Every year in the fall, whiskey geeks decent upon every store hunting for bottles from Buffalo Trace's Antique Collection (BTAC), Pappy van Winkle, Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, and others. It's like a zombie apocalypse. Many, if not most, of those bottles will never be opened by the original purchaser. Rather, they'll be sold on the secondary market for many times their suggested retail price. Even more folks will work every store lottery, charity auctions, or other program meant to at least attempt to fairly distribute a product in short supply relative to its demand.
All I want is to be rewarded for being a consistent customer of a store throughout the year, not just for whiskey and not just in the fall. I've found that and Dan has found that, and maybe it doesn't yield the full-on unicorn bottles but it has allowed us to buy some nice bottles all year long with little fuss and it's what made it possible for both of us to get each other favorite bottles for our own birthdays when there were none on the shelves for sale.
Why can't it be simpler? Why do whiskey enthusiasts insist on becoming the worst of the worst retail consumer for something that shouldn't be so hard to buy? Do you blame the distilleries, the retailers, or the consumers? Or, do you love the hunt and think this is the most awesome setup for a hobby ever?
In the end, I guess I don't care. I find delicious bottles all the time that don't cost an arm and a leg even if they cost more than they should.
Of course, nothing is forcing me to remain a whiskey drinker either if I don't like the system. Coffee is good. Wine is good. There is plenty to drink beyond overpriced, overhyped bourbon and rye whiskey.
Cheers!
Podcast episodes, videos, and livesteams are available at thepracticalstill.com.
Join us for Friday Sips Live, Fridays at 2:30pm MT
All the socials @ThePracticalStill
Questions for us? Email mark@thepracticalstill.com.
Whiskey isn't all we do.
Slow Guy on the Fast Ride
Dawn Patrol MTB
Mental Healthlete
Popular Podcasts
New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce
Football’s funniest family duo — Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs — team up to provide next-level access to life in the league as it unfolds. The two brothers and Super Bowl champions drop weekly insights about the weekly slate of games and share their INSIDE perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. They also endlessly rag on each other as brothers do, chat the latest in pop culture and welcome some very popular and well-known friends to chat with them. Check out new episodes every Wednesday. Follow New Heights on the Wondery App, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free, and get exclusive content on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And join our new membership for a unique fan experience by going to the New Heights YouTube channel now!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!