What Bourbon Did You Pass On 2024

[JT3NSB]

5 hours ago, Kepler said:

 

Wow high prices on everything.  Is that North Carolina?  Is there sales tax on top of that?

For example, Calumet 16 yr at $170 is a trip.  Probably $30 more than locally here in Tx.

 

Daytona TW… aggressive pricing for sure..

[dcbt]

Several HMcK10s on the shelf at a TW here for $75 a pop.  The Minnick Effect still going strong.  Then again, they WERE on the shelf sitting there so maybe that's where the line is drawn.

[Anwalt]

13 hours ago, JT3NSB said:

Daytona TW… aggressive pricing for sure.

 

There used to be a lot more price arbitrage with TW based on region, some things way cheaper here, some way cheaper there. I think that they've mimicked the airlines with dynamic pricing.

 

I've also noticed that the higher end stuff has consistently gotten much larger markups than in the past. For example, the Blue Spot Irish was $140 at some TW and $250+ at others. Now it's consistently in that $220 to $340 range, with consistent pricing intra-state & different pricing inter state. Either way, the mark-up is waaaaay higher. I wonder if it sits? I've noticed the same dynamic with other bottles.

 

Florida still strikes me as one of the worst for TW or other stores, it's rare that I buy anything there.

[Skinsfan1311]

49 minutes ago, Anwalt said:

 

There used to be a lot more price arbitrage with TW based on region, some things way cheaper here, some way cheaper there. I think that they've mimicked the airlines with dynamic pricing.

 

I've also noticed that the higher end stuff has consistently gotten much larger markups than in the past. For example, the Blue Spot Irish was $140 at some TW and $250+ at others. Now it's consistently in that $220 to $340 range, with consistent pricing intra-state & different pricing inter state. Either way, the mark-up is waaaaay higher. I wonder if it sits? I've noticed the same dynamic with other bottles.

 

Florida still strikes me as one of the worst for TW or other stores, it's rare that I buy anything there.

If you ever find yourself in/around Singer Island, (in Riviera Beach just outside of Palm Beach), there's a non-descript LS "Inlet Harbor Lounge & Liquors", that has an amazing selection of whiskey and their picks are fantastic and the prices are very good.   They let you any of them before you buy.   The standard offering pricing was good too...BT for $29.99 and they have cases of the stuff.   

Edited August 25, 2024 by Skinsfan1311

[fishnbowljoe]

We stopped at a grocery store to grab a couple of things. I don’t go in there much since their old liquor manager quit because of the pressure put on him to raise prices. (Funny, I recently saw him at Binny’s. He works there and is one of their “beer guys”.) Anyway, I passed on everything. Examples of their crazy prices: Blanton’s @ $199.99, Stagg @ $129.99 and Weller 12 @ $239.99. I had to shake my head. I just paid msrp for a Weller 12 at another store. It was $38.99. That place has changed so much in the last couple of years. Most things other than “the usual suspects” are in huge, locked glass cases along one wall. The allocated items are kept in a separate locked glass case. Tater city now.

[PaulO]

20 hours ago, dcbt said:

Several HMcK10s on the shelf at a TW here for $75 a pop.  The Minnick Effect still going strong.  Then again, they WERE on the shelf sitting there so maybe that's where the line is drawn.

I happened to find HMcK on the website of a local store - says $60 in stock.  That's still a lot more than I would pay.

[Bourserker]

On 8/26/2024 at 5:29 AM, PaulO said:

I happened to find HMcK on the website of a local store - says $60 in stock.  That's still a lot more than I would pay.

There's suddenly a bunch of this showing up in VA at the set price of $64.99 since they started putting "allocated" stuff on the shelf.  I agree that it appears the lack of demand is proving it's priced too high.

[Kepler]

Henry McKenna 10 BiB has been on shelves in Texas for a couple of months ... around $65ish most places that have competitive pricing.

[Kepler]

It's great to see price equilibrium starting to finally appear again.

[PaulO]

If you think about it, HMcK is competing with the various higher end EW brand extensions nowadays.

 

For me, if I want something I consider top shelf, WTRB @ ~ $50 (sometimes less on sale) is really hard to beat. 

[Davesnothere]

I passed on a Knob Creek 10 yr rye this weekend. 

I'm still not certain why I passed, it was $54 so not overpriced.  

 

 

Edited September 3, 2024 by Davesnothere

[MyBrainOnWhiskey]

Today I passed on a lot of things, but most notably a bottle of KC12 for $85.  $84.99 to be exact, but yeah, $85 friggin' dollars!  It actually made me a bit angry .

[mbroo5880i]

On 9/3/2024 at 11:36 AM, Davesnothere said:

I passed on a Knob Creek 10 yr rye this weekend. 

I'm still not certain why I passed, it was $54 so not overpriced.  

 

 

 

I passed on it last weekend.  I want to say the price was $59.99.  I suspect I will eventually pick one up.  Just can't buy everything.

[IamMatt]

I have been trying SOOOOO hard to buy less.  I have passed recently on several liquor store specials recently:  Rebel cask strength store picks at $30, Russells SiB store picks at $50, and Jack Daniel's SiB BS at $40.  I did grab a Remus VII at $78 but passed on any backups if that counts!

[elmossle]

Passed on a store pick Weller Full Proof for $75. Would have loved to grab one but didn't feel like dropping $75 for a bottle of WFP when I have older W12 in the bunker that is probably better. Have a great weekend everyone!

[Kepler]

21 hours ago, mbroo5880i said:

...

 Just can't buy everything.

 

This concept is foreign to me.  I will have to give this some thought and try this. 

 

 

[IamMatt]

....And just got an email from another store selling Kentucky Owl St. Patrick's for $50 that I am passing on.

[Kepler]

21 hours ago, IamMatt said:

I have been trying SOOOOO hard to buy less.  I have passed recently on several liquor store specials recently:  Rebel cask strength store picks at $30, Russells SiB store picks at $50, and Jack Daniel's SiB BS at $40.  I did grab a Remus VII at $78 but passed on any backups if that counts!

 

Great prices there.  Yeah, I'd find it difficult to pass on any of those just because of the price if nothing else.  Good job ... stay strong brother!

[Kepler]

On 9/5/2024 at 3:54 PM, MyBrainOnWhiskey said:

Today I passed on a lot of things, but most notably a bottle of KC12 for $85.  $84.99 to be exact, but yeah, $85 friggin' dollars!  It actually made me a bit angry .

Good job passing on it at that price.  I really like KC12, but $85 is at least 20-30 bucks too high for what it is.  You are doing good work for the rest of us.

[MyBrainOnWhiskey]

1 hour ago, Kepler said:

Good job passing on it at that price.  I really like KC12, but $85 is at least 20-30 bucks too high for what it is.  You are doing good work for the rest of us.

KC12 is hard to find in my neck of the woods.  As a result, some stores take advantage and charge a lot when they have it.  Luckily, I found a store that sells it for $60.  They only get a case every 8 weeks or so, which is a bummer; however, I'm usually able to get a couple bottles each time it comes in and that's enough to keep me going.     

[Jazz June]

On 8/20/2024 at 2:02 AM, 0895 said:

 

I find it always helps to have something in the back of your mind to ask for that you know they don't have.

Then you can just casually play dumb and say "Do you all have any __________? "

Much easier to walk out then, saying "well, thanks anyway".

 

My go to used to be Very old Barton, before it became more widely distributed outside of KY.

Or some obscure craft beer from another state works too.

 

 

For years, I did this with Elmer T. Lee, but then it became so hard to find that I felt stupid for asking for it. Now I just walk out with nothing - although to be fair I hardly go into stores at random anymore.

[Jazz June]

I have finally started passing on Four Roses picks at MSRP ($100) or close thereabouts (several at $120). Certain recipes I would still buy on sight, but I think this still counts as at least a small step towards bourbon zen.

[MyBrainOnWhiskey]

In my grubby little hands I had a bottle of KC Bourbon x Rye... and then I put it back on the shelf and exited the store . 

 

While I'm excited about the new blend from Knob Creek, I'm not thrilled with the price.  KC7 and KC9 individually (@ roughly $32) are far less expensive than the new blended product of the same juice ($44.99).  The only difference is proof, 100 proof vs 113 respectively.  I'm sure I'll eventually buy a bottle, but for today I chose to pass.

[natedawg]

Old Forester single barrel for $99.99. It might be good but not twice as good as 1910.

 

Same store had Blantons on the shelf for the same price. Lowest I have seen in a store but I passed because I still have a bottle.

[Skinsfan1311]

Blanton's $99.99

BT $39.99

They had Stagg, Weller, EH Taylor, KC18, Pappy, etc.

I didn't see prices on those, nor did I ask.