Whiskey prices on the rise again

[ThomasH]

I heard today that some more whiskey price increases are coming to Ohio on Aug. 1st. Prime examples: JD black 1L and 1.75L up 1.00, Beams choice 750 up 2.00, Jim Beam black 750 up 1.65, Jim Beam white 1.75L up 3.20. These come on the heels of recent increases for Makers Mark, Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare SB, Dickel barrel select and #12 as well as Wild Turkey. In the case of the Jim Beam 1.75L bottles, there is now only a 7.00 difference between the white and black labels whereas at the beginning of 2007 it was almost 11.00. With the price increase of the Beam black 750, there is now nearly a 6.50 spread between the black and white label, up from only 3.50 a year ago. I will definitely be buying the black label in 1.75's if I ever buy any Beam again. I'm certainly glad I have been accumulating bottle in recent years!

Thomas

[melting]

Please, no one blame it on the rising cost of corn. Seriously, that's how it goes. Prices rise all the time.

One thing that a lot of people don't realize is that a company has but one obligation. That is to make money for it's shareholders. End of story. Everyone wants to blame Exxon Mobil for the extremely high fuel prices we are dealing with. Well, guess what. Exxon Mobil's job is to make money for it's shareholders. I think they're doing a remarkable job of it.

About 6 months ago I bought 3 bottles of Glenmorangie scotch. Three different finishes. Port wood, Sherry and Maderia. $43.99 per 750 ml. They now cost $51.99 for the same item at the same store. I assume they are still selling quite a bit of it or they would not be enjoying the pricing power they currently have. Every company want pricing power, not many have the luxury.

Chris

[TNbourbon]

Might also be good to realize that Exxon makes less money as a percentage of income than Wal-Mart and a good number of other well-run companies. Its income (and market valuation) is just a bigger number.

As for bourbon, I really don't complain too much about prices. It's a luxury item. If the price gets higher than I'm willing to pay, I buy something else. My only regret/concern about it is that too much of these increases seem to go into middle men's (distributors, especially) pockets, not the producers'.

[ILLfarmboy]

Yes, oil company profits are a thin margin. Want to know who makes a killing off high gas prices? State governments! Don't here much about that, do we? gosh I wonder why!

As for most of the price increases going to the 'middle men'; I here you. I wish we didn't have the three tier system?

[ThomasH]

The thing that struck me as odd about these increases was the Beams choice 750. I was told that this brand was going to be discontinued. For well over a year this brand sold for the same price as the white label but is now back to 2.00 more than the white. Originally it only sold for about 1.00 more. Maybe they won't discontinue it but rather start exporting some of it or something. I'm not worried about the prices either, if it is more than I want to pay, I'll either wait for a sale or buy something else!

Thomas

[BourbonJoe]

I have often thought that with the popularity bourbon enjoys today, the projected shortage of old bourbons and "the suits", that bourbon prices (especially the old stuff) will continue to rise very quickly, as if to catch up with Scotch prices.

Joe :usflag:

[MGades]

From a Bourbon-lover's POV, it is an advantage that Bourbon be considered an inferior drink by the rest of the world. I see no need to change the status quo regarding the prices and availability of Bourbons.

Having said that, perhaps the increased price of Rittenhouse Rye BIB over the last 2 years illustrates the efficiency of the market in matching price to demand.

[melting]

I still think that bourbon prices are pretty reasonable all things considered. I've tried many scotches in the last few years. More out of curiosity than anything else. Just like trying new things. I will admit that I don't think that I've tried the best that they have to offer as I can't really see paying upwards of $60.00 for a bottle of whiskey. Maybe later in life when I can see over the stack of bills.

I saw a thread dated about 5 years ago about prices in different locations and I'd like to maybe see an updated sampling. I've kept it down to just a small sampling of what I'd consider middle of the road pours that I would assume would make up the bulk of purchased on the forum. Feel free to add whatever you'd like.

Please give a location and a price if possible. Not sale prices, just regular every day cost. Also, all bottles are 750 ml.

Here in Massachusetts

Jim Beam Black $16.99

Elijah Craig 12 yr. $19.99

Knob Creek $22.99

Makers Mark $21.99

Wild Turkey 101 $17.99

Van Winkle 12 yr. $42.99

I realize the Van Winkle may not be a middle pour but I'd still like to see the different prices from the different parts of the country. Or prices from other countries. Thanks,

Chris

[fricky]

Prices in Pennsylvania for the same bourbons are as follows:

Jim Beam Black $19.07

Elijah Craig 12 yr. $28.61

Knob Creek $29.67

Makers Mark $24.37

Wild Turkey 101 $21.19

Van Winkle 12 yr. $34.97

The prices shown include PA sales tax.

Doug

[Frodo]

Excellent thead Thomas!

From what I understand, the demand for Scotch and Bourbon has shot up - and with it, prices for both. Bourbon is still very affordable IMHO, but I'm not sure what the future will hold here as the world seems to be "discovering" bourbon. In Scotchy land, prices are beginning to rise, and I expect will continue to rise for the next 5-6 yrs.

What I can say about bourbon prices in Ontario is that they continue to be stable without any more selection coming in.

[ThomasH]

In Ohio the following prices apply:

Jim Beam black 18.90

Elijah Craig 19.00

Knob Creek 29.70

Makers mark 23.80

Wild Turkey 19.80

Van Winkle Lot B N/A

All of these prices include sales tax. The Elijah Craig and Jim Beam black are reularly on sale anywhere from 1.50 to 2.00 cheaper. WT drops somewhat in Nov. and Dec. for the holidays and Makers Mark and Knob Creek are rarily on sale. Makers Mark seems to inch up in price every couple of months

Thomas

[T47]

These are WA State prices. I think the prices have fluctuated a little up and down, but nothing so dramatic that I have paid attention to it yet.

Jim Beam Black $21.95

EC 12 $19.75

Knob Creek $32.95

Makers $25.95

WT 101 $22.95

VW 12 Currently can't get it...but I think it was $40.00 last time I was able to get it. The 15 was around $45 last time it was here and the 20 is going for $85.15.

[SBOmarc]

Prices in Pennsylvania for the same bourbons are as follows:

Jim Beam Black $19.07

Elijah Craig 12 yr. $28.61

Knob Creek $29.67

Makers Mark $24.37

Wild Turkey 101 $21.19

Van Winkle 12 yr. $34.97

The prices shown include PA sales tax.

Doug

I agree that all of those EXCEPT the Van Winkle 12. Can't touch that out here for less than $40.

[HipFlask]

Elmer T Lee jumped $2 in 2 weeks here in Wisconsin. That will teach me to wait until next pay day to restock the bunker. By it going for $26.99

[ILLfarmboy]

With whiskey, as with any other luxury potable/edible (expensive cuts of meat, fresh seafood etc.) If it goes up in price and I want it I'll economize in other areas to make room in the family budget.

I'd much rather pay more for the same products I now buy than pay the same for watered down or in some cases younger and or less choice versions!

Life is too short to forgo those luxuries I can afford.

[ripvanfan]

Everyone that isn't, should be thankful that they aren't scotch drinkers. One used to be able to purchase Macallan 18 yr for 40 bucks + tax just 10-11 years ago. The price before tax now runs around 150. I suppose if you can afford it, and have a huge passion for the stuff, the near 400% markup hasn't phased you. As for me, I haven't purchased a bottle of scotch in over 5 years. Here's to hoping bourbon never goes through even 100% markup in 10 years time!

[ThomasH]

The prices for scotch are supposed to go up at least 10% by year end due to demand. I look for bourbon to follow the same trend as most of the big drinks companies that own scotch brands have bourbon brands as well. A good place to load up on whiskey is the duty free stores. I generally have good luck at the duty free stores going to and from Canada. My wife and her sister like to go to the casinos while I like to go solely to load up on whiskey at the duty free. Many of the Irish brands are also a good deal if you are into that category!

Thomas

[OscarV]

going to and from Canada.

Thomas

I have not been to Canada since last September.

Since then I think I heard that you now need a passport to cross over.

Is that true?

[TNbourbon]

I have not been to Canada since last September.

Since then I think I heard that you now need a passport to cross over.

Is that true?

Only if flying. They keep pushing back the date for implementation, because the State Department has a several-months' backlog of passport applications.

[blux]

Here in Rochester... (All 750ml except JBB which is 1 Ltr)

Jim Beam black 22.99

Elijah Craig 12 yr. 18.99

Knob Creek 28.99

Makers mark 21.99

Wild Turkey 19.99

Van Winkle Lot B N/A

[ripvanfan]

I wasn't real impressed with the bourbon selection at the duty free shop I was at a month ago. I ended up with a bottle of rum you can't buy in America. As the law stands right now, you must have a passport to travel by car to Canada by January 1st. The custom agent I talked to at the border predicted the law would be done away with beforehand.

[Frodo]

The prices for scotch are supposed to go up at least 10% by year end due to demand. I look for bourbon to follow the same trend as most of the big drinks companies that own scotch brands have bourbon brands as well.

Thomas

Good point. I think the pricing for Bourbon will rebound as the supply will catch up to demand. You have to wait for 10-15yrs for Malt Scotch whisky to be saleable. Good bourbon takes a significantly shorter time (depending on which distillery that is).

[ThomasH]

I placed an order with Binnys the othe day and was browsing the website and decided to look at my past order history. My first order was on January 25th of 2005. A.H. Hirsch was on sale for 39.99, Weller 12yr. was 14.99 and Weller Antique was 17.99. Today, A.H. Hirsch if in the stratosphere, Weller 12 is 24.99 and Weller Antique is 18.99. Quite a price rise in 3 years!

Thomas

[ggilbertva]

I can still find Weller 107 for $15 but have to travel to Montgomery Cnty, MD. to get it.

[HighTower]

I placed an order with Binnys the othe day and was browsing the website and decided to look at my past order history. My first order was on January 25th of 2005. A.H. Hirsch was on sale for 39.99, Weller 12yr. was 14.99 and Weller Antique was 17.99. Today, A.H. Hirsch if in the stratosphere, Weller 12 is 24.99 and Weller Antique is 18.99. Quite a price rise in 3 years!

Thomas

Weller Antique has gone up $1, and the 12 has gone up $10....that's crazy. Although, in saying that, I would pay more for that stuff Brett selected!

Scott