Allocated bourbons are specific brands or expressions of bourbon whiskey that are in high demand and limited supply. These bourbons are often produced by well-known distilleries and are highly sought after by whiskey enthusiasts and collectors.

The allocation process typically occurs when the demand for a particular bourbon exceeds the available supply. Due to various factors such as production capacity, barrel aging requirements, and production costs, distilleries may not be able to meet the full market demand for a specific bourbon.

In order to ensure fair distribution and avoid shortages, distilleries may allocate their limited supply of bourbon to different markets, regions, or specific retailers. This allocation process involves carefully distributing a limited number of bottles to various outlets to provide broader access to consumers.

Allocated bourbons are often released in limited quantities, and as a result, they can be difficult to find. Many whiskey enthusiasts eagerly await the release of allocated bourbons and may go to great lengths to acquire a bottle. Some allocated bourbons have gained a cult following and can command premium prices in the secondary market.

It’s worth noting that the allocation and availability of bourbons can vary by region and even by individual stores. What may be allocated in one area may be readily available in another.

Allocated Bourbon List

This is not a definitive list of bourbons that are allocated. This is a list of the commonly allocated bourbons and a brief description of each bourbon.

Pappy Van Winkle: Pappy Van Winkle is a highly sought-after bourbon produced by the Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery. It comes in various expressions, including Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 15, 20, and 23-year-old. Pappy Van Winkle bourbons are often considered some of the most allocated and elusive on the market.

Buffalo Trace Antique Collection: The Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC) is an annual release of highly acclaimed bourbons from the Buffalo Trace Distillery. This collection includes highly allocated expressions such as George T. Stagg, William Larue Weller, Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye, and Eagle Rare 17 Year Old.

Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch: Four Roses releases limited edition small batch bourbons each year, which are highly anticipated by whiskey enthusiasts. These limited releases typically consist of a blend of carefully selected bourbons and are highly regarded for their quality and flavor profiles.

Weller Full Proof: Weller Full Proof is a wheated bourbon produced by the Buffalo Trace Distillery. It is often allocated due to its popularity and limited production quantities. Weller bourbons, in general, have gained significant attention in recent years.

Heaven Hill Parker’s Heritage Collection: The Parker’s Heritage Collection from Heaven Hill Distillery offers an annual release of limited edition bourbons. These releases showcase unique aging techniques, barrel finishes, or mash bill variations, making them highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts.

Elijah Craig 18-Year-Old Single Barrel: Elijah Craig is a popular bourbon brand, and their 18-Year-Old Single Barrel expression is often allocated due to its age and limited production. It offers a rich and complex flavor profile that is highly regarded among bourbon enthusiasts.

Old Forester Birthday Bourbon: Old Forester releases an annual limited edition bourbon known as the Birthday Bourbon. It is released in honor of the birthday of founder George Garvin Brown and is highly sought after for its unique characteristics and limited availability.

Blanton’s Single Barrel: Blanton’s is known for its iconic horse stopper bottles and its status as one of the first single barrel bourbons. While it is not strictly an allocated bourbon, it can be challenging to find due to its popularity and limited distribution.

Booker’s Bourbon: Booker’s Bourbon is a high-proof, small-batch bourbon released by the Jim Beam distillery. While it is more widely available compared to some other allocated bourbons, certain batches or limited editions of Booker’s can still be highly sought after by collectors.

Michter’s Limited Release Bourbons: Michter’s releases limited edition bourbons, such as their 10-Year Single Barrel Bourbon or their limited edition Toasted Barrel Finish Bourbon. These releases are often allocated and celebrated for their exceptional quality and unique flavor profiles.

Willett Family Estate Bottled Bourbon: Willett Distillery produces small-batch, single barrel bourbons that are highly regarded among bourbon enthusiasts. Their Family Estate Bottled Bourbon is often allocated due to limited production and is known for its quality and craftsmanship.

Stagg Jr.: Stagg Jr. is a high-proof, unfiltered bourbon released by Buffalo Trace Distillery. While it is not as allocated as its older sibling, George T. Stagg, Stagg Jr. still tends to have limited availability and can be challenging to find in some regions.

Orphan Barrel series: Orphan Barrel releases a series of limited edition bourbons sourced from rare and forgotten barrels found in various distilleries. These releases, such as Rhetoric, Forager’s Keep, or Old Blowhard, are highly allocated and sought after by collectors.

Van Winkle Special Reserve: The Van Winkle Special Reserve bourbons, often referred to as “Pappy Lite,” are part of the Pappy Van Winkle family but are more readily available compared to the highly allocated Pappy Van Winkle expressions. However, they are still sought after and can be allocated in some areas.

Barrell Craft Spirits Limited Edition Bourbons: Barrell Craft Spirits offers a range of limited edition bourbons, often blends of sourced barrels from different distilleries. These releases, such as their annual Barrell Bourbon releases or New Year releases, are highly allocated and admired for their unique flavor profiles.

W.L. Weller Antique Collection: The W.L. Weller Antique Collection is an annual release by Buffalo Trace Distillery. It includes highly allocated expressions like William Larue Weller, a wheated bourbon known for its robust flavors and high proof.

Parker’s Heritage Collection: Heaven Hill’s Parker’s Heritage Collection offers limited edition releases each year in honor of late Master Distiller Parker Beam. These bourbons often feature unique cask finishes or experimental aging techniques and are highly allocated.

Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel: Russell’s Reserve, produced by the Wild Turkey Distillery, offers single barrel expressions that are highly regarded by bourbon enthusiasts. While not always strictly allocated, certain single barrel picks or limited releases can be allocated or harder to find.

Heaven Hill Single Barrel: Heaven Hill Single Barrel bourbons, such as Elijah Craig Single Barrel or Evan Williams Single Barrel, can sometimes be allocated or limited in availability due to the select nature of single barrel offerings.

High West Midwinter Night’s Dram: High West Distillery produces limited edition releases, including the highly allocated Midwinter Night’s Dram. This whiskey is a blend of straight rye whiskies finished in French oak port barrels, resulting in a unique and sought-after flavor profile.

Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond: Old Fitzgerald is a wheated bourbon produced by Heaven Hill Distillery. The Bottled in Bond expression, in particular, is highly allocated and sought after for its quality and adherence to the Bottled in Bond Act regulations.

Jefferson’s Presidential Select: Jefferson’s Presidential Select is a series of limited edition bourbons produced by Jefferson’s Bourbon. These releases typically feature unique cask finishes, blending techniques, or age statements, making them highly allocated and collectible.

Blood Oath: Blood Oath is a small-batch, limited edition bourbon series created by Luxco. Each release is a blend of carefully selected bourbons, often with unique flavor profiles and aging techniques, making them highly allocated and sought after by collectors.

Angel’s Envy Cask Strength: Angel’s Envy Cask Strength is a high-proof, limited edition bourbon produced by Angel’s Envy. Known for its rich and complex flavor profile, this allocated release is highly coveted among bourbon enthusiasts.

Kentucky Owl Bourbon: Kentucky Owl is a brand that offers limited edition bourbons sourced from various distilleries. Their releases, such as Kentucky Owl Confiscated or Kentucky Owl Batch Strength, are allocated and known for their high quality and unique blending processes.

King of Kentucky: King of Kentucky is a limited edition, single barrel bourbon released by Brown-Forman. This highly allocated bourbon is typically released in small quantities and is sought after for its high quality and unique expressions.

Michter’s 10-Year Single Barrel Bourbon: Michter’s 10-Year Single Barrel Bourbon is a highly allocated release from Michter’s Distillery. It offers a balance of age and flavor profile, making it a sought-after bourbon among enthusiasts.

Colonel E.H. Taylor Limited Editions: The Colonel E.H. Taylor line from Buffalo Trace Distillery includes highly allocated limited editions, such as Colonel E.H. Taylor Four Grain, Amaranth Grain of the Gods, or Cured Oak. These releases are known for their quality and limited availability.

Remember that the availability and allocation of bourbons can change over time, and some releases may be more allocated in certain regions or during specific years. It’s always a good idea to check with local retailers, whiskey enthusiasts, or online communities to get the most up-to-date information on allocated bourbons in your area.