Indiana Liquor Situation

[Gillman]

Dawn (or other friends in Indiana), what is the situation for bourbon in the state and for finding older bottles? I have a friend who lives near Evansville (not part of SB or the other board), and he has offered to check out local resources for me, but I would need to orient him. I am interested mainly in bottlings from past decades, e.g., ND bottlings, original S-W, and so forth. Do you see any possibilities in that part of the State, or is it not worth trying?

Gary

[luv2hunt]

I haven't looked in that area....so I'd say....yes, worth trying
I also don't seem to have the same interests in oldies as some of you guys, so alot of those I have left on the shelves.

Dawn

[Gillman]

Okay thanks, I'll send him out post-haste.

By the way driving through Ohio back north, I stopped for a while in an interesting town called Troy. It had a handsome square with building facings employing a multi-colored planking or trim, they were very reminiscent of similar things I've seen in, say, Alsace-Lorraine. Only after did I see that the names on many stores sounded Swiss or Germanic. I stopped in one of those drive-through beverage stores you see in Ohio and noted the 20% abv diluted bourbons (with brand names I never saw) that Chuck has often mentioned. I almost bought one, just for the novelty, but was full-up. Also saw in Indiana across the river from L'ville a McCormick blended whiskey (seemingly a current bottling) but didn't bite.

Gary

[kbuzbee]

Been there (Troy) several times. Used to have a customer there. I hated that drive, but you're right, it's a nice little town.

I don't know anyone who drinks the dilluted offerings. You can buy them in the grocery stores. I always figured they were for those folks who feel "dirty" walking into a liqour store.... Like it's a gentlemen's club or something. Oh well.....

I assume you shot right up 75 to Windsor?? Some time when your down this way you should swing East. I'll pour you some of those barrel projects.

Take care,

Ken

[Gillman]

Thanks, Ken, the drive was as you described, and I was wondering indeed who buys the diluted offerings. Definitely will pass by one day, and thanks again.

Gary

[cowdery]

The main reason there's a market for the diluted products is because the stores that sell them can keep longer hours than the stores that sell the real things. There are also a lot more of the stores that sell the diluted products, so there's a convenience benefit as well. Presumably, diluted vodka is better than no vodka at all, when it's all that's available.

What this is about is a peculiarity of Ohio Law that makes the typical "beer and wine" license many states have into an "anything 21% abv or less" license in Ohio. "Spirits" are defined as any product having an alcohol content higher than 21% abv, and can only be sold in regulated liquor stores. The number of such stores is limited and so are their hours of operation.

I grew up in Ohio and only lived there a few years after reaching legal age, but I never had occassion to buy one of the diluted spirits products, never saw them at a party, never saw them in the "field" in any context. Someone must buy them, but it's nobody I know.

One of the benefits of the Ohio law over the typical beer and wine license is that those licenses regulate on the basis of production method, i.e., fermented beverages only, nothing with any distilled spirits contents, so those places can sell "malternatives" such as Smirnoff ice, but can't sell pre-mixed cocktails of the same proof that are made with actual vodka. So, the Ohio way is actually more sensible. Low proof liqueurs, such as Bailey's Irish Cream, can also be sold.

[ILLfarmboy]

Been there (Troy) several times. Used to have a customer there. I hated that drive, but you're right, it's a nice little town.

I don't know anyone who drinks the dilluted offerings. You can buy them in the grocery stores. I always figured they were for those folks who feel "dirty" walking into a liqour store.... Like it's a gentlemen's club or something. Oh well.....

Ken

Being born and raised in the Land Of Lincoln I find it odd; all these peculiar regulations. Kinda makes me think such laws were designed to make people "feel dirty" going into a liquor store. Putting liquor purveyors on the same level as pornographers.

[kbuzbee]

I think you may be right about that Brad. I've always thought the same thing about liquor stores being "cash only". Supposedly this is to prevent people from going into debt to buy "sin juice" but the result of it is BGs know that robbing a liquor store is a cash rich proposition. They are more likely to be "hit" which may deter some folks from patronizing them. Just a theory.

Also you're banned from CCW so they also know everyone there will be unarmed.

BTW - Many around here now accept debit cards but (IIUC) no credit cards are allowed by state law.

Ken

[ILLfarmboy]

BTW - Many around here now accept debit cards but (IIUC) no credit cards are allowed by state law.

Ken

I sure would hate to be driving through Ohio, low on cash, and come upon some unbelievable dusty bottle find. I don't have a debit card and I'm sure they wouldn't take a personal check. God bless 'em. They would have saved me from that "sin juice". Of course if it was really worth the extra money (no grace period on cash advance etc.), I could just get a cash advance on a credit card. What a bunch of.............

[kbuzbee]

And most of the stores have managed to install ATMs right in the store so if you reach that crises point, they have you covered.

Ken