One of the largest bourbon bars settles with Kentucky ABC over vintage spirits violations
A Kentucky bourbon bar that faced potential loss of its liquor license over vintage bourbon sales has reached a settlement with the Kentucky Alcohol Control Board.
Doc Crow’s Southern Smokehouse & Raw Bar at 127 W. Main St. in Louisville on Feb. 15 entered into a settlement that will allow the bar to stay open.
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Doc Crow’s is one of the largest bourbon bars in the U.S. with thousands of bottles; it’s operated by Bertuca Hospitality Group of Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Doc Crow’s did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
On Aug. 31, Kentucky ABC sought to revoke or suspend the licenses for Doc Crow’s, alleging that the bar failed to report Vintage Distilled Spirits purchases, failed to maintain records and had unlawful possession of alcoholic beverages.
Doc Crow’s was one of two Kentucky vintage bourbon sellers so far who received notice of violations from the Kentucky Department of Alcohol Beverage Control over potential Vintage Distilled Spirits violations.
The ABC also is seeking to revoke the licenses and shut down Justins’ House of Bourbon in Lexington and Louisville, alleging multiple violations including selling bottles not considered vintage. The Justins’ case is ongoing and now involves a dispute in Franklin Circuit Court.
Unlike the Justins’ case, Doc Crow’s admitted to the violations.
Last week the Kentucky ABC board voted to suspended Doc Crow’s licenses for 100 days but the business was offered the option of paying a $5,000 fine instead. Doc Crow’s paid the fine and the case is closed.
According to the settlement, Kentucky ABC agreed to release two bottles of bourbon seized as evidence: A bottle of Eagle Rare 10 Year and a bottle of Weller Full Proof.
“The department has determined those two bottles were lawfully purchased and reported ... and qualify as vintage distilled spirits,” according to the final order. The final order does not have details on the bottles’ vintage.
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Doc Crow’s has 60 days to retrieve the bottles or they will be forfeited and/or destroyed.
Doc Crow’s also has 60 days to provide records regarding the purchase of six other bottles or surrender to the department for immediate destruction.
Those bottles are: One bottle of Woodcock Pennsylvania Straight Rye Whiskey, one bottle of Sui Generis Diaphanous Diamon Whiskey, one bottle of Sui Generis Squanto’s Secret Whiskey, one bottle of Sui Generis Conquistador 1513 Whiskey, one bottle of Florida Cane Distillery Red Drum Rye Whiskey and one bottle of The Standard Distilling American Whiskey.
