I was obsessed wanting to try Pappy. I found a bar that had it, I paid $100 for one, two finger drink. That popped my “rare” bubble. I realized “rare” doesn’t mean best.
Great tips. I enjoy the hunt of finding sought after bottles but I set a limit of only $35 over retail. That causes me to miss out on some good ones but that’s how the ball rolls.
That “be a regular” is KEY. The first time I went to one of my local stores, I befriended the young guy behind the counter, and walla, Weller is hiding behind and under the counter… now he and I chat it up every time I’m in there…
Great list fellas, this is exactly how I’ve been finding allocated bottles! Relationships would be my #1 tip. Just in the past few months I’ve had owners of 2 separate liquor stores produce allocated bottles from their office after a good conversation. I’d never know they’re there. Best of luck to everyone!
Thanks so much! Truly enjoying the journey and hoping to learn as much as I can from you good folks. Honestly, this is like a bunch of friends on this channel. I love that!
I love you channel over a lot of others because you bring something that they don’t often, authenticity! That’s something that fancy b roll and crazy tasting notes doesn’t provide me
Appreciate that! We have just a few guidelines with the channel we always want to uphold no matter of circumstances. Authentic (you hit that one on the head) Honesty Humility Thankful All the best my friend.
Best advice I can give… build an organized whiskey group, build a relationship with a local distributor , convince the distributor to fill your group in on the drop dates and locations. Camping out the lotteries is great too, they usually drop wellers, blantons, eagle rares to build the hype for the BTAC stuff. First come first serve is your friend at stores that sell for MSRP
A lot of great nuggets here. This ties into the delivery schedule tip but alot of the allocated stuff I find is attainable during the week day. Come in after work or the weekend it is long gone. Also shop local and build those relationships. I’ve had store owners tell me that they won’t even let people look at the allocated items unless they seem them buy stuff at their store. Last thing I’ll add is if you see a store with over priced allocated bottles go right to the Scotch and Bourbon isles. I have found when stores concentrate on those allocated Juice the normal stuff is under priced.
a retired guy on my bourbon team is EXACTLY who Trenton 's rules say to be...he is a frequent customer..super personable..able to shoot the shit about anything with anyone and flirts with the ladies. I've only been collecting 3 months but in that time he has gotten me all 8 Blantons at retail, Weller and Elmer T at retail because they call HIM and ask him how many to set aside...
Thank you for sharing. I’m learning. I’m working on a store myself and the owner just told me when he gets his deliveries. I was thrilled. I’m retired so I can only buy at certain times of the month. 👍
Great tips, as long as the store owners co-operate. In my area we have truck chasers who know the delivery schedules and buy everything because the owner allows them to do so.
I really wish there was a way everyone could have a shot at purchasing allocated bottles. At our stores it’s not for sale until it hits the shelves. I understand your comment concerning truck chasers.
Knowing the delivery days is the main key especially when you live in a control state. Almost the only thing that matters. Except knowing which stores get better stuff because not all state controlled stores are created equal
In Columbus Ohio Giant Eagle gets their drop every Saturday morning. Whatever they get pretty much set's the drop for the rest of the week at other places. Each Kroger around town gets their drop on a different day of the week but every store get's one. So if you're lucky enough to be 1-6 in line M-Sat you can get what ever allocated bourbon is out. Buffalo Trace distillery drop is a 4-6 week cycle and it differs on what's released each time. If you get Buffalo Trace and Eagle Rare this time, you'll probably get Blanton's and E.H. Taylor the bext time. And we almost always get 2-4 case's of Weller green and at leasst 2 case's of Weller Red every week. If just ask the store clerks or owner's they'll let you know what day their drop is and what's the best time to be ready to stand in line for the stuff... cheers 😎💯
Great Vid, Montana has some goofy rules and we get zero... none... nadda... zilch... of allocated whiskeys.. well, I take that back. The "tourist traps" (they are 3-6 hours away from us -- Ever been to Montana??) get them and only come out during the June-July time when the Big Rigs come through.... that being said... I did pick up a Blantons, a Mid Winter Nights Dram and a EHT BiB Small Batch... (have only seen 1 since I have been on this journey--and I bought them). But, everytime I go out of state or travel.... the wife knows we are stopping... somewhere.... Trenton has a nose to the grindstone, man with a plan.... good on him.... cheers, great Vid again... AND CONGRATS on your 30 almost 31K subs now!!!!! how cool is that!!!!!
Extremely hard to believe but very thankful! Only been in Montana once in my life when I was much younger but absolutely loved it! Same trip spent some time in Yellowstone park. Beautiful area!
I've found the best way to get allocated bottles at SRP is to develop relationships. Have 3 great local shops. We talk whiskey, family, sports, whatever. In some cases, I drop off samples. I buy while I'm there = wine, vodka, gin, etc. They HATE when people just walk in and ask if they have Blanton's and then leave. Cheers!
Good list. I use all of these strategies, but you forgot one of the most important pro tips. Know when special releases are coming out and start asking for them months in advance so when they do show up the store already knows you want them. It's the single most important thing I've done to aquire allocated bottles. First to ask.
@@slbdrinks really it goes hand in hand with making relationships. If your friends with the owner you can ask "hey are you getting so and so bottle, I heard it's coming here in the next month or so" and then ask them to keep you in mind or call you when it gets in. Dibs!
That’s a great tip. When I first started in this perilous hobby I was looking for rare stuff way off season. Waste of time! Increase your chances by knowing when to look.
There is a place here in OKC who collects their allocated stuff and does an "allocated day" about every 3 months. They post the allocated day on their Facebook page the day before they are going to have it and it's first come first serve. They have guys camping out the night before so they can have a chance of getting a bottle when they open. Crazy! I would not sleep on the ground in front of a store in order to get a bottle.
I tend to go to the smaller stores, they usually have the hard to stuff find, only problem is finding the one that's not overpriced. I usually just talk to the person a lil and next thing ya know they're showing me a weller cypb haha
Thanks for this video, and so many others. I appreciate your straightforward advice and recommendations. I'm not a unicorn chaser. In the Oregon coast town I now live in, there's only one liquor store. It's selection and prices are fair (They have to buy through the state's wholesale program), but don't begin to compare with the stores in the S.F. Bay Area. So I've had to set my sights on widely available bottles, with a few exceptions. One thing I'd like to see, if you can, is an exploration of the Western whiskey scene. Westland, Westward, Clear Creek's McCarthy, Woodinville, Law's, Wyoming Whisky, and Crater Lake Reserve Rye are some of the whiskies I'd love to hear your opinions of. Keep up the good, entertaining work!
Forming a relationship is the best piece advice you can give. I have one store I always go to for my daily sippers. My personal profile falls in line with a lot of Heaven Hill products. I missed out on allocated bottles in 2020 and that was okay. I would have rather got a bottle but I get it. Its a business and they are trying to keep people as happy as they can. Anyways fast forward to New Years Eve. I swung in just to see if there was an Evan Williams SiB available. Before I went to the shelf I checked in with the owner to see if they were going to do any new barrel picks for 2022 and he told me that he had a bottle of ECBP available with my name on it. I was stunned but am very pleased that they took care of me because they knew me and know what I like.
Be willing to drive is my tip. There's an amazing liquor store about 25 miles away from me that I visit once a month. I buy all kinds of liquor (whiskey, rum, gin, etc.) so they always have something I want, and every once in awhile I happen to be there when a rare bourbon has just come in. I've also gotten lucky a few times going to stores late at night when it's raining. The employees have nothing to do, so they get bored and start restocking. You'll never catch me getting up early to buy whiskey.
Good advice! Bad weather is an excellent point. Just this week we got over 12” of snow in a day and a half. I walked in my go to store on that 2nd bad weather day and there were 5 McKenna 10 yr on the shelf for 42.00. Now it was one per customer but they definitely would not have been there in good weather.
Great info! I've been looking at alot more stores in my area (Alberta) and have been really surprised to what is actually available up here. Our stores are privately owned and operated however which is great at times for the consumer. You guys give me a great guideline to roughly what I should be paying ! ( although I know it will always bit a bit more in Canada) as well as Bourbons that I didn't know about ! Thanks again....cheers!
Great tips.. I live in a state run liquor agency. The only advantage I see is every liquor store must sell product at the same state regulated prices. Which means no gouging. All allocated liquor is sold by the state via lotteries. So no special under the table clubs. Seems really fare to me. The only disadvantages is you rarely find rare bourbon on the shelf.
In Oregon we have state ran stores only....I have 5 bottles of Elmer T Lee that I PAID $37.95 for (each)....5 bottles of Stag jr (batches 14,15,16 and 2 17s)...paid $49.95 each...1 bottle of Weller 12...paid $49.95 for....1 bottle of Old Fitzgerald 8 year I paid $84.95 for. The secret is to show up on freight day, be first when the door opens....BE FRIENDLY!! .....ps..ALL my bottles are still un-opened....guess I should pop the cork on a few.....CHEERS!👍👍😁😁
I hate being the guy who just hunts for allocated bourbons but I had so much damn good luck getting them, for msrp or only $15-20 higher. I only been hunting for 6 months. Got a Michters 10 and 10yr rye for 150 and 130. An Old Fitz 14yr for $200. An EH Taylor for $40. And a Stagg Jr for $60. Those are only a few and I live in a swamp in LA
Any liquor store can order, whatever u want.. As long as the liquor distributor still carry it.. There is a book that each liquor store has that tells u what each liquor distributor carry.. There is usually a 30% margin over cost..
Being from a small town I'm not sure of any liquor stores that might actually get anything as exotic as Pappy in. We're kind of forced to by online unfortunately but I'll definitely take these tips to a larger town about 45 min away and I might have better luck there so thanks a bunch for sharing these great tips.
I believe for the most part that the state control systems are fair for pricing, just not for availability. Usually highly allocated items are earmarked for restaurants through local store accounts. The state control agency has to state (lol - double words) that a certain store has a particular bottle but the stores still have the legal right to use discretion to sell it only to accounts. If you live in a fair good sized area, then finding it at all will be difficult. It does go back to the building relationships tip. Not all things are based on how much money you spend there, but who you talk to. Ps… sometimes there are state lotteries too!
Somewhere I would look is at top selling liquor stores in ghetto areas. They get a lot of allocated bottles in virtue of their sales, but they don’t have customers (bourbon buyers) to buy them. So they’re often anxious to get rid of em. Take this from a liquor store owner.
Love vine and table! Can’t go there as much as I want because I live an hour away. Next time you’re in Indy try to hit rural inn, elite beverages, crown Liquors and superior liquors in greenwood. All great stores! Cheers
@@slbdrinks Awesome! All of those stores have really good store picks. WestClay wine and Spirits is great too. Snagged a Blantons store pick there this weekend and it’s delicious! And I usually hate on Blantons
I worked at a large chain liquor store that is all over Indiana. You probably know who it is. Stores aren’t super crazy about the people who learn the delivery schedules and are there before the deliveries can even be taken off the wrapped pallets asking what came in. We did believe in giving our more regular customers first options at products before selling to the guy we had never seen before asking about allocated stuff. Just recently discovered and subscribed your channel and really enjoy your content. Thanks
Appreciate that thank you! I understand your comment and yes I can imagine for store owners and employees bourbon hunters are probably a huge pain in the butt.
The store I work at sells the allocated products at standard retail mark up. . We do have a waiting list. If you you want it, get on the list. FYI we get about 6 bottles of Pappy a year. Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Being someone who works in a liquor store, you see all types. For how many people are looking for rare whiskey, very few know how to play the game successfully. The most common thing i see is "do you carry buffalo trace". Multiple things wrong with that, first being that everybody carries buffalo trace products but that doesnt mean they are on the shelf at the time. Second, just straight up asking random employees for bt products is a great way to get small stores to write you off ( i wont say what store i work for for personal reasons but the points stand). Third being it basically never works. Kindness (and sometimes samples) go a long long way.
If you are a regular buying wines an stuff from a store itll take at least a year or two for the owner to really warm up to you at least here in NY. Thats a lot of buying to get an msrp allocated bourbon.
While I understand a store wanting to get that secondary money themselves I won’t even waste my non allocated money there. I prefer shops that only sell for a small markup if at all and actually try to know which customers won’t resell and give them regular business beyond hard to find stuff. I do have a friend that spends so much regularly on non allocated stuff ie $6000 bottles of scotch etc that they will hold allocated stuff for him and he does pass that perk on down to me.
I found delivery schedules at all of my stops and made good friends with owners and employees, but it’s all first come first serve. I scored two bottles of EH Taylor small batch and sazerac rye this week at one. Last week got three bottles of eagle rare and three bottles of Buffalo trace. Also got some other great store picks like old forester single barrel barrel strength. I just go often and especially around when I know they stock their shelves.
All great tips. When I first started having an interest in bourbon, the whole availability thing had me bamboozled at first. Like you mentioned here, it seems different everywhere you go. Some places clearly have a side thing going and manipulate who they sell too, and others are first come first serve but there are groups that work together like you mention and If you don't get there early ......good luck. I'm going to start checking locations I normally don't go to for sure.
There is a store not so near me at all, about 1 hour away. When they get special liquors that people over pay for they will collect them and do a Charity auction for the bottles once or twice a year instead of letting the same people getting them all the time.
Very much a list of common sense tips. The thing people have to remember with regard to hunting is they are competing with the secondary flippers who have all this information plus usually what’s on each truck for delivery so a lot of times those items never make it to the shelves especially bottles like Blantons, Weller and Eagle Rare. My best luck has come via communication with store managers and owners so they know what I’m looking for and will tend to hold a bottle for me, not always but sometimes. Other than that, sometimes it just comes down to plain dumb luck because let’s face it, most of us don’t have jobs like Trenton where we can always be driving around and stopping in at liquor stores everyday.
You are 💯 correct concerning job restraints. I don’t have that kind of availability either. Hopefully you can form a small group who can look out for each other? Flippers, that’s a definite issue that eats me up! I have never resold a bottle and never will. Would rather give away than sell.
@@slbdrinks I do have a couple of friends where we keep an eye out for things that each other likes so if we see one we pick them up for one another. Aside from being illegal, many flippers don’t drink bourbon let alone whiskey at all. I live about an hour south of Indy so I’ll occasionally run across something cool, but overall bourbon hunting isn’t really something I do anymore honestly because of those flippers. I’ve had much better luck hunting scotch here and some dusty bottles of bourbon. Just scored an Octomore 12.2 before Christmas. So good!! Cheers!
Within walking distance of my house I can find any allocated I want....if I want to pay a LOT for it. Oddly enough, within the last week, I've found ECBP and Larceny BP at retail, as well as Buffalo Trace for $23 and Jack Daniels BP for a little over retail.
Love your channel! Great information to be had. Could you please type out the bourbons you’re discussing on the screen for us? I’m this case, list the 5 steps on the screen as you present them.
We have a local store that has a "whiskey club" that they sell memberships to ($250 a pop, annually), and the number of memberships they sell is limited. Basically all the good stuff is kept in the back room and members have a certain day they can walk through and buy it up. There is even a wait list to buy a membership. Total turn off...it's a decent store otherwise, but that kinda crap makes me take my business elsewhere.
Yeah that kinda preferential treatment is bullshit... Yes there will always be something like that... but it should not be advertised and promoted... its a turn off to everyone who can't be a part of it.
I happened to find a bottle of the 2021 Old Forester birthday bourbon while I was down in Texas for the holidays, and was so excited until I saw the price. The store was selling it for $1500.....
The problem with secondary is producers are not making enough (perhaps intentionally) to meet demand. The shortage and chase contribute to the brand value. The problem is not with people willing to pay the price...
I agree with your assessment concerning supply and demand. With that being said I think it would help if most of us would refuse to pay severe price gouging. Don’t get me wrong, a few years ago I paid way to much for several bottles due to impatience and being new to the game. I know I am talking in circles but the bottom line is it’s a personal choice and one has to be good with whatever they pay for a desired bottle. Appreciate your comment, very thought provoking.
My primary store (Total Wine) out here has a hybrid approach. The allocated bottles are part of a quarterly lottery, BUT you have to be a "premium" rewards member (i.e. spend $2,500 per year...about $200 per month) to participate. And, you're chances of winning improve with how much you spend (e.g. sorta like the NBA lottery, you get more entries). Unfortunately, I've never won anything but Blanton's (which is usually the least unique option).
To me that approach works for some but probably not for others. For those who spend big money might be ok BUT for those who are on limited budgets don’t stand much of a chance. If your going to do a lottery everybody should be equal. That’s my thoughts.
@@slbdrinks I totally agree this won't work for some, especially those just starting out. But, a group of friends or family could be on one account, and thereby accumulate the points rather easily. But, realistically, how many serious whiskey folks (who are into whiskey and have more than a minor collection of a couple bottles) don't spend close to that amount per year (including beer and wine, gifts, etc)? But, of course, that means it is harder to spread around your liquor budget to other stores. And, for the bottom shelf folks (not that there's anything wrong with that...WT101), how many are going to spend 150-350 on some super premium bourbon at MSRP? That leaves the flippers, and who gives a dang about them?! The business model that makes the most sense will always be rewarding your best customers (I don't even think it is a close question). Probably the best liquor store in America, from what I've seen from a Whiskey Tribe episode, is Irene Tan's in Connecticut. If I lived within 200 miles of her, she'd probably get all my business. She raffles them off for charity. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xRsF7nKea98.html
Just watched the video. Thanks for sharing that with me. What an amazing lady! The only store I have been in that’s close to Irene is Vine and Table in Carmel In. Unfortunately that is 3 hrs away. They had samples etc and the owners were extremely personal. Appreciate your knowledge, as always.
*Correction* The store in Carmel, Indiana that he referred to (Vine & Table) is not a family owned store. They’re owned by a large group of liquor stores known as Big Red Liquors.
Really?? I defer to your knowledge here because I was only there once while passing through. I did speak to a father and son but they just might manage the store? Regardless it was an impressive shopping experience.
Great Video, love the channel! Just started hunting myself! What’s a good way to hear about upcoming releases from distillery’s? Never to early to start planning! :)
My local store now photo copies your license with a signature on rare bottles, the owner is trying to prevent the employees from buying up the allocated and selling them for a mark up.
The liquor store I have been shopping at has some great people and a heck of a collection of bourbons. If there is something I want and they don't have it they don't waste any time and start making calls.
I usually just look it up on my phone online but I think there is an app as well people use for reference. Hopefully someone will chime in on that resource.
Ohio is state controlled so deliveries are once a week. It's the same group of people at most of the stores that are resellers at the front of the line.
Why is it that these flippers usually are always in the front of the line??? Drives me nuts. In my area we have a married couple that will go in together. Since allocated is 1 per customer they both buy 1. They sell 1 to finance their purchases and keep the other. Irritates me.
@@slbdrinks exactly the same here. Also I live in Ohio a few minutes from the PA border (PA is way worse then Ohio as far as control). So the PA people come here and get our allocated picks which makes it even harder. Two weeks ago there were only 22 bottles of allocated product after they split with wholesale. The first 11 were split between PA buyers and the usual flippers. It just makes stuff so hard to get. The only thing there is no shortage of is Wellers Antique 107 and Special Reserve.
On the topic I was looking to buy Glenfiddich 18 (not rare but wanted to move from the original) saw the 18 bought it 108 bucks, next week I go into the same liquor store and they had moved it to 130 bucks. I looked at the whiskey exchange and it was I think 80 bucks. Scotch the is different because of import
Skip all of that because you don't have the time, personality, or budget (to be a regular) and just find the liquor store that marks the rare stuff up and PAY their marked up price... easier and less expensive in the long run.
Some places only use their allocated offerings to capitalize on stupidity and desperation. However, you just can't help but wonder if they might be selling them to their insurance company with a claim of theft or damages. Case in point, why would a gas station display a 750ml bottle of Louis IVX at a price of $4500.00. Now this isn't price gouging but what customer is going into a gas station in search of Louis IVX. Others will sell offerings at 200% or 300% of MSRP, with the guarantee that if no customer buys it, their insurance will!
Those are actually Norlan glasses. They say they were designed for the whiskey drinker. They are very nice but not sure if it heightens a whiskey experience.
The mark up at my local store is insane. I enjoy the search, but have had to walk out of the store empty handed many times. I'm going to stick with the Benchmark Old No. 8 (live stream pick) and see if I can even find that for retail.
I know the feeling. ABC has driven out all the other liquor stores from my area except for a few, and those few remaining are selling everything rare at huge markup.
@@JMPMAOF I did pick up a bottle of the budget bourbon live stream pick (Benchmark Old No. 8). Only $17 for a 1.75 Liter, and I find it to be a pretty good. I'm happy with that. 🥃
I’m relatively new to your channel but I’ve been drinking bourbon whiskey for a little over two years now. You and other people talk a lot about research, research the bourbon research the whiskey. Could you explain how you research? Like where are you going to actually research if it’s something worth buying. I’d be really interested to know more about that
Sure. I usually look up a couple professional reviews first to see if it’s in my wheelhouse. You can find reviews online. I would suggest highly of downloading the Distiller app on your phone or an app similar. This app will have a professional review the bottle than usually quite a few individual ratings as well. Individuals can make a comment and rate a bottle between 1-5 stars. If there are 100 individuals who rate a bottle that averages close to 4 stars or better percentages are in your favor of purchasing a good whiskey. Hope that helps.
Hopefully, my wife's winning the Booker's Noe for me turns out to be as good as I imagine that WT bottle will be for you, Kurt...I really had my heart set on the Buffalo Trace offerings, but it was not meant to be.
Why me ? Am I paying more ? Am I cute ? Am I a loyal customer ? Am I polite enough ? Am I always poking around without buying nothing ? Am I stubby ? Why me ?
@@slbdrinks Yeah...same place that's selling Buffalo trace for $50. Other stuff there is reasonable. But anything that has moderate to high demand they really put the screws to folks.
I don’t drink enough to be on a loyalty program. If I hosted a lot of parties I could see being in a loyalty type program. I’d do better in a lottery I think.
There are a couple of stores near me that will have rather harder to get bottles on the shelves for way too much. They all seemed willing to haggle a bit, but never got them to move enough for me /shrug
I had the same experience with the store I mentioned with high prices. I tried to negotiate but the owner said “someone will buy it for that price”. To bad.
Great ideas, but we need a LIVE IN FRONT of the camera list reading by Trenton😂😂. All jokes aside, are there certain parts of the country that receives better allocations than others? What are the store’s allocations based on? Thanks!!!!
Great question that I will have to dig for the answer. Lot of it is sales driven I believe but plz know I am not well educated in this subject. Hopefully someone will respond to your question with a responsible answer.
I've heard it's based on state population. I live in NW arkansas and am within about 15 minutes of the missouri state line. They have a much broader allocation than arkansas, especially for bourbon. However broader allocation doesn't necessarily mean better prices.
You mentioned a store in Carmel are you guys local to there or was that a special trip? I’m in the area so I may be able to take your advice a little more specifically
10-20-$30 dollars more? Is my current max for any bourbon and I find some decent juice at that price point and no I'm not a street alcoholic, just a smart consumer. Not goin' ta play tha game!
I have no doubt that some of these hard to get bourbons are very good. I've just told myself that I'm content to possibly never try them based upon where I live.
I believe it is if purchased for the right price. We can get it here for bout 35.00 when available. It is a 10 yr bourbon so paying a bit more than that would be acceptable imo also. Only you can set the bar as to how high but plz don’t pay silly prices as you see sometimes.
