How to figure out who distributes in your area

[JPBoston]

Hey all,

So I called my local Total Wine in hopes of requesting VOB and Elmer T Lee. The lady I spoke with told me to figure out who distributes them, and they'd take if from there. Seems like an easier job for them than me, but whatever, challenge accepted.

I did a few Google searches without any luck, and would appreciate any assistance.

I'm in the Phoenix/Glendale area in AZ.

[HighInTheMtns]

Hey all,

So I called my local Total Wine in hopes of requesting VOB and Elmer T Lee. The lady I spoke with told me to figure out who distributes them, and they'd take if from there. Seems like an easier job for them than me, but whatever, challenge accepted.

I did a few Google searches without any luck, and would appreciate any assistance.

I'm in the Phoenix/Glendale area in AZ.

Tell them: it's whoever distributes Buffalo Trace.

[MauiSon]

It's probably Southern Spirits and Wine, but I'm guessing VOB has a restricted distribution area.

Edited April 12, 2013 by MauiSon

[brettckeen]

It's probably Southern Spirits and Wine, but I'm guessing VOB has a restricted distribution area.

VOB may not be available in every state but whomever distributes sazarac brands for the state will have it.

[Josh]

For my fellow Michiganders: http://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-35299_10570_14173---,00.html

Look at the Price Book Index, then the Price book and also check the ADA changes document. Hey look, Templeton is now distributed by NWS and no longer distributed by General.

[mark fleetwood]

Hey all,

So I called my local Total Wine in hopes of requesting VOB and Elmer T Lee. The lady I spoke with told me to figure out who distributes them, and they'd take if from there. Seems like an easier job for them than me, but whatever, challenge accepted.

I did a few Google searches without any luck, and would appreciate any assistance.

I'm in the Phoenix/Glendale area in AZ.

Don't you just love good customer service. after you get VOB stocked be sure to go to her and ask if she'd mind you checking yourself as well.

[White Dog]

What an awful answer. Whenever dealing with a retailer, ask to speak to the actual buyer, who should know the answers to your questions. If you're not talking to the buyer, you're setting yourself up for confusion.

And for Arizona, it may be Young's Market, but I'm not sure. You could also call Sazerac and ask who distributes them in Arizona.

For my fellow Wisconsinites:

Badger Liquor/Frank: Sazerac, HH and Beam. (Let me say that when it comes to on-premise, you'd think they only sell Beam.:hot:)

Wirtz: B-F.

General Beverage: WT and FR.

Capital-Husting/Allstate: Diageo.

[T Comp]

Not Southern for Sazerac in Arizona. http://www.southernwine.com/OfficesNationwide/Arizona/Products/Spirits/tabid/1194/Default.aspx

You can check other states that Southern handles and what they distribute there too.

Sazerac also owns a distributor, Gemini Spirtis & Wine which distributes Glenfarclas, Del Maguey and Forty Creek to name a few http://www.geminispiritswine.com/about.asp

[mrviognier]

I believe most of Sazerac's business in AZ is conducted through Young's Market Co., which recently entered into an agreement with RNDC to merge. VOB is not available in Arizona...and I don't recall ever seeing Elmer there, either.

And, not to burst your bubble, but I'm betting that you won't get too far by calling them. Most distributors (especially the big ones like Young's, Southern, RNDC, etc) don't like getting calls from consumers. As they legally cannot sell to individuals, they don't see them as a 'customer'; hence, there's no inclination for them to provide any semblance of customer service. You're better off taking to the owner/buyer of a well-established retailer.

[Mark_M]

White Dog mentioned Wirtz, they distribute here in MN (they're actually about a mile from my house). I emailed them a couple of months ago regarding a rum that I was after. After about 2 weeks I got an email back with a spreadsheet/report from their database that had rums listed by brand and liquor store within the Twin Cities. Some phone calls later and I had it. It was worth the wait, I initially thought I'd fallen into the Black Hole.

[T Comp]

Sazerac also owns a distributor, Gemini Spirtis & Wine which distributes Glenfarclas, Del Maguey and Forty Creek to name a few http://www.geminispiritswine.com/about.asp

And as we are all about the absolute truth here at SB, as the "internet's foremost source of bourbon information" :cool:, the wholly owned subsidiary of Sazerac, Gemini Spirits & Wine, is an importer and brand developer of spirits but not an actual distributor within the three tier system. Mea culpa. However Mr. Goldring, chairman of Sazerac is also chairman of, Crescent Crown Distributing, a beer distributor. He also owned the distributor, Republic National Distilling, until he sold in 2010.

[tanstaafl2]

Do other states publish a journal for retailers and bars listing distributors and the products they carry? Here in Georgia they have one and so I made friends with an owner and he graciously gave me a relatively current copy making it easier for me to find who distributes what. Contrary to other posts I have had (some) success in calling distributors directly to, um, encourage them to bring in certain things or learn which stores might still have inventory of a particular product. It isn't guaranteed but it can help focus your search.

In other words I am not above grovelling for what I want! The worst they can do is say no. Admittedly it probably helps to have a retailer also contacting them on my behalf as well but if you want to be sure something happens it doesn't hurt to follow through on it yourself!