Pa state stores now and the old days

[cowdery]

Anyone who favors things such as, or I don't know, government-run health care needs to experience control state liquor stores. Whatever else you can say about anything run by the government, you can always say this: whatever master it is they serve, it is not the consumer.

Re Old Forester, very good, very authentic bourbon, a very old brand, and the only one still owned by the company that started it. Also a good value, even at regular price, but even better on deal.

[Tricky]

The decline started soon after Jonathan Newman resigned as the chairman of the PA LCB. He had introduced "Chairmans Selection", sunday hours, wine tasting, coolerated rooms and he was also instrumental in bringing outlets to grocery stores. I spoke with a store manager today (as I bought the last 4 bottles of ETL) and he said it was generally felt that the Chairmans Selection effort was too costly and they wanted to rationalise the product lines. The focus is now on faster moving product and the niche products like single barrel bourbons did not fit the new profile. They are basically trying to pay for the overhauling of their retail infrastructure .. I read that up to 30% of the fine wine selections have now been cut, and numerous bourbons along with them : ETL, ERSB 1.75l, Rock Hill Farms, OGD 375ml, Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell. Interestingly enough, Newman's new job in the private sector is pretty much doing the same thing in the surrounding states .. so I know where I will shopping in the future ;-)

[PAspirit1]

The decline started soon after Jonathan Newman resigned as the chairman of the PA LCB. He had introduced "Chairmans Selection", sunday hours, wine tasting, coolerated rooms and he was also instrumental in bringing outlets to grocery stores. I spoke with a store manager today (as I bought the last 4 bottles of ETL) and he said it was generally felt that the Chairmans Selection effort was too costly and they wanted to rationalise the product lines. The focus is now on faster moving product and the niche products like single barrel bourbons did not fit the new profile. They are basically trying to pay for the overhauling of their retail infrastructure .. I read that up to 30% of the fine wine selections have now been cut, and numerous bourbons along with them : ETL, ERSB 1.75l, Rock Hill Farms, OGD 375ml, Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell. Interestingly enough, Newman's new job in the private sector is pretty much doing the same thing in the surrounding states .. so I know where I will shopping in the future ;-)

I've loosely followed that situation. I read that a higher position than his was created and that this was a defacto demotion for him. The are some hints and rumors that Newman was the passionate wine and spirits guy who lost out to a guy who was installed for insider political reasons.

[Tricky]

I've loosely followed that situation. I read that a higher position than his was created and that this was a defacto demotion for him. The are some hints and rumors that Newman was the passionate wine and spirits guy who lost out to a guy who was installed for insider political reasons.

That's pretty much it .. Joe Conti was the guy who was brought in as CEO to run the agency, and it was the "process" more than anything that Newman objected to. Plus the fact that Conti was to handle the day to day running and that left Newman with only the policy and regulatory issues to deal with .. effectively divorcing him from his brainchild of the Chairmans Select program. It remains to be seen how this will effect bourbon choices in the long term but it has not bode well in the last 16 months or so since Newman's departure.

[Jaysus]

lol - I found this to be somewhat timely...

http://noplcb.blogspot.com/

Why The PLCB Should Be Abolished

One person's reasons why the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board should be abolished, and the Pennsylvania Liquor Code completely overhauled and rewritten, to reflect the 70-odd years of change since Repeal.

Some of you may know Lew from his beer writing adventures... I actually kinda "blame" him for getting me into bourbon in the first place.

GB Lew!

[Jaysus]

It is a reduced Price as once they close it out It will never return to Pa. Just another way to make more room for Wine as they make lots of Money on this Wine thing People are Having. Old Forester 86 Proof is really good no bargan Bourbon great flavor has alot of Rye in its mix if the store near you has some give it a try while you can get it. Very Smooth Pour! And it is in a Glass 1.75 Litter not Plastic like so many. I think it sold for around $32. not sure. It will be missed by me and many others.

Dave Z

Old Hickory America's Most Magnificent Bourbon

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In the middle of my first pour of Old Forester this very moment... big fan so far - thanks to all for the heads up!

[dave ziegler]

Well looking on the PLCB site I see that almost all the Old Forester is gone now. I guess they just want a little more space for Wine. I don't know why they just do not rename the Stores Fast Eddies Wine stores. At the rate they keep getting rid of stuff all they will have soon is Wine a Jim Beam which I do not and will not drink! All the modern stuff they have and they can't have some quality Bourbons and Rye's? There must be allot of Heavy drinking wine people out there. It just makes me mad but this is what you get when the State runs things they tell you what you want,no such thing as allot to choose from.

Dave Z

Old Hickory America's Most Magnificent Bourbon

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[dave ziegler]

Oh the Joy of dealing with a Pa state store? On Saturday I bought a freind a bottle of Old Forester since he had not found any and it is closout! Bought it at Morgantown Pa for the sale price of $28.61 with tax. Called him yesterday and he was passing anothet state store so he told me I will try to get another since you said it is so good. Well he called me right back to tell me now it is $16.99 on Sale. So I did not want to stick him so I called the Pa Consumers help and care line? Well the Lady told me just take it to your nearest store since where I bought it is 24 miles away. Well I called the local store first with the price of Gas and they said no problem so I took it to the store near me and when I took it in I said I want either a refund or a price reduction as I love the stuff. Well He said go get another I will scan this one then ring another. I came back told him they must have sold their Last one well he said to bad I can not give you a refund I will look for another place you can drive. I said forget it and went home and looked myself. The store about 6 mile from me had some so I went there wasting more gas. I went in he said you know what I can refund your money but I can't sell you one for that price as they never told us it was reduced more even though when I ring you a refund it says so. So I had to take a refund and now if I want some at that price I have to check the store to see if they were given the ok for that price. then to top it off I had to give him my license number phone and address and then to top it off I left to find out 2 miles down the road when he gave me my Lisence back he did not give me my Credit card which he put the refund on. What a Joy to shop the Pa State stores with such friendly helpful People!

Dave Z

Old Hickory America's Most Magnificent Bourbon

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[mozilla]

That's horrible Dave!

Sounds like you should just move to Texas. We wouldn't even treat a Yankee like that. You have my sympathy.....maybe your Congressman should get a copy of your email.

[BourbonJoe]

Well Dave, Alabama is not much better. Was just down there for 10 days and the selection in the ABC stores is woeful (not as woeful as PA though). They did have lots of Dickel, Old Forester and Old Charter unlike PA.

Joe :usflag:

[barturtle]

That's horrible Dave!

Sounds like you should just move to Texas. We wouldn't even treat a Yankee like that. You have my sympathy.....maybe your Congressman should get a copy of your email.

While that movin' to Texas thing sounds good, on the way through you pass up the place that he should be...Kentucky...where else can you travel from Boston to Versailles to Paris to Frankfort to Orkney to Arkansas to Anchorage to Cambridge all without crossing state lines?

[Jaysus]

Oh-son-of-a-crap!

What happened to Elijah Craig 12YO?

the lcb catalog lists it as SLO now?!?!

[dave ziegler]

Hate to tell you this but that means you have to prepay half of the price they order it and if they get it call you to pick it up or to tell you to come get a refund. They had Rittenhouse rye on SLO early last year I ordered it waited a 4 weeks then got a call come get your refund it can't be gotten here anymore. So I got it at Binny's. But the Old Forester is one great pour hope you got a couple of Bottles as it went down to $16.49 on close out!

Dave Z

Old Hickory America's Most Magnificent Bourbon

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[AVB]

The EC 12 was discontinued in the 750ml size over a year ago and is only available by SLO in case lots. However, the EC 12 in the 1.75L bottle is available and is, in fact, on sale at the moment for $29.99. There are 6 in my local store. Used to be 8 but 2 are now mine

[mozilla]

The EC 12 was discontinued in the 750ml size over a year ago and is only available by SLO in case lots. However, the EC 12 in the 1.75L bottle is available and is, in fact, on sale at the moment for $29.99. There are 6 in my local store. Used to be 8 but 2 are now mine

That's not a bad price for a handle of 12 yr old bourbon.

Too bad there is not an insider that could hook y'all up with some help. Seems like someone should be able to order some good brands, or is Pa. some sort of monopoly that restricts it's constituents brand choice, unfairly?:hot:

[mobourbon]

I'm the manager of a PA liquor store. Every time I see a bourbon closed out, I tear more of my hair out! Many items, including wines, were closed out because the profit margin wasn't high enough. It doesn't matter what people want. I've seen many good selling bourbons closed out.

Bakers is 1/4 of the Beam Small Batch Collection. But it was closed out. How could PA break up a set? They don't care. But then you can get these items Special Liquor Order from the vendors at a higher price, plus shipping charges. I think they are keeping thw wine buyers happy. Wine sales are higher than bourbon sales.

However, Buffalo Trace, at $19.99 for a 750ml is quite a deal! That's one fine bourbon!

[mozilla]

Hey Fred,

Looks like you could have the most popular store in the state, if you could order some different bourbons for the group. Are there alot of restrictions for ordering bourbon and rye for your store?

[Jaysus]

That's not a bad price for a handle of 12 yr old bourbon.

Too bad there is not an insider that could hook y'all up with some help. Seems like someone should be able to order some good brands, or is Pa. some sort of monopoly that restricts it's constituents brand choice, unfairly?:hot:

Pennsylavania is a monopoly that unfairly restricts it's constituents brand choice.

Take a quick look here for some additional info: http://noplcb.blogspot.com/

[mozilla]

Pennsylavania is a monopoly that unfairly restricts it's constituents brand choice.

Take a quick look here for some additional info: http://noplcb.blogspot.com/

Thanks for the heads up! I'll dig deeper into that site this evening.

I still think if everyone got together and shopped at one store, you could probably get some good "special order" only labels. Maybe Mobourbon would be willing to make orders and then split the cases up to everyone, over time. I would think there is enough purchasing power to warrent some service. It might increase the miles that shoppers will have to traverse, but to get access to these bottles might offset the aggrevation. Or, your just left with buying mail order.

[Jaysus]

Or, your just left with buying mail order.

lol - not in PA... that's illegal here too.

[dave ziegler]

The worse part is that Fortune Brands parent Company Of Jim Beam Like calling it "BEAN" manages the PLCB stores shelf inventory No wonder we get stuck with so Much BEAN!

Dave Z

Old Hickory America's Most Magnificent Bourbon

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[dave ziegler]

I'm the manager of a PA liquor store. Every time I see a bourbon closed out, I tear more of my hair out! Many items, including wines, were closed out because the profit margin wasn't high enough. It doesn't matter what people want. I've seen many good selling bourbons closed out.

Bakers is 1/4 of the Beam Small Batch Collection. But it was closed out. How could PA break up a set? They don't care. But then you can get these items Special Liquor Order from the vendors at a higher price, plus shipping charges. I think they are keeping thw wine buyers happy. Wine sales are higher than bourbon sales.

However, Buffalo Trace, at $19.99 for a 750ml is quite a deal! That's one fine bourbon!

Fred thanks for the info will talk to you one of these days I know right where your new store is now!

Dave Z

Old Hickory Ameica's Most Magnificent Bourbon

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[mobourbon]

Hey Fred,

Looks like you could have the most popular store in the state, if you could order some different bourbons for the group. Are there alot of restrictions for ordering bourbon and rye for your store?

Sorry, Jeff, I'm very limited to what I can order. Some bourbons are designated as "Limited Dist." I cannot order those items. The Buffalo Trace I carry is transferred in from a 'Chairman Select Store". Only those stores can order "L" items. I cannot order specialty codes, either. I can only order regularly stocked items. That goes for Ryes also. But my bourbon section is as complete as I can make it. And I had to build up the bourbon section myself.

[mobourbon]

Thanks for the heads up! I'll dig deeper into that site this evening.

I still think if everyone got together and shopped at one store, you could probably get some good "special order" only labels. Maybe Mobourbon would be willing to make orders and then split the cases up to everyone, over time. Or, your just left with buying mail order.

That can be done. A 50% deposit is needed to order SLO. Many bourbons not carried can be ordered that way.

[mobourbon]

lol - not in PA... that's illegal here too.

Binny's in Chicago will ship to PA. Shipping to PA is legal, at least at this time. The courts issued a temporary injunction against PA's policy against direct shipping. As far as I know, it has never been resolved and the injunction is still in place.