No Rittenhouse Shortage in Chicago

[smokinjoe]

Here's my recent Rittenhouse Rye BIB purchase history.

$12.99 3/8/2004
$11.99 9/4/2004
$11.99 11/23/2004
$12.99 12/21/2005
$11.99 7/29/2006
$15.99 11/26/2006
$11.99 2/21/2007
$12.99 7/23/2007
$12.99 11/7/2008
$17.00 1/29/2011 (Binny's January 15% off sale)
$22.99 1/3/2012

I think it started to go up, and get scarce, in 2009, which is why I didn't buy any for two years.

Keeping records of comparative costs of one's purchases or Ritt BIB for 8 years...a clear symptom of the advanced stages of Acute Whiskirexia Nervosa...

[izmarkie]

My local joint had a steady supply of Ritt 80 and no BIB until they ran out. I asked them to reorder, and he got the BIB. At $19, I'd think twice if it were a buck or two more, and I won't stock up at that price. I just hope it lasts for when I do want it. I seem to clean him out of all the coveted stuff and it never comes back.

[Old Lamplighter]

Keeping records of comparative costs of one's purchases or Ritt BIB for 8 years...a clear symptom of the advanced stages of Acute Whiskirexia Nervosa...

I wondered what it was called...now I have a response for my wife's scowl

[CADMixes]

Ritt BIB recently reappeared at at least one store in my area after a long drought. I like this store but they're known to casually mark up certain in-demand items, and want $38 for it this time around.

I'm pretty sure I know where to get it closer to list but need to call around.

[Young Blacksmith]

Golly! I paid $25 and thought it was on the high end. At $38 it would sit there a long time.

[Brisko]

Golly! I paid $25 and thought it was on the high end. At $38 it would sit there a long time.

Yeah, what do they think it is, Ri1?

[timd]

Yeah, what do they think it is, Ri1?

HAHAHAHAHAHA

That was funny.

I'm guessing we'll see a Beam Vodka soon, as they've probably got a major surplus of those super-sexy bottles they used for Ri1... certainly won't sell with their Rye in them...

I get my Ritt for $17 at one store, but most others are $22-$23 (when it can be found)

[CADMixes]

Yeah, what do they think it is, Ri1?

LOL @ this.

Thing is, as a cocktail ingredient (which is where most of my Ritt ends up) I can't argue that it's not worth it. I'll pay north of $30 for a good cognac and for a well-made boutique gin, so why not Ritt? The gouging is objectionable obviously, the actual price point could be worse.

[Brisko]

LOL @ this.

Thing is, as a cocktail ingredient (which is where most of my Ritt ends up) I can't argue that it's not worth it. I'll pay north of $30 for a good cognac and for a well-made boutique gin, so why not Ritt? The gouging is objectionable obviously, the actual price point could be worse.

Well, yes and no. In terms of subjective value, yes. In terms of where it fits into the category, no. Think of the prices for the other generally available 4 year old ryes on the market. (I'll use Minnesota prices knowing that it varies a lot geographically, but the point remains).

You have Overholt at around $10, Beam at somewhere over $15, where both of those are 80 proof. Wild Turkey is usually $20 or more and is probably the closest to Ritt BiB in terms of what it is. Bulleit falls in there somewhere around $24 for a 90 proofer but it probably has some older stock in it.

The next step up are a couple 90 proof six year olds, one official, one not: Baby Saz and Russell's Reserve. Both tend to be priced around $27 in my marketplace.

I guess I wouldn't to pay more for Rittenhouse than I would for a 6 year old.

By the way, has Ritt made it to Minnesota? I can't recall ever seeing it although it was available across the river in Hudson, WI for a while.

[BFerguson]

Yes, its been in state for at least two or three weeks.

I was told that the state as a whole did get fewer cases than than last year,maybe something to the order of 25% less?? I don't remember what I was told exactly, but I remember it was quite a decrease.

Need a hand? Let me know. Being the nice guy that I am, I will also take a look around the sunny St. Pete Beach FL area, I managed to get out of town before the cold and snow hit.

The white sand is almost like snow.......

B