How to Get More Allocated Bourbon Bottles: Tips from the Hunt
Chasing down hard-to-find bourbons is a thrill like no other. My wife and I have spent countless hours hopping from store to store, phones in hand, checking off bottles from our wish list. When we finally spot one of those elusive allocated bourbons, the joy is unreal—ear-to-ear grins every time. After years of trial and error, we’ve honed our skills at tracking down rare whiskey. We learned the hard way, but you don’t have to. Here’s a shortlist of tips and tricks to help you score more allocated bottles without the stress.
1. Build Relationships with Local Liquor Stores
Start by scouting liquor stores in your area with solid bourbon selections. Check their Facebook pages or chat with staff to see if they get allocated bourbons—and how they handle them. Every store’s process is different: some run raffles, others mark up prices, and a few just go first-come, first-served. We’ve built a great relationship with a local spot that holds Saturday raffles—it’s where I snag most of my allocated bottles. Finding “your” store can be a game-changer.
2. Call Grocery Stores for Shipment Timelines
Here’s a pro tip I don’t use myself but swear by for friends who do: call grocery stores known to stock allocated bourbons. Ask when their shipments arrive—many get rare bottles but don’t advertise it. Then, follow up with a call on delivery day or swing by for some “grocery shopping” with bourbon-hunting ulterior motives. Timing is everything, and this strategy can pay off big if you’re persistent.
3. Use NEAT: Whiskey Finder! to Track Local Finds
Want to streamline your hunt? Check out the world’s best whiskey app, NEAT: Whiskey Finder! Follow your local bourbon buddies to see what they’ve scored and where they got it. We recently added a feature that lets you click a location and get directions right from the app—talk about convenient! It’s an awesome way to zero in on the best stores in your area without wasting time driving around aimlessly.
Master the Art of Bourbon Hunting
Finding allocated bourbons takes patience, strategy, and a little luck—but it’s so worth it when you land that bottle you’ve been chasing. Whether you’re hitting up raffles, timing grocery runs, or tapping into NEAT: Whiskey Finder!, these tips can boost your odds. How do you hunt for rare bourbon? Let me know your favorite trick—or the latest bottle you’ve snagged—on NEAT: Whiskey Finder! Happy hunting!
