What Did You Pass Up Today? Winter '12/'13

[bad_scientist]

The other day, passed on a PHC 1st Edition and A.H.H. 16 yr (gold foil)... Store owner was asking way too much, I think. $375 for the gold foil and around $400 for the PHC. Pretty cool to see them out in the wild but geez, way too expensive.

Would that be the store off the Dupont Circle metro?

[Trey Manthey]

That's surprising Grant. Louisiana has some well stocked stores with competitive prices all over the State.

Not true anymore. Over the last year, whiskey prices (Van Winkle in particular) have increased around the board due to the largest distributor (Republic) catching on to the demand and limited supply and increasing their prices to the retailers. Unfortunately, this has led many of the retailers to jump on the bandwagon as well. Can't say I blame them...I just feel sorry for the poor saps who are actually paying the prices.

Out of all the stores where I've purchased PVW over the years (Martin Wine Cellar, Cuban Liquor, Calandro's, Churchhill's, Dorignac's), all of them have raised their prices to AT LEAST 2x MSRP, and in the case of the last two, 4x to 5x MSRP.

I'd love to support our local economy, but unfortunately, with the price increases I've started buying everything over the web. Kentucky, New Jersey, and California see most of my alcohol budget now.

[squire]

Sorry to hear that Trey, the last time I shopped in a LA store was a year ago and the prices on BTAC were still reasonable. Dorignac's you say? They used to be quite reasonable, better than Martin's. When the Van Winkle Old Time rye was being discontinued we went down there and got the last one Martin's had and the last two at Dorignac's, prices on all three were reasonable, but, that was awhile back.

[compliance]

Passed on FRSB 2012 and 2011, High West 21yr rye 750ml for $135 at one place and the 375ml bottle for $90 at another.

[skidfive]

oops, posted in the old thread.

Passed on 3 WTKS pewter tops from 01 at $43 a piece. Picked up one but will go back for the others later.

[matthewdc]

Would that be the store off the Dupont Circle metro?

Yep, that's the one!

[UncleJohnsBarrel]

Got an email from a local store advertising some leftover stock of BTAC. I almost jumped at the Stagg, but ended up opting to save the cash for my wallet and wait for a bottle coming out in early 2013. Gotta start being smarter about whiskey buying/budgets in 2013, but hopefully this wasn't a bad decision.

[squire]

Think I'll be watching my budget as well.

Edited January 2, 2013 by squire

[jtexaslonestar]

EC18. Been a while since I ran across one...maybe I should go back.

[Old Lamplighter]

EC18. Been a while since I ran across one...maybe I should go back.

I passed up same last week for the umpteenth time from a local retailer pvt bottling. On top of it all, the retailer now has EC20 at $145 which I suppose justified said retailer to raise the EC18 still on the shelf from $49 to $59...which made me a bit mad. So, I turned away again.

[squire]

I don't know which irritates me more, him raising the price, or knowing that he knows that I know he did.

[Old Lamplighter]

i don't know which irritates me more, him raising the price, or knowing that he knows that i know he did.

absolutely agree!

[MauiSon]

I can't understand why raising the price is irritating. The retailer can't replace it and his investment in the bottle is dead money until it's sold - why shouldn't he seek some compensation for his increased carrying cost? You aren't obliged to buy.

Edited January 3, 2013 by MauiSon

[squire]

Because his cost wasn't increased, just his desire to gig me. Marking up goods after they are on the shelf is a clear disregard for the integrity of customer relations. He has a right to mark it up, I have a right to shop elsewhere.

He would have made more money by keeping me as a customer.

Edited January 3, 2013 by squire

[smokinjoe]

I wonder if that would be a case where if you were a good customer of the guy, and you mentioned your surprise at the increase, if he would then sell it to you at the original price. If you're just a Schmo off the street, you're paying the higher price. However, if when you made mention of the increase and your repeat buys, and he didn't do anything then...then he probably doesn't get my future biz. Or, he better give me a good story.

BTW, I have no problem with retailers raising prices from the original stickers on select items. Just like I don't have problems when they lower them.

[Old Lamplighter]

I wonder if that would be a case where if you were a good customer of the guy, and you mentioned your surprise at the increase, if he would then sell it to you at the original price. If you're just a Schmo off the street, you're paying the higher price. However, if when you made mention of the increase and your repeat buys, and he didn't do anything then...then he probably doesn't get my future biz. Or, he better give me a good story.

BTW, I have no problem with retailers raising prices from the original stickers on select items. Just like I don't have problems when they lower them.

It did cross my mind as I'm a pretty regular & known customer of this establishment. I guess I've been sitting on the fence so long, it just didn't cross my mind while there. I was a bit taken aback as well as slightly amused since he's been sitting on 40-50 shelf bottles for a while now. If they didn't move at $49, I can't see them running out the door at $59...lol. Maybe he figures once people realize this is the last EC18, folks will be happy to pay $59 as opposed to $145 for its replacement... & $400-500 more profit. As slow as EC moves in these parts, I just can't see it happening though.

[z327]

I'm another bottle closer to acquiring every gold medal American, Canadian and Irish whiskey winner from the 2011 and 2012 San Fran Spirits Competition. Its been a fun journey and an excuse to purchase lots of whiskey.

Two bottles to go.

[MauiSon]

Because his cost wasn't increased, just his desire to gig me. Marking up goods after they are on the shelf is a clear disregard for the integrity of customer relations. He has a right to mark it up, I have a right to shop elsewhere.

He would have made more money by keeping me as a customer.

His cost increases every day the bottle sits unsold, if you don't realize that, you know nothin' about business.

Edited January 4, 2013 by MauiSon

[portwood]

His cost increases every day the bottle sits unsold ...

Absolutely true. However, when an item isn't selling the more logical strategy is to reduce the price in order to move it and create cash flow to buy inventory that will sell at a more desirable profit margin. In most cases* raising the price will most likely ensure the item stays on the shelf even longer, thus tying up capital (a cost) even further.

* there rare cases of ("luxury") goods that actually have higher demand the higher the price goes (VW and BTAC seem to fit in this category).

[squire]

I assure you Sir, there are a good many things I do not know, but I can spot a trend. In my 35 years of practicing Transactional Law we rarely ever saw a liquor store go bankrupt. When we did it was invariably owned by a fellow who didn't take care of his customers.

[berto]

PHC '12 and OF Birthday '12. Prices were ok I just don't know if either bottle is what I want. Reviews on the PHC '12 are all over the place and $90 is more than I want to gamble right now.

[wmpevans]

Never know until you try them.:grin:

I happen to like both of these bottles, and the PHC 12 is a GREAT pour. $90 is a little steep, but if you haven't tried it you won't be disappointed.

[Ejmharris]

Never know until you try them.:grin:

I happen to like both of these bottles, and the PHC 12 is a GREAT pour. $90 is a little steep, but if you haven't tried it you won't be disappointed.

PHC '12 and OF Birthday '12. Prices were ok I just don't know if either bottle is what I want. Reviews on the PHC '12 are all over the place and $90 is more than I want to gamble right now.

I bought two PHC 12's after the first bottle. One will be going to a neighbor but getting a back up for the first was something I wanted to do. It is a great pour an One of the few I have decided are worth the premium.

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[MyOldKyDram]

Bulleit 10 yo at $39.99.

[Yeti]

Finally found a 4RSB LE 2012 but couldn't pull the trigger. Holding out in hopes of finding the SmB LE.