Average Pappy prices?

[CaptainQ]

Saw some Lot B in the wild yesterday for $99.99.

At the same store where I bought all of my PVW20 for the same price less than two years ago.

Decided I'm good with the handful of ORVW107s, VWFRRs, PVW15s and PVW20s that I've got bunkered.

At some point you have to say enough​ and be content with what you have. I'll just wait for the bubble to burst. In the mean time, I'll be enjoying my Four Roses and OWA.

[Old Lamplighter]

I spent some of this past Saturday and parts of the last 3 evenings trying to gather in a few bottles I had put off buying as the Christmas rush tends to empty out some of the better offerings in my area. In doing so, I asked about the rumored Pappy arrival in the Memphis metro area. Same story everywhere I went: just a few select stores received any at all and the few who did had everything spoken for already. While this was not totally unexpected, what was unexpected was to find out how very little came into the area: somewhere between 24-48 bottles in total spread out between about a dozen stores. This is a reduction of more than 50% from this time last year. A few stores said they got a grand total of 1 bottle. Also, it does not appear that any VWFRR was shipped to said area. Also, what was even more disconcerting was hearing that there will be a 25% price increase in the 2013 Pappy release. All in all, glad I was not in the hunt this year and if the price increase is more than rumor, not likely I will ever again get a "Pappy Hunting License".

[ChainWhip]

In Washington state, there were very few bottles allocated in general and the distributor who has monopoly on BTAC/Pappy has been denying bottles to retailers (saving the bulk of the bottles for restaurants).

Given the recent transition from State Monopoly, all-time Pappy/BTAC hype, and Young's Distributors unpopular (some would say unfair) practices, we are seeing an already ridiculous scene exacerbated by this perfect storm of circumstances.

[LostBottle]

Also, what was even more disconcerting was hearing that there will be a 25% price increase in the 2013 Pappy release.

OMG PVW WTF!?

A 25% price increase is steep. This is especially true since since there was already a large increase this year which is compounded.

[callmeox]

This is another thread that I really don't want to wade in to, but I can't help myself.

Many SB'ers noticed the additional marketing push by the Van Winkles in the last few years and there were some questions here about the motivation.

I wonder if the expanded marketing and increase in retail pricing is just a factor of the difference between the cost of the SW barrels that they sourced and bottled for years and new pricing for the BT distillate? At the time that they picked off the old SW stock, aged bourbon wasn't in great demand so prices should have been relatively low. Now that they have built their brand, I would guess that the cost of the BT distillate is much higher, hence the retail increase to maintain their margins.

Just thinking out loud, I guess.

[yountvillewjs]

My guess is that production has remained steady, but the demand by restaurants (and perhaps even an emphasis by the Van Winkles) has made a hard product almost extinct in the wild. Happens in the wine business all the time and is highly successful, if you can pull it off. See: Baby Saz. Good on them and keep your hands off my 4R.

[WAINWRIGHT]

I wonder if the expanded marketing and increase in retail pricing is just a factor of the difference between the cost of the SW barrels that they sourced and bottled for years and new pricing for the BT distillate? At the time that they picked off the old SW stock, aged bourbon wasn't in great demand so prices should have been relatively low. Now that they have built their brand, I would guess that the cost of the BT distillate is much higher, hence the retail increase to maintain their margins.

Just thinking out loud, I guess.

This is quite a valid point brought forth and an angle that I really hadn't considered,but in the big picture of marketing strategy the pricing itself fits well within the bracket between the CEHT line and BTAC so,I guess it really kind of makes sense.

[Old Lamplighter]

OMG PVW WTF!?

A 25% price increase is steep. This is especially true since since there was already a large increase this year which is compounded.

I'm really hoping this to have been just rumor or gross exaggeration by the stores who told me this. If this trend continues, a day will come sooner rather than later when we will see the shelves remain stocked & full well beyond the annual release dates.

[Old Lamplighter]

This is quite a valid point brought forth and an angle that I really hadn't considered,but in the big picture of marketing strategy the pricing itself fits well within the bracket between the CEHT line and BTAC so,I guess it really kind of makes sense.

While I fully support the capitalist free market system of supply & demand....still, I find myself wondering from time to time how much Pappy as well as many other wonderful Kentucky products are sent offshore for higher profit margins while we search, scratch & claw to find the few bottles that are made available to the homeland....just a passing thought.

[skidfive]

While I fully support the capitalist free market system of supply & demand....still, I find myself wondering from time to time how much Pappy as well as many other wonderful Kentucky products are sent offshore for higher profit margins while we search, scratch & claw to find the few bottles that are made available to the homeland....just a passing thought.

On that point, no so much on the pappys, but there are numerous sites selling BTAC from around $140 a bottle in europe. some of the sites have stock of stagg and weller from 2009 and 2010. almost all have handy and saz18 as well. seems offshore is definitely getting more bottles then are selling while as you said, people are lining up here trying to get one bottle of any BTAC available just to have one from that year.