Average Pappy prices?

[Trey Manthey]

If the highest I would ever pay for a PVW15 at a bar is $15, then I should also be willing to pay up to ~$190/bottle - given each 750ml bottle has a little over twelve 2oz servings. This obviously does not take into account all types of factors (like gratuity, opportunity costs of buying other bottles, the value of being in a bar atmosphere with friends, how drunk you were at the time of purchase, etc.) but you get my point.

[JPBoston]

Here in Phoenix, AZ ---

2011 -- I had just started my bourbon adventure and noticed ORVW 10/107 for $39.99. Didn't take the jump though, as I didn't feel I'd be able to fully 'appreciate' anything that high end. There were also many bottles of Lot B to be had, and they were either $45 or $49.99 if memory serves.

2012 -- ORVW is now $44.99. Didn't see any Lot B's. Will keep an eye out though.

[Rockefeller]

I do consider this when ordering drinks at a bar or deciding to buy a bottle, but as you disclaim, it's not an even comparison. My formula is basically:

((Most I would pay for 2oz at a bar/restaurant under normal circumstances) x 12.5) / 2 = Most I will pay for a bottle

In this case, I'm with you on the max $15 for a pour of PVW15 at a bar. Dividing by two is the "service and atmosphere" factor. So the most I would pay for a bottle of PVW15 is $93.75. I passed on it yesterday for $99, but I didn't break out the calculator; I just knew that was more than I thought it was worth. I now know why the old fogies around here feel like, as it was usually $60 - $80 in the past releases.

Apparently the distributor round these parts (Republic) decided to hike their VW prices by 50% this year, and the retailers have responded in kind.

[Rockefeller]

FYI, my local swanky bar has upped their prices for a 3oz serving to:

Lot B - $40

PVW15 - $50

PVW23 - $70 (a relative steal)

For comparison, a MM is $12.50

[wildcatdon]

Halifax I am one of those who is walking away...Done..

[mosugoji64]

Held a bottle of 15 in my hand last year but passed on it since the $80 price tag seemed, at the time, to be a little too salty. Meh. Chalk me up as another who is fine with walking away. Plenty of other fish in the whiskey sea ...

[TheOakMonster]

Our store in central NY sold our lone bottle of ORVW10 at $40 and lone bottle of Lot B for $55. That's all we were allocated this year and the same last year (and we're not a small store). Guess all the Pappy bottles are being allocated to NYC bars or something.

[SMOWK]

The prices are only high at retail. From Sazerac, the price for a bottle of PVW15 has gone up less than $10/bottle over the past 4 or 5 years. Blame distributors and retailers, not JVW/BT.

[frayed99]

I didn't notice a massive price jump in WNY (other than on the 23), but it was much harder to find any of the VW's than it was last year. A manager at one large store told me that the owner held back his allotment on the VWFRR, 20 and 23 for friends, and the 10/107, Lot B, and 15 were gone the same day they received them. Last year, this store had the 15 on the shelf for a few days and the Old Rip and Lot B were available for at least 2-3 weeks.

In a loosely related note, I stumbled across a fairly substantial supply of Weller 12 today at $22/bottle...less than their price on OWA.

[HP12]

I didn't notice a massive price jump in WNY (other than on the 23), but it was much harder to find any of the VW's than it was last year. A manager at one large store told me that the owner held back his allotment on the VWFRR, 20 and 23 for friends, and the 10/107, Lot B, and 15 were gone the same day they received them. Last year, this store had the 15 on the shelf for a few days and the Old Rip and Lot B were available for at least 2-3 weeks.

In a loosely related note, I stumbled across a fairly substantial supply of Weller 12 today at $22/bottle...less than their price on OWA.

Interesting report on VW availability in your area. Nice Weller 12 find! Bunker my friend, bunker.

[Josh]

Pappy 23=Dilophosaurus

Yes, all large theropods. Make of that what you will.

[bigtoys]

FYI, my local swanky bar has upped their prices for a 3oz serving to:

Lot B - $40

PVW15 - $50

PVW23 - $70 (a relative steal)

For comparison, a MM is $12.50

that is insane. as seen from my avatar, I'm a PvW fan. Been drinking the 20 yr old for about 8 years on the recommendation of my local Binny's whiskey guy. Pappy 20 used to be on the shelf, often in a red velvet bag, sometimes not. Started drinking 15 and Lot B, too, but the 20 was always my favorite. Everyone I gave it to loved it. Price was pretty stable at 90-100 for the 20; 15 was around 50-55. Seemed quite reasonable. Blue Smoke BBQ in NYC had their own vW bottling that is also quite good and a reason to go there. Met Julian at Lush one year around 2007 and had him sign several bottles.

Now, with all the newbies clamoring for vW, the prices escalating and the SW product gone/going away, I'm pulling away, too from buying more. I have several 20's stashed away and some 15's that are probably SW as well. Also the lack of transparency as to what's really in the bottle. They should tell us and if it's good, we'll drink it. And if it's not really limited, then they shouldn't release it semiannually. the ebay/craig's list sales are hilarious.

The first time I was at Blue Smoke the bartender said I had to try this stuff called Four Roses, just back in the US after a long absence. Used to be the biggest or one of the biggest brands, then it was only sold in Japan where it was extremely popular. Loved it. Figured I'd get some when I got home, but it wasn't yet available in Illinois. A few months later, it was, and I bought a few bottles. Luckily, I bought a few bottles of the 4R 120th Anniversary as it's my favorite "recipe" (OBSK).

Unfortunately, I'm kind of a collector/hoarder, so I've bought many bottles of different whiskies over the years, single malts included. I was drinking single malts including Lagavulin 16 since 1990. Even drove around to bunker the Lagavulin before they ran out for a couple of years several years ago (due to supply/demand imbalance).

If I was reasonable, I'd just stick with 4R for now. Great bourbon for the price.

Might even be changing my avatar.?.?

[JPBoston]

FYI, my local swanky bar has upped their prices for a 3oz serving to:

Lot B - $40

PVW15 - $50

PVW23 - $70 (a relative steal)

For comparison, a MM is $12.50

Edited December 8, 2012 by JPBoston

[p_elliott]

You go to a whisk(e)y bar you had better take some cash or a credit card with you. You'll pay on average 1/4 to 1/3 the price of a bottle for a pour.

[squire]

Hmm, off the Board two days and this thread grows three pages, the subject certainly draws attention.

[camduncan]

You go to a whisk(e)y bar you had better take some cash or a credit card with you. You'll pay on average 1/4 to 1/3 the price of a bottle for a pour.

Same rings true in Australia. It's not unsusual to pay $8-$10 for a pour (30ml here due to liquor laws) of Makers from a bottle that would cost you $35 at retail.

[Rockefeller]

I have 2 bottles of ORVW10/90 stored away in the closet. Anyone else hesitant to open it now that it's been discontinued?

[squire]

Rock I don't hesitate to open any bottle . . . when my heirs liquidate my estate there will be no dusties to be sold.

[Tico]

I have 2 bottles of ORVW10/90 stored away in the closet. Anyone else hesitant to open it now that it's been discontinued?

[matthewdc]

I have to say Pappy prices here in DC this yearwere ridiculous--serious price gouging by some retailers. One store called me saying they only got a couplebottles in and if I was interested. Isaid yes but then asked the price—the ORVW10 was $99 and the PVW15 was $250…OUCH! I thanked them for the call butsaid no thank you. I also saw the Lot B in a few stores pricedbetween $125 and $175. After a pretty extensive search I did come across a couple bottles that were very decentlypriced so was lucky this year but can’t believe people are paying these outrageousprices that some stores are asking. I hope the hype subsides some next year. Wishful thinking I guess...

[Curtisc84]

If I was reasonable, I'd just stick with 4R for now. Great bourbon for the price.

Might even be changing my avatar.?.?

[SMOWK]

I have resorted to asking store purchasing managers to add "sexual favors" in the "notes" column on the "Pappy List".

[Hershmeister]

I'm just glad I spent a lot of time in the past few years hunting down my bottles. It's clearly much more difficult to obtain now and when you can find it much more expensive

[BourbonGuy]

I went to the liquor store yesterday and we got on the topic of Pappy. ““F” Pappy he said. I wish the whole F-in line would disappear. You have to call in all these favors to get a bottles and then they lie. And sure, they (not sure he meant Buffalo Trace or Julian Van Winkle) of got caught a little short. But you think when they get caught up the price will drop? Thieves, their all thieves.”

[squire]

In the back of my mind there was a thought that when the Stitzel-Weller well finally runs dry the price of Pappy might drop a bit but that's too much to ask for.