In this final Bourbon Community Roundtable of 2017 (it’s the 15th edition) we look at the unique rise of trading bourbon for bitcoin weighing out the pros and cons, a look back into how the bourbon community has changed for the worse in 2017 and we cap it off talking about our favorite Bourbon and Rye releases of the year.

Show Notes:

• In recent news, we’ve talked about different ways of trading for bourbon. I’ve traded landscape work. I know Ryan has traded his services for boxes of Jefferson’s before. But the new trend is bitcoin. So before we get into the pros and cons of doing a bourbon trade with bitcoin, who has taken the leap and bought some?
• It’s really hard these days to find a good forum that doesn’t start lashing out or people that post their life’s collection of pappy that create a whirlwind of comments. At one point Bourbon Info Exchange and Bourbonr were good places you could go for just normal discussion. But lately, it’s become a game of who can make the poster feel like a douche. I’m honestly a bit appalled by it all. It has ruined the sense of community. there was once a time when you could try and become educated but everyone is quick to jump on ridiculing people now. It’s certainly not a friendly community any longer.
• Ok.. the time has finally come. Our Bourbon of the year choices. lets have a discussion about this because I know not everyone has tasted everything.
• Surprise Barrel for our fans!!!

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There’s been some sneaky releases lately from Diageo and Jefferson’s so we tackle those. If you’re short on Christmas gift ideas, we talk about some of those things you can give the bourbon lover in your life.

Shoe Notes:

• In recent news, the folks at Diageo slid in a brand new Orphan Barrel release called Entrapment 25 year Canadian Whiskey. Anyone have thoughts on it yet?
• Jefferson’s also released their 16year Presidential Selection. I heard about this release almost a year ago and completely forgot about it. But this is a unique one because it’s not like any other Presidential release. this one has some of the Jefferson’s flair where its been double barreled and they call it Twin Wood. Twin Wood got its name after Master Distiller Trey Zoeller chose an 11-year Bourbon to be re-barreled in freshly charred oak for another 5 years. Around 10,000 bottles are available today in markets across the country at an MSRP of $199.
• The bloggers on the roundtable did their sleuthing and found out that PVW15’s red foil this year was a bottling line mistake. Blake had a special name for it.
• The holidays mean one thing, as “the bourbon connoisseur” of your family, your obligated to bring a few bottles over to share with family. What are those bottles?
• Christmas season is quickly approaching. Each person gets to discuss what they believe are the top gifts. This could be from a specific bottle, to ice molds, to clothing.
• Be on the lookout for a special Black Friday deal on the Bourbon Pursuit facebook page as well!

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Recent whiskey news has really been depressing. There hasn’t been much good that’s come of it so the roundtable spends an hour and complains. We hit on everything from the sadness that is EH Taylor Four Grain being named Whiskey of the Year to the depressing news of no more Eagle Rare store picks in 2018. Read more sorrowing news we talk about in the show notes below

Show Notes:

• Whiskey Of The Year according to Jim Murray is the EH Taylor Four Grain
• Did anyone actually like it?
• Is this a ploy to sell more books?
• How is this going to effect next year’s release?
• There is a new Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection
• Kerry isn’t a fan but Eric does like it. They discuss
• David J Montgomery from Professor Cocktail is a moron. He tried selling his BTAC samples on the Secondary Market. Will Buffalo Trace change their sample distribution process now?
• Do relationships matter when you live in a control state?
• There will be no Eagle Rare store picks in 2018. Kerry explains.
• What are UofL fans going to do now with their Pitino and Jurich Maker’s bottles?

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The bourbon community roundtable does a blind tasting with samples sent in by a fan of the show. The best bourbon bloggers out there are put to the test to see if they can figure out where it came from. You won’t believe what happens. Show notes below…

Show Notes:

• We’ve got a full house tonight with Blake from bourbonr.com, Nick from BreakingBourbon, Kerry of subourbia.com, Brian of SippnCorn, and Michael with @flightofbourbon as our special guest
• Blake talks about tasting blind all the time
• What do you do about wanting to sample limited releases, but you may not get the opportunity if you only have that 1 shot to buy the bottle?
• Throughout the show we try samples A, B, C, and D.

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The roundtable is back with a new panel member. Some of us got cursed by making fun of the eclipse while others are being cursed by the Old Forester vapor gods by stealing some extra alcohol for OFBB 2017.

Show Notes:

• Thanks to Maxwell Christy of SuperflyBourbonClub, Blake from bourbonr.com, Jordan from BreakingBourbon, and a brief appearance from Kerry of subourbia.com
• Who watched the eclipse today? Anyone else underwhelmed?
• OFBB is releasing their 2017 Birthday Bourbon
• How about Old Forester Statesman? Has anyone tried it yet?
• Why is it people are ok with higher prices on private label bourbons however it’s not like that in any other industry?
• Quinn English asks “I’d like to hear more about distribution and alternatives for the three tier system”
• Vlad Belchinsky asks “I would like to see a discussion about ‘store picks”, are they really and why does someone’s opinion of 1 barrel drive the price up over a standard release?”
• Adam Kessell asks “Another topic is what you drink when you don’t drink bourbon. And it’s connection to bourbon. Or bourbon barrel aged tequila/rum, etc.”

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BCR is back again with more questions than ever coming from our viewers. We talk about Sazerac’s devious marketing tactic with age statement removal, the regrets of past purchases, will we see a buying increase of pre-sourced NDP after their stills are running, and how our buying habits have changed

Show Notes:

• So Who’s shipped their samples from the last roundtable?
• The picture BCR made famous. Old Charter 8 vs 8yr. Was there a case to be made?
• Lucas asks: With the bourbon boom in full effect, many of the large NDPs have really focused over the last few years on getting their own stills set up. Many of these brands have loyal followings from people that know what an NDP is . As these brands start to bottle their own juice, will we see a shift along the same lines as the hunt for stitzel weller juice or old heaven hill stock. Brands like Bulleit, Michters, Angels envy, and Luxco have plenty of money to pay chemists and tasters to keep flavor as close as possible but bourbon nerds are notorious for wanting what they no longer can get. What are your thoughts on the possibility of a subculture being created for people that really want Four Roses Bulleit or Heaven Hill Ezra brooks instead of what these companies are actually producing on their own? Will brands suffer as they change sources? Will we not notice it at all because the blending process is so key to major bourbon labels? Will consumers notice at all?
• Eric, who has yet to make an appearance from Breaking Bourbon, posted an article about changing our buying habits. Have you all slowed down? Amped up? Do you have more bourbon than you can drink in your lifetime? http://breakingbourbon.com/a-different-persepective-changed-my-buying-habits.html
• Rick Noland asks: You guys talk about FOMO. I also occasionally have FOBR (Fear of Buyer’s Remorse). How about an open discussion for the next Roundtable for the bottle(s) everyone regrets buying?

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The Bourbon Community Roundtable #9 talks about the recent news of one man who has defrauded the secondary bourbon market with counterfeit bourbon. We wrap up the show talking about the Weller 12 craze.

Show Notes:

• The biggest reveal in secondary market history. A seller with 2+ years worth of building up sales reveals that he’s been counterfeiting bottles.
• Hear the story unfold
• How does this impact bourbon going forward?
• How do you trust you seller?
• How can you trust anything in bars?
• What has happened with Weller12? It’s madness

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The Bourbon Community Roundtable #8 is back for a Derby special to talk about their lack of desire for ORVW25, a surprise twist with Bulleit Bourbon, and results from San Francisco

Show Notes:

• It’s Derby, who has plans
• So Pappy25 is out. Who actually cares?
• Interesting bulleit scenario that was posted in a significant bourbon group out of houston…
• Bourbon Barrel Batch 011 Wins Best Bourbon
• WhistlePig Boss Hog wins best Whiskey
• Quinn English: Has anyone had Four Grain? Thoughts?

The Bourbon Community Roundtable #7 talks about their beginnings with bourbon. Where did it all start, the intimidating scenarios, tips for beginners, and even tips for veterans.

Show Notes:

• What was your gateway bourbon? The one that started it all…
• Blake you started with a barrel-proof, why is that?
• Do you think it’s a smart idea to introduce people to bourbon with low proof vs high-proof?
• What bottles would you say are a must for a newb? I know this is very broad question, but if I was gonna start with 5 bottles, what would be on your list?
• What’s the most intimidating thing about being new to this?
• Tips to newbies getting into this
• Tips to veterans like us to help new people?
• What’s the first limited release bourbon that made you become a sucker for FOMO?

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The Bourbon Community Roundtable #6 discusses Beam sales tactics with OGD114 news, Buffalo Trace OFC conspiracy theories, and is there a bias towards NDP/MGP when buying off the shelf.

Show Notes:

• Blake from Bourbonr.com, Nick from BreakingBourbon.com and Kerry from Subourbia.com.
• OGD 114 is here to stay. Another Beam ploy to drive shelf sales.
• There’s been no shortage of getting your chance to buy raffle tickets for the Buffalo Trace OFC bottles. They carry a suggested price tag of $8-10k. Is there a hidden motive here by Buffalo Trace? A clever coup by BT to bring a bottle to market valued at $10k then release more OFC to the general market at $1k and call it a bargain?
• NDP, MGP, and the bias. Do you hold a grudge against NDPs and refuse to buy? Or are you a believer that the flavor can come from aging and finishing rather than the distillate.
• Bruce Schwalm: Question for the panel: If we geeks are the 1% of the drinkers, why aren’t we more focused on the art and less on the marketing?

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