The Bourbon and Whiskey Fairies at the Ohio Division of Liquor Control are VERY busy

Special WhistlePig Single Barrel to be sold at 2 Dayton-area stores, and a special Jack Daniels release is in the works

The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Liquor Control is boldly taking its bourbon-and-whiskey special-release program where no Ohio bourbon-and-whiskey special-release program has ever gone before.

It has three special events in the works, the first starting this Saturday, Sept. 28, when the  second of four HLQ WhistlePig Single Barrel Series offerings from the noted Rye Whiskey producers will be available at two Dayton-area liquor-agency stores.

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This offering is called “The Smooth Pig” (the first was the Spicy Pig), and the series will continue with the Rich Pig and the Sweet Pig in the coming months, liquor control officials said. ODLQ Superintendent Jim Canepa said the single barrel selections were specially chosen for the Ohio market and represent “the cream of the crop from WhistlePig.”

“Aged for 10 years and bottled at 120 proof, the Smooth Pig shows hints of maple syrup, dark chocolate, and wonderful baking spices with a hint of tropical fruits,” division officials said in a release. “The finish is long and oaky, with caramel and a pleasant spice. On the nose, toasted oak, lemon zest and grapefruit mingle with soft notes of vanilla.”

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Each bottle costs $99.99, and the Smooth Pig offering will be available at Fine Wine & True Spirits at 6080 Wilmington Pike in Sugarcreek Twp., Jungle Jim's International Market at 5440 Dixie Highway in Fairfield, and Arrow Wine &  Spirits at 2950 Far Hills Ave. in Kettering. At each location, 60 bottles will be available.

Credit: Mark Fisher

Credit: Mark Fisher

There’s more to come. On its “Ohio Liquor” Facebook page, the division of liquor control is teasing an upcoming Jack Daniel’s Single-Barrel release, promising that details are “coming soon.”

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And on Oct. 3, the division will be raffling off the opportunity to purchase a bottle of Kentucky Owl Confiscated, which pays homage to barrels seized by the government from Master Blender Dixon Dedman's great-great grandfather just before prohibition, division officials said.

The only southwest Ohio raffle for a shot at purchasing Kentucky Owl Confiscated is scheduled at O’Bryan’s Wine & Spirits at 8972 Columbia Road in Loveland, which will have 54 bottles will be available. The price will be $149.99.

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Whiskey enthusiasts with a valid ID can enter the raffle starting at 6 p.m. Oct. 3, and entries will be collected until 7:30 p.m. (don't forget a valid I.D.!). Winners will be announced beginning at 7:30 p.m., and winners must be present to purchase.

The special releases are part of the Ohio Division of Liquor Control’s efforts under Canepa to up Ohio’s game in sales of spirits, with an increasing focus on educating consumers about craft spirits and adding new stores in under-served areas.

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