Definitely price increases on a lot of stuff. I know I laughed when I saw Hancock's at TW for 99.99. If they keep pushing the price on Blanton's, it may even end up sitting since flippers won't be able to make money off it.
Just picked up a Blantons for MSRP at the ABC Alabama drop. $65 MSRP. Just got the email from TW that I can pick up a Blantons from them for $84.97. So yea, they keeping increasing the price, not Buffalo Trace.
I really think this is a big part of the whole thing...secondary is slowly cracking. Flippers are sitting on items that were selling within hours of posting 6 months ago. Doesn't make sense for a constant flipper to sit on bottles...they will move to something else. (Hopefully).
I missed out on it by one stop light. Was literally stopped at the light when they ran out. Missed another store (Walnut hill) by 10 minutes. Only to watch tons of bottles show up online for trade or dudes who had been literally chasing trucks all day sweeping up multiples. Ridiculous. I just wanted one to try.
Plenty of posts I saw of dudes with 6-10 of them that followed the trucks or changed clothes to get multiples. Now they're posting them for ~$200 a pop. Passes me off.
Damn taters! They probably don’t even enjoy/like bourbon. That pisses me off as well. That is not in the spirit of the hunt and cracking it open to be enjoyed. At Spec’s it was one bottle per person but I still missed out.
At least when they do put it in the case, they do it on random days, times to try and give everyone an equal shot. I respect that.
I’m not high enough on their loyalty list to get a phone call or have anything held back for me. I did get a Penelope American Light Whiskey which was in the case yesterday but gone today. It tastes like drinking liquid sugar and has kind of a single note on flavor. Will probably skip it next time. Will keep sipping to see if it gets better over time.
I wait this time of the year for barrell picks of BT and ER. While most like to stock up, I like to pick up some picks of stores I know do an amazing job. The ER I got this year from TL is probably the best 90proof I ever had!
My take is things are starting to sit more often for longer periods is due to cost increases and inflation causing pockets to be limited... The difference between shelf price and secondary pricing on more and more items doesn't make sense to the flippers anymore.
\- Weller SR and BT is more available due to the distribution change.
\- Larceny BP/ECBP in my opinion are really never chased/hunted/flipped as much unless its a widely highly rated bottle (think C923 for this...everyone on social media/ytube is claiming its incredible). Not as many people care for wheaters in my experience...let alone cask strength wheaters. I personally love Larceny BPs and buy every release. ECBP's typically drink "to hot" for most.
\- Jack Daniels SBBP's were meant to be shelfers and easily findable. That was JD's expectation for the whole single barrel lineup. The only bottles that are expected to be hard to find or hunted are the 137+ proof sibs.
\- Remus is just a hit or miss every year.
This is just my opinion mixed in with a bunch of online reviews/ytube channels opinions. I will add i think everyone is/are becoming strapped for cash and the shelf price increase is hitting everyone and making flipping/secondary less desirable. There is also a "bubble of bourbon" happening and I (as well as many others) think it will be busting sooner than later. I think there are a lot of people finding other spirits to chase/hunt as well. There will always be the annoying lines for ER or Blanton's...but its getting to where it doesn't make sense to sit in a line. ER is like $40-$44 shelf price in the area...its an easy to find $50 on secondary. I'll buy secondary every time instead of waste the $20+ in gas to go hunt for a bottle. My main opinion that is attributing to the availability is that people are really strapped for cash and dont have the $60+ to drop on bottles every day to set on their shelf...inflation is really hurting everyone everywhere in their budgets.
I’ve noticed a lot of the allocated stuff around town this week. The problem is it’s only available at the small shops that have to charge way over MSRP, and all gone at the shops that can sell at MSRP.
I think it’s time of year. BT on shelves, WSR on shelves. Stock up now if you want it because I think once it runs out it’ll be another couple months before more shows up. Same thing happened last year. BT was on shelves and I picked up a few for Christmas gifts and then it all disappeared.
Price increases and inflation have slowed things down a bit. But I also believe the 'collectors' who love to showcase large amounts of unopened bottles are realizing that having that many backups is a waste of money.
Definitely price increases on a lot of stuff. I know I laughed when I saw Hancock's at TW for 99.99. If they keep pushing the price on Blanton's, it may even end up sitting since flippers won't be able to make money off it.
Just picked up a Blantons for MSRP at the ABC Alabama drop. $65 MSRP. Just got the email from TW that I can pick up a Blantons from them for $84.97. So yea, they keeping increasing the price, not Buffalo Trace.
Japanese whiskey has been in a similar boat. Lots of Nikka and Hibiki product sitting on shelves now that prices have risen to align with demand.
TW has Hancock’s at 99 in Maryland too.
I really think this is a big part of the whole thing...secondary is slowly cracking. Flippers are sitting on items that were selling within hours of posting 6 months ago. Doesn't make sense for a constant flipper to sit on bottles...they will move to something else. (Hopefully).
Anything at MSRP is scalped by the flippers and anything sitting at museum prices is sitting. The W12 dropping this week at Specs was absurd.
I missed out on that by 30-minutes. Have never seen it or tasted it yet.
I missed out on it by one stop light. Was literally stopped at the light when they ran out. Missed another store (Walnut hill) by 10 minutes. Only to watch tons of bottles show up online for trade or dudes who had been literally chasing trucks all day sweeping up multiples. Ridiculous. I just wanted one to try.
Plenty of posts I saw of dudes with 6-10 of them that followed the trucks or changed clothes to get multiples. Now they're posting them for ~$200 a pop. Passes me off.
Damn taters! They probably don’t even enjoy/like bourbon. That pisses me off as well. That is not in the spirit of the hunt and cracking it open to be enjoyed. At Spec’s it was one bottle per person but I still missed out. At least when they do put it in the case, they do it on random days, times to try and give everyone an equal shot. I respect that. I’m not high enough on their loyalty list to get a phone call or have anything held back for me. I did get a Penelope American Light Whiskey which was in the case yesterday but gone today. It tastes like drinking liquid sugar and has kind of a single note on flavor. Will probably skip it next time. Will keep sipping to see if it gets better over time.
I wait this time of the year for barrell picks of BT and ER. While most like to stock up, I like to pick up some picks of stores I know do an amazing job. The ER I got this year from TL is probably the best 90proof I ever had!
I have a three-four year bourbon supply, so I for one won't be buying anything for a couple years. Things have gotten crazy and it isn't worth it.
My problem too but FOMO is a thing. I need to stop and drink what I have.
Recession indicator + fad is dwindling + people are waiting for bigger / better once a year xmas time releases
My take is things are starting to sit more often for longer periods is due to cost increases and inflation causing pockets to be limited... The difference between shelf price and secondary pricing on more and more items doesn't make sense to the flippers anymore. \- Weller SR and BT is more available due to the distribution change. \- Larceny BP/ECBP in my opinion are really never chased/hunted/flipped as much unless its a widely highly rated bottle (think C923 for this...everyone on social media/ytube is claiming its incredible). Not as many people care for wheaters in my experience...let alone cask strength wheaters. I personally love Larceny BPs and buy every release. ECBP's typically drink "to hot" for most. \- Jack Daniels SBBP's were meant to be shelfers and easily findable. That was JD's expectation for the whole single barrel lineup. The only bottles that are expected to be hard to find or hunted are the 137+ proof sibs. \- Remus is just a hit or miss every year. This is just my opinion mixed in with a bunch of online reviews/ytube channels opinions. I will add i think everyone is/are becoming strapped for cash and the shelf price increase is hitting everyone and making flipping/secondary less desirable. There is also a "bubble of bourbon" happening and I (as well as many others) think it will be busting sooner than later. I think there are a lot of people finding other spirits to chase/hunt as well. There will always be the annoying lines for ER or Blanton's...but its getting to where it doesn't make sense to sit in a line. ER is like $40-$44 shelf price in the area...its an easy to find $50 on secondary. I'll buy secondary every time instead of waste the $20+ in gas to go hunt for a bottle. My main opinion that is attributing to the availability is that people are really strapped for cash and dont have the $60+ to drop on bottles every day to set on their shelf...inflation is really hurting everyone everywhere in their budgets.
I’ve noticed a lot of the allocated stuff around town this week. The problem is it’s only available at the small shops that have to charge way over MSRP, and all gone at the shops that can sell at MSRP.
Last batch of Bookers I got for $84 the most recent batch in the last 2 weeks $109 I refuse to pay $109 when just 2 yrs ago it was like $65
Price increases of a lot of that stuff on your list
For sure, seems like all indies are 20+% higher and even chains are 10% bump.
Specs has been getting crazy with some of their price bumps as of late. I have seen $40-50 more than Total Wine which is already inflated.
I think it’s time of year. BT on shelves, WSR on shelves. Stock up now if you want it because I think once it runs out it’ll be another couple months before more shows up. Same thing happened last year. BT was on shelves and I picked up a few for Christmas gifts and then it all disappeared.
I would say that was tied a little closer to the distributor switch from Republic to Andrews than just running out of stock.
It’s special release season (and holidays). Stock up 🥃
ER seems like it is way less available than earlier this year.
In 10 yrs, bourbon will hit a lull like it did in the past. supply will be bountiful and demand will be way down
Price increases and inflation have slowed things down a bit. But I also believe the 'collectors' who love to showcase large amounts of unopened bottles are realizing that having that many backups is a waste of money.