Lots of driving, lots of line waiting, bundles or luck. If you are new ask why you are chasing allocated or hard to find stuff. Besides a few exceptions it is no better and in many cases worse then what You find on the shelf.
Well I guess I lucked out with good friends who happened to have Blantons and few others located bottles. Used to drink eagle rare with my father and know I know it’s hard to get. What’s your go to daily bottle
I don't drink daily so mostly stick to what I consider good stuff. Ofsbbs, jack bp, ecbp, wt mk, barrel silver. For lower proof stuff kc12, bakers, Russel's picks, rare character.
Tbh for me bourbon hunting isn’t worth it at all if you’re new to bourbon unless you’re hellbent on chasing clout bottles. Go buy the best shelfers and learn how to appreciate those first. You’ll eventually happen upon some rarer bottles just by doing that. The whole hunting thing is a waste of gas and time imo.
Okay, I guess I'll give a real answer instead of being a total curmudgeon. Disclaimer: Take everything from me with a grain of salt, I'm only 14 months or so into whiskey mania and it took hold at one of the worst possible times, market-wise. Lots of other folks around these parts with a lot more experience, most likely.
First thing to get out of the way is that this is a downright obnoxious hobby. There's really no other way to say it. Even if you're only focusing on the objectively enjoyable parts of it -- enjoying the spirit, fostering camaraderie, appreciation for the craft -- you are still going to be subjected to the unsavory parts of it... The hype-driven consumerism, market corruption, blanket immaturity, etc. That's the biggest thing I've observed over my time participating, I had very idealistic expectations.
If you're still in after understanding this dire warning, you really have to sort out your reasoning for seeking allocated bourbon. Do you genuinely like it better having compared against shelf-available offerings, craft offerings, etc.? The reason its important to consider this is because there's simply no way to obtain allocated bottles without spending an outsized amount of time, or an absurd amount of money... If you have the resources to go with the latter, good for you, that's probably the most direct way to bypass a lot of fuckery. If you're the former, you're essentially going to be entering into competition with dudes who have made it a job to flip retail-priced bottles to the latter folks. That's in addition to competing with dudes who will spend near limitless amounts of time just to collect allocated bottles. It is an eternal mystery what would compel someone to be as sweaty about it as some of those dudes are, but if we look to other luxury goods for guidance, it's probably a penis size thing.
When you say "allocated" it's assumed that you're talking about Buffalo Trace brands. This is the whiskey that currently has all the bourbon bros jizzing in their pants constantly. Which, fair enough, it's a legacy distillery that has maintained decent retail pricing. However, I would encourage you not only to find a bar where you can try pours of the whiskey you're "hunting" first, but even do some this-or-that comparisons with shelf stable offerings from other distilleries. Do it blind ideally (meaning you don't know if BT or the shelfer is in each glass). Taste is a subjective thing so you're going to get opinions from all across the board. My personal opinion is that BT makes a solid whiskey in a middle-of-the-road profile. It's quite boring, especially the lower proof bottles. Stagg is their best IMO.
Alright, with all my righteous monologuing out of the way, to your actual question: You find allocated bourbons at **Total Wine**, **Costco**, **Walmart**, and a handful of independent liquor stores. Certainly helps if you have the ability to line up before open at your local **TW** every day or at least on distribution days (those vary store to store). **Trevor's** has a monthly raffle for hard to find stuff. If you're on Zuckbook, there are some groups that tend to get insider info about **Costco** sometimes. **Fry's** does a couple allocated drops each year, if standing in line is your thing... Some people have good experiences with that, I did not. I was caught in between an insufferable dick measuring contest for 4 hours and wanted to take a bath with a toaster by the end of it.
Anyway, yeah, there's all that info. I'm jaded because whiskey is not even remotely the enjoyable pastime I thought it would be, and now I'm stuck. Hopefully you have a better outcome. If you want some shelf-available equivalencies to the specific bottles you're trying to track down, let me know, I can offer some options.
This was a great, well thought-out response. I tried to restrain my curmudgeon-ness as much as possible with mine as well. Seelbachs, Shared Pour, and picks from the Bourbon subreddit are my go-to for tasty and easy (relatively) to get stuff now.
Here's what I would recommend; find a spot that offers pours of the bottles you want to try for a good price. I can recommend Fox Cigar Bar, as they have generous pours for decent prices (plus, it's just a cool spot to hang out for a bit). This way, you can try some of these whiskeys that you're chasing and determine if it's even worth it for you to chase a bottle.
As someone else said, allocated doesn't necessarily mean better. I thought Blanton's was great when I first got into whiskey years ago, and now I find it very bland and watered down. As for some recommendations of good bottles that aren't hard to find and are decently priced: Wild Turkey Rare Breed, Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Barrel Proof, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, New Riff Rye, Pikesville Rye, Russell's Reserve Private Barrel Selection.
I’d also like to call out, just because it’s sitting on a shelf and people didn’t line up 3 hours before the store opened to buy it doesn’t mean it’s not good Bourbon. Plenty of good 50/60 bottles available everyday to drink and get into Bourbon.
Constantly check the apps find out when they get there shipments and when they stock shelves. Go to hole in the wall places become friends with a worker and they’ll give you a heads up also. Have fun! Welcome to the addiction
I have found out over the years to shop around. Several places have “allocated” bottles just depends on your price point and your willingness comparison shopping.
Skyline liquor in Mesa has a tremendous selection with somewhat decent prices. TW is another but their prices tend to be higher, however they appear to have lowered some of their prices on certain bottles.
Trader Joe’s on William’s Field has some decent bottles at a decent price.
Recently I have picked up real good bottles at several local Costco at decent price points.
I have been very fortunate to have scored allocated bottles out of state at or close to retail price. Blanton’s at 70 in Glendale,Ca. EH Taylor at 46 in New Orleans
Drink scotch. Much wider range of flavors, more interesting and varied methods, and not being chased by every other asshole. 200 bucks buys you a 200 dollar whiskey, not a 50 dollar whiskey that's hyped up on secondary.
Don’t want to echo all the feedback on here already, lots of great points made. A couple things to save you time/money/hate from the neck beards:
1. Don’t post a photo of your “haul”, made up of 17 unopened shelf turds you spent a day picking up
2. Don’t use terms like hunt, juice, in the wild or fresh crack
3. Never post something unopened, especially if you bought it, and post “thoughts?”
4. Recognize everyone’s being really nice to you on this post. Bourbon is still cutthroat and ruthless for many, and nobody will willingly give you information to benefit you and hurt them. Aka honey holes.
5. There’s actual drinkers/enthusiasts, and there’s taters. No shame in being either, just decide in your heart which one you want to be. If you want to be a drinker, do what everyone said and visit your local watering holes for flights of available and hype bourbons, find what YOU like and not what social media posts show you. If you just want to be a tater, line up every morning and at every grocery store event, and then send us photos of your 40 bottles of unopened Eagle rare, Taylor and Weller.
6. The fun should be in the appreciating and sharing of whatever it is you have, and not in “the hunt”, or amassing bottles just to amass bottles. Throw out the thought of a special occasion bottle-living another day is special, there’s always another bottle but the days aren’t guaranteed. Buy, open, enjoy, repeat.
Lots of driving, lots of line waiting, bundles or luck. If you are new ask why you are chasing allocated or hard to find stuff. Besides a few exceptions it is no better and in many cases worse then what You find on the shelf.
Well I guess I lucked out with good friends who happened to have Blantons and few others located bottles. Used to drink eagle rare with my father and know I know it’s hard to get. What’s your go to daily bottle
I don't drink daily so mostly stick to what I consider good stuff. Ofsbbs, jack bp, ecbp, wt mk, barrel silver. For lower proof stuff kc12, bakers, Russel's picks, rare character.
Stand in line at 8:30 at TW every morning, drive around all over town wasting gas to pay MSRP, know somebody with a hookup or pay 4x MSRP
Abandon all hope ye who enter here
Tbh for me bourbon hunting isn’t worth it at all if you’re new to bourbon unless you’re hellbent on chasing clout bottles. Go buy the best shelfers and learn how to appreciate those first. You’ll eventually happen upon some rarer bottles just by doing that. The whole hunting thing is a waste of gas and time imo.
Okay, I guess I'll give a real answer instead of being a total curmudgeon. Disclaimer: Take everything from me with a grain of salt, I'm only 14 months or so into whiskey mania and it took hold at one of the worst possible times, market-wise. Lots of other folks around these parts with a lot more experience, most likely. First thing to get out of the way is that this is a downright obnoxious hobby. There's really no other way to say it. Even if you're only focusing on the objectively enjoyable parts of it -- enjoying the spirit, fostering camaraderie, appreciation for the craft -- you are still going to be subjected to the unsavory parts of it... The hype-driven consumerism, market corruption, blanket immaturity, etc. That's the biggest thing I've observed over my time participating, I had very idealistic expectations. If you're still in after understanding this dire warning, you really have to sort out your reasoning for seeking allocated bourbon. Do you genuinely like it better having compared against shelf-available offerings, craft offerings, etc.? The reason its important to consider this is because there's simply no way to obtain allocated bottles without spending an outsized amount of time, or an absurd amount of money... If you have the resources to go with the latter, good for you, that's probably the most direct way to bypass a lot of fuckery. If you're the former, you're essentially going to be entering into competition with dudes who have made it a job to flip retail-priced bottles to the latter folks. That's in addition to competing with dudes who will spend near limitless amounts of time just to collect allocated bottles. It is an eternal mystery what would compel someone to be as sweaty about it as some of those dudes are, but if we look to other luxury goods for guidance, it's probably a penis size thing. When you say "allocated" it's assumed that you're talking about Buffalo Trace brands. This is the whiskey that currently has all the bourbon bros jizzing in their pants constantly. Which, fair enough, it's a legacy distillery that has maintained decent retail pricing. However, I would encourage you not only to find a bar where you can try pours of the whiskey you're "hunting" first, but even do some this-or-that comparisons with shelf stable offerings from other distilleries. Do it blind ideally (meaning you don't know if BT or the shelfer is in each glass). Taste is a subjective thing so you're going to get opinions from all across the board. My personal opinion is that BT makes a solid whiskey in a middle-of-the-road profile. It's quite boring, especially the lower proof bottles. Stagg is their best IMO. Alright, with all my righteous monologuing out of the way, to your actual question: You find allocated bourbons at **Total Wine**, **Costco**, **Walmart**, and a handful of independent liquor stores. Certainly helps if you have the ability to line up before open at your local **TW** every day or at least on distribution days (those vary store to store). **Trevor's** has a monthly raffle for hard to find stuff. If you're on Zuckbook, there are some groups that tend to get insider info about **Costco** sometimes. **Fry's** does a couple allocated drops each year, if standing in line is your thing... Some people have good experiences with that, I did not. I was caught in between an insufferable dick measuring contest for 4 hours and wanted to take a bath with a toaster by the end of it. Anyway, yeah, there's all that info. I'm jaded because whiskey is not even remotely the enjoyable pastime I thought it would be, and now I'm stuck. Hopefully you have a better outcome. If you want some shelf-available equivalencies to the specific bottles you're trying to track down, let me know, I can offer some options.
This was a great, well thought-out response. I tried to restrain my curmudgeon-ness as much as possible with mine as well. Seelbachs, Shared Pour, and picks from the Bourbon subreddit are my go-to for tasty and easy (relatively) to get stuff now.
Here's what I would recommend; find a spot that offers pours of the bottles you want to try for a good price. I can recommend Fox Cigar Bar, as they have generous pours for decent prices (plus, it's just a cool spot to hang out for a bit). This way, you can try some of these whiskeys that you're chasing and determine if it's even worth it for you to chase a bottle. As someone else said, allocated doesn't necessarily mean better. I thought Blanton's was great when I first got into whiskey years ago, and now I find it very bland and watered down. As for some recommendations of good bottles that aren't hard to find and are decently priced: Wild Turkey Rare Breed, Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Barrel Proof, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, New Riff Rye, Pikesville Rye, Russell's Reserve Private Barrel Selection.
I’d also like to call out, just because it’s sitting on a shelf and people didn’t line up 3 hours before the store opened to buy it doesn’t mean it’s not good Bourbon. Plenty of good 50/60 bottles available everyday to drink and get into Bourbon.
Constantly check the apps find out when they get there shipments and when they stock shelves. Go to hole in the wall places become friends with a worker and they’ll give you a heads up also. Have fun! Welcome to the addiction
I have found out over the years to shop around. Several places have “allocated” bottles just depends on your price point and your willingness comparison shopping. Skyline liquor in Mesa has a tremendous selection with somewhat decent prices. TW is another but their prices tend to be higher, however they appear to have lowered some of their prices on certain bottles. Trader Joe’s on William’s Field has some decent bottles at a decent price. Recently I have picked up real good bottles at several local Costco at decent price points. I have been very fortunate to have scored allocated bottles out of state at or close to retail price. Blanton’s at 70 in Glendale,Ca. EH Taylor at 46 in New Orleans
fight the FOMO. there will always be another bottle. so just go to a bunch of places and you will eventually run into something.
Drink scotch. Much wider range of flavors, more interesting and varied methods, and not being chased by every other asshole. 200 bucks buys you a 200 dollar whiskey, not a 50 dollar whiskey that's hyped up on secondary.
Don’t want to echo all the feedback on here already, lots of great points made. A couple things to save you time/money/hate from the neck beards: 1. Don’t post a photo of your “haul”, made up of 17 unopened shelf turds you spent a day picking up 2. Don’t use terms like hunt, juice, in the wild or fresh crack 3. Never post something unopened, especially if you bought it, and post “thoughts?” 4. Recognize everyone’s being really nice to you on this post. Bourbon is still cutthroat and ruthless for many, and nobody will willingly give you information to benefit you and hurt them. Aka honey holes. 5. There’s actual drinkers/enthusiasts, and there’s taters. No shame in being either, just decide in your heart which one you want to be. If you want to be a drinker, do what everyone said and visit your local watering holes for flights of available and hype bourbons, find what YOU like and not what social media posts show you. If you just want to be a tater, line up every morning and at every grocery store event, and then send us photos of your 40 bottles of unopened Eagle rare, Taylor and Weller. 6. The fun should be in the appreciating and sharing of whatever it is you have, and not in “the hunt”, or amassing bottles just to amass bottles. Throw out the thought of a special occasion bottle-living another day is special, there’s always another bottle but the days aren’t guaranteed. Buy, open, enjoy, repeat.
Make friends with liquor store managers, camp at events, get lucky, and pay secondary are the options for allocated stuff.
Get to know store owners or employees, distributor reps are the best sources on info.