TexAgs1992 said:

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Anyone ever had an Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Barrel Proof Private Barrel? Local liquor store just released a store pick of this and I've never seen one in my life. At a 123 proof and curious if it's worthwhile or a gimmick?

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AgInSingapore said:

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Just back from a road trip with the better half to TN on Sunday, pretty good trip and whiskey haul. Long post, but TLDR at the end.

Nashville Arrived Saturday late afternoon, suffered through the SC game at a bar that evening and then called it a night. Sunday toured the Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery. Did a whiskey experience (all Belle Meade label juice) and wine tasting, nice way to kill some time and get some history. Initially I thought this was an old plantation but turns out its fame was from thoroughbred horses and being a stud farm. Proceeded to Nelson Bros. Green Briar Distillery, and they have upgraded big time since last here in 2020. Had the tour, did a flight and grabbed a Honey Cask and a BiB. Walked down to Corsair Distillery and did the same, walked away with two of their ASM's, a regular and one called Triple Smoke (think Islay scotch, of which I am a huge fan). Monday, after a nice pulled pork sandwich from Peg Leg Porker before leaving town, I asked the bartender where to purchase some of their Tennessee whiskey and she directed me to Frugal MacDoogal's around the corner so off we went before heading to Lynchburg. Got a Peg Leg Porker 4 yr, 8 yr, and a Rare Character KY Straight Bourbon 8 yr 9 month single barrel store pick. Bummed no 12-year Peg Leg Porker but was still pleased with what I did find.

Lynchburg JD distillery tour/tasting, very cool property and apparently they recently upgraded the post tour tasting room with big rooms and large glass windows. Nothing fancy on the tasting menu (JDSBBP was the high end) but still fun. White Rabbit bottle shop for a JDSBBP, a JD Distillery Series finished in oloroso and one in anejo tequila (both 375ml). Lunch the next day at Mary Bobo's for some roast pork, fried chicken and sides, all shared with strangers at a table in one of the dining rooms served on a lazy Susan. Needed a nap after that but no time as we had to get on the road. Nice little town, stayed at an Air BnB that was a 10 minute walk to the distillery and five minutes to the town square.

Tullahoma Just to stop at a place I heard/read had good bottles and store picks, Liquor Locker. 15 minutes or so from Lynchburg and on the way to our stay with friends in White Pine east of Knoxville. Sure enough, store picks galore (must have been 15 or so), so talked at length to the guy working there (I am going to say he is part of the Ownership the way he started pulling bottles out to taste and talking about his picks and so on). I asked him of all his picks available, what did he recommend, and it was his JDSBBP (134.3 proof) so grabbed two. Also had the 12 year Peg Leg Porker on the shelf, so grabbed one of those. Behind the counter was a Baker's 7 year high rye for $70 or, asked to get that as well and he encouraged me to pass that up and get the last bottle of Old Kirk single barrel he had. I know Old Kirk is rumored to be Willett sourced (purple top juice, NOT the black bottle purple top), and he let me sample the open one he had. Passed on the Baker's and got the Old Kirk, never seen one here in TX and it was good even out of a little plastic thimble. Had a lot of other stuff but was getting a side-eye from my wife knowing we had to get moving or I'd chat with them for hours and we'd miss dinner time in White Pine.

White Pine A few days with good friends, no whiskey shopping but plenty of scotch drinking from his collection.

Hit up Cathead Distillery in Jackson, MS on the way home and grabbed a few Mississippi only releases of Old Soul, a single barrel and a regular release each at 100 proof. Met one of the Owners and had an old fashioned at the bar, not much to look at but they had a food truck serving turkey legs. After one night in Jackson, back to the tine. Good trip all in all.

TLDR Bottles purchased on the trip were Nelson Brothers Honey Cask, Nelson Green Briar BiB, Corsair ASM, Corsair Triple Smoke ASM, Peg Leg Porker TN whiskey 4, 8 and 12 year bottles, Rare Character Frugal MacDoogal store pick, JDSBBP Distillery pick, a JD Distillery Series finished in oloroso and one in anejo tequila (both 375ml), JDSBBP Liquor Locker pick x2, Old Kirk Single Barrel, Old Soul Mississippi only Single Barrel and a 100 proof offering.

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