Hey Free Rangers,
A long long time ago, in a galaxy far far away (late ‘90s in Manhattan), enveloped in a disconcertingly comfy couch, trying not to sweat through a deeply out of fashion (but notably shy of retro) suit, I awaited an appointment with Terry McDonell in his last days at Rolling Stone. Pete Townshend’s guitar hung on the wall over my head, and yeah, I silently strummed its pain with my fingers, softly, when nobody was looking. Having come of age desperately wanting to write features for magazines, shiny and otherwise, I wholeheartedly wished it was still 1971- even if I didn’t yet know the shape of the ghost I was chasing. Had it actually had been 1971, I’m sure the longing would have been for ’67, maybe ’64. I’m just old enough to recall the buck per word days, when a single solid freelance gig could pay the rent (plus food and booze). What can I say, when I was a kid magazines were still cool as hell, even if the high-water mark for the medium had crested circa ’77. Years later, en route to pick up some concert tickets at the Sony building in midtown, walking toward me from the opposite corner of the cold cavernous marbled lobby strode Pete Townshend.
I’ve sat down with (and occasionally partied under the table) a handful of my favorite artists- genuine legends. So, I don’t really do starstruck, but this was Pete fucking Townshend. It was his generation. He could see for miles. He wouldn’t be fooled again. And was the last man standing when the song was over. Eventually, his love would open the door, just because it could. I must’ve locked on a bit less subtly than my mind’s cool eye envisioned, as Pete’s expression went from light trepidation to merciful understanding in the slow moment our eyes met, and I chirped evenly, warmly, “Pete,” as if to say, ‘hey man, you rule, but I don’t need to bother you about it.’ He nodded with a relieved half smile and we continued on our respective paths. He wasn’t ever sitting on that couch with me back at Rolling Stone, but in that tiny moment, it sure felt like he had been.
Now, as most who are reasonably plugged in to the booze biz know, it’s a buyer’s market these days, but this hadn’t seemed to pour into the barrels market, until very recently when our old pal, Jason- from Heaven Hill, rolled in with a handful of the best barrel samples we’ve seen/tasted from this venerable distiller in many moons. On top of this, they are finally releasing single barrels of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon to our market, and we’ve got a powerful delicious one on the way! We also picked up a tasty 10 year old Elijah Craig Barrel that will come in at the standard 94°. While we can never be sure when these things will arrive, we thought we’d pre-celebrate by opening up the archives a bit.
So, for Elijah Craig Bourbon fans, and followers of our storied barrel program, please enjoy a pair of Elijah Craig Free Range Single Barrel Bourbon 8 Year and 10 Year bottles, or a 3-pack including our Elijah Craig Free Range Single Barrel Bourbon 9 Year, bottled just for us back in the Before Times of 2018! These are the lowest prices we’ve offered on these lovely rarities since release(s), and the little that is available is not likely to hang around too long. SALE PRICE AVAILABLE ONLINE ONLY! First come, first served. Grab ’em now, or be sad when they’re gone.
(!) Click here for Elijah Craig x Free Range Sale (!)
2-pack: sale: retail:
EC 8yr (2024) + EC 10yr (2023): $69 $118
3-pack:
EC 8 (’24) + EC 10 (’23) + EC 9 (’18) $109 $193
Cheers,
Jack
Proprietor
Free Range Wine & Spirits
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