Pappy Raffle,

[Sean the Nailer]

Well, myself and My Lady were at the first ever Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon raffle today. First ever to be had in Manitoba, that is.

There was ~500 people in attendance, each one received ONE (1) ticket and a stamp on the hand upon entry. Tickets were handed out from 9:00 am to 9:30 am, and the draw started at 9:35 am.

There were 3 bottles of Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve, 15 y/o, for $199.99
There were 6 bottles of Old Rip Van Winkle 10 y/o for $129.99
There were 6 bottles of George T. Stagg for $165.00
There were 18 bottles of Stagg Jr. for $93.00
There were 6 bottles of WL Weller for $165.00
There were 18 bottles of Weller C.Y.P.B. for $69.99
There were 24 bottles of E.H. Taylor Single Barrel for $85.18
There were 60 bottles of E.H. Taylor Small Batch for $85.18
There were 66 bottles of 1792 Single Barrel for $80.18
There were 240 Bottles of Eagle Rare Single Barrel for $57.99

We were able to walk away with a bottle of Stagg Jr; E.H. Taylor Single Barrel, and E.H. Taylor Small Batch. We'll pay bills next month

I don't know what this offering is like in comparison to what ya'll have access to/on hand regularly, but up here this is a RARE event (first time ever) and it was advertised as:

"Fine & Rare Bourbon Release" relatively close to home here. So of course, we had to attend. Could not believe how packed the place was, and even more surprised as to how popular the Bourbon is around here. It's always just a small section of the store, and we're the only ones we know who frequent that section, around here.

 

[lonegunman762x51]

500 people and 480 prizes,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,lucky?

 

[Sean the Nailer]

the mass of Eagle Rare Single Barrel was a big display out front. I'd forgotten to mention that. The raffles were for all the other bottles. Eagle Rare is pretty-much a staple on the shelves here, though the 'Single Barrel' might be a bit different.

All them other bottles we've never seen before in this Province. So yeah, I'd say that we were lucky. We still had the privilege of paying for said bottles, but we were lucky enough to be handed them first!

 

[Deadman Pointers]

Hopefully, you don't have as many hipsters in Canada. I see tons of tightly rolled denim and finely shaped moustaches waiting outside my local liquor store in the states patiently waiting for bottles to sell on their facebook groups hours after purchasing them.

 

[Sean the Nailer]

While we DID see some young folks there, and many around joked about "check his ID" (remember, the drinking age up here is 18 and even THAT was questionable) I can honestly say I/we didn't see any 'hipsters' around at all.

Not all were nearly as rugged as I am, but them pole-smokin', patchouli-rubbin, feather-sniffin, fish-kissin', granola-munchin' useless waifs were not in attendance.

 

[Hookturnr]

I just picked up a bottle of Wellers CYPB 2 days ago...looking forward to that one! Here in PA we have state run liquor stores. They have a fair selection but some of the more rare stuff gets raffled on the LCb website. In the last raffle I think there were 200 bottles of the Wellers CYPB for the entire state and I was able to get one. My brother in law got a Bottle of Four Roses single batch 10yr last year the same way.

 

[Sean the Nailer]

A few different guys commented one thing or another today at the raffle, about the CYPB bottles.

Until today I'd never heard of it, so I truly don't know anything about it at all. Have had a few bottles of Weller over the years, but what that is I don't know, yet.

 

[SilentStalkr]

You should try some red breast if you can ever get your hands on it! 12 year ?

 

[whatsupdoc]

What fucking bullshit Eagle Rare was ALWAYS single barrel, now it is not and they charge more for it.

 

[Redmanss]

I have a bottle of 2014 George T that I've been working on for the last four years, that stuff is my favorite. It only gets pulled out for very special occasions. My lady's oldest was staying with us when he PCS'd back to the east coast and we went off on vacation while he was dealing with the early part of a divorce, I got back home and found that bottle short a solid 3-4 fingers to which he denied drinking until I showed him the tick mark I make on the side of the bottle. I was pissed to say the least, and he never found a bottle of even cheap booze in the open again.

You just don't fuck with another man's bourbon...

 

[Kadams1563]

I need to find some burbons to drink. I pretty much think all alcohol taste like shot unless it comes with an umbrella in my drink lol

 

[whiskeytower]

I need to find a decent liquor store..... Im out of Blantons and the local liquor stores are either alleging Blantons is a "seasonal" item. Or the other liquor store is gouging at 150.00$ a bottle and hides them in the back. I picked up some Bulleit and 4 Roses for the time being as the search continues for blantons and Eagle Rare at reasonable prices.

 

[pmclaine]

Im such a pussy.

An appropriate glass tumbler loaded with an amber liquid clean or on the rocks looks so appealing until I taste the shit and think to myself "Am I going to die? Did I just drink paint thinner?"

Fuck the hipsters.

Bet they hate drinking the stuff too.

 

[Supersubes]

Im such a pussy.

An appropriate glass tumbler loaded with an amber liquid clean or on the rocks looks so appealing until I taste the shit and think to myself "Am I going to die? Did I just drink paint thinner?"

Fuck the hipsters.

Bet they hate drinking the stuff too.

Don’t know what you've tried all and all, but consider maybe you just haven’t found YOUR drink yet. I was in the exact same boat as you, then I found scotch. Don’t recall what it was or how it was prepared, but man I was hooked (in a good way). I like most of them with a few ice cubes, but it’s totally acceptable to dilute with water as well, which should take away the fire. Like wine, it’s very very interesting to explore whiskey of all types. Just thought I’d throw that out there.

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Im such a pussy.

An appropriate glass tumbler loaded with an amber liquid clean or on the rocks looks so appealing until I taste the shit and think to myself "Am I going to die? Did I just drink paint thinner?"

Fuck the hipsters.

Bet they hate drinking the stuff too.

Allow me to make a suggestion. Next time you pour yourself one, leave out the rocks. And then, immediately cover the top of the glass with a solid cover like a saucer, or glass coaster or something like that. (nothing absorbent like a cardboard or fabric coaster)

Let that sit for a few minutes, and even 'swirl' the glass around a few times. Get those vapors 'releasing'. Then, when you're ready to take a sip, lift that lid right next to your nose and smell. Hold that vapor/smell in your nose while you take that sip, and see if that changes things for you and your palate.

Swish that sip around, so that it gets hit by all your taste-buds. Often an eye-opening experience for many.

This lesson brought to you by SwitchBlade. He deserves the credit.

 

[pmclaine]

Don’t know what you've tried all and all, but consider maybe you just haven’t found YOUR drink yet. I was in the exact same boat as you, then I found scotch. Don’t recall what it was or how it was prepared, but man I was hooked (in a good way). I like most of them with a few ice cubes, but it’s totally acceptable to dilute with water as well, which should take away the fire. Like wine, it’s very very interesting to explore whiskey of all types. Just thought I’d throw that out there.

I only have the desire very infrequently.

Usually in a nice restaurant waiting in the bar for a table or after a good dinner walking around town looking to escape the cold in a hotel bar with high back leather chairs.

A tumbler to sip and relax with, something that would be played out longer than the girly Cape Codders or Capt and Cokes I usually get.

 

[pmclaine]

Allow me to make a suggestion. Next time you pour yourself one, leave out the rocks. And then, immediately cover the top of the glass with a solid cover like a saucer, or glass coaster or something like that. (nothing absorbent like a cardboard or fabric coaster)

Let that sit for a few minutes, and even 'swirl' the glass around a few times. Get those vapors 'releasing'. Then, when you're ready to take a sip, lift that lid right next to your nose and smell. Hold that vapor/smell in your nose while you take that sip, and see if that changes things for you and your palate.

Swish that sip around, so that it gets hit by all your taste-buds. Often an eye-opening experience for many.

This lesson brought to you by SwitchBlade. He deserves the credit.

Not sure if I should take whiskey advice from a Canadian remembering the boozy breath of my ancient PEI aunts from my young boy years - Yes Canadian Club mixed with Ginger Ale scent mixed with Old Lady perfume......

I compounded the trauma in my teen years when after school one day we were in a freinds house hitting his parents Seagrams 7 mixing it with Coke.

We heard the garage door going up, his parents coming home when they shouldnt have, and the 3 or 4 of us gunned down our full water glasses of booze.

It was the mpoed years and I drove my AMF Roadmaster moped home likely cocked and threw up causing me to miss school the next day.

Now that I think about it.....Im good.


Edit Add -

https://www.mopedarmy.com/wiki/AMF

 

[SuckitTrebek]

Why drink shit no one can find when there is plenty of high quality drink out there
easily available.

 

[SilentStalkr]

Allow me to make a suggestion. Next time you pour yourself one, leave out the rocks. And then, immediately cover the top of the glass with a solid cover like a saucer, or glass coaster or something like that. (nothing absorbent like a cardboard or fabric coaster)

Let that sit for a few minutes, and even 'swirl' the glass around a few times. Get those vapors 'releasing'. Then, when you're ready to take a sip, lift that lid right next to your nose and smell. Hold that vapor/smell in your nose while you take that sip, and see if that changes things for you and your palate.

Swish that sip around, so that it gets hit by all your taste-buds. Often an eye-opening experience for many.

This lesson brought to you by SwitchBlade. He deserves the credit.

Whatever happened to switch? I never see him or killswitch anymore...

 

[Fig]

Total Wine here has all but the tippy tip in hand all the time and some pretty unique stuff too. This is a special addition I’m taking to a trout tournament next week.

 

[Fig]

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Why drink shit no one can find when there is plenty of high quality drink out there
easily available.

For all the ranting and raving that so many members here have done over the years, about how 'great' this Pappy stuff is... up here we've never had the opportunity to try it. Yesterday was by far, the closest chance we'd ever been, and the first time we'd ever actually SEEN a bottle.

But that doesn't in any way mean that we don't have a bit of a 'selection' of other Bourbon's on hand, to enjoy and imbibe in. Thing is though, our access to 'selection' is a LOT smaller than what ya'll have access to, down there.

And THAT is the main point of this thread.

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Total Wine here has all but the tippy tip in hand all the time and some pretty unique stuff too. This is a special addition I’m taking to a trout tournament next week.

Nice....

I take it then, that "Total Wine" is a 'store'? And a bad day fishing is still better than a good day at work!

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Whatever happened to switch? I never see him or killswitch anymore...

SwitchBlade is still around here, and he posts in different places once in a while. Killswitch though, I can't say anything to as I do not know.

 

[Fig]

For all the ranting and raving that so many members here have done over the years, about how 'great' this Pappy stuff is... up here we've never had the opportunity to try it. Yesterday was by far, the closest chance we'd ever been, and the first time we'd ever actually SEEN a bottle.

But that doesn't in any way mean that we don't have a bit of a 'selection' of other Bourbon's on hand, to enjoy and imbibe in. Thing is though, our access to 'selection' is a LOT smaller than what ya'll have access to, down there.

And THAT is the main point of this thread.

I think you might be disappointed @$200.
So you’ve been running a S&B PM II and have now sprung for the TT... Just don’t expect it to be that suddenly you can see everything that your shitty old S&B was hiding because it was so poor quality. The law of diminishing returns is in effect. It’s really good and really smooth, but I’d say it’s like comparing a bottle of Tattinger to a bottle of DOM or Crystal. You can tell it’s better, but are you willing to pay double for just a little better?

Yes, in St.L we several big liquor stores (Randals, Total Wine and Spririts, and Friar Tucks) that compete with each other on how large, varied, and rare their whiskies are. It’s a good thing.

 

[Sean the Nailer]

I hear you, Fig. I truly do. And I appreciate the analogy of the scope comparison. The difference being, with the scope issue that grants one the automatic 'blame' point for their previous misses. (Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa)

As to the different competing stores, you "lucky bastard,,," up here all the liquor stores are run by the one big Provincial Government and those powers-that-be do all the deciding on what us lowly masses can have access to. And yes, it is ILLEGAL for any of ya'll to attempt to ship us any booze across the border. I guess that said government think that the doing of such would turn us lowly peons into 'really bad people' because we attempted to do some of our own thinking for ourselves. The fact that they wouldn't have received the eleventy percent on taxes that the put into the sticker-price of the bottles, before charging us services tax and sales tax at the register has nothing to do with it at all.

But, that doesn't mean that folks can't send us something to the commercial parcel service in Neche North Dakota, and we drive down there ourselves to pick it up, and then declare it at the border upon our return. That IS legal, on our end.

Maybe one day,,,,,

 

[Fig]

We’ll come and liberate you.

 

[srtsam]

I remember only a few years ago that Pappy was in the cases all the time. I bought and drank probably close to 10 bottles from the 15, 20, 23. Had i known it would become a hipster fave I would have stock piled them. Yes pappy is good, very good infact, but i also enjoy evan williams white label almost as much.

 

[SilentStalkr]

For all the ranting and raving that so many members here have done over the years, about how 'great' this Pappy stuff is... up here we've never had the opportunity to try it. Yesterday was by far, the closest chance we'd ever been, and the first time we'd ever actually SEEN a bottle.

But that doesn't in any way mean that we don't have a bit of a 'selection' of other Bourbon's on hand, to enjoy and imbibe in. Thing is though, our access to 'selection' is a LOT smaller than what ya'll have access to, down there.

And THAT is the main point of this thread.

I like Canadian R&R!

 

[teele1]

Theres BOURBON then theres everything else.....

 

[Hookturnr]

A few different guys commented one thing or another today at the raffle, about the CYPB bottles.

Until today I'd never heard of it, so I truly don't know anything about it at all. Have had a few bottles of Weller over the years, but what that is I don't know, yet.

The Wellers CYPB is the product of a survey a while back. (Create Your Perfect Bourbon)

Wellers asked some several thousand people what their perfect bourbon would be, tallied the results and this is the result.

It's a Wheat recipe, aged 8yrs in the highest racks of the storehouse and bottled at 95 proof. It should make for a nice sipping bourbon.

 

[Nik H]

Where is the good stuff...23 year old Pappy family reserve is what makes me smile.

 

[whatsupdoc]

Look up Lenells Red Hook Rye Barrel #1

 

[Crang]

Pappy is overpriced for what it is. Its only good if its free- and yes I have had them all. Plenty of better options for half the price because they arent trendy.

 

[Soulezoo]

Guess I will drop this here....

And say ahhhhhh....