Would You Spend $825K on a Barrel of Whisky?

Sazerac’s Single Barrel Choose (SBS) program launched in 2014, though the expertise underwent some enhancements earlier this yr. SBS permits shoppers to hand-pick their very own barrel from a portfolio of spirits, primarily however not completely bourbon.

It’s been successful, and it seems to be rising: The SBS lot for 2023 has a 70% improve in inventory from the lot in 2021, together with a 99.98% improve in barrels of Buffalo Hint. Relying on availability, spirits fanatics have entry to single barrels of Blanton’s, Eagle Uncommon, Weller, Paul John, The Final Drop and even a tequila (Corazón).

There are drawings 4 occasions throughout the yr, full with live-streamed drawing occasions — notice that successful these drawings solely provides you the chance to purchase a barrel. There’s a factors system to find out the variety of entries and you have to enroll as an SBS member to take part.

The most recent drawings happen on July 26, with one for Sazerac Rye and one other for Buffalo Hint, Eagle Uncommon and Blanton’s. Every bottle from a successful barrel — which may both be chosen by way of an in-person go to or chosen by somebody on the Sazerac workforce — incorporates a customized medallion with the winner’s identify or emblem. Winners get the bottles shipped to a neighborhood retailer for buy (a workaround because of booze legal guidelines) and the empty barrel itself is shipped as a memento.

So, the place did that six-figure quantity within the headline come from? The entire price of a barrel buy is calculated by multiplying the worth per bottle by the variety of bottles yielded (which is about 160-240), plus native gross sales tax. Costs for these barrels at present vary from $5,000 to $825,000. That final quantity at present applies to a 1971 Blended Scotch Whisky from The Final Drop Distillers…however in case you think about that Final Drop releases often begin at $4,500 per bottle and go up fairly a bit from there, this really works out to a relative cut price. In the meantime, when accessible, different costs are rather more affordable: $5,000+ (Buffalo Hint, Eagle Uncommon), $9,600 (Weller 107 Vintage — positively price it) and $13,000 (Blanton’s).

The deadline to enter the July twenty sixth drawing is that this Friday (June 30).