Legally buying bottle of rare bourbon may get harder under Kentucky alcohol bill

The bill prohibits stores and individuals from buying or selling more than 24 bottles from a single seller annually, aiming to curb large-scale sales.

Weller Special Reserve bottles for sale in the Buffalo Trace Distillery
Janet Patton
Weller Special Reserve bottles for sale in the Buffalo Trace Distillery

Kentucky's House Bill 429, sent to Gov. Andy Beshear, aims to reform the Vintage Distilled Spirits law, closing loopholes that facilitated the resale of highly sought-after bourbons like Weller and Blanton's. The bill prohibits stores and individuals from buying or selling more than 24 bottles from a single seller annually, aiming to curb large-scale sales. This legislation is expected to impact the supply from "flippers," who won't be able to sell large quantities anymore. Violators face hefty fines and potential jail time, with stores required to obtain a Vintage Distilled Spirits retailer license and report purchases monthly. Rep. Matt Koch, who filed the bill, highlighted the need to regulate the industry, addressing concerns about unregulated sales since the law's inception in 2018. The bill's passage follows scrutiny of sales data, revealing instances of large-scale transactions, prompting the need for tighter regulations.

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