There’s a buzz in the whiskey world, and it’s all about allocated bottles. You know the drill: You walk into a liquor store hoping to grab a bottle of Blanton’s or Weller, and instead, you just get a smirk. Welcome to the phenomenon of allocated whiskey.
Here at Bullfrog Wine & Spirits, your go-to Fort Collins liquor store, we know how exciting (and frustrating) the hunt for allocated whiskey can be. In this post, we’ll break down what “allocated” really means, why these bottles are such a big deal, and how our approach to them increases your odds of snagging one.
What does “allocated whiskey” mean, anyway?
Allocated whiskey is just a fancy way of saying rare and in high demand. These are bottles that don’t show up every week – sometimes not even every year. Distilleries only make a limited amount, in many cases not nearly enough to meet demand. That’s when the distributor “allocates” them to stores in very small quantities.
It’s kind of like whiskey’s version of a VIP list. Everyone wants in, but not everyone gets the invite.
Why is allocation even a thing?
Good whiskey takes time. We’re talking years – sometimes decades – of aging in barrels before it’s ready. Buffalo Trace distillery can’t just whip up more Pappy Van Winkle on a whim – they age it as long as 23 years, one factor that makes it so superb. Long aging can lead to amazing whiskeys but also to a lot of anticipation among bourbon hunters.
So when a whiskey becomes popular, it doesn’t matter how many people want it. If there’s only so much to go around, it gets rationed.
That’s where allocation comes in. Stores get a few bottles. Some get none. And customers start lining up or entering lotteries for a shot at them.
The growing hype around allocated bourbon
The demand for rare whiskey has exploded. The category was already blowing up before the pandemic, when many new aficionados realized that collecting and sipping high-end bottles made isolation more tolerable. Whiskey bars got more adventurous with their lists. And the internet made it easy to discover what everyone else was drinking – and wanting.
Maybe it will start getting easier. The bourbon boom over the last decade has been wild – in the best way. As demand for premium whiskey skyrocketed, distilleries scrambled to keep up by building new rickhouses, expanding production and laying down way more barrels than ever before. At right, Buffalo Trace builds a new still house as part of a $1.2 billion expansion.
Now, as all that extra whiskey starts to mature, some folks in the industry are talking about a possible bourbon glut. Basically, we could soon see more bourbon than the market needs, especially if demand continues a recent cooling trend. It’s potentially not a bad thing for drinkers – more supply could mean better access and maybe even a few price drops.
Bottles that go for crazy prices
Lower prices might be in the future but probably not the near future. Some allocated bottles are still fetching jaw-dropping prices on the secondary market:
- Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year can go for $4,000+ online, even though its retail price is around $300.
- Booker’s 10th Anniversary bottles have hit $6,000+.
- The Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (like George T. Stagg and Thomas H. Handy) regularly sells for at least double or triple its shelf price.
Why? Scarcity, hype, and a loyal fan base. The moment they drop, they’re gone.
How to get allocated whiskey in Fort Collins
If you’re looking for allocated bourbon in Fort Collins, Bullfrog Wine & Spirits should be your first stop. While we can’t guarantee availability (no store can), we do get regular, limited drops. And we love helping our whiskey fans get their hands on something special.
Here’s how to boost your chances:
- Sign up for our newsletter – That’s where we drop release info and special announcements. Subscribe here. And be aware that the most coveted bottles are gone soon after the newsletter hits.
- Be flexible – We sincerely try to give everyone a chance at our limited supply of allocated bourbons and whiskeys. So we mix up the timing. Sometimes we’ll release them on a weekend morning, or on a weekday afternoon, or in conjunction with a store event. The newsletter is your green light, so watch for it.
- Follow us on social – We post updates on Facebook and Instagram.
- Come say hi – Seriously. Get to know our team. We might give our most loyal customers a heads up when the good stuff is about to drop.
- Have an open mind – Sometimes the lesser-known bottles are just as good (and way easier to find). Ask a team member to help you find an obscure winner.
How does Bullfrog Wine & Spirits differ from other retailers?
- Some don’t release allocated bottles at all. The owner and/or staff just build really nice collections, or they sell them online to the highest bidder. We put allocated bottles on the Top Shelf behind our main register and announce their arrival in our newsletter.
- Some stores only sell them to top customers. This is an understandable approach, but it means everyone else is left out.
- Some hold lotteries on social media or in-store.
- Some put them on the shelves for crazy prices. We’re talking 3-5 times MSRP. We give them our regular markup, which means you’ll have a tough time beating our prices on allocated spirits.
Why collectors love the chase
There’s something addictive about the hunt. Whiskey collectors don’t just love the drink — they love the story. The thrill of finding a unicorn bottle. The satisfaction of cracking it open with friends. Or maybe saving it for a big occasion.
For a lot of people, allocated whiskey isn’t just about rarity – it’s about the experience.
Bottom line: Your spot for allocated whiskey in Fort Collins
So yeah, hunting for allocated whiskey takes a little patience – and a bit of luck. But when you do land a rare bottle, it’s totally worth it. Whether you’re building a collection, grabbing a gift, or just curious what all the fuss is about, Bullfrog Wine & Spirits is here to help.
We’re proud to offer some of the best allocated whiskey available in Fort Collins, along with expert advice and a friendly team. Sign up for our newsletter, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram so you never miss a drop.
Happy hunting, Fort Collins. 🥃