Based on what happened here in SA, stuff was basically put out as it was unloaded off the truck. Deliveries arrive to stores at different times and days, even within the same big box stores.
For example, one TW store here had all of the big allocated bottles ready for 10am opening because the truck had arrived early and they unloaded and stocked everything prior to opening. I got there within 30 minutes of opening and they were already cleaned out of the āprimeā allocated stuff (WFP, W12, OWA, ETL). The guy at the store said there were 50 people in line prior to opening.
Another location in town had their delivery truck arrive just before opening, so it took them until about noon to get that stuff out. I got lucky and snagged an OWA, but there were still at least 30 people ahead of me in the store.
The flippers have contacts in stores that tip them off when the big stuff is coming, so theyāll always be at the front of the line. The only real way to get ahead of them is to keep an eye out for local bourbon Facebook groups in the big Texas cities to see what may be hitting, and then be willing to line up at 8am. Otherwise youāll be paying secondary.
Yeah, itās always the same bottle flippers that are at the front of the line when the stores open. Today they started lining up around 8am. Iāve already started seeing WFP and W12 popping up this afternoon in Fireball contests in the local SA bourbon group.
Yeah, I agree. Itās a great $35-40 sipper. Iād maybe go as high as $50 if I really wanted it and hadnāt seen it in a year.
My argument is that itās worth nowhere near $150 when there are several replaceable options out there. Rebel Yell 10, for example. Itās higher proof and a bit higher MSRP (around $60). But itās something you can find much easier than W12 and itās on the shelf when itās available. Itās also a wheater, so it has a similar flavor profile, though not as oaky as W12.
Big Buffalo Trace drop at Total Wine this week in SA. In the last two days I picked up a Weller 12 and OWA at retail, so not a bad haul. Those ahead of me in line got the few ETLs, WFPs and Weller CYPBs that came in the shipment.
I cracked open the W12 last night and man, I cannot see how someone pays $150 for it on secondary. Itās fine for MSRP ($34 is what I paid for it), but damn, youāve gotta be a sucker if you pay secondary price for that bourbon.
I think youāll enjoy that Old Scout pick. I have one from Debs Liquor in Austin and itās really good. They moved back to sourcing MGP instead of Dickel, so thatās a great development.
Got an unexpected call from my local Twin Liquors this afternoon. Theyāve started an allocated list and I got the call for a Stagg Jr (batch 13).
I already have one bottle of this batch, but needed another because itās the tits.
Could be talking about Wayneās Wings on the northeast side. I just had them for the first time yesterday and theyāre pretty awesome. Iām a big Pluckers and Anchor Bar fan as well and Wayneās beats both of them.
Unfortunately, itās not located in the best part of town and it got robbed at gunpoint last night...
I could see this as a way to cut into the secondary market. If flippers have to take a bite out of their margins by buying a āworthlessā bottle (to them), perhaps not as many will be eager to just scoop up allocated bottles.
For example, right now OWA goes anywhere from $100-120 on secondary. If they have to drop $100 to flip OWA to maybe make an extra $20, thatās not a great ROI.
I wouldnāt mind spending $100 on OWA package with whatever they throw in there. At worst youāve got an extra mixer for your bar.
My thought process on that is that with the high price point on Cigar Blend they probably donāt order too many at a time.
It may just be a distribution thing. Iāve seen Cigar Blend all over Florida for whatever reason. I wish our stores here focused on procuring better options than most of the local Texas shit they shill on us.
Does anyone know if Total Wine will order a specific bottle of bourbon for you if you request one? Iāve been looking for Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend and it shows they carry it at my store in SA, but itās out of stock.
Just curious if anyone has done this before.
I think the good thing is that I bet the price point wonāt be too high. Double Rye is usually $30-$40 bucks, so I bet a store pick wouldnāt be more than $50 (just a guess).
If youāre a High West fan, I know that Debs Liquors has a store pick of Double Rye coming in the next 2-3 weeks. Itās finished in Syrah barrels.
Iāve never had their ryes before, but some reviewers I really trust swear by the High West store picks, so Iāll be picking this one up when it comes out.
I found a Rare Breed rye at TW earlier this week, but havenāt cracked it open yet. I still have an OF rye and Michterās rye (the regular one) to get through first.
If you can find a Russellās store pick, go with that one. Rare Breed is better than the regular Russellās SiB (which is still really great).
Total Wine and Specās have the Russellās store picks pretty regularly.
That sounds right. Buffalo Trace makes a bourbon cream liquor that is available fairly regularly (at Specās at least). Iāve never had it, but I assume itās pretty similar to Baileyās.
To change things up I went single patty, pepper jack, grilled onions, cilantro lime sauce on Texas toast and then added jalapeƱos when I got home.
Pretty tasty as a change-up order.
Get yourself a KC 15 year store pick and save yourself 40 bucks. Also, the proof on the store picks is 120 compared to 100 for the KC15.
With these new KC age stated releases this year (12 and 15) I have a bad feeling that the 12/14/15 year KC store picks wonāt be around much longer. I hope Iām wrong.
Finally landed a Rebel Yell 10 year single barrel. I got lucky on the Total Wine app this afternoon and was shocked when they confirmed the order. During the drive to pick it up I kept telling myself that someone grabbed a Rebel Yell 100, but sure enough they got it right.
Iām shocked that something so allocated made it to their app for sale. Hopefully this is a good sign for the future.