Store Picks

What are store picks and how does it work?

• If a bottle is a store pick that means the liquor store selling it specifically chose that barrel in a tasting a few months prior.
• Stores contact the distillery to take part in a store pick, they purchase the barrel and are either sent a few samples of barrels that they can choose from or some stores will go down to the distillery and do the pick on site.
• Once the barrel is ready the distillery ships the bottles to the store, these usually come with a plaque or special sticker on the bottle to signify that it is a store pick
• Many liquor stores that are taking part in store picks are really starting to get creative with their customization of the bottle. Whether it be a fun sticker, a play on word or homage to classic movies and songs.

Are these different than the same product but not a store pick?

• Yes and no, every distillery makes every brand line the same but with weather, humidity and other various elements will cause each barrel to taste slightly different than any of the others.
• Also the representative from the liquor store hand selected the barrel to become a store pick so their style and personal tastes went into picking that barrel.

I love store picks, you get something unique while also building a relationship with store owners. Building a relationship with a store owner is huge if you are looking to get into the game of acquiring more “unicorns” or highly sought after bourbons.