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Bourbon Brown Book

The Bourbon Brown Book – 2022 Edition

Check out our most current version of our secondary valuation guide for bottles of bourbon and rye whiskey

The Bourbon Brown Book – 2021 Edition

Last year's version of our secondary valuation guide for bottles of bourbon and rye whiskey.

The Bourbon Brown Book – 2020 Edition

The 2020 version of our secondary valuation guide for bottles of bourbon and rye whiskey.


Bourbon pricing for rare and allocated bottles is difficult to understand, let alone to explain. So many factors go into play with what a retailer suggests as the retail price and where it ends up from there.

A bottle’s suggested retail price may be sold below that price but it almost always is sold above that price. At what point do you know when to buy and when to walk away?

We have attempted to compile a list of all of the allocated bottles we could think of in 2019 and break it down so that you could get an idea what the 3 different prices are for a bottle of allocated whiskey.

Here is what you should know

B is for “Below Suggested Retail Price” and is the price that you’ll rarely see. It’s below the distiller’s suggested retail price. How can a liquor store sell below the suggested retail price?

Because distributor’s sell bottles to stores at prices lower than that. The price a store buys a bottle for and the price that they sell it for is how they earn their profit.

Sometimes stores mark a particular allocated bottle under the suggested retail price to reward more valued customers. Other times, they’ll mark prices below retail as a kind of sale (usually with a catch).

Either way, if you can obtain any of these bottles at the “B” price, buy them immediately.

A is for “Average or Suggested Retail Price.” This is the price that you’ll typically see a bottle listed for if it is on the shelf.

Some of these bottles have variations in their prices from store to store and state to state, but typically, this is the most fair price you will pay for these bottles.

If you are trying to justify buying a bottle of this just to turn around and sell it again (this is called “flipping” and is technically illegal), you’ll want to look at the “A” price compared to the “S” price.

This will give you an idea of return on investment. I could try to discourage you from doing this, but nobody would listen.

S is for the “Secondary or Sucker Price.” Realistically, any price above the suggested retail price could be considered as secondary. But for some of the really rare bottles, you will start to find certain prices asked and paid for on a consistent basis.

The prices I have listed should be seen as a guide to not purchase above. If you see them listed above these prices, try to talk the seller down to where the price starts.

3 Tiers of Allocated Bourbon

I have ranked these bourbons based on how hard it is to find and obtain. Obviously, these may vary regionally, according to the season and the total amount of bottles sold. And realistically, some brands are more coveted then others.

You’ll see that many Buffalo Trace items are listed as Tier 1 items, but that’s just the way it is with as many fans that BT has.

Tier 3 (T3) – Allocated bottles that are somewhat easy to find and could be found on a shelf in most cases. 

These are dependable annual releases with most having multiple releases per year.

Tier 2 (T2) – The difference between Tier 3 and 2 is that Tier 2 items are typically more expensive and may only be released once a year.

Also, I’ll include distillery-only releases in here as well because unless you live in Kentucky, then it’s not fair.

Tier 1 (T1) – These are the hardest to find allocated bottles and the ones that command the highest secondary prices.

You’ll realistically not find these bottles on the shelf. You’ll always “have to know somebody” to get them.

Search By Distillery

Barton Distillery
Buffalo Trace / Age International
Heaven Hill
Kentucky Owl
High West
Michter’s Distillery
Wild Turkey
Old Forester
Four Roses
Whistlepig
MGP
Angel’s Envy
Cream of Kentucky / Jim Rutledge
Jim Beam
Jack Daniel’s
Mic Drop
Maker’s Mark
Limestone Branch Distillery
Woodford Reserve
Luxco / Lux Row
Barrell Craft Spirits
Kentucky Bourbon Distillers / Willett
Boone County
Joseph Magnus Distillery

Barton Distillery

1792 Full Proof (Store Pick) – T3

  • B – $40 
  • A – $45-50 
  • S – $55+

1792 Aged Twelve Years – T3

  • B – $50 
  • A – $55-60 
  • S – $100+

1792 Sweet Wheat – T3

  • B – $42 
  • A – $50 
  • S – $75+

Back to Distilleries

 

Heaven Hill

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof – T3

  • B – $53 
  • A – $65-70 
  • S – $75+

Elijah Craig 18 Year Old Single Barrel 2019 – T2

  • B – $130 
  • A – $180 
  • S – $200+

Old Fitzgerald 13 Year – T2

  • B – $110 
  • A – $150 
  • S – $210+

Old Fitzgerald 15 Year – T2

  • B – $130 
  • A – $180 
  • S – $240+

Henry McKenna Bottled in Bond Single Barrel – T3

  • B – $40 
  • A – $50 
  • S – $60+

Elijah Craig Grenade (200ml) – T3

  • B – $30 
  • A – $30-35 
  • S – $40+

Parker’s Heritage 8 Year Old Rye (2019) – T2

  • B – $130 
  • A – $150 
  • S – $180+

Heaven Hill 27 Year Old Bourbon – T1

  • B – $350 
  • A – $400 
  • S – $1000+

Back to Distilleries

Buffalo Trace / Age International

Ancient Ancient Age (1L) – T3

  • B – $25 
  • A – $30 
  • S – $40+

EH Taylor Small Batch – T3

  • B – $40 
  • A – $45 
  • S – $60+

EH Taylor Single Barrel – T3

  • B – $60 
  • A – $80 
  • S – $100+

EH Taylor Barrel Proof – T2

  • B – $75 
  • A – $80-95 
  • S – $220+

EH Taylor Amaranth Grain of the Gods – T1

  • B – $70 
  • A – $200 
  • S – $550+

Blanton’s Single Barrel (93 Proof US version) – T3

  • B – $55 
  • A – $65 
  • S – $80+

Blanton’s Gold – T2

  • B – $120 
  • A – $150 
  • S – $160+

Blanton’s Black or Green Label (80 proof) – T3

  • B – $100 
  • A – $110 
  • S – $120

Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel – T1

  • B – $150 
  • A – $175 
  • S – $190+

Hancock’s Reserve – T1

  • B – $50 
  • A – $75 
  • S – $90+

Rock Hills Farm – T2

  • B – $100 
  • A – $130-$150 
  • S – $155+

Elmer T. Lee – T2

  • B – $50 
  • A – $100 
  • S – $125+

Elmer T. Lee 100 year Tribute – T1

  • B – $100 
  • A – $150 
  • S – $400+

Stagg Jr. – T3

  • B – $50 
  • A – $60 
  • S – $85+

George T. Stagg BTAC 2019 – T1

  • B – $100 
  • A – $110 
  • S – $425+

William Larue Weller BTAC 2019

  • B – $100 
  • A – $110 
  • S – $750+

Thomas H. Handy BTAC 2019 – T1

  • B – $100 
  • A – $110 
  • S – $400+

Sazerac 18 Year BTAC 2019 – T1

  • B – $100 
  • A – $110 
  • S – $900+

Eagle Rare 17 Year BTAC 2019 – T1

  • B -$100 
  • A – $110 
  • S – $1400+

Weller Bourbon Special Reserve – T3

  • B – $23 
  • A – $30 
  • S – $40

Old Weller Antique 107 – T3

  • B – $45 
  • A – $50-$70 
  • S – $80+

Weller 12 Year – T2

  • B – $50 
  • A – $100 
  • S – $150+

Weller CYPB – T1

  • B – $90 
  • A – $120 
  • S – $400+

Weller Full Proof – T2

  • B – $85 
  • A – $100 
  • S – $250+

Weller Full Proof (Single Barrel) – T1.5

  • B – $85 
  • A – $100 
  • S – $300+

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 year 2019 – T1

  • B –  $70
  • A –  $100
  • S – $425+

Van Winkle Lot B 12 year 2019 – T1

  • B – $80
  • A – $110
  • S – $475+

Pappy Van Winkle 15 year 2019 – T1

  • B – $150
  • A – $160
  • S – $950+

Pappy Van Winkle 20 year 2019 – T1

  • B – $180
  • A – $200-$250
  • S – $1500+

Pappy Van Winkle 23 year 2019 – T1

  • B – $250
  • A – $300
  • S – $1900+

Van Winkle Family Rye Reserve – T1

  • B – $120
  • A – $150
  • S – $1300+

Back to Distilleries

Kentucky Owl

Kentucky Owl Confiscated – T3

  • B – $90 
  • A – $110 
  • S – $120+

Kentucky Owl Rye Batch 3 – T3

  • B – $140 
  • A – $155 
  • S – $170+

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High West 

Midwinter’s Night Dram Act 7 – T3

  • B – $80 
  • A – $100 
  • S – $120+

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Michter’s Distillery

Michter’s Toasted Barrel Bourbon – T2

  • B – $60 
  • A – $90-$100 
  • S – $110+

Michter’s Toasted Barrel Sour Mash – T2

  • B – $60 
  • A – $100 
  • S – $120+

Michter’s Toasted Barrel Rye – T2

  • B – $75 
  • A – $100 
  • S – $150+

Michter’s Barrel Strength Rye – T2

  • B – $90 
  • A – $100 
  • S – $120+

Michter’s Barrel Strength Bourbon – T2

  • B – $100 
  • A – $225 
  • S – $250+

Michter’s 10 Year Bourbon – T2

  • B – $120 
  • A – $140-$150 
  • S – $160+

Michter’s 10 Year Rye – T2

  • B – $130 
  • A – $170 
  • S – $200+

Bombergers – T2

  • B – $90 
  • A – $100-$110 
  • S – $130+

Shenks – T2

  • B – $60 
  • A – $100 
  • S – $115+

Back to Distilleries

 

Wild Turkey

Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Cornerstone – T3

  • B – $150 
  • A – $175 
  • S – $190+

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Old Forester

Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2019 – T1

  • B – $100 
  • A – $200 
  • S – $325+

King of Kentucky 2019 – T1

  • B – $180 
  • A – $200-$250 
  • S – $400+

Back to Distilleries

 

Four Roses 

Four Roses Barrel Proof (Under 11 years old and under 120 proof) – T3

  • B – $60 
  • A – $75 
  • S – $90+

Four Roses Barrel Proof (Either 11+ years old OR over 120 proof) – T3

  • B – $60 
  • A – $75 
  • S – $115+

Four Roses Barrel Proof (Both 11+ years old AND over 120 proof) – T3

  • B – $60 
  • A – $75 
  • S – $145+

Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch 2019 – T1.5

  • B – $150 
  • A – $140-200 
  • S – $300+

Back to Distilleries

 

Whistlepig

Whistlepig Boss Hog V or VI – T3

  • B – $450 
  • A – $500 
  • S- Anything over $500

Whistlepig Single Barrel Store Picks – T3

  • B – $80 
  • A – $90 
  • S – $100+

Back to Distilleries

 

MGP

Remus Volstead – T3

  • B – Anything under $200 
  • A – $200 
  • S – $250+

Belle Meade Single Barrel Bourbon (10+ years old) – T2

  • B – $110 
  • A – $130 
  • S – $150+

Back to Distilleries

Angel’s Envy

Angel’s Envy Rye (Rum Finished) – T3

  • B – $80 
  • A – $100 
  • S – $100+

Angel’s Envy Barrel Strength Bourbon 2019 – T2

  • B – $190 
  • A – $200 
  • S – $210+

Back to Distilleries

 

Cream of Kentucky / Jim Rutledge

Cream of Kentucky 11.5 year – T3

  • B – $140 
  • A – $150 
  • S – $160+

Cream of Kentucky 12.3 Year – T3

  • B – $140 
  • A – $150-160 
  • S – $170+

Back to Distilleries

 

Jim Beam

Baker’s 13 Year Single Barrel – T3

  • B – $90 
  • A – $100 
  • S – $110+

Booker’s 30th Anniversary – T1

  • B – $150 
  • A – $200 
  • S – $400+

Knob Creek Single Barrel Store Pick (under 14 years old) – T3

  • B – $40 
  • A – $45-50 
  • S – $50+

Knob Creek Single Barrel Store Pick (14+ years old) – T3

  • B – $40 
  • A – $50 
  • S – $75+

Jim Beam Masterpiece – T2

  • B – $150 
  • A – $175 
  • S – $175+

Little Book 3 “The Road Home” – T2

  • B – $100 
  • A – $125 
  • S – $140+

Back to Distilleries

 

Jack Daniel’s

Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Heritage Barrel 2019 – T3

  • B – $65 
  • A – $80 
  • S – $100+

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Mic Drop

Mic Drop Release #3 (4 year old small batch) – T2

  • B – $65 
  • A – $80 
  • S – $100+

Back to Distilleries

Maker’s Mark

Maker’s Mark RC6 – T3

  • B – $60 
  • A – $70 
  • S – $85+

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Limestone Branch Distillery

Yellowstone Limited Edition 2019 – T3

  • B – $90 
  • A – $100 
  • S – $110+

Back to Distilleries

 

Woodford Reserve

Woodford Reserve Double Double Oaked (gift shop only 375ml) – T2

  • B – $50 
  • A – $
  • S – $90+

Woodford Reserve Chocolate Rye – T3

  • B – $75 
  • A – $100 
  • S – $120+

Back to Distilleries

 

Luxco / Lux Row

Old Ezra 7 Year Old Barrel Strength – T3

  • B – $40 
  • A – $45-50 
  • S – $55+

Rebel Yell Single Barrel 10 year old 2019 – T3

  • B – $60 
  • A – $70 
  • S – $75+

Lux Row Double Barreled – T2

  • B – $150 
  • A – $150 
  • S – $225+

Blood Oath Pact 5 (Rum Finished) 2019 – T3

  • B – $90 
  • A – $110 
  • S – $125+

Back to Distilleries

 

Barrell Craft Spirits

Barrell Craft Spirits 2019 15 Year Old Bourbon – T2

  • B – $200 
  • A – $225 
  • S – $260+

Barrell Single Barrel Rye (13 Year Canadian) (140+ proof bottles only) – T2

  • B – $100 
  • A – $110
  • S – $175+

Back to Distilleries

 

Kentucky Bourbon Distillers / Willett

Willett 4 Year Rye – T3

  • B – $45 
  • A – $55 
  • S – $65+

Willett 5, 6 or 7 year old bourbon – T1

  • B – $110 
  • A – $150 
  • S – $240+

Willett 5, 6 or 7 year old rye – T1

  • B – $110 
  • A – $150 
  • S – $240+

Back to Distilleries

Boone County

Boone County 14 Year Single Barrel – T2

  • B – $150 
  • A – $
  • S – $275+

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Joseph Magnus Distillery

Cigar Blend Batches 2019 – T2

  • B – $130 
  • A – $200 
  • S – $230+

Murray Hill Special Edition – T2

  • B – $130 
  • A – $170 
  • S – $200+

Back to Distilleries

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Categories Whiskey Info