SALT LAKE CITY — The elusive bourbon known as “Pappy Van Winkle” quietly appeared at Utah liquor stores on Tuesday, drawing crowds as people sought to get a coveted bottle of the drink.
Lines were forming early Tuesday when the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control’s product inventory listed only a few dozen bottles of Pappy that had been sent out to stores in Logan, Ogden, St. George, Salt Lake City, Riverton, Park City and Pleasant Grove. The DABC was limiting purchases to one per customer.
When FOX 13 first reported on the liquor in 2014, it triggered long lines.
A similar rush happened later in the year when the DABC got a surprise shipment from the distiller.
This time around, it appeared to be more subdued — state law forbids the promotion of alcohol, so the liquor agency can’t really even mention it.
But people in line sent FOX 13 pics of their experience waiting for the store to open.
Some claimed to be waiting in line as early as 6:30 a.m.
Line to get rare Pappy Van Winkle bourbon at Utah liquor store at 1700 S. and 300 W.
In other states, Pappy Van Winkle can fetch hundreds of dollars per bottle.
Another quirk of Utah law sets the drink’s price at cost plus 86 percent markup.
Where a bottle of 20-year Pappy has sold for as much as $1,200 — Utah customers have paid around $150.
