Ohio Liquor Sales Set Record in 2011

[swerb]

http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf ... other.html

Top selling brands ...

1. Kamchatka Vodka – 401,148 gallons
2. Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey – 349,589 gallons
3. Bacardi Superior Light Rum – 291,559 gallons
4. Captain Morgan Spiced Rum – 284,606 gallons
5. Absolut Vodka – 274,549 gallons
6. Smirnoff Vodka – 271,679 gallons
7. Crown Royal Canadian Whiskey – 271,497 gallons
8. Jagermeister – 257,774 gallons
9. Korski Vodka – 231,916 gallons
10. Black Velvet Canadian Whiskey – 192,244 gallons

[Erie Warrior]

What awful tastes in booze.

Isn't Kamchatka the Giant Eagle brand? It's also a good place to stage an invasion on North America.

[jb]

Awe yeah!

The big K with OJ. Always the first drink at 7 am in Muni.

No Paramount product in the top 10 ?

[Cerebral_DownTime]

Too much vodka. Nothing says "Eastern Europe" better than a colorless tasteless alcohol.

Rum is pretty awful too.

[motherscratcher]

At OSU I made a Fuzzy Giraffe (a few actually). One time I got a watermelon, cut a hole in the top, and turned a bottle of vodka upside down, into the hole. It took hours but about 3/4 of the vodka went into the watermelon. I think I used Kamchatka.

FTR - it kind of sucked. Every bite of watermelon was like a shot of vodka. It overpowered everything.

Hell of an idea, though.

[Cerebral_DownTime]

You're supposed to use Everclear or real shine for Hairy Buffalo.

Goddamn Bohunks.

[motherscratcher]

::doh::

You're supposed to use Everclear or real shine for Hairy Buffalo.

Goddamn Bohunks.

Yes, yes I know. And of course everclear is available at every corner liquor store. There is an element of effort that would go into actually finding a bottle of Everclear, and moonshine even more so. Do I strike you as the kind of guy that wants to put in that kind of effort?

So, is you don't want me to call my delicious, fruity concoctions a Hairy Buffalo because they lacked Everclear, then that's fine. We'll call them Fuzzy Giraffes.

Cool?

[jb]

Wasn't there something cool you could have boosted from the dental school lab? Like formaldehyde or some shit?

[jb]

::doh::

You're supposed to use Everclear or real shine for Hairy Buffalo.

Goddamn Bohunks.

^^^^^^^

Slams 'Nanner out of plastic milk jugs between lines of bath salts.

[motherscratcher]

Wasn't there something cool you could have boosted from the dental school lab? Like formaldehyde or some shit?

Before my time they used to boost nitrous.

Legend has it that where I lived (A big house that was actually 2 built together with 10 rooms) they used to have an "up and down" party. (Not what you are thinking but almost as cool).

There was a second and third floor with a landing area halfway up each flight of stairs. Basically, you need to climb 4 half flights to get to the top and another 4 to get back down. At each landing you got a beer and a nitrous balloon for your trip to the next one. You went up. You went back down. I guess you were pretty happy by the time you got back down to the ground floor.

Not sure how accurate that is, but I did see pictures.

[Cerebral_DownTime]

All you have to do is drive to a West Virginia pharmacy and buy Everclear. Plus you could set up a mobile Dentistin' office for the luckless yokels you encounter.

[Cerebral_DownTime]

::doh::

You're supposed to use Everclear or real shine for Hairy Buffalo.

Goddamn Bohunks.

^^^^^^^

Slams 'Nanner out of plastic milk jugs between lines of bath salts.

Fucking Kasich took my bath salts away dawg.

[swerb]

Jack Daniels and CC have been my go to bottles this fall and winter. Summer I'll always have one of those big ass bottles of vodka in the house. I am an Absolut loyalist. Love the taste of Absolut on ice with a little blast of lemonade or grapefruit juice.

Korksi at #9 is disturbing.

Kamchatka, I will say, is good value for the price point. Does not surprise me at all it's #1.

Had no idea people still drank Jaeger. Thought that went out with the jean jacket in the late 90's./

[motherscratcher]

Maybe all the Jaeger drinkers ended up with Sambuca, decided " fuck this" and went straight back to Jaeger.

[swerb]

I was never a big Jaeger fan, even in the heyday.

If I'm doing shots, it tequila and tequila only.

[Doc]

I'm pretty sure they sell Everclear in Ohio now, or at least the 151 proof version. I've bought some from Minotti's for sure. I use it in an Apple Pie recipe, which all of you should make if you get the chance.

1 gallon apple cider
1 gallon apple juice
1 bottle of Everclear or 151 vodka
cinnamon sticks
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1 cup of apple pucker

Simmer the juice and cider in a stock pot for a while, with the brown sugar and maybe 6-8 cinnamon sticks. I usually leave it on an hour or so, stirring occasionally. I like a little of the liquid to evaporate. Anyways, when done, cool the liquid (it's nice to do in winter, take outside and pile snow around it). Once it's cooled some, you can add the liquor. I prefer to drink it cold, but it works at any temp. It's a nice thing to make for a party (easy shots and plenty of them). But, you can sip on it as well. A perfect drink, IMO.

It also helps to strain out any extra cinnamon with a strainer or cheesecloth even (if you use powdered cinnamon, especially). Pour the stuff back into the juice/cider bottles, and you are done. Store in the fridge, and it ages well. My last batch, I ended up with about 2 gallons of finished product, so it simmered off about a cup + 750 ml worth, and it was delicious.

[peeker643]

I'm pretty sure they sell Everclear in Ohio now, or at least the 151 proof version. I've bought some from Minotti's for sure. I use it in an Apple Pie recipe, which all of you should make if you get the chance.

1 gallon apple cider
1 gallon apple juice
1 bottle of Everclear or 151 vodka
cinnamon sticks
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1 cup of apple pucker

Simmer the juice and cider in a stock pot for a while, with the brown sugar and maybe 6-8 cinnamon sticks. I usually leave it on an hour or so, stirring occasionally. I like a little of the liquid to evaporate. Anyways, when done, cool the liquid (it's nice to do in winter, take outside and pile snow around it). Once it's cooled some, you can add the liquor. I prefer to drink it cold, but it works at any temp. It's a nice thing to make for a party (easy shots and plenty of them). But, you can sip on it as well. A perfect drink, IMO.

It also helps to strain out any extra cinnamon with a strainer or cheesecloth even (if you use powdered cinnamon, especially). Pour the stuff back into the juice/cider bottles, and you are done. Store in the fridge, and it ages well. My last batch, I ended up with about 2 gallons of finished product, so it simmered off about a cup + 750 ml worth, and it was delicious.

I have half a bottle of Applie Pie left in the outside fridge. It's flipping deadly because it tastes so good and is off the charts in etoh content.

[FUDU]

Rumple Minz!

[swerb]

Rumple Minz!

LOL ... that shit sucked too.

(Still probably did close to 500 shots of it from 1993-2000)

[skatingtripods]

Isn't Kamchatka the Giant Eagle brand?

Saw some at Target last night.

I'll only drink vodka if it's top shelf or slightly below.

Shocked at Jager selling so much too, seeing as how you can pretty much only drink that one shot at a time. Not like whiskey, bourbon, scotch or something else.

[FUDU]

Rumple Minz!

LOL ... that shit sucked too.

(Still probably did close to 500 shots of it from 1993-2000)

No shit, I did 500 as well, but from 1990-1995.

Mac did 501.

I wore out shots before I turned 25, just got caught up in being young & being ut. I used to do shots of JD every time I went out and for a almost a year swapped the JD for 151.

Lots of good stories b/c of it, but I don't miss it one bit.

[swerb]

I kinda do miss it. I'm not saying 8 shots of crap like Rumple Minz. But like one with every 2-3 beers you drink sitting at the bar with buddies.

Problem with that for me is, I'm always driving. Shots don't go good with driving.

And we gotta find Macphisto and lure him back to the forums for the Romney/Obama election.

[FUDU]

Yep you nailed it. For me even just 2 shots of good stuff while drinking beer can get me too far past the point of no return. At 39 recovery just isn't what it used to be.

Rumple Minz and Firewater......those were the days.

[motherscratcher]

I never really liked shots. They always kick my ass. When I get over to Willoughby to hang out with long time friends, they still like to do shots. Not a lot. Maybe one or two the whole night with beer, but they only have to travel a mile to get home. I have 45 minutes.

So, it's either be the asshole that always refuses shots, or sleep on a couch. And fuck that, I'm too old to be sleeping on couches.

[swerb]

And fuck that, I'm too old to be sleeping on couches.

That's what I keep trying to tell my wife ... she doesn't wanna listen to it.

[peeker643]

Yep you nailed it. For me even just 2 shots of good stuff while drinking beer can get me too far past the point of no return. At 39 recovery just isn't what it used to be.

Rumple Minz and Firewater......those were the days.

You forgot one of the all time classics:

[swerb]

Yep you nailed it. For me even just 2 shots of good stuff while drinking beer can get me too far past the point of no return. At 39 recovery just isn't what it used to be.

Rumple Minz and Firewater......those were the days.

You forgot one of the all time classics:

Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I still have nightmares about those gold flakes.

[Cerebral_DownTime]

You forgot one of the all time classics:

GTFO with that shit. Makes my stomach turn just looking at that badly designed bottle.

[jb]

All you have to do is drive to a West Virginia pharmacy and buy Everclear. Plus you could set up a mobile Dentistin' office for the luckless yokels you encounter.

Sending a dentist to WVA is like sending eyesore a Hallmark card.

[justmebd]

I was perusing older posts when I came across this.

As someone who runs a liquor agency in Ohio, I can reveal the following things:

1. Everclear 190 proof is sold in Ohio. Most agencies (including mine) keep it in the backroom so dumbass fratboys don't try and kill themselves with it. Buying a bottle does require you fill out a form for the state, because the state LOVES paperwork.

2. Kamtchaka is fucking rotgut, and I am continually shaking my head at people who buy it. Also, the Half-gallon size as of this past spring no longer actually is vodka. It is "Vodka Plus Premium Liquer." In other words, "We cheapened this shit up even more just to eek out a slightly better profit without raising our price!!" Rumor has it this crappy new formula will spread to the other sizes before the end of the year. The state actually made a point to send a letter to every agency informing us the "New taste" is what it is and we absolutely were not allowed to accept any returns because customers reported it "tasted funny."

3. Korski is made in Cleveland. Kamtchaka is made in Tennessee (And is not a GE-specific Brand). Kamtchaka actually is a Native American word that sounds Russian.

4. Jaeger is vile and rednecks drink it by the gallon to prove how manly they are.

5. With very, very few exceptions, you have to spend at least $35-$40 if you want good tequila and/or Scotch.

6. Macallan 18 is my favorite Single Malt as of this writing. Further tastings may change my mind.

[justmebd]

Rumple Minz!

LOL ... that shit sucked too.

(Still probably did close to 500 shots of it from 1993-2000)

No shit, I did 500 as well, but from 1990-1995.

Mac did 501.

I wore out shots before I turned 25, just got caught up in being young & being ut. I used to do shots of JD every time I went out and for a almost a year swapped the JD for 151.

Lots of good stories b/c of it, but I don't miss it one bit.

I can't tell you how many Crown Royal w/Amaretto shots I did between 1996-2000. All I know is I couldn't even SMELL crown until a few years ago without getting sick.

I also did a TON of this one shot we called a "Mayan Sacrifice." I can't remember all the ingredients. I know it had Peach Schnapps and we topped it off with 151 and set it on fire before doing it to get attention at the bar. That's probably why I don't remember what was in it.

I remember the days (My 20's) when I used to be able to go to a bar, down a six-pack, do 3-4 shots, WALK out of there and go to work the next day with only a very mild hangover. I recently came close to that total in a moment of not thinking straight, and I could barely walk, talk, or think by the end of the evening. I crawled into bed hoping I wouldn't puke and hid in the corner at work for the first two hours sipping water.

Now in my late 30's, it seems every year the hangovers get worse. I don't get plowed like I used to, and that's definitely one of the main reasons. You don't care about getting plowed if you can get past your hangover in 20 minutes. Different story when your hangover lasts 2-3 days (Or at least it seems to).

My wife giggled at me the whole time.

[furls]

Shots are always a bad idea the next morning.

Looking at that list of liquor, it is apparent to me that either OH has turned into the land of drunks, or there has been a hillbilly infusion since I left. The only thing on that list that I might drink (If I liked Vodka) is Absolut, but that would be my 5th choice in vodkas behind any of these: Reyka, Chopin, Grey Goose, Skyy and Crystal Head.

I definitely drank some rotgut as a kid, hell I probably led the league in garbage drinks.... shaeffer, schlitz, beast, El Toro Tequilla (still makes me shudder to think about), shit I remember when Smirnoff was considered garbage vodka. I decided that life is too short to drink shit liquor about 10 years ago. I may have a "snobby" liquor cabinet, but I enjoy everything I have. I don't even mix drinks any more (aside from the Pina Colada or Daquiri for my wife on the 4th), 3 cubes is about as fancy as I get for anything.

[swerb]

Looking at that list of liquor, it is apparent to me that either OH has turned into the land of drunks, or there has been a hillbilly infusion since I left. The only thing on that list that I might drink (If I liked Vodka) is Absolut, but that would be my 5th choice in vodkas behind any of these: Reyka, Chopin, Grey Goose, Skyy and Crystal Head.

All about economics IMO. You can get TRASHED for like $4 a night drinking Kamchatka.

[justmebd]

Looking at that list of liquor, it is apparent to me that either OH has turned into the land of drunks, or there has been a hillbilly infusion since I left. The only thing on that list that I might drink (If I liked Vodka) is Absolut, but that would be my 5th choice in vodkas behind any of these: Reyka, Chopin, Grey Goose, Skyy and Crystal Head.

All about economics IMO. You can get TRASHED for like $4 a night drinking Kamchatka.

Since Kamtchaka changed their formula, sales have PLUMMETED.

That being said, most of the Kamtchaka drinker have either switched to Korski, or McCormick's. A handful switched to Popov's (At my direction since the half-gallons are the same price, the other two are cheaper).

The best sellers in my store are Crown Royal, Cpt. Morgan, Jack Daniels, Black Velvet, Bacardi, Korski, and Smirnoff. In other words, the usual suspects.

The best-selling top shelf stuff in my store are Ciroc, Grey Goose, Zaya Rum, Don Julio, Hendrick's Gin, Elmer T. Lee, Woodford Reserve, Jefferson's Reserve, Johnnie Walker Black, Macallan 12 and Glenlivit. I also do decent business with Macallan 18 and Johnnie Gold.

[swerb]

I've personally turned into a Jack Daniels drinker over the last year or two. Love the taste over ice with a little diet coke. That and Woodford Reserve, which I have taken a liking to. Little less diet coke when I drink Woodford though.

[furls]

Looking at that list of liquor, it is apparent to me that either OH has turned into the land of drunks, or there has been a hillbilly infusion since I left. The only thing on that list that I might drink (If I liked Vodka) is Absolut, but that would be my 5th choice in vodkas behind any of these: Reyka, Chopin, Grey Goose, Skyy and Crystal Head.

All about economics IMO. You can get TRASHED for like $4 a night drinking Kamchatka.

Since Kamtchaka changed their formula, sales have PLUMMETED.

That being said, most of the Kamtchaka drinker have either switched to Korski, or McCormick's. A handful switched to Popov's (At my direction since the half-gallons are the same price, the other two are cheaper).

The best sellers in my store are Crown Royal, Cpt. Morgan, Jack Daniels, Black Velvet, Bacardi, Korski, and Smirnoff. In other words, the usual suspects.

The best-selling top shelf stuff in my store are Ciroc, Grey Goose, Zaya Rum, Don Julio, Hendrick's Gin, Elmer T. Lee, Woodford Reserve, Jefferson's Reserve, Johnnie Walker Black, Macallan 12 and Glenlivit. I also do decent business with Macallan 18 and Johnnie Gold.

I generally just drink scotch now, particularly once I figured out what I was doing with them.

I picked up a few (5) bottles of JW Gold last year on sale at the base exchange for 56.00 a bottle, couldn't pass it up at that price. It is one of my regular sippers; I love the honey undertones. I prefer it to Blue label, even if it wasn't 1/3 the price. I like the Macallan 18 alot too, I have an open bottle of that sitting in the family room. I have been on an Islay tear for the last year (mostly Lagavulin with some Bowmore and Laphroaig) or so. I am just obsessed with Lagavulin 16. I walk into the family room to pour a JW Gold or a Nadurra, and I always seem to walk out with a Lagavulin.

Jura is excellent for the money, so is Auchentoshan 3 wood. I may crack on of those out in a hot minute here.

My two best bottles are Glenlivet XXV and a bottle of QE2. I got the QE2 (Beinn Bhuidhe Holding Ltd., not the Auchentoshan) at an auction last year for $325.00. I have no idea what a fair price would be as the bottles are so rare that finding a good comp is tough. Last bottle I could find sold at auction in this one's year group was sold for about 300 British Pounds in 2007, so I think I made out OK. I think I will crack it open when I marry off my last daughter.

[furls]

Looking at that list of liquor, it is apparent to me that either OH has turned into the land of drunks, or there has been a hillbilly infusion since I left. The only thing on that list that I might drink (If I liked Vodka) is Absolut, but that would be my 5th choice in vodkas behind any of these: Reyka, Chopin, Grey Goose, Skyy and Crystal Head.

All about economics IMO. You can get TRASHED for like $4 a night drinking Kamchatka.

Won't that shit make you blind?

[swerb]

Looking at that list of liquor, it is apparent to me that either OH has turned into the land of drunks, or there has been a hillbilly infusion since I left. The only thing on that list that I might drink (If I liked Vodka) is Absolut, but that would be my 5th choice in vodkas behind any of these: Reyka, Chopin, Grey Goose, Skyy and Crystal Head.

All about economics IMO. You can get TRASHED for like $4 a night drinking Kamchatka.

Won't that shit make you blind?

Who knows. I am not a fan of shitty vodka.

Vodka that is good though, a few people that had told me about it, tried it a couple times in the last month - Tito's Vodka. Very good. My new vodka of choice.

[justmebd]

Looking at that list of liquor, it is apparent to me that either OH has turned into the land of drunks, or there has been a hillbilly infusion since I left. The only thing on that list that I might drink (If I liked Vodka) is Absolut, but that would be my 5th choice in vodkas behind any of these: Reyka, Chopin, Grey Goose, Skyy and Crystal Head.

All about economics IMO. You can get TRASHED for like $4 a night drinking Kamchatka.

Won't that shit make you blind?

Who knows. I am not a fan of shitty vodka.

Vodka that is good though, a few people that had told me about it, tried it a couple times in the last month - Tito's Vodka. Very good. My new vodka of choice.

Tito's sales have EXPLODED in the last year. Most of my customers don't fool around, they grab the half-gallon, some of them two at a time.

Another good vodka, which Ohio stopped selling this year, is a Canadian one called Frozen Ghost. I grabbed one of the last ones, but if anyone makes a trip to Canada, I reccomend picking one up.

[justmebd]

Looking at that list of liquor, it is apparent to me that either OH has turned into the land of drunks, or there has been a hillbilly infusion since I left. The only thing on that list that I might drink (If I liked Vodka) is Absolut, but that would be my 5th choice in vodkas behind any of these: Reyka, Chopin, Grey Goose, Skyy and Crystal Head.

All about economics IMO. You can get TRASHED for like $4 a night drinking Kamchatka.

Since Kamtchaka changed their formula, sales have PLUMMETED.

That being said, most of the Kamtchaka drinker have either switched to Korski, or McCormick's. A handful switched to Popov's (At my direction since the half-gallons are the same price, the other two are cheaper).

The best sellers in my store are Crown Royal, Cpt. Morgan, Jack Daniels, Black Velvet, Bacardi, Korski, and Smirnoff. In other words, the usual suspects.

The best-selling top shelf stuff in my store are Ciroc, Grey Goose, Zaya Rum, Don Julio, Hendrick's Gin, Elmer T. Lee, Woodford Reserve, Jefferson's Reserve, Johnnie Walker Black, Macallan 12 and Glenlivit. I also do decent business with Macallan 18 and Johnnie Gold.

I generally just drink scotch now, particularly once I figured out what I was doing with them.

I picked up a few (5) bottles of JW Gold last year on sale at the base exchange for 56.00 a bottle, couldn't pass it up at that price. It is one of my regular sippers; I love the honey undertones. I prefer it to Blue label, even if it wasn't 1/3 the price. I like the Macallan 18 alot too, I have an open bottle of that sitting in the family room. I have been on an Islay tear for the last year (mostly Lagavulin with some Bowmore and Laphroaig) or so. I am just obsessed with Lagavulin 16. I walk into the family room to pour a JW Gold or a Nadurra, and I always seem to walk out with a Lagavulin.

Jura is excellent for the money, so is Auchentoshan 3 wood. I may crack on of those out in a hot minute here.

My two best bottles are Glenlivet XXV and a bottle of QE2. I got the QE2 (Beinn Bhuidhe Holding Ltd., not the Auchentoshan) at an auction last year for $325.00. I have no idea what a fair price would be as the bottles are so rare that finding a good comp is tough. Last bottle I could find sold at auction in this one's year group was sold for about 300 British Pounds in 2007, so I think I made out OK. I think I will crack it open when I marry off my last daughter.

I love good scotch, good bourbon and good rum.

I am a Johnnie Walker Black guy, and I agree the Gold price/taste argument. The Blue is good, but it's not worth the $239 it is right now in my county. I don't know what the price is in Cuyahoga county.

Single Malts: I go Macallan 12, Cardhu, Glenlivit 12 and the Glenfiddich. I'm more of a Speyside Guy.

Bourbon: I discovered Elmer T. Lee earlier this year while trying to get Pappy Van Winkle for a customer (You can't get it unless your friends with the allocation guy at the state, and he hates EVERYBODY). The Elmer only is $31/bottle and is worth every penny. If you like Woodford Reserve, you'll like Elmer. I like Booker's Bourbon, but that is the only Bourbon I have to seriously dilute since it's 128 proof on average.

Rum: I'm a Cpt. Morgan guy. On that note, if you want stronger spiced rum, Calico Jack 94-proof is excellent. Great tasting even as a shot, you mix it with coke and get a much stronger kick. Another decent brand is Blackbeard. Not that good on its own, but once it mixes with the coke, the flavor really jumps out at you. Then there's Zaya. Zaya is aged 12 years and is a sipping rum. Don't mix it with anything. Just drop in one ice cube and enjoy.

I don't like to dilute my Scotches or Bourbons with anything more than an ice cube or two.

I'm jealous you have a Glenlivet XXV.

[furls]

I can get Blue here in CT for 180.00, 150.00 if I shop hard and don't try to buy during the holiday gouge season. It is good, but at 150.00 I just think there are better options.

My friend, a Scotch maniac, has recommended Glenlivet 21 archive as a cheaper alternative to the XXV. I may grab a bottle of that the next time I shopping in that price range.

I am not a big rum guy, but I do like Kraken. I don't have a developed rum palate, so I am not sure what the experts would think about it, but I think it tastes good.

[justmebd]

I can get Blue here in CT for 180.00, 150.00 if I shop hard and don't try to buy during the holiday gouge season. It is good, but at 150.00 I just think there are better options.

My friend, a Scotch maniac, has recommended Glenlivet 21 archive as a cheaper alternative to the XXV. I may grab a bottle of that the next time I shopping in that price range.

I am not a big rum guy, but I do like Kraken. I don't have a developed rum palate, so I am not sure what the experts would think about it, but I think it tastes good.

Kraken is very good rum. You can drink it straight or mix it with Ginger Ale.

[Orenthal]

6. Macallan 18 is my favorite Single Malt as of this writing. Further tastings may change my mind.

Had a bottle of 30 year come through our purchasing department. Stupid liquor delivery driver had no idea he had it on the truck and had an accident with a few bottles of Gin and Vodka. I gave him the shock of his life when I told him that bottle was on his truck.

Haven't been able to have a taste...