M777 Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 I was at a Chicagoland Binny's, leaving, right around 11:30 a.m., when I noticed the exact distributor of BTAC (a popular Chicago distributor) truck show up. (I noticed a car closely followed it into the parking lot, whom now, I can only imagine followed from the distributor.) I turned around and when back in, waited a few minutes and inquired, just on the chance that this was the time. I notice the guy in the car behind the truck as goes somewhere in the back and disappears. After a few moments I inquired if there was anything from BTAC available, after seeing the truck pull in, and I was told no. I asked them specifically to check, just in case and since I was already there. Again, no. I took him at his word and figured it was just a weird coincidence, as this Binny's was always pretty decent for me. Then I get home and read multiple, multiple posts of BTAC arriving at all Binny's this afternoon at the exact time I happened to be there. Needless to say I'll never shop there again.It's just gotten stupid, now.It was able to get bottle of ER 17 yesterday at a local store (not binny's) in NE IL for 128 after tax (yes know it's high but I'm not going to pay flipper prices), the stagg and WLW were long gone. I chatted with the manager and he told me a similar story, someone followed the distribution truck to the store and he bought one of everything (this store only does one per customer on limited stuff). The manager said he quickly paid and left. After that people started pouring into the store and bought it out in less than 1 hour. Back to the stalker. I'm sure he has a good understanding of the routes and stops that this truck makes. I'm also sure that this wasn't his fist or last stop. I called 4 different binny's in my area (within a 30 mi radius) and only one told me that they got it and sold out in 30 min. I agree, it's gotten beyond stupid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 This may touch a nerve, but I will say this and no more...Some of these so called stalkers are now buying the bottles before the store(s) receive the allotment, so when the store receives the shipment it's already sold (or at least a portion of it is). You know, I'll give you xxx for yyy x how many bottles you can let go.They're paying near secondary market prices to the store owners and moving the bottles to the high end on premise buyers they're working for. This is straight from a store owner who has admitted this to me. I've known him for a long time and I believe him. He also shared that his buyer is from out of state and working a multi-state region. Most of these bottles end up in casino's where a high roller can have access to anything he or she wants... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeTerp Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 I can confirm the earlier reports that George T Stagg has hit some stores in Virginia.I've seen that a local store had 6 bottles of Stagg, but they said they're going through some sort of list (and that they're still in 2012). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOF44 Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 I've seen that a local store had 6 bottles of Stagg, but they said they're going through some sort of list (and that they're still in 2012).My order was from 2013 and it was filled today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tylermke Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 In this day and age, anyone who walks into a liquor store, without having formed some sort of relationship with the manager/owner, and expects to buy BTAC, PVW, or other LE bottles just because they are on-premise is delusional. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonutsNBourbon Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 In this day and age, anyone who walks into a liquor store, without having formed some sort of relationship with the manager/owner, and expects to buy BTAC, PVW, or other LE bottles just because they are on-premise is delusional. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tylermke Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 that's how I got a GTS last year, happened to walk into a store and find it right there. right place at the right time. don't think I'll have such luck this year though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louisiana Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 No doubt. I'm sure it happens on occasion also, but not very often. Relationships are the key to life in general. What's funny is just like this forum they become your friends and you really don't even talk about bourbon. You just enjoy it with the friends you have made! As far as BTAC the only thing that makes these special to the (look what I have crowd) are the limited availability. So if Buffalo Trace keeps increasing production and some (not all) move on to the next thing. Maybe. Just Maybe. Our future will look a little brighter! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M777 Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 In this day and age, anyone who walks into a liquor store, without having formed some sort of relationship with the manager/owner, and expects to buy BTAC, PVW, or other LE bottles just because they are on-premise is delusional. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auracom Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 In this day and age, anyone who walks into a liquor store, without having formed some sort of relationship with the manager/owner, and expects to buy BTAC, PVW, or other LE bottles just because they are on-premise is delusional. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnybogey Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 So much this. The only reason I get anything anymore is because I've spent 2-3 years getting to know a couple guys. I have friends that don't have such connections and can't give them advice anymore. They're completely out of luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOF44 Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 I've seen that a local store had 6 bottles of Stagg, but they said they're going through some sort of list (and that they're still in 2012). Looks like VA ABC has taken the BTAC off of their online inventory system now. When you search it does not even come up. Before you could at least see the store inventory, although the vast majority was zero. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOF44 Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 So much this. The only reason I get anything anymore is because I've spent 2-3 years getting to know a couple guys. I have friends that don't have such connections and can't give them advice anymore. They're completely out of luck. This is key. A manger knowing you and liking you is the best way to get anything. Here is what was with my Stagg when I received it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnybogey Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 This is key. A manger knowing you and liking you is the best way to get anything. Here is what was with my Stagg when I received it. Now that's the kind of place I would want to give my business to even if the mom and pop shop prices are a few dollars more than big box shops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bourbonfoot Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 Looks like VA ABC has taken the BTAC off of their online inventory system now. When you search it does not even come up. Before you could at least see the store inventory, although the vast majority was zero.Ha, that's funny. I called two stores this week who told me to come by and pick up a bottle only to be told when I got there they were reserved. I don't blame them though, I'm sure it sucks. The lady who was holding a 4RLESmB for me told me that she'd gotten calls non-stop since they came in. It's weird that they still have the PVW up though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louisiana Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 That's the second time I've heard an SB'er say they received 3 bottles of GTS. Enjoy it man. It always pays to have loyal shops and loyal customers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tanstaafl2 Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 This is key. A manger knowing you and liking you is the best way to get anything. Here is what was with my Stagg when I received it. Only real question is whether your name is Bob Hopkins! :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robertsccr5 Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 It's hard to build relationships like that in one of the most populated areas of one of the most populated States. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louisiana Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 It's hard to build relationships like that in one of the most populated areas of one of the most populated States.No doubt. Definitely see where your coming from. I battle with living in the middle of no where. The relationships are great, but allocations are slim to none. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louisiana Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 Another question that i have been wondering. Why do they take so long to release it to each individual state? Well over three months? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amg Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 Another question that i have been wondering. Why do they take so long to release it to each individual state? Well over three months?Logistically, they probably try to combine the limiteds with a shipment of a lot of other stuff, and depending on how often and what the distributor orders that can affect the timing. Also sometimes a distributor sits on things for a while after they get it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robertsccr5 Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 Logistically, they probably try to combine the limiteds with a shipment of a lot of other stuff, and depending on how often and what the distributor orders that can affect the timing. Also sometimes a distributor sits on things for a while after they get it.Sitting on it for sure. Spoke to the spirits guy at a shop near work and he said he puts it out randomly little by little after the release. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOF44 Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 It's hard to build relationships like that in one of the most populated areas of one of the most populated States.Even though I'm near DC, Virginia be a state control liquor state, in that they run their own stores helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeTerp Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 Looks like VA ABC has taken the BTAC off of their online inventory system now. When you search it does not even come up. Before you could at least see the store inventory, although the vast majority was zero.That's probably a good thing. A better solution would be to just not include in the online inventory the bottles that have already been sold through special order. This would save the local shops a lot of hassle from people constantly asking about them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louisiana Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 Logistically, they probably try to combine the limiteds with a shipment of a lot of other stuff, and depending on how often and what the distributor orders that can affect the timing. Also sometimes a distributor sits on things for a while after they get it.That makes sense. The biggest releases are usually very small. Quantity Wise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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