Is Hunting Allocated Whiskey STUPID? - BRT 189

[@MichaelSullivanCincinnatux]

I liked Curtis's reflection on the existence of people who have positioned themselves to have cases of unicorns. Some people are MUCH deeper into this world than I want to get. I just like to enjoy a good pour with friends and shelfers alone get me there. It's also fun to bring out a hard-to-find bottle to share with folks, but there are a lot of options between the shelfer category and the unicorn category (such as store picks) that add enough fun to the mix for me. The secret to happiness is being grateful for the life you're already living.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Amen!

[@williamlivingstone4326]

Does anyone else enjoy that unknown hunt? Trying that bottle that sits on the shelf to find out it is better than anything you have ever had? Rare breed was that for me. Not terribly hard to find but my favorite!

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Finding sleepers is a very enjoyable task.

[@BigBadJerryRogers]

For me, whiskey has turned into the same thing I was into with wine And that is hoping to find greatness in the value sector because it's that much more of a victory when you can get that. Producers who can make a great whiskey and keep it under $50 deserve just as much praise if not more than those making great whiskey that commands a three or four figure price. In the wine world there's plenty of bottles under $30 that are superior to those that are three times as much. We need more of this in the whiskey market.

[@Dmurphy527]

The more time I spend on Bourbon Real Talk the more I Unfollow other Bourbon communities because of how they treat each other. I sincerely appreciate the openness and friendliness of this “bourbon family“ I hope everybody that is a part of this group is proud of the BRT community. I enjoy buying allocated bottles and sharing them with friends who may not have the time or resources to do the same. I get more enjoyment out of letting them crack open an allocated bottle and enjoy it as I do just drinking it my self.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

This summarizes the spirit of the movement I have tried to start. Cheers!

[@Royahmar]

Really loved this video and it speaks a lot of truth. I would say maybe 75% of the "allocated" bottles i've got to try were good but not necessarily the mindblowing experience that you build up the bottle in your mind to be.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

That is fair.

[@superman6338]

Yes. This was the hardest part for me. I finally got my hands on a Blanton's and a W12 and I was so disappointed... It didn't live up to the hype... I've found so many other good and readily available bottles... That's the fun of Bourbon

[@FatherRabbitt]

For me, it’s all about flavor, so with that in mind, the chase of allocated bottles is not really worth it to me. Paying a premium for bottles I have not gotten to try is an unnecessary risk. But I used to collect trading cards, so I completely understand the mindset behind the chase! Just not worth it for me when it comes to whiskey

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Great attitude! Cheers!

[@GrandslamSammy]

One of the biggest reasons I love whisky is the collecting aspect of it.. I was previously in to collecting trading cards. Whiskey is similar, you get to have a high end product that may have some rarity to it. When you go out "hunting" it's really a source of entertainment. And when you find that bottle you've wanted for a while and you are able to buy it, it's an awesome feeling. Plus, it's fun to drink whiskey and share it with your friends...but, the collecting side of whiskey is really fun.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Some people enjoy the process. That is something that makes it fun.

[@stuartrollings602]

Not if you are retired and have the money to indulge…but I will not pay secondary prices so I rely on buying at two chains and let my buying move me up their list for allocated ones. Then I save the special ones for friends and special occasions and memories! So fun to surprise them with a unicorn and enjoy the reaction as much as the bourbon!

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Exactly!

[@beginningbourbon7385]

Again, amazing topic no one else is talking about. I am probably the person people would make fun of. I have 50 or so unicorn bottles that I probably won’t ever open. I LOVE the aesthetic they give my office. I love seeing actual “Bigfoots”. Not sightings or stories, but actual “Bigfoots” if you will. Thanks for helping me feel less judged and more confident that my choices my choice. Whether someone agrees with it or not.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

This is great, but I would encourage you to open them and share them. There is no such thing as an empty bottle of whiskey. It is either filled with whiskey or it is filled with memories. I argue, that a bottle filled with memories is worth far more than any bottle filled with whiskey.

[@beginningbourbon7385]

I definitely will do that, but I only open up one bottle at a time. Over Christmas I popped an Old Rip 10. I think I had two pours and shared the rest. I had so much joy watching others enjoy a pour they wouldn’t have had other wise. Cheers and I love you Brother!!!

[@cincywhiskey1505]

I worked hard to get a GTS via trading a lot and it was because that is my dads favorite and I know I could share it with him and make some memories. Totally agree that the reaction of others experiencing bottles makes it worth it to some.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Awesome. Good luck getting that bottle to share with your dad!

[@outlander2878]

You’ve got a class act happening here on this channel…also produces some interesting feedback in the comment section…

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Thank you! Glad to have you as a viewer.

[@YoderJosh]

Something is worth what someone else will pay for it. Set your price you are willing to pay and stick to it. Create a win win. If that is MSRP, or a factor above or below…. You win.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

This!

[@traubgator]

Will say I've shifted to predominantly store picks etc, but there is nothing like finding a good allocated bottle on the shelf at MSRP. You feel an immediately sense of success and an accomplishment. It's like winning the lottery. Really is why i'll walk into a store, because you never know what is in there at good price.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Collector gene is real 😂

[@OldFashionedWays]

This was such a great informational video. Everything you said is so real and so different from person to person. I appreciate the real talk you give to help all of us out there. cheers.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Dylan-Loralar]

Well spoken! - I rarely, if ever, post responses to videos, but you nailed it on the head here. Thank you so much for the video - so glad we have Bourbon Real Talk and SSW!

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@davids2206]

Picked up your prideful goat rye. Can’t wait to try your bourbon!

[@BourbonRealTalk]

You should be able to get it from the same place. Everyone who can get the rye can get the bourbon, except CO for the moment.

[@CWChandler1968]

I live in Missouri. But, I was in Tulsa today. I hunted and punched a bottle of the Prideful Goat 1. Does that count? Can’t wait to break the seal. My favorite bottle is Stagg as well. I have a bottle of that. I really want another. Got lucky, purchased it at retail.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Thank you for supporting the brand. Congrats on the GTS. It is my favorite!

[@bradleywalden7349]

5th reason: trade value. You may not love Weller Full Proof, but if you see it for $60 get it. You can trade it for that Stagg batch 18 that you do love.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Good point.

[@ThinkkTwiice]

We all know time is money. And driving costs fuel. Furthermore, buying stuff you don't quite need at liquor stores just to hopefully aquire an allocated bottle one day at retail often times ends up being more than the bottle is worth on secondary. If someone decides to cut through the BS and pay secondary prices, I don't blame them even a little bit. Hell, in the end they probably paid less than the customer who's a regular at 4 different liquor stores.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

This is solid logic, and the type of thing I want people to consider when they judge the person who things this way.

[@scottspicer7527]

Another great video. I have bought a bottle not be cause I thought it was great, but friends did and I share it with them when they come over.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

I love it! Cheers!

[@mpatton997]

I LOVE to hunt. The reason I hunt is for the conversations about whiskey with the store owners, some good some bad…I appreciate them all. But the bigger reason I hunt is because I’m hunting for great bourbon at retail. I’m not hunting for the bottle…I live in Connecticut. I can find any bottle. I’m hunting for the bottle at retail or or 10-20 bucks over. I walked about from MWND 10/2 today for $200. The fun for me is when I find it for a price I’m willing to pay.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

This is a legitimate reason to spend the time, and I want others to respect that.

[@carlcarltown]

This is a great video. Absolutely right that some people have cases of things that we chase by the bottle. Love the message at the end of every video. Love you back bro!

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Thank you! Love you!

[@dlaskey]

The biggest point I would make - chase it because you LIKE IT. There are bottles I will chase and even pay more for because I have had it and like it. If you are just chasing because it is allocated - I think it can be fine if you really want to own and try, but you may do better to find a pour or trade samples with someone near you. It can be a hard lesson to pay on the secondary and then not like the juice.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Solid points. As I discussed in the video there are other reasons to own a rare bottle besides flavor, and I want to make sure I respect others reason for the hunt in that regard too.

[@shannonkocon2414]

I have a moderate collection of allocated bottles as well as barrel picks and bottles I have brought back from trips abroad. ALL of those bottles have or will be opened and shared at some point. To that end I have a friend of mine that curses me every time we are bowling as in his words I "Have ruined whisk(e)y for him..". Meaning that after tasting some of these things I have shown him, he's no longer interested in bottles he previously "enjoyed". Not everything I have turned him on to are that difficult to find in all honesty and frankly that is where my "hunting" has turned in finding the NEXT big thing before the hype machine grabs hold. Nice episode gentlemen & Cheers!

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Do some blinds with you friend. I think it will fix his "problem". Cheers!

[@olemanbourbon5884]

Randy great content again. No one should judge others as to each’s own. With that being said the secondary market is stupid and now just creates a market for stores to over charge for them. I also put it one the distributors as you addressed in another of your videos!

[@BourbonRealTalk]

The problem is short supply caused by no one having a time machine to change production decisions 10-23 years ago to accommodate today's demand. Now what to do about it. When supply and demand are out of sync black markets form, and there is no power in this world that has ever, or will ever stop that. Part of the problem is "Fake Demand" from people taking inventory off the market that could have satisfied a buyer, but didn't because it went into the hands of a person who has no interest in the product, but instead the financial gain they expect to get from it. There is no solution, and no one is to blame, but I do not want division in the whiskey loving community when one person makes a decision that is different than another would have made given the same situation.

[@Craftbourbonhuntershanemcnutt]

Great insight into the allocated market. It can be difficult but it’s to know, it it’s meant to happen it will happen. My wife got me a huge score this week banning a Brent Elliott SiB Private Selection that I never thought I’d own

[@BourbonRealTalk]

I do love 4RSiB BPs. Cheers!

[@tonylopez6213]

Great video Randy and thank you for the great vives and philosophy of the show. When I started getting into whiskey and bourbon in particular I was hunting for allocated products. I ended up paying 4x the MSRP on a bottle of EH Tylor BP; soon after I started discovering other bourbons and whiskeys including my local stores' pics. Since then I have never payed secondary for anything because I can buy multiple different store picks for the price of that hard to get bottle that in the end is not that great to my taste.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Solid logic. Allocated isn't about flavor and is not worth the money or effort for some people.

[@JavierJimenez-kn2ob]

loving the channel! I agree on a point you both made...there's nothing like sharing a bottle you love with other people that will appreciate it...also I too have passed on bottles that I come across at retail...I dont have any blantons in my collection even though I can find it for 74 at my local grocery store...I am just not a fan...I mean did I stupidly spend the same amount on a hidden barn...sure but you live and you learn haha

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Love the outlook. Cheers!

[@philb6409]

I like to hunt for hard to find bottles but within limits for $ and time. I have 3-4 spots where I go with the hope that I’ll come across something, but not likely to camp out or wait for a delivery truck. I’ll also sometimes buy a store pick to get an entry in a raffle for a chance to buy an allocated bottle. Some folks do and that’s fine. To each their own!

[@BourbonRealTalk]

This is a great outlook.

[@currahee63]

Great episode Randy and an important topic. I don't have any of the crazy expensive allocated bottles, but I do have a few personal unicorns. I'm happy to say I haven't been disappointed by any of them and therefore haven't regretted buying them. Bourbon is a really personal thing and everybody's palate and wallet are different, so one person cannot pass judgment on another for their choices. Cheers.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Exactly!

[@dkfromthebay]

One of my reasons for collecting what I do is the story behind the bottle (assuming it isn't marketing fluff). Sure, there are great tasting and relatively rare allocated bottles, but I'm more interested in one that used a custom still, or was the first batch after the distillery shut down and then reopened, or a commemorative bottle. For example, I think russells reserve 13 is a great bottle, but I'd be more inclined to pay secondary for a bottle of diamond anniversary.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Solid point. Back story makes alcohol taste better. I used to research the entire history of a winery before I opened a bottle. It always helped.

[@toddmatelski4650]

Appreciate this channel and the spirit of community and your reason for starting the channel! My wife and I have bonded through drinking whiskey (myself) cognac (for her) & cigars for both of us! it’s what we look forward to each week and has brought us closer than ever in our 22 years of being together! I also want to add I appreciate how each time I have commented on one of your videos you have taken the time to respond to what I said! Thanks for what you do!

[@BourbonRealTalk]

I have always personally responded to all the comments. I hope I will always have time to do so. Lindsey and I have been married for 24 years, this August will be 25. Congratulations on 22! We appreciate your support.

[@toddmatelski4650]

@@BourbonRealTalk that’s awesome to hear about you guys! Thanks again!

[@Landus000]

what is stupid are the secondary market prices, people are crazy

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Part of the purpose of this video was to help people that see the situation the way you do to stop judging people who make that choice with their own money.

[@rolandsteele2986]

I love the chase but I only hunt what I can afford. I’ve left behind many bottles because of mark up. Enjoyed the video brother!!

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Thanks for watching!

[@aaroncollene7894]

I couldn't agree more. I run into flippers and trophy hunters all the time. I try to subtly work into the convo how much I enjoy having some allocateds just to give as gifts, or donate to charity raffles

[@BourbonRealTalk]

It is a different mentality for sure.

[@rossmckelvey3032]

Hi I subscribed to your channel and I have really been enjoying your content. I enjoy the message of what your channel stands for. I unfortunately had 4 close friends pass away due to suicide and it’s terrible. Anyways I am going to buy your bottle bag from your store and I can’t wait to get it!

[@BourbonRealTalk]

I am sorry for your loss. I thank you for the support. The bottle bag is on preorder right now, but we got word last night that they have been offloaded from the ship and have been picked up by FedEx. They will ship out from use likely within a week.

[@Lawnshrooms]

My struggle is the price point on something I haven’t tried. It’s good to find a group or club that meets and tastes different whisky so you can try before you buy. When I try new whiskies I like to come up with my own price point, or what I’d be willing to pay, before I ask what the actual price is. Helps me know what my value is of the whisky. I don’t argue if someone else feels different though, that’s their palate. I fully support the brotherhood of whisky drinking and sharing amongst friends. Nothing annoys me more than walking into a house filled with whisky bottles and the host refuses to share.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

That is not what whiskey if for. It is meant to be shared.

[@Lawnshrooms]

I appreciate the message you’re delivering!

[@raynorswegan2679]

Love seeing my boy Curtis on here with you Randy! That guy is Class Act.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Love me some Curtis!

[@TheReal_DeanD]

In my opinion it is as a guy who has done and seen it. One you just waste SO much time and gasoline going store to store asking for said allocated bottle. That or you find allocated bottle at insane price. I walked into a store and saw Saz 18 year for $1900. Owner wasn’t going to budge on that price. With how many bottles that store owner had to take on to get that Saz 18 he wasn’t going any lower than that.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

That is an insane price and I would pass, but for the guy that has the money I don't begrudge him the indulgence if he chooses to take it.

[@TheReal_DeanD]

@@BourbonRealTalk I wish I was that rich that I could part with $2k for one bottle and not bat an eye.

[@tonybeckman1774]

Great video. If you are into the collecting for yourself that is great. But to buy just to sell at a big profit hurts other people. I was just at a big retailer on Saturday and talking to the store guy he said that in his experience the people buying to make a profit are usually the rudest, most demanding, customers. Everybody should remember, treat people like you want to be treated. TonyB

[@BourbonRealTalk]

I have heard the same thing.

[@OGbrick420]

very nice topic, in todays Virginia ABC allocated distribution system you are limited to 1 bottle per day. if eagle rare or blantons is there, most people will instantly go for those and leave Everything else behind.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

There are bottles I would rather drink on the shelf, but FOMO is real. It is nice to have something rare to share or celebrate with, but a good drinking experience is not hard to find.

[@harmoncollege]

Unfortunately, it has become stupid, for lack of a better term. I've been drinking bourbon for 25 years or so and used to buy whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. In 2001, I'd go pick up a Rock Hill Farms or Blanton's for the weekend at 40 bucks a bottle. Then the bourbon boom hit. I already had a couple strong store relationships, so I was still getting things I wanted, but at this point, there are SO MANY new bourbon drinkers, bottle flippers and "collectors" that it's insanely hard just to find a bottle of OWA. My beloved John J. Bowman is even becoming scarce. I'm not camping out or waiting for hours for a 'chance' to maybe buy an allocated bottle. It's a huge waste of time. The bourbon boom did do one good thing, which is bring some solid new products into the space. Other than than, I'm ready for these 'hunters' to go find a new hobby. You can call me a grumpy old man or whatever, but these people paying absurd amounts of money for a 60 or 100 dollar bottle on the secondary marked are just making the problems worse.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

This video was meant to fight this opinion. I have literally gotten multiple messages from people who were planning suicide who did not go through with it because of their connection to this community. Whiskey isn't just about drinking something that taste good or getting loose. That is why the new people are important. In my opinion, more important than my desire to find what I used to like on the shelves. There is always plenty of great whiskey on the shelves. Maybe not what we once had, but something equally as good but different. I would encourage you to embrace the new bourbon lover, and leave space for the people who make different value judgements than you do. You will still be able to get a great whiskey off the shelf, but these people will be along for the ride which is the most important thing.

[@harmoncollege]

@@BourbonRealTalk I'm all for the new whiskey lover, but i specifically mentioned the bottle flippers and "collectors" that are ruining whiskey for many others that have enjoyed it for years. I'm 48 years old and would rather spend time with my family than standing in front of a liquor store for hours in hopes of scoring a hard to find bottle. To each their own. I commend your mission with your channel.

[@cw6136]

I saw two bottles of KoK sitting on the shelf in Ohio last December. I remember thinking how cliche the name was, not realizing it was a highly desirable bottle... I'm still kicking myself for not grabbing one!!!

[@BourbonRealTalk]

🥲

[@Jake-im7wu]

Awesome topic gents! Love all the content you provide. I learn so much with each video you put out! What a bonus with Curtis tonight! Soooo.....how was the King? :)

[@BourbonRealTalk]

I loved it. It was better than any PVW20 or 23 I have had. I think our tasting notes got removed for time, but the point of the video was not to hype up a rare bottle, but to help people understand their purpose, so I am OK with the tasting notes being left out.

[@coydixon3005]

Curtis is my clone for sure. My experience has been that if I want an allocated bottle, I have to accept the fact that I'll pay a substantial premium. For the reasons you both reference, there is no substitute for the experience of enjoying an allocated pour with friends and family... providing them with something they would never buy for themselves. Priceless!

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Curtis is good at relationships, so he gets a lot of rare stuff at MSRP. When he really wants something he has managed his life in a way that he can pay a premium and it doesn't affect his life. That was the point. Let people experience the hunt the way that makes sense for them.

[@alanpawlowski1202]

There's no better feeling than finding brands that make better tasting whiskey than 75% of the "special edition" and allocated bottles. When you take the time to reflect on how a company like Wild Turkey, who has one mashbill but makes a great every day whiskey, has turned into a "limited edition" machine over the last few years, you realize the whole hunt and FOMO thing is a sick psychological game and these distilleries are abusing their customers' loyalty and trust. Campari is trying to turn Wild Turkey into what Sazerac has done with the Buffalo Trace portfolio of products. Some brands I've come to find, love and fully support over the last few years and have and do recommend folks try are Driftless Glen, Catoctin Creek, Spirits of French Lick, Leopold Brothers, Chattanooga, ASW, Leipers Fork (thanks Randy), Finger Lakes, Old Potrero, Woodinville and Wilderness Trail and Southern Distilling. There are just too many good ones out there to fret over overrated whiskey which so often falls within the same three or four flavor wheel notes 🤘🥃

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Totally fair. I am always nervous to strongly promote pot still whiskey since it is so different from the average person's expectations, and craft in general because the price per bottle is naturally significantly higher than legacy distilleries. That said, given the limited amount of a bottle people consume who are drinking occasionally for pleasure, price isn't as big of a factor as some people would imaging.

[@alanpawlowski1202]

@@BourbonRealTalk price and pot still profile - all valid counterpoints. There's serious psychology behind the weird Buffalo Trace craze. I experienced it again in person at a store while talking with an owner of the store just a few minutes prior about the Buffalo Trace crazies. The gentleman asked for "3 products I'm looking for Blanton's, Eagle Rare and Buffalo Trace. Do you have any?". Upon being told no I tried to get the guy to buy a bottle of Bowman informing him it WAS Buffalo Trace along with AAA10. He said he'd have to do more research on it. The conversation ended when I asked if he had ever had Wild Turkey to which his reply was the trope, "A lot when I was younger. I guess my palate has been refined.". Made me wonder what research he has done! Who is espousing this ridiculous assertion that BT is the best thing ever? It surely isn't WhiskeyTube so it must be psychosis. In terms of price, a lot of craft distillers seem to be in line with the $50-60 range, which in this market, is what quite a few of the legacy distilleries are pricing their mid-high level shelfer bottles at. Pot still...pot still is a bit trickier but my counter argument is there's no real way bourbon is supposed to taste like. It's like beer. It doesn't all taste like American lager and pilsner and it's not supposed to. Ultimately, to each their own. Real moral of all of this is: Finding a new bottle and supporting an upstart distillery is very invigorating. Sampling the new finds out to friends and acquaintances, who in turn are blown away, has brought me greater joy than any ETL, W12, WTOne, etc bottle ever has. 🤘🥃

[@BourbonRealTalk]

@@alanpawlowski1202 "I guess my palate has been refined."😂😂😂 People say stuff like this in my comments and I am always like, OK I guess your palate is more experienced than mine. By the way, I love all the distilleries you mentions, except I have not tried Catoctin Creek. People really need to explore more and figure out what they like.

[@alanpawlowski1202]

@@BourbonRealTalk Catoctin Creek is a great in-between of Old Forester and Willett ryes. For those who like the more herbal profile. I'm very much interested in getting folks to step out of their palate comfort zone. It's akin to eating black forest ham and American cheese on white bread every day. I'm not going to tell you you're wrong but I will say there's other ways to prepare a sandwich including different breads, meats and cheeses, not to mention even various styles of ham. Upon first glance of my spreadsheet I'd say over 50% of the American whiskey we own is craft. I enjoy my salami on a toasted bagel with cream cheese as much as my pastrami on rye 🤘🥃

[@christopherm.2413]

I've had very few "good" allocated bottles, and I've had some everyday sippers that beat the ass off of the hard to find products. It's not worth it for me, but if people enjoy it, then good for them.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Great attitude!

[@tweedysl]

I have been able to sample a few of the BTAC line, GTS and THH are probably my favorites especially THH. Is it weird that I’ll pay 40-45 pour but not $800 $1600 for a bottle? I don’t think, but that’s where I am comfortable with the transaction. Now maybe if I found one for sub $400 I’d be all in. Great conversation as usual.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

I do the math, and if I can drink it out for cheaper than at the house I will get it...otherwise it is Knob Creek or Wild Turkey 101 for me.

[@brentworls8509]

I found a couple $60-70 bottles that I really really enjoy. I get disappointed when I buy something in or above that price range, and it just doesn't taste as good or better. I buy KC12 and I bought several of the last store pick KCSiBs in my local store. I love drinking those bottles. Booker's 2022-4 was a rush for me to buy at $99, Baker's 7 was a rush at $50-something. And they are super good, in my opinion, and were worth finding and buying. The diminishing returns on paying more than that has been limited. I did buy a Calumet Farms 16 because I was eyeing them for months. That's my upper limit. $160. I hope it tastes as good as I expect. The FOMO on 13th Colony...meh... the FOMO on an EHTBP... well, that's a good one worth retail... I just pop open my KC12 or KCSiB, and sip, and find that I really haven't missed out by missing out.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

I was sent a sample of the 13 Colony, and I loved it, but I didn't have to pay secondary. Your philosophy is right. Good drink does not equal rare or expensive.

[@markrutherford6139]

For me, it's only worthwhile hunting when you can find a highly sought after bottle at MSRP or a reasonable retail price. I'm not interested in "hunting" to find products which are severely marked up. I've been very fortunate to find bottles by being in the right place at the right time, buying 2 and trading 1 of them for something that I really want, and the old fashioned method of making a relationship with a local store.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Exactly. The process is the reward for some people.

[@brad4266]

Good topic. Thanks for covering it.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Thank you for watching!

[@Bobbyholmesclubstep]

My philosophy when it comes to bourbon hunting: If you can afford it and it brings you joy, go for it! Just remember there are diminishing returns as you go up in price and the prices hikes do not scale up according to the quality of the whiskey in the bottle. Just go into it with your eyes open and have realistic expectations. In all likelihood, you're not going to find that a $5,000 bottle of whiskey tastes 100x better than a $50 bottle. In some cases you might even find that the $50 bottle taste better than the $5,000 bottle (especially if the $50 bottle is four roses single barrel). At the end of the day, its just moonshine thats been stored in a burnt oak barrel for a couple years and differences in quality are just at the margins of the flavor profile.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

That is exactly why I said the value is almost never about flavor.

[@dlaskey]

Great topic. I see far too many becoming Golem chasing their precious. Drink what you love. My palette is different than yours. That is actually awesome - It means that there is more for me and more for me because we love different things. It also helps us to broaden our horizons and get new tastes.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

So true!

[@That_dude_who_knows_some_stuff]

At the moment I’ll spend $50 on a bottle and no more. If I can sip it neat, it’s a winner. That’s it.

[@kirbyculp3449]

Good philosophy.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Good strategy. You will be immune from the insanity.

[@zulusmith]

Yes when you have stores like Prohibition Liquor (Atlanta) selling Weller's Full Proof for $650.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Most people who hunt do not consider price gouge stores a viable source. That is like a person who can not attract a desirable mate hiring a prostitute. Everyone involved ignores the purpose and gets right down to money.

[@rileyfam]

I am a cheap, my best friend calls me frugal. When I taste a whiskey it seems like a put a psychological cap onto if it's worth it. While I enjoy drinking, as retired military my budget won't allow a "splurge". I am incredibly happy with the mid shelf items. If I win the lottery maybe my taste will change. 😃

[@BourbonRealTalk]

When you drink the rare stuff you quickly realize that if they have more value than shelfers, it isn't because of flavor.

[@PlayUASong4free]

I needed to hear this today - thank you!

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Cheers!

[@ChrisSimpson-j6x]

I think hunting unicorns is stupid. I've been a bourbon drinker for over 30 years. I've bought every unicorn out there, but I've done it through monthly allocated drops and quarterly allocated drops. I've never paid over MSRP, but I've got friends that hunt from state to state, spending their mortgage payment on bottles that they don't even know if they're good or not. My friend bought a Weller CYPB for 500 dollars that he could've bought for 55 dollars a week later at the monthly drop.

[@shawnsatchwell]

This is why doing blind tastings more often would probably steer some people away from chasing some of these crazy bottles that don’t blow you away when you drink them. Speaking from a “buying for the purpose of drinking” standpoint of course

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Exactly. My main motivation was to point out that others motivations may not be the same as yours, so leave space for others to make their own decisions. For me, if it were just about flavor, I would drink a handful of sub $60 bottles and be done. The margin of quality between a good shelfer and the rarest bottle is not large enough to justify the secondary price difference, but there are other things that motivate me besides quality of flavor.

[@shawnsatchwell]

I totally agree. There’s definitely a certain feeling when you get a unicorn in your hands finally. I guess I just wish people who had no actual interest in bourbon would stop hoarding it lol. Cheers!

[@Jared40]

I got nervous Randy when you had that knife 😂😂😂

[@BourbonRealTalk]

That is my special bottle opening knife I got from my grandfather when he passed away. It would never hurt me 😂

[@cb3099]

Good points. Especially when there are so many reasonably priced tasty pours.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Cheers!

[@blueorb]

Yes. 100%. Leave these overpriced bottles on the shelves and the market will correct itself. The secondary, allocated hunt, buffoonery is ridiculous and needs to come to an end. That's the hill I will die on.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

I am guessing you may not have watched the video. The point was judgement of others for what they do with their time and money is not a good look.

[@stevenb392]

Ok let me say this . In the great state of Ga I have been able to find buffalo trace , & Eagle rare readily available for maybe $8 to $10 over msrp with some Taylor SM sprinkled in for 2x msrp. Weller as well but it's marked up to secondary, other that special reserve. Now that Sazerac has made a distribution change it is absolutely crazy. people are buying up everything .. There wasn't a bottle of Eagle Rare to be found. Stores were selling out cases within minutes of opening, even with limits of 2 per . Hunting what I didn't really consider allocated may have just become for real. I really enjoy my eagle rare.. ugh

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Sorry to hear that. Maybe things will get back to normal after the change becomes old news.

[@orion2250]

Bought a allocated Blantons based on hype before i even tried it... Dead average... So i gave it to my boss. Tasted rip van winkle 10,and wow,it wasnt ass and burnt hair. Immediately found an allocation of it. Still debating

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Everyone's palate is different.

[@J167_v]

All that allocated stuff (BT) is trade bait for me. Although this is a bourbon channel, I've managed to trade a some bourbon for hard to find scotch and old Elijah Craig Barrel Proof. In terms of bourbon, I enjoy Elijah Craig and switched over to HH because it's easly accessible.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

They make some solid whiskey

[@daddychav9831]

Good stuff! Solid episode.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

thank you!

[@applecrow8]

I guess for me the dissapointment is giving up the hunt, then seeing people post rediculous whiskey chests in my own area with all those rare bottles. EHT got me into bourbon and I haven't seen it on the shelf at MSRP since 2018. At this point I'm not even sure I'd still like it! The upside is that I've moved on to enjoying a lot of the shelf sitters and keeping an eye out for those interesting bottles.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Finding that shelf sleeper can be just as rewarding.

[@kevinkeen8382]

To me it is worth it because I enjoy the hunt.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

That is a great reason.

[@shpfro]

I may be in the minority here but I have no desire to chase allocated bottles. Like dude said about licking an oak trees ass, enough whisky tubers have been let down by the unicorns for me to waste me money on. I'd rather pay 800 for 20 good bottles and 800 for a bottle that's gonna be used as a mixer.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

I think a lot of people feel that way. People should invest in the bottles that make sense for them and how they are going to use them.

[@SSN70]

Brilliant conversation ! I just posted about this on the Facebook group, is more expensive whisky actually better in flavor? Compared to my favorite 40 to 150 price bottles ? Love these types of discussions 🥃👊🏽

[@BourbonRealTalk]

There is very little correlation between price, rarity, and quality of drinking experience. That doesn't mean that if it doesn't taste great that it doesn't have value. The point was to open people's eyes to other people's motivations so that conflicts that destroy connection could be avoided. Sounds like you are doing it right! Cheers!

[@SSN70]

@@BourbonRealTalk I absolutely couldn’t agree more, your mission is fantastic, I love no judgement and all perspectives ! In the motorcycle community, there is a saying it’s called “ride your own ride” goes for life, goes for whisky 🤘🏽👊🏽🥃

[@bourbontraveler]

I don’t mind collectors hunting, I do mind flippers. Buy it cause you like it.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

I would prefer the flippers stay out of the market. There is no telling how much their false demand has inflated prices.

[@bucksmkr12ga]

I saw an article on Yahoo about Oregon liquor officials having allocated liquors routed to a store by them and having them on hold. SALEM, Ore. (AP) - The Oregon Department of Justice is opening a criminal investigation into allegations that senior officials in the state's alcohol regulatory agency violated ethics laws by diverting rare, sought-after bourbons for personal use, the state attorney general said Friday. The officials said they were paying for the whiskey, which can cost thousands of dollars a bottle, but they allegedly used their knowledge and connections at the commission to obtain the products, according to an internal investigation by the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission. There was much more to the article. I just posted the beginning.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Yes, the governor is calling for a mass firing and had demanded the resignation of several high level officials as a result of them using their position of power to benefit themselves and to buy political favors.

[@kylejackson9688]

If you’ve ever tried those hirsch 6y labeled sibs, you know that’s willett juice on the cheap though lol

[@BourbonRealTalk]

I have not tried them, but I have some purple tops that I like.

[@SirOttis]

No tasting notes on the King?

[@BourbonRealTalk]

We kind of missed the boat on that one. I don't remember the individual notes, just that it was way more balanced than most higher age premium bourbons.

[@toddtaylor5852]

I will buy a bottle that I don't like if it is at MSRP or close. I have a group of people that I trade with. More often than not, I can trade that bottle for something I do like.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Trade value is a thing. Often I feel an obligation to the retailer who blessed me with the right to buy it to keep it.

[@user-te3qq1rb7u]

I enjoy hunting in the sense of hitting a random store and seeing what I might find. Camping out for a bottle is hopelessly pathetic. I am vicariously embarrassed to see people doing that. I was in a store yesterday and saw a middle aged guy walking around nervously as he filled his cart with all of the BT sitting on the shelf, a few bottles of ER and a bottle of Blantons. A cart full of mediocre bourbons by most people’s standards. It was honestly kind of cringey and me not even want to be standing next to him.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Some of my favorite whiskey experiences have been camping out overnight. Not for the bottles, but the people you meet and the experiences you have.

[@garystahl666]

I love this channel! God bless you :-)

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@TheVirtualsherpa]

Great video

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Thanks!

[@jasonczfan8658]

If you have extra money and plenty of time on your hands then it’s no problem. I don’t know about the rest of you but I don’t have either of those things 😂😂

[@BourbonRealTalk]

😂

[@ASerfling36]

Yes, but I still do it. I haven’t gotten anything super cool yet, but maybe one day. Unfortunately, it’s the only way unless you have VERY deep pockets.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

That is fair. Cheers!

[@OGbrick420]

Hah, i knew you were going to say Elijah Craig 18 when you were talking about the bottle you would buy but did not like

[@BourbonRealTalk]

😂

[@blakep8914]

my favorite bourbon channel and the fb group is amazing. if your not already in it what are you doing???? GO JOIN!

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Wow! Thank you for the support!

[@billslone242]

Hunting assumes you're paying retail.

[@mrfuriouser]

Agreed.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

You got me! It would be more accurate to say is the pursuit of allocated spirits just stupid, since I made reference to people trading money for time and going over retail. Sorry.

[@JesusGarcia-en3pj]

I close my eyes, and that guy on the left sounds like MKBHD.“Hey guys is MKBHD here, and today we’re reviewing the new drop of the stag Junior”

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Had to google it, but he looks cooler than me so I will take it as a compliment😂

[@laramiestephenson1143]

KoK is AMAZING 🤩🤩🤩

[@BourbonRealTalk]

It was very tasty! I like it more than PVW20 or 23.

[@billcarnell4588]

Collecting anything can become a sickness

[@BourbonRealTalk]

That is fair 😂

[@jkdubya85]

I think it's stupid - I remember buying anything I could want off the shelf anytime I wanted it (read: pappy for special occasions or my own personal favorite at the time, weller 12 for $20). I refuse to participate in this madness. A quick search of online liquor stores and I see Weller SR on "sale" for $69.99. That was basically a bottom shelfer until seven or eight years ago. It's not even about my money so much as it's about my time. I mean, yes, I'll drop my receipt in the Goody Goody box and buy something for a friend if I get a call, but I'm not standing in line anywhere at 5am and I'm not driving 45 minutes past 100 liquor stores to go hunting based on a rumor off of the local whiskey subreddit. I'm certainly not paying secondary prices for anything. Screw that. Normal Knob Creek and Wild Turkey 101 are both fan-freakin'-tastic (and so are KC 12 and Rare Breed/Russell's Reserve) and so I hope everyone else keeps chasing the newest and latest/greatest.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

The point of the video was to explain that it might be "stupid" to you, and that is OK, but you can not make that judgement for others.

[@jkdubya85]

@@BourbonRealTalk Probably some bitter good ol' days syndrome going on I should admit to. That said, I did say I hope they keep doing it - the more people get themselves worked up over things that are marginally better and/or marginally different, the more it keeps what I've settled on on the shelves.

[@scottwhiddon5991]

I am starting to dislike Buffalo Trace bc of how they allocate their better bourbon. I’m a regular Joe and can’t find them much less afford them! Mitchers just came Out with a 6,000$ bottle! In my opinion it is driving people away from these brands. A good 30$ bourbon can hang with those that are 100$ or more!

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Blind tastings are key. Don't be too angry at BT. It is just a bunch of people trying to make a bunch of good bourbon as fast as they can. If they could invent a time machine and go back and increase production they would.

[@dylankatieboatner3908]

Yes. Thankful that I realized the foolishness.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

😂

[@anthonyhays628]

I love the hunt , BUUUUUT my wife on the other hand ,,,,since she's my cpa says no 🤣❤️ cheers 🥃

[@BourbonRealTalk]

😂

[@davidatac9738]

No it’s fun

[@BourbonRealTalk]

I find it enjoyable too. The point was to show people of differing opinions that each individual may come to their own conclusion, and that we should not judge others for how they spend their time or money just because they do it differently than we do.

[@davidatac9738]

@@BourbonRealTalk have to hunt if you want the goods for msrp . Just scored 107 , Blantons , EHT sb … good glorious day

[@pumpedupdart6859]

Is chasing allocated whiskey stupid? Absolutely not!!!!! Paying to much for any whiskey is stupid. The real question that no one can answer for someone else is "what is too much to pay for whiskey". You can help someone determine what is a bad value or an overpriced bottle. IMO you should only be spending money you won't miss on whiskey, not matter what the bottle costs,

[@BourbonRealTalk]

This!

[@BourbonHawk69]

“Trophy Hunters” annoy me. I don’t cater to them in my store. I take care of my locals and personally let them know when the truck is being unloaded. Prevents morons from coming in and seeing it then posting it on FB and it’s all gone in 20 minutes from people that aren’t regular customers

[@BourbonRealTalk]

This is so fascinating because the average view of my podcast doesn't see the perspective you are sharing.

[@BourbonHawk69]

@@BourbonRealTalk Maybe because most of your viewers aren’t on the retail liquor sales side of it. I have regulars that are in my area that will visit me and buy other products on a regular basis and I know they also want the allocations when they can. So what I do is I have a group message of my local regulars I text when I see stuff being unloaded. That way they have the opportunity before the word gets out to people that are not my regular customers. Example: had 3 cases of ER come in about an hour after one of my regulars was in. I got busy and one of our employees put it on the back counter behind the registers. Within 45 minutes it was all gone. We are not a super busy store. My regular called me about 15 minutes after it was all gone and questioned me about it. I asked how he even knew we had it and he said one of his friends wife was there when it was being shelved and she got one (we only sell 1 per customer) and posted it on FB from the parking lot and said where she got it. Our town sits between 4 other small towns and a major city. Boom! 18 bottles gone in under an hour and almost all to people that won’t be back unless the same thing happens. So they’re not really our customers. Can’t tell you how many people have told me they have multiple bottles of allocations and none opened. That’s crazy to me. What’s the point? Secondary market and trades apparently. I get asked every single day for allocation. Imagine how annoying that can be from my perspective. Look; I’m not throwing rocks from my glass house. I have a rule of thumb on my “regular” drinkers. 1 open and 1 in the hole. I won’t open my last bottle if SWUU until I have a backup and then I’m opening the other asap. Just my 2 cents and my perspective from a former liquor store owner and current sales person. Thanks for all your insight and attention to details. Really enjoy what you bring to the table

[@OGbrick420]

its never the 'chase' its a 'hunt'. if you chase bourbon you may never catch one!

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Interesting

[@BourbonHawk69]

YES

[@BourbonRealTalk]

😂

[@earlalford7694]

I think blind tasting is the best way to try whiskey 😋 it makes a difference

[@BourbonRealTalk]

People will be shocked by what they like when they don't know what they are drinking.

[@andrewmainprice2179]

Yes it is a waste of time and money and in blinds most don't do well.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

I said is much in the video. The premium/rarity is not about flavor.

[@chuckandrews5339]

My biggest disappointments in whiskey, have come from expensive bottles. Just saying..

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Fair point. When a cheap one isn't to your liking...no big deal.

[@MrCritterJohn]

It’s dumb if you don’t have a lot of extra cash

[@BourbonRealTalk]

yes. Do not spend money you don't have on whiskey.

[@chrisb5986]

Yes.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

😂

[@heatherharrison264]

Everyone has a different approach to rare and expensive booze. Some avoid it like the plague, while others enjoy the hunt. I'm more the sort who avoids it, but I can understand how others get into the thrill of the hunt and feel a sense of satisfaction when they finally get their hands on something that is hard to find. In my area, allocated whisky tends to be more readily available and more reasonably priced in bars than in retail stores. Blanton's, for example, rarely turns up in stores, and when it does, the price is far out of line, but multiple bars have it, and they charge less than $20 for a 2-ounce pour, so it is a good bar bourbon. This situation works for me, as it allows me to sample a few of the hard-to-find ones without busting my budget or using up a lot of time running around to stores. For my collection, I buy whisky that is good but less well known and not typically found in bars. This way, I have the greatest possible variety available to me. If I happen to stumble upon a hard-to-find bottle of fine rotgut that I think I would like and the price isn't totally out of line, I'll pick it up, but I'm not going to spend a lot of time searching or spend a thousand dollars on something that I think is only worth a hundred. This is how I approach it, but it might not be the right approach for someone else.

[@BourbonRealTalk]

Solid plan!