If you’re a bourbon enthusiast, the daily rush to secure your favorite bottle has always been part of the thrill. However, there’s been a noticeable shift in the availability of these coveted spirits since the end of May 2024. Whereas previously, popular labels would sell out by mid-afternoon or even earlier, recent trends show they are now available until closing time at 5 PM. Let’s explore this change with data pulled from BuffaloTraceDaily.com and its implications for bourbon lovers.
Pre-May Frenzy: Bottles Gone Before Noon
Buffalo Trace Distillery has implemented strategic allocation measures for its esteemed whiskey selection, which includes renowned brands such as Blanton’s, Eagle Rare, E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch, and W.L. Weller Special Reserve. Due to these measures, availability of these highly sought-after bottles may vary from day to day at the distillery’s gift shop. To manage this variability, the distillery systematically rotates the availability of these brands on a daily basis, sometimes depleting the allocated supply before the close of business.
Before the end of May, bourbon fans often had to act quickly. Here’s a glimpse of how the scene looked:
- E.H. Taylor Jr., Small Batch on 03/30: Sold out by 10:24 AM
- Eagle Rare on 03/28: Sold out by 10:42 AM
- Blanton’s on 03/29: Sold out by 11:35 AM
- W.L. Weller Special Reserve on 03/13: Sold out by 12:25 PM
Throughout April and early May, many bottles sold out by mid-afternoon, if not earlier. It wasn’t uncommon for the most popular labels to disappear shortly after the doors opened.
The Shift: Late May to Early June
The tide began to turn towards the end of May:
- E.H. Taylor Jr., Small Batch on 06/02: Sold out by 1:15 PM
- Eagle Rare on 05/17: Sold out by 4:56 PM
- Blanton’s on 05/31: Sold out by 4:59 PM
- W.L. Weller Special Reserve on 06/01: Sold out by 4:53 PM
By early June, a pattern emerged: daily releases were increasingly available later in the day. While some bottles still sold out earlier, many started to last until closing time.
Post-May Transformation: Bottles Until 5 PM
Since the end of May, the trend has solidified, with daily releases lasting until the store’s closing:
- E.H. Taylor Jr., Small Batch on 06/14: Lasted until 5:00 PM
- Eagle Rare on 06/08: Lasted until 4:58 PM
- Blanton’s on 06/13: Lasted until 5:00 PM
- W.L. Weller Special Reserve on 06/12: Lasted until 5:00 PM
This pattern continued into July:
- E.H. Taylor Jr., Small Batch on 07/03: Lasted until 5:00 PM
- Eagle Rare on 07/14: Lasted until 4:50 PM
- Blanton’s on 07/17: Lasted until 4:48 PM
- W.L. Weller Special Reserve on 07/10: Lasted until 4:59 PM
In recent weeks, nearly every release has continued to be available until the store closes at 5 PM.
What’s Behind the Change?
It’s unlikely that the initial rush for certain labels has simply subsided or that consumers have merely adjusted their shopping habits to spread out their visits. This leaves us with one compelling explanation: increased supply. The distillery must be stocking larger quantities to meet demand, thereby reducing the urgency for early purchases.
The Impact on Bourbon Enthusiasts
For many bourbon lovers, this change is a welcome one. It means:
- Less Pressure: There’s no need to rush to the store first thing in the morning, making it easier for more people to get their favorite bottles.
- Convenience: The extended availability allows for a more relaxed shopping experience, catering to different schedules.
Looking Ahead
As we move forward, it will be interesting to see if this trend continues. Will the availability of daily releases remain steady until closing time, or will we see a return to the previous frenzy? Regardless, the current state provides a more accessible and less stressful experience for bourbon aficionados. Stay tuned for more updates found on the “Sold Out” Tracker and enjoy the newfound ease in securing your prized bottle. Cheers to a more relaxed and enjoyable bourbon hunting experience!
Since the only way I can get one bottle of Weller is to drive or fly up from Florida every 3 months (and I’m sure I speak for many other aficionados) so this has little to no impact on us who live further away than commuting distance to Frankfort. What really matters is, when will we ever be seeing it again on our local retail shelves? The upper management at BT had to be made by their parent company Sazerac to ramp up production. The other distilleries had the foresight to boost production much earlier than BT. IMO, the lack of vision of their management is to blame for the scarcity of their products.
I think limiting to one bottle every 90 days is the biggest factor.
i agree about the 90 days i would like to see every 60 days and being able to buy 2 of the same at once . just saying since production is ramping up ??
In the last 18-24 months Americans have lost around 30% of their income due to inflation and rising energy costs. A lot of folks don’t have the disposable income for a trip to the distillery to buy their favorite booze. The 90 day rule factors in but It’s like this across the industry, you even see stuff sitting longer in your local liquor store, which is great for some of us. When it’s either provide food for the family, pay the electric bill or buy bottles what do you do?
There’s also the issue of the BT tracking site not getting updated as often through out the day.
I’ve been there late day when the site said they had stock and none was there and it wasn’t updated till hours later.
The 90 day thing is a joke to me.
To me you could make so much more money 💴
Hey Someone, you do realize i just blog about the distillery and don’t work for them right?
The 90 day “thing” prevents the same few locals from becoming the ONLY flippers.
What happened to Elmer T Lee