BOURBON MAKER WILL SELL AN OHIO-EXCLUSIVE VARIETY

Bourbon company selling state-exclusive variety later this month.

Ohio’s bourbon enthusiasts will get another crack next week at buying a special limited-release, Ohio-exclusive bourbon from a well-known producer without leaving the state.

But if this release is anything like the last one, they’ll have to act fast. The Ohio Division of Liquor Control is gearing up to release a special bottling of Maker’s Mark bourbon, “Maker’s Mark Ohio Private Select,” at select liquor agency stores Friday, Aug. 24, according to a spokeswoman for the division.

Each bottle will cost $65.36, the spokeswoman said.

In mid-June, a similar offering of an Ohio-exclusive Russell’s Reserve Barrel Program product from the Wild Turkey Distillery at just seven state liquoragency stores in Ohio sold out quite quickly. At Arrow Wine & Spirits’ Lyons Road store in Washington Twp., more than two dozen people were already in line 45 minutes before the store’s 9 a.m. opening time, and the store’s allocation of the special bottles sold out in 90 minutes.

For next week’s release, the state has not yet identified which stores will receive a shipment of the Maker’s Mark Ohio Private Select.

Prior to the June release, Jim Canepa, superintendent of the Ohio Division of Liquor control, said in a release about the special bourbon, “I hear you ... Ohio loves bourbon!” And he promised more such special releases were on the way.

Under Canepa’s direction, the division has been focusing on upping Ohio’s game in sales of spirits, with an increasing focus on educating consumers about craft spirits and adding new stores in underserved areas.

The division also recently awarded contracts for new liquoragency stores in south Centerville and Mason.

CONTRIBUTED Kentucky-based bourbon crafter Maker’s Mark is offering its special Ohio limited-release version at state liquor stores later this month for about $65 a bottle.