{"id":2111,"date":"2026-02-21T07:18:34","date_gmt":"2026-02-21T13:18:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arkansasliquor.com\/?p=2111"},"modified":"2026-02-21T07:18:36","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T13:18:36","slug":"early-times-bottled-in-bond-price-jumps-25-in-arkansas-as-new-bottle-hits-shelves-nationally","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arkansasliquor.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/21\/early-times-bottled-in-bond-price-jumps-25-in-arkansas-as-new-bottle-hits-shelves-nationally\/","title":{"rendered":"Early Times Bottled-in-Bond Price Jumps 25% in Arkansas as New Bottle Hits Shelves Nationally"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

PUBLISH DATE: February 21, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Early Times Bottled-in-Bond is quietly becoming one of the most talked-about budget bourbons in Arkansas \u2014 not because of a new award or a flashy barrel pick, but because of a 25% price increase and a bottle transition<\/strong> that has many local enthusiasts scrambling to secure the old 1-liter format.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve been watching shelves at stores like Warehouse Liquor<\/strong> and Five Star Liquor<\/strong>, you\u2019ve already seen it happening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Arkansas Price Shift<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s what we\u2019re seeing on the ground:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Warehouse Liquor:<\/strong>\n
      \n
    • Old Price: $15.99<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • New Price: $19.99<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Increase: ~25%<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Five Star Liquor:<\/strong>\n
        \n
      • Old Price: $16.99<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • New Price: $18.99<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Increase: More modest, currently the lowest verified pricing in the state<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        For years, Early Times Bottled-in-Bond was arguably the best value in bourbon \u2014 100 proof, age-stated, Bottled-in-Bond, and sold in a generous 1-liter bottle<\/strong>. That math was hard to beat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Now that pricing is shifting upward, and the format is changing, consumer behavior is shifting with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n\n\n\n

        The Bottle Change: 1 Liter to 750mL<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        The legacy version most Arkansas drinkers know and love was the 1-liter bottle distilled by Brown-Forman<\/strong> before the brand was sold to Barton 1792 Distillery<\/strong>, owned by Sazerac Company<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        While the Early Times brand continues, the distillate and production control changed hands when Brown-Forman<\/strong> divested the label.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The current bottles hitting shelves reflect:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        • A new bottle design<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • A shift to the standard 750mL format<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • New Barton-produced distillate<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          Less whiskey. New source. Higher price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          That combination has the bourbon community paying attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
          \n\n\n\n

          YouTube Reviews: \u201cNot Just Different\u2026 Bad\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          Multiple YouTube bourbon reviewers have begun posting side-by-side comparisons of the Brown-Forman 1L version versus the newer Barton-produced release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          The overall theme?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Not \u201cdifferent.\u201d
          Not \u201csubtle change.\u201d
          But in several cases \u2014 \u201cbad.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Common criticisms include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
          • Thinner mouthfeel<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Harsh ethanol presence<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Loss of the signature nutty, caramel-forward profile<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Short, bitter finish<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

            Now, to be fair, taste is subjective. But when independent reviewers across multiple channels start echoing the same concerns, consumers notice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            And Arkansas drinkers are responding accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n