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Mark,
I read with interest your article on the increase in sales, as anticipated, following the Maker’s Mark controversy (if that is the correct word). To my surprise, I recently found and purchased a 42% abv bottle. I would like to know, how much was actually distributed at 42%. Have you any information?
From what I understand, as many as 30,000 cases may have been distributed to retailers. Assuming 12 750ml bottles to a case, that would be around 360,000 bottles. Keep in mind that I’ve seen the 42% bottles at three different sizes as well, 375ml, 750ml, and 1 liter, so getting an exact number would be difficult. Maker’s has never actually said how many bottles went out at 42%.
Hello Mark,
Love the new website. I have a question. I live in Pennsylvania and I heard that there is a bill working its way through the PA State Senate that will privatize liquor sales in the state. My question is do you know how or if this will affect availability? For example when Amrut was first sold in PA you had to place a minimum order of six bottles at the local state store. It seems that no matter what state store I go to the selection is pretty much the same. In order to try a certain whiskey I would have to travel to another state to purchase it. Since transporting alcohol across state lines is illegal in PA I seem to be stuck with the same old selection. So if you know how this law would increase the selection of whiskey I’d be very grateful. Keep up the good work and I look forward to the next podcast. Regards, Jeffrey
Jeffrey, thanks for your note and the kind words on the web site. As far as Amrut’s availability if and when Pennsylvania changes its liquor control system, it’s far too soon to say. My best guess is that if individual retailers are licensed, they will set their own policies on special orders in coordination with the distributors in Pennsylvania. Keep in mind that Pennsylvania governors have been trying to privatize the liquor system for a couple of decades with no success so far…
Mark,
Thank you for pronouncing the new Talisker, Port Ruighe during your last podcast. I review many of the whisky websites and seldom do they inform the reader on how to say these Gaelic names. Any chance you could insert future pronunciations into your news updates?
Glad to help…when I can get the proper pronunciation, I’ll be glad to add it on the news updates. To be honest, sometimes I have to guess at them myself…
Hemanth Rao, one of our community members in Bangalore, needs some help. He has family members in Seattle that will be visiting him in India later this year, and wants to have them bring some whiskies over to him. He asked me to recommend a good whisky shop in Seattle, but since the State of Washington switched from state-run liquor stores to private retailers last year, I don’t know any stores to recommend to him. If you have a suggestion, please feel free to add it here and help out a fellow whisky lover!
While I don’t live in Seattle, I visit there on Business and I’ve found that Wine World and Spirits has a very good selection with very knowledgeable staff. Plus they have their list of spirits on their web site. Because of the aforementioned switch to private stores right now prices are higher than in many other US states. Here’s a link to their site. Good luck. http://wineworldspirits.com/selection/spirits/spirits-list/
I just watched the latest episode of the newer DALLAS show on TNT …A program I watched way back when.
Here’s to the late Larry Hagman, who’s character, JR EWING’s favorite drink was “Bourbon and Branch”, and I might add, made me remember why I first tried bourbon all those years ago.
There will never be another character like JR!
Cheers Larry…
Very true, Ken…thanks for your post!
Great new website Mark. Well done indeed. I toast a fine dram in thee honor…
Thanks! Glad you like it…
Well done Mark! The site looks great, very easy to navigate around.
I really like the ability for others to comment on individual whiskies underneath your tasting notes – that will be something that I look forward to reading and being a part of. Any thoughts of allowing members to also rate the whisky and have a ‘Mark Gillespie vs The world’ scoring comparison?
Thanks! We’re looking at some ideas along those lines…
New site is great!! Cannot wait to see what comes next.
Slainte
Thanks, Matt! Anything you’d like us to consider adding? We’re always looking for ideas…
Full marks on the new website, Mark. What a great foundation from which to spread the good word!
Slainte!
Thank you, Stu…I’m glad you enjoy the new site, and I’ll share your comments with the rest of the team!
Love the new website. I will be spending hours away from real work playing around here. Curses Mark Gillespie. ..
Thanks, Ed…I think!