Why wont Blantons Sell Its straight from the barrel Domestically?

[wxman]

Just wondering. Seems many distillers sell their special offerings overseas. Anybody know why? Doesn't Blanton's realize that their straight from the barrel product would be a direct competitor to the ever-popular Booker's?

[mozilla]

I don't know this for sure....

I think that the Blanton's label owned by someone other than BT. So, what we get....we get because it has been around so long. If you notice...there are other single barrel expressions from that same mashbill in BT's portfolio. Japan and the far east is their target market.

[birdman1099]

Hey, Barturtle, jump in here and give them the explaination you gave me.

I already forgot:rolleyes:

[chefmel]

Just wondering. Seems many distillers sell their special offerings overseas. Anybody know why? Doesn't Blanton's realize that their straight from the barrel product would be a direct competitor to the ever-popular Booker's?

When I was at HH a few year ago, they were hand bottling their EWSB (I think it was 20yo) that they sold exclusively (at that time) to Japan. When I asked them why they didn't sell it in America, they told me no one in the states would pay what the Japanese would pay for it. So, maybe that's one of the reasons??

Mark

[Attila]

they told me no one in the states would pay what the Japanese would pay for it.

The cheapest place in the world for Bourbon is Japan.

[Attila]

Doesn't Blanton's realize that their straight from the barrel product would be a direct competitor to the ever-popular Booker's?

It goes for about exactly the same prices as Blanton's Gold here in Japan at about $44.

[wxman]

I received a very quick and polite reply to my email to Blanton's:

Hello,

Thank you for your email. Blanton's is actually produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery, also located here in Frankfort, KY. Due to contractual agreements with them, we cannot sell any of the labels other than Original here in the United States. They actually handle all of our domestic distribution, while we handle the international side of things.

If you are interested in the other labels, the only real way to get any of them is if you, a family member, or friend travel internationally. It is offered in some Duty Free stores in various American airports, but access is only from the international terminals. If you know someone traveling

internationally soon, or you are yourself, you may want to ask them to keep an eye out for you!

***************

So, it seems this is a distribution issue with BT: "Due to contractual agreements with them, we cannot sell any of the labels other than Original here in the United States." Perhaps BT doesn't want to use the shelf space for more than one Blanton's. I think all of us Blanton's lovers should let BT know how we feel.

[wxman]

It goes for about exactly the same prices as Blanton's Gold here in Japan at about $44.

What does original Blanton's sell for?

[Attila]

What does original Blanton's sell for?

usually $21, but I have seen it as low as $19. what about stateside?

[chilidawg7]

usually $21, but I have seen it as low as $19. what about stateside?

here in Florida, I've never seen it for less than $40

[TNbourbon]

...the Blanton's label owned by someone other than BT...

...Perhaps BT doesn't want to use the shelf space for more than one Blanton's. I think all of us Blanton's lovers should let BT know how we feel.

Age International, former -- but not current -- partner in what is now Buffalo Trace, owns the Blanton's brand. Thus, Blanton's is distributed when/where Age dictates.

So, if you want to complain to someone, please complain to Age International. Complaining to BT will only cause undue consternation for people who have very often been very good to very many of us.

[Attila]

here in Florida, I've never seen it for less than $40

Thats Original b, not Gold b? Wow! Its worth it, but I always thought everyhing was always more expensive in Japan.

[wxman]

Age International, former -- but not current -- partner in what is now Buffalo Trace, owns the Blanton's brand. Thus, Blanton's is distributed when/where Age dictates.

So, if you want to complain to someone, please complain to Age International. Complaining to BT will only cause undue consternation for people who have very often been very good to very many of us.

I'm just going by the email I received. The import of that message was that BT produces Blanton's for Age and controls domestic distribution, but because of contractual arrangements, Age can only sell original Blanton's domestically. If that is correct, I would surmise that if BT wanted to allow the entire Blanton's line to be sold in the U.S., it could. I have no idea what led to this arrangement or whether Age or BT got the better deal. I doubt complaining will change anything, but if enough people asked for the other stuff over time, perhaps we might see it.

[chilidawg7]

Thats Original b, not Gold b? Wow! Its worth it, but I always thought everything was always more expensive in Japan.

Yep, that's original. I went hunting today at 5 stores and the lowest price I saw on Blanton's was $39.99. Florida tends to be a little pricier than other places.

[gblick]

Blanton's is around $50 here in Houston.

[cowdery]

Although they use the Age International corporate entity, the Blanton's brand is owned by Japan's Takara Shozu Ltd., which controls all aspects of its distribution and pricing. Buffalo Trace makes it and distributes it in the U.S., but Takara calls the shots.

[smokinjoe]

Although they use the Age International corporate entity, the Blanton's brand is owned by Japan's Takara Shozu Ltd., which controls all aspects of its distribution and pricing. Buffalo Trace makes it and distributes it in the U.S., but Takara calls the shots.

So does that mean, if for some reason they wanted to, Takara could transfer the making of the juice that goes into Blanton's to another distiller? Barring any contractural agreement that may be in effect at the time, of course.

JOE

[cowdery]

Theoretically, yes, although there might be a disconnect with consumers since you can't transfer the historical connection between Albert Blanton himself and the distillery now known as Buffalo Trace. I also believe that Takara and Sazerac have a joint venture relationship that goes beyond Blanton's, but it's impossible to know the details since Sazerac is a private company.

[StraightBoston]

Hi all... checking in from Tokyo (where I coincidentally enjoyed a tasty pour of Blanton's Gold in the hotel bar last night!)

I had never been aware of the Age International aspect of the Blanton's/Buffalo Trace story, but it helps explain the wide variety of expressions available overseas (and also why Blanton's is such a popular "keep bottle" in bars here -- it was actually my gateway "premium" bourbon after a business trip to Kyoto.)

I used to feel like I got ripped off for seeking out one of the few "rare" Japanese bourbons that was more or less widely available in the States, but over time I decided at least I got a good deal -- $20-ish instead of the $40-ish common domestically. Now I can justify that it was a Japanese brand, just one that is "exported" to the US. (Four Roses seems the same to me these days...)

[marco246]

I just paid $40 for a bottle here in Hawaii a few days ago. From the dust on the boxes it appears not to be a fast mover. As far as I can tell, Blanton's is the only BT whiskey sold on this island.

[Attila]

I used to feel like I got ripped off for seeking out one of the few "rare" Japanese bourbons that was more or less widely available in the States

If you need any help finding a bottle of something you want to take home with you, just let me know.

[wxman]

If you need any help finding a bottle of something you want to take home with you, just let me know.

Just out of curiosity, how does a premium bourbon compare in price to quality single malts in Japan? I'm surprised that bourbon's produced and shipped in the US cost much less in Japan (especially considering the weak dollar). Any explanation?

[wxman]

Although they use the Age International corporate entity, the Blanton's brand is owned by Japan's Takara Shozu Ltd., which controls all aspects of its distribution and pricing. Buffalo Trace makes it and distributes it in the U.S., but Takara calls the shots.

Does this also apply to Elmer T. Lee and Rock Hill farms?

[barturtle]

I was visiting the Blantons Website and noticed that on the barrel between and below the "bourbon" and "tradition" barrels it says "Blanton's is distilled in new oak barrels, which are never re-used"...I wasn't aware that anyone was still using wooded stills...

[StraightBoston]

I wasn't aware that anyone was still using wooded stills...

Ha!

Maybe that's what B-F needs to try to balance out the copper in Woodford...