Wallingford liquor store to offer spirit tastings

Beginning today, the Wallingford liquor store (118 NE 45th St.) will offer tastings of select spirits on Fridays, between 4-6pm. The tastings are a part of the Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) “Spirits Tastings Pilot” which runs for one year, from September 1, 2011 to September 1, 2012. The Wallingford liquor store is one of 30 stores participating in the statewide pilot.

According to the WSLCB, “The enabling legislation was at the request of the Distillery Representatives Association of Washington  (DRAW) as a way to introduce premium products to store customers.”

Under the tightly-regulated pilot, tastings must adhere to the following:

• Sampling will be limited to ¼ oz with four samples maximum.
• Only product sponsors, such as a distiller representative, may serve samples.
• Servers must have Mandatory Alcohol Server Training (MAST) permit.

Here’s a schedule of tastings for the month of September:

Sept. 2: Hpnotiq Liqueur; Hpnotiq Harmonie Liqueur; Pama Pomegranate Liqueur
Sept. 9: 360 Vodka; 360 Double Chocolate Vodka; 360 Mandarin Orange Vodka; Tequila Rose Liqueur
Sept. 16: Hennessy Black Cognac; Belvedere Citrus Vodka; Belvedere Bloody Mary Vodka; 10 Cane Rum
Sept. 23: Cupcake Vodka; Cupcake Devils Food Vodka; Cupcake Lemon Chiffon Vodka; Cupcake Vanilla Frosting Vodka
Sept. 30: Firefly Sweet Tea Bourbon; Firefly Peach Sweet Tea Vodka; Firefly Skinny Tea Vodka