Virginia ABC shakes up system for buying rare spirits

Virginia ABC just changed the way it sells many of its rare spirits , ceasing its notification system in favor of randomized in-store stocking to even the playing field.

Why it matters: People were going to extreme lengths to snag sought-after spirits under the old system, including camping outside of liquor stores overnight and even committing felonies . Two former ABC employees were convicted for selling insider information.

The big picture: Virginia is one of 17 " control states ," which means state-run stores are the only place one can buy liquor in person.

• While everyday spirits like Tito's tend to be priced slightly higher , limited-edition bottles like Pappy Van Winkle are offered at the manufacturer's sales price — often hundreds or thousands of dollars less than you can find on the open market.
• A 15-year-old bottle of Pappy Family Reserve may cost a Virginian $169.99 at the state liquor store, far less than nearly $2,500 from a Sotheby's auction .
• That big gap makes these spirits attractive for imbibers and collectors, and also anyone eager to make big bucks on the resale market.

Zoom in: Virginia ABC has been trying for nearly a decade to find an equitable system for distributing its rare bottles.

• It launched a lottery for uber-trendy Pappy in 2016. Two years ago, ABC started a "drop" and notify system for other rare spirits, which pinged a mailing list of subscribers when bottles arrived. Virginia tweaked that system multiple times amid complaints that it was unfair.
• The notification system encouraged overnight campers , who hold an unfair advantage over people who can't dedicate eight hours to sleeping in a strip mall.

The latest: ABC will now stock store shelves with spirits at "random dates and times" and without notifications.

• Store sales volume will determine which stores get the products and how much; the stock will not be listed on ABC's website in advance to try to keep down the crowds.
• A one-bottle limit of the rare stuff is still in effect.

Between the lines: Whiskey guru Bill Thomas, who's amassed one of the largest U.S. collections at his Adams Morgan bar Jack Rose , tells Axios that the new ABC system will encourage more whiskey hunters — a pastime that helped build his collection.

• "It's better for the consumer, who can stumble across a good bottle, and it's better for the state," says Thomas. "It makes Virginia a place to drop into liquor stores, and adds that layer of fun that maybe you'll find an iconic bottle."

The intrigue: Popular Pappy and other select bottles will continue to be sold under Virginia's lottery system, according to ABC. But Thomas says that Pappy isn't what most real-deal hunters are scouting for these days, even though he carries Pappys at his own store, Premier Drams .

• What's getting whiskey nerds excited, according to Thomas, are one-offs, single barrels, and small batches from independent bottlers like Old Carter , Rare Character , Kentucky Senator , High West , and Pursuit Spirits — labels you might now come across at ABC.
• "It's fun to hunt because you can find the next iconic bottling versus an established iconic brand," says Thomas.
• If you're just getting into hunting, Thomas recommends whiskey podcasts like Bourbon Pursuit or reviews from Bourb Your Enthusiasm .

What's next: ABC's next lottery drops on Monday. It includes a batch of spirits (not all rare), signed and/or made by celebrities.

• Think Heaven's Door Redbreast Whiskey signed by Bob Dylan , and Whipshots Vanilla — the Pappy of alcoholic whipped cream — signed by Cardi B.