For me, it’s not so much the crazy highly allocated stuff that is frustrating (although it does make things difficult). It’s the bottles that used to be $20-$35 that are $55-$70
I feel the same even with the allocated. I’m a huge Jack fan and before the bourbon boom, I was able to get their special releases every year at retail, which with a few exceptions, were well below $100. Now everyone loves Jack and the special releases are allocated and a bottle that should be $75-$90 are now $300-$500 at many stores.
After watching your video, I took 4 of my “trophies” to the Thanksgiving party, opened them and let the cousins sample things they can’t easily find in N.C. -Eagle Rare, Weller Special Reserve, Buffalo Trace and Blanton’s. The look on their faces was priceless. Thanks for reminding all of us about the real purpose of buying bourbon!
I was out hunting a couple days last week for some special bottles. I found Angel's Envy 2023 Limited bourbon ($210), Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend ($200), Willett 8-year wheated ($250), Little Book Chapter 7 ($160), Elijah Craig 18yr ($170), Knob Creek 18yr ($180) and Michter's Toasted Rye ($180) while I was out. I passed on them all. When it came time to pull the trigger, I just couldn't. I'm just not a $200 bottle of bourbon kind of person. I'm comfortable spending up to, maybe slightly over, a $100 for a good bottle, but I just can't get myself to spend more than that. I'm very fortunate to have the financial means to do so if I wanted, but I can't internally justify the price for what I'm getting. I don't really care about the rareness or exclusivity because I'm not collecting and not reselling. I'm buying it to drink and I don't believe that much extra money is appreciably improving my drinking experience.
@jeffreyking279 Yeah... pretty easy to blow a lot of cash pretty quick buying $200 bottles. People might also think it's silly when I say I'm out looking for "special" bottles, but not willing to spend the money. I like finding unique stuff that isn't going to break the bank. Like I found a Blanton's for $80 sitting on the shelf. While Blanton's isn't crazy special, it isn't something you normally see just sitting there and, around here, any time it is available somehow, it's typically $100. I also found a cask strength Doc Swinson's Alter Ego bourbon for $80 that I'm excited to try. I might find a Four Roses or Old Forester store pick from time-to-time. I once found a Calumet 15yr on sale for $110. So those things are fun to me, rather than paying crazy prices for crazy allocated bottles.
Out of that list the JM Cigar Blend is worth it in my opinion. And $200 is MSRP on that. The rest while probably at or near MSRP are definitely not worth those prices.
@red5standingby419 JM Cigar is the one I really took a hard look at it. It was honestly quite difficult to pass up given the hype around it. One of the main reasons (other than the $200) that I did pass it up was that it was Batch #234 and there isn't even any information about it yet on the JM website.
Very good discussion. First of all, I don’t chase unicorns, and being retired, I balk at paying $75 for any bottle. I blame part of the rising prices on social media as people wanting to display their trophies! But, as you have commented, and other RUclipsr’s, is the taste worth the price. I’ll stick with my WT101 Rye, my OF100, and a few others. My palate is not that discerning.
I have a few nice allocated bottles but honestly I’m happy drinking the $30 stuff like OF100 and WT 101. I’d say 60-70 is where i top out and that’s a once or twice a year purchase.
Yes, prices have gotten insane, but if folks keep paying those prices, nothing will change. Masters Keep, Generations, the Brown Forman, $10k for 25 yr Eagle Rare, etc. Absolutely crazy
There are plenty of things that separate this channel from the youtube bourbon pack, and this video is truly a great example. When you guys taste a special bottle, you can really see the appreciation for the experience. I also am thankful for your fight for the average bourbon drinker. So many of these channels seem like they take for granted getting the rare bottles, or spending $120 on an unproven brand is par for the course. Happy Thanksgiving guys!
Maybe my palate is just not that good, but I can't taste enough difference between a $35 bottle and a $100 bottle to justify the cost. Yeah, if I'm sampling 2 bottles at the same time I can detect some small differences, but heck I can enjoy the $35 bottle on its own without thinking I'm missing something significant. It's more about enjoying the moment, particularly with friends! Always a great channel to watch--feels like i'm sitting at the bartop with ya now talking sports, bourbon, or in Trent's case discussing something like chewing on a piece of charcoal or sticking his tongue to a frozen flagpole....happy T'giving.
I'm kinda with you. Been on a bourbon journey for 5 years. Tried a lot of stuff up to Pappy15. Spent a bunch of money and time. Now I have a bunch of partial bottles taking up space and mostly buy/drink wt101 by the handle. I learned a lot and can identify a lot of stuff. Good for conversations.
there are definitely good bottles that aren't wallet killers, the problem is they get recognition and the price sky rockets or they go allocated. It also depends highly on your taste/preference. I've had plenty of $60-$150 bottles and there were several that I didn't like, that I would pass over. On the flip side I've found there is generally more unique things to appreciate in bottles in that range vs the more "generic", and again that depends on your preference and maybe how much you've developed your pallet.
Over time I started to focus my bourbon buying on higher proof (100+ proof) available in my area and I generally stay under $100. I believe bourbon was made to be consumed so the only bottles not opened are back ups and will get opened soon. Not judging anyone else, you do you and I'll do me. Great video Kurt and Trenton.
About $200 is my limit. I got an 18 yr. Knob Creek for $190 and the best part of it was opening it and sharing it with two buddies. Happy Thanksgiving guys!
My personal cap is 150 and I have only spent that one time. Most of my picks fall in the 25-95 range. These bottles that are way over two hundred is just ridiculous. Great video. Hope you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Enjoy!!
That's where mine is too. I live in a liquor control state and I won a lottery on a Blantons Gold and even had trouble spending the 125 for that bottle. But I am glad that I own the bottle.
I have spent $150 on a bottle once.... LOVED IT!.... I spent $100 on a bottle I'm going to crack for Thanksgiving. I personally can't see any bottles being worth over $200 no matter how good it is.... Would I like to try a few? .... Of course I would, but I can't afford to and I'm not going to whine about it.
This video is EXACTLY why I (and so many others) love SLB Drinks. You guys get it, you speak from the heart, and you're honest. Keep on doing what you do and you will continue to grow and prosper. Happy Thanksgiving!
I’m a delivery driver for a major distributor in California. I see what the stores pay for the product and what they sell it for. It’s extremely frustrating. If anything, the pandemic showed how much greed there is out there. People are willing pay more for vehicles, alcohol, just about anything when supplies are limited because they can. By the way it’s just not bourbon, but tequila as well. It’s gotten crazy. Great video guys.
Here in my part of Arkansas I’ve never seen a Weller 12 or Full Proof. Weller 107 isn’t even distributed in the state! I’d sure love a 107, had a pour at a bar once and loved it. Shoot I’m extremely lucky to find a regular Eagle Rare or EH small batch, but never at msrp.
Spot on about the FOMO aspect of it, especially being in groups on social media and seeing everyone run out and snag all the bottles when I can't get away from my desk at work to even have a chance to grab them. I've found myself being much more selective with the bottles I seek out, I may get fewer bottles but I truly do want the ones that I go after. Cheers!
There are so many great whiskeys available for under $50 and $60 that I had to knock some sense into myself and reset my standard for spending. I was so consumed with the FOMO and hype that I ignored some of the cheaper options like Wild Turkey 101, Evan Williams BIB, Fighting Cock, and even Mellow Corn! There's also known and consistent favorites like Knob Creek 9, 1792 Small Batch, and Russell's 10 that are hard to beat. Lots of good craft and regional distilleries that have good options also. About the only thing over $75 I'll go for now is ECBP and that was soured by the latest restrictions around the C batch. Ben Holladay Rickhouse is another worth grabbing at $75 here in my market.
I’m of the belief they would still ask for the prices they do even if the everyday consumers weren’t buying it. One store owner I talked to specifically told me “I don’t look to sell allocated stuff to the everyday kind of guy. Those bottles are there for people who have a lot of money and won’t bat an eye at spending $1,000 for Pappy and BTAC.” Then he told me guys like us should be happy with owning Wild Turkey 101. He was charging $90 for Rare Breed. LOL
@@jameslane9267 Aside from the few big spenders buying the big ticket items who the heck is spending $90 on rare breed? You can literally find it everywhere around $50.
Salute to you guys! You guys are a true class act for only getting one bottle when you could get more. I feel the same way if I see a great bottle let someone else experience the purchase as well
I think people willing to spend on the overpriced stuff is the problem. One of my local shops has cases of E. H Taylor small batch just sitting there because he’s being ridiculous with the price. It’s nice to see them just sitting there.
Always remember to complement the shop on their museum in those situations. Be like hey, nice museum you have here. Very well done display. Have a nice day! lol
@@red5standingby419 lol! That describes this place really well. Thankfully he does have some solid stuff at MSRP (scored all the Redwood Empire cask strength line from him).
You should tell them that when they are done with that display, you will dispose of it for $5,000. The first step of working their price down is making them think you consider it worthless. Or, the traditional “You want that much for it? The store down the street has it for this much, plus it’s on sale to move it because it’s been sitting too long.” Either way, just always comment on how you can get it for less and the other store is always moving it.
Kurt, I like what you said about the point of good bourbon is to share with family and friends. I remember hearing a story about a father and son sitting down and cracking open one of those special occasion bottles. After the first pour the son went to put the cork back in and the father asked, "what are you doing"? The son answered, "saving the rest for another occasion". The father said, "Son, we don't have many chances like this to sit and enjoy each other's company, and I don't know how many more of these I will have. There's no reason to save the rest of that bottle for another time".
I do not buy doubles at all, I open all bottles and have yet to finish a bottle since I started collecting in March- Which honestly I wasn't really looking into Bourbon- I came across Kurt's video on making clear ice and watched that and eventually started watching some more of your other videos which intrigued me to learn more on bourbon
agree with some of the comments here, if folks don't pay prices will come down. I am a recent casual Bourbon drinker, every bottle I purchase is under $50, my favorite close to $50 is Rare Breed. Other purchases are in the $30-40 range
I just got back from an 8 day trip to Tokyo, and its amazing how cheap everything over there is. Did some hunting, and found bottles of WT12 for $50, 4R Super Premium for $50, and EW12 for $30. WT Masters Keep were $140. It was so refreshing.
I’m in Illinois and have been looking for an Eagle Rare 10 year for months. It’s almost impossible to find, and when I did see it, it was marked up to $170. I was in Dallas for Thanksgiving and purchased one for $70. I couldn’t be any happier.
Sitting here watching this episode, first of all , you guys are so fun to watch!! I totally agree with all that was said . I was born and raised in Bardstown, and live in louisville, even with the secondary market outrageous, the real problem here is the liquor stores are selling the good stuff for secondary prices "definitely should be a regulation on that" I wanna recommend a bottle to you guys, but if I do the price is gonna sky rocket lol cheers and happy Thanksgiving!!
Yes, prices are out of hand. It seems like yesterday when Pappy Van Winkle 23 year old was on the shelf for $75 and I thought that was too much, but I bought it anyway on occasion. Around here, if you see Buffalo Trace, it’s marked up to $50 a bottle.
I just avoid anything with insane mark up, people always say “Blantons is $200 in my area”. And it’s not... that’s just a store is ripping you off. Don’t pay that. Let it sit. Here in FL walmart sells BT for $23.99, ER for $29, and Blantons for $56. Bt is easiest of those to find, but I can find ER every couple months. Liquor prices fluctuate retailer to retailer but msrp for BT is not $70 in any state, that’s just mark up from retailer. If you want to pay up a little bit for convenience then fine.
This topic is one reason I love you guys! I am not willing to pay over $100 for a bottle without a blessing from the 2 of you. I purchased a Calumet 16 for $150 on my birthday and that’s the limit for me and the most expensive bottle I have. Now that bottle is worth it however I’m not randomly buying anything over $70. So thank you for being down to earth normal guys and please stay don’t change a thing.
The Calumet doesn’t suck? I got a bottle of their green label and it is undoubtedly the worst thing I’ve ever drank. Every friend I’ve got that has tried it agrees that it’s awful. I’ve refused to touch the brand since.
I check my local liquor stores frequently. I used to get Russel's 10 for $36-$37 in my area. I walked in last week and it was sitting on the shelf for $45...crazy.
Oh I remember last year it was always on sale at Kroger for 26.99. I said to myself I should buy a few cases nahh it will always be there. Now 39.99 whoops should have bought cases.
Happy Thanksgiving y’all. I live in a controlled state, so I don’t have to worry about crazy prices but it’s next to impossible to find anything allocated. I was treated like shit for asking for a bottle of Weller special reserve at a store and it ruined it for me (and that only retailed at $27 haha). Most bottles are saved for friends/family or local restaurants. It’s a game I don’t even want to play anymore, it ruins the bourbon experience for me. I’m thankful for all the good bottles that aren’t hard to find though. I’m also thankful for you guys and your great channel. Cheers to you!
State controlled stores in my state. The stores only allow one bottle per day of any allocated Bourbons, which means, if there are bottles of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and bottles of Yellowstone, etc. you have to choose which to take home. The only good side is no price gouging, we get all bottles for msrp.
I think since bourbon is for many of us a luxury item purchase, it should be in the discussion that it’s important to ensure that the “bourbon priority” doesn’t supersede ensuring that other, more important priorities are addressed first. I’ve seen this lack of priority contaminate relationships, etc. which isn’t a good thing.
Great reviews and I agree with all of your points!! I went to an golf tournament and a group of us stayed the night. I brought several bottles , wellers 107, Blantons, Harper, Willett, whisle pig, EH Taylor and several others and some of the guys never had the chance to try them and some of the guys told me I was crazy on bring all of the good stuff. My response was just what you said they are to drink and share with friends. That's what this is about!! Thanks for what you both bring to the bar!! Keep it up. Happy Thanksgiving and be safe ❤
It’s a combination of things. Inflation, distribution shenanigans, massive popularity increase( just look how many whiskey tubers started in last year plus), consumers caving in to prices, greed. Glad you brought this topic to your channel.
From PA here, controlled state and broken website. Went to Chicago last weekend and finally got it a Binny’s. I was floored, their store pick section was the same size as our whole bourbon/rye for most stores here. Was able to snag a new JD Heritage Rye release and got $10 off just for signing up for a rewards program. Opening that in a couple weeks for my birthday. Cheers!
Great discussion guys! I got back into whiskey during the pandemic boom and was stressing out trying to get all the bottles everyone else said I should have. Your closing message really resonates with me. As I've matured as a whiskey enthusiast I find myself pulling out my wallet a lot less these days and just trying to enjoy what I have with the people I love. Cheers!
Thanks for the great insight guys. Kurt, I was like you with the whole FOMO thing. Bought a few bottles that were way over priced. My mantra these days is to hunt, because you never know what you are gonna find. Thank again for the great content, keep it going.
I’ve tried many different bourbons based on watching your videos. The thing I appreciate most is Kurt and Trenton saying drink what you like. You’re absolutely right. Everybody’s palate is different.
It’s insane at some of the prices on some bottles… in my area 150 dollars for a blantons and 165 dollars for a Weller 12. I will pay a little over MSRP just because that’s about the only way to get decent bottles but mostly I just wait because eventually you’ll find one for the right price.
Great video and topic. I rarely spend more than $75 for a bottle of whiskey. This is just a personal limit for me, and I have no judgment for people who want to spend more on fancy bottles. I recently found a Russell's 13 for the first time for MSRP ($155), and I left it on the store shelf. I know it is probably great whiskey, but there is plenty of great whiskey for much less money. Cheers!
I also recently passed on a Knob Creek 12 for $70. It is a bottle I have wanted for a long time, but for 2x the price of KC9 I know it is not 2x better.
Guys, I live in Ct, in my area, Fairfield county, the pricing for bourbon’s varies by town suburban vs urban area’s, so if you live in a affluent area, those prices are always $20 more than what I could fine in urban area’s, so shop around for your best price
Agreed with everything that was said today. I believe I have mayb 1-2 backup bottles in total. Never seen the point in hoarding bottles when others can enjoy them aswell. Flippers are scum in my eyes, I called one out at a local liquor store. Now that store no longer sells that person anything allocated.
My local store has/had a bottle of Stagg for $299.00 I walked, another called with an EH Taylor Single Barrel $150 plus tax Im wallked I had bought one a month before for $100 from same store I basically will not pay more than 110% of MSRP on any bottle
I've pretty much resigned myself to never getting a Weller special bottle (12, Antique 107, etc), Elmer T Lee, EH Tayler SiB, Stagg Jr, etc. I finally got a ECBP C923 this month at MSRP, and have been able to get some Eagle Rare and standard Blantons, but I'll never pay secondary, and my limit is pretty much under $100. Highest price I've ever payed was close to $100 for a Knobel Spirits bottle, but some of that was shipping, and donation to his cause.
The local grocery store here just put out a bunch of BT bottles (Blantons EHT, Weller, Widow Jane) that they normally don’t have on the shelf - all at MSRP. Got a Stagg (23b)for $59, and Weller 12 for $59. Month ago got a ECBP C923 for $79…both times I went the day the bottles were put out!
I love all of your reviews....great channel, great family, great burbon! I myself are in the 100 dollar and below with 90% of my bottles being in the 40 - 50 dollar and below price range. My pallate is not accute enough for the high dollar burbon and with V.OB., old grand dad bib & 114, evan wiliams 1783, beam extra black, 4 roses up to select....there are so many great priced choices at an economical price I have a hard time opening my wallet for the high dollar stuff. My expensive bottels are barrell at 85 bucks or less on sale. I'm a fellow tradesman and a bit of a tightass....
I think the most frustrating part for me is the fact that if I'm trying to grab a bottle of Eagle Rare as a replacement, store owners half interrogate you as if you're going to flip them. I could go down the street and grab a 750ml for $150 and the 1.5L for $350, but why would I pay a store the same as a flipper? It's gotten out of hand here in Northern Indiana for sure.
Thank you for posting this. I always appreciate the integrity you bring. For me, I drink and I collect I do not flip or resell, that is very frustrating. I have purchased a couple of boss hog editions for around $600 each. Will I ever crack the seal, I don’t know, if I get diagnosed with cancer, maybe. Lol but for an every day zipper bottle, I love Weller special reserve, but not for the exorbitant prices. For me, it depends on the bottle and my purpose for getting that bottle. I too will say I am blessed that I can splurge from time to time, at the same time I will not pay $400 for an $80 bottle (I.e. Rockhill Farms, Elmer T, etc…)
$60 is my top end for any bottles. I get that you guys will go much higher because you have a whiskey channel and like to expose your watchers to all that’s available. I do appreciate your efforts.
As someone still newer to bourbon I'm right there with you on this. I'd love to try so many of these bottles but in the DFW area its ridiculous. Weller 12 landed hard in DFW this week and I couldn't even snag one. People were following the delivery trucks around all week and grabbing them at stores as soon as they landed. 78 gone in less than an hour at the main store in the area. And they're posted all over online for hundreds now. I saw guys posting online with 4,5, 6 bottles. It ruins the bourbon experience with people like this.
Can't afford to join y'all's channel right now, but y'all have my full support, and love how genuine y'all are! Much love and respect from Baltimore, MD. Keep up the great content 👍
I love watching you guys for the information you provide for the craft we all enjoy, but more importantly because I trust your opinions and integrity. In the end, everyone's palette is unique, but you guys never steer us wrong, and never try to push us to a specific distiller or brand. For that, I thank you. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, and keep up the exceptional content.
Very well said. We have all over paid for bottles because we just had to have them. I try my best to shop around and say no to the ones that are unreasonably priced. As far as unopened bottles, out of 400 I might have a dozen or more that aren't opened and 99% of those are extras of good bottles that I was able to buy before my first bottle ran out. (like Larceny B523). I should check but I would estimate that 30% of my collection is barrel picks. I like those because the local ones I can taste before I buy or you You Tuber's have chosen ones that align with my palate. This was a great video and subject. Keep up the good work folks.
Its unfortunate the way pricing is going, but i think the distilleries and distributors are using the secondary market as a way to gauge what people are willing to pay especially for an allocated release. Inflation has also played a part in the current pricing of everyday shelfers as well. Happy Thanksgiving ya'll! 🥃
Great video! FOMO is a big part at the beginning of the journey. $120 for and EH Taylor Small Batch. $200 for a Stagg. $240 for a RR 13. NO regrets, just lessons learned.
You know that scene in Christmas Vacation where Clark is calling his Boss every profane name he can think of for giving him the Jelly Of The Month Club as a Christmas bouns? That's how I feel about Flippers.
Resellers and scalpers are some of the lowest forms of humans on the planet. They ruin everything they touch. Look at what they did to the ps5 and gpu market a few years ago and what they do still in trading cards and other collectible items. The companies don't care because they are still making sales sadly its to people trying to profit off of it instead of the people that actually enjoy their products.
Kurt, I truly respect your and Trenton’s opinions …..and especially appreciate your values. That’s why I keep coming back to watch your content. Keep up the great work!
The standard benchmark offering kind of sucks. The other offerings such as full proof or top floor etc are decent. Unfortunately the other one's beyond the standard aren't distributed in a lot of places. Like around me all you can get is the regular one. There are plenty of other choices in that price range that are much better.
I'm in Canada, just across the border from Detroit and pricing is wild. We are used to one place selling liquor and one place selling beer and the price is the price (don't get me wrong there are issues with that too). It's that kind of control over here that keeps me sane and enjoying this kind of hobby I think. I went into a store downtown Detroit before a Lions game last week and Weller Special reserve was 90 bucks and Weller 107 was 120! Just got those for 45 and 75 respectively CANADIAN! But i guess that's part of the hunt and if you can set rules for yourself i think it becomes even more fun when you do find what you're after! Great topic guys keep it up!
It HAS been out of control. But, it has let me grab bottles I've never grabbed before due to any allocated ones being too much now. I have found a lot of great Bourbon's for under $60 that I don't have to fight to find anymore!
I am a new subscriber and have enjoyed your videos. This one was really interesting, talking about price. After listening to you list some of the prices you pay, I went to total wines in Arizona today to purchase some of your recommendations. Total Wines is probably the cheapest place to buy with the best selection. Wild Turk Rare Breed, $49.99. Makers Cask Strength, $57.99. Still Austin Cask Strength, $44.99. Evan W, BIB 1.75, $35.99. I need to make a trip to Kentucky, my annual savings should cover my gas. Keep on boys.
at this point I think $250 is my upper limit if I won the Ohio Bourbon lottery and had a chance at an extremely allocated bottle. I won the Old Fitz 19 yr. at that price. Otherwise I’d do up to $150 on something released in stores as allocated. Luckily all my favorites are under $100 that I would get multiples of like Rare Breed, Knob Creek 12, Heaven Hill BiB, Weller 107, McKenna, Elijah Craig BP, Four Roses SB and my local stuff.
I do like that you address this, because it is a serious issue. As someone who has bottles in his basement that total $2,500+, the stores and individuals that raise the prices so they can make money is horrible. Everyone that comes over knows I will share everything, but there may not be much left if the prices continue to rise. But, I also have the availability in my area to run across some allocated bottles; not all the time, but sometimes. And the stores I get them from don’t gouge either and sell them at a reasonable price.
Couldn't agree more. Had my neighbors come home from Isreal and we celebrated with Blantons I bought at MSRP. Grabbed 2023 Birthday Bourbon this year for MSRP and I'll open it on my birthday later this year. Paid a tad more than I should have for Antique 107 ($150), but that'll be opened Thanksgiving with friends and family. Spend what you can, don't go crazy, and open it and enjoy with friends and family.
Thank you for addressing this subject. Maybe there are more people that can afford the higher priced juice, but for myself, and I'm sure many others, we have a certain budget set aside for our hobby. I will never pay over $100 for a bottle, for a very special bottle. If I have such a large budget (excess money) I will give it to a good cause that can do something good for my community, and not something selfish for myself. I'm not making judgement, this is just me.
Great topic, loved hearing the opinions. The most I’ve paid was $160 for a Blanton’s in the box that I stumbled upon in a liquor store in NYC. It’s impossible to get near me and I had been looking for that kind of store find for a while. That’s about as high as I’d go now. I am all about the experiences around sipping; so I am not averse to dropping $60-80-100 on a pour of something super rare that I happen across in a bar so I can have the experience of tasting and enjoying it without the absurd investment into the bottle.
SLB Classics 0:02 Trenton is reminded of a word he learned 2:50 Brown foreman is going to the loony bin 3:49 ok, not just liquid, a little bit less loony bin 4:12 ok back in the loony bin, no travel or hotel? 5:17 Sad shrinkflation 6:08 Kurt speaks the truth even if he is WT’s biggest fan 7:04 WT will need a new rocking chair with how hard they fell off 8:46 Boss Hog X is coo coo for coco puffs 🤑 9:17 Kurt selves into the kiddos language and gets it right FOMO 10:51 Don’t calm the passion down 11:25 Crown apple 23 makes its triumphant return 11:40 Trenton goes the extra mile for us trying to eat packaging 12:23 OMG Eagle Rare 25 10k?!? 13:58 60 years young Kurt, young 14:40 Kurt really doesn’t like the flipping 16:26 Kurt starts to feel a bit toxic talking to much about flippers 17:07 Kurt knows about technology but not how to use it 17:50 Crown apple 23 2.0 18:15 Kurt is super generous 🥰 20:21 The store owners don’t have it easy with the allocation either 22:08 It’s a selection not a collection 23:39 I overpaid 250 for blantons way too much 24:08 Happy thanksgiving! 24:25 Nice grammar and nod to finish
Know what you're talking about, in NY Buffalo Trace is allocated. Local liquor stores sell Weller 12 for $200. Would love to get another bottle of Eagle Rare but they're going for at least $80 here. You guys are so awesome letting people know prices in your area letting us make informed decisions on our purchases. Not only that your reviews help tremendously rather than pay double for a Eagle Rare I can get a Makers Mark Cask Strength for half that. So thank you
This summer, I took a trip to Bardstown Distillery and stopped at a couple of liquor stores looking for bottles that are not available in my area. I was floored at the prices they wanted. Willett Wheated $700 & Weller ranged $1200-$2400
Really appreciated this conversation. I just spent 200.00 on a Jack 12 1st release and felt like I got a great deal on it. Paid 125.00 for a Jack 10 so I ended up getting 2. Always looking for unicorn for cheap.
Great video!!! For me (from WI), not only the price, but up here in the north, we rarely see a Buffalo Trace & have never seen an Eagle Rare or any Weller product!! So thank you for sharing other ideas for good bourbons that would be comparable.
Kurt and Trent are awesome. Love this show. I'm still working through the lower level stuff so over priced allocated doesn't move the needle for me. I need to improve my palate. I've been fortunate to try a few sips with friends. Keep up the great work. I'd love to share a pour with you.
I’ve flipped a few. I’ve also used me being at a distillery to pickup allocates stuff for people at msrp. In relation to how much is too much, I’ve basically decided if it’s over $70 a bottle it better be amazing. I’m a lot like Kurt in that I really enjoy basically anything Jimmy and Eddie Russell send out the door. And I’m a huge fan of Weller 107. Id go 100 a bottle on 107. I live right smack in the middle of wild Turkey and buffalo trace distilleries and rarely see anything allocated on the shelve but I’m not big on hunting for it because there are a ton of easily accessible bottles that are just as good if not better
Thank you for this video as it was needed. Basically, when buying anything 15 plus year old bottle, people need to understand that not only are you paying for the bourbon in the bottle, you are also paying for the bourbon lost to evaporation (or Angel's share in the business). A barrel sitting for 20 years will lose almost (if not) 50% or more in bourbon. Distilleries cannot take that lind of loss and remain in business.
You guys are right on the money. I haven't been collecting for very long, but I've noticed prices going up a lot in my area. As far as prices of the hard to find stuff, IMO, if people would stop paying ridiculous prices, stores would stop charging ridiculous prices.
You can get some good Whistlepig picks under $100. The 6 year is normally $49.99 and pretty good, 10 year around $80 or $90, store picks a little more, but a 6 year store pick for $50-$60 are usually pretty solid.
For my wife and I we've started our collection and have set a base price at $50. With a cap at the 70 to 80 dollar price point. And we enjoy finding those gems that are available at or below $50. Keep up the great content
I love these episodes Kurt speak from the heart cause brother your not wrong on any of it as far as over priced purchases my biggest buy was 250 before taxes closer to 275 out the door for parkers heritage double oaked and honestly I'm still shocked I found one around me not fpr 800+ but I still overspent
What a fantastic video, guys. Great perspective. I want to start by saying I work at a Total Wine & More in Georgia. Allocated bottles are common, but not a regularity here in the southeast. We often hear about a new/yearly release from customers before we see it in the backroom. As a younger, more inexperienced whiskey drinker, i can say i do not spend beyond $75 for a bottle. However, I would say that for a good bottle that isnt an allocated item or a special release, $125 is the general cap i see people follow. And for those allocated/special bottles, i see anything from $150-$500, especially when you include scotch. I think most people will agree, a good bourbon can easily be found in the $30-$75 range. (In my store, Buffalo Trace is $30ish and Eagle Rare is $50ish.) If its beyond that price point, i truly think you oughta do your research. I hope others agree. Because yeah, the more that whiskey lovers pay, the higher they’ll set prices, since they know demand will be there.
I see a lot of other commenters also mention a great point: its hard for many average drinkers to discern the difference between a $30 bottle from a $300 one. Get to know your distilleries and your favorite products, and if you choose Maker’s 46 over regular MM, by all means, but definitely think twice before buying an extra aged product that is a 300% markup.
I never thought I would be able to try Pappy. Ran into someone who had some Pappy 12. He gave me maybe 3 oz worth for free. I in turn shared that amount with 7 other people who would never of had the chance to try it. I still have a tiny bit left for 2-3 others to try. I totally agree it is way more fun to share with others than hoarding. Yes I would have liked to sit back and enjoy the 3 oz myself but I love the fact that others had the opportunity to try.
yeah it's crazy I manage a liquor store in a area where it's hard to get some allocated stuff close by, but recently we have started to get them in here and we have limits and sale each bottle as close to msrp as the company will let us I am just amazed at how thankful people are for us doing that here. but man we are struggling with a few people who practically camp out our store for the bottles to be put out we just want to try and make it a fair as possible chance for people to get one. but yes love your videos you guys are awesome!! 🥃
Whether it’s the distillery or the retailer setting the prices, if we don’t buy it and the bottles start sitting on shelves then maybe prices will drop. I saw a bourbon hunt video where a store had Early Times BiB for $49.99! Ridiculous! Plus, the secondary market… shameful! I will admit I paid $150.00 for Knob Creek 18 at a local store. I hadn’t planned on it, but it was the cheapest I had ever seen it. Interesting video. Thanks!
I bought a Lot B for $200. I didn’t open it until I had a special moment in life. Was going to save it for my wedding but my Mom passed away this year and it was a pleasure opening it in her memory with family!!
I purchased the Angels Envy Cask annual release and did, in fact, receive a box. Not sure if that was something new they implemented, where the box doesn’t come with the bottle. Mine was purchased in May for $289.99
It is 150 bottles of the 150 decanter, vip tour of Old Forester, and food / drinks with members of the brown family. You get to sample this bottle as well. I managed to snag one, I'll be headed down on the 5th to pick it up. I'll make sure to let you know how it goes!
Solid video and well said. I've been struggling trying to find the allocated stuff and I'll admit I've spent almost 4x the price for a bottle of Stagg ($250) at a liquor store in NJ. I'm contemplating now about purchasing some bottles of Weller for over $400. It's a struggle because I want them and I know I'll never see them in the wild in my state of VA.
![Noob To Max With DRAGON REWORK In Blox Fruits [FULL MOVIE]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LnBMOinoOvA/mqdefault.jpg)
For me, it’s not so much the crazy highly allocated stuff that is frustrating (although it does make things difficult). It’s the bottles that used to be $20-$35 that are $55-$70
I feel the same even with the allocated. I’m a huge Jack fan and before the bourbon boom, I was able to get their special releases every year at retail, which with a few exceptions, were well below $100. Now everyone loves Jack and the special releases are allocated and a bottle that should be $75-$90 are now $300-$500 at many stores.
Everything is more expensive now. Have you bought a combo at Taco Bell lately? What used to be $5 is now $8. It's inflation. Hits everything.
Yep! Upstate NY - $70 for Buffalo Trace!
Deisel prices doubled, corn price is up, farmland rent went up, wages went up every step along the way ... expect more price hikes
Heaven Hill BIB tripled in price.
After watching your video, I took 4 of my “trophies” to the Thanksgiving party, opened them and let the cousins sample things they can’t easily find in N.C. -Eagle Rare, Weller Special Reserve, Buffalo Trace and Blanton’s. The look on their faces was priceless. Thanks for reminding all of us about the real purpose of buying bourbon!
Respect!
I was out hunting a couple days last week for some special bottles. I found Angel's Envy 2023 Limited bourbon ($210), Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend ($200), Willett 8-year wheated ($250), Little Book Chapter 7 ($160), Elijah Craig 18yr ($170), Knob Creek 18yr ($180) and Michter's Toasted Rye ($180) while I was out. I passed on them all. When it came time to pull the trigger, I just couldn't. I'm just not a $200 bottle of bourbon kind of person. I'm comfortable spending up to, maybe slightly over, a $100 for a good bottle, but I just can't get myself to spend more than that. I'm very fortunate to have the financial means to do so if I wanted, but I can't internally justify the price for what I'm getting. I don't really care about the rareness or exclusivity because I'm not collecting and not reselling. I'm buying it to drink and I don't believe that much extra money is appreciably improving my drinking experience.
Well said. You will retain "the means" with that attitude.
@jeffreyking279 Yeah... pretty easy to blow a lot of cash pretty quick buying $200 bottles. People might also think it's silly when I say I'm out looking for "special" bottles, but not willing to spend the money. I like finding unique stuff that isn't going to break the bank. Like I found a Blanton's for $80 sitting on the shelf. While Blanton's isn't crazy special, it isn't something you normally see just sitting there and, around here, any time it is available somehow, it's typically $100. I also found a cask strength Doc Swinson's Alter Ego bourbon for $80 that I'm excited to try. I might find a Four Roses or Old Forester store pick from time-to-time. I once found a Calumet 15yr on sale for $110. So those things are fun to me, rather than paying crazy prices for crazy allocated bottles.
Out of that list the JM Cigar Blend is worth it in my opinion. And $200 is MSRP on that. The rest while probably at or near MSRP are definitely not worth those prices.
@red5standingby419 JM Cigar is the one I really took a hard look at it. It was honestly quite difficult to pass up given the hype around it. One of the main reasons (other than the $200) that I did pass it up was that it was Batch #234 and there isn't even any information about it yet on the JM website.
Ec 18 is bad from reviews
Very good discussion. First of all, I don’t chase unicorns, and being retired, I balk at paying $75 for any bottle. I blame part of the rising prices on social media as people wanting to display their trophies! But, as you have commented, and other RUclipsr’s, is the taste worth the price. I’ll stick with my WT101 Rye, my OF100, and a few others. My palate is not that discerning.
I have a few nice allocated bottles but honestly I’m happy drinking the $30 stuff like OF100 and WT 101. I’d say 60-70 is where i top out and that’s a once or twice a year purchase.
Yes, prices have gotten insane, but if folks keep paying those prices, nothing will change. Masters Keep, Generations, the Brown Forman, $10k for 25 yr Eagle Rare, etc. Absolutely crazy
There are plenty of things that separate this channel from the youtube bourbon pack, and this video is truly a great example. When you guys taste a special bottle, you can really see the appreciation for the experience. I also am thankful for your fight for the average bourbon drinker. So many of these channels seem like they take for granted getting the rare bottles, or spending $120 on an unproven brand is par for the course. Happy Thanksgiving guys!
Maybe my palate is just not that good, but I can't taste enough difference between a $35 bottle and a $100 bottle to justify the cost. Yeah, if I'm sampling 2 bottles at the same time I can detect some small differences, but heck I can enjoy the $35 bottle on its own without thinking I'm missing something significant. It's more about enjoying the moment, particularly with friends! Always a great channel to watch--feels like i'm sitting at the bartop with ya now talking sports, bourbon, or in Trent's case discussing something like chewing on a piece of charcoal or sticking his tongue to a frozen flagpole....happy T'giving.
Prices in the whiskey world has nothing to do with taste. It's about rarity.
I'm kinda with you. Been on a bourbon journey for 5 years. Tried a lot of stuff up to Pappy15. Spent a bunch of money and time. Now I have a bunch of partial bottles taking up space and mostly buy/drink wt101 by the handle. I learned a lot and can identify a lot of stuff. Good for conversations.
For me once you pass the 30$ price point prices increase faster than taste. I even put rough tiers in my brain.
there are definitely good bottles that aren't wallet killers, the problem is they get recognition and the price sky rockets or they go allocated. It also depends highly on your taste/preference. I've had plenty of $60-$150 bottles and there were several that I didn't like, that I would pass over. On the flip side I've found there is generally more unique things to appreciate in bottles in that range vs the more "generic", and again that depends on your preference and maybe how much you've developed your pallet.
@@skippypeanutbutter9136 true enough
Over time I started to focus my bourbon buying on higher proof (100+ proof) available in my area and I generally stay under $100. I believe bourbon was made to be consumed so the only bottles not opened are back ups and will get opened soon. Not judging anyone else, you do you and I'll do me. Great video Kurt and Trenton.
About $200 is my limit. I got an 18 yr. Knob Creek for $190 and the best part of it was opening it and sharing it with two buddies. Happy Thanksgiving guys!
My personal cap is 150 and I have only spent that one time. Most of my picks fall in the 25-95 range. These bottles that are way over two hundred is just ridiculous. Great video. Hope you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Enjoy!!
That's where mine is too. I live in a liquor control state and I won a lottery on a Blantons Gold and even had trouble spending the 125 for that bottle. But I am glad that I own the bottle.
I have spent $150 on a bottle once.... LOVED IT!.... I spent $100 on a bottle I'm going to crack for Thanksgiving. I personally can't see any bottles being worth over $200 no matter how good it is.... Would I like to try a few? .... Of course I would, but I can't afford to and I'm not going to whine about it.
Did the same. It was for Russell 13 year and I feel worth every penny.
This video is EXACTLY why I (and so many others) love SLB Drinks. You guys get it, you speak from the heart, and you're honest. Keep on doing what you do and you will continue to grow and prosper. Happy Thanksgiving!
I’m a delivery driver for a major distributor in California. I see what the stores pay for the product and what they sell it for. It’s extremely frustrating. If anything, the pandemic showed how much greed there is out there. People are willing pay more for vehicles, alcohol, just about anything when supplies are limited because they can. By the way it’s just not bourbon, but tequila as well. It’s gotten crazy. Great video guys.
Here in my part of Arkansas I’ve never seen a Weller 12 or Full Proof. Weller 107 isn’t even distributed in the state! I’d sure love a 107, had a pour at a bar once and loved it. Shoot I’m extremely lucky to find a regular Eagle Rare or EH small batch, but never at msrp.
Spot on about the FOMO aspect of it, especially being in groups on social media and seeing everyone run out and snag all the bottles when I can't get away from my desk at work to even have a chance to grab them. I've found myself being much more selective with the bottles I seek out, I may get fewer bottles but I truly do want the ones that I go after. Cheers!
There are so many great whiskeys available for under $50 and $60 that I had to knock some sense into myself and reset my standard for spending. I was so consumed with the FOMO and hype that I ignored some of the cheaper options like Wild Turkey 101, Evan Williams BIB, Fighting Cock, and even Mellow Corn! There's also known and consistent favorites like Knob Creek 9, 1792 Small Batch, and Russell's 10 that are hard to beat. Lots of good craft and regional distilleries that have good options also. About the only thing over $75 I'll go for now is ECBP and that was soured by the latest restrictions around the C batch. Ben Holladay Rickhouse is another worth grabbing at $75 here in my market.
Fighting Cock good? One I see but always wondered.
Unfortunately, they would'nt charge the pricing they do if people didnt pay it. Your dollar speaks volumes depending on how you use it.
That was the best explanation of inflation ive ever read. Thank you!
Blame secondary for all of this
I’m of the belief they would still ask for the prices they do even if the everyday consumers weren’t buying it. One store owner I talked to specifically told me “I don’t look to sell allocated stuff to the everyday kind of guy. Those bottles are there for people who have a lot of money and won’t bat an eye at spending $1,000 for Pappy and BTAC.” Then he told me guys like us should be happy with owning Wild Turkey 101. He was charging $90 for Rare Breed. LOL
@@jameslane9267 I would literally laugh in his face and tell him his business is comical and that hes contributing to the problem
@@jameslane9267 Aside from the few big spenders buying the big ticket items who the heck is spending $90 on rare breed? You can literally find it everywhere around $50.
Salute to you guys! You guys are a true class act for only getting one bottle when you could get more. I feel the same way if I see a great bottle let someone else experience the purchase as well
I think people willing to spend on the overpriced stuff is the problem. One of my local shops has cases of E. H Taylor small batch just sitting there because he’s being ridiculous with the price. It’s nice to see them just sitting there.
Always remember to complement the shop on their museum in those situations. Be like hey, nice museum you have here. Very well done display. Have a nice day! lol
@@red5standingby419 lol! That describes this place really well. Thankfully he does have some solid stuff at MSRP (scored all the Redwood Empire cask strength line from him).
You should tell them that when they are done with that display, you will dispose of it for $5,000. The first step of working their price down is making them think you consider it worthless. Or, the traditional “You want that much for it? The store down the street has it for this much, plus it’s on sale to move it because it’s been sitting too long.” Either way, just always comment on how you can get it for less and the other store is always moving it.
It’s one thing to be purvy (2:18) but were you also privy to the pricing?
Kurt, I like what you said about the point of good bourbon is to share with family and friends. I remember hearing a story about a father and son sitting down and cracking open one of those special occasion bottles. After the first pour the son went to put the cork back in and the father asked, "what are you doing"? The son answered, "saving the rest for another occasion". The father said, "Son, we don't have many chances like this to sit and enjoy each other's company, and I don't know how many more of these I will have. There's no reason to save the rest of that bottle for another time".
I do not buy doubles at all, I open all bottles and have yet to finish a bottle since I started collecting in March- Which honestly I wasn't really looking into Bourbon- I came across Kurt's video on making clear ice and watched that and eventually started watching some more of your other videos which intrigued me to learn more on bourbon
agree with some of the comments here, if folks don't pay prices will come down. I am a recent casual Bourbon drinker, every bottle I purchase is under $50, my favorite close to $50 is Rare Breed. Other purchases are in the $30-40 range
I just got back from an 8 day trip to Tokyo, and its amazing how cheap everything over there is. Did some hunting, and found bottles of WT12 for $50, 4R Super Premium for $50, and EW12 for $30. WT Masters Keep were $140. It was so refreshing.
I’m in Illinois and have been looking for an Eagle Rare 10 year for months. It’s almost impossible to find, and when I did see it, it was marked up to $170. I was in Dallas for Thanksgiving and purchased one for $70. I couldn’t be any happier.
Visit SoCal sometime. Especially Orange County. 44$ and almost everywhere.
Sitting here watching this episode, first of all , you guys are so fun to watch!!
I totally agree with all that was said . I was born and raised in Bardstown, and live in louisville, even with the secondary market outrageous, the real problem here is the liquor stores are selling the good stuff for secondary prices "definitely should be a regulation on that" I wanna recommend a bottle to you guys, but if I do the price is gonna sky rocket lol cheers and happy Thanksgiving!!
Yes, prices are out of hand. It seems like yesterday when Pappy Van Winkle 23 year old was on the shelf for $75 and I thought that was too much, but I bought it anyway on occasion. Around here, if you see Buffalo Trace, it’s marked up to $50 a bottle.
I just avoid anything with insane mark up, people always say “Blantons is $200 in my area”. And it’s not... that’s just a store is ripping you off. Don’t pay that. Let it sit. Here in FL walmart sells BT for $23.99, ER for $29, and Blantons for $56. Bt is easiest of those to find, but I can find ER every couple months. Liquor prices fluctuate retailer to retailer but msrp for BT is not $70 in any state, that’s just mark up from retailer. If you want to pay up a little bit for convenience then fine.
This topic is one reason I love you guys! I am not willing to pay over $100 for a bottle without a blessing from the 2 of you. I purchased a Calumet 16 for $150 on my birthday and that’s the limit for me and the most expensive bottle I have. Now that bottle is worth it however I’m not randomly buying anything over $70. So thank you for being down to earth normal guys and please stay don’t change a thing.
The Calumet doesn’t suck? I got a bottle of their green label and it is undoubtedly the worst thing I’ve ever drank. Every friend I’ve got that has tried it agrees that it’s awful. I’ve refused to touch the brand since.
I check my local liquor stores frequently. I used to get Russel's 10 for $36-$37 in my area. I walked in last week and it was sitting on the shelf for $45...crazy.
Oh I remember last year it was always on sale at Kroger for 26.99. I said to myself I should buy a few cases nahh it will always be there. Now 39.99 whoops should have bought cases.
Fuel doubled, farm rent up, grain price up, wages for every step along the way went up, ... 10 extra bucks is a small price hike
@@farmersgrip13 bucks on a 27 dollar bottle is 33%. That's price gouging.
Happy Thanksgiving y’all. I live in a controlled state, so I don’t have to worry about crazy prices but it’s next to impossible to find anything allocated. I was treated like shit for asking for a bottle of Weller special reserve at a store and it ruined it for me (and that only retailed at $27 haha).
Most bottles are saved for friends/family or local restaurants. It’s a game I don’t even want to play anymore, it ruins the bourbon experience for me. I’m thankful for all the good bottles that aren’t hard to find though. I’m also thankful for you guys and your great channel. Cheers to you!
State controlled stores in my state. The stores only allow one bottle per day of any allocated Bourbons, which means, if there are bottles of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and bottles of Yellowstone, etc. you have to choose which to take home. The only good side is no price gouging, we get all bottles for msrp.
I think since bourbon is for many of us a luxury item purchase, it should be in the discussion that it’s important to ensure that the “bourbon priority” doesn’t supersede ensuring that other, more important priorities are addressed first. I’ve seen this lack of priority contaminate relationships, etc. which isn’t a good thing.
Great reviews and I agree with all of your points!! I went to an golf tournament and a group of us stayed the night. I brought several bottles , wellers 107, Blantons, Harper, Willett, whisle pig, EH Taylor and several others and some of the guys never had the chance to try them and some of the guys told me I was crazy on bring all of the good stuff. My response was just what you said they are to drink and share with friends. That's what this is about!! Thanks for what you both bring to the bar!! Keep it up. Happy Thanksgiving and be safe ❤
It’s a combination of things. Inflation, distribution shenanigans, massive popularity increase( just look how many whiskey tubers started in last year plus), consumers caving in to prices, greed. Glad you brought this topic to your channel.
From PA here, controlled state and broken website. Went to Chicago last weekend and finally got it a Binny’s. I was floored, their store pick section was the same size as our whole bourbon/rye for most stores here. Was able to snag a new JD Heritage Rye release and got $10 off just for signing up for a rewards program. Opening that in a couple weeks for my birthday. Cheers!
Great discussion guys! I got back into whiskey during the pandemic boom and was stressing out trying to get all the bottles everyone else said I should have. Your closing message really resonates with me. As I've matured as a whiskey enthusiast I find myself pulling out my wallet a lot less these days and just trying to enjoy what I have with the people I love. Cheers!
Thanks for the great insight guys. Kurt, I was like you with the whole FOMO thing. Bought a few bottles that were way over priced. My mantra these days is to hunt, because you never know what you are gonna find. Thank again for the great content, keep it going.
I’ve tried many different bourbons based on watching your videos. The thing I appreciate most is Kurt and Trenton saying drink what you like. You’re absolutely right. Everybody’s palate is different.
It’s insane at some of the prices on some bottles… in my area 150 dollars for a blantons and 165 dollars for a Weller 12. I will pay a little over MSRP just because that’s about the only way to get decent bottles but mostly I just wait because eventually you’ll find one for the right price.
Great video and topic. I rarely spend more than $75 for a bottle of whiskey. This is just a personal limit for me, and I have no judgment for people who want to spend more on fancy bottles. I recently found a Russell's 13 for the first time for MSRP ($155), and I left it on the store shelf. I know it is probably great whiskey, but there is plenty of great whiskey for much less money. Cheers!
I also recently passed on a Knob Creek 12 for $70. It is a bottle I have wanted for a long time, but for 2x the price of KC9 I know it is not 2x better.
Guys, I live in Ct, in my area, Fairfield county, the pricing for bourbon’s varies by town suburban vs urban area’s, so if you live in a affluent area, those prices are always $20 more than what I could fine in urban area’s, so shop around for your best price
Agreed with everything that was said today. I believe I have mayb 1-2 backup bottles in total. Never seen the point in hoarding bottles when others can enjoy them aswell. Flippers are scum in my eyes, I called one out at a local liquor store. Now that store no longer sells that person anything allocated.
My local store has/had a bottle of Stagg for $299.00 I walked, another called with an EH Taylor Single Barrel $150 plus tax Im wallked I had bought one a month before for $100 from same store I basically will not pay more than 110% of MSRP on any bottle
I've pretty much resigned myself to never getting a Weller special bottle (12, Antique 107, etc), Elmer T Lee, EH Tayler SiB, Stagg Jr, etc. I finally got a ECBP C923 this month at MSRP, and have been able to get some Eagle Rare and standard Blantons, but I'll never pay secondary, and my limit is pretty much under $100. Highest price I've ever payed was close to $100 for a Knobel Spirits bottle, but some of that was shipping, and donation to his cause.
The local grocery store here just put out a bunch of BT bottles (Blantons EHT, Weller, Widow Jane) that they normally don’t have on the shelf - all at MSRP. Got a Stagg (23b)for $59, and Weller 12 for $59. Month ago got a ECBP C923 for $79…both times I went the day the bottles were put out!
@@mitchellmouton2948 where's here? No liquor in grocery stores here in Texas 😒
I love all of your reviews....great channel, great family, great burbon! I myself are in the 100 dollar and below with 90% of my bottles being in the 40 - 50 dollar and below price range. My pallate is not accute enough for the high dollar burbon and with V.OB., old grand dad bib & 114, evan wiliams 1783, beam extra black, 4 roses up to select....there are so many great priced choices at an economical price I have a hard time opening my wallet for the high dollar stuff. My expensive bottels are barrell at 85 bucks or less on sale. I'm a fellow tradesman and a bit of a tightass....
I think the most frustrating part for me is the fact that if I'm trying to grab a bottle of Eagle Rare as a replacement, store owners half interrogate you as if you're going to flip them. I could go down the street and grab a 750ml for $150 and the 1.5L for $350, but why would I pay a store the same as a flipper? It's gotten out of hand here in Northern Indiana for sure.
22:08 completely agree with this sentiment, great message for the holidays. Don’t flip, enjoy and share.
Patience - don't chase everything in a pretty package - it gets very expensive...this advice isn't limited to bourbon 😆
Thank you for posting this. I always appreciate the integrity you bring. For me, I drink and I collect I do not flip or resell, that is very frustrating. I have purchased a couple of boss hog editions for around $600 each. Will I ever crack the seal, I don’t know, if I get diagnosed with cancer, maybe. Lol but for an every day zipper bottle, I love Weller special reserve, but not for the exorbitant prices. For me, it depends on the bottle and my purpose for getting that bottle. I too will say I am blessed that I can splurge from time to time, at the same time I will not pay $400 for an $80 bottle (I.e. Rockhill Farms, Elmer T, etc…)
$60 is my top end for any bottles. I get that you guys will go much higher because you have a whiskey channel and like to expose your watchers to all that’s available. I do appreciate your efforts.
I spent $60 for woodford reserve afternoon tea. Not a fan. A little disappointed actually.
As someone still newer to bourbon I'm right there with you on this. I'd love to try so many of these bottles but in the DFW area its ridiculous. Weller 12 landed hard in DFW this week and I couldn't even snag one. People were following the delivery trucks around all week and grabbing them at stores as soon as they landed. 78 gone in less than an hour at the main store in the area. And they're posted all over online for hundreds now. I saw guys posting online with 4,5, 6 bottles. It ruins the bourbon experience with people like this.
Too many good bourbons that are not allocated and taste great so why over pay for allocated!! I agree with you both great job.
Can't afford to join y'all's channel right now, but y'all have my full support, and love how genuine y'all are! Much love and respect from Baltimore, MD. Keep up the great content 👍
Great video boys! Could not agree with you more Kurt….spot on! Happy Thanksgiving to the entire SLB family! Cheers!
I love watching you guys for the information you provide for the craft we all enjoy, but more importantly because I trust your opinions and integrity. In the end, everyone's palette is unique, but you guys never steer us wrong, and never try to push us to a specific distiller or brand. For that, I thank you. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, and keep up the exceptional content.
I can't stand Flippers........I am with you on that!
Very well said. We have all over paid for bottles because we just had to have them. I try my best to shop around and say no to the ones that are unreasonably priced. As far as unopened bottles, out of 400 I might have a dozen or more that aren't opened and 99% of those are extras of good bottles that I was able to buy before my first bottle ran out. (like Larceny B523). I should check but I would estimate that 30% of my collection is barrel picks. I like those because the local ones I can taste before I buy or you You Tuber's have chosen ones that align with my palate. This was a great video and subject. Keep up the good work folks.
Its unfortunate the way pricing is going, but i think the distilleries and distributors are using the secondary market as a way to gauge what people are willing to pay especially for an allocated release. Inflation has also played a part in the current pricing of everyday shelfers as well. Happy Thanksgiving ya'll! 🥃
Great video! FOMO is a big part at the beginning of the journey. $120 for and EH Taylor Small Batch. $200 for a Stagg. $240 for a RR 13. NO regrets, just lessons learned.
You know that scene in Christmas Vacation where Clark is calling his Boss every profane name he can think of for giving him the Jelly Of The Month Club as a Christmas bouns? That's how I feel about Flippers.
Resellers and scalpers are some of the lowest forms of humans on the planet. They ruin everything they touch. Look at what they did to the ps5 and gpu market a few years ago and what they do still in trading cards and other collectible items. The companies don't care because they are still making sales sadly its to people trying to profit off of it instead of the people that actually enjoy their products.
Kurt, I truly respect your and Trenton’s opinions …..and especially appreciate your values.
That’s why I keep coming back to watch your content.
Keep up the great work!
Benchmark is an amazing bourbon, and for around $15 a bottle you can't beat it.
Benchmark Full Proof is 10$ more and one of the top high proofers out there right now.
@@applecrow8 Sounds good, gotta find some.🥃🥃
The standard benchmark offering kind of sucks. The other offerings such as full proof or top floor etc are decent. Unfortunately the other one's beyond the standard aren't distributed in a lot of places. Like around me all you can get is the regular one. There are plenty of other choices in that price range that are much better.
Benchmark fullproof is one of the best bottles buffalo trace makes
You are correct, it is the best I have found for the price point. I prefer it over the higher proof and price of Makers Mark.
I'm in Canada, just across the border from Detroit and pricing is wild. We are used to one place selling liquor and one place selling beer and the price is the price (don't get me wrong there are issues with that too). It's that kind of control over here that keeps me sane and enjoying this kind of hobby I think. I went into a store downtown Detroit before a Lions game last week and Weller Special reserve was 90 bucks and Weller 107 was 120! Just got those for 45 and 75 respectively CANADIAN! But i guess that's part of the hunt and if you can set rules for yourself i think it becomes even more fun when you do find what you're after! Great topic guys keep it up!
It HAS been out of control. But, it has let me grab bottles I've never grabbed before due to any allocated ones being too much now. I have found a lot of great Bourbon's for under $60 that I don't have to fight to find anymore!
I am a new subscriber and have enjoyed your videos. This one was really interesting, talking about price. After listening to you list some of the prices you pay, I went to total wines in Arizona today to purchase some of your recommendations. Total Wines is probably the cheapest place to buy with the best selection. Wild Turk Rare Breed, $49.99. Makers Cask Strength, $57.99. Still Austin Cask Strength, $44.99. Evan W, BIB 1.75, $35.99. I need to make a trip to Kentucky, my annual savings should cover my gas. Keep on boys.
at this point I think $250 is my upper limit if I won the Ohio Bourbon lottery and had a chance at an extremely allocated bottle. I won the Old Fitz 19 yr. at that price. Otherwise I’d do up to $150 on something released in stores as allocated. Luckily all my favorites are under $100 that I would get multiples of like Rare Breed, Knob Creek 12, Heaven Hill BiB, Weller 107, McKenna, Elijah Craig BP, Four Roses SB and my local stuff.
I do like that you address this, because it is a serious issue. As someone who has bottles in his basement that total $2,500+, the stores and individuals that raise the prices so they can make money is horrible. Everyone that comes over knows I will share everything, but there may not be much left if the prices continue to rise. But, I also have the availability in my area to run across some allocated bottles; not all the time, but sometimes. And the stores I get them from don’t gouge either and sell them at a reasonable price.
Couldn't agree more. Had my neighbors come home from Isreal and we celebrated with Blantons I bought at MSRP. Grabbed 2023 Birthday Bourbon this year for MSRP and I'll open it on my birthday later this year. Paid a tad more than I should have for Antique 107 ($150), but that'll be opened Thanksgiving with friends and family. Spend what you can, don't go crazy, and open it and enjoy with friends and family.
107 here n Alabama is 50 bucks ive got 2 in the past 2 years.... so 150 is way over for 107....
@anthonyvella2787 I'm very aware. It's never on the shelf here. I bought it to have on hand for a special occasion / celebration.
My favourite youtube channel. You guys, and your families, are very much appreciated. Please keep up the great content!
I would submit it’s the people who are out of control… do not blame the bourbon..
100% i open and share. Some of my best memories with friends and family are around a bottle sharing a drink and conversation.
Thank you for addressing this subject. Maybe there are more people that can afford the higher priced juice, but for myself, and I'm sure many others, we have a certain budget set aside for our hobby. I will never pay over $100 for a bottle, for a very special bottle. If I have such a large budget (excess money) I will give it to a good cause that can do something good for my community, and not something selfish for myself. I'm not making judgement, this is just me.
Great topic, loved hearing the opinions. The most I’ve paid was $160 for a Blanton’s in the box that I stumbled upon in a liquor store in NYC. It’s impossible to get near me and I had been looking for that kind of store find for a while. That’s about as high as I’d go now. I am all about the experiences around sipping; so I am not averse to dropping $60-80-100 on a pour of something super rare that I happen across in a bar so I can have the experience of tasting and enjoying it without the absurd investment into the bottle.
SLB Classics
0:02 Trenton is reminded of a word he learned
2:50 Brown foreman is going to the loony bin
3:49 ok, not just liquid, a little bit less loony bin
4:12 ok back in the loony bin, no travel or hotel?
5:17 Sad shrinkflation
6:08 Kurt speaks the truth even if he is WT’s biggest fan
7:04 WT will need a new rocking chair with how hard they fell off
8:46 Boss Hog X is coo coo for coco puffs 🤑
9:17 Kurt selves into the kiddos language and gets it right FOMO
10:51 Don’t calm the passion down
11:25 Crown apple 23 makes its triumphant return
11:40 Trenton goes the extra mile for us trying to eat packaging
12:23 OMG Eagle Rare 25 10k?!?
13:58 60 years young Kurt, young
14:40 Kurt really doesn’t like the flipping
16:26 Kurt starts to feel a bit toxic talking to much about flippers
17:07 Kurt knows about technology but not how to use it
17:50 Crown apple 23 2.0
18:15 Kurt is super generous 🥰
20:21 The store owners don’t have it easy with the allocation either
22:08 It’s a selection not a collection
23:39 I overpaid 250 for blantons way too much
24:08 Happy thanksgiving!
24:25 Nice grammar and nod to finish
Know what you're talking about, in NY Buffalo Trace is allocated. Local liquor stores sell Weller 12 for $200. Would love to get another bottle of Eagle Rare but they're going for at least $80 here. You guys are so awesome letting people know prices in your area letting us make informed decisions on our purchases. Not only that your reviews help tremendously rather than pay double for a Eagle Rare I can get a Makers Mark Cask Strength for half that. So thank you
Like scotch, around 20 yrs ago, bourbon is out of control.
This summer, I took a trip to Bardstown Distillery and stopped at a couple of liquor stores looking for bottles that are not available in my area. I was floored at the prices they wanted. Willett Wheated $700 & Weller ranged $1200-$2400
For me personally $200 is the max I’d spend on bourbon.
I’d say pretty much same here. And once we’re getting over $100 I’m starting to get fairly selective
@@louidaiv2387 that’s tough, I have one and got it for $200. It is a good bottle and I’d probably buy another if I find it for that price.
I paid $250 for a Russell’s 13, I don’t regret it because it was my first of that bottle. But I would not pay over retail next time.
@@louidaiv2387depends on the person and the batch
You guys are the best. Love the content. One of you definitely said equivalate in this video and I think you’re the best
I never spend any more than $30 on a bottle, which means im stuck drinking Old Forester Rye, George Dickel 12 and Wild Turkey 101
Really appreciated this conversation. I just spent 200.00 on a Jack 12 1st release and felt like I got a great deal on it. Paid 125.00 for a Jack 10 so I ended up getting 2. Always looking for unicorn for cheap.
Great video!!! For me (from WI), not only the price, but up here in the north, we rarely see a Buffalo Trace & have never seen an Eagle Rare or any Weller product!! So thank you for sharing other ideas for good bourbons that would be comparable.
Kurt and Trent are awesome. Love this show.
I'm still working through the lower level stuff so over priced allocated doesn't move the needle for me. I need to improve my palate. I've been fortunate to try a few sips with friends.
Keep up the great work. I'd love to share a pour with you.
I’ve flipped a few. I’ve also used me being at a distillery to pickup allocates stuff for people at msrp. In relation to how much is too much, I’ve basically decided if it’s over $70 a bottle it better be amazing. I’m a lot like Kurt in that I really enjoy basically anything Jimmy and Eddie Russell send out the door. And I’m a huge fan of Weller 107. Id go 100 a bottle on 107. I live right smack in the middle of wild Turkey and buffalo trace distilleries and rarely see anything allocated on the shelve but I’m not big on hunting for it because there are a ton of easily accessible bottles that are just as good if not better
Thank you for this video as it was needed.
Basically, when buying anything 15 plus year old bottle, people need to understand that not only are you paying for the bourbon in the bottle, you are also paying for the bourbon lost to evaporation (or Angel's share in the business).
A barrel sitting for 20 years will lose almost (if not) 50% or more in bourbon. Distilleries cannot take that lind of loss and remain in business.
Facts!! For me it's the $30-40 bottles jacked to 80-90!!
You guys are right on the money. I haven't been collecting for very long, but I've noticed prices going up a lot in my area. As far as prices of the hard to find stuff, IMO, if people would stop paying ridiculous prices, stores would stop charging ridiculous prices.
Thank you gentlemen for talking about we out here in Sacramento are dealing with. Love your show!
You can get some good Whistlepig picks under $100. The 6 year is normally $49.99 and pretty good, 10 year around $80 or $90, store picks a little more, but a 6 year store pick for $50-$60 are usually pretty solid.
For my wife and I we've started our collection and have set a base price at $50. With a cap at the 70 to 80 dollar price point. And we enjoy finding those gems that are available at or below $50. Keep up the great content
I love these episodes Kurt speak from the heart cause brother your not wrong on any of it as far as over priced purchases my biggest buy was 250 before taxes closer to 275 out the door for parkers heritage double oaked and honestly I'm still shocked I found one around me not fpr 800+ but I still overspent
What a fantastic video, guys. Great perspective.
I want to start by saying I work at a Total Wine & More in Georgia. Allocated bottles are common, but not a regularity here in the southeast. We often hear about a new/yearly release from customers before we see it in the backroom. As a younger, more inexperienced whiskey drinker, i can say i do not spend beyond $75 for a bottle. However, I would say that for a good bottle that isnt an allocated item or a special release, $125 is the general cap i see people follow. And for those allocated/special bottles, i see anything from $150-$500, especially when you include scotch.
I think most people will agree, a good bourbon can easily be found in the $30-$75 range. (In my store, Buffalo Trace is $30ish and Eagle Rare is $50ish.) If its beyond that price point, i truly think you oughta do your research.
I hope others agree. Because yeah, the more that whiskey lovers pay, the higher they’ll set prices, since they know demand will be there.
I see a lot of other commenters also mention a great point: its hard for many average drinkers to discern the difference between a $30 bottle from a $300 one. Get to know your distilleries and your favorite products, and if you choose Maker’s 46 over regular MM, by all means, but definitely think twice before buying an extra aged product that is a 300% markup.
I never thought I would be able to try Pappy. Ran into someone who had some Pappy 12. He gave me maybe 3 oz worth for free. I in turn shared that amount with 7 other people who would never of had the chance to try it. I still have a tiny bit left for 2-3 others to try. I totally agree it is way more fun to share with others than hoarding. Yes I would have liked to sit back and enjoy the 3 oz myself but I love the fact that others had the opportunity to try.
yeah it's crazy I manage a liquor store in a area where it's hard to get some allocated stuff close by,
but recently we have started to get them in here and we have limits and sale each bottle as close to msrp as the company will let us
I am just amazed at how thankful people are for us doing that here.
but man we are struggling with a few people who practically camp out our store for the bottles to be put out we just want to try and make it a fair as possible chance for people to get one.
but yes love your videos you guys are awesome!! 🥃
This channel is amazing. Your opening is perfect, it's why I love you guys.
Whether it’s the distillery or the retailer setting the prices, if we don’t buy it and the bottles start sitting on shelves then maybe prices will drop. I saw a bourbon hunt video where a store had Early Times BiB for $49.99! Ridiculous! Plus, the secondary market… shameful! I will admit I paid $150.00 for Knob Creek 18 at a local store. I hadn’t planned on it, but it was the cheapest I had ever seen it. Interesting video. Thanks!
I bought a Lot B for $200. I didn’t open it until I had a special moment in life. Was going to save it for my wedding but my Mom passed away this year and it was a pleasure opening it in her memory with family!!
I purchased the Angels Envy Cask annual release and did, in fact, receive a box. Not sure if that was something new they implemented, where the box doesn’t come with the bottle. Mine was purchased in May for $289.99
It is 150 bottles of the 150 decanter, vip tour of Old Forester, and food / drinks with members of the brown family. You get to sample this bottle as well. I managed to snag one, I'll be headed down on the 5th to pick it up. I'll make sure to let you know how it goes!
Solid video and well said. I've been struggling trying to find the allocated stuff and I'll admit I've spent almost 4x the price for a bottle of Stagg ($250) at a liquor store in NJ. I'm contemplating now about purchasing some bottles of Weller for over $400. It's a struggle because I want them and I know I'll never see them in the wild in my state of VA.