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YouTubeOver the years, I've returned almost all the bottles of corked wine I've bought. I've returned corked liquor to High St. beverage (Cuervo Gold & Grand Marnier, mostly, I think-but that is a different topic).
I bought Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage for the first time, and it is corked (I think regular Evan Williams is delicious-and it's only $13.40! a liter, but that is a different topic). Will a liquor store, say in an upscale grocery store in Clintonville, for instance, exchange a corked bottle? I couldn't find anything on the Ohio Liquor Control website, and I'm so disappointed that I can't get that bourbon in me....
I think Dave Bihn says "17th century technology in the 21st century"
Columbus Underground Messageboard » General Columbus Discussion » Shopping
Corked Liquor
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0Angle
Most likely, either a brewery or my kitchen.
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Posted 2 years ago # -
catnfiddle
Giant Corncob District
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I know that Dave would absolutely take it back if he had sold it to you. Grocery stores, I have NO idea.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Andrew Hall
Dennison Place (The Circles)
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The chemical (2,4,6 trichloroanisole - TCA) can get in the process of production or bottling with no literal cork involved. When certain fungi encounter chlorophenols, you can get TCA. These fungi are naturally present and chlorine bleach products can interact with them to produce TCA. I've had "corked" carrots and other produce. I have regularly encountered TCA in restaurant water or tea. Also non-food products. It is detectable in the part-per-trillion range so it just takes a minute amount.
My understanding is that Ohio law would prevent you from getting your money back but that an exchange should be fine. The store will return to the product to the distributor. Whether the store is amenable to this is going to depend on their customer service. Let us know what happens.
A>
Posted 2 years ago # -
0Angle
Most likely, either a brewery or my kitchen.
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Bear wrote >>
Cuervo Gold can be corked?
I thought something had to come into contact with cork in order to be corked. Isn't CG a screw top?You are correct-Cuervo Gold is a screw cap. After some research, we were told that the flavor came from the barrel that Gold was aged in. I'm guessing that they use caramel color at best, but it is not inconceivable that CG is aged in barrels. We switched to Silver (same price) and haven't encountered it again.
Posted 2 years ago # -
0Angle
Most likely, either a brewery or my kitchen.
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Just returned from the retailer, who said she could do nothing. To her credit there is a sign posted that says "All Sales Final" She suggested I return when the manager of the liquor department is in (I'll call first). The AWESOME manager of the wine department was concerned and said she will contact the sales rep and see what could be done. She also confirmed that the whiskey was corked. I'm working up quite a thirst, though I'm fortunately not lacking other beverages...
Posted 2 years ago # -
lisathewaitress
SoHud
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Andrew Hall wrote >> I've had "corked" carrots and other produce. I have regularly encountered TCA in restaurant water or tea. Also non-food products. It is detectable in the part-per-trillion range so it just takes a minute amount.
A>only this past summer did i start to encounter corked produce!! I thought I was going crazy at first, when a coworker brought in some Honeycrisps which were clearly corked, as I had never smelled it before outside of wine and liquor. I've only had corked fruit and veggies from the supermarket. One more reason to shop at farmers markets!! (most water in the country isn't chlorinated so even if you purchase produce which has been prewashed, it won't have the chlorine taint which encourages corkiness)
many wineries have banned bleach completely from their operations to reduce the incidence of TCA.
Posted 2 years ago # -
lisathewaitress
SoHud
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from mr waitress:
"if memory serves Ohio's laws are such that the retail purchaser may only exchange the product with the manufacturer...that's for wine. However, the Hendrick's rep knows that they are corked from time to time and he told me (at previous restaurant) to set them aside and he would replace."
Sounds like one of those things where you'll have to develop a relationship with the liquor store manager. I am sure if they start to hear it more they will be more willing to exchange it. especially at a smaller store, like our local indie grocery stores who have liquor dept. I don't want to speak for them, but it would seem more likely.
Posted 2 years ago # -
0Angle
Most likely, either a brewery or my kitchen.
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From the State of Ohio Liquor Agency Qualifications and Requirements:
The agent shall be liable for any damage to the liquor stock after it comes into his/ her care, except stock loss due to fire, flood or other natural disaster, or incurred as the result of a breaking and entering.
Would this be damage that occurred before It came into their care? Does it even matter?
I have a friend who is a retired Liquor Agent. I think I'll see what he thinks.Posted 2 years ago # -
Andrew Hall
Dennison Place (The Circles)
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There are more relevant sections of code. Namely it spells out that "unpalatable" is one of exceptions to the overall code that opened spirits (wine and beer and more) can't be returned for cash/credit to the distributor. The damage section is not relevant.
The law is typically silent about the relationship between consumer and retailer. Good customer service dictates they should accept a return knowing, in this case, they can get readily get credit from the distributor.
Posted 2 years ago # -
0Angle
Most likely, either a brewery or my kitchen.
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My retired liquor agent friend actually contacted one of the best liquor attorneys around to get his take. Sadly, spirits are not returnable in the state of Ohio.
However, the manager of the liquor department was cool as could be. I explained the situation, mentioning that I had a limited whiskey budget, and it sure would be nice if I could exchange it. He grabbed another bottle off the shelf and handed it to me. I resisted the urge to "analyze" it as soon as I got in the car (with my 2 year old in tow).
It is quite yummy!
http://www.evanwilliams.com/about_brands_article.shtml?article=MjM5OXN1cGVyMjM5NnNlY3JldDI0MDM=
I saw the bourbon tasting thread-has anybody else trIed it?Posted 2 years ago # -
0Angle
Most likely, either a brewery or my kitchen.
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Relaying the response from the distiller;
Thank you for contacting Heaven Hill and bringing your less
> than satisfactory experience with our Evan Williams Single
> Barrel to our attention. We assure you that we take feedback
> from our customers very seriously. We have had no
> complaints concerning this product and would appreciate you
> sending us the bottle so we may check further into this
> matter.
>
> We will be happy to refund the purchase price of the
> product and your shipping cost of returning the bottle to
> us. Please ensure that the cap on the bottle is
> tightly secured with tape and packaged to avoid breakage.
> Please include your name, address, the purchase price and
> shipping cost with the product and mail to the following
> address:
>
> Tiena Haag
> Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc.
> 4500 Bowling Blvd., Suite 300
> Louisville, KY 40207
>
> Write "For Sample/Testing Only" on the package before
> taking it to your shipping location.
>
> As a family owned, independent company, we take feedback
> from our customers very seriously and hope that our prompt
> response is evidence of this. Thank you for your
> patronage of our brand and we are sorry again regarding your
> experience.
>Good customer service!
Posted 2 years ago # -
lisathewaitress
SoHud
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their response is awesome. I love that they want to look into it further. if this was a new batch, i fear they will be hearing more about it soon. Hendrick's had this problem a year ago.
Posted 2 years ago #
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