advertorial
CONCERNS REMAIN
While highly sophisticated services like ReserveBar and Sovos ShipCompliant strive for compliant shipping , concerns remain about the many parties operating below these industry leaders .
For instance : Liquor store owners will notice products in their markets that are not carried by local wholesalers .
“ Today ’ s consumer thinks all alcohol shipping is on the table and completely legal ,” says Josh Hammond , President of Buster ' s Wines & Liquors in Memphis , TN . “ We all need to take a step back and look at the big picture and say , ‘ What ’ s going on ?’”
What Hammond sees that ’ s particularly alarming is “ websites that say they ship alcohol to all states .” In fact , 16 states do not allow alcohol shipments to a consumer ’ s home : Alabama , Arizona , Arkansas , California , Colorado , Connecticut , Delaware , Florida , Georgia , Hawaii , Idaho , Illinois , Indiana , Iowa , Kansas and Louisiana .
“ You wouldn ’ t know that when a website says they ship all over the country ,” Hammond says . “ It becomes a big jurisdiction issue . How do state regulators enforce penalties in other states ? I know there are thousands of cases shipped illegally , purchased in the face of the law because there ’ s little to no enforcement .”
As alcohol producers sue state governments and claim discrimination , Hammond asks why the same isn ’ t true for out-of-state retailers . Which is not to say that Hammond is completely against DTC . Rather , he ’ s for a fair , balanced and safe marketplace .
“ The litmus test must be upholding public safety ,” he says . “ Lack of enforcement leads to safety issues like counterfeit products , people avoiding paying taxes , scammers , underage people being delivered products and products getting stolen .”
“ Illegal alcohol shipping is still the elephant in the room in the alcohol industry ,” he adds . “ Or , it ’ s the elephant in the mail .”
In the meantime , alcohol ecommerce will assuredly only grow as consumers today expect all shopping to take place online , followed by fast delivery .
“ We ’ re looking to bring buying alcohol to every logical moment on a website ,” says Correia of ReserveBar . “ On brand sites , in whiskey articles ; we ’ re expanding the shelf . If someone wants to buy alcohol , we ’ ll make sure they have the link . We bring the shopping cart and checkout right to the moment .”
“ What if we put a QR code on the side of your Yeti cooler so you can use that QR code to buy more alcohol instantly ?” he adds . “ Now we ’ ve created more opportunity for that cooler to create a lifetime value for all those transactions put into it . We ’ re empowering the ecommerce of alcohol in all these different ways .” •
Same aged rum , new packaging , oak cork finish !
Crafted in Haiti since 1862 , Rhum Barbancourt is a noble rum characterized by the variety of its essences . Its sophisticated bouquet offers a rich and round body ending on a long oaky finish . The Haitian cane notably brings out a harmonious , terroir-driven composition . Aged for 8 full years in Limousin Oak , Rhum Barbancourt 5 star combines intense oaky aromas to the mild flavors of sugar cane . Its bold and complex flavor includes fruity notes , as well as vanilla and pepper ones . This ideal balance of tones results in a distinctive savor and delivers a unique taste experience .
Loyal to its soil and history , Rhum Barbancourt preserved its authenticity , going through the same process , using the same know-how for over 160 years . Delphine Gardère , 5th generation owners , is the current guardian of this heritage : the canes hand cut locally are grown organically , then fermented using a special yeast , finally distilled through a copper pot . No flavoring , no coloring , no additive is added .
When fully aged , the rhum is bottled at 86 proof , the strength needed for its essences to best spread over the palate . Absolutely perfect on the rocks with a splash of lemon !
Rhum Barbancourt leads the category of cane juice rums in the U . S . Its 8 years old “ 5 star ” expression is furthermore one of the best-selling XO rums .
Rhum Barbancourt expressions also include the White “ Haitian Proof ” ( 110 proof ), the 4 years old ( VSOP ) “ 3 Star ” and the 15 years old ( Millesimal ) “ Estate Reserve ”.
www . beveragedynamics . com November 2023 • Beverage Dynamics 11