I Went Bourbon Hunting In A Price Controlled State

[@thepinballzone]

James came thru with that RHF , totally understood the assignment 😎

[@Tractor311]

One good thing about Oregon is the ABC stores, on the state ABC website you can see and search for bottles by name and see what stores have them, it's not 100% but damn close

[@Crosmyn]

Alabama also has that kind of search ability.

[@Tractor311]

@Crosmyn we do but, I've not seen the availability of bourbon available here like Oregon

[@coltknight3945]

Maine is price controlled, but the website is worthless other than looking up prices.

[@jamesw6899]

You’ll still run into issues where the inventory site says they have something and you still won’t find it on the shelf. They hold back allocated stuff all the time. At least around the more populated areas like Portland.

[@Crosmyn]

@@Tractor311 Absolutely. 'Searching' is definitely not the same as 'Finding' :)

[@georgeschroeder736]

You mentioned that you are going to visit every state for bourbon hunting. I live in Maine and I don't believe you have filmed an episode up here yet. Maine is just like Oregon where the pricing is controlled by the state and retail sales are done by independent retail stores. If you haven't visited Maine yet, make sure to check mom and pop gas stations and country stores. Allocated bottles are distributed to retailers randomly and I have found Blantons on a gas station shelf for $70. My Christmas haul from country stores in Aroostook county included Rock Hill Farms for $65, Blanton's Gold for $129, and Elmet T Lee for $50. In addition, I found EH Taylor single barrel, straight rye and small batch at MSRP. Love watching your channel and keep up the great work!

[@johncoinas]

Better to come in the summer can get seafood and lobster rolls

[@LP23D6]

Another great hunt video. I saw early the store keeper mentioned Woodinville. Damn good juice! Especially the rye. Here in Iowa all our liquor comes through the state's warehouse. The retail stores get allocated bottles through a lottery so you never know who may have what. What is the most fair way to sell those bottles? One store gives you points for your purchases so the good customers get a chance to buy the allocated and barrel pick bottles. A local store has a Easter egg hunt where he hides his allocated bottles throughout the store. Now that is a lot of fun. Sorry for being so long winded. Cheers!

[@CRS8612]

Can’t wait to see your reaction to WA liquor taxes 😂

[@CommonSense823]

Welcome to Oregon! You won't find a lot to hunt for, but when you do, it is a great price. Mostly commodity shopping. The reason the store right across the border in California could sell Stagg for $150 is because you aren't likely to find one in Oregon. If a store gets it, they usually hold it in the back "for a friend". Hunting in Oregon can be really frustrating, but rewarding once in a blue moon.

[@LokiLokiPDX]

So true. Chance to purchase lottery is about the only way to get the allocation bottles.

[@BuckMcAntlerson]

That was really cool seeing a PNW area hunt thanks for sharing that. Congrats on the Rock Hill Farms.

[@b_dub8414]

$39 Eagle Rare...Nice! I paid 59 euros for it in Germany. Brewzle, thanks sir. I'm from Louisiana and been stationed in Germany going on 2 years. I followed your recommendations to start a (Collection) I can drink and enjoy. Trying to learn my palate currently. I cannot wait to go home on vacation and take a ride up to Spillway. Thanks sir!

[@jeffreysmith4998]

Oregon doesn't have sales tax either, so a 38.95 bottle of ER is 38.95 out the door

[@richardguntrum7251]

I just went to Sam’s and picked up a woodford double oaked and already tried it and it very good. Thanks

[@robertlombardi5317]

I love the Road Trips. Thank you.

[@Raimond-u3u]

The biggest cities in Oregon are in the valley rather than the coast. But most stores don’t shelf that WT70, Eagle Rare or Weller so that was a find. For Oregon distillers look for Ewing Young and Branch Point. The distilleries are up north in the Newberg area.

[@noworldforeric]

James is a legend for that for sure.

[@jeffreysmith4998]

Glad you enjoyed your time here in Oregon TJ!

[@shootindoc1jam_n80]

Easy to get behind schedule along the Oregon coast. For those traveling during the winter months be prepared for landslides but there are deals to find and great views

[@Lampargos]

When you hit Washington, make sure to hit Quartz Mountain Distillers in Vancouver, Great Place, Highly recommend their 4 grain

[@enriqueescobar178]

There’s a few distilleries in Eastern Oregon that have whiskey products, Stein is good I actually own a bottle, there’s a Glacier 45 distillery which uses an odd method but they both distill their own stuff!

[@mulliganak]

First- love the videos. I am a beer guy but your videos have got me trying bourbons now so I am a 50 yr old newbie. I am sure its not high on the list of priorities but would love to know where you end up stopping in at when you get to CT. I am just starting my bourbon journey so my knowledge is limited on where to go.

[@the3rdid485]

When I saw all of that stuff sitting on the shelf at the California store at those markups, I got extremely nervous when he asked about the price of the pappy 23.... And I was not disappointed lol

[@coolerthanyou9548]

Im in eugene, and i got a nasty look from a store clerk once for grabbing the one bottle of eagle rare, he asked if i had called ahead and i said no, just lucky after that interaction he was really short with me the rest of the time, i just bought the bottle and left granted it was a store ive never been in before, my usual store downtown has great employees

[@bcp5296d]

Woodinville port, some cask store picks, and their moscatel finish are all amazing products.

[@taylorking271]

Thats a good bottle of turkey you picked up. Wish I got one too.

[@sneedles11]

I stayed in Eugene for a month and every liquor store i went into the people were so friendly and nice. I also loved the prices.

[@masondavismason5]

When you come up to Washington you should stop in at Woodinvilles distillery and do the tour and tasting! Great place, great people, great whiskey! I’d love to join you if you opened it up to local fans as well!

[@mattleighow]

Living in Washington state, I’ve shopped a lot of Oregon liquor stores and it’s becoming harder and harder to find allocated stuff in Oregon. Even if the liquor board website says a store has it, it most likely isn’t there or some stores are having you go online to their website, fill out a form requesting a certain bottle and then they’ll call you when and if they get it. You’re not even guaranteed a spot in line for that bottle. I’ve never gotten a call and made plenty of requests. If you come to Washington, your hunts are mostly limited to total wines(which you can find some good bottles there if you look hard enough) and grocery stores. I’ve got a honey hole of a grocery store in my area where the liquor lady gets some good stuff and I’ve landed m10rye, mrye barrel strength, some e h Taylor bottles, some weller stuff but it’s taken a while to build that relationship. She keeps all the allocated stuff in the back. But she sells everything for a very small markup or at retail. Any other liquor stores in the state are going to have huge markups on any hard to find bottles. You can find any bottle you want in the state of Washington, if you have the money to buy it. Pappys, btacs, anything like that but will cost $2k plus. Happy hunting. If you end up on the north end of Seattle id be happy to point out some spots to you.

[@schunajm]

The first gentleman you talked to gave you a fairly good description of the liquor distribution process in Oregon. A finer point that he touched on briefly - the liquor stores themselves are the distributors to both bars/restaurants and individual purchasers. Under current practice, the vast majority of allocated whiskey bottles end up in bars/restaurants and are unavailable for purchase by the general public (i.e., you will never see them on the shelf). This is a sore point for individuals like me, and you - and many others, who would enjoy the opportunity to buy these bottles on the shelf. In response to this discontent, the state now runs a limited lottery for Oregon residents only, 4 times per year, where approximately 4% of the allocated bottles received by the state are entered into the lottery where winners have the chance to purchase said bottles at the state-controlled retail price.

[@PDXBeach]

Also the stores are independently owned and operated. If you build a relationship with an owner that has several stores, you can often be awarded things from the “back office” and also possibly participate in a barrel pick. The state controls the price and the distribution so no extra margin on liquor. That’s why you see many stores selling other items (like wine, beer, mixers, cigars, cigarettes, etc) because they can make more money selling add-ons than the liquor itself.

[@schunajm]

@@PDXBeach The stores may be independently owned and operated, but they operate in a state-sanctioned monopoly (i.e., state controls # of stores per municipality and the liquor supply and prices) where all the liquor in their possession is the property of the state until sold, upon which they collect an 8.38% commission. Although some stores do operate "back rooms" and preferred general public customer lists, these practices clearly violate state regulations as specified in the OLCC Retail Operations Manual: "The liquor inventory in each store is the property of the State of Oregon. Allocated items or items in limited quantities must be sold immediately or made available for purchase to the public or licensee upon request. Agents must make any product available for legal sale to any customer." In recent past, and currently, the state has shown zero interest in curbing these non-permitted practices - instead focusing much of their enforcement efforts on stamping out underage liquor sales.

[@jordynleep8885]

This is so cool! Welcome to oregon coast! So glad to see all the good spots finally

[@LocoDiablo9]

Ransom Distillery!!!!!!!!!!!!! Holy crap, they do an Irish called the Emerald that’s fantastic. Their bourbon and Rye/Barley/Wheat are good too! Saw the Emerald at the beverage barn!

[@hdsquadrides3370]

I’m getting in to finding the good stuff because of you!!! Thank you

[@jake7672]

I was on the Oregon Coast last week. Happened to hit it just after they had deliveries. My haul over 2 days: - 2 Eagle Rare - 1 Big Eagle Rare - 2 Knob Creek 12s - 1 Stagg - 2 Blantons Then an assortment of other bottles.

[@schunajm]

I'm not doubting your haul - but for others to gain some perspective - your haul would be considered a "unicorn" per typical Oregon bourbon hunting opportunities. For even further perspective - I have set foot in over 150 liquor stores within the state (often guided by using OLCC liquor search) - many times at some locations - over the past 5 years. In all those times, I have never had an opportunity to buy any of the bottles you list (except the Knob Creek 12) or any other high-end BTAC products.

[@famousone260]

Go to the oregon city liqueur store great verity then go to the Still House for dinner. Best selection of whiskey and scotch in oregon

[@Mowntandewey]

High West and Trails End have become two of my favorite bourbons

[@siruspietroski776]

You're coming to washintong you gotta check out distillarium. Local distillery doing a triticale bourbon and they have a cask strength bourbon🙌

[@johnebsen5248]

If he's heading up the coast, I sure am looking forward to him hunting Washington. Highest taxes in the country and a ton of museum stores. Have to hit grocery stores here.

[@denniswheeler4872]

Great video. It is nice that Oregon keeps it at MSRP or close and not outrageous prices.

[@stefanschwalenberg8320]

"Well worn, sweat in... Wrigley Field in the summer..." LMAO, TJ. From someone who lives a short L ride north of "the friendly confines," I approve of that review.

[@josephfinch3194]

You’re missing out on the trails end 10yr and the Oregon spirit bottled in bond both are distilled and bottled in Oregon

[@vondez10]

Got some Rock Hill Farms on a cruise, I didn't like it at first but that second pour! My GAWD was it tasty. Probably never get it again until my next cruise lol

[@danielgaddy3452]

You should totally gift that rock hill farm to me. Awesome deal

[@CaseyMcLainComedy]

Excited to see your reaction to Washington State Liquor Tax in an upcoming video

[@masondavismason5]

Seriously he might cry. 20.5% with an extra $3/Liter kills

[@CaseyMcLainComedy]

“fireball at full sell-to-a-minor secondary”

[@tonioestrada9183]

WOW Gold Beach local here ….such a treat to see ya in the area.

[@coltonbaysinger]

When you said Brookings at the beginning of the video, my heart skipped a beat and for a second I thought you were in my city. Wrong state, however. ;) Love the vids. Show us your rum collection someday!

[@spencertarpening3892]

I want to see this series also bourbon hunt in the US Territories, also can’t wait to see bourbon hunt Hawaii.

[@Chadb2315]

A rock hill for 65 dollars 🤯 shits just so insane...never seen one cheaper than 350 and I've lived in Kentucky my entire life. 🤦‍♂️

[@jeffreysmith4998]

TJ got hooked up on the RH, you never see that in Oregon

[@PDXBeach]

@@jeffreysmith4998 TJ has the effect on people. The dude was star struck he was even there. He’ll hear about it from customers I’m sure.

[@jeffreysmith4998]

@PDXBeach Probably why TJ right after that talked about hunting available stuff and how allocated isn't always the best. He knew what getting that bottle would do for that store so he went into damage control mode

[@realericeltzholtz]

TJ, if you are in OR, look up Bull Run in Portland

[@jmsparger4339]

My brother and I are Texans. Tried our first Garrison Brothers yesterday. The Boot Flask. We thought it was the naugahyde ripped from the bottom seat of a semi truck after being driven cross-country for 40 years. 😆😆😆 But there was nothing to "kinda like" about it. 🤣

[@farristhomas]

Buffalo trace in my town is upwards of $50 for 750ml wish we had those prices in Georgia

[@BarneStrengthRanch]

Caribou crossing so good!

[@ForgotMyDemonName]

Are you coming to Seattle? Would be cool. But it won't be a pretty hunting session 😂

[@PDXBeach]

WTF! I’ve been trying to find Rockhill in Oregon for 4 years

[@michaellanglie5502]

I've been hunting Stagg Jr for 3 years....What is the "right" price for it ?

[@roscoepcoltrane23]

You can pretty much find whatever you want here in Western Ky right now. A lot of stuff just sitting on the shelf. I wanted a bottle of 1924 but not at $130. I don’t think they have sold a single bottle.

[@thumperjdm]

@20:08 Didn't know Zach Efron owned a liquor store. ;-)

[@ChrisStill-xz9xm]

Nice to see you in Oregon!

[@brycedou]

Buy that westward and send it to me lol. I’ve been looking for that and it’s nowhere in Illinois that I’ve seen.

[@johnm6230]

Should’ve picked up that Westward single malt 👀👀

[@ColePoepping-b3b]

I can't believe how much allocated stuff they have just sitting on the shelves that we can't sniff the light of day of in MN

[@mrsstoopid8723]

I just want a weller can’t find them in twin falls Idaho you could drop it off. 😂

[@brineshrimp8603]

Nice on the Rock Hill Farms!

[@Hondakid420]

Perfect timing, I just took break at work! Love the hunts!

[@Skwurm2297]

$65 for rock hill farms…. Jesus. I need to to take a trip to Oregon, $40 Eagle rare, just insane prices.

[@Tricks433]

SAME! I'm in KS and none of that even exists here. BT and WellerSR are here for MSRP but Eagle Rare is $100 a bottle.

[@jeffreysmith4998]

Stagg Jr is 60.00 here on Oregon IF you can find it

[@GK34-we2bu]

Heck yeah! My stomping ground!

[@mohavie2360]

nope, i still believe the gulf coast have the best beaches:)... good stuff sir

[@IndianaSmoke]

I got a 1l weller sr for 36 here in louisville a couple weekends ago

[@jlruther]

Welcome to Oregon!

[@swj2556]

Did you continue on through Idaho on this trip? I'd be curious what you thought of bourbon hunting in Idaho. All state run. No store picks per say. They do have state picks but who knows who chose them...probably sample packs or just the master distiller's selection. All the stores look the same and generally have the same things. Everything allocated is called a treasure hunt item meaning the managers will randomly put out a bottle or two throughout the day. Even the treasure hunt policy is dictated by the state. Of all the places I've seen you hunt, this one would be the hardest IMO, especially just travelling through. Best bet is to spend a day or two in Boise and hit every store in the treasure valley, OR hit all the small town stores on a drive through the state. Hitting the small town stores on a long drive would probably be most fruitful as Boise has quite a prevalent bourbon hunting community and it doesn't take long before their snatched up. But if you do make it to Boise, hit me up and I'd be glad to show you around and maybe introduce you to a couple of the connoisseurs that have a huge selection of some really really special bottles. There's a few around here that spend thousands per bottle on liquor websites and auctions.

[@donisbored]

I spend a decent amount of time in Idaho and yeah… stores there are rough. I’ve only ever had luck in eastern Idaho.

[@LyfewithDK]

Wondering if that’s the beach where the Goonies was shot. Love the channel. Stay Blessed

[@jeffreysmith4998]

The Goonies beach scenes were at Cannon beach, it's further up the coast

[@GarrettKoval]

You could honestly probably start a pretty nice road trip/travel KZbin channel. People like listening to you talk.

[@shanelambert6985]

That trails end 8 was a great price its really tasty

[@Eddie-i6e]

I’ll buy the 70th for $50 every time I see!! Love you videos.

[@run-a-milekyle3835]

Got one for $55, haven’t seen it since. 🥲

[@michaelrodgers940]

We’ve already had our New Year drop But if you head Up the East Coast to New Hampshire and Vermont in 3-4 months we will be getting the spring time drops, they’re both price control states so everything is at MSRP, come on up I’d Love to take you hunting. Cheers 🥃

[@Kilometers707]

Thats redwood empire Van Duzen is straight Rye not single malt. Van Duzen is a pick up for sure

[@robbieg.3462]

Ayyyyeeee Brewzie where you at? Sittin in a lick stop waitin on ya

[@RVA3215]

That Westward is supposed to be fire!!!

[@CarnageIsILL]

It's over already?! Need the longer videos!

[@DirtyHairy01]

Great video!

[@techieplague6476]

You should come down to Florida and hit Winthrop Liquors in riverview.

[@bcp5296d]

not cool passing on the limited woodinville imo.

[@jstones9872]

Stagg 24c in NJ $250 typical

[@mtownz6215]

You skipped out on the buffalo trace experimental for 90$....

[@chico3136]

You ever hunt in Southern California?

[@HotSalamiandBacon]

Come to Spokane WA

[@kschu2009]

Clout whiskey for the WIN!

[@vulpixel]

Yeah, no allocated, no green river, no new riff. But if you are famous enough to be the one to get office whiskey, you get it cheap

[@lostagain7292]

100% spot on on the garrison brothers its utter 🚮

[@theirish95s57]

No guides is where its at!! Store owners seem alot more friendly to a solo shopper than a crowd of 3 or 4 🥃

[@jasonhoppe781]

I agree unless it’s a bigger city! Having a local can definitely help in that scenario plus not waste time.

[@robertthomas8237]

I'll give ya $85 for that Rock Hill....😅

[@Hondakid420]

🎉

[@kevinkephart5191]

oh my! your in my stomping grounds i’m in Harbor let me buy you a burger

[@ingresswizard9044]

I am guessing he doesn't buy a single bottle in WA due to the taxes

[@altmandillon1]

🎉🎉🎉

[@JoshuaPasqualone]

If it's price control state then how are stores allowed to charge secondary

[@shanew.7618]

That store was is CA

[@bcp5296d]

24b is good.

[@lopeasy3778]

$300 for cypb......I would probably buy that

[@cristianpeters8229]

Hey J.T. , Greetings from Germany. In Germany Bourbon Hunting makes no sense. You don't see any of those interesting bottles. Its all online and naturally overpriced, because of tax. But so what, enyoing your videos and sippin a Four Roses Single Barrel. Take care! Chris

[@Chadb2315]

350 for blantons gold?! I'm str8.

[@tommyronduke7]

Stagg in Kaufman Tx $250 hard pass

[@Gramps935]

Hey Brewle. Please use all the clout you got to make the best hunts. I'm not ever going to try and recreate your hunts, I'm a devoted viewers because I love seeing the best bottles in the best stores.

[@shanew.7618]

I’m with you, people throw shade but I kind of like seeing that stores often have things we’ll never see because we aren’t “special”. Plus, seeing the same old bottles over and over isn’t why we watch these!

[@kevinfrances1694]

Stien woodwart

[@chopperbilt]

I remember buying Stagg jr for $32 wtf happened