10 Ways People Actually Score a Bottle of Pappy Van Winkle
Getting your hands on a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle feels like winning a small lottery. Stores release only tiny amounts, and demand is so high that you often compete with collectors, bartenders, and devoted bourbon fans. If you walk in expecting to find a bottle sitting on a shelf, you will leave disappointed. The secret is understanding how allocations work and learning how people actually get a bottle. Some methods require time, others require money, and a few need both. If you want a real shot, you need more than good intentions.
1. Build a relationship with your local store
If you want real access, you need to talk to the people who get the bottles before anyone else. Liquor stores often reward loyal customers who show up regularly, buy other products, and treat staff with respect. When stores get tiny allocations, employees often decide who gets priority. If they know you, like you, and see that you shop there year-round, you move to the top of the list. Pappy rarely goes to the casual walk-in shopper. Consistent, friendly visits keep you on the radar and dramatically improve your odds.
2. Sign up for store mailing lists
One of the simplest moves is to join every liquor store newsletter you can. Many stores announce allocations only through email because they do not want huge crowds showing up without notice. You might get sign-up links, raffle forms, private invitations, or instructions on how to claim a bottle if your name is drawn. Since many people never bother to sign up, you improve your chances by simply paying attention. When that announcement hits your inbox, you need to move fast because stores sell out in minutes, not hours, once the list goes out.
3. Enter store raffles and lotteries
Many states require stores to distribute Pappy through raffles because demand is so high. These events level the playing field and give you a chance without buying anything ahead of time. You register your name, wait for the drawing, and hope for the best. Sometimes you get the right to buy a bottle, and sometimes you even have a chance to choose which label you want. The odds are not amazing, but it is still far better than blindly hoping to find one on a shelf. People really do win these raffles every year.
4. Build a purchase history
Some stores track how much you spend through buyer accounts, loyalty programs, or digital receipts. The bigger your history, the more likely you are to be offered Pappy at retail. Stores want to reward customers who support them throughout the year, not just people who show up during rare bourbon season. You do not need to spend thousands, but you should make yourself visible. Buying seasonal bottles, wine, holiday gifts, and cocktail staples builds a quiet track record that puts you ahead of shoppers who only appear when the hype starts.
5. Visit small shops instead of big chains
Smaller independent liquor stores often have stronger personal relationships with distributors. They may receive fewer bottles, but they also have fewer customers competing for them. When an owner knows you by name, you move ahead of strangers. Big box chains rely on corporate policies and usually cannot reward individual customers. A small store can hand a bottle to a regular without going through layers of approval. If you support smaller shops, introduce yourself, and shop consistently, you often find much better opportunities because fewer people think to look there.
6. Join bourbon clubs
Local bourbon clubs give you access to raffles, tasting events, trips, and special allocations that never reach regular customers. Clubs often partner with stores and bars to secure small amounts of rare whiskey. By joining, you suddenly have a much stronger path to a bottle than someone searching on their own. You also learn which stores will release bottles, how allocations work, and who might tip you off when something arrives. The club environment is social, so you meet people who genuinely want to see members succeed, not just grab one for themselves.
7. Travel to states with better availability
Some states simply receive more bottles because their distribution networks are larger and more established. People sometimes plan short trips to markets where Pappy appears on shelves longer or where draws have better odds. While you should never travel expecting a guarantee, you give yourself a chance in a place where demand and supply are not so lopsided. If you check store newsletters and social posts in advance, you can time your visit with release windows. It is not cheap, but many fans treat the trip as part of the adventure.
Stores sometimes announce surprise releases through Instagram posts, Facebook stories, or quick updates that only fast followers catch. If you follow store accounts in your area and check regularly, you may see a last minute announcement that stock arrived. When you see the alert, you need to move quickly because the line forms within minutes. Many people never follow their local stores at all, which gives you an advantage by simply staying engaged. This tactic works best in urban areas where stores want to avoid overwhelming phone calls and frantic customers.
9. Buy a pour at a bar
Even if you cannot buy a whole bottle, you can still taste it by ordering a pour at a high-end bourbon bar. Some bars get multiple bottles and sell by the ounce instead of keeping them for collectors. A pour can cost a lot, but it lets you try the whiskey without waiting years or spending retail prices on the aftermarket. Many drinkers start this way so they can decide if chasing a full bottle is even worth the effort. Plus, bartenders sometimes share tips on future releases if you become a regular.
10. Pay secondary market prices
While not ideal, some people choose the simplest route and pay aftermarket prices. Pappy often sells for many times retail through private sales or online listings. It is legal in some places and prohibited in others, so you need to make sure you follow local laws. Paying secondary means you skip the waiting, raffles, and relationship building, but you pay heavily for the convenience. Many collectors only buy this way once, usually when celebrating something significant. Still, this route exists, and people use it when patience runs out or luck never shows up.
