Why do Buffalo Trace and Julian continue to market Pappy and BTAC?

[portwood]

I'm going to say something that is probably going to piss some people off.

It's not that hard to get BTAC bottles. It may be hard to get all of them each year, or to get them for $80 or less, or to get a whole case of any one release... But it's not that hard to get a bottle of Antique. If you really, REALLY wanna scratch that itch, many people can.

[theglobalguy]

Absolutely TRUE - even in Ontario where the allocation is tiny (18 bottles or less of each for a province of ~14 million). I managed to get one bottle of each - except the Saz18 - earlier this year.

All good things in life come to those who work for it.

[MtnDew]

I bought Stagg and Weller from the same store in 2012 and 2013. In 2012 it was $67.49, in 2013 it was $94.99. That obviously isn't indicative of what wholesale might be, but it is what it is.

[Tony Santana]

I'm a relative newbie in this game, but I got three (WLW, THH, ER17) this year. Three different ways - lottery, just seeing it on the shelf (albeit on Day 1 of availability here) and chatting up a store owner. The third/Yeti method is obviously the most effective but requires more effort. I have a lot of liquor store options with variable convenience, selection and price points, and have probably spread my purchases too thin in the past to curry much favor, but I think I may have found my go-to spot now.

It's kind of like when you were a kid, what was that commercial - "it's fun to collect the whole set"? I'd like to see the nice pretty collection all lined up in a row, but ultimately I'm going to drink them. I'll make some effort, but I'm not going to lose sleep if I come up short. If one doesn't get the BTAC selection(s) or Pappy they want, there's still plenty of great bourbon available out there. Most of it at a cheaper price.

Adios boys and girls, I think it's time to go buy some bourbon, and then drink some of it.

[Old Dusty]

Adios boys and girls, I think it's time to go buy some bourbon, and then drink some of it.

Tony, that quote would make a perfect tag line.

[compliance]

I'm going to say something that is probably going to piss some people off.

It's not that hard to get BTAC bottles. It may be hard to get all of them each year, or to get them for $80 or less, or to get a whole case of any one release... But it's not that hard to get a bottle of Antique. If you really, REALLY wanna scratch that itch, many people can. Especially people in this community. Make a personal connection with your local retailer, the one with the high end stuff that charges $2 extra for each 6-pack of beer. Buy your beer there. All the time. And chat them up, let them see your face, and remember your name from the credit card you're swiping all the time. Offer to open a bottle you just purchased, or bring something in to share when you know business will be slow. It's basically a reverse sales pitch, you're selling yourself to them as a good and appreciative customer. If that's too much work for you then sign up for the lotteries and the lines, and play the "luck" game like the vast majority of people do. Some of those people get what they want as well.

This really depends on where you live how easy this is. I do most of my shopping at one store, they know me. I'm still probably down in the 1000s on their list of best customers no matter how much i would spend there. Too many ballers in this town. Tons of competition. No release has lasted more than a day (hours really) in 2 years.

[DBM]

I'm going to say something that is probably going to piss some people off.

It's not that hard to get BTAC bottles. It may be hard to get all of them each year, or to get them for $80 or less, or to get a whole case of any one release... But it's not that hard to get a bottle of Antique. If you really, REALLY wanna scratch that itch, many people can. Especially people in this community. Make a personal connection with your local retailer, the one with the high end stuff that charges $2 extra for each 6-pack of beer. Buy your beer there. All the time. And chat them up, let them see your face, and remember your name from the credit card you're swiping all the time. Offer to open a bottle you just purchased, or bring something in to share when you know business will be slow. It's basically a reverse sales pitch, you're selling yourself to them as a good and appreciative customer. If that's too much work for you then sign up for the lotteries and the lines, and play the "luck" game like the vast majority of people do. Some of those people get what they want as well.

This may be valid in some areas of the country, but in the Seattle market there is no such thing as a "local retailer" that isn't Total Wine or BevMo that will have any chance of getting PVW or BTAC from the distributor. The Total Wine and BevMo's of the world don't practice preferential treatment as a general rule - every customer is equal, they just need to be in the right place at the right time.

[MtnDew]

This may be valid in some areas of the country, but in the Seattle market there is no such thing as a "local retailer" that isn't Total Wine or BevMo that will have any chance of getting PVW or BTAC from the distributor. The Total Wine and BevMo's of the world don't practice preferential treatment as a general rule - every customer is equal, they just need to be in the right place at the right time.

That's not true, but nearly so. There are several locals I can think of who will get allotments and help regulars get their hands on one, you just have to seek them out

Edited October 19, 2013 by MtnDew

[theglobalguy]

This may be valid in some areas of the country, but in the Seattle market there is no such thing as a "local retailer" that isn't Total Wine or BevMo that will have any chance of getting PVW or BTAC from the distributor. The Total Wine and BevMo's of the world don't practice preferential treatment as a general rule - every customer is equal, they just need to be in the right place at the right time.

[Balcones Winston]

Is Van Winkle paying for advertising or are they just being written about for free? I think it's the later. Van Winkle used to exhibit and pour at KY Bourbon sample & Festival (and pay the fee to do so) but they have not done so in years.

[KCJason1]

I don't agree with that statement. The price has gone up quite a bit. Even at non-gouging retailers. Did anyone get Pappy 15 for $50 last year? That's what it was in 2011. BTAC had at least a 20% increase in price last year as well.

[wadewood]

They have an ad in the new Whisky Magazine

Well I would say that is very dumb. Although, I read an article about marketing and car ads. The gist was car TV ads are not designed to make you go out and buy that car; they are to make you feel good and become brand loyal about your recent purchase of said car. So maybe the ad is designed to convince those who went through all the trouble to obtain Pappy, that it was really worth it.