I've been contemplating the idea of a flash sale site for scotch whiskey and potentially cigars. I know there are a ton for Wine, and normal retail good. As well i have a way figured out to legally get around regulations for shipping spirits. Im just not able to find quantitative data to prove theres a solid fan base (like wine has) to support such a site.

What do you guys think?

 

Good thread, I'm interesting in finding out more about this as well. This would also be a good thread to brainstorm some other verticals that might have potential in terms of a flash sales site.

 

Im just interested as Wine and other "luxury" goods have caught fire in this space (lot18.com invino.com...). Im not a big wine guy, but i love scotch and cigars, but i've never ran into a large community of like wise fans.

 

Cigar wise you might be up against the buy/sell/trade sites, which tend to be quite popular.

 

Love the idea!!! But this^^^^

 

You would be going up against some entrenched players like cigarbid.

 

Well the idea is not so much to go head to head with sites like cigarbid. But rather to initially cultivate a small community of influential and avid people in wiskey/scotch and cigars circles, mimicking gilts initial member base in fashion. Therefore allowing producers of these goods to privately liquidate their inventory to people who would already but their goods so it doesnt hurt their brand (ie. the public doesnt know about the deals). Or they could use it as a marketing ploy to allow this member base to explore new up and coming brands.

 

yes. And there are a couple out there already (cigars) and one that i kno of for wine. Cigar site is cigarsinternational.com and wine site is winestilsoldout.com or something like that. I think that the wine site is more legit than the cigar site. I know alot of major cigar manufacturers and they have told me that for these cigarsites and catalogues that they use inerior tobacco and cut corners todrop th prices. I am currently working with GiltGroupe on a cigar club that will sell ultra premiums at a good discount. I do think that your concept is saleable and a great idea if executed properly-and so long as you maintain the brand position. I know that alot of manufacturers will not touch these discount sites because they "whore" the brands