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State run Liquor Stores in WA

2highcal

By 2highcal
in General Bourbon Discussion

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2highcal Taster

2highcal

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Will soon be out of business due to I 1183 the state finally gets out of the booze business. I am hoping that we will start to get some of the good juice that I see is available elsewhere.

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T47 Connoisseur

T47

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The only Bourbon I can’t find in WA comes from such small distilleries that I don’t expect much of a change in that area. I imagine I am still going to have to cozy up to some manager somewhere to try and land a Van Winkle or Stagg. I wish they would open us back up to the mail order business, I don’t know if this change will allow for that or not? And the day I can go to Costco and buy a bottle as cheap as I did in AZ will be a shock, even with the State out of the direct business they will still find a way to get their tax in there to keep the price up like the automatic 17% markup that comes with the bill. I think the change makes sense, but I think it helps the retailers (which I am all for) more than the selective consumer.

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GreggJ Advanced Taster

GreggJ

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The only Bourbon I can’t find in WA comes from such small distilleries that I don’t expect much of a change in that area. I imagine I am still going to have to cozy up to some manager somewhere to try and land a Van Winkle or Stagg. I wish they would open us back up to the mail order business, I don’t know if this change will allow for that or not? And the day I can go to Costco and buy a bottle as cheap as I did in AZ will be a shock, even with the State out of the direct business they will still find a way to get their tax in there to keep the price up like the automatic 17% markup that comes with the bill. I think the change makes sense, but I think it helps the retailers (which I am all for) more than the selective consumer.

NH has a similar system and it is a double edge sword. Here the prices are relatively low but availability on some of the specialty items and hard to find stuff is maddening at times. If it opens up to mail order my bank account would take a signifigant hit. There are many things on my buy upon sight list that I just don't have access too.

Anyhow, I hope this works out for you and the rest of the bourbonians in WA.

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buckey929 Novice

buckey929

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The only Bourbon I can’t find in WA comes from such small distilleries that I don’t expect much of a change in that area. I imagine I am still going to have to cozy up to some manager somewhere to try and land a Van Winkle or Stagg. I wish they would open us back up to the mail order business, I don’t know if this change will allow for that or not? And the day I can go to Costco and buy a bottle as cheap as I did in AZ will be a shock, even with the State out of the direct business they will still find a way to get their tax in there to keep the price up like the automatic 17% markup that comes with the bill. I think the change makes sense, but I think it helps the retailers (which I am all for) more than the selective consumer.

My Bro in Vancouver gets deliveries from CA. Pays no Ca or WA tax. Even with s/h it is still a Lot cheaper.

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jburlowski Guru

jburlowski

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My Bro in Vancouver gets deliveries from CA. Pays no Ca or WA tax. Even with s/h it is still a Lot cheaper.
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T47 Connoisseur

T47

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If he gets deliveries from CA it likely has been subject to CA taxation.

Still illegal here in WA even if that is the case. I was informed by Binnys of the technicalities a couple years ago when I tried to order. I doubt the State would bother with small purchases; I don’t understand why they don’t just add their tax on top of the order and allow it? There are only a handful of bottles I would like to have access to with a little more regularity,but I am glad there are a lot of bottles to enjoy while I wait!

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T47 Connoisseur

T47

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While visiting the Liquor store today I asked if they expected and Pappy Van Winkle in anytime soon. The clerk said, "It came in and the State sent it all back, saying they are no longer in the Business, I guess its their way of screwing the voters back".

I really dont believe him, just thought its going to be an interesting 7 months until the State is finally out of the business. Ultimately I think its best for the State to be out of the business, I guess we will see come June.

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Chris24 Taster

Chris24

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Yah, he's totally misinformed. Some of my friends in the liquor business have confirmed BTAC and Van Winkle are still coming. I do think they restricted it to just state stores though, not contract stores which kind of sucks.

Finding rare bottles is a game in misinformation. Many liquor store employees just have no clue and give a variety of differening excuses. "The Parkers 50th? No that was gone at the distillary within a week, all selling for $500+" or "There's a store in Montana which just has Van Winkle year round but it's never been in the state" or "There are only 3 types of Four Roses bottles."

I will miss the (often outdated but still state wide) search function on the state website. But I think after a year or so a few contract stores will be able to offer a better selection than the state did.

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andykeck Apprentice

andykeck

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Yah, he's totally misinformed. Some of my friends in the liquor business have confirmed BTAC and Van Winkle are still coming

Any idea when? :o

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CaptainQ Connoisseur

CaptainQ

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Hi Andy, just curious if you're going to post an introduction or did you just come on SB.com to find out where to get the good stuff. :skep: ;)

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andykeck Apprentice

andykeck

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Hi Andy, just curious if you're going to post an introduction or did you just come on SB.com to find out where to get the good stuff. :skep: ;)
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andykeck Apprentice

andykeck

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Gentlemen, start your engines...

Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery

Washington state has shipped.

Like · · Share · 72 · about an hour ago ·

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andykeck Apprentice

andykeck

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Super excited. I understand that they guy that owns the Fremont Wine Warehouse (terrible name, great place) is going to bring in liquor. Given his philosophy of only stocking things he's interested in himself, I'm looking forward to seeing what he brings in. He's the guy that poured me my first taste of Carpano Antica after we somehow got into a big discussion of rye. A good guy.

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