2017 BTAC Release Map
Please Read: Each state is highlighted when one bottle is reported in that state. There’s a good chance that means that store, and a lot of times that city, is already sold out. This map isn’t an official release tracker from Buffalo Trace. This is a network of bourbon drinkers looking to help each other. Stores are dealing with smaller allocations and greatly increased demand. Please be understanding of this fact. Happy Hunting!
Love it or hate it, bourbon season is here. It’s time for the 5th annual Bourbon Buffalo Trace Antique Collection Release Map! If you’re unfamiliar with the map, here’s how it works. I highlight each state when the antique collection is released in that state. Remember, distribution can be tricky. Because it was released in part of the state doesn’t mean you’ve missed out. The release map is another tool to help in your BTAC hunt.
For more info and to find other bourbon hunters join the Bourbonr Facebook group. I’ve also added the city which was reported if you hover over each state. If you’re new and still trying to get your feet wet check out my post “How to Hunt Bourbon” This is a community-driven map. If you find a bottle please shoot me an email at Blake @ Bourbonr.com. Make sure to include your state as well as a picture of the bottle. I welcome any tips about state releases as well (Especially Florida 🙂 )!
Here are some things I understand about the map. Not everyone likes it or finds it helpful. It’s not perfect. Flippers may use the map. It may not find a bottle of Stagg for you. I get it. This is another tool to help you with your bourbon hunt. Bourbon hunting is more difficult than it four years ago. I still believe the release maps provide useful information. And, I enjoy the community that they help build. Because of that, I continue to, dedicate time to them every fall. With that said, Happy Hunting!
2017 BTAC Release Map
Release Dates:
10/4 – The first bottles of Buffalo Trace Antique Collection hit the market in North Carolina and Wisconsin. The hunt is on!
10/5 – Buffalo Trace Antique Collection hit Georgia (but not Atlanta yet)
10/10 – Two new additions to the map, Kentucky (not the major retailers like Liquor Barn and Party Source yet) and North Dakota
10/13 – BTAC arrives in Montana
10/17 – Atlanta
10/18 – Buffalo Trace Antique collection hits Oklahoma. BTAC spotted at a bar in Nebraska
10/19 – Buffalo Trace hits a few states: Kansas, Pennsylvania (Announced its lottery) and Alaska
10/24 – Indiana receives BTAC
10/25 – BTAC hit Washington DC
11/2 – Buffalo Trace Antique Collection hits Michigan, Nevada (Las Vegas) and Florida.
11/3 – BTAC makes its way to Deleware and Maryland
11/7 – The Antique Collection hits Illinois (Northern IL) and Iowa
11/8 – BTAC in New York (Long Island)
11/9 – BTAC makes it’s way to New Mexico, South Carolina, and Utah
11/13 – Buffalo Trace Antique Collection makes its way through the south releasing in Mississippi and Alabama. BTAC makes its way to (Middle) Tennessee
11/15 – BTAC arrives in Virginia, Minnesota
11/20 – Buffalo Trace Antique Collection lands in Texas, California, Washington, Connecticut
310 comments
I would like to call it right now – I will be left looking like Blake when he had his first sip of 17 Handy at the end of this hunt (confused, a bit surprised, sad, and sweaty)! <—– I have to set expectations low or I will be disappointed when I strike out.
Haha, sounds pretty accurate!
Word is that in Mecklenburg County NC ABC Stores have placed their order for BTAC and would indicate a Friday 9/29 delivery.
I live in Mecklenburg County and I can’t even find the regular BT products. I have no hope of finding BTAC 🙂
Just came across this old post. Have found any BT in Mecklenburg County? I have yet to see it at any ABC store. I end up stocking up when I travel.
Who knows what they’ll actually do with it… it goes the Cherry street store first where the main distribution is done. It’ll never hit the shelves… They’ll either do the email lottery thing or randomly put it behind the counter where the managers friend will just ‘happen to stop by’.
They have a mailing list lottery.
Concerning local store lotto’s, I’ve heard “you can’t apply to the lotto list unless you reside in county of same store” to “I don’t even know if we’re getting any so I’m not even taking names for now since we haven’t received nothing we requested in past five years” to “I’m tired of being pestered about it all the time and am thinking of not even requesting any for good since it’s more trouble than it’s worth”. This is probably why the one time state lotto draw would be the best and fairest way all around.
I see you’ve been talking to the same people I have 🙂
My prior post ended up being false. I asked 2 different employees at ABC for Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, but I guess all they heard was ‘buffalo trace’! On the 29th they did have Buffalo Trace regular, but not BTAC. Will go hunting again this week.
Just hit Massachusetts. Got a call to pick up Stagg and 10 yr Van Winkle!
hey, trying to plan for this year, where in MA was your store? Thanks!
Hey Blake, I saw you tweet those sample bottles…without divulging tasting notes, which one should I be after…the Stagg or the Weller?
William Weller Larue is by far the better option this year
You will have to check out his live tasting tonight in the Bourbonr facebook group. He is sampling both the Stagg and Weller.
I love the hunt! Game on!
Ohio’s already distributed their allotment via a State Wide Bottle Lottery. The Lottery was in August. Winners were notified on or around August 11th. I saw one bottle of Pappy 10 Year go out of my small rural town liquor store. https://liqagency.com.ohio.gov/bottlelottery.aspx
That was for the 2016 allocation
Guess that means we won’t see 2017 bottles until August 2018? Figures. smh
https://pix.sfly.com/ne5eq5
it’s Old Rip Van Winkle 10 year…it’s NOT PAPPY
(so tired of this)
No reason to get upset. Everyone knows. I’ve learned to accept it 😀.
Cheers!
What the hell is difference that people ALWAYS need to correct other?
What are you willing to pay for Pappy 12 and Pappy 15, and Elmer T. Lee?
Elmer t 55 bucks buy it all the time I love my liquor store. No gouging from them.
Just toured Buffalo Trace this week. All wheated bourbon produced there (weller, Pappy, Rip) is distilled identically. Same. It’s all barreled and stamped WL Weller in the rickhouses. I personally saw these barrels in one of there rickhouses. Julian Van Winkle personally goes through and tastes from these barrels marked WL Weller, decides what he likes and his picks become Van Winkle. 10 year becomes old rip, 12 year and up become Pappy. Rejected barrels from Julian become WL Weller. So really, this insane debate is pointless. I did a side by side tasting with Weller 12 and Pappy 15 on this trip. Very little discernible difference. Pappy a bit more oak in the taste. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of it all.
That is totally separate from BTAC the Van Winkel line is not in the BTAC lineup.
This is totally false the lottery in August was for pappy and old rip no batc has been sold in ohio yet other then maybe to wholesale accounts
If Pappy or BTAC was sold in August it was from the 2016 allocations. No one had received their 2017 allocations at that point
Big money, no whammies.
Looking for the the NC release.
Hmmmmm nope. Couldn’t care less about the Stagg and Weller. How about the Handy Blake?
Good for you dude. Try to show little respect for the Weller and Stagg fans. Because if you look at the reviews they’re almost ALWAYS higher rated than the Handy.
Pennsylvania will be doing their limited release lottery for the BTAC at the end of October. The 24th to be exact.
did you get an email? because they have not released information about that yet? last year was october 24th and never count on the plcb to be consistent
I’m really looking forward to following the BTAC saga.
“Saga” is a nice word for what is about to commence over the next few months…
Ugh!! Enough already.
It’s too early in the bourbon season to be frustrated.
Is this still current? Based on the last few years were starting late already.
Yes, seems to be running a couple weeks behind this year. The press release was two weeks behind so I guess it makes sense.
It has landed in NC.
GTS, Saz 18, and THH purchased in NC today. State sent out shipments to local boards this week, trucks in the Piedmont arrived this morning.
BTAC hit NC
I can confirm BTAC has landed in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago. I got a Stagg waiting for me! And did someone say Pappy? Oops… that’s for another blog!
According to FB GTS hit Asheville, NC today. Guy posted a pic of the bottle he just got for $89.
I saw same Pic. Looks like the Stagg is out in NC.
I saw that too.
Can confirm it is in Asheville, NC. Just sent an email to Blake. Picked up a bottle of GTS for $89 plus tax. First BTAC bottle I’ve ever found, very excited.
Congrats!!!
GTS hit North Carolina! Picked one up today 10/4.
where at in NC?
Can anyone else confirm Wisconsin?
Anyone know where it’s been seen in WI? I know it usually hits the Madison area before Milwaukee.
I am a member of a Bourbon group in WI with a pretty braid member base covering the state and nobody has seen it.
Just a comment as to it being very limited release. So no worries. Yet.
I spoke with the guy again and it’s confirmed. It was in some small town in the northern part of the state. Could be a slip up by the distributor. But, this is a case where the map helps because you know it’s in distribution. It probably won’t be that much longer until the major cities get it.
It landed in Madison at at least one store today.
How can I get into this group?
I’d also like to get in the wisconsin goup.
I picked up the WLW and GTS in Ramseur NC yesterday afternoon.
Y’all are lucky. No such thing as a “hunt” anymore in VA. Anything worth hunting ends up in the lottery system. Ridiculous. They need to throw it out on the shelf and let those of us who are serious about whiskey track it down….sucks.
A lottery isn’t the worst. Not everyone has the time, money, and friends to be able to bourbon hunt. Just like what’s been said in articles on this site, it’s time consuming and exhausting and for what, a mediocre limited release. I’m just as serious as the next guy about bourbon, but I can’t put it above my god, my family and my job.
Nice logic. Anyone that cares more, or puts in more effort, than holier than thou michael must be putting bourbon above their God, family and job. Defeatist loser.
wow… I wanna grab a drink with Ted! He seems like a cool guy… said no one, ever.
Right on Michael! I feel you on that comment! I have a great time connecting with people in the bourbon world as well as hunting for the unicorns, but all things kept in perspective with priorities in check!
Yeah some do get a bit crazy chasing this stuff. For the most part tho I’ve found that no one takes it too seriously. I go to a few distillereries and retail stores for the good stuff and usually end up empty handed. They don’t give a crap about you and just want your $s. It sux but, I always enjoy meeting and talking shop with all the cool cats while waiting in line. It’s almost a festive type gig.That’s what makes it worth a few hours of my time a couple days out of the year. Then toss in maybe one lucky bottle @ retail — hell even better. Good luck.
KY & ND today – posts in Instagram
Who’s IG for ND?
Can you expand on this a little more regarding ND? Happy Harry’s, the state’s largest liquor store with five locations, hasn’t announced their bourbon lottery yet.
I am not sure I would believe instagram. I know the GM of HH’s and am on the lottery lists for the two largest liquor stores in Fargo, neither of which have announced anything yet.
Seen a few posts with lucky finders in NC, anyone find any of the BTAC around Raleigh/Durham yet?
They are both doing lottos. Have to leave the Triangle to score any.
It’s in kentucky. I found a bottle of stagg at a local mom and pops shop
Where in KY?!?!
Found Birthday bourbon the other day, sent a friend to buy for me and they charged $329!!! Needless to say I’m returning it. Good grief!
That’s ridiculous that they mark it up that much. I bought one from a retail store and only paid 97 and some change. That’s a huge mark up
I paid $80, that’s insane!
I fought one for $66 and one for $84
I would’ve fought someone for $66 and $84 too 😉
Bought
Has anyone heard anything about a Texas release date?
Texas release is usually the last week of October, first of November.
Been making calls to my usual NY places (both NYC and upstate). No updates on when BTAC will be released, so I’m assuming late November as usual. Anyone heard differently for NY?
A store upstate told me it would be the usual time, might be delayed until early December. If I hear anymore I’ll pass it along
My source here in El Paso was told they could be getting BTAC next week.
Only stores that Trace drew lotto for are getting one case (3 bottles) each of Stag or Weller’s here in N.E. Carolina, from what I see and I’m told they are already spoken for preferred customers to my dismay. No Sazerac, Handy or Eagle’s Rare as of yet from what I noted. Best bet for desperate peeps will be in strict lotto draw states if you know someone who lives there and will put in for you, but it seems the few bottles are going to be extremely limited, more so than Pappy’s even. Congrats to the favorite fortunate that obtained any here. Maybe other stores that also put in requests will obtain the other three brands that didn’t make it in this area as of yet, but whats the use. Maybe it’s a different story in larger populated areas.
Montana was yesterday and Today
Any idea where in Montana? I’m guessing Belgrade and Grizzly liquor…
Bozeman too
Livingston, Bozeman, Twin Bridges, Helena, Great Falls and Missoula
Anyone know where in ND it hit?
It’s great to see posts from people here from different states scoring at retail prices. Maybe there’s hope after all that things are beginning to stabilize in the bourbon market. Many thanx to Bourbonr blog for supporting the bourbonr community.
I was offered a Thomas h handy by a small retailer for $500 in South Florida. Seems like some places have gotten different varieties of the antique.
Probably 2016
It must have hit the Indy area. One retailer held a lottery today for Van Winkles, BTAC and other rare bourbons. Another has posted pictures of bottles received.
I’m guessing the Van Winkle bottles were 2016.
What city in IN?
Any ideas on when these typically land in Arizona (I’m in Phoenix area). Most stores I talked to about said they usually backroom it, so I’m not sure I’ll see it anyway.
Google the BTAC for 2016 to get a general idea of when each state will be released.
Just got an email about Pennsylvania’s lottery. It’s time!
Hoping this year the computer algorithms find me worthy…
Showed up at the right time & place and got a Handy 17 in Northern KY mom and pop store. $129. They sold 2 Staggs same day/shipment. Half dozen cars following the delivery truck one store to the next…
On I was visiting Kentucky last weekend. On Oct 14, 2017 the Liquor Barn in Louisville East, KY. recieved 50 bottles of AC (30 GTS, 12 or so WLW and 3 or so of the ER 17, TH) I was told by their spirit guy the same afternoon there. Lottery was set up at the door for the people who showed up and 1 bottle of Kentucky Owl 11 y/o was opened and sold by the dram at cost to those waiting in line who were interested in trying it (a very nice gesture of the managers at LB). I missed it while attending a Willett tour at noon, where the gift store just got 2 cases of a 9 y/o rye. They were selling it 2 bottles per visitor. Earlier that morning they had 13 y/o bourbon , but sold out by 11:00 AM. Heaven Hill Visitors Center had ( on my way to Willett) ECBP 1 per visitor. Well, you miss some, you get some. I’m happy with 2 Willett ryes and 1 ECBP. It was my B-Day!
Any idea when these get to Illinois? BT doesn’t tell my local store owner when they are arriving.
Usually IL gets it fairly early on – 2nd or 3rd week in October – but I haven’t seen or heard anything yet, and I’ll be getting a call about it when it does.
Mark – that was my impression as well. Seems like it may have pushed back a couple-few weeks across the map
Any intel you gentleman can share on snagging a bottle in IL? Will the neighborhood liquor stores even get an allocation or am I better showing at Binny’s on day of release? Much appreciated.
Mitch-
Binny’s holds for preferred customers these days. If you’re not already one, start building the relationship now for next year.
Binny’s is getting them next week Friday. They’re getting it to their distribution this week so that means late next week. Plus the head guy at Binny’s is in KY and there’s no way it’ll drop when he’s gone.
Hey Phil, Any update on your intel? I haven’t seen anything yet and apparently nothing in the shipment this morning.
Just talked to a place that said they were told not until November or December. Anyone else heard that? It’s the first time I’ve spoken to anyone and gotten a response other than, “I’ll know when it shows up on the truck.”
One Binny’s manager told me theres a rumor that it’ll come in November
Picked up a bottle of WLW today at lunch in Tulsa, OK. $91 a bottle.
Going to be in Tulsa Monday. Any hints on where I can find?
I’m near Tulsa…we drove over today and the shop we stopped in was selling WLW for 400 and GTS for 300. Wish we could find it for closer to retail!
PA statewide allotment is pretty scarce for the reported number of bottles being released, (Weller, Stagg and Handy especially). I’m not holding my breath. I have yet to win any of the PA drawings.
Sazerac Rye 18 Year, 90 Proof: 39 bottles including 30 for individual consumers and 9 for licensees
Eagle Rare 17 Year 90 Proof: 69 bottles including 52 for individual consumers and 17 for licensees
George T. Stagg 129.2 Proof: 165 bottles including 124 for individual consumers and 41 for licensees
William L. Weller 128.2 Proof: 192 bottles including 144 for individual consumers and 48 for licensees
Thomas H. Handy 127.2 Proof: 407 bottles including 306 for individual consumers and 101 for licensees
I’m convinced the lotteries they hold are fixed…. The PLCB is so corrupt.
I’m in Montgomery County MD, and like you, this whole system stinks to high heaven. Ever thought about doing a freedom of Information request to PLCB to see how they handle the lotto? Might be illuminating.
According to the significant increase in the estimated number of bottles for 2017 BTAC GTS and WLW, what are your thoughts on why the PA availability of those bottles for 2017 remain stagnant? Are they going to bars and restaurants? Has anyone heard any rumors? Thanks.
BTAC appearing in Nebraska
https://www.facebook.com/PROOFomaha/posts/1986369341648682
Where was this found in Atlanta?
I saw a sazerac rep carry a case of Stag to a store in Alpharetta. Store owner wouldn’t sell it to me even though he said he would last week when I bought some sazarac rye
….and that’s when you stop shopping there.
Looks like MD will be early next month according to last years map. Anybody hear or see different??
Just got the Total Wine email for the Grand Reserve members. They will sell it online through their concierge program. One bottle per person & you must choose from the PVW or Antique Collection with local store pick up. No word of how many bottles of each.
Also just saw the price list. Looks like no PVW Rye as an option:
Products Being Offered
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year – $94.97
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year – $109.97
Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year – $159.97
Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 20 Year – $249.97
Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23 Year – $429.97
Thomas H. Handy Sazerac – $124.97
Sazerac Rye 18 Year – $124.97
George T. Stagg – $124.97
Eagle Rare 17 Year – $124.97
William Larue Weller – $124.97
I’ve heard there will be no VW Rye this year as the Buffalo Trace distillate comes of age.
Don’t say such hurtful things. We can only hope you are incorrect!
Supposedly, it wouldn’t be the same anyway, even if it was released. The previous iterations of VW Rye were supposedly tanked 19 yo stuff, which ran out last year – foil hat wearers say last years batch starting with a “Z” (after being A-F/G or something before) also signifies this.
What total wine location?
Those are pretty reasonable prices. Good luck!
Got the same email. It is one bottle of PVW OR one bottle of BTAC. Last year was 1 bottle of 10, 12 or 13 VW and 1 bottle of PVW 15, 20 or 23 and a separate email for 1 bottle of BTAC.
Just got off the phone with their concierge department. Said the sale for today is postponed. They will send out a communication soon (guessing an email) to let us know when the website will be ready and they will do another sale date/time. They assured me that no one got through so chances are still equal. Knowing my luck they will pick a date/time when I am not available to be by a computer.
Stagg and ER17 hit KS today
Pls share where in KS?
Found Stagg in KC and a bottle in Salina
Found a Stagg in Wichita. Any idea when WLW or Handy hits?
Found a Thomas Handy Sazerac in KS today
Total Wine in CT gouged this year for Birthday, charging $150. Very surprising. In terms of BTAC, I got serious about finding them three years ago to see just why they cause such a fuss. Three years later, I’ve tried them and own all the bourbons. Three years wiser, I’m now of the following informed opinion: WLW and GTS are very high quality, but frankly, they are NOT orders of magnitude better than say Eagle Rare 10 yr or EHT Small Batch, or similar. I’ve done blind taste testing with very many bourbon people who salivate over BTAC and Pappy, and swear they taste like no other. Guess what? The “special bottles” ranked no higher in anyone’s list than the $30 – $40 ER and EHT. No appreciable difference, and certainly not 3x or 5x (or even 2x) better to justify the drama and price. It’s infectious too. Even the various bloggers who do their own taste tests – they will say a particular “special bottle” drinks hot this year, is cinnamon heavy, slightly unbalanced, or whatever and still give these “special bottles” an A-. If that juice came in a bottle labeled “Ancient Age” they wouldn’t dream of giving it an A- for fear of being perceived as not knowing good bourbon. My two cents – don’t believe the hype and let your taste buds, via blind tasting, guide you.
That’s exactly what the industry wants. They have people like you late to the party who don’t kno any better convinced that the mid and bottom shelf stuff is the new gotta have high priced status symbol. ETL, Weller, ER10, EHTSB, 4Roses LE OB1KNOB, Whistle Hog, Hoot ‘N Howdy Orphan 25yr or whatever are now considered ultra premium juice. Then bloggers are turning to blind tasting to justify the new trend. Makes great business having low quality high profit margin products passing as low margin premium but it might backfire. An Oct. 10, WSJ piece addresses changing demographics in the adult beverage market and how the liquor industry could get hit if they don’t ‘sober up’.
“People like me (?) that are late to the party.” Not sure I follow. Are you even responding to my post? Not sure. If you are, I’ve been drinking bourbon for over thirty five years. Pappy since the mid 1990s. BTAC was something I decided to investigate three years ago to see if it really lives up to all the hype. Decided to throw Pappy into the blind tasting too, just to see. And not sure who or what you are referring to with “bottom shelf being the new gotta have.” My point is that people hunt and sell their souls to land these “special bottles” but if they blind tasted these “special bottles” against solid and available offerings, they’d be surprised to find that the difference between them is not so dramatic to justify the ridiculous pricing in all this hysteria. It’s basically trophy hunting.
I was [am] commenting on the changing market trends in the adult beverage industry and how those changes might influence the future growth of that industry.
OK, I get it now. I think you’re raising an interesting point. Any chance you could elaborate a little? I didn’t see that WSJ article. What I see happening over the years is that bourbon went from just one of the choices on the shelf, to a ridiculous position of status, where is now sits on a pedestal. With respect to Blake, this irrational trend has made prices surge, has created a hysteria about securing the right trophy bottle, and has created a bunch of self-professed pseudo experts – most with no actual formal tasting training – with blogs that now treat the stuff like liquid gold, doing all these elaborate tastings and reviews. One associate at TW told me that his top bourbon drinkers rarely get to Grand Reserve, so the wine crowd, most of which rarely buy any spirit other than vodka, are tickled to grab one of these trophy bourbon bottles through the Rewards Program and use it as a conversation piece. What a topsy-turvy paradigm!
Anyone know how to get a bottle of BTAC or PVW in California?
Yes. There are a couple ways.
1. Paying 4(Handy)-8x(The rest) retail for BTAC or 10x+ retail for PVW. Many stores advertise on Instagram when they have stock. If you’re flush and money isn’t a problem, this is your best bet.
2. Being invited to buy one by stores like total wine after spending a couple thousand on other products. I believe if you want the complete PVW line, TW will let you have Pappy 10,12,Rye(Not this yr),15,20,& 23, if you spend $25K or more per year. Yes, you read that right, $25,000.
3. Sheer dumb luck you happen to run into one in some mom & pop shop. Though in today’s market, even mom & pop will want 2-5x retail for BTAC and there’s just no gaming anyone on PVW. You’re going to pay up the @$$~!
4. Be a loyal customer of one of the boutique liquor stores in town that actually does raffles and sells for retail. If you spend what they deem enough on products like rums, vodka, scotch, bourbon etc….they might invite you into a raffle. I say might because this is a rarity now, everyone’s in it for the $$$.
5. Bevmo is raffling a 10yr sometime this month. Which I’m sure a couple thousand people will enter to make your possibility of winning it something like 0.00000001%
Edit: Point #2, by let you have, I meant to say they’ll let you buy the entire line. No one is giving this stuff away for free! LoL
As long as you don’t pay more than 100 bucks a bottle for bourbon you should be alright,these companies got everyone right where they want them it’s called supply and demand the oil companies have done this for years and this is no different,remember beanie babies no different,it was all supply and demand.when this implodes and it will eventually as long as you stick to your budget you will be ok.
Going to be poking around a bit here in Florida, still early I think but one never knows
Spend the $ at TW and get the bottle it’s simple like it or not… not an employee at TW but just stating the obvious
Total cluster f*ck for Total Wine online sale for their grand reserve members. Website crashed. They should have known this would happen. No word on when the links to buy will work again. Did they not expect to get MASSIVE traffic to their site with this???
Yes indeed I can’t believe they were so unprepared!
I called Concierge Services (after trying for an hour to get in touch with someone) and they said their IT department was working on a fix and that they would reschedule the shit show. I told them, that, I hope they realized the reason the site went down was because of the Pappy BTAC release, and their response was, “yes, IT thinks they will have the issue resolved the next time.” Good luck everyone. Wasted my morning.
So, it went a little smoother this morning. Still took it time to load, go through the concierge cart options, review order, etc. Was able to get Sazerac 18 though. Finally got the bottle that has eluded me for so long!
Picked up a bottle GTS today in Tulsa, OK. Store got one case of three bottles, just like last week’s WLW. Called several other stores and they didn’t get any (at least that is their story).
I just received a call from my long time Merchant in Rhode Island.He was able to reserve a bottle of both the Weller and Stagg. I cannot reveal the name of the store because he only gets in a few bottles and I give him thousands of dollars worth of business every year. But I’m awfully glad that I I am able to purchase these special bottles.
Any TX sightings??
Not yet, but this year seems to be running a little behind the typical release time for TX. My guy said by Thanksgiving is what he is being told.
Costco in Washingotn DC came in Monday all gone Monday
What did Costco get? They usually get all of their items on Thursday
Shoot. Guess I’m out of luck in the District this year. If it was out last week, forget about it — all gone, unless you’re willing to pay through the nose at one of those places that sell for secondary market prices.
GTS for $98 in Indiana. Relationships are key if you are dealing with retailers that do not hold lotteries. I go to the Liquor Barn lotteries in KY, and they are great! But, this bottle was obtained through hard work, and a very generous store owner who called and said “I have a bottle of GTS”, “Would you like it?”. Told him I would be there in 2 minutes, and I was. Stoked!
Just moved to Indianapolis. What’s the best stores to build relationships with?
Anyone get a state-specific total wine email today?
Expensive day with the iPhone X preorder and the Total Wine PVW/BTAC concierge sales. If/when it is your states turn for the sales, if the item you want isn’t available, keep refreshing and put in the first 2-3 digits of your zip code. Be sure to sign into your concierge account and add a credit card if you can before it goes live. You can choose other locations near your area. I had a PVW 20 in my cart, checked out and then was told it was no longer available. I kept refreshing with the thought that the same thing that happened to me would happen to others which would result in random bottles becoming available. I was able to snag a PVW 20 from a store about 20 miles away. $199.97 pretax. Good luck!
out of curiosity, can someone explain the 2017 laser code etching? 2012-2016 started with “B” for buffalo trace, followed by year “16”, followed by day of the year “200” followed by time “08:00” then lastly the bottling line “”K”.
2017 codes start with “L17”.. what is the L?? it also appears they have two extra digits, in the example below it is the “01”
“L17 228 01 12:36N”
Just a guess, the “L” is an incomplete etch for the “B”…I’ve got an incomplete etched bottle code on a 12 year van winkle from a couple years ago. The “01” you reference could be same issue…bottle code etcher went haywire and added more numbers…or for the conspiracy theorists out there…it’s a silent ATF tracer code working to help combat the ridiculous secondary market pricing if the bottle gets resold…
They’re definitely L’s, no doubt about it and not fudged by scalpers. I’ve seen them on all the BTAC as well as Pappy releases this year.
Very interesting….perhaps contacting BT distillery directly is the best way to go for an accurate answer…I believe there is a customer service/info link on their webpage…if you get an answer please share…
BTAC is definitely in Washington, DC (besides the Costco sighting). I’ve been contacted about whether I want a bottle from a store where I frequently shop in NW. I’m hearing Pappy and ORVW may have arrived in the DC market too, but I have not been able to confirm.
The timing seems unusual this year. As far as I know, BTAC and Pappy have arrived in the DC market before Parker’s Heritage 11th edition and Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch. The only other limited edition bottle I’ve seen lately is Old Forester Birthday.
I got an email from a store I used to frequent (before they started offering me “deals” like THH for $400) that Pappy has arrived, so I’m pretty sure you are right about that in DC. OFBB also came – saw a shelf with it marked at Calvert Woodley, sold just a couple hours before I arrived. I’ve heard nothing of BTAC other that Costco but I have had no luck finding it below above secondary prices so I’ve pretty much given up. No PH11 or FRSmBLE thus far that I’ve seen.
I’ve had the same experience in DC. I’ve been hitting the liquor store near my workplace by Metro Center every day at about 3 pm for the last week, but I’ve seen neither hide nor hair of BTAC (want), Midwinter Night’s Dram (want), nor Pappy (meh, don’t care), and I’m told PH11 (my 2017 goal) hasn’t come in yet. Perhaps it’s all moved already. In unrelated news, that local store got decent size batches of the cherry smoked woodford reserve and booker’s limited Little Book. Not particularly interested in either of those.
The three DC stores that I frequent (one downtown, one in Foggy Bottom, and one in upper NW) have not gotten in Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch on Parker’s Heritage 11th edition. I’m going to be looking for those too. It’s just weird that they haven’t arrived; they’re usually in by late September! I’ve confirmed Pappy is in DC too, but a store that I was able to get one or two bottles from two years ago has only gotten one bottle of 15 or 20 in each of the past two years. I sound cranky, but life was so much easier for bourbon drinkers this time of year back in 2012 and 2013. 🙂
Stopped by there yesterday and the stocker said everything was already sold – owner wasn’t in. The little book is an interesting pour.
On the Little Book, interesting as in worth a bottle or interesting as in get a pour at whiskey bar? I like Beam in general, so I’m somewhat intrigued, but not sold on it, particularly in light of the tepid reviews.
Moco got a second shipment of parker’s 11 today(ish). One case. Picked up a bottle at silver spring. Dunno the status of the other two bottles. Guessing this might be the last of parker’s in Moco.
Still haven’t seen it in DC.
Saw on Twitter BTAC has arrived in Michigan
https://twitter.com/DaveTOG/status/925819384567910401
It has hit Michigan. Confirmed from myself and multiple others.
I am going to be looking for more Parker’s #11 this year it is delicious.
I can get 2 bottle’s but it is 200 plus tax. Can ship.also have 2 bottles of a midwinter for 100 plus tax. That is what I paid
What part of Michigan?
BTAC is out in Minnesota. I’ve picked up my first bottle of the year
What area of Minnesota?
I got that Stagg in the western metro. It seems like the distribution is pretty slow and inconsistent so far though. One of my friends got a Stagg, a WLW, and a Saz18 so far. I had to choose between a THH and the GTS I got. I haven’t heard of any ER17 sightings yet though.
Zipps liquor in Minneapolis just posted a pic on Facebook of THH, WLW, and GTS
Second this
Did you find a 2017 or a 2016 release in Minnesota. I haven’t heard of it landing anywhere yet.
Andy, did you leave more on the shelf or load up? Any tips on Minny?
GTS, WLW, & THH in Brighton, MI. $399-$599. None for me.
BTAC in Illinois today.
Yes sir!
Where? Chicago?
Vic, where was this spotting?! Binnys or a local shop?
Chi?
West burbs, my local store got about 10 bottles of Stagg, WLW and THH.
2 of my local go to stores In Baltimore got their BTAC and Pappy 10 yr. All bottles were $349 at one of them and $249 at the other. Ugg so no bottles for me this year. Can’t support that kind of pricing. Sadly I used to get good prices at both stores.
BTAC Hit Northern IL today 11/7/2017
Care to share where?
Scored a stagg, a handy and a wlw in northwest IL today…. 11/7/2017
Where in Northen Il?
Looks like BTAC hit Connecticut and Long Island this week. Nothing in NYC yet – apparently different distributors for Long Island and the city?
I can confirm that Long Island has received their btac, my guy got it this morning (along with some micters 25…)
You buy the Michters 25? My regular shop laughed at me when I said someone saw one on long island.
I did not buy it and I wasn’t there in person, so I cannot confirm for you.
Can you share what shop? 350zspeed@gmail.com
Nice! I hope you got yourself a bottle or 2!
Any idea what are prices in LI and which stores got it
Cheapest I found a stagg was $350.
Just wanted to say,myself I find this blog very helpful it doesn’t pinpoint any bottles but it saves a lot of wasted time looking in states where it hasn’t been released yet,I found Stagg Monday in Southern Illinois. Hopefully this blog will be repeated next year.
It will be here! Congrats on the Stagg
Where in Long island I want to buy my first bottle
So does everyone else. There are 2 shops in massapequa park selling but they’re $400-700
Found a GTS in West Columbia, SC today, beyond excited. They had the rest of the BTAC lineup as well from what I saw. All in the back of course, happy hunting!
Where in west Columbia?
Not sure how the map updating works. I’m new to Bourbonr, but have followed Blake and bourbonr for as while as he’s a frequent guest on one of my favorite podcasts (bourbon pursuit). I’ve built some good relationships here in New Mexico and secured a bottle of William Larue Weller today in the northwestern part of the state. The manager asked if I would like William Larue Weller, George T Stagg or Handy. No ER 17 or Saz 18. She’s keeping me posted on Pappy. Hope this helps!
Secured a William Larue Weller at a store in New Mexico today. Just an update
Managed 2 bottles of George T. Stagg in Utah this morning. The high yeild of GTS was reflected in the inventory I saw at the store. 24 bottles this year compared to 3 bottles in 2015 at the same store.
Where at in Utah? Thanks.
Was there a line and did everything sell out? What store in Utah? We’re they closed today? How did you know it was hitting the shelf or was it luck?
Any more sightings in Michigan? Headed that way tomorrow
Noted an earlier mention of CT, can that be confirmed? Two stores that normally get something have yet to see any.
Confirm BT ant. Is in sw suburbs of Chicago.got a bottle of GTS for 200
I live in central Florida and cannot seem to obtain ANY of the rare stuff. WLW, GTS, TH, etc. Is there anyone near me or willing to help me obtain “1” special bottle for the next year of enjoyment?
PapaBlueElk@gmail.com
Mississippi got theirs Friday
which part of Mississippi….I have a close friend thats a shop owner I get it from every year and they say not yet
I’ve been in the bourbon “hobby” now for three years and I just acquired my first bottle of George T Stagg 2017 here in middle Georgia (Warner Robins).. While it cost me a pretty penny ($250), I saw another one a few blocks down the road for $399!. This is the first time I have actually seen these in my neck of the woods. Will save the bottle for a special occasion.
Just picked up my reserved bottle of GTS at Total Wine in Phoenix, AZ
BTAC (WLW,GTS,THH) available in Middle TN
Where did you find it?
Confirming BTAC in east TN. Scored a Stagg for $100. By the time you read this everything will likely be gone.
Can confirm that BTAC has hit NYC (but not upstate NY) and is currently sitting on shelves for $600/bottle. I saw Stagg, WLW, and Handy at 5 different stores across Manhattan and Brooklyn – all 2017.
Where in Mississippi, called my regular every year girl and she said not yet
It has hit a few stores in Jackson. Places have only gotten 3 bottles that I’ve talked to. Even my regular place said they only got 3 of each Antique and he is not even putting them out for at least two weeks because he wants to see if he gets more before selling anything. Not looking good for this year.
Still nothing around Chicago? Heard distributors received but not distributed. Any truth to that? Where in Illinois is it showing?
I found Stagg last Wednesday in southern Illinois.store only received 5 bottles total there was 3 Stagg 1 William larue and 1 other but I forgot which one,I also got my pappy this year and the allocation there was extremely low I was told about half of last year.would also like to find Parker’s heritage this year I heard it is excellent.
David C I got a BTAC bottle GTS last Friday in bridgeview.sw burbs for 200
I received my bottles of George T Stagg and Eagle Rare 17 on Tuesday in Virginia. I know other’s received William L. Weller and Sazerac 18.
Ron – can you share what area of VA?
Oh snap. Is BTAC given to wait list people again this year?
I thought this would be the first lottery year.
BTAC has landed in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago! I have a Stagg waiting for me along with a Pappy 20 yr, but that’s news for another blog!
Pappy and Btac both landed, got a handy sazerac abdc12 year Van Winkle, notvsurechow to score 15 year or greater…
Cool! I got a Stagg and a Pappy 20yr! Congrats and cheers, dude!
Have called 7 different stores around the Twin Cities in MN. No one has BTAC. Where did this sighting occur?
Hey CC,
I spoke to a retailer in Savage who received 3x Stagg last Monday. They were gone before they even arrived. Not that it helps but at least to know they have been located that way.
Will anyone in Upstate NY be seeing BTAC?
http://www.winemag.com/2017/11/01/workers-strike-at-empire-merchants/
Store manager in Brooklyn thinks the Empire strike affected delivery of BTAC here too. From what he heard, only 60 bottles total (or perhaps cases, he mighta been wrong) for the 5 Boroughs.
So you are saying the strike had them change their allocations? From what I was told, it caused like a week-ish delay in addition to a number of deliveries that were wrong / needed to be corrected.
I’m only relaying what a store manager told me over the phone. I dunno if he was implying that they only delivered 60 bottles or cases and that there would be a 2nd drop.
So the store manager was right – more BTAC dropped in NYC last Friday along with the Pappy drop. Place by me got a few Stagg and WLW ($600 and $700 respectively). Oddly enough, I managed to snag 2 WLW at close to retail ($102) from a store by me in Brooklyn that never had gotten any BTAC or Pappy in the past. Was just sitting on shelf with the $102 price tag.
Massachusettes has received BTAC, picked up a GTS and WLW
In Boston?
Western part of the state
Sounds like it is in Boston now too.
Landed in Seattle. Handy, wlw, and GTS.
What’s a reasonable price to pay for George T Stagg? Seeing a few local places asking $450-$500. Is that insane?
That’s high and above secondary prices. I’m hoping to pick up a bottle around $350 so I can crack my other bottle but, I’m in NYC and prices are too damn high.
Yes that’s utterly ridiculous pricing. Don’t pay it. Lest, you become part of the problem. Lots of other great whiskies out there for fair prices.
While $350 is steep, the goose is worth the gander with this one. Tried a couple different bottling’s already and it is FANTASTIC juice. And those other good bourbon’s out there for fair prices? Give it another year or so and some of those will start becoming unicorns also…
Any news on TX
Fell into a Stagg in Central Illinois Friday 11/17. Store had a total of 6 allocated bottles (mix of BTAC and a Van Winkle 10 that I saw) the Van Winkle 10 was snagged by a guy right before me. Paid $109 for the GTS.
where in central illinois did you find it?
Not BTAC related, but I picked up a bottle of Weller 12 at ABC in Florida yesterday. $49.99 for a 1.75L. I put my name on a list a few weeks ago and got the call yesterday.
@bourbonguy, Which ABC Store in which city in Florida?
Don’t want to give too much info out of respect for the store’s employees – it’s in southern Palm Beach County.
Anybody have any info about Oregon?
Due to arrive first week of December
BTAC arrived here in Houston today, 11-21, posted on NASA Liquor’s Facebook page.
Stagg, W.L.Weller, and Handy in Los Angeles, Ca. today (tuesday 11/22/2017).
400 for stagg at one place, 700 for stagg or weller at another, and 300 for handy at a third place.
Purchased a bottle of Stagg in Austin, Texas yesterday. Store owner said that it was the only bottle allocated to him. I paid $189. I had asked about the BTAC collection several times over the last two months, with no expectation that he would get a bottle or sell it to me, and I stopped in for a bottle of rum on my way home from work yesterday. He walked around the corner with Stagg in his hand. Crazy.
BTAC & Pappy landed in Arizona today. Was lucky and scored a bottle of STAGG. Apparently, Arizona’s allocation was cut statewide by 60%
Where’d you get the Stagg from?
AJ’s
Saw BTAC in CT (along with PVW) last night….totally ridiculous pricing though at one store…what I like to call “criminal pricing”. Weller @ $750, ER 17 @ $700, Stagg @ $600…even a bottle of OWA @ $100…WTF is going on?…the PVW pricing was ludicrous as well…this uncontrollable madness has to stop!…for gods sake some secondary market pricing is lower…
My local shop informed me that not a single bottle is coming to Maine this year because the state raised the price of Fireball which has the same distributor in Maine.
I figured I would comment on what rob said,I heard something similar from my shop about fireball.what I was told is that the distribution of allocated products such as the antique collection and pappy are dependent on what the stores fireball sales are for the year.this all sounds crazy as the fireball consumer would not be interested in Stagg or pappy and the Stagg and pappy drinker wouldn’t be interested in fireball,it sounds like it is really all about the bottom line.
Listen to the Bourbon Pursuit podcast – they have had several store owners on who confirm these allocations are “pay to play”. It may be frustrating from a consumer standpoint when your favorite store doesn’t get enough of these, but it makes sense from the distillery’s business perspective.
Yes, my local mom & pop liquor store told me the sames thing. They are pushed to get Fireball, and some other liquors, like a tequila made by Sazerac. What they get with Pappy and BTAC is based on this. This year, so far, they got 3 bottles each of GTS & WLW, 1 bottle each of Handy & ER17, and for the Pappy’s they got 3 bottles of ORVW, 2 of the 12 yr, and one each of the 15 & 23 years.
Just found George T Stagg in southern Mississippi for $350 …too much, they also had Birthday Bourbon for $190 and Michter’s 10 yr $225
landed in Colorado front range
Local store has received their allocations of BTAC in Boston, MA.
I have a handful of stops I hit in Missouri on a weekly basis trying to track some down and it seems to keep getting delayed. Multiple stores saying they’ve been expecting it for several weeks now and still nothing. Any insight from anyone on the delay state wide?
I checked about six different places in mid Missouri today and nobody has seen it,I found a bottle of old rip 10 year and it was a small miracle,the shops are really stressed out this year with pappy as allocations have been severely reduced this year. Good luck
Guys, I heard the same thing last year from an owner in Minnesota. I had been a loyal customer for some time. I kept checking on the Pappy release and spending $$$. I showed up right after the delivery. The store clerk told me to ask the owner. He gave me a sob story about how he had to by 200 extra cases of Fireball to get a 10 and 12 year bottle of van winkle for personal consumption. I get it…but MR. Franchisee, you lost a loyal customer. I am laying your rent. There is a reason you are struggling.
BTAC and pappy’s hit Kansas City today. EXTREME LIMITED, if you don’t know the shop owner don’t bother.
Any word on Btac in Wyoming
I called my shop in mid Missouri today that had pappy for me last week and she said the Stagg and hardy already came and went so i didn’t get any,they only had 2 bottles.i just figured I would pass this along as this map has really helped me out.
Hit Oregon, but sold out in Portland Metro area.
December and still no sightings in Louisiana.
I just picked up a bottle of Thomas H Handy in Columbia, MO
Finally seeing some BTAC and Van Winkle in Western New York. At least the north towns. Got a GTS for myself.
Buffalo or Rochester? Have seen nothing in Roch
Has anyone else seen 2017 bottles in California? As far as I can tell they have yet to show up. Lots of previous year stuff around but haven’t seen the new new.
Can you be more specific? Which city?
Palo Alto full collection of BTAC but 500-1000$ per bottle. Crazy pricing
Any word on BTAC in Massachusetts? Thanks.
Any sighting of BTAC in Massachusetts? Thanks.
Come and gone in most spots Plymouth and Bristol counties. Horizon held BTAC until Van Winkle line was in and released both mid Nov. Last of anything I have seen was lottery/auction in Lakeville on Dec. 5
Thanks for your response. Merry Christmas.
Scored a Four Roses Limited Edition Barrel Strength for $98(after tax) in San Francisco Bay Area.
A liquor store near Cleveland, Ohio is having a drawing for 12 bottles of BTAC. Not sure when but I put a ticket in the drawing bin last week.
Finished off the season with: 2 George T Stagg, 2 Thomas Handy, 2 RVW 10 year, 1 Pappy 23 year, 2 Elmer T Lee, 2 Parkers 11, 6 Birthday Bourbon (1-2016,5-2017)2 Michters 10 year, 1 Michters 10 year rye, several Blantons , 1 Rock Hill Farms,several Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B-517, 3 Yellowstone limited (1-2016,2-2017) , Weller 12 year , Antique & Reserve,Jeffersons Presidential 16 , TONS of Barrel Picks,Midwinters Nights Dram , Happy Hunting !!!
Looks like you figured it out or you own a liquor store,very nice but I see your list is similar to mine as I noticed no four roses allocated stuff.I was very fortunate this year but no four roses or Weller 12 to be had and probably won’t see the Weller 12 as it is going for crazy prices on eBay.
I was fortunate enough to get all 5 of the 2017 BTAC release. They were acquired from a store in NY. 3 of them are engraved but the Eagle Rare 17 and the Sazerac 18 have a stamp on it, like an expiration date on yogurt. Does anybody else have the Eagle Rare or Sazerac from this year and are they engraved or ink stamped? Thank you. Cheers!
Was able to find 2 George T. Stagg, 1 Thomas Handy Sazerac, and 1 William Larue weller in upstate New York for 89.99$. Also found E.H. Taylor barrel proof and 4 grain. Found a couple michters 10 bourbon. Also found a case of Elmer, got lucky. !!
Prove it.
Just spoke to manager at mom and pop shop here in CA, they have one bottle of Stagg, I’m new to the bourbon hunt and wondering if it’s odd that this bottle just showed up? Seems the release was last fall?
Just got a bottle of 2017 George T Stagg, California.
Just found a bottle of Russell’s 2002 in northern Illinois I know it has nothing to do with this blog but it made me happy as it was the hardest bottle to find that I’ve ever searched for,hopefully there will be a 2018 btac map again this year.