What Did You Pass Up Today? Winter/Spring 2012

[c2walker]

Jeez. Price gouging their own juice. I have not been to any of the distilleries yet, is this normal practice?

I went to Beam, Heaven Hill, Buffalo Trace, and Four Roses on my last trip. Beam was about 20% over retail. Heaven Hill was between 30-90% overpriced (with things like EWSB being closer to 30% and PHC at 90%). Buffalo Trace products were competitive, but they only sold BT, ER 10/90, BT Cream, and Rain Vodka. Four Roses prices were very competitive and the limited edition bottles only sold at the distillery were a downright steal. So if someone wanted to visit a distillery to buy product, FR is really the only one of the four I visited that are worth going to.

[Bourbon Boiler]

I turned down the 2011 WR Masters' Collection "Rare Rye" yesterday. It was listed for $80 I believe. Gave it a long thought, but didn't justify the dollars.

[Bourbon Boiler]

Jeez. Price gouging their own juice. I have not been to any of the distilleries yet, is this normal practice?

Remember that the distilleries have to sell it to the distributors, who have to sell it back. I believe (but not 100% sure) that the cases have to physically leave the bottling grounds and return. Each party could take a reduced margin, but there are still costs applied. Like stated above, the distilleries need the downstream partnership between the distributors and retailers to be healthy, so they will not set out to undercut them.

[yountvillewjs]

Remember that the distilleries have to sell it to the distributors, who have to sell it back. I believe (but not 100% sure) that the cases have to physically leave the bottling grounds and return. Each party could take a reduced margin, but there are still costs applied. Like stated above, the distilleries need the downstream partnership between the distributors and retailers to be healthy, so they will not set out to undercut them.

There is no excuse for above retail in your own retail shop. None.

[smokinjoe]

There is no excuse for above retail in your own retail shop. None.

Despite a claim of "gouging" (that's a whole other issue), I've always heard, and accepted as "reasonable", the idea of pricing above retail. From your history, I believe you are intimately involved at the producer level in the wine biz? So, in regards to your very emphatic statement, I am interested in hearing your perspective on this. BTW, Please know that this isn't a "challenge" in any way. Just, me trying to learn. :toast:

[Bourbon Boiler]

Also remember that there isn't a single retail price. The distilleries may be trying to be in the neighborhood of the highest, not in the range of the place that bourbon fans have learned to go.

[JayMonster]

There is no excuse for above retail in your own retail shop. None.

Keep in mind, when the poster previously mentioned that it was "20% over retail" he was (I presume) talking about the price for which he could purchase it, which is most likely below whatever the liquor equivalent of MSRP would be.

Most likely, the shops themselves sell AT MSRP, again knowing full well that there are other locations that can sell it for less, but they are not trying to compete with those retailers. But they ARE happy to accept full MSRP for whatever "tourists" are willing to plunk down the price.

This is really no different than spending $3.00 for a Coke outside the Coke Museum when you could in theory leave the area and spend $1.50 for the same at a supermarket.

[clingman71]

Stopped at CnB in Covington today. This has always been one of my favorite stores, questionable now. Old Rip 90 & 107 on the shelf along with lot B. $50, 60, and 75 respectively. I purchased an old label Weller 12 #3 in the fall and a new label #6 a few weeks ago @ $29.99 each, which is $5 high for the area. They pulled out one last #3 today so I jumped on it, until I got to the register and it rang up $59!!!! It is one thing for a price increase between shipments of something, but to double in price on something that's been in the back, CRAZY. I just got a Pappy 20 at Binny's for $100, I'm not going to get bent over for an Old Rip or a lot B. They were also $10-15 high on JPS and $10 high on WRDO, although I wasn't interested in those, I noticed the pricing. It is difficult to show loyalty to a store that prices in such a way.

[c2walker]

Stopped at CnB in Covington today. This has always been one of my favorite stores, questionable now. Old Rip 90 & 107 on the shelf along with lot B. $50, 60, and 75 respectively. I purchased an old label Weller 12 #3 in the fall and a new label #6 a few weeks ago @ $29.99 each, which is $5 high for the area. They pulled out one last #3 today so I jumped on it, until I got to the register and it rang up $59!!!! It is one thing for a price increase between shipments of something, but to double in price on something that's been in the back, CRAZY. I just got a Pappy 20 at Binny's for $100, I'm not going to get bent over for an Old Rip or a lot B. They were also $10-15 high on JPS and $10 high on WRDO, although I wasn't interested in those, I noticed the pricing. It is difficult to show loyalty to a store that prices in such a way.

That's disappointing to hear. They better be careful with TPS just down the road.

[Ejmharris]

Stopped at CnB in Covington today. This has always been one of my favorite stores, questionable now. Old Rip 90 & 107 on the shelf along with lot B. $50, 60, and 75 respectively. I purchased an old label Weller 12 #3 in the fall and a new label #6 a few weeks ago @ $29.99 each, which is $5 high for the area. They pulled out one last #3 today so I jumped on it, until I got to the register and it rang up $59!!!! It is one thing for a price increase between shipments of something, but to double in price on something that's been in the back, CRAZY. I just got a Pappy 20 at Binny's for $100, I'm not going to get bent over for an Old Rip or a lot B. They were also $10-15 high on JPS and $10 high on WRDO, although I wasn't interested in those, I noticed the pricing. It is difficult to show loyalty to a store that prices in such a way.

[yountvillewjs]

Despite a claim of "gouging" (that's a whole other issue), I've always heard, and accepted as "reasonable", the idea of pricing above retail. From your history, I believe you are intimately involved at the producer level in the wine biz? So, in regards to your very emphatic statement, I am interested in hearing your perspective on this. BTW, Please know that this isn't a "challenge" in any way. Just, me trying to learn. :toast:

[clingman71]

That is disappointing about CnB. I frequent them and have also noted the higher prices. $59.99 is crazy. No way the w12 is worth that. I have noticed the $5 increase on both the W12 and OWA recently. They did have a fantastic OWA SB selection last fall.

I was surprised to hear they had any van winkle stuff in stock. I stopped in last Thursday and a guy said they got it in two weeks ago and it went the same day. They must have received a second shipment.

[TheDude]

Stopped at CnB in Covington today. This has always been one of my favorite stores, questionable now. Old Rip 90 & 107 on the shelf along with lot B. $50, 60, and 75 respectively. I purchased an old label Weller 12 #3 in the fall and a new label #6 a few weeks ago @ $29.99 each, which is $5 high for the area. They pulled out one last #3 today so I jumped on it, until I got to the register and it rang up $59!!!! It is one thing for a price increase between shipments of something, but to double in price on something that's been in the back, CRAZY. I just got a Pappy 20 at Binny's for $100, I'm not going to get bent over for an Old Rip or a lot B. They were also $10-15 high on JPS and $10 high on WRDO, although I wasn't interested in those, I noticed the pricing. It is difficult to show loyalty to a store that prices in such a way.

Seriously? $50 and $60 for Old Rip? That is an incredibly high retail price. I found several bottles of each proof in the Louisville area over the past couple of weeks and paid less than $40 each for all of them. The cheapest was $31.99 for a 10/90. I think the highest was $38.99 for the 10/107.

I've stopped at CnB on my way through Covington on several occasions and always thought they had reasonable prices. That's disappointing to hear.

[Tucker]

Surprised to see a Handy on the shelf. Not so surprised given that it was priced at $82. Passed.

[Brisko]

Passed up Handy @ $80 and WT81Rye at $20.

[BAO]

Seriously? $50 and $60 for Old Rip? That is an incredibly high retail price. I found several bottles of each proof in the Louisville area over the past couple of weeks and paid less than $40 each for all of them. The cheapest was $31.99 for a 10/90. I think the highest was $38.99 for the 10/107.

I've stopped at CnB on my way through Covington on several occasions and always thought they had reasonable prices. That's disappointing to hear.

Passed up ORVW 10/90 for $80 and 10/107 for $100 yesterday. Seen it in stores across the street for NERO, and told the store owner that. I also told him I could get those cheaper on EBAY!

[MrAtomic]

I passed up a BHC Old Charter priced at $50. I bought a bottle of it years ago, but have very little memory of the taste. Since the last bottle didn't make much of a lasting impression, I figured $50 was pretty steep for another one.

[coltcannon]

High West 16yr @ $70, first sighting and cant imagine the bottles they have at this place will move fast. Might be back for it, if I dont find any spring pappy.

[CaptainQ]

High West 16yr @ $70, first sighting and cant imagine the bottles they have at this place will move fast. Might be back for it, if I dont find any spring pappy.

Is that the price for a .750 or a .375 bottle?

[tommyj1986]

Yesterday I passed on 3 THH, and 2 GTS, although I picked up one GTS, all 2011. They were marked for $69.99.

Early last week I passed on some Pappy 20s for $99.99, at 2 different locations. Probably should have gotten one.

Cheers!

[c2walker]

Yesterday I passed on 3 THH, and 2 GTS, although I picked up one GTS, all 2011. They were marked for $69.99.

Early last week I passed on some Pappy 20s for $99.99, at 2 different locations. Probably should have gotten one.

Cheers!

This thread is torture at times.

[DogfaceSoldier]

Couldn't agree more. Where are people finding all the BTAC? I know there was some Van Winkle released in the past month...but I haven't heard anything about a recent release of BTAC?

[Tico]

Couldn't agree more. Where are people finding all the BTAC? I know there was some Van Winkle released in the past month...but I haven't heard anything about a recent release of BTAC?

Plenty of THH out here in CA, saw some ER17 the other day too. As for the Sazerac 18, GTS and WLW, those usually disappear out here within a month of the release.

[tommyj1986]

Couldn't agree more. Where are people finding all the BTAC? I know there was some Van Winkle released in the past month...but I haven't heard anything about a recent release of BTAC?

Most of the BTAC stuff disappeared from my area (CNY) by mid December if I remember right. However I was in some stores about an hour away from yesterday and only the one had anything.

Although at the same time, I haven't been able to find a Taylor Tornado.

[clingman71]

This thread is torture at times.

Damn right it is, especially the posts without location.