Craft/Small Barrel vs. KY Straight Bourbon

[dcbt]

I honestly believe that if there was a legitimate way to speed up aging, the large companies would already know about it and do it.

I tend to think the same thing. Big companies like to make money just as much as small ones...

[callmeox]

Not all craft distillers are using shortcuts like small barrels. They seem to be the ones with solid business plans and the ability to sell other products while waiting for their product to mature.

[B.B. Babington]

...However NC went dry in 1908.

dry, but not that dry. NC produced a lot of stock car drivers for a reason.

[CorvallisCracker]

dry, but not that dry. NC produced a lot of stock car drivers for a reason.

True, but it's so hard to get an accurate count of the non-registered distilleries.

[DBM]

The only craft whisky I have ever really enjoyed was Breckenridge, I think it was a 2 year old, what ever they did, they did a pretty good job at it, but that was a long time ago that I had it, would like to go back and try it again, but again it's not inexpensive..

The irony with Breckenridge is that the older stuff is/was sourced MGP and probably 5 to 6 years old, even though the label says 2 years... a great way to transition to much younger juice without changing the label so everyone believes it's the same "award winning" product.

[aphoticV]

It is different in each State, particularly control States, but in general...

[dcbt]

Just to add info: in some states, local distillers are allowed to sell directly (retail) and self-distribute their product within the state.

[Balcones Winston]

Not all small barrels are created equal, unfortunately. We've had some great results with our small barrels, but the wood is all yard aged for a really extended period of time (well over 3 years).

[cowdery]

In Kentucky the distillery gift shops must sell their product to the distributor then buy it back, with the distributor's markup, for their retail inventory, but it's all on paper. The product never leaves the property.

[TunnelTiger]

In Kentucky the distillery gift shops must sell their product to the distributor then buy it back, with the distributor's markup, for their retail inventory, but it's all on paper. The product never leaves the property.

So that explains the higher gift shop prices for some bottles that eventually reach dealers shelves. Amazing. In all of this I'm guessing distributors profit levels are greater than distiller, NDP, or dealer.

[P&MLiquorsEric]

So that explains the higher gift shop prices for some bottles that eventually reach dealers shelves. Amazing. In all of this I'm guessing distributors profit levels are greater than distiller, NDP, or dealer.

No. The distilleries are paying the same as stores. They just add the age old "tourist tax" to get to a higher price. Distilleries don't want to step on local retailers toes by undercutting them.

Distributor markups vary greatly by producer. For high volume products with large annual volume commitments, markup might only be 15-25%. For some smaller craft producers, it can be 75%.