Bourbon Availability Downunder

[camduncan]

I do not have much interest in the numerous low proof Bourbons! that are bulk shipped & bottled here.

Umm, I'm pretty sure it's like all other Heaven Hill products imported from the USA (eg Elijah Craig, Evan Williams SB etc) - it's definately bottled in the USA and shipped here. I'm not sure what you'd call low proof, but at 103 proof it's certainly strong enough for me

[Tallica]

Thanks for setting me straight on that one, will check it out closer next time

[camduncan]

Thanks for setting me straight on that one, will check it out closer next time

No Problem - it might be another good drop for the collection

[camduncan]

It looks like the Van Winkle's available Downunder are almost sold out - the retailer is down to about 6 of each bottle (12yo, 15yo & 20yo)

Thankfully I've got 2 bottles of each of the 12yo & 15yo on hold (at least, I hope they're still on hold )

I like these bourbons so much, I've almost spent a weeks pay on the 4 bottles (Is it obsession, or dedication )

[camduncan]

A small addition to our market -

A.H.Hirsch 16 Y.O. Reserve Bourbon Whiskey (700ml) has just become available in Australia through Vintage Direct (Nicks Wines)

http://www.nicks.com.au/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductId=474826

I spoke to them yesterday and they intend to keep this as regular stock for as long as they can source it.

I'm still trying to determine if this is an exlusive arangement or if it will be more widely available...

[TNbourbon]

...I'm still trying to determine if this is an exlusive arangement or if it will be more widely available...

I'm afraid it's never going to be more widely available if it's authentic A.H. Hirsch, distilled by Michter's in Pennsylvania. The distillery hasn't existed for more than a decade except as an empty shell, and the last of the bourbon from its distillate was bottled in September 2003. It's not even very widely available in the U.S.

[camduncan]

I'm placing an order for a bottle in the next week or 2, so will report back on my findings then....

[camduncan]

Update:

Well, I haven't quite gotten around to affording or ordering that bottle

I wonder if Troy can add anything to this thread next time he's online?

[ProofPositive]

Update:

Well, I haven't quite gotten around to affording or ordering that bottle

I wonder if Troy can add anything to this thread next time he's online?

If I were in a state where I could order it, I sure would do so. But here in Tennessee, we cannot do that and I have no plans to become a felon. I doubt there will ever be a bottle crossing my path. Well, I just missed one last week and probably won't have that chance again. Something to dream about at night anyway!

[Gillman]

On Wild Turkey's website the products are described under the various markets and of course they differ in availability depending on the market. Under Australia, amongst the range available there two bottles are shown, Wild Turkey & Coke and Wild Turkey & Dry. The site says the latter is a mixture of Wild Turkey and "dry" and does not say what the dry is. Cam, I thought you would know, is this ginger ale? What do you think of these products, are they different from Wild Turkey and the soft drinks mixed on the spot? It is interesting that pre-mixed cocktails have a reasonable-size (evidently) market in the Antipodes. I wonder why that is since soft drinks are of course widely available there as anywhere (almost). Could it be that since the national preference in spirits at least historically was for scotch whiskies and rum, it was not initially understood that bourbon mixed well with soft drinks and introducing a pre-mixed version familiarised people with the concept and then became established? Or maybe it's that people there do more entertaining outdoors than in North America (e.g., poolside, beach, etc.) and the pre-mixed cocktail is convenient for that purpose. I am always intrigued when I see something that evidently makes sense for one market but is absent from another which seems on the surface anyway quite similar...

[Hedmans Brorsa]

Gary,

I´ve seen these pre-mixed things in Germany, as well. Even with Jim Beam Black, if I remember correctly.

[camduncan]

On Wild Turkey's website the products are described under the various markets and of course they differ in availability depending on the market. Under Australia, amongst the range available there two bottles are shown, Wild Turkey & Coke and Wild Turkey & Dry. The site says the latter is a mixture of Wild Turkey and "dry" and does not say what the dry is. Cam, I thought you would know, is this ginger ale? What do you think of these products, are they different from Wild Turkey and the soft drinks mixed on the spot? It is interesting that pre-mixed cocktails have a reasonable-size (evidently) market in the Antipodes. I wonder why that is since soft drinks are of course widely available there as anywhere (almost). Could it be that since the national preference in spirits at least historically was for scotch whiskies and rum, it was not initially understood that bourbon mixed well with soft drinks and introducing a pre-mixed version familiarised people with the concept and then became established? Or maybe it's that people there do more entertaining outdoors than in North America (e.g., poolside, beach, etc.) and the pre-mixed cocktail is convenient for that purpose. I am always intrigued when I see something that evidently makes sense for one market but is absent from another which seems on the surface anyway quite similar...

You are definately correct - WT & Dry is Wild Turkey mixed with Dry Ginger.

I find the pre-mix drinks different to ones I mix myself. It's mostly due to the fact they are mixed with what we call post-mix softdrink. I'm not sure if you have post-mix in the US or call it another name... It's basically the mixture of carbonated water and syrup to make a softdrink and is usually the 'on tap' version that pubs and clubs use.

To me post-mix is sweeter and tastes nothing like the softdrink that I buy in the can.

I must admit, I'm a big fan of pre-mix Jim Beam White label and cola bottles. They come in one size - 375ml and contain (by Australian standards) 1.5 standard drinks. Whilst I prefer bourbon neat or on the rocks at home or at a bar, the pre-mix is a great and convenient way of taking drinks to a bbq or party, with the added bonus that, if I intend to drive, I know exactly how many drinks I've had.

[Gillman]

Thanks Cam. That's interesting about pre-mix. I wonder if that is what are called fountain drinks in North America. I am not sure that exists still anywhere, maybe in New York City, or in some small town Woolworth's counters (if they still exist!).

Gary

[BarItemsPlus1]

G'day SB'ers, how are u all? :grin:

Been very busy lately...just a little tip to all the bourbon lovers out there - keep those eyes wide open:bigeyes: as I am hoping to bring you all a new product very soon!! Well not actually my product as per say but from a very reputable company. Can't reveal too much but I will keep you all updated as much as I can.

Regards the Hirsch....I am wanting to bring in a few cases of this but I am obviously restricted slightly as I don't want to sit on it for too long so Cam if you or any other Aussies want to place a pre-order I can get this in a lot quicker(and cheaper:woohoo: )

Also guys if there are any other RARE bottlings that you are looking for just drop us a line and I will see what I can do.

Cheers All!!:grin:

[camduncan]

Well, some good news finally for our market....

It looks like Buffalo Trace bourbon is being sold on our shores in limited quantities :woohoo:

Nicks Vintage Cellars have listed this at $79.95 per bottle.

They've also recently listed Blantons Silver as well.

I don't think this is the Buffalo Trace Distilery release into our market Ken was talking about last year. I think it likely they've sourced a few cases from another wholesaler?

[camduncan]

Update:

Nicks Wines seem to have found some stock of Virginia Gentleman...

Retail is $59.95

On a trivial note, I was down in NSW last month and found 750ml bottles of Jim Beam and Cola RTD's - they aren't available in QLD as far as I know, and I'm not sure about other states.....:skep:

[leigh_munro]

Keep the fine Bourbon leads coming guys!

[leigh_munro]

Some updated info on Downunder availability...

Knob Creek is definately disapearing from our shelves. It's been replaced by the "Jim Beam Small Batch with Port added" line.

I've noticed a few retailers bumping the price of their remaining KC stocks - shops that used to sell it for $55 are now marking it at up to $80 per bottle (on par with their Bookers retail price)

The Old Rip Van Winkle 12yo (Lot B?) and Pappy 15yo did make it to the Australian retailer. It's selling for $110 & $140 respectively. Stocks are definately limited, and well worth the price :bowdown:

The sad news is they can't get any more ORVW 13yo Rye. The retailer advised it isn't being made any more (which I'm sure is incorrect - I thought Ken or Julian posted that the stock was just being spread exteremely thin to enter new US markets at the moment?)

Elijah Craig 18yo is still absent from our shelves despite the Heaven Hill New Zealand Distributor saying we'd see it in Australia very early in 2005. Of course the Elijah Craig 12yo and Evan Williams 94 Single Barrel are still in plentiful supply, and at $49 & $45 respectively, they represent probably the best bourbon bargains currently available in mass supplies Downunder (in my opinion )

The best news of all is that Blantons seems to have found a national retailer :woohoo: The bad news is that they don't seem to be actively pushing it into the market as yet. I'll post more after I speak to the distributor again next week.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Knob-Creek-Bourbon-Jim-Beam-Small-Batch-Bourbon-Limited_W0QQitemZ4464069777QQcategoryZ6099QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

$150 Starting bid for knob creek is a bit steep wouldnt you think?

[camduncan]

Firstly Leigh, welcome !!

It's great to see another Brisbane person on the list.

(I think I've been flying the Qld flag solo now for around 2 years)

I caught sight of that auction or one similar earlier this week.

It's a bit beyond what I'd pay for Knob Creek - double really.

(Personally, I'd prefer to get a bottle of Stagg or Sazerac imported from the US for that price)

Then again, it's getting pretty rare, and if you really like it, what price is it worth if you can't find it elsewhere?

[leigh_munro]

How do you get Stagg at that price, I just paid $300 for a bottle from the UK.

[camduncan]

How do you get Stagg at that price, I just paid $300 for a bottle from the UK.

I shipped it from Binnys (www.binnys.com) when they had it.

It cost around US $50 for the bottle and US $75 to ship (I shipped two bottles) The rest of the cost was customs and tax charges.

Definately cheaper to ship from the US compared to the UK with American Whiskey...

[leigh_munro]

Perfect, any more links like this? I looked and looked and couldnt find any web site in the US who would ship internationally.

[camduncan]

Perfect, any more links like this? I looked and looked and couldnt find any web site in the US who would ship internationally.

Some will if you contact them and ask.

Generally, I've found Binnys to be the biggest and best to deal with.

[BarItemsPlus1]

To any Australians here....

If you are looking for bourbons that are not generally available in Oz, please feel free to either PM me or contact me directly. I am more than happy to provide assistance on getting these bottles.

[leigh_munro]

Just revieved a package today from Binnys in the US.

Eagle rare 17yo

W L Weller Cask Strengh

Elijah Craig 18yo

$140us + $95 shipping.

For those interested i was not charged any customs/duty fees so ended up costing about $300au for the 3 bottles delivered.

John from binnys was great to deal with and will definatly be purchasing some more at a later date.

leigh.