VinePair

The Whiskey Glut Won't Lower Prices, but It Will Mean Older, Better Bottles

Whiskey has an oversupply problem. In both bourbon and Scotch, stocks are way up, consumption is flat to down, and many producers are responding by slowing or pausing production, temporarily closing distilleries, and, in some cases, laying off staff. For companies that buy barrels of new-make or aged American whiskey to supply their brands, prices have dropped dramatically. “There are some pretty fire-sale prices out there,” says Adam Polonski, co-founder of independent bottler Lost Lantern, which buys barrels from dozens of distilleries around the country.