Are you struggling to find those elusive bourbons that vanish from the shelves before you can blink?
Stumbling upon a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle or George T. Stagg has become a massive challenge, like searching for a needle in a haystack.
The bourbon landscape has transformed, leaving enthusiasts like yourself wondering, “What happened to all the good finds?”
It’s a common challenge in the world of bourbon hunting, but don’t worry—we’ve got the tips to help you up your game and snag those sought-after bottles.
I’ve been hunting bourbon for nearly 4 years now and have found Pappys, BTAC bottles, Willett Estate bottles, and more.
And here are my best tips.
What Happened to All the Good Finds?
Bourbon, once a workaday spirit, has become a mainstream mania driven by speculators, bragging rights, and hype. Everyday bourbons like Buffalo Trace have doubled in price, with $50+ becoming the new norm.
The market witnessed bottles selling for over $20,000, and even everyday collectors camp overnight for sought-after releases.
Around 2016, the bourbon boom intensified, with sales of super-premium whiskey soaring while cheaper options were left on the shelves. The pandemic fueled demand, and social media amplified the hype, turning rare finds into a status symbol.
For many veteran collectors, the mania has lost its charm. They even coined a term for fans of overhyped whiskey— “taters.” Some collectors have even contemplated moving on to the next trendy spirit.
But there’s a positive perspective. Perhaps this isn’t the end for quality bourbon, but a reevaluation of public appreciation for it.
Because even though it’s getting crazy hard to find the really good stuff, you still can…you just may have to pay a hefty price for it.
Bourbon Hunting 101: 7 Tips to Help You Become a Better Bourbon Hunter
1. Establish A Good Relationships with Local Store Owners
One of the oldest tricks in the book, but it works like a charm. Get to know your local liquor store owners.
They might just have a hidden stash of rare bourbons in the back that’s waiting for a discerning hunter like you to discover.
Your dedication to building rapport could reveal opportunities that bring your bourbon hunting experience to new heights.
This is 100% the best way to get the good bottles. Most owners hold their best stuff for their best customers. They want you spending at their liquor store. So buy all your stuff from the people you build relationships with
2. Join Local Bourbon Groups on Social Media
Dive into local bourbon communities on platforms like Facebook. Local enthusiasts willingly spill the beans on the latest sightings of rare bottles and help people in the community find what they’re looking for.
Engaging with these groups not only keeps you in the loop but also provides a platform for sharing experiences and gathering advice from fellow bourbon aficionados.
But remember, you want to find local groups.
Nation-wide groups won’t help you much. Local groups help you figure out when all the liquor store drops are and the best places to develop relationships.
3. Know Which Bottles Are Allocated
If you’re looking to build an extensive collection, knowing what you’re looking for is half the battle.
You’re, no doubt, going to find some nice stuff sitting on shelves at random stores. Make sure you know what bottles are allocated and hard to find.
There are some more obscure bottles that are really rare that the average bourbon hunter will pass up on because they’re looking for Blanton’s.
On the flip side of this tip, you also need to know what bourbons are actually good so you can avoid getting oversold by a liquor store owner. There are some sleezy salesmen out there.
I once had someone tell me a bottle of Kentucky Owl was one of the hardest things to find.
Hint…it’s not (and also not great).
This knowledge helps you skip over bourbon drops with Blanton’s to find the stuff that’s actually good.
4. Explore New Territory
Take your bourbon hunting on the road. Different stores and regions of the U.S. treat bourbon differently.
Some stores put all their good stuff on the top shelves behind the counter. Some hide it. And some even place it with all the other bottles.
I can’t tell you how many lower-end allocated bottles like Weller Antique 107 , Blanton’s, and Stagg Jr. sitting in the open.
5. Leverage Email Lists and Lotteries
Some liquor stores have email lists to notify customers about rare bottles. Join these lists for a heads-up.
Additionally, keep an eye out for lotteries announced via email. It might just be your ticket to scoring that elusive bourbon.
Lots of stores don’t even tell you about these. Be sure to ask.
6. Watch the Release Dates
Timing is everything in the world of bourbon hunting. Stay informed about release dates and be aware of when your favorite limited-edition bourbons hit the shelves.
Breaking Bourbon’s release calendar is a great resource.
I recommend coupling this with asking your go-to store when they expect to receive shipments of certain things. Oftentimes, release dates don’t mean they’ll be showing up in your area the same day.
There’s usually lag time, and that means you could miss the drops without knowing when the actual shipments come in.
7. Commit to the Hunt
Bourbon hunting isn’t for the feint of heart. T
o increase your chances of finding rare bottles, commit to the game.
Frequent multiple liquor stores, actively participate in bourbon groups, and stay vigilant—opportunities can come when you least expect them.
This commitment takes bourbon hunting from a casual hunt into an intentional quest, increasing your odds of experiencing the moment when you finally get your hands on that rare bottle.
It sounds silly, but this level of commitment is required to get the good stuff. People are crazy about the high end bottles.
Bourbon Hunting Is Great, But There Are Great Bottles You Don’t Have to Hunt For…
There you have it: bourbon hunting 101 with tips that will help you begin navigating the rare bourbon landscape (which is like the Wild West).
And while the hunt is thrilling, and securing that bottle of Pappy is like finding gold in the hills, most hunters realize something after a few years…
The sought-after bottles usually aren’t actually that much better tasting than $100 bottles you can find on the shelves of most stores.
So many hunters end up just finding a few high-end bottles and give up the hunt. That’s not to say you should, though.
I’m just saying you will likely find that bourbon hunting is more about the hunt itself rather than enjoying the finest bourbon the world has to offer. 🙂
Hunter Branch is the Founder and Director of Editorial for Bourbon Inspector. He has been writing about and professionally reviewing bourbon since 2020 (and has been drinking it for much longer). He’s been able to interview big names in the bourbon industry like Trey Zoeller from Jefferson’s Bourbon and his work has been featured in publications like TastingTable, Mashed, and more.