MON–WED 8AM–11PM
THU–SAT 8AM–MIDNIGHT
SUN 9AM–10PM
SPECIAL ORDERS
HARD-TO-FIND BOURBON & MORE
Tell us the bottle. We'll go looking.
We take special orders on hard-to-find bourbon and other bottles we don't carry. In Iowa, only a licensed store can place a special order with the state, so ask us at the counter and we'll check whether the state can get it. No deposit, and you decide once you hear the price.
Somebody poured you something good and now you can't find it. Or you read about a bottle online and nobody around here has it. You can't order from the state yourself, so it has to come through a store like ours. We don't mind one bit. We call them hey-can-you-get bottles, and a lot of what's on our shelves started out exactly that way.
Here's How It Works
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Tell us what you're after. The name, the size, anything you know. A picture on your phone works great.
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We check with the state to see if they can get it.
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When it lands, we call you with the price. You decide. No pressure. We hold your bottle for one week after it arrives. After that, it goes on the shelf.
Why Does the State Fill Special Orders by the Case?
Here's the part most people don't know. The state doesn't sell special orders one bottle at a time. It's the full case or nothing. So when we say yes, we're buying the whole case, not just your bottle. That's why we ask a few questions first. We want to be sure it's a bottle you really want, not one you'd kind of like to try. Your bottle goes home with you, and the rest of the case goes on the shelf for the next person to find.
How Long Does a Special Order Take?
We won't tell you a bottle's coming when it isn't. Honestly, it depends on the bottle. Some show up in a couple of weeks. Some take longer. And some we can't get at all, and we'll tell you that straight instead of stringing you along.
So next time you're in, ask us at the counter. We'd rather talk it through face to face than over the phone, so we get you the right bottle. Thanks for asking us first.
Special Order Questions
Can a liquor store order a bottle it doesn't carry?
In Iowa, yes. Special orders go through the state, and only a licensed store can place one. Bring us the name of the bottle and we'll check whether it can be sourced.
How do I place a special order at Liquor Lovers?
Ask us at the counter at 1510 S Ankeny Blvd in Ankeny. We talk it through in person so we get the right bottle. We'll call you once it lands.
Do I have to buy the whole case?
No. The state sells special orders by the case, and that's on us to handle. You buy the bottle you asked for.
What does a special order cost, and is there a deposit?
There's no deposit. The state doesn't give us a price when we place the order, so once your bottle lands we call you with an honest price and you decide whether you want it. No pressure either way.
How long will you hold my special order?
Where can I find hard-to-find bourbon in Iowa?
One week after it arrives. We call you when it lands, and if you haven’t picked it up by the end of that week, the bottle goes on the shelf.
Ask us. We take special orders on hard-to-find bottles through the state, since only a licensed store can place one. If it's not on our shelf, tell us at the counter in Ankeny and we'll see if we can get it.