The big liquor stores love their ‘house’ brands and will push them hard to customers. Why? It’s all about the money. Here is a bourbon brand found pretty much only at Total Wine – 2 Stars. It’s KY Straight Bourbon Whiskey at least 4 years old at 86 proof – really some fairly decent bourbon at a cost of $39.99 for a 1.75 liter handle. It’s produced by Sazerac from Bourbon made at their Barton 1792 distillery. Or you can buy practically the same KY Straight Bourbon Whiskey at least 4 years old at 86 proof under the Barton brand, which is not a house brand, for $19.99 for the same size.
As Richard Seale of Foursquare Rum once said ‘drink what you like, be careful what you pay for’
So why would anyone name a bourbon “Two Stars”? Whys not “Five Starts,” for crying out loud? That might help justify doubling the price!
Uh, make that “Five Stars”!