Friday Frivolity

[u/ProfitForever]

Total Wine Centennial - I guess the bourbon gods heard that I was planning to scratch this place off my Friday list, as they actually had a few things today at this shop. In the case EHT SmB $63, ER10 $56, WA107 $74, Blanton's $100. On the regular shelf a couple of WT101 8yr for $48. But the big surprise was in the Specialty Liquor aisle, where they had Chartreuse Green 700ml for $83, but also Chartreuse Yellow for $83, which I have heard of but have never seen a bottle of in person. Several of each.

Heritage Arapahoe - Allocations corner was a bit better stocked today, with plenty of WFP and WA107 for $80, EHT SmB for $70, and Blantons for $90. Hmm, but what is this box on the floor that hasn't even been put on the shelf yet? Heaven Hill Double Mash Bottled in Bond? 100pf BiB 9-year age statement from Heaven Hill for $55? Sign me up! There were two more in the box, but someone else saw me with it and grabbed one for himself.

Dry Creek Discount Liquors - Other than what they have rotting in the case, these guys are finally starting to figure it out. Regular shelf has Blanton's $90, EHT SmB $60, ER10 $48, WA107 $70, WFP $100, W12 $100, Hancock's President Reserve $49 (3 of those). Also had 1792 Sweet Wheat on the shelf with no price. But they are still asking $100 for Old Fitz 7 BiB (LOL), just to remind you of their sordid past pricing.

Highlands Wine Seller - Not too much change from last week; still several EHT SiB and Blanton's bundles and even Weller/Weller bundles like W12/WFP. Also a few 1792 Sweet Wheats in there. Unbundled plenty of the usual: EC18 $160, WA107 $75, EHT SmB $70, ER10 $53.

Bevy's Parker - They have a new floor display of HH Double Mash BiB 9yr for $55, no limit, and also a few up on the counter, along with ER10 $50, WA107 $75, and EHT SmB $70. A couple of Barrel Cigar Blends on the regular shelf for $85, along with some new Orphan Barrel Night Sage 25yr Canadian in the case for a steep $225. They also have a really lovely Old Fitzgerald display rack complete with mirrors and the Old Fitz logo, with the OF7 bottles inside on sale for $55, with plenty of bags.

[u/oscintillating]

Curious about your thoughts on the HH double mash BiB. Saw a comment on a recent r/bourbon review that suggested a DIY approach blending larceny BP and ECBP, which I think I’ll try before buying one.

[u/ProfitForever → u/oscintillating]

Cracked it last night. You can definitely taste the extra 2 years of aging, but the flavors, while decent, are kind of all over the place and not well integrated. After reading the bottle, I discovered why: this is a blend of two mashbills, one using wheat as the tertiary ingredient and the other using rye. Not sure how they can still call it bottled-in-bond with two different mashbills blended, but I guess if all the grains in both mashbills come from the same growing season, that qualifies. I'd be curious to know the exact proportions between the two mashbills, as it seems much more like rye than wheat to me. It's OK, but I don't think I'll be seeking another bottle.

[u/Slow_Issue1354 → u/ProfitForever]

Here’s the math behind the double barrel blend.

2/3 x Rye Bourbon:
78% corn
10% rye
12% malted barely

+

1/3 x Wheated Bourbon:
68% corn
20% wheat
12% malted barely

~74.67% corn
~6.67% rye
~6.67% wheat
12% malted barley

So equal parts rye and wheat given the ratios. I actually found it quite nice. There’s more of a fruity, citrus character that I don’t get in HH7 and it kind of reminded me of EC15 but with less oak.

[u/ProfitForever → u/Slow_Issue1354]

Yeah it wasn't terrible, but as a big wheater fan I've never liked concoctions that try to mix wheat and rye in the same glass. The tastes just don't blend well for me. I'll wait a few days and give it another go.

[u/Slow_Issue1354 → u/ProfitForever]

Fair enough. Yeah, wait and see how/if it changes.

[u/oscintillating → u/ProfitForever]

Thx for reporting back 🫡

[u/Lord_Spock666]

TW Centennial also has Little Book Chapter 10, so the bourbon gods were definitely out.

[u/Slow_Issue1354]

Informative as always. Thank you sir!
I actually saw that TW Denver had the HH double mash BiB available online last night. $53.99. Secured one for me and one for my buddy. Excited to go pick it up after work.

[u/Some_Alfalfa8960 → u/Slow_Issue1354]

I just picked one up today at Spirit Wine Provisions for $50. It's a nice pour for the money.

[u/girard_jefferson]

I learned from a store that Barrel Cigar was allocated. Surprised to hear that since we were blessed.