Spec's Barrel Pick Drop of 2022 Dallas Texas

The Biggest Whiskey Drop Ever(So far...) 

 

   I once thought the whiskey craze would die down eventually but it seems that it continues to grow with no ending in sight. Unlike some other big box retailers, Spec's has embraced the whiskey community and is rewarded with loyalty. I attended the December 30th Spec's Barrel Pick drop to see the community in action and interview some folks in line to gain a sense of what it feels like to attend a big drop like this. In total, if I were to estimate, there were close to 1000 people in a line that stretched from the entrance, all the way to the back of the parking lot, then around the building, then down an entire floor, back to the end of the lot, and curved around back to the entrance where the cars came in. I attempted to get consent from a few people in the back of the line but they kindly declined. So I asked them to save my spot as I run around the lot asking people if they cared to give their perspective. A few agreed, some anonymously. The resounding take away was that whiskey brings people together and builds strong communities.

I think that the interviews reveal a wide range of dedication, motivation, and diversity within the whiskey community.

I would have loved to interview the first person in line but he kindly declined so we'll start with number 5.

Cullen - #5 in line

How long have you been in line for?

It is, what time is it now? I got here Wednesday at 5 am so that's 36 hours, something like that. It's 9:22 Friday morning (actually 50 hours or so).

What do you expect to get? 

I'm hoping for, maybe some BTAC. Maybe a William Larue, Eagle Rare 17, one of those. Other than that, I'd love to get the hazmat Stagg Jr. pick, maybe one of the Four Roses recipes, Old Forester Single Barrel, OWA pick, a hand full of others, but yeah: Hoping for BTAC.

What's the best part of being here?

The best part of being here... Honestly, it's just meeting other people who love the hobby, hanging out. A lot of people think outside of this...(interview interrupted by announcement about white tickets)...A lot of people from the outside looking in, they don't understand it. Why would you do this? It's really, it's a lot of camaraderie. You meet a lot of great people and hopefully share some knowledge and share some drinks. I brought out a Weller single barrel. A real one and a counterfeit one and I was educating people on the differences between what those look like and what they can look out for to hopefully stay safe when they're buying bottles out there. Because theres counterfeits out there. But... It's just about sharing experiences, sharing some stories, camaraderie, building new friendships, and hopefully talking about and sharing good whiskey. 

What's the worst part of being here?

Well. Just waiting. That and I think really, there's definitely some animosity that builds when you're top 10-20 in line right? There are people behind you. Everyone behind you is watching you. Everything that you do. They see a new face, and people are like, "Who's that, what are they doing?" And I'm like, "Hey. This is my buddy. He's just stopping by. He wants to hang out tonight. He's not buying anything. Like chill. Like it's ok." So people unfortunately catch feelings you know. They want their spot. And I get it, I get it. They don't want anybody cutting in line. So you know if people kind of chill out a little about some of that... Fortunately it's not too terribly cold. It was less than 40 degrees when I got here the first day so it was pretty chilly.

Would you do it again?

Yes!

Would you do anything differently?

I would be better prepared for more comfort. More comfortable bedding. I had a cot and a blanket so that was it. So I was slightly ill-prepared. When I showed up here, I didn't expect to see anybody. I was just driving by and already had my chairs and my tent with me already in the truck so I was like, "You know what? I'm throwing down right now", so I've been here.

How long have you been into bourbon?

Bourbon, it has really only been about 4-5 years. Scotch for about 15. I got into bourbon 2018. Actually it was rye first. Actually it was an easy transition coming from scotch. There are a lot of fruit forward flavors from scotch to rye 2017-2018. 2018 I was gifted a bottle of Evan Williams Barrel vintage, and that was the first bourbon I tried and was like.."Man I like this", and that was it. I caught the bug.

What's your favorite bourbon?

Right now, I'm really enjoying Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond. (Which one, like the 9?). So I just finished off a bottle of the 9 year from 2020, and just picked up the 19, 14, 15, 8 year and working on getting a few others but I'm really enjoying that. My pick of the year so far is actually from Spec's and it's 29 year Bruichladdich. Great price point. Like $380. Killer pick.

Do you prefer store picks over the regular version?

Yes. I love 1792 BiB. But I only like the store picks.

Have you ever had a miss with a store pick?

Not yet. I have about 10 of them and it'll take me some time to get through all of them and there might be a miss in there somewhere. We'll just have to wait and see.

#193-ish in line

How long have you been in line for?

We got here about 1 o'clock yesterday.

What do you expect to get? 

I think we're gonna teeter on wether or not we'll get a purple top. This is gonna be close. 

What's the best part of being here?

Well you build a lot of relationships and you meet a lot of interesting people. You know, we've met each other at different drops and bottle shares and things of that nature. You know, the camaraderie. Just a lot of people having fun. You don't look at it as waiting in line. You look at is as basically tailgating  and pregaming before the big event.

What's the worst part of being here?

You can't get comfortable when you're not sleeping in your own bed.

Would you do it again?

I think it's gonna continue to get worse so I don't know. (This might be the end of it eh?). You know. You make an 18 hour commitment to something, um. That's one thing. There's people here that have been here for 60 hours. That's a different level. I don't know if I'm there yet.

Would you do anything differently?

I would bring a different chair. One that reclines.

How long have you been into bourbon?

About 5 years

What's your favorite bourbon?

I'm an Eagle Rare store Pick guy.

Do you prefer store picks over the regular version?

Store picks and private blends.

Have you ever had a miss with a store pick?

Yeah. And that's the thing. If you can find a store that's reputable that knows their store picks and knows your profile, you can get some bangers. And then you get some that they just slap the single barrel select sticker on there and they don't really know what they're doing and I mean yeah. It's hit and miss. Then you get somebody that put some art unto mixing and put some though into it and it's not just an infinity bottle like a it's a skillfully crafted deal like Mixtape and you can get some bangers there too.

Jackie - Mid line somewhere. Here just for the community.

How long have you been in line for?

Today? (All together). About 6 hours.

Do you expect to get anything? 

Absolutely not!

What's the best part of being here?

Community! the relationships, the people.

What's the worst part of this experience?

The porta-potties. There's not enough. (I didn't even know they had any). I peed inside.

Would you do it again?

Absolutely!!!

Would you do anything differently?

No! This is my second year. It's lot's of fun.

Are you into bourbon?

Am I into bourbon? Totally into bourbon!

How long have you been into bourbon?

About 3 years.

What's your favorite bourbon?

Sagamore. It's rye. 

Interview interrupted by one of Jackie's friends: Wait wait wait...stop

Jackie: I mean.. Rosewood

Jackie whispers: Sagamore

Do you prefer store picks over the regular version?

I really have no preference. The pick is all dependent on the people picking it right? Different people's profiles.

It was amazing to see all of the creative ways people found to keep from being bored. From sharing pours to playing poker. Someone even brought a smoker and a large TV. Lots of smiling faces and people reconnecting. Despite the downsides of massive over-popularity, it's great to see the community growing. 

Once I was finished with my interviews, I went back to my spot in line but decided against staying. It would have took another hour or two to get everyone ahead of me processed and I couldn't wait to write this up for you all.

I'm sure the 2023 drop will be even bigger. 

Overall this was a very fun experience and I'm glad that Spec's is catering to the bourbon community in such a big way. I suppose if I had a bit of advice for specs, it would be to spread this out to more locations just to make it a little easier for people to access and park their cars. Not that there were any incidents or anything but it would make it a bit safer. But hey. I'm sure they have their reasons for doing things the way they do them. 

A huge thank you to Specs.