Ballots/Lotteries

[ARscotchfan]

Hi all! Forgive my ignorance, being so new to the hobby of scotch I am not sure what these ballots and lotteries are or how they work....could someone catch me up? I'd be thankful for the knowledge.

[JKD]

Hi ARscotchfan, in an attempt to be fair to everyone interested in purchasing a limited release bottling some distilleries are launching them using a ballot/lottery system. Previously some distilleries would have launched a limited release bottling via their website shop on a pre-set time and date, but this has lead to unhappy and disappointed whisky drinkers when the distillery website has crashed due to the number of people trying to access it at the launch time as most distillery websites were never designed to have 1000's of visitors all at one time.

So the ballot system is a way to give everyone an equal chance of getting their hands on a limited release bottling.

Unfortunately the distilleries are limited to where they can post bottles and the distillery website who are offering bottles through a ballot will probably provide details of where they can dispatch the whisky to.

[Dave h]

You register your name on the premises you will buy a bottle.
Usually rare or limited release.
Draw is made, if your name is selected you have the option to buy, but many also opt against buying, which then may have further rounds of draws until all bottles are bought.

Pros and cons, but for me I have missed out on bottles as they are released for sale during the daytime when im working, so typically could be sold out by the time I get round to buying it. With a draw, gotta s chance. But more often than not I have been unsuccessful in ballots.
Example:
Success: https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/feature/lagavulinlimitededition

Failed: https://www.highlandparkwhisky.com/yesnaby-frequently-asked-questions/

[ARscotchfan]

I see! Thanks guys!