Tell me about your favorite whiskey or bourbon

[PilotGore]

Got a couple taste of this over the weekend with a friend. Single barrel red Japan.
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Not sure if you’re aware, but this is actually black Japanese. Most people get them confused because red jap is actually crème colored

I love the story behind the Japanese blantons. For those that don’t know, Japan was consuming a TON of blantons in the 80’s when domestic consumption in the US was way down. Blantons credited the Japanese market for keeping them afloat during a hard financial time for them, so as a thank you they gave the Japanese two of their own bottles. They’re the only country to get their own mass produced bottle. Red is good, black is better!

 

[TRAMPER]

Not sure if you’re aware, but this is actually black Japanese. Most people get them confused because red jap is actually crème colored

I love the story behind the Japanese blantons. For those that don’t know, Japan was consuming a TON of blantons in the 80’s when domestic consumption in the US was way down. Blantons credited the Japanese market for keeping them afloat during a hard financial time for them, so as a thank you they gave the Japanese two of their own bottles. They’re the only country to get their own mass produced bottle. Red is good, black is better!

That is an outstanding collection. Bravo sir.

 

[Vermonster]

Got a couple taste of this over the weekend with a friend. Single barrel red Japan.
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How did it compare to what we can find on the shelf? I honestly don't understand BT's distribution with these. I should go check my dump dates and rick numbers. I do like me a Blanton's.

 

[Vermonster]

Not sure if you’re aware, but this is actually black Japanese. Most people get them confused because red jap is actually crème colored

I love the story behind the Japanese blantons. For those that don’t know, Japan was consuming a TON of blantons in the 80’s when domestic consumption in the US was way down. Blantons credited the Japanese market for keeping them afloat during a hard financial time for them, so as a thank you they gave the Japanese two of their own bottles. They’re the only country to get their own mass produced bottle. Red is good, black is better!

Thank you for filing that in!

 

[DTX2023Tremor]

How did it compare to what we can find on the shelf? I honestly don't understand BT's distribution with these. I should go check my dump dates and rick numbers. I do like me a Blanton's.

@PilotGore There's actually 3 Blanton's Takara editions... Black, Red and Gold.

Here's a write-up on the Takara Gold: https://www.thewhiskeyshelf.com/blantons-takara-gold-review/
Here's a write-up on Takara Red: https://thebourbonculture.com/whiskey-reviews/blantons-single-barrel-takara-red-bourbon-review/
Here's a write-up on Takara Black: https://www.thewhiskeyshelf.com/blantons-black-review/

 

[PilotGore]

@PilotGore There's actually 3 Blanton's Takara editions... Black, Red and Gold.

Here's a write-up on the Takara Gold: https://www.thewhiskeyshelf.com/blantons-takara-gold-review/
Here's a write-up on Takara Red: https://thebourbonculture.com/whiskey-reviews/blantons-single-barrel-takara-red-bourbon-review/
Here's a write-up on Takara Black: https://www.thewhiskeyshelf.com/blantons-black-review/

I had no idea they had their own gold…. Time to search for a bottle. Thanks!

 

[PilotGore]

That is an outstanding collection. Bravo sir.

Thanks. Lots of great stuff hiding there on the BT bottom shelf. I need a bigger liquor cabinet for this addiction.

 

[TRAMPER]

Thanks. Lots of great stuff hiding there on the BT bottom shelf. I need a bigger liquor cabinet for this addiction.

Haha… oh I saw them…. lol that’s a big reason for the compliment!

I think i saw all the Pappy’s open no less!!! WLW, ect…. You must have serious in or a massive bankroll.

I’d LOVE a Weller CYPB and Single Barrel just to finish out my collection, I have the Pappy line (I know they aren’t all Pappy) 10,12,15 I’m sure I’ll never see a 20 or 23 lol…. Again IMPRESSIVE!!!!

 

[DTX2023Tremor]

I had no idea they had their own gold…. Time to search for a bottle. Thanks!

It's will typically run you $450 - $500 at most reputable online stores. If you find it for less, I'd say be cautious that the deal may be too good to be true.

If you have a contact in Japan, it runs about $120 - $140USD.

 

[PilotGore]

Haha… oh I saw them…. lol that’s a big reason for the compliment!

I think i saw all the Pappy’s open no less!!! WLW, ect…. You must have serious in or a massive bankroll.

I’d LOVE a Weller CYPB and Single Barrel just to finish out my collection, I have the Pappy line (I know they aren’t all Pappy) 10,12,15 I’m sure I’ll never see a 20 or 23 lol…. Again IMPRESSIVE!!!!

Thanks, I’m probably proudest of the EH tornado survivor. Love the story behind it.

If you’re looking for a CYPB, I have a spare. Not sure if you’re looking to spend that much though

 

[PilotGore]

It's will typically run you $450 - $500 at most reputable online stores. If you find it for less, I'd say be cautious that the deal may be too good to be true.

If you have a contact in Japan, it runs about $120 - $140USD.

Any idea how rare they are in Japan? I don’t have a direct contact there but I do know a pilot who flies there occasionally. If it isn’t too difficult to track one down maybe he can help. Thanks for the info!!

 

[DTX2023Tremor]

Any idea how rare they are in Japan? I don’t have a direct contact there but I do know a pilot who flies there occasionally. If it isn’t too difficult to track one down maybe he can help. Thanks for the info!!

Like in the U.S., I think timing is going to be a factor (i.e., when stores get drops). Assuming your contact will be in Tokyo, here's a few locations they can try (just depends on how much effort / how many places they are willing to go to get a bottle for you):
- Tanakaya in Mejiro
- Liquor Express in Ginza
- Meijiya in Kyobashi
- Liquors Hasegawa next to Tokyo Station(B1 level,Yaesu exit)
- The chain stores Aeon Liquor, Yamaya, and Shinanoya are reported to have a good selection of bourbon.
- Bic Camera - with this store your friend can order online and pick-up in store (they have it in stock for 27K yen / $170USD): https://www.biccamera.com.e.lj.hp.transer.com/bc/category/001/290/015/020/

 

[PilotGore]

Like in the U.S., I think timing is going to be a factor (i.e., when stores get drops). Assuming your contact will be in Tokyo, here's a few locations they can try (just depends on how much effort / how many places they are willing to go to get a bottle for you):
- Tanakaya in Mejiro
- Liquor Express in Ginza
- Meijiya in Kyobashi
- Liquors Hasegawa next to Tokyo Station(B1 level,Yaesu exit)
- The chain stores Aeon Liquor, Yamaya, and Shinanoya are reported to have a good selection of bourbon.
- Bic Camera - with this store your friend can order online and pick-up in store (they have it in stock for 27K yen / $170USD): https://www.biccamera.com.e.lj.hp.transer.com/bc/category/001/290/015/020/

This is next level helpful!!!! Thank you very much.

 

[Dabozarth]

I can’t pick just one as my favorite!

 

[DTX2023Tremor]

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I can’t pick just one as my favorite!

Nice collection... What's that one on the top left? Dexter??

 

[TRAMPER]

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I can’t pick just one as my favorite!

From the looks of it, Whistle Pig or Jeffersons. Those are the only two bottles I see open.

 

[DIY10-85RAY]

Did someone say bourbon……

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I think the cleaning lady miss a spot.

 

[TRAMPER]

Happy F(RYE)day ya’ll!

 

[HeavyB]

My son gave me a bottle of Angel's Envy Bourbon for Father's Day. Haven't opened it yet, but I've enjoyed it before.

 

[TRAMPER]

Picked up this today…. It’s fairly local to me, actually bought this at the distillery. What makes McKenzie Bourbon special, besides being local to me, is that they barrel their stuff at a low (around 100 proof). What that means is that when they bottle it the bourbon doesn’t get watered down from super high proof and loose flavor and it doesn’t need to be barrel proof which tbh I love but not so much in the summer. It does make the bourbon much more expensive since you can’t water it down and stretch the barrel out to more bottles. Anyway $150 for a 10yr single barrel is a lot, but again having tasted it, it’s really something special. They do have lot of other stuff that’s less expensive as well but this bottle was just calling me today.