Weller Centennial Help

[mosugoji64]

Hey everyone!

I just ran across a bottle of Weller Centennial in a store while on vacation. I know it's no longer made, but the store wants $100 for the bottle. Is this an outrageous price? I don't know how much it went for originally. I'm thinking about going back and trying to talk them down.

[Tucker]

The last bottle I purchased was about $35 at retail some time in 2008.

[sku]

Hey everyone!

I just ran across a bottle of Weller Centennial in a store while on vacation. I know it's no longer made, but the store wants $100 for the bottle. Is this an outrageous price? I don't know how much it went for originally. I'm thinking about going back and trying to talk them down.

[birdman1099]

35-40 was the original retail, but now the going price seems to be 125-200. It is up to you to decide if it is "worth" $100.

[chefnash51]

I found two bottles a few months back, paid maybe $34 a bottle. Man is that some delicious bourbon. I would try and wrangle that price down, but it seems they already know it's rare and desired.

My top price ... maybe $65? .. maybe, just maybe if I had some extra coin to spend I would go higher

[CaptainQ]

WWJD

What would Joe do.:grin:

If I had the money I'd buy it. It's disappearing from the wild at an alarming rate. Definitely an endangered species.

[nivto]

I found one in Fl the other month for $30... but $100? if I were you I'd skip the centennial at that price and just buy a bottle of WLW.

[mosugoji64]

Thanks for the responses. I thought that was probably a little salty given that everything else they had looked like it was marked up. The search continues ...

[sku]

I found one in Fl the other month for $30... but $100? if I were you I'd skip the centennial at that price and just buy a bottle of WLW.

[birdman1099]

I'll give you $50 and split it with you....:grin:

[mosugoji64]

I'll give you $50 and split it with you....:grin:

While tempting, I think $50 for 375ml puts me back at my original sticker shock dilemma :bigeyes:

If I run across anything else good, I'll save you a sip!

HH black label is available here and I can't get it at home. Anyone have a review? I love their BIB's, but have tried the green label and didn't care for it. Worth a shot?

[fishnbowljoe]

WWJD

What would Joe do.:grin:

If I had the money I'd buy it. It's disappearing from the wild at an alarming rate. Definitely an endangered species.

I hate to say it, but Joe would pass. :frown: That's hard for me to say considering how much I like it. It is a great bourbon, but....... You gotta draw the line somewhere. Try talking the manager down on the price. It's worked for me in the past. Good luck. Let us know how things pan out. Joe

[Josh]

I hate to say it, but Joe would pass. :frown: That's hard for me to say considering how much I like it. It is a great bourbon, but....... You gotta draw the line somewhere. Try talking the manager down on the price. It's worked for me in the past. Good luck. Let us know how things pan out. Joe

^the right answer

[kickert]

It is a good bourbon, but not $100 good. I would grab a WLW and Weller12 and be much happier. Honestly, I don't think I would even pay $50 for it (give me 2 Weller 12s any day!)

[TNbourbon]

Hey everyone!

I just ran across a bottle of Weller Centennial in a store while on vacation. I know it's no longer made, but the store wants $100 for the bottle. Is this an outrageous price? I don't know how much it went for originally. I'm thinking about going back and trying to talk them down.

Okay, I'm going to play Devil's Advocate here.

I'd never pay $100 for that bottle, but I've enjoyed quite a few of them. If I never had, and doubted I'd ever have another chance, well...

For example, my dearest bourbon purchases have been in the $250-$300 range, for whiskeys made and bottled in the '40s and '50s era, (that, I'm afraid, would cost multiples of what I paid today, so I'll likely never enjoy again. Which, sorta, is my point here!) They were premium bottlings in their time, but not outlandishly priced when issued. However, they were no longer available and increasingly rare -- so, I paid what I had to to taste, learn about, and enjoy (and share!:woohoo: )them, because I had to. Sound familiar?

Weller Centennial, alas, is never going to be $35 again, unless it's by mistake. How bad do you want to learn about why it's so lauded?

[Josh]

I would also suggest cultivating friendships with people in your area with better bunkers than you. Then when they invite you over, drink their Weller Centennial, Pewter Top WTKS, BTAC, etc. Why else do you think I would talk to Oscar or Tony?

[Special Reserve]

The last Weller Centennial I have seen in a store had a $50 price tag. It had a broken cork and was from Frankfort. Even if it was pristine and from Louisville I would have passed at that price.

I've paid between $28 and $35 for those that I purchased.

With that said Tim's argument directly above is compelling.

[mosugoji64]

Thanks for the replies everyone. If I get a chance, I'll try to go back and talk them down. Several of you made the point that, while Centennial was good, there are several others out there that are just as good so that's the view I'm adopting. If I can get it for a decent price, I'll give it a try.

Thanks again! :grin:

[Virus_Of_Life]

I didn't see the question or answer, did you check to see if it was a Louisville or Frankfort? If it is a Louisville pull out $75-$80 cash and tell them it's been sitting there for at least 10 years and they should be glad to move it at fair price, if they still won't sell it offer $90; however if it is a Frankfort, accidentally drop it on the floor and walk out.

I'll be blatantly honest with you, I still consider the Louisville Centennial one of the top 10 - 15 American Whiskeys I've tasted. Sure, maybe I haven't tasted as many as TN or some others around here, but I have tasted a hell of a lot so, seriously, it is a L'ville and you're employed with some spending money then buy it. First, however, try to talk them down just for the principle of the matter.'

To further put it in perspective the Weller Centennial from Louisville is better than any of the recent [alleged stitzel weller bottlings] of Jefferson's 17/18 year old and Willett 17/18 all of which were $75+. So what am I getting at? Just because it retailed at $40 give or take, it's quality far surpasses many things up to 3 times that retail of 10 YEARS AGO.

[mosugoji64]

I didn't see the question or answer, did you check to see if it was a Louisville or Frankfort? If it is a Louisville pull out $75-$80 cash and tell them it's been sitting there for at least 10 years and they should be glad to move it at fair price, if they still won't sell it offer $90; however if it is a Frankfort, accidentally drop it on the floor and walk out.

I'll be blatantly honest with you, I still consider the Louisville Centennial one of the top 10 - 15 American Whiskeys I've tasted. Sure, maybe I haven't tasted as many as TN or some others around here, but I have tasted a hell of a lot so, seriously, it is a L'ville and you're employed with some spending money then buy it. First, however, try to talk them down just for the principle of the matter.'

To further put it in perspective the Weller Centennial from Louisville is better than any of the recent [alleged stitzel weller bottlings] of Jefferson's 17/18 year old and Willett 17/18 all of which were $75+. So what am I getting at? Just because it retailed at $40 give or take, it's quality far surpasses many things up to 3 times that retail of 10 YEARS AGO.

Noted, and thank you for the sage advice! I'll check the bottle out if I can make it back. As for accidentally dropping the bottle, I'll have to give that one some thought

[Virus_Of_Life]

"A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky, dangerous animals and you know it."

-Agent Kay

I don't even know you, but I like you because that is one of my favorite movies of all time!

[cigarnv]

We can debate all day as to what any bottle is worth..... but the decision is a personal one. If you want it, buy it for $100... the $100 is not going to change your life one way or another. So you pay $40 more than you think you should have...... so what? Think of all the things in your life you pissed away $40 on and didn't think twice about. Buy it and enjoy it.... if you don't you will regret it. JMO

[Special Reserve]

First, do try to talk them down to a lower price. It might work. I've had mixed success.

Second, I've had Weller Centennial Louisville and Frankfort side by side numerous times and the difference if any is very little. Note: The bottles of Frankfort all came from two purchases from presumably one source. I purchased one bottle tasted it then when back and bought all the remaining bottles. This does not mean that this bottle will also be the same as each bottling will be different.

Third, I have to agree that it is nearly as good as current harder to find bottles going for $70 to $80/bottle.

Fourth, if you have the money ...

[BBQ+Bourbon]

I personally would pick up a Louisville bottle at $100 but would pass Frankforts at that number.

Special Reserve's experience aside, I've had early Frankforts, mid year Frankforts, a single barrel, and two pours of Louisville. Maybe it's just bad luck, (or purely psychological) but the Louisville seemed much better than the others. I have 4 Frankforts sealed but it's hard for me to imagine paying $100 for one. Then again, if I had no other means to try one....

The prices they are bringing at auction ($200+ range) are absurd.

[RyanL]

I've never been able to find a bottle of the Centennial so haven't tried it but just wondered how everyone would compare it to current bottlings of BTAC WLW.