If it's like in the grocery world, distillers are probably paying for shelf space to have their wares displayed. Pretty fair chance that gets passed on to the consumer.
Here's one for you: When I was a kid, I liked a candy named "Southies", a rectangular solid, green colored, mint flavored item made by "The Squirrel Nut Company". A while back, I took notice that almost all the old penny candy from when I was a kid still existed/was available. Turns out the "Southie" had been acquired from the Squirrel Nut Company by NECCO (New England Confectionery Company). The local grocery that I shopped at carried a bunch of Necco products, but NOT the "Southie, whose name had permutated over the years from "Southie" to "Squirrel Nut Mints" to "Mint Julep Candy". I asked the local grocer to order some and even though they carried a bunch of Necco stuff, they said they could not get them. About 6 months later (around Saint Patrick's Day) they magically appeared, only to disappear once that batch was sold out.
Last I knew, they could be had from an online retailer out in Murph's old stomping grounds (McKeesport), but I haven't tried to order any lately because the cost of shipping makes them rather expensive! It ain't easy being nostalgic!
