Whiskey Markets

My regular job requires me to travel from time to time. I find myself in Texas this week. Funny thing about Texas, they love Canadian whiskey.

When I spoke with John Hall at Forty Creek, he told us of his Small Batch Reserve. I managed to get a couple of bottles in from Toronto by way of Vancouver. He also told us that the only markets for this 6000 bottle run were Ontario and Texas. Since I'm here, I'm trying to get some.

Last night, I went to two different local liquor stores. Somehow I ended up in a dry city surrounded by dry cities and we barely made it before they stop selling at 9pm. I was surprised to see the extent to which Crown Royal is promoted here. They've got two 50ml bottles in a little purple baggie on huge endcap displays of 1.75L bottles.  One place skipped the Special Reserve and only carried regular Crown, Cask No.16 and Crown Royal XR.  I've also heard that Crown Royal outsells Jack Daniel's here.

Forty Creek is only available in well hidden 750ml bottles in California. Here, they have every size from 50ml to 1.75L and large floor displays. I have only found the Barrel Select so far but the contrast between the markets is striking.

At WhiskeyFest we visited Canadian Club and tasted their 12 year expression and their Sherry Cask product. Both are very nice Canadian whiskeys that we enjoyed, but neither has been seen anywhere in California. Even Beltramo's came up short with the CC varieties. Yet here they are, right next to the 10 year old CC Reserve that is a rare find in California.

They also have Jack Daniel's Green here. Yet another whiskey that hides from us in northern California. I may have to get that as a gift for a friend.

The prices here are a bit higher, but it's only noticeable at the high-end. Johnny Walker Blue was $250 here whereas we get it for $160 back home.

Tonight we begin the quest anew. Armed this time with some advance scouting by Mike. There's a half case or more at a couple of places here.