Early Times Bottled-in-Bond Straight Bourbon Availability

[Shell]

Any updates or insights into Early Times Bottled-in-Bond Straight Bourbon availability & when it will be easily purchased at retail?

 

It is very popular in the Asian market and grew to a great U.S. following.  But, this very flavorful bourbon has become tough to find in the last several months of 2020.  Since the brand's sale by Brown Forman to Sazerac was announced last summer, many bottles at retail were bought up by fans hoarding the spirit (fearing Early Times changes by the new owner, Sazerac).

 

Shell

[jnewberg]

Probably just a dumb rumor and hate towards Sazerac, but some "in the biz" have said they are going to scrap the name all together and possibly rebrand it as another product... 

Edited February 2, 2021 by jnewberg

[smokinjoe]

Interestingly enough, though I expected to see inventories of this product gradually diminish upon the announcement, I have seen a lot of it around in the last couple of months.  Perhaps, it’s just a clearing of inventory through all levels of the supply chain, but it seems to be available for the bunkering if wanted.  

[Old Hippie]

When a brand changes suppliers, there is often (depending on alignment) a change of distributors as well. This sometimes causes disruption in the supply chain. Except for a couple of short  periods of out-of-stocks due to hoarding, we have not experienced supply issues in SC.

Sazerac settled on their distributors around the first of the year, so you should be seeing inventory on the shelves now.

[Bob_Loblaw]

6 hours ago, smokinjoe said:

Interestingly enough, though I expected to see inventories of this product gradually diminish upon the announcement, I have seen a lot of it around in the last couple of months.  Perhaps, it’s just a clearing of inventory through all levels of the supply chain, but it seems to be available for the bunkering if wanted.  

I jumped on several of what looked like the exact same BF bottles when they popped up at my local about 3 weeks ago.  Just over $100 flat for 4L of quality bourbon that I enjoy was just fine by me. . . 

[Shell]

1 hour ago, Bob_Loblaw said:

I jumped on several of what looked like the exact same BF bottles when they popped up at my local about 3 weeks ago.  Just over $100 flat for 4L of quality bourbon that I enjoy was just fine by me. . . 

I'm hoping the settling of the supply chain will come to MI soon, and Early Times Bottled-in-Bond will hit MI retail shelves.

[gurgalunas]

Not sure how far you are from IN, but friends have said its pretty available. 

[fishnbowljoe]

ET BIB has been somewhat scarce here in northern Illinois lately. A few bottles here and there, sometimes on a shelf behind the checkout counter. The odd thing is, one store that has it on a shelf behind the counter still charges retail price.

 

Biba! Joe

[GaryT]

20 hours ago, smokinjoe said:

Interestingly enough, though I expected to see inventories of this product gradually diminish upon the announcement, I have seen a lot of it around in the last couple of months.  Perhaps, it’s just a clearing of inventory through all levels of the supply chain, but it seems to be available for the bunkering if wanted.  

I bought several for the bunker after the announcement, and last month noticed the same thing - no shortage of it around these parts.  Already have plenty, but every time you see a pile . . . you wonder . . . . do I really?? 

[fishnbowljoe]

10 hours ago, fishnbowljoe said:

ET BIB has been somewhat scarce here in northern Illinois lately. A few bottles here and there, sometimes on a shelf behind the checkout counter. The odd thing is, one store that has it on a shelf behind the counter still charges retail price.

 

Biba! Joe

I forgot something. There’s a limit of one if there are multiple bottles on the shelf.  I have a feeling that this is just another Saz/BT product that the local reps & salesmen have that they can play more games with. Not long after this first came out, I told one store manager about it. He was able to get a case of it. He ran low, and was able to get a couple more cases of it.  When the popularity of it rose, other stores started getting some, and he had a hard time more than a couple of bottles here and there. 
 

Biba! Joe

[PaulO]

I never saw much of it around Indy.

One store manager ordered me some.  It wasn't a normal item for them.

I got a few bottles.  The next time I was there, she mentioned they can't order more, without me bringing it up.

 

Probably the next most similar thing is Old Forester 100, if you can find that.   

[Shell]

 

19 hours ago, gurgalunas said:

Not sure how far you are from IN, but friends have said its pretty available. 

Thanks for the IN tip.  I'm in MI - about a 3 hr. drive from IN.

 

There's some good news about Early Times Bottled-in-Bond Straight Bourbon availability:  

 

I  reached out to the President of Sazerac about Early Times BIB availability.   He said that Sazerac is definitely continuing Early Times BIB.  An order for MI left the distillery and will land at the distributor this week, with the bourbon expected on retailers shelves in the next week or the following (depending on order cycles from the wholesalers).

 

Let's hope the supply and availability continues.

 

Shell