Bourbon Availability Downunder

[BarItemsPlus1]

Ok here are a few things I have just researched....

Unfortunately as the US have not protected 'Bourbon' on the worldwide market any product sold outside the US is legally allowed to be labelled as a Bourbon....

I need to rectify this statement....

The US has certain trade agreements in place with particular countries...for example - The US has a current agreement(Free Trade Agreement) with Australia in that any product sold here in Oz claiming to be 'Bourbon' must meet the US laws pertaining to the legal classification of Bourbon. This takes us back to an earlier discussion on 'Early Times Bourbon'...as this is sold in Oz at 37.1% Alc/Vol, under current FTA's this is NOT Bourbon - it has been bottled at less than 80 Proof(40% Alc/Vol).

In fact even under US law it's not Bourbon and it was bottled in Kentucky...???

I have also discovered that the US is working with the WTO to protect 'Bourbon' on all international markets aswell as 'Tennesee' Whiskey.

There is quite a lot happening at the moment in all international markets regarding their legalities on certain products and I would assume that this has come about due to the current issues with an Indian distiller. This indian distiller is really screwing with the industry!! First he is selling his 'Rum' as a whisky and is also trying to call it a Scotch.

At least he won't be able to sell it here!!(In Oz) and I don't think he would be able to sell it in the US either...again due to WTO and FTA's in place in both our countries.

[leigh_munro]

Just noticed that Nick.com.au have both of the Old Potrero Rye's Available on their website now. The single Malt and the 18th Century style

[leigh_munro]

There have been a lot of radio adds in the past week for McKenna bourbon. Do you guys know who is stocking this? Is this the same thing as the Henry Mckenna bourbon available in the states. It looks like they have both a RTD and a 700ml bottle and QLD is first to try this new product. Troy does this have something to do with what you've been hinting about heaven hill and more of their products being available in aus soon.

stuff from google

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Secret whiskey debut

MOVE over Jim Beam, there's a new bourbon in town. McKenna Bourbon, which markets itself as a higher class of whiskey, will be launched at a still-secret venue in Fortitude Valley on August 10. The urban bourbon is making its debut in Australia with a launch party featuring sets by Paul Mac and DJ Cat Kid, poker tournaments, body painting, street performers and ice carving. How do you get a ticket? "McKenna Girls" will be giving out tickets on red carpets rolled out across the streets of Brisbane.

****

The nation's second-largest beverage company, which plans to begin selling the bourbon next month in Queensland, bought the rights to the bourbon from Japanese brewer Kirin.

[leigh_munro]

I see Nicks now also have Four Roses Bourbon @ $69.99 and some 2005 Stagg for the oh so low price of $399.00

leigh.

[Rughi]

The nation's second-largest beverage company, which plans to begin selling the bourbon next month in Queensland, bought the rights to the bourbon from Japanese brewer Kirin.

Does anyone know if this is Heaven Hill whiskey? Four Roses whiskey? Neither?

If memory serves, the McKenna jugs during some time periods were for foreign markets and made at Four Roses (which I believe is owned by Kirin), while the domestic product was Heaven Hill.

Roger

[camduncan]

There have been a lot of radio adds in the past week for McKenna bourbon. Do you guys know who is stocking this? Is this the same thing as the Henry Mckenna bourbon available in the states. It looks like they have both a RTD and a 700ml bottle and QLD is first to try this new product. Troy does this have something to do with what you've been hinting about heaven hill and more of their products being available in aus soon.

stuff from google

***

Secret whiskey debut

MOVE over Jim Beam, there's a new bourbon in town. McKenna Bourbon, which markets itself as a higher class of whiskey, will be launched at a still-secret venue in Fortitude Valley on August 10. The urban bourbon is making its debut in Australia with a launch party featuring sets by Paul Mac and DJ Cat Kid, poker tournaments, body painting, street performers and ice carving. How do you get a ticket? "McKenna Girls" will be giving out tickets on red carpets rolled out across the streets of Brisbane.

****

The nation's second-largest beverage company, which plans to begin selling the bourbon next month in Queensland, bought the rights to the bourbon from Japanese brewer Kirin.

Leigh, I've got no idea about this either. I've not heard the radio adds, so am even more in the dark than you.

Troy did hint that there'd be something happening in Brisbane soon, but this may or may not be it... Troy?

Regardless, I'm really ticked I didn't know about the launch - I was even in the Valley having dinner on the 10th :cry:

I'd be very keen to get a bottle - hopefully it won't be as rediculously priced as the Old Potrero :skep:

[HighTower]

I find it strange that a company as big as Lion Nathan would launch a product in Brisbane only....when they obviously want to spend a bunch on advertising and try and convert Beam drinkers.... I was talking to my Tooheys rep the other day and he's unsure of when it will be more widespread......I think it will do well

[camduncan]

I guess they did their homework :skep:

Maybe we have a high percentage of bourbon drinkers per capita or something :crazy:

Hopefully I'll pick a bottle up this weekend to take to the in-laws for next week...

[HighTower]

I think it's supposed to be around the $40 mark...not positive on that though.

[leigh_munro]

I think it's supposed to be around the $40 mark...not positive on that though.

I Paid $50

[HighTower]

What bourbon would you compare it to Leigh??

[HighTower]

Leigh....I called a few stores on Friday with no cigar....even found they have 96 vintage in our Sydney wharehouse as Toormina near Coffs Harbour had these on their shelves. I have a couple of my bosses going to down to armidale etc next week,I think there could be a good strike rate down there.... so if they find any I'll get them to bring them back with them. I'd say it wont be long before we have the 96 in our Brisbane DC...infact I will call them tomorrow and see if they can go and have a look for me. I will at least start stockpiling the 95 Vintage and try and make it last.

Scott

[HighTower]

Cam,

I noticed in another thread you mentioned you pay AU$120 for Van Winkle 12 year. Do you bring this in yourself or do you know or a retailer in Oz that has it? I am keen to get my hands on some.

I recently discovered Nicks...as was lucky enough to get their last Blantons Silver...disappointed to see they are now out of Buffalo Trace, one that I have been wanting to try for some time. I am also looking for Stagg, but there's no way I'll pay AU$399 for it! I payed just over that for the 4 Blanton's bottles...not bad value there IMO.

Thanks

Scott

[leigh_munro]

Cam,

I am also looking for Stagg, but there's no way I'll pay AU$399 for it! I payed just over that for the 4 Blanton's bottles...not bad value there IMO.

Thanks

Scott

The first bottle of stagg i purchased cost me $300, i had my sister pick it up from a shop when she was in london. Last week i recieved another bottle that i purchased off ebay in the US, this cost me just under $150 landed in Australia.

There is another bottle on there at the moment for $83.95US and $44US postage. This will be a little more than the last one i purchased but half of Nicks prices...LINK

Of all the bottles i have purchased i have not once payed any duty/customs fees getting them into the country, whats the go with that?

I had not seen any for ages then found a bottle of the 94 EWSB about a month ago, will not open this one for a while. I also have been very tempted to buy a case of the 95 before it starts to be replaced with the 96. Can you do any special pricing on case buys?

Also Four Roses, is that available down your way? single barrel?

leigh.

[HighTower]

Did you get the stagg from rare-breed? I've seen that guy selling a few recently, going for decent prices. I was going to get a few bottles from eclipse086, but I am sort of re-evaluating things after knowing Binnys ship to Oz, so many I want to try

Of all the bottles I have had imported, I have only once been charged duty. It was for 6 bottles of Jack Daniels scenes from lynchburg that I was selling for a friend in Florida recently...I have a feeling it was because I had them sent to work...I guess they figured they were being sold retail and I should pay duty. I got a Crown Royal XR the other day, had it sent to my house to my wife's maiden name incase maybe my name was flagged at customs

I've also been told by someone I know that works at customs that if "Happy Birthday" is written on the box they will not charge duty. I have also recently tested this theory

I will have a look at what I can do a case of the 95 for and get back to you.

As far as Four Roses is concerned....the only place I have seen it is online at nicks, and that wasn't the single barrel......have you seen it somewhere??

Scott

[leigh_munro]

Did you get the stagg from rare-breed? I've seen that guy selling a few recently, going for decent prices.

As far as Four Roses is concerned....the only place I have seen it is online at nicks, and that wasn't the single barrel......have you seen it somewhere??

Scott

Yep it was rare-breed.

Nope, never seen Four Roses up this way, just saw you mention it in another thread.

leigh

[HighTower]

Yeah that was in reference to nicks....until yesterday they had some Four Roses listed on their website for 70 bucks...seems it's all gone!

There goes that idea.....

I might have to save my pennies and go for the Hirsch 16yo...

When I got my Blanton's the Gold had leaked a bit. Adam at Nicks was kind enough to offer me another bottle at a discounted rate, so I'm going to take him up on the offer and drink the other bottle (how unfortunate) :cool: Can't wait to try it.

[HighTower]

Leigh,

I've called a number of stores searching for the 1994 EWSB...still no cigar...I have other people looking and hopefully they will sumble across some. I called our Brisbane wharehouse today and they went and checked the stock they have left....they had 84 bottles left and it was all 1995 vintage. I have ordered 3 cases, and will Order more later in the week. I imagine when these stocks are gone we will have the 1996 vintage...only time will tell.....the best I could probably do on a case is wait until it's on special....and then you'll get it for about $38 a bottle...I'll keep you posted

[leigh_munro]

Leigh,

I've called a number of stores searching for the 1994 EWSB...still no cigar...I have other people looking and hopefully they will sumble across some. I called our Brisbane wharehouse today and they went and checked the stock they have left....they had 84 bottles left and it was all 1995 vintage. I have ordered 3 cases, and will Order more later in the week. I imagine when these stocks are gone we will have the 1996 vintage...only time will tell.....the best I could probably do on a case is wait until it's on special....and then you'll get it for about $38 a bottle...I'll keep you posted

$38 a bottle is worth the trip down, especially when work is paying for the fuel.

leigh.

[HighTower]

I don't know if you're a fan....but at the right time I can also do Elijah Craig 12yo for about $35......it's probably my favourite bourbon that is readily available in Oz, and at that price, it's sure hard to beat.

[BarItemsPlus1]

G'day there fellow Aussies...

I see that you are all looking for the stuff we don't have here...may I suggest that you contact myself and I will help you out.

All you have to do is ask...

[pete_d]

another quick lead for those who have the guts/finances to import from beyond the continental limits, I emailed Heaven Hill NZ and was advised that one of their stockists of HH bottles ships internationally. It looks like they have decent prices, and can freight by sea on request. so it'd fit anyone on a budget quite well.

Bottlings of note that i picked up were the Benheim Wheater, Old Fitz Heritage 12yo, Old Granddad 114, Rittenhouse Rye, Wild Turkey Rye and EC18.

Just FYI...

Pete D

[pete_d]

of course the link would probably help.

http://www.regionalwines.co.nz/

PD

[pete_d]

Some other good news is that i dropped past a Vintage Cellars today in Sydney and saw a brand-spanking new series of WT Russell's Reserve. I was told this will now be a general release item in AUS.

The same store had bottles of the Isle of Jura 12 and Superstition as well, so it looks as though the lines are slowly being opened up.

Pete D

[HighTower]

Interesting Pete, did you happen to see the price on the RR? And by new series I assume you mean the 90 proof bottles? (Same shape as the Freedom bottle which is my avatar....)

Scott