Allocated Bourbon – Newer Releases that are produced in limited quantities and distributed selectively. They are often difficult to find due to high demand and limited supply (sometimes purposefully).
Rare Bourbon – This is a broader term that can refer to both allocated and older bottles that are difficult to obtain due to scarcity, age, or limited production. Most of the time a rare bourbon is something discontinued. This category also includes: a 50th, 70th or 150th anniverary bourbon that only comes along once in a lifetime.
Dusty Bourbon – These are older, discontinued, or pre modern erea bottles before the 1980-1990. These are often discovered in liquor store back rooms and estate sales. Dusties often have different mash bills, aging process or even better quality due to the historic production methods.
Key differences: Allocated bourbon is currently produced but hard to find. Rare bourbon is either new or old but difficult to find and include anniversary bottles. Dusty bourbon is especially old stock bourbon, often from past decades and no longer in production. We recently sipped a 1977 Old Crow handle bourbon that sold for $10.86 back then. A single pour went for $85.00. The smoothness of the sip confirms the better quality due to the historic production methods.
