles at the state-controlled retail price.
Also the stores are independently owned and operated. If you build a relationship with an owner that has several stores, you can often be awarded things from the “back office” and also possibly participate in a barrel pick. The state controls the price and the distribution so no extra margin on liquor. That’s why you see many stores selling other items (like wine, beer, mixers, cigars, cigarettes, etc) because they can make more money selling add-ons than the liquor itself.
@@PDXBeach The stores may be independently owned and operated, but they operate in a state-sanctioned monopoly (i.e., state controls # of stores per municipality and the liquor supply and prices) where all the liquor in their possession is the property of the state until sold, upon which they collect an 8.38% commission. Although some stores do operate "back rooms" and preferred general public customer lists, these practices clearly violate state regulations as specified in the OLCC Retail Operations Manual: "The liquor inventory in each store is the property of the State of Oregon. Allocated items or items in limited quantities must be sold immediately or made available for purchase to the public or licensee upon request. Agents must make any product available for legal sale to any customer." In recent past, and currently, the state has shown zero interest in curbing these non-permitted practices - instead focusing much of their enforcement efforts on stamping out underage liquor sales.
And let’s not forget the debacle that was the state officials getting their hands on the highest allocation valued bottles before they ever hit the market. Folks lost their jobs in that mess.
Meanwhile in California, I can get bottles of liquor at my local grocery store every day of the week with no limits that I know of. What a difference.
@@DaleDenton and pay secondary prices for that "luxury".. No thanks!
You could tell James was star struck. Really cool, you walk in and there is a fan of the channel.
First store in the video, Oregon Spirits whiskies right in front of them distilled in Oregon from Oregon grain to included some BiB products, bourbon or wheat whiskey.
I stayed in Eugene for a month and every liquor store i went into the people were so friendly and nice. I also loved the prices.
I really appreciate you including the footage of you stopping at the coast, the beautiful things in life.
Was not expecting to see a guy I went to high school with on UA-cam, James is a real one for sure!!
I have worked at a liquor store in Beaverton ,Or for about 13 years and and the bourbon hunters have gotten out of hand. If we get our delivery at 6am they have been there since 5am. I remember having 20 case stacks of Eagle Rare back in the day. Now it’s maybe 3 bottles a week. And we always have the guy that tell us they know what we are getting and demand we sale it to them. So if so,e one is tipping them off that source works at the OLCC. I have even seen people sale bottles from their car that wasn’t even purchased that day. The only good thing is all Oregano liquor stores have the same price throughout the state
I’m kind of over the bourbon hunting fashion. Many have more than they could drink in five lifetimes. I just want prices to come back down now. It’s getting ridiculous.
If I’m a liquor store owner, I don’t hold a bottle for anyone that calls on the phone. Reward the people who come into the store
You just have to be discrete about it. Gotta keep the people happy who've spent thousands in your store. Not some guy traveling the country hunting bourbon who may never step foot in your store again.
There are mcmemanin Oregon distilled whiskey that I think are only available through a mcminamin pub or brewery. You may want to check that out, mcmemanin establishments are all over the state and brew their own beer, distill their own liquor and make their own wine. Lots of haters out there, but worth checking out when in Oregon.
The biggest cities in Oregon are in the valley rather than the coast. But most stores don’t shelf that WT70, Eagle Rare or Weller so that was a find. For Oregon distillers look for Ewing Young and Branch Point. The distilleries are up north in the Newberg area.
@@Raimond-u3u +1 for Ewing Young. The cask strength is solid! 👍
Love seeing Oregon get the respect it deserves here. There's definitely some oddities with our system given the state-owned product, but it's a cool place to be a liquor enthusiast.
Easy to get behind schedule along the Oregon coast. For those traveling during the winter months be prepared for landslides but there are deals to find and great views
When you come up to Washington you should stop in at Woodinvilles distillery and do the tour and tasting! Great place, great people, great whiskey! I’d love to join you if you opened it up to local fans as well!
Come to Vermont..Whistlepig isn't the only big player here and you can hit up the Duty Free Shops on the Canadian border. They have export picks and you don't have to actually go into Canada if you pay sales tax on them. Also New Hampshire has zero sales tax and has massive destination liquor stores that attract people from all over New England.
I love having these videos on as I work, great way to not get bored out of my mind, and really interesting as someone from Scotland who likes the American whiskies as well as Scotch, can sometimes find some of these items that are rarer in some of the states on shelves here for £40 to £50.
Should’ve picked up that Westward single malt 👀👀
Thank you Brewzle!….I found your channel early in the beginning of my bourbon journey. You have helped me immensely!…so much knowledge you have shared, and it really helps that our taste is close to the same. Hopefully I run into you on the road!. Love this channel!.
I came across Woodinville recently at my local liquor store. It is easily one of my favorite bottles - in fact, I went back and bought 5 more!
Cant pass up Rockhill for 65. Never found one or had the chance to buy one. But a local bar does get it in for 7 a pour so I go for happy hour regularly!
I live in Long Beach WA just across the river from OR. The store in Seaside OR is a really nice place to go. But I normally shop in Warrenton and Astoria just because they are onyl about 40 minutes from me.
I appreciate how you help people get into this hobby. Bought 2 Blantons yesterday at MSRP. Thought youd be proud! Greetings and love from Cincinnati.
Oh wow, I'm surprised to see you hunting up here in the Pacific North West - James knew what he was doing with that office whiskey hahah
The guy that gave you his office whiskey was awesome! Welcome to oregon, by the way! I just found your channel today!
PA has a similar system and it’s awesome. Price controlled states have some of the lowest prices in the country and that’s awesome!
Great video. It is nice that Oregon keeps it at MSRP or close and not outrageous prices.
It is purely MSRP +OR liquor tax. the state owns the liquor and controls the price, nothing is inflated.
New to bourbon, got myself a small collection so far. You are my favorite channel to help me learn more !
James is the MVP of this video. Good stuff 👍
7:40 you can only buy hard liquor at liquor stores. Grocery stores only carry beer and wine.
I love the Road Trips. Thank you.
There is a distillery in Joseph, OR and they have hands down the best Bourbon in all the northwest!!!! Its right downtown Joseph. I saw you pick it up, its the 5 year! Yummy stuff super smooth!
My brother and I are Texans. Tried our first Garrison Brothers yesterday. The Boot Flask. We thought it was the naugahyde ripped from the bottom seat of a semi truck after being driven cross-country for 40 years. 😆😆😆 But there was nothing to "kinda like" about it. 🤣
Awesome to see you out there! I was born and raised in gold beach but haven’t been back there in about 10 years!
That Westward is supposed to be fire!!!
There’s a few distilleries in Eastern Oregon that have whiskey products, Stein is good I actually own a bottle, there’s a Glacier 45 distillery which uses an odd method but they both distill their own stuff!
The sauce is to make friends with liquor store owners and let them know what you like. Find out when they get deliveries and be there when they open. This gives you a solid shot of getting a small batch bottle at MSRP. Be flexible. Get something different if they don't have your first pick. You can always trade up later.
Finally made it to Oregon! No sales tax but yeah the privatization of liquor really makes it complicated. Cheers!
Love this video! Oregon born and bred but now get to try hunting in VA ABC. Taking a trip back home this summer to the coast so I'm looking forward to the next video where you'll be in the more Central and Northern half of the Oregon coast.
It's a long drive all the way up 101 but a great first time experience when iy comes to views and not having previously experienced anything like it.
Stagg in socal is $300+, found one store that had it at $150 and I was stoked
Yep, I finally found one for 200 bucks and I was happy to scoop it up.
Woodinville 8 year is really good. Hope you enjoy it! The Westward Milestone is also one pacific northwest gems in whiskey.
When I saw all of that stuff sitting on the shelf at the California store at those markups, I got extremely nervous when he asked about the price of the pappy 23.... And I was not disappointed lol
Another great hunt video. I saw early the store keeper mentioned Woodinville. Damn good juice! Especially the rye. Here in Iowa all our liquor comes through the state's warehouse. The retail stores get allocated bottles through a lottery so you never know who may have what. What is the most fair way to sell those bottles? One store gives you points for your purchases so the good customers get a chance to buy the allocated and barrel pick bottles. A local store has a Easter egg hunt where he hides his allocated bottles throughout the store. Now that is a lot of fun. Sorry for being so long winded. Cheers!
The Woodinville rye is pretty good, just wished it was higher proof.
@@mytmousemalibu Agreed. at 90 it's a little thin. I do have 5 barrel picks. 2 of them are Rye's. 115 and 120 proof. Now that's better.
Woodinville port, some cask store picks, and their moscatel finish are all amazing products.
So funny seeing people go look at bourbon in other states. The prices and rarity are ridiculous. They have every age of pappy at my favorite Irish bar here in Kentucky, if that tells you anything. Just about every upscale restaurant and gastropub also have all the top shelf stuff hanging around. But there are so many bourbons most people don't even know about that are amazing quality that you can find here just because they are made in such smaller quantity by a small producer with extra care for their product instead of one of the large-scale manufacturers.
$39 Eagle Rare...Nice! I paid 59 euros for it in Germany. Brewzle, thanks sir. I'm from Louisiana and been stationed in Germany going on 2 years. I followed your recommendations to start a (Collection) I can drink and enjoy. Trying to learn my palate currently. I cannot wait to go home on vacation and take a ride up to Spillway. Thanks sir!
Stationed in Germany as well. I can find Eagle Rare and other Buffalo Trace products regularly at AAFES, although they seem to mark them up about 50%. There’s lots of decent bottles available locally too and I can usually find .75L Eagle Rare at about €33. Can’t beat it for that price. I’ve also had luck finding some Wellers, Blantons, and Michters. Happy hunting!
@DB-os7wl I just started seeing the eagle rare at my local AAFES as of maybe 3 weeks ago. I only been to a shop in the downtown area. Got Blanton's, Michters, E.H. Taylor, etc. I need to shop another spot and see other stores
Goonies was filmed on the Oregon coast. Haystack Rock, Canon Beach.
Bull Run is MGP but my favorite “Oregon” bourbon. For ASM’s Westward and Mcarthy’s are my favorites. You should have bought that Milestone at Gold Beach. I don’t think you would have regretted spending $250 and no tax. 🥃🥃
dont forget Astoria
When you come to Colorado you have to try Snitchin Lady Distillery in Fairplay. Produced and aged from start to finish in Fairplay, distilled in a copper pot still in the back of the old bank building on main st.
When you hit Washington, make sure to hit Quartz Mountain Distillers in Vancouver, Great Place, Highly recommend their 4 grain
WOW Gold Beach local here ….such a treat to see ya in the area.
Did you continue on through Idaho on this trip? I'd be curious what you thought of bourbon hunting in Idaho. All state run. No store picks per say. They do have state picks but who knows who chose them...probably sample packs or just the master distiller's selection. All the stores look the same and generally have the same things. Everything allocated is called a treasure hunt item meaning the managers will randomly put out a bottle or two throughout the day. Even the treasure hunt policy is dictated by the state. Of all the places I've seen you hunt, this one would be the hardest IMO, especially just travelling through. Best bet is to spend a day or two in Boise and hit every store in the treasure valley, OR hit all the small town stores on a drive through the state. Hitting the small town stores on a long drive would probably be most fruitful as Boise has quite a prevalent bourbon hunting community and it doesn't take long before their snatched up. But if you do make it to Boise, hit me up and I'd be glad to show you around and maybe introduce you to a couple of the connoisseurs that have a huge selection of some really really special bottles. There's a few around here that spend thousands per bottle on liquor websites and auctions.
I spend a decent amount of time in Idaho and yeah… stores there are rough. I’ve only ever had luck in eastern Idaho.
The squat bottles of Black Maple Hill are Stein distillery from Oregon fwiw
I'm a little disappointed that none of the coast stores seemed to carry any of the Bull Run. That is an Oregon Whiskey aged either all kinds of Oregon casks...
Such a relief when you found the ‘back up bottle’…or as I like to call it ‘emergency whiskey’…as your first purchase.
I can't believe how much allocated stuff they have just sitting on the shelves that we can't sniff the light of day of in MN
Born and raised in Oregon hands down my favorite Oregon made bourbon has to be easy rider from out of hood river
When you said Brookings at the beginning of the video, my heart skipped a beat and for a second I thought you were in my city. Wrong state, however. ;) Love the vids. Show us your rum collection someday!
An an Oregonian this was an unexpected but entertaining watch! No sales tax here and no hard liquor in grocery stores.
Just stumbled upon your channel and have no clue if you’ve made it through Oregon but there’s an amazing whiskey bar in Astoria if you do any bars called Blaylock’s. That place is a must in the Oregon coast.
If you're still in Oregon you need to get a Bulls Run cash strength. It's distilled just outside Portland and i will drive 2.5 hrs south from WA to get some. Phenomenal.
It would be a very interesting video to go to Ohio or Oregon and compare the app inventory vs the actual store inventory. That would be super interesting to watch!
Thats a good bottle of turkey you picked up. Wish I got one too.
You’re missing out on the trails end 10yr and the Oregon spirit bottled in bond both are distilled and bottled in Oregon
I was on the Oregon Coast last week. Happened to hit it just after they had deliveries. My haul over 2 days:
- 2 Eagle Rare
- 1 Big Eagle Rare
- 2 Knob Creek 12s
- 1 Stagg
- 2 Blantons
Then an assortment of other bottles.
I'm not doubting your haul - but for others to gain some perspective - your haul would be considered a "unicorn" per typical Oregon bourbon hunting opportunities. For even further perspective - I have set foot in over 150 liquor stores within the state (often guided by using OLCC liquor search) - many times at some locations - over the past 5 years. In all those times, I have never had an opportunity to buy any of the bottles you list (except the Knob Creek 12) or any other high-end BTAC products.
@@schunajm I have only ever found Eagle Rare or Blantons, but you have to stand outside before the store opens or they are gone in 10 minutes.
Ransom, Freeland, and Stein are three great Oregon whiskey distilleries. :)
And you can check current inventory at all stores at Oregon Liquor Search, which is run by the OR Liquor Control Commission!
@@RevWoody I didn't realize Ransom was local..
I bought a bottle of Dry Fly Washington Bourbon while on a duck hunting trip. Descent bourbon, the bottle caught my eye. Love the videos!
you will find more stores in Portland. In Olympay WA there is not much two or three stores but the prices are not good and we have a 22% tax add on to the sales tax.
If you are still in Oregon stop at Tidal Raves in Depoe Bay. Their bar selection and prices is very impressive. .
TJ mentioning Wrigley Field made my month
If you're looking for an outstanding Oregon sourced and bottled bourbon I recommend checking out Freeland Cask Strength.
Hey TJ, make sure to get up to Astoria. I've got a close Navy Brother up there. It's a pretty decent sized town right on the NW corner of Oregon and US101 goes right through there. Gorgeous country all up that coast. Seaside is also a little party town that might have some bottles. Good Hunting!!!
I think if you came up the I5 corridor you might find more of the rare stuff. Tend to have larger stores in larger towns, Maybe the super touristy spots near seaside might have some stuff
Here in our area we have southern distillery, it's in the statesville nc area. They make some great bourbon. You should come through and check them out
I recently got a bottle of the Baker's 7. One of the few bourbons you mentioned I did not like.
Got some Rock Hill Farms on a cruise, I didn't like it at first but that second pour! My GAWD was it tasty. Probably never get it again until my next cruise lol
Oregon spirit is not bad, distilled there, i've only seen it at total wine though (but im in texas)
Pretty good bottles you got on this trip and at a very reasonable price. 🥃 cheers.
Love that you are finally here in my town!
Welcome to Brookings!
Welcome to Oregon! You won't find a lot to hunt for, but when you do, it is a great price. Mostly commodity shopping. The reason the store right across the border in California could sell Stagg for $150 is because you aren't likely to find one in Oregon. If a store gets it, they usually hold it in the back "for a friend". Hunting in Oregon can be really frustrating, but rewarding once in a blue moon.
So true. Chance to purchase lottery is about the only way to get the allocation bottles.
@@LokiLokiPDX CTP is only good for 1 bottle every 5 years at best. It is not a way to get allocated bottles
I’ve heard of people getting a chance to purchase 😉 And the oregonliquorsearch…oof. It gets you excited to find things they never knew what happened to them.
@@godfathertribble4404 I've never met anyone that actually won in the "Chance to Purchase" lottery, although they say it happens.
@@Logistical_Nightmareonce in five years is better than zero which is my luck where I live in Oregon no matter how well I know the owner. Stagg Jr. used to be easy to find before 2020 and now not a chance.
WestWard is my uncles distillery that he joined in on and left Kansas, they just shut down I believe. So cool I got to see his bottle in your video
Buffalo trace for $29 just sitting there!!!! Where I live that stuff is allocated and usually has a significant premium on it when you can find it
They’re $30 everywhere unless its Blanton’s
This is so cool! Welcome to oregon coast! So glad to see all the good spots finally
Oregon liquor is restricted to liquor stores only, you will not find spirits at a grocery store.
I live in Brookings myself, and you're correct, we're very limited in our selection based on our lower population. But Brookings Liquor's owner who you spoke with is correct, Medford, OR has a much larger selection at that location.
We drink the good stuff, but not many locals want to purchase higher end product due to cost. I myself prefer scotch, but bourbon is difficult to find the good stuff here. What we lack in bourbon, we more than compensate with views!
I wish I had known you were in the area. I get a lot of my bottles from that All Star you went into. It's really not that long of a trip to run out to Medford. WE have 3-4 somewhat decent stores. Most of the time you have to have your name on a list but occasionally I get lucky.
100% agree that JD twice barreled is the best rye Ive ever had. I was able to get my hands on 5 of them drank them all!!!! and they were all about 60 bucks a piece
Lighting looked great despite the weather. Great tour
"Well worn, sweat in... Wrigley Field in the summer..." LMAO, TJ. From someone who lives a short L ride north of "the friendly confines," I approve of that review.
Oregon has some world class single malts but I have yet to run into a bourbon from oregon that I keep on the shelf over others.
glad you hit Oregon hard to beat alot of prices, but hard to find bottles at certain places. the website works pretty good but not perfect. The coastal route is def going to be a harder hunt but you can get lucky. Central Oregon is not any easier and its hit or miss out here for me but i get lucky here and there.
You can get pretty lucky at the coast, you just have to be there on a delivery day, and be there on a week where good allocations are shipping
First- love the videos. I am a beer guy but your videos have got me trying bourbons now so I am a 50 yr old newbie. I am sure its not high on the list of priorities but would love to know where you end up stopping in at when you get to CT. I am just starting my bourbon journey so my knowledge is limited on where to go.
Gotta love people from coos bay
The guy in the first liquor store is right about the High West cask strength, a VERY TASTY pour for Sure 👍👍😉❤️💯
If he's heading up the coast, I sure am looking forward to him hunting Washington. Highest taxes in the country and a ton of museum stores. Have to hit grocery stores here.
Are there hidden gem grocery stores that have anything special? I can't ever remember seeing something in a Safeway/QFC/Fred Meyer (in the greater Seattle area) that you couldn't get for the same price or less at Total Wine.
@@airplanenut1 I have seen some decent bottles in Town and Country (Or as i remembered it as Central Market). Also i think i seen some Barrel Picks in Safeway.
Qfc is my go-to, just got to find a good one. There is a big difference in selection at different stores, but some locations have legit selection and lots in stock. The managers of those stores seem to put alot more stuff on sale too. On new years we found a $30 off sale on the 1.75 eagle rare 10year bottles. Past few months I've found deals like, turkey 101 & buffalo trace for 23.99, & Elijah Craig for 21.99. Also found the limited edition kraken attacks from Seattle bottles from kraken rum marked down to 11.99 so had to grab a few to stash away at that price
@ I'll need to keep my eyes peeled. I've never seen anything too exciting there, the closest being U Village (right by UW) having a full QFC liquor store next door. They had a nice selection, but nothing I was looking for (I can't remember if that also included anything I hadn't seen elsewhere, but they probably had some bottles you wouldn't find at Total Wine, albeit not ones I was looking to buy).
@ I'll need to check one of those out. They're enough off my normal routes that I've never been, but not too terribly far out of the way.