Every fall, whiskey distilleries announce various limited-time expressions, which are later released just in time for the holidays. (For example, there’s Buffalo Trace’s Antique Collection, High West’s MidWinter Night’s Dram, and Old Forester’s Birthday Bourbon.) Here are a few tips and tricks to help you hunt down those special offerings.
1. Join bourbon groups and societies. Members of such groups frequently post photos of where they found sought-after whiskey. Among the local groups: Missouri Whiskey Society, St. Louis Bourbon Society, and Bourbon Women. Read more about whiskey, bourbon, and other spirits groups here.
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2. Make friends with similar interests. Visit not only with others who are into whiskey but also the staff at your favorite liquor stores and whiskey bars. There are a number of St. Louis bars and restaurants with a robust whiskey selection. For instance, consider getting to know the team at Clark & Bourbon, Planter’s House, Platypus, and Small Batch.
3. Ask the bartender. Many bars and restaurants have package liquor licenses, which allow them to sell bottles. Next time you’re out and see a bottle that you want, try asking whether they’re selling. (See the list above to get started.) Next time you stop by City Park Grill, Rackhouse Kitchen Wine and Whiskey, or The Vandy, for example, be sure to ask what the have for sale.
4. Sign up for emails from your favorite liquor stores. Sign up for local liquor stores’ email lists and VIP programs, which often send out information on special releases and lotteries. At the relatively new ABV Barrel Shop in Arnold, for instance, customers can sign up to receive updates via email, text, or both. And Randalls offers a VIP program.
5. Follow favorite distilleries on social media and via email. Regularly follow the brands that you’re interested in, which likely post about their newest releases. St. Louis–based StilL 630, for instance, offers an email sign-up to share “the latest, greatest and tastiest spirits, events, and cocktails,” and New Haven–based Pinckney Bend has a newsletter and posts updates on its website.
6. Join go-to whiskey brands’ VIP groups. Many brands have VIP groups or clubs that you can join to get first dibs on specialty expressions.
7. Shop online. The pandemic changed a number of the rules surrounding online purchasing of alcohol. It’s now easier than ever to get some of your favorites by shopping on such sites Drizly and CaskCartel.
8. Avoid the secondary market. It seems that every other month, we hear about fakes being passed off as the real thing. Just don’t do it.
9. Be patient. Sometimes you’ll come across a bottle, but the price is exorbitant. It happens. It takes time to figure out what’s worth it and what’s not. That’s also where those relationships you’ve built come in. Knowledgeable friends can help guide you to what’s actually good and what’s just hype.
10. Be in the right place at the right time. OK, it’s hard to plan serendipity. But occasionally, I’ve happened upon an under-the-radar liquor store with that sought-after bottle for a reasonable price.
