Henry McKenna BIB

[CUfan99]

Last night I had a pour of a PS WTKS followed by HMKBiB. The HMK was superior in every way to my taste yet $20 cheaper. Now that’s just 1 comparison but I think it’s pretty representative of what’s out there of those 2 brands. In this craze the good stuff won’t stay hidden. Thank you Heaven Hill for the great value we’ve had from HMK for so long. It was great while it lasted. 

[BMartin42]

Traveling for Thanksgiving. Hit 5 liquor stores in the Lansing/East Lansing, MI area for my Black Friday. Those that had it all had it priced at 39.99. Sure wish I could go back 6 months and clear the shelves when it was 28.

[seribart]

Just picked up a bottle for $32 at TW in Pleasanton Ca. Still had the plastic cap. They've had cases of this stuff stacked up for months. Maybe I should stock up.

[mbroo5880i]

This used to be readily available in Indy.  I suppose you can still find it if you look around.  I didn't see any in four stores where I used to see it regularly.  The last time I saw it the price was around $31.99.  I will probably grab a bottle the next time I see one, unless it has jumped significantly in price.

[Bbstout]

4 hours ago, mbroo5880i said:

This used to be readily available in Indy.  I suppose you can still find it if you look around.  I didn't see any in four stores where I used to see it regularly.  The last time I saw it the price was around $31.99.  I will probably grab a bottle the next time I see one, unless it has jumped significantly in price.

Old Ezra 7 year 101 proof recently did a bottle label change just like McKenna and now you can't find it from what I've heard from  most reguons...although I got lucky this weekend and found a couple.

[kevinbrink]

8 hours ago, Bbstout said:

Old Ezra 7 year 101 proof recently did a bottle label change just like McKenna and now you can't find it from what I've heard from  most reguons...although I got lucky this weekend and found a couple.

They discontinued the 101 proof EB in favor of the new 117 proof. 

[kevinbrink]

Here is a differing perspective to some of the doom and gloom in this thread, the last time Henry McKenna rebranded from the old "Arts and Crafts" label, at least here where I live, we started to see more of it on the shelves and to my recollection that was just a few years ago. Or if you want to look at more recent history ever since ECBP won similar awards to McKenna it seems to actually be more available here and the price has been more consistently at retail since stores can't charge the scarcity gouge. If the price for a product goes up in your area it isn't necessarily the producer changing the MSRP, it is more often the distributers and retailers. One of the tricks distributers in my area use to increase profit is to not offer a particular bottle in a case as the cost to stores goes up when a case is broken up, very often this is done artificially not because of demand. 

[lcpfratn]

Here is a differing perspective to some of the doom and gloom in this thread, the last time Henry McKenna rebranded from the old "Arts and Crafts" label, at least here where I live, we started to see more of it on the shelves and to my recollection that was just a few years ago. Or if you want to look at more recent history ever since ECBP won similar awards to McKenna it seems to actually be more available here and the price has been more consistently at retail since stores can't charge the scarcity gouge. If the price for a product goes up in your area it isn't necessarily the producer changing the MSRP, it is more often the distributers and retailers. One of the tricks distributers in my area use to increase profit is to not offer a particular bottle in a case as the cost to stores goes up when a case is broken up, very often this is done artificially not because of demand. 

All true, but I do believe that HH may have recently increased the price too...or the distributor has increased the price even on case lots. I’ve seen about a $3 to $5 price increase in most stores that usually have many cases for sale at any given time. There is one store in my area that still has it priced below $30, but they bought it months ago in a large volume purchase in order to get a substantial discount. Even though I have several bottles of a honey barrel bunkered, I am thinking about buying some more at the below $30 price point.

[fishnbowljoe]

I agree with what Kevin and Jeff said, but I’ll add my two cents. Most of this is purely speculation on my part mind you, but I believe that several things have probably contributed to HM BIB being on the “somewhat endangered species” list.

 

A new bottle/label design could be one factor. People also might be looking for a new or different “QPR” bourbon to replace one that has been changed, discontinued, or had an over the top price increase. You also can’t underestimate the power of the internet. We’ve touted the quality and price here for on SB for a while now, and I’m sure other sites have too. Now we’re seeing price increases. Better stock up before it disappears.   (Again?) With all this happening in a relatively short time span, could this be considered a perfect bourbon storm? Things that make you go hmmmmmmmmm. 

 

Couple all the attention that HM BIB is getting along with some of the negativity about the new label/bottle Wellers,  and frankly I don’t mind at all.    Especially if it means that I might start finding more Wellers. 

 

Biba! Joe

[flahute]

This whole rush on McKenna is purely due to Minnick. The label design happened a couple years ago and had no effect on availability. It sat on shelves always available after that all the way up until........it won Whiskey of the Year in San Francisco followed by Minnick’s big article about it which got relentlessly pushed on social media right after.

As soon as I saw his article I made a note to go get some before the rush but waited a few days because I wasn’t that worried. Too late, shelves were completely cleared. I tried again a couple times over the next 2 weeks and the same, shelves cleared. I asked someone at Total Wine what was up and they flat out admitted to me that they’ve been telling every person in the bourbon aisle that McKenna is whiskey of the year so as soon as they get some it sells out in no time.

So what you have here is a situation where a large number of people who never gave McKenna a second look now must have it for no other reason than an award and  a bunch of hype. 

And the stores and distributors will milk this for all it’s worth for as long as they can. 

What this also tells us is that there’s a very large group of consumers out there who lack confidence to make their own decisions on what they should like. They need a very large group of other people to confirm it for them. And when they see that group liking something they haven’t tried yet the fear of missing out kicks in and adds to the rush on the product. 

Its darn comical and frustrating at the same time.

[Mickbourbon]

Picked up 2 bottles today for $26.98 but have noticed most stores in the area are low to mid $30s. 

 

[Bbstout]

10 hours ago, kevinbrink said:

Here is a differing perspective to some of the doom and gloom in this thread, the last time Henry McKenna rebranded from the old "Arts and Crafts" label, at least here where I live, we started to see more of it on the shelves and to my recollection that was just a few years ago. Or if you want to look at more recent history ever since ECBP won similar awards to McKenna it seems to actually be more available here and the price has been more consistently at retail since stores can't charge the scarcity gouge. If the price for a product goes up in your area it isn't necessarily the producer changing the MSRP, it is more often the distributers and retailers. One of the tricks distributers in my area use to increase profit is to not offer a particular bottle in a case as the cost to stores goes up when a case is broken up, very often this is done artificially not because of demand. 

Kevin, 

 

My intent wasn't to be a negative Nancy...only to point out what alot of us "Old Timers" have known was coming...incredible bourbon for $20 is now $50. We we're spoiled for too long.

[Bbstout]

5 hours ago, flahute said:

This whole rush on McKenna is purely due to Minnick. The label design happened a couple years ago and had no effect on availability. It sat on shelves always available after that all the way up until........it won Whiskey of the Year in San Francisco followed by Minnick’s big article about it which got relentlessly pushed on social media right after.

As soon as I saw his article I made a note to go get some before the rush but waited a few days because I wasn’t that worried. Too late, shelves were completely cleared. I tried again a couple times over the next 2 weeks and the same, shelves cleared. I asked someone at Total Wine what was up and they flat out admitted to me that they’ve been telling every person in the bourbon aisle that McKenna is whiskey of the year so as soon as they get some it sells out in no time.

So what you have here is a situation where a large number of people who never gave McKenna a second look now must have it for no other reason than an award and  a bunch of hype. 

And the stores and distributors will milk this for all it’s worth for as long as they can. 

What this also tells us is that there’s a very large group of consumers out there who lack confidence to make their own decisions on what they should like. They need a very large group of other people to confirm it for them. And when they see that group liking something they haven’t tried yet the fear of missing out kicks in and adds to the rush on the product. 

Its darn comical and frustrating at the same time.

I find this a good summary of what happened to cigars in the 90's. A magazine called cigar afficianado caused the boom based on their reviews. Prices rose... People only wanted the "Top Rated". 

Edited November 25, 2018 by Bbstout

[kevinbrink]

20 minutes ago, Bbstout said:

Kevin, 

 

My intent wasn't to be a negative Nancy...only to point out what alot of us "Old Timers" have known was coming...incredible bourbon for $20 is now $50. We we're spoiled for too long.

A more than fair point, and not that long ago there were still some really great values sub $20 with real age statements and at higher proofs. I will also admit that at some point I moved from being a largely Scotch Consumer who occasionally bought bourbon to the opposite and a lot of that had to do with some perception of value. these days I'm not sure how much that factors into the equation for any aged spirit the market kind of seems to be evening out. 

[mbroo5880i]

If we could go back just 10 years!  We would find bourbon nirvana.  As with all in life, we can continually reflect on if we only knew then what we know now.

[cdcdguy]

56 minutes ago, Bbstout said:

Kevin, 

 

My intent wasn't to be a negative Nancy...only to point out what alot of us "Old Timers" have known was coming...incredible bourbon for $20 is now $50. We we're spoiled for too long.

And I also see the incredible BIB for under $15 continue to dissapear or be in the $25 to 30 in the near future.

[Jazz June]

Based on my understanding that Virginia ABC list price is always MSRP, the MSRP for McKenna 10 is now up to $35 and Evan Williams SiB is up to $37. Both have been on sale for $30 for a while now, but less than a year ago the list price on both was $30. I think the McKenna made a brief stop at $32, but might not be remembering right. On the plus side, it has stayed available here in Virginia. I picked up a bottle on Black Friday at 20% off that $30 as a present for my father in law.

[Obeezy1Kaneezy]

Was told by two people today that it’s on allocation now.  Found 3 bottles just under $30.  Took two, so maybe leaving that third in the shelf will bring me future bourbon karma.

Edited November 29, 2018 by Obeezy1Kaneezy

[lcpfratn]

Even though I probably have at least 6 bottles of a couple of honey barrels in my storage closet already, I succumbed to the price increases I’m seeing in many stores and the threat of allocation status that I’m seeing in this forum...so I bought a mixed case from two different barrels today for $27 plus tax per bottle. That should hold me for quite a long time...maybe forever given all the other stuff I have in that closet.

[FacePlant]

23 minutes ago, lcpfratn said:

Even though I probably have at least 6 bottles of a couple of honey barrels in my storage closet already, I succumbed to the price increases I’m seeing in many stores and the threat of allocation status that I’m seeing in this forum...so I bought a mixed case from two different barrels today for $27 plus tax per bottle. That should hold me for quite a long time...maybe forever given all the other stuff I have in that closet.

Now stuff all that good whiskey in your trunk and stop by anytime.  

[fishnbowljoe]

20 minutes ago, FacePlant said:

Now stuff all that good whiskey in your trunk and stop by anytime.  

Trunk? He ain’t Harry for gosh sakes!  

 

Biba! Joe

 

 

[kevinbrink]

1 hour ago, fishnbowljoe said:

Trunk? He ain’t Harry for gosh sakes!  

 

Biba! Joe

 

 

I always like to travel with my bourbon in the front passenger seat, but in my current car it got annoying because the weight triggered the seat belt alarm. I of course now do the only logical thing I put it in the front passenger seat and I buckle the seat belt, car is right probably should have been doing it all along, safety first!

[lcpfratn]

Now stuff all that good whiskey in your trunk and stop by anytime. [emoji4] 

Trunk? He ain’t Harry for gosh sakes!  

 

Biba! Joe

 

Joe, I usually do bring a case or two of whiskey (for scientific sampling purposes) in my trunk when I go visit FacePlant. So, I guess I am somewhat like Harry in that respect. And it has been a few months since we had our last sampling for science, so we do need to get together soon.

[Mako254]

Heard from a friend in a different market (upstate SC) that one store has priced HM10 at $50 and now considers it ‘allocated’. 

[FasterHorses]

Still $29-$32 here