How to get Pappy Van Winkle bourbon in Charlotte

Bourbon is still booming across the country, and Pappy Van Winkle is the hottest bottle there is. I’m not going to argue about whether this is warranted or not. It’s good bourbon. When the fall distribution arrives in a week or two, only a lucky few liquor stores in Charlotte will get access to the rare hooch. I’m going to tell you how you can get a bottle for yourself.

I really shouldn’t be telling you these things because I really want to get a bottle this year. I struck out the last two years after getting my third choice, the 15-year, in 2013. As you can see from the big photo above, I ration this pretty carefully.

Here’s what the standard retail pricing is this year. The Mecklenburg ABC store follows this pricing and is generally the best deal on this sort of thing. At private shops, the price can be significantly higher — be prepared to add $100 to the price tag.

• Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 23 year old: $273.70
• Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 20 year old: $173.70
• Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 15 year old: $103.70
• Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 year old: $73.70
• Old Rip Van Winkle 10 year old: $63.70

All of these prices are $20-$30 more expensive than last year.

There are probably going to be fewer than five bottles of the 23-year in the whole Charlotte metropolitan area, so if you’re looking for exclusivity, you can give it a try. The 20-year will be similarly rare.

In terms of taste, there is a huge difference between the different types. The 20-year, for example is at only a 90 proof, and tastes almost like you’re sucking on maple syrup. It’s smooth. The 15-year is all the way at a 107 proof and brings some punch. I like to take a few sips at full strength, and then add about four drops of water (yes, drops) to bring out more of the flavor.

The 12-year goes back down in proof, and the 10-year is back at a higher proof.

Here’s how each location does its distribution. I’ve ranked it by likelihood that you, Agenda reader, will get your hands on a bottle this year.

Mecklenburg ABC

This is generally your best chance. The county gets one of the larger allotments in this area, and much larger than what the private shops are getting. This one also has the most skill involved in obtaining a bottle.

First, you need to be on their American whiskey email list. You can subscribe here. When the allotment comes in, the ABC manager will send out an email directing people where to place their order. This will generally be around 9 a.m. sometime in the last week in October or first week in November. (NOTE: The 2016 distribution has already ended).

Usually, you’ll send in your contact info and which bottles you’d like to buy. The ABC people will get back to you in a day or so if you got your email in on time. Better be checking your phone.

Southern Spirits

This emporium just over the South Carolina state line has turned their Pappy distribution into an event. Beginning in the second week in November, you can go to the store and fill out a form to be entered into the lottery. One entry per person. Then in late November or early December, the store will hold a live drawing. You have to be there to win. This usually starts around 5:45 p.m. and has to be over by 7 p.m.

They generally also allocate things like Parker’s Heritage, Buffalo Trace Single Oak, Elmer T. Lee and Old Forester Birthday Bourbon — stuff that’s hard to find. Above is the scene at last year’s lottery.

Sign up for their email list to be notified of when the distribution event will be.

Frugal MacDoogal

They also have a lottery system, but it’s weighted heavily toward regular customers. You can go in once per day, request a slip from the bar or a cashier, fill it out with your information, and enter. You’ll get an email and phone call if you’ve been selected for a bottle, and you have one week to go pick it up or else another name will be drawn. After each distribution, the entries get tossed out and you have to begin anew. One bottle per customer.

State Line Beverage Warehouse

You’re not going to get a bottle here this year. Go in and get your name on the list. They’ll call you in three or four years.

(Photo credits: The ABC and Southern Spirits pictures come from their websites. The Frugal picture is from the store’s Facebook page.

Note: This story was originally published Oct. 27, 2015)