Bourbon Availability Downunder

[camduncan]

Never had much luck. I did see a bottle of Sam Houston in one of my local shops once. And I found some Rebel Yell near my inlaws last years.

[TroyM]

All I have found is a 1994 EWSB and a Sam Houston from batch #6

[TroyM]

Just a quick question re bottleshops. Most of the independent stores here have changed to either Duncans or Bottle O. Do these stores still act on thier own accord or are they told what to sell and how much for?

[TroyM]

I went to 1st Choice at Ringwood and they didnt have any BT on the shelves. Plenty of WTAS though.

[HighTower]

Just a quick question re bottleshops. Most of the independent stores here have changed to either Duncans or Bottle O. Do these stores still act on thier own accord or are they told what to sell and how much for?

I can't really speak for Duncans or Bottle-O, but I know most independents that sign up to these banner groups use them as buyers. They remain independent but with the buying power the group has it enables them to be competitive against the likes of Coles and Woolies.

I know with Bottle Mart thay have area managers - but they can make suggestions to the stores on how they can improve things/sell more but at the end of the day it's their call. They can't tell them what to do.

They run specials across the board but as far as product range is concerned I imagine these independents can still keep whatever they want. As far as prices on non-specials, I am unsure if they would all be the same.

Hope this helps.

Scott

[TroyM]

Today I picked a Van Winkle Lot B and an old Bakers with a tan label. Bakers was batch B-85-001.

[HighTower]

Was the lot B from Burwood Cellars?

If you don't mind me asking, what did it set you back?

Cheers

Scott

[TroyM]

$125 from Burwood.

How old is the Bakers if it is batch B-85-001?

[HighTower]

$125 from Burwood.

How old is the Bakers if it is batch B-85-001?

It's impossible to tell, Troy.

The B-85-001 was a "batch" number that was on all bottles of Baker's with the old label. So I guess in that regard, it's not really a batch number at all, but trying to give the perception that there are numbered batches out there.

Nice find with the Lot B. Burwood are no longer listed on Julian's site as Australian distributors for the Van Winkle line, so I wonder if this means they will no longer will be keeping it?

Do they have a really nice selection of bourbons? I called there once to get prices of the Van Winkles and the guy I spoke to wasn't overly helpful.

Cheers

Scott

[TroyM]

I emailed Julian and he said that Burwood was thier distributor. They also are available at Nicks. Burwood has the rye aswell

[TroyM]

Dan Murphy's has the green Blantons for $60

[HighTower]

Pretty good price for the green one. That's the 80 proof....did you get yourself a bottle??

I got a $50 Woolworths voucher when I cut my hand on one of their shelves.....I might have to take it to Dan Murphy's!

Scott

[camduncan]

I've still not seen any of the BT products at First Choice or any of my local stores.... Have yet to visit Dan Murphy's though.

I noticed the WTAS stocks dropping quickly, so it may pay to get in now whilst they are still there.

Don't know if I mentioned this in previous posts or not..... Burwood Cellars have been de-listed on the Van Winkle web site as a stockist

[TroyM]

Noticed the Blantons Select Reserve in Safeway today. Maybe they are using our area as a trial?

In regards to Burwood Cellars. I got an email from Julian Van Winkle stating that they (Burwood) was the distributor here.

On a side topic. Has any seen much of the RR101 around? Seems to be disappearing from Vic asap.

[HighTower]

Noticed the Blantons Select Reserve in Safeway today. Maybe they are using our area as a trial?

I haven't seen it at Dan Murphy's yet, but it is in every BWS store around here, also at $60

On a side topic. Has any seen much of the RR101 around? Seems to be disappearing from Vic asap.

There's still a bit around up here, the American Spirit is starting to dry up though. Pernod Ricard have none left in Australia. It is all in stores, distribution centres (like ALM), and people's stomachs. :grin:

Scott

Scott

[Stones]

, welcome to Brisbane, seems like we have a few of us locals on the site now. We should all start working together when purchasing supplies from abroad, cut down on those damn shipping costs...are you still with liquorland?

I am all for this, Hightower contacted me yesterday to say hi and welcome as i'm a newbie and am also based in Brisneyland. I am in for a syndicate if others are after cheaper logistic rates too... keep me posted guys.

Thanks to the moderators for such an amazing site and community of like minded bourbon lovers. Cheers!!! :cool:

[camduncan]

Then, from another Brisbane based moderator - Welcome

[Gumbootboy]

Elijah Craig 18yo will be in Australia early next year, hopefully February if not late January.

Scott

Hi Scott, I know I'm quoting you from a long time ago... but did this ever happen? I tried to get my folks to find my some when they were in the US, but it was to no avail (btw, if you were wondering, they managed to get me... Rock Hill Farms, Blanton's Original, WT12YO (not split label or gold foil) and also Jack Daniels Silver Select and Canadian Club 20YO).

Good choices or what!?,

Dave

Oh and also when trolling Sydney on the weekend, I found two stores that held a bottle I hadn't seen before, I.W. Harper 12YO. I'm just wondering what price I should have expected it to be. The first store I visited had it for $80, which I thought was probably reasonable (although when I saw it also had the VW 'Lot B' for $250, I wasn't sure), the second store that had it was asking $150. So I'm just curious, are they hard to find in Aus, and are these typical prices?

Cheers again,

Dave

[camduncan]

Dave, personally, I'd go with the $80 bottle :skep:

I also found some bottles around Brisbane on the weekend - Rittenhouse BIB Rye for $80, Blantons Gold for $120 & Van Winkle Rye for $250 (yeah, right!!!!)

The Rittenhouse tempted me, but I held back due to other financial commitments. I may go back in a couple of weeks to grab one.

[leigh_munro]

bottles around Brisbane on the weekend - Rittenhouse BIB Rye for $80, Blantons Gold for $120 & Van Winkle Rye for $250

In Brisbane!!! Care to share where?.... i'm going shopping.....

[HighTower]

Hi Scott, I know I'm quoting you from a long time ago... but did this ever happen? I tried to get my folks to find my some when they were in the US, but it was to no avail

Dave, Just the other day the hotel my liquor barn is joined to printed out a list of spirits available to them. EC 18 was on the list, and it had our order codes for them. I called 1st Choice and asked them to look up the code....$150, but they didn't have any stock on hand, I would say it is one of those products that they can order if they feel they would sell it.

If you want some, I have a couple of bottles that should be here next week, and should be cheaper than that.

(btw, if you were wondering, they managed to get me... Rock Hill Farms, Blanton's Original, WT12YO (not split label or gold foil) and also Jack Daniels Silver Select and Canadian Club 20YO).

Good choices or what!?,

All good choices. The CC20 is a favourite of mine, JD SS is very solid. I'm not the biggest fan of the Original Blantons, Gold is more my forte. Rock HIll Farms is excellent and you can't go wrong with WT 12. Nice Haul!

Oh and also when trolling Sydney on the weekend, I found two stores that held a bottle I hadn't seen before, I.W. Harper 12YO. I'm just wondering what price I should have expected it to be. The first store I visited had it for $80, which I thought was probably reasonable (although when I saw it also had the VW 'Lot B' for $250, I wasn't sure), the second store that had it was asking $150. So I'm just curious, are they hard to find in Aus, and are these typical prices?

$80 sounds very fair for IW Harper 12yo, I would be interested in where that was (I am in Sydney in a few weeks). I think the problem with Van Winkle Bourbon is these guys see what it sells for in bars, and think it is worth paying the price from Think Spirits which would have them pay a huge wholesale price for it. Then of course they have their markup. I think when they had Van Winkle Rye listed, they wanted $250 for it wholesale!!

Lot B is a great bourbon, but is not worth $250

Cheers

Scott

[HighTower]

In Brisbane!!! Care to share where?.... i'm going shopping.....

That was at my house, Leigh. :slappin:

Ok, so it was in the city somewhere...and Cam I think when you called me you said the Blanton's Gold was $135

Cheers

Scott

[TroyM]

Burwood Cellars are going to email me when their shipment of Van Winkle products arrives by September. Will pass the info on when I get it.

The always stock the Lot B and 20 year old. The shipment will include the 15, VWFR Rye and 10yr 107 proof.

[leigh_munro]

I also found some bottles around Brisbane on the weekend - Rittenhouse BIB Rye for $80, Blantons Gold for $120 & Van Winkle Rye for $250 (yeah, right!!!!)

The Rittenhouse tempted me, but I held back due to other financial commitments. I may go back in a couple of weeks to grab one.

I just grabbed the last Rittenhouse for $70 and the last Blantons Gold for $120. I already have a Van Winkle rye in my collection so left that one for someone else...This was at the Cru bar at James street markets if anyone is interested...

I also dropped in at the Wine Emporium a bit up the road. These guys had a bottle of Old Portrero ($150) and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12yr ($260) on the shelf... Left these for my next trip into town....

http://www.thewineemporium.com.au/

[camduncan]

I'm glad one of us (on sb.com) got them Leigh..... Unfortunately with a baby on the way, we're watching the $$, so there's no expensive stuff for me on the horizon for a while :grin: