The continuous slow creep of prices.

[flahute]

Not sure what you guys are seeing out there, but here in Washington State, I've noticed the creep over the last year.

ECBP just went up to $57. It was $45 when it first came out last year. Heck, it was at that price earlier this year. At least we can get it.

Booker's is now at $63. It was $55ish a year ago.

Baker's is now $57. It was $50ish a year ago.

Russel's Reserve SBsmB is $60.

The 4R PS bottles are all now $66.

On the flip side, I can still get WTRB for $29 which is stunning. OGD114 for $24. WT101 for $19.

But for the above prices, this is why I've taken to more internet shopping. Given our crazy high taxes, it's cheaper even after shipping costs. I also stocked up before some of the increases. Is there an end in sight?

[garbanzobean]

Bourbon has been an excellent QPR beverage for a long time. The market has noticed this and prices are going to rise a bit beyond keeping up with inflation. Quality will likely continue to decrease slightly as the manufacturers try to pull more and more honey barrels to the higher priced "premium" products. I think there has been a massive uptick in long term bourbon drinkers in the last 10 years, but there are also a lot of also-rans right now. If those folks get bored and move onto the next big thing (cognac or Armagnac is my guess), I think prices and quality will begin to stabilize. Ultimately, I think limited editions hit a lot of resistance around $100, and I think most normal mid and top shelf releases will have severe resistance around $50. Keep in mind that I'm referring to big distilleries, not NDPs. NDPs are already well beyond scotch in having terrible QPR for limited editions but they have the luxury of not having to come up with a plan to dispose of millions of barrels of bourbon if there's another glut.

The big wild card for me is the "craft distillery" movement. I assume at some point someone besides Balcones will make a product that I actually want to drink for what it costs. Even if 1 in 20 craft distillers succeed in doing this, they could be a big market factor in the next decade or two.

Edited October 5, 2014 by garbanzobean

[squire]

They could indeed Eric. In just a few more years some of these small producers may surprise us.

[Flyfish]

Undoubtedly there is a demand-supply element in the price of bourbon. Even though the government assures us there is no inflation in the general economy, some of us actually buy food, fuel, and an occasional bottle of bourbon. (Every day is an occasion when you have bourbon.) I try to "control" expenditures--but often fail. Yesterday I went to buy a WT101. Saw that for just a couple dollars more I could have EW SB. Picked it up. Saw that for just a couple dollars more I could have KC. Bought that instead.

I hate it when bourbon prices go up but sometimes I'm a co-conspirator.

[Old Dusty]

Bourbon has been an excellent QPR beverage for a long time. The market has noticed this and prices are going to rise a bit beyond keeping up with inflation. Quality will likely continue to decrease slightly as the manufacturers try to pull more and more honey barrels to the higher priced "premium" products. I think there has been a massive uptick in long term bourbon drinkers in the last 10 years, but there are also a lot of also-rans right now. If those folks get bored and move onto the next big thing (cognac or Armagnac is my guess), I think prices and quality will begin to stabilize. Ultimately, I think limited editions hit a lot of resistance around $100, and I think most normal mid and top shelf releases will have severe resistance around $50. Keep in mind that I'm referring to big distilleries, not NDPs. NDPs are already well beyond scotch in having terrible QPR for limited editions but they have the luxury of not having to come up with a plan to dispose of millions of barrels of bourbon if there's another glut.

The big wild card for me is the "craft distillery" movement. I assume at some point someone besides Balcones will make a product that I actually want to drink for what it costs. Even if 1 in 20 craft distillers succeed in doing this, they could be a big market factor in the next decade or two.

Not sure about cognac as the "next thing" but otherwise agree on all points. Well stated.

[garbanzobean]

I actually meant brandy overall, sorry it was late. As to why: it's a current QPR winner, ultra aged brandy is really cheap, Brandy is so meta vs whiskey, and I don't really like brandy so I'm extremely hopeful that I am correct. Maybe I can speak it into reality.

[suntour]

You can get exceptional armagnac, sometimes 30 years old, for like $60. I would not be surprised at all to see it catching fire. And anytime something hits it's peak in terms of price and availability, people look for alternatives.

[unclebunk]

You can get exceptional armagnac, sometimes 30 years old, for like $60. I would not be surprised at all to see it catching fire. And anytime something hits it's peak in terms of price and availability, people look for alternatives.

My thoughts as well. It is a spirit that is new to me but one that holds great appeal and has proven to be a surprise hit with all my friends when I've offered some for sampling.

[squire]

From a purely objective standard I would say Armagnac which is an extraordinary value that also possesses history, heritage and the cache' of being in limited supply. Include me out though, when it comes to Bourbon I accept no substitutes.

[soonami]

Prices for all bourbon from mid-bottom shelf and up has increased tremendously over the past 10 years since I've been drinking. There seems to be no end in sight as many stores continually sell out of flagship brands. I don't know how many empty shelves of BT, ER, 4R SmB I've seen at regular liquor stores.

I disagree about brandy being the next big thing though. The names are very difficult for Americans to pronounce let alone remember. I think the American heritage and pride is important for many drinkers--bourbon is something your grandfather would've drunk and it harkens back to a time many people thought was the gold age in America. Another part of bourbon (and rye) popularity is its use in cocktails-not as much with brandy. The old-fashioned that Don Draper regularly drinks is a big influence on pop culture.

[bin31z]

Cognac and Armangnac are some finneeee sippers. I am starting to lean more towards them on a regular basis not only because I think they taste great but I just bought a 25 year old bottle of armangnac for 60 bucks. And the great thing is that if I see a bottle I want to try, I can actually walk over to the store and just BUY IT. WHAT A CONCEPT! None of this ridiculous hunting just to get a bottle of something. And once you get that bottle of pappy or btac, you have to decide whether to open it or hoard it because you may not find another one. Just stupid, not saying its anyone's fault, and I know this is straightbourbon.com but it seems like every hipster or yuppie is wanting to try BTAC or Pappy van Winkle because its the "best". Bourbon is supposed to be the working man's drink, when did it turn into the next beanie baby. Would be nice to have some cask strength bottlings of brandy though, seems like they are stuck at 40-45 %.

Edited October 6, 2014 by bin31z

[Paul W]

it seems like every hipster or yuppie is wanting to try BTAC or Pappy van Winkle because its the "best". Bourbon is supposed to be the working man's drink, when did it turn into the next beanie baby.

Edited October 6, 2014 by Paul W

[bmajazz]

For a guy used to dusty hunting, $30 a bottle is high. However, I've had to adjust my radar for "current" offerings. Like overpaying for hard-to-find stuff that you actually see on shelves. I.e. $65 for ECBP. MSRP doesn't matter much if something is unobtanium.

I've appreciated getting into more current bottlings, knowing that they are far above my usual comfort zone for pricing. It's just a fact, and when you consider what bar pours cost, it really doesn't seem that significant. I can easily spend my $60 on 5-8 pours of mediocre bourbon at a bar.

[Vadertime]

I have been lucky to find a bit of price asymmetry in the market over in this here Asian country. WT8YO goes for 1400 local bucks at most places, but I found a large stash of 03/04 bottlings for 850 local bucks.

Good times! Vintage Turkey at vintage prices!