Pennsylvania launches limited edition liquor lottery

In an effort to sell rare wines and spirits more fairly, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PCLB) will host its first limited edition lottery later this month.

The PCLB will host its first limited edition liquor lottery later this month

Last year, a first-come-first-served sale of Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon caused the website to crash, and as such the PCLB board is attempting to “more equitably” distribute highly sought-after expressions.

“In recent years, certain products have become very popular among aficionados, enthusiasts and collectors,” said Tim Holden, PLCB chairman of the board. “When sold through our traditional online store in the past, the extraordinary demand for these products, which are often sold at prices far below what consumers find in other states, often led to products selling out within only a few minutes. “

The inaugural lottery will feature 24 bottles of Buffalo Trace Experimental Collection, including 12 bottles of French Oak Barrel Aged Bourbon 50% abv and 12 bottles of French Oak Barrel Aged Bourbon, both of which carry an RRP of US$48.49 per 375ml bottle.

A total of 25% of each offering will be open to licensees, who contribute to approximately a quarter of the PCLB’s annual sales, while the remaining 75% will be available to individual consumers.

“One of the concerns we’ve heard most from Pennsylvania residents and licensees is how folks from other states are able to buy up what vendors allocate to the commonwealth,” said Dale Horst, PLCB director of marketing and merchandising. “We are taking every step we can to ensure that these bottles will be sold to Pennsylvania residents and licensees.

“We believe a lottery system is the fairest way to sell highly limited and very popular products to our consumers.”

To take part in the lotteries, consumers and licensees must register at www.FineWineAndGoodSpirits.com and opt in to the first lottery between 8am Monday 5 October and 11pm Saturday 10 October.

Separate lotteries will be conducted for each rare Bourbon and participants can opt into one or both of the draws, but buyers are limited to one bottle each and cannot buy a bottle from both draws.

If a consumer buys a bottle form the first draw, they will be removed from the second lottery.