Rum (pt.2)
In part one of this post, I described the lengthy litigation between the Cuban government (along with its joint venture partner, Pernod Ricard) and Bacardi regarding ownership of the trademark…
Will the Feds take a Smaller Share?
A few weeks ago, I posted about the Feds’ Share, discussing the amount that federal excise taxes add to the cost of producing distilled spirits (and therefore the amount paid…
Rum (pt. 1)
In a few days, I will have the privilege of being part of a delegation from the Seattle Chamber of Commerce in a visit to Havana. Although the trip is…
Sampling for Noncompliance
A few weeks ago, the TTB released the results of its 2015 Alcohol Beverage Sampling program. Unfortunately for our friends in D.C., this program isn’t quite as enjoyable as it…
Seasonal Misfortune
It can be very tempting to try to capture the mood of the season. The nice weather of late spring and summer comes around and a Hooch lawyer’s fancy…
A House Untied (may not be necessary)
Since shortly after the repeal of prohibition, most states (and our friends in D.C.) have maintained so-called “tied-house” statutes, under which it is illegal for manufacturers or wholesalers of alcohol…
What’s in a Name
So What’s in a Name? You’ve perfected the recipe, know the product is good, and now you want to begin to start marketing it. But you’re no imbecile. You…
The Feds’ Share
As anyone interested in whisky knows, the “angels’ share” is the amount of the spirit that will be lost to evaporation during the time that the spirit is aged. The…
