KBD Ending Single Barrel Select Program

[Dolph Lundgren]

As reported right here: http://www.binnys.com/whiskeyhotline

[theglobalguy]

I seem to remember Eric from P&M stating like an 8-9 month backlog. Wonder what part is to let the system catch back up and what part is just lack of supply.

[nd2005]

Since 2 of the major distilleries have publicly announced that they are having volume issues and expect shortages of their own product, it seems like common sense that the NDPs would share in the woe.

I imagine KBD et al are having a hard time finding the quality they want and are being asked to pay more for the scraps they can get.

[P&MLiquorsEric]

I seem to remember Eric from P&M stating like an 8-9 month backlog. Wonder what part is to let the system catch back up and what part is just lack of supply.

This is true. We are in the 8th month and still waiting.

If this is true, I doubt it is permanent. I was even told by a willett master distiller that they were installing a small bottling line for the single barrel bottling area.

If true, I am guessing they will focus on keeping the higher end regular single barrel products on shelves.

[theglobalguy]

This is true. We are in the 8th month and still waiting.

If this is true, I doubt it is permanent. I was even told by a willett master distiller that they were installing a small bottling line for the single barrel bottling area.

If true, I am guessing they will focus on keeping the higher end regular single barrel products on shelves.

Given the extra labour involved in the barrel picks by stores, and i would guess equal profit (??) i can see why they would double down on the core brands. Other than the 4/5yr Ryes i haven't seen any WFE in a while outside the gift shop.

[White Dog]

This is true. We are in the 8th month and still waiting.

If this is true, I doubt it is permanent. I was even told by a willett master distiller that they were installing a small bottling line for the single barrel bottling area.

If true, I am guessing they will focus on keeping the higher end regular single barrel products on shelves.

When you say, "Willett master distiller," do you mean Drew Kulsveen?

[P&MLiquorsEric]

When you say, "Willett master distiller," do you mean Drew Kulsveen?

I believe so. It was at forecastle festival in the bourbon lodge. I had a number of drinks and his name escaped me. He was working the willett booth Saturday evening.

[callmeox]

Perhaps now that they are distilling at KBD the big boys are being more stingy with the juice that has kept the lights on for all these years.

[brettckeen]

Perhaps now that they are distilling at KBD the big boys are being more stingy with the juice that has kept the lights on for all these years.

I'm sure it's super labor intensive to hold the hands of all these restaurateurs that need a bunch of WFE SBs to decorate their bars with. Most importantly I look forward to Willet's distillates coming of age! The world needs another flavor profile on the market.

[wadewood]

It's not ending; Binny's is wrong or misinformed. It's on hold until they can catch up with back orders. This is directly from Drew. Having too many orders is a good thing if you are KBD.

[MauiSon]

How much more producer effort do you think goes into a private selection barrel over a 'regular' FE single barrel? There may be some, but I doubt it adds up to a hill of beans on the bottling end (maybe a sticker and a different colored wax).

[wadewood]

How much more producer effort do you think goes into a private selection barrel over a 'regular' FE single barrel? There may be some, but I doubt it adds up to a hill of beans on the bottling end (maybe a sticker and a different colored wax).

Some retailers just call up and say send me an barrel selection and you pick it. Others are more involved. I think with Willett, their single barrels offerings were selling so fast, many retailers were saying send me x number of barrels of 7 YO, z of 12 YO, etc. It overwhelmed their bottling line capacity for these at least temporarily.

I will only buy a Willett SB if I or group I'm involved with was directly involved in selection or I can taste prior to purchase. Caveat Emptor.

[squire]

I believe the term distiller is appropriate (head distiller if there are two or three of you but that's a stretch) but the self appointed term Master Distiller is meaningless. It's as if a carpenter set up shop and called himself a master craftsman. He may have the tools and the shop but only real masters can judge whether his work is up to their standard.

[P&MLiquorsEric]

Some retailers just call up and say send me an barrel selection and you pick it. Others are more involved. I think with Willett, their single barrels offerings were selling so fast, many retailers were saying send me x number of barrels of 7 YO, z of 12 YO, etc. It overwhelmed their bottling line capacity for these at least temporarily.

I will only buy a Willett SB if I or group I'm involved with was directly involved in selection or I can taste prior to purchase. Caveat Emptor.

I imagine some of the big boys work like that. I know a regional grocery chain that routinely does 4R barrels gives employees a chance to go on the selections and choose the barrels. Neat for employee morale but not so sure I trust their bourbon acumen.

[theglobalguy]

I imagine some of the big boys work like that. I know a regional grocery chain that routinely does 4R barrels gives employees a chance to go on the selections and choose the barrels. Neat for employee morale but not so sure I trust their bourbon acumen.

I've bought one of those bottles before (or something very similar)! I remember thinking, i wonder what Judy in the flower dept. knows about bourbon? But then i figured this is KY, and i justified it.

[cowdery]

KBD is no Johnny Drum come lately. They have long-term contracts for some of their supply and those are being honored. The problem they and all of the other NDPs are having is with the spot market. The opportunities to grab a little extra if you have the demand are increasingly rare. Outside of standing contracts, most distillers are only selling bulk when they have a short-term surplus, which is happening less and less often. I also assume that KBD's immediate problem isn't whiskey availability, it's bottling line time. They can add people easily enough but they have only so much bottling capacity as limited by the equipment. Their distilling project is irrelevant.

As for Drew calling himself master distiller, it's the way things are. The term wasn't much used before the current era anyway. Most people just used the term 'distiller,' and Drew is certainly that. His mastery has yet to be proved.

[Happyhour24x7]

It's not ending; Binny's is wrong or misinformed. It's on hold until they can catch up with back orders. This is directly from Drew. Having too many orders is a good thing if you are KBD.

This is what I was told as well, on hold for a while, probably a couple years.