OLCC plans public drawings for rare, limited edition liquors

At its monthly meeting Friday, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission granted delegated authority to OLCC Director Steve Marks to enter into public drawings to offer the public the chance to purchase spirits that are rare or in limited supply.

“Special limited releases of bourbons and other whiskeys have become increasingly popular among collectors and enthusiasts as of late,” Marks said. “We’ve been asked by many customers to establish new methods of distribution, such as a public drawing. I’m pleased the commissioners granted us this authority, as it will allow the maximum number of Oregonians an opportunity to purchase these very highly sought-after products.”

OLCC receives special releases throughout the year, but quantities are often limited by the manufacturers and suppliers. The state has no control over how many bottles it receives each year. OLCC will use a public drawing to make available to the public a portion of these rare or limited releases throughout each year by public drawing.

In the presentation before Commissioners, commission staff outlined details of the first public drawing that will be launching Oct 4, This drawing will be for the chance to purchase one of six limited edition 2018 Old Forester Birthday Bourbons. This year, the Old Forester release only totals 120 barrels.

The drawing will begin October 4, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. PDT and run through October 18, 2018 at 11:00 p.m. PDT. Entry is by completion of an online entry form available on OLCC’s website and agreeing to terms. Entrants must be 21 and commit to purchasing and picking up their bottle at one of OLCC’s retail liquor stores in person, if selected as a winner. Only one entry per person, one bottle per person. Odds depend on overall number of entries received.

At 101 Proof, the 2018 Old Forester Birthday Bourbon in this public auction has been aged over 12 years and is the first Birthday Bourbon vintage bottled at the new Old Forester Distilling Co., facility in Louisville, KY. If successful, the commission anticipates that there will be another public auction occurring by end of year, with exact product and quantity made known at that time.

“I think its great the commission is taking this on,” said Commission Chairman Paul Rosenbaum. “I’m very enthusiastic about this chance to purchase for the Oregon consumer, and for the opportunity for revenue generation for the State.”

To learn more about the public drawing for Old Forester, and for complete rules and terms, visit http://www.oregon.gov/OLCC/Pages/ChancetoPurchase.aspx

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