Funny, the computer was off and yet something told me to check WTW.Yo and behold, a topic with "beer" in the title.
I definitely prefer the west coast style Double IPA's - IBU's around 100 and Alc. usually above 8. That said, they are, as a group, a bitter, acquired taste. Pliny, for reasons unknown by me since I don't brew so don't understand these things, has all of the flavor of a good DIPA with less of the bitterness and a cleaner finish. And it was one of the first DIPA's to have a hint of citrus, which makes it more refreshing than most beers this heavy. So it got the cult following.
But all of this was five or more years ago. Since then many breweries have opened and most have some type of Pliny clone. Pliny is still made in limited quantities and difficult to find. When my local stores get it in, I still buy it. But when it isn't available, many of these breweries are producing brews every bit as good as Pliny, they just got on the bandwagon when the market was more saturated so have not got the press. So if you get a chance to try a Pliny, by all means do so. In the meanwhile, try some of your local breweries DIPA's and you will probably get a good idea of what to expect when you do taste a Pliny.
Also, if you know anyone going through Santa Rosa, CA where Russian River Brewery is located, they can pick up a 12 pack for you. Be prepared, though, it is close to $70 for that 12 pack of 20 ounce bottles.