The Back Stories Behind Picking Private Barrels (WhiskyCast Episode 780: August 11, 2019)

"Private Selection" bottlings are the rage today, and it almost
seems like an arms race as bars and retailers try to outdo each
other with their exclusive bottlings. In fact, some whisky
collectors now see the "Private Selection" market as the next big
thing for so-called "investment grade" bottlings. During the
latest Bourbon Salon at Louisville's Oxmoor Farm, host Michael
Veach brought together the owners and managers of several highly
regarded Bourbon bars to discuss picking private barrels and
other topics, and we'll hear some of the stories behind barrel
selections from Joe Head of The Century in Dayton, Ohio, Margo
McMillen of Bourbons Bistro, and Larry Rice of The Silver Dollar
in Louisville. In the news, Pernod Ricard is expanding its U.S.
whiskey portfolio with its second distillery acquisition of the
year, while Diageo's plans to upgrade visitors centers at many of
its distilleries in Scotland got another boost this week. There's
a lot of new whiskies to talk about, and a new Gallup Poll shows
whisky and other distilled spirits are more popular than ever.