Store Pick Rules to Live By
Background
I first posted this in r/bourbon over a year ago, and I was inspired to revisit this list upon seeing a certain Facebook group offering a “Pineapple Mezcal” pick offering. I am positive I am not the only one feeling this way, but it does seem like we are (and have been) in the midst of peak barrel picks. It seems like at least monthly, if not more frequently, I am made aware of a new/different pick group. Early on in my whiskey journey, I felt an urge to snatch up a lot of picks that came my way. Since then, I have set some ground rules for myself that I have mostly stuck to and I wanted to share them in the event others feel a bit of choice paralysis on picks.
1. Figure out if you like the base product first.
I do not personally care for Elijah Craig Small Batch. At 94 Proof it is not particularly interesting to me and I tend to get tobacco notes that I do not love. As such, why am I going to spend my hard earned scratch on another bottle just because someone picked it?
On the flip side- Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, delicious. Who doesnt love it. I have the hardest time not buying these picks because so many of them (like the original offering) are delicious. Which brings me to:
2. How different is the experience from a standard bottle?
Let's take a look at Blanton’s vs Blanton’s store picks. The standard is already a single barrel product and both are already going to be proofed down, how much different is it REALLY going to be? Often these picks are priced at a premium, so why am I paying more when another bottle of off the shelf Blanton’s is inherently as unique as the pick.
Contrast this with something like Four Roses and Old Forester, which do not have off the shelf single barrel, barrel strength offerings. Therefore these picks are inherently going to be fairly unique experiences.
3. What are the picker’s credentials?
Have you had other picks from that source and do you trust their palates? If you have done a tasting with them, or had other picks from them that you’ve liked, feel free to take more risk!
On the other hand, if I walk into a generic store or get invited to yet another pick group, what reason do I have to trust they can pick good barrels?
4. Try before you buy.
If a store has a pick out and you are curious about it, ask if they have an open bottle you can try a pour of! Do not be afraid to ask, as they might have one open and it is worth it to try before you buy.
If it’s a private group, ask if someone has one open they can try. There’s a good chance whoever runs the group will have an open bottle they can pour you a sample from. Or, maybe another group member can hook you up. Regardless, it never hurts to ask!
5. Use your common sense.
Did someone stick a toy to the top of the bottle? Don't buy it. Or do. It’s not my money but they are dumb as hell and that toy exists almost exclusively so someone can throw it on a secondary site for $300 because the bottle of New Riff has a Lightsaber on top and some called it “Luke Skyriffer”.
Also does a bottle claim to be finished in chocolate and luxardo cherry barrels, or some sort of other completely implausible flavor combination? If it sounds too ridiculous to be true, it likely is. Yes, fine, I’m talking about Good Times.
