Big Blend Markets

[cowdery]

I've been in Ohio more than usual the last few months, and so have shopped some of the local purveyors. Ohio is a control state. Through it no longer runs the retail stores, its retail agents are very limited in terms of what they can do, so if you've seen one Ohio liquor store, you've seen them all.

I was surprised to see how big a selection of North American blends they sell, the Americans and Canadians right next to each other. The Canadian selection seemed about normal, but I was surprised by the large selection of American blends. All of the major brands were represented with several facings and at least 750 ml and 1.75 L sizes, and sometimes liters. Here in Illinois, even a big liquor store will have only Seagrams 7 in a 750ml, then three or four other brands (Kessler, Thompson, Philadelphia, etc.) in handles only. In Kentucky, you see them even less.

In 99 Drams, Kate Hopkins talks about the ubiquity of blends in the Pittsburgh of her youth, especially Imperial. Then as now, they're usually mixed with a soft drink.

Nationally, American blends sell about 1/10th what American straights do, but I think the Great Lakes region is the blends heartland.

[ThomasH]

Ohio has so many blends that some of the cheapest one come in regular looking, 750ml plastic bottles. Also, many come in 1L and 1.75L sizes as bars are required to buy in the 1L size unless the brand isn't available in 1L. Ohio is probably the 1L capitol of the USA!

Thomas

[DeanSheen]

Blends. Growing up, blend + some type of pop on ice was the drink of choice for the working crew when they were out socially in mixed company.

After work with the guys it was shot and a beer, card night or dinner and drinks it was some blended whiskey with ginger.

[Jono]

Could it simply be a cost issue? An economically depressed area may stock more blends simply because the customers are not buying the straight whiskeys. It might make for an interesting study...a comparison of the best selling whiskey by zip code or city and unemployment rate etc.

Here is a national drinking map breakdown:

http://www.time.com/time/2007/america_numbers/alcohol.html

[Josh]

Could it simply be a cost issue? An economically depressed area may stock more blends simply because the customers are not buying the straight whiskeys. It might make for an interesting study...a comparison of the best selling whiskey by zip code or city and unemployment rate etc.

Here is a national drinking map breakdown:

http://www.time.com/time/2007/america_numbers/alcohol.html

I think Michigan can go darker, I'm going to work on that this weekend.

[Jono]

For the most part, the heavier spirits consumption seems to run in the Northern states plus NE,South Carolina and Florida and some western states..Wyoming, Montana. I imagine the data will change with the economy...MI may jump to 4-5 gallons per person.

New Hampshire...4 gallons...who knew?

[smokinjoe]

For the most part, the heavier spirits consumption seems to run in the Northern states plus NE,South Carolina and Florida and some western states..Wyoming, Montana. I imagine the data will change with the economy...MI may jump to 4-5 gallons per person.

New Hampshire...4 gallons...who knew?

Who knew?? Our buddy, Luna. He's doing his part on the ERSB, at least.

[callmeox]

I'm sure that cost is a factor as there are lots of eastern European ethnics in this area and they really like their high-balls. Why mix a straight with ginger ale when a blend will do?

[DeanSheen]

So my brother in law is crossing back to Toronto on Sunday and tells me he scrapes up enough change to get 2 handles of VO for $40.

He gets home, pops one open and decides it's really wretched stuff. He tells me I ruined him with the straight goods. One more Canadian off the "rye".

[jburlowski]

When I was growing up in Milwaukee, blends (along with brandy, of course) were primarily the spirits of choice.