Old Weller availability?

[JJWI]

Hi all,

A friend of mine in the Twin Cities asked me if I'd seen Old Weller (the 7-year-old) around recently, as he hasn't been able to find it of late. To my surprise I couldn't find it here (Wisconsin) either, and it had been quite common. My regular bourbon supplier said he hadn't received it for a few months. Is this a local phenomenon, or nationwide?

[mobourbon]

It's a close-out in PA in there is none available.

[TNbourbon]

Both 7yos -- Weller Antique (107 proof) and W.L. Weller Special Reserve (90 proof)-- are readily available here in TN.

[BrbnBorderline]

I'll be picking up two bottles of Weller Antique[7 YO 107] today!!!

[cas]

I can find it in SC.

Craig

[ratcheer]

I have not seen it in Alabama over the past 4 years or so.

Tim

[JJWI]

Thanks very much for your responses. It seems like an odd situation!

[bulldawg]

Readily available in GA.

[clayton]

Only occasionally available in WA (i.e., when you're lucky.)

[cowdery]

The Buffalo Trace Great Bourbons web site features four expressions of Weller bourbon.

<ul type="square"> [*]Weller Centennial (10 years old, 100 proof) [*]Weller 12-year-old (12 years old, 90 proof) [*]Old Weller Antique (7 years old, 107 proof) [*]W. L. Weller Special Reserve (7 years old, 90 proof)

The fact that this is on the web site doesn't necessarily prove anything, but it suggests these expressions are in general circulation, even if every distributor doesn't carry all of them in every market.

Unfortunately, when you ask for something and a retailer tells you "that has been discontinued" or "that's no longer available," the real story may be, "I'm not carrying it anymore but if I say you can't get it, maybe you'll buy something else here and not check elsewhere."

No, that never happens.

[dgonano]

even if every distributor doesn't carry all of them in every market.

Even though all four expressions are available in Maryland, I have never seen a retailer carry more than one of the Weller bottlings. Four stores(five if counting the 19 yr) to get the entire Weller line.

[Ken Weber]

Hello from Dallas/Ft. Worth, where the the whole place is awash in all things Weller. DFW is actually the largest Weller market in the U.S. and finding it here is quite simple. As for finding it in some northen tier states, I realize it might prove a bit more difficult. Is there a shortage of Weller? Not yet. As the brand has grown more than anticipated, and as we use a healthy chunk for the Van Winkle wheated bourbons, the supply is getting a little tighter. Still, any distributor or retailer who says it is not available is not giving you the whole truth. As Chuck said, some retailers will tell you a story to get you to buy something they already have in inventory.

Ken

[TNbourbon]

...in Maryland, I have never seen a retailer carry more than one of the Weller bottlings.

Technically, at least, the Middle Tennessee liquor store where I clerk part-time has "carried" all four current Weller bottlings. The Special Reserve, Antique and Centennial are standards on our shelf, while the owner special-ordered a 1.75L (the only size available here) of Weller 12 for me. So, we've sold all four versions in the recent past.

However, Dave, you're basically correct -- I know of only one other store (fortunately, it's less than a mile from me) that carries all four on a routine basis.