Van Winkle distribution in the future?

[voigtman]

Right now, Van Winkle bourbons and ryes are fairly easy to find in my area. These include Pappy 20, and the 15 and 10 YO bourbons (each 107 proof) plus the 13 and 12 YO ryes. Not hugh amounts around, but enough (beyond my bunkered stuff).

Given that Julian is now in with Buffalo Trace, will this change the marketing of Van Winkle bourbons and ryes? If not, then no worries. If so, then maybe it's time to increase my bunker supplies because I REALLY don't want to hear one of these days that three envied states (you know who you are, at least early in the day ) are the new major distribution markets for Van Winkle whiskeys. Ed

[Paradox]

Julian is in a bit of a 'shortage' right now on the 20 year Pappy. But for everything else I wouldn't worry. The thing that you may want to consider bunkering away is the 12YO rye as it is not made anymore at all, period.

[voigtman]

Mark, thanks for the speedy response! I have a 12 y.o. bunkered and can get another no problem. I have to admit that the 12 y.o. and the 13 y.o. taste quite similar to me and I have 3 13 y.o.'s bunkered as well, but I don't want to pass up an opportunity: maybe later I will be able to find a substantial difference between the 12 y.o. and the 13 y.o. Their prices ion my area, BTW, are $28 for the 13 y.o. and $24 for the 12 y.o. Ed

Ps. I checked out the photos of your collection and they are wonderful. Putting together that collection takes a great deal of effort, perseverence, resources, some luck and, I would guess, a goodly measure of raw cunning. I had no idea so many old bottlings (20 years or more) were available to someone who really brought their A game to it. I hope you have it insured! Ed

[Paradox]

I personally have not compared the 12 YO van Winkle Rye to the 13 YO yet but I will soon enough. (I have had the 13 yo but not the 12yo to clarify) Some one here say the 12yo is much better so I find this to be an interesting comparison especially seeing as how the 12yo is no longer available and the fact that we know the 13yo is older than 13 years old... Sounds like you have access to a very nice selection of bourbon up there Ed.

Thank you as well for the compliment on my website/collection, I do apprecaite it. It is in fact amazing the amount of older aged bourbons that make their way out of the US for export only.

[robbyvirus]

The 12 yo and 13 yo Van Winkle ryes are definitely different. The 12 yo tatses more full-bodied and carmel-like to me. Both are excellent, although if I had my choice I'd go with the 12 yo. But that might be splitting hairs.

[avery]

Just curious... what is Pappy 20 YO going for? I found a bottle at a local liquor store for $70.99 today. I considered buying it... I've never seen Van Winkle bourbons in my area and this seems to be the only bottle they have. If the 20 YO is becoming hard to find (which should drive prices up), I might pick up that bottle very soon. As I already have bottles of Van Winkle 10 and 15, I'm thinking this would make a good addition.

[Paradox]

That's a good price. Not great but better than what the average price is now. I think average is up to about $80-85 give or take now... If you have the money and wouldn't mind trying it, I say go for it, you will not regret it.

[cowdery]

Julian and his father built their distribution network on the old distribution network they had when the family owned Stitzel-Weller. If anything, Buffalo Trace would like to get some of the benefits of Julian's distribution network, rather than it being the other way around. Bottom line, it is unlikely that distribution of the VanWinkle products will suffer due to the new arrangement. If anything, it will improve.

[bobbyc]

I see VanWinkle Bourbons at Rite Aide now.

<font color="blue"> Good God Give Jim Chapin Some </font>

[jeff]

I can get it for about $85 right now in Lexington, so that is a pretty good price. I need to pick up another bottle, but I have spent quite a bit lately on Stagg and Hirsch, and the Fall Birthday Bourbon is right around the corner.

[MurphyDawg]

Oh what terrible quandries we have, Jeff!

TomC

[CL]

For medicinal purposes, of course.

[jvanwinkle]

Our distribution should actually improve since my joint venture with BT. In most states, I have kept the same distributors. But in others, like New York, I have changed to the distributors that BT uses. I only change if I think it will help with my sales and distribution.

Actually, we are using just a few of the original Stitzel-Weller distributors my Dad used. With all the merging of wholesalers over the past 20 years, things have changed alot as far as which distributors are best fitted for my brand.

Julian

[voigtman]

Thanks for the hoped-for answer to my question! I'm still going to bunker some more Van Winkle whiskeys, because every time I try them, I like them even more, but at least there is no impending shortage looming. Ed

[Buckky]

I really hope we can get some VanWinkle's here in Ohio someday. I have never seen any VW's in any liquor store in Ohio, ever. Fortunately I can get to KY once or twice a year but it sure would be nice to get it at the local store.

[jvanwinkle]

We are on the SPECIAL ORDER list in Ohio. So any store can order our whiskey.

The items we have listed in Ohio are:

10-year, 90 Proof ORVW

15-year, 107 proof, ORVW

13-year Rye

20-year Pappy

I cannot guarentee that the rye or the 20-year are available, but it would be worth trying to order them if you are interested.

Julian

If you ned the Ohio Codes, please let me know at:

jvanwinkle@oldripvanwinkle.com

[SteveZZZ]

I'd love to see Van Winkle out here in Arizona too, although I have a feeling the initial purchase would set me back a bit... I gotta try it all!

Steve

[MurphyDawg]

Well thats heartening I just may have togo down to the Five-O and see what can be done!!

TomC