DacMan wrote:Hi everyone,
I am new to the higher end bourbon scene and have recently been introduced to a few different bourbon's by my boss. I know very little and apologize if I come across as inexperienced but honestly I am! I will soon be leaving my summer internship and heading back to college and would really like to give my boss a nice bottle of bourbon as a thank you for all he's done for me. However I don't know where to start. I would like to spend right around $100.00 however I don't know where to purchase good bourbon and not get ripped off, and I certainly don't know what to get him. I live in central Indiana and was hoping to get some pappy van winkle but could not find any so far. Any suggestions would be highly appreciated.
Thanks, DacMan
Hello DacMan,
Born and raised in Indiana (Columbus) and now live up here on the North side of Indy in Noblesville.
I would suggest you stop in at the Vine & Table in Carmel like Dale mentioned. Denis (the Spirits manager) is very helpful and knows what he's talking about. He'll be able to give you several suggestions for a bottle. Just tell him Josh or Dale sent you.
Off the top of my head and knowing what he has in stock, I'd recommend:
Parker's Heritage Collection Cognac (PHC) Finish
Colonel Taylor "Tornado Surviving”
Four Roses 2012 Limited Edition
Jefferson’s Presidential Selection 18yr
All of those are top shelf bourbons and under $100. There are plenty more I can’t think of and that’s where Denis can assist you.
Don’t get too caught up in the “Pappy Van Winkle Hysteria”. It’s not worth your time and effort. It’s very good bourbon, yes, but it’s not the only very good bourbon on the planet by any stretch of the imagination.
If you’re looking for Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC), you can usually find Eagle Rare (ER) 17 in the area as well as Thomas H. Handy, but the later is a rye and you didn’t mention if your boss likes ryes. And ER 17 is definitely under $100.
Hope this helps. If you have any more questions or need any more help, just PM me or post here.
Cheers!