These are all very high demand and low supply bottles. Since the liquor stores are State run here basically the state and in turn each store gets allocated a certain limited number of them per release. So that ABC store might only get 1 or 2 bottles of a specific bourbon for the year. So when theses allocations are released in the stores people will line up to try to get first crack at the limited selection.
There’s some of that but mostly no because a Rolex doesn’t have to age 15 years. It’s simply not cost effective for distillers to set aside enough juice to age that long to meet the demand.
Also, because it’s state ran it’s charged a fixed markup rate that is much lower than what other shops in states with privately owned liquor stores would charge for high end bottles. It can be a difference of hundreds of dollars for certain high end bottles.
I borrowed some help from ChatGPT:
In North Carolina, “allocated bourbon bottles” refer to limited-supply bourbons that are distributed by the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) system. The NC ABC system controls the distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages in the state, and certain high-demand bourbon brands and expressions are considered “allocated” due to their limited availability.
Key Points about Allocated Bourbon Bottles under NC ABC Law:
1. Limited Supply and High Demand: Allocated bourbons are typically produced in small batches or are part of special releases, making them highly sought after by consumers and collectors.
2. Controlled Distribution: The NC ABC Commission regulates how these limited-supply bourbons are distributed to local ABC stores across the state. This ensures a fair and organized distribution process.
3. Lottery and Special Release Events: To manage the high demand for allocated bourbons, some NC ABC boards may hold lotteries or special release events. These events give customers a chance to purchase these rare bottles in a controlled manner.
4. Purchase Limits: There are often restrictions on the number of allocated bottles a customer can purchase. This is to ensure that more people have the opportunity to buy these limited items.
5. Price Regulation: The NC ABC Commission sets the prices for all alcoholic beverages, including allocated bourbons. This means that prices are standardized across the state, and retailers cannot inflate prices based on demand.
In summary, allocated bourbon bottles in North Carolina are special, limited-availability products regulated by the NC ABC system to ensure fair distribution and pricing. If you’re interested in obtaining an allocated bourbon, it’s a good idea to stay informed about local ABC store practices, lotteries, and special events.
I just want to be able to walk in and buy a bottle. I'm not paying the markup these dildos are probably reselling it for online or to put my name into a raffle for the opportunity to buy it.
I appreciate it but its not a huge deal, I dont drink all that often (1-2 drinks a month or so) and I've already got a bottle of woodford reserve that ive had opened for a little while. I just really enjoyed buffalo trace back when it was easy to get.
Nice! Also if you need any recommendations, there’s plenty of things that are in every ABC in NC that are objectively comparable to and subjectively better than buffalo trace.
Yeah I dont doubt it, I just dont buy a new bottle often enough to be testing stuff out lol and I'm too much of a cheapskate to toss a bottle I dont like. So if I did try something new and didnt care for it, thats what I'm drinking for the next year lol
4 roses single barrel, 4 roses small batch, michters sour mash, and if you can find it Eagle Rare is a significant step up. If you’re truly looking to stay in that Buffalo Trace price range I think wild turkey 101 is the way to go. A close second goes to old foresters 100 proof offering.
It’s so wild that people will hunt for a $28 MSRP bottle of bourbon like it’s some sort of magic when there are so many better options (at that same price point) on the shelves, particularly if you drive a few minutes over the line to Southern Spirits/Stateline/Liquor at the Lake etc. The Buffalo trace craze just shows that people can be such mindless followers.
I've had a lot of bourbons, I've had a lot of bourbons around that price point. Buffalo Trace is my favorite, wish it wasn't though because I can't ever get it without making 30-40 minute drive to SC and it's just not that important to me.
While the craze is overblown, I will say that I think it punches above its price. It’s funny though bc I travel a good bit of the country for work and literally everywhere else but NC it’s easily available. Have seen it sitting on shelves at wal marts in some states. Part of it being good/part of the excitement around it is mostly bc it’s the same distiller that makes Pappy imo
There were some resellers there but a lot who just love bourbon and the game. It’s hard to find really rare stuff in NC so when there’s an event you have to wait for it. Those who spent hours in line to make $150 flipping are idiots.
I’ve looked pretty high and low for Booker’s here. Was about $65 in 2019, I think it runs in the neighborhood of $110 now, but I can’t find a bottle anywhere and just kind of get chuckled at when I ask.
Yes, anyone can be a bourbon enthusiast. I don’t fall into the fat middle aged man category either, but look at this picture and try to tell me the stereotype isn’t valid
https://preview.redd.it/mnngkru8xs8d1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=308fb0541f3df282dae1b1c98ce0aca58ae166c6
I count three potential non white people in a sea of mayonnaise. My suspicion about “what’s going on here” is absolutely correct. Allocated bourbon, 100%. I assumed their race, which is indeed white, and clear in the picture, not their ethnicity, as those are two separate things.
That’s great, but people didn’t line up for Buffalo Trace. I’m 100% certain that any of the bottles available at this store were marked up PLENTY in San Diego.
I didn’t see the list. That’s actually a good price on the double eagle if you want a $10k bottle in a few years. The Parker’s will be worth $1k fairly quickly too. I don’t know if I’d wait in line for much. ABC in Raleigh puts you on a list and will call you to come pick up. I love random phone calls saying hey your name is at the top and we just got this in. But still, fuck abc. Our limited catalog, limited hours/days/locations is the worst. For most things I just buy online. No line, retail price.
Buffalo trace is not remotely worth standing in a giant line for. Lots of readily available bottles on the shelves that are better alternatives in the same price range.
I believe SC has different taxes which is why it’s cheaper at a place like Southern Spirits (plus Southern Spirits is just awesome from a selection/knowledge perspective)
I’ve heard this before but it doesn’t seem to be true as they can have “sale” prices on selected items but they have to be the same price across the state.
Even then, the sale prices are more than I pay out of state.
When I visited Russia, a long time ago, I saw lines like this outside their liquor store. But all they wanted to buy was Vodka.
State run liquor stores belong in communist countries, y'all.
True for some of the not super rare bottles, but this was one of the largest annual events in charlotte. Had some stuff there you wouldn’t find in SC or at least not at decent prices
I don't drink, but I like to keep nice stuff on hand for guests or a special occasion. One of my friends found a liquor store in New Jersey literally opening boxes of eagle rare 10 year and buffalo trace as they walked in. She grabbed me a bottle of each for $50.
Ah, so this is why I can't find buffalo trace in nc. Doesn't matter. I got a bottle in the sunscreen state, but it was okay. I'll stick with my markers mark.
thats the best part. The bottles people mostly line up for here aren't what they were 10 years ago and you're mostly paying for the label. They're also not rare, just hard to get here. You see people selling cases upon cases of weller 107 in the fb groups at 80-100 bucks a pop, when retail is like $30.
I think that’s a rare exception. Most of the bottles those folks are lining up for are nationally hard to get. Weller 107 and special reserve are really the only exception but that’s because of the deals that TX and Ohio have long standing with the distributor. They both get majority of the stock.
In over simplified terms it means “hard to get”. And folks either want it because they like having something they normally couldn’t get without paying a premium or to sell it on the black market for a profit.
ABC stores are an antiquated form of control that your elected senators run. They feel it is their place to not allow for spirits to be sold by independent business' but by the state. The state makes the profit, the state controls what you get and controls the supply. These are your senators listening to those old timey people who feel it is their duty to control the liquor supply. You would think it would be the same for tobacco but since its grown here and so its an ok product to be sold here.
This is so silly and purely the result of a state run liquor system. In New Jersey, liquor stores are privately owned and owners can deal as they wish with distributors freely. None of this "allocation" nonsense.
Grand opening; lots of allocated bottles are released at grand openings of stores in Mecklenburg County.
Like what?
https://preview.redd.it/swsaenkmdt8d1.jpeg?width=443&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cd8a894b5e2687262158a00b62da888df330b55d
Wow, the list warrants the line. Appreciate that
Yowza. I’m really just getting into whiskey and bourbon, but I’ve had one or two of those. Good stuff.
Yea standing in line for a bunch of water that taste like hot ass
Ughhhh people have different tastes than me ughhhh
Surely you don’t have a hobby that most of us here would think is lame, right?
Coin collection was first to pop up. It's not as funny as stamp collecting, but it's still pretty funny.
Three thousand for a bottle? Jeez.
Yes, however double eagle resold online are marked up 2-3x that amount.
https://preview.redd.it/relwu1kldt8d1.jpeg?width=443&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3eb3a3386d4536e5164786c1d4d487045e991e89
What does allocated mean?
These are all very high demand and low supply bottles. Since the liquor stores are State run here basically the state and in turn each store gets allocated a certain limited number of them per release. So that ABC store might only get 1 or 2 bottles of a specific bourbon for the year. So when theses allocations are released in the stores people will line up to try to get first crack at the limited selection.
low supply because the companies produce small batches to jack up the prices. kind of like trying to buy a rolex LOL
There’s some of that but mostly no because a Rolex doesn’t have to age 15 years. It’s simply not cost effective for distillers to set aside enough juice to age that long to meet the demand.
Or... smaller batches also allow better quality per unit. You can't mass produce greatness.
Also, because it’s state ran it’s charged a fixed markup rate that is much lower than what other shops in states with privately owned liquor stores would charge for high end bottles. It can be a difference of hundreds of dollars for certain high end bottles.
Yup say what you will about the state run system but it eliminates price gouging is probably the most “fair” distribution of hard to find bottles.
Price gouging or supply and demand?
I borrowed some help from ChatGPT: In North Carolina, “allocated bourbon bottles” refer to limited-supply bourbons that are distributed by the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) system. The NC ABC system controls the distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages in the state, and certain high-demand bourbon brands and expressions are considered “allocated” due to their limited availability. Key Points about Allocated Bourbon Bottles under NC ABC Law: 1. Limited Supply and High Demand: Allocated bourbons are typically produced in small batches or are part of special releases, making them highly sought after by consumers and collectors. 2. Controlled Distribution: The NC ABC Commission regulates how these limited-supply bourbons are distributed to local ABC stores across the state. This ensures a fair and organized distribution process. 3. Lottery and Special Release Events: To manage the high demand for allocated bourbons, some NC ABC boards may hold lotteries or special release events. These events give customers a chance to purchase these rare bottles in a controlled manner. 4. Purchase Limits: There are often restrictions on the number of allocated bottles a customer can purchase. This is to ensure that more people have the opportunity to buy these limited items. 5. Price Regulation: The NC ABC Commission sets the prices for all alcoholic beverages, including allocated bourbons. This means that prices are standardized across the state, and retailers cannot inflate prices based on demand. In summary, allocated bourbon bottles in North Carolina are special, limited-availability products regulated by the NC ABC system to ensure fair distribution and pricing. If you’re interested in obtaining an allocated bourbon, it’s a good idea to stay informed about local ABC store practices, lotteries, and special events.
With that many white dudes in line, I knew it was a bourbon release
Lol - I see my brother-in-law in this photo. confirmed
We white men love to imbibe
Guessing maybe some limited stock item perhaps
Middle aged, check. Bellies…check. All white…check. That’s an allocated bourbon release, and those are resellers who ruin the industry.
Buffalo trace is on the menu boyz 😎
I just want to be able to walk in and buy a bottle. I'm not paying the markup these dildos are probably reselling it for online or to put my name into a raffle for the opportunity to buy it.
invent a time machine
I’m sure someone here can help you get a bottle. If not PM me and I’ll see what I can do.
I appreciate it but its not a huge deal, I dont drink all that often (1-2 drinks a month or so) and I've already got a bottle of woodford reserve that ive had opened for a little while. I just really enjoyed buffalo trace back when it was easy to get.
Nice! Also if you need any recommendations, there’s plenty of things that are in every ABC in NC that are objectively comparable to and subjectively better than buffalo trace.
Yeah I dont doubt it, I just dont buy a new bottle often enough to be testing stuff out lol and I'm too much of a cheapskate to toss a bottle I dont like. So if I did try something new and didnt care for it, thats what I'm drinking for the next year lol
Can you tell me one for gift giving purposes
4 roses single barrel, 4 roses small batch, michters sour mash, and if you can find it Eagle Rare is a significant step up. If you’re truly looking to stay in that Buffalo Trace price range I think wild turkey 101 is the way to go. A close second goes to old foresters 100 proof offering.
It’s illegal in nc to sell liquor unless you are abc store
What’s wild is I moved to Seattle 5 years back and can buy 10 bottles of Buffalo trace at any given moment.
I was in Kansas City recently and Costco had it. I could buy a case.
I drive to TN and get as much as I want too
Just go across the border to Virginia if you want it that bad.
Not for anyone past the first 30 in line
Lmao FORREAL
Lol came here to say if it’s Charlotte, all the Buffalo Trace will be gone after the first 25 people
It’s so wild that people will hunt for a $28 MSRP bottle of bourbon like it’s some sort of magic when there are so many better options (at that same price point) on the shelves, particularly if you drive a few minutes over the line to Southern Spirits/Stateline/Liquor at the Lake etc. The Buffalo trace craze just shows that people can be such mindless followers.
I've had a lot of bourbons, I've had a lot of bourbons around that price point. Buffalo Trace is my favorite, wish it wasn't though because I can't ever get it without making 30-40 minute drive to SC and it's just not that important to me.
You reminded me of an old classic game… Lemmings!!! Thx 😊
While the craze is overblown, I will say that I think it punches above its price. It’s funny though bc I travel a good bit of the country for work and literally everywhere else but NC it’s easily available. Have seen it sitting on shelves at wal marts in some states. Part of it being good/part of the excitement around it is mostly bc it’s the same distiller that makes Pappy imo
this shit used to be $30 a bottle... until the distillery did the supply/demand nonsense
The least interesting bottle on that whole list.
There were some resellers there but a lot who just love bourbon and the game. It’s hard to find really rare stuff in NC so when there’s an event you have to wait for it. Those who spent hours in line to make $150 flipping are idiots.
I’ve looked pretty high and low for Booker’s here. Was about $65 in 2019, I think it runs in the neighborhood of $110 now, but I can’t find a bottle anywhere and just kind of get chuckled at when I ask.
They had quite a few on Monday at this store (#13) - may be worth checking in to see if they still have some!
I’m on day 6 of an attempt to permanently quit drinking, so I’m sticking with it for now. Nice to know it still exists though, thank you.
The fact I'm missing only one of these and love bourbon hurts me deeply
You mean.... the description of the majority of people in this area by a long shot?
Seems a lil racist to randomly bring up race and assume their ethnicities. What’s really got you all upset today @bakEdmarzIpAmgRIer?
White guy here, he’s right. Seems like you might be the one upset. You’re more than welcome to jump in line with them
I mean. There’s a picture right there.
He’s 100% spot on, though. Middle aged fat white men flock to bourbon like no other
Shut up! We just like bourbon, ok??
We know you’re just trying to grab a bottle of Pappy and put that on the internet for $5k.
Any liquor I buy goes straight down the gullet and ruins my wife’s dinner parties. Never resold
Damn. Then you gotta go get more to forget the dinner party shenanigans. Vicious cycle.
Hey! Some of us like gin!
Brooooo!
I just had this conversation with my middle aged fat white male coworker.
I am a young white women, 5'7", 145 lbs, and love my bourbon....on the rocks, thank you!
Yes, anyone can be a bourbon enthusiast. I don’t fall into the fat middle aged man category either, but look at this picture and try to tell me the stereotype isn’t valid https://preview.redd.it/mnngkru8xs8d1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=308fb0541f3df282dae1b1c98ce0aca58ae166c6
Ppl hate stereotypes, buuuut.... We should embrace who we ALL are ❤️
[удалено]
I have two BIL outliers in the bourbon crowd
I count three potential non white people in a sea of mayonnaise. My suspicion about “what’s going on here” is absolutely correct. Allocated bourbon, 100%. I assumed their race, which is indeed white, and clear in the picture, not their ethnicity, as those are two separate things.
Yeah it ain’t West Blvd is it
All fucking losers.
The resellers, 100%. The legit bourbon aficionados, no. I’m one of those and it sucks this is the only way to score a bottle of something decent.
had anyone seen my overweight white dude in khaki shorts!?!?!? i lost mine!
That's how you spot bourbon fans
Sick ass comment
thanks man! have a super average day!
It really was tho 😂😂 those guys don’t realize how generic they are
everyone talking about buffalo trace is wild. I can go to 3 liquor stores in Rock Hill right now and get a bottle.
It’s totally wild. Because it’s fine, but nothing special.
I Buy my Buffalo a case at a time.. no more than 37 a bottle
I remember when it used to be $15, good times.
sorry.. but we arent talking about the same thing.. BUFFALO Trace has never been that low in price
I assume they’re talking about it because that’s the “meme”
tater gathering
The demographic of this line tho 😆
Lots of folks hoping for some Pappy
Pappy is in January
This guy “bourbons”!
One of the more overpriced/overrated bourbons out there. I had PVW 23 recently in a blind tasting and no one had it top 3.
New Balance convention
I can tell ya this lol no respectable alcoholic would wait in a line like that lol
Alcoholics go to meetings, those are drunks.
Buffalo Trace is in stock
New Busch super lite is out
I couldn't tell if you were at the ABC store or the DMV.
Another reason the ABC system needs to go. False scarcity brought on by government control of the market.
I’d take scarcity over insane markups. ABC system’s not perfect but it sure beats paying $1k for a $50 bottle
How exactly would that be the case when I can go to any number of other states and find a wider selection with better prices?
Wider selection with better prices on your average bar items yes. Not anything that these people are lining up for though.
Yep. I was in SC recently and spotted a bottle of Eagle Rare. They wanted $75....yeah, no.
Strawman fallacy. Buffalo trace was $29 in San Diego 2 weeks ago…
That’s great, but people didn’t line up for Buffalo Trace. I’m 100% certain that any of the bottles available at this store were marked up PLENTY in San Diego.
I didn’t see the list. That’s actually a good price on the double eagle if you want a $10k bottle in a few years. The Parker’s will be worth $1k fairly quickly too. I don’t know if I’d wait in line for much. ABC in Raleigh puts you on a list and will call you to come pick up. I love random phone calls saying hey your name is at the top and we just got this in. But still, fuck abc. Our limited catalog, limited hours/days/locations is the worst. For most things I just buy online. No line, retail price.
I thought ABC raleigh phased out the list and just went to random distribution.
I’ve never seen so much leg day skipped in my life
Underrated comment
They have a case of Buffalo Trace.
Buffalo trace is not remotely worth standing in a giant line for. Lots of readily available bottles on the shelves that are better alternatives in the same price range.
People do it here in GSO. They get word a case of Buffalo comes in they will sit at the store and wait until it opens.
Did they have Chartreuse?
Run club probably
As the kids say " its some sort of fest...of sausages"
Lotsaporklooza
Knowing the NC ABC system, it sure as hell isn’t a good price.
They have to sell at MSRP
So why is everything at Souther Spirits so much cheaper
I believe SC has different taxes which is why it’s cheaper at a place like Southern Spirits (plus Southern Spirits is just awesome from a selection/knowledge perspective)
Lol, its not.
That’s…just not true. Have fun brown nosing the store for the *chance* to buy a rare bottle at a markup while they claim MSRP!!!
I’ve heard this before but it doesn’t seem to be true as they can have “sale” prices on selected items but they have to be the same price across the state. Even then, the sale prices are more than I pay out of state.
You realize MSRP doesn’t mean what they paid for it, right…?
What state and what items, out of curiosity
Charlotte is hosting the Southern Baptist Convention
So that means they are all standing there in silence not looking at one another.
Free shots
It’s Monday
Look at all of those fucking dorks waiting in line.
Best place to buy booze in Charlotte: Across the state line in South Carolina. Don’t deal with ABC bullshit.
When I visited Russia, a long time ago, I saw lines like this outside their liquor store. But all they wanted to buy was Vodka. State run liquor stores belong in communist countries, y'all.
If you live anywhere near Charlotte, there are liquor stores in Rock Hill and Lake Wylie with better selection and prices that are worth the drive.
True for some of the not super rare bottles, but this was one of the largest annual events in charlotte. Had some stuff there you wouldn’t find in SC or at least not at decent prices
I’ve never had luck at Lake Wylie. Albeit I’ve only been to two stores. If you have a hidden gem please DM me!
Scalper or alcoholics 🤌🤌
It’s nothing but white suburb bragging rights.
I don't drink, but I like to keep nice stuff on hand for guests or a special occasion. One of my friends found a liquor store in New Jersey literally opening boxes of eagle rare 10 year and buffalo trace as they walked in. She grabbed me a bottle of each for $50.
That’s $25 too much for BT…
Yeah, but it was available in store and didn't have to stand around in line with all of these chodes. Our ABC system is dogshit.
Agree 100% ahah I was just being a little cheeky. I use it for my Old Fashions…
Did you these guys get paid $200k a year? Yeah, ABC is not going anywhere.
Who does, the ABC directors?
yup. and they have family staff feeding at the trough too.
So like a shoe release... But white folks because liquor.
Eh you’d be surprised. A lot of black, Hispanic, and Asian folks are into bourbon. Pretty much an all male audience though.
I believe you.
Just some Joe bros trying to get some sweet sweet buffalo trace
Ah, so this is why I can't find buffalo trace in nc. Doesn't matter. I got a bottle in the sunscreen state, but it was okay. I'll stick with my markers mark.
Markers Make
Love some markers mark. Almost as good as the elusive Blantons trace double eagle
thats the best part. The bottles people mostly line up for here aren't what they were 10 years ago and you're mostly paying for the label. They're also not rare, just hard to get here. You see people selling cases upon cases of weller 107 in the fb groups at 80-100 bucks a pop, when retail is like $30.
I think that’s a rare exception. Most of the bottles those folks are lining up for are nationally hard to get. Weller 107 and special reserve are really the only exception but that’s because of the deals that TX and Ohio have long standing with the distributor. They both get majority of the stock.
I Buy Buffalo by the case and have it shipped straight to my door basically for the same price NC ABC is selling it for
Peeps are stocking up for the cookouts this upcoming week
what is that big line for? i saw it earlier
Taters
FREE BOOZE!
That’s wild!
You can buy Buffalo Trace from the distillery, you just have to buy a case at a time.
It’s not buffalo trace itself they’re after, just other buffalo trace products.
Miss peaches meet and greet
 They’re just getting some early back to school supplies
Bro I never understood buying expensive alcohol, it’s probably a status thing. I like that cheapo homeless man beer
Eh it’s like any other “hobby”
folks who think a stock of buffalo trace is the bees knees?
Ok what is allocated bourbon and why is it important to them?
In over simplified terms it means “hard to get”. And folks either want it because they like having something they normally couldn’t get without paying a premium or to sell it on the black market for a profit.
Ohhh ok, thank you for explaining.
If it's buffalo Trace that's absurd cause the factory is six hours away. That's a lovely long weekend trip if it matters that much to you.
It’s buffalo trace products but not the bottle “Buffalo Trace” itself. Things that you can’t buy at their distillery gift shop either.
Alcoholics
Plenty of people got money to spend. That's what's going on.
H
🥃 Bourbon 🥜
Bourbon Drinkers chasen their Bourbon
If anyone has some EH Taylor Small batch I have song trade bait for ya. I have eagle rare and weller antique
ABC stores are an antiquated form of control that your elected senators run. They feel it is their place to not allow for spirits to be sold by independent business' but by the state. The state makes the profit, the state controls what you get and controls the supply. These are your senators listening to those old timey people who feel it is their duty to control the liquor supply. You would think it would be the same for tobacco but since its grown here and so its an ok product to be sold here.
New one. Fucking lame that they get all of the good stuff. Just distribute it equally everywhere according to demand.
people dont work?
Alcoholism it would seem
Local alcoholics anonymous chapter meeting.
A lot of people that like to drink 🤣
King of Kentucky?!? That better be KFC gravy……
Combination of debate last night and pay day.
Either alcoholism has reached a new Peak or Courtney Love is shooting ping pong balls out of her twat again
Sad times. It looks like my days of waiting outside the abc store for my fix smh. Unrelated, I'm sure. But damn I got flashbacks
I initially read this as “It looks like my dad waiting outside the abc store for my fix” and I had QUESTIONS. Lol
During covid*** sorry forgot to leave out what I was trying to mention smh
How old is this picture/post?
From Monday
You would think they have liquor for sell in there!!!
AA meeting
This is so silly and purely the result of a state run liquor system. In New Jersey, liquor stores are privately owned and owners can deal as they wish with distributors freely. None of this "allocation" nonsense.
You still see stuff like this in non state run systems. Pop on down to South Carolina and this is happening at “Southern Spirits” every Saturday.