[Whiskey Decision] What does $29 million get you in D.C.? 💸

On the lighter side this week. The simplest way to distinguish between a fiddle and a violin is how you play it. Now, if only there were such a clear guide for choosing between whiskeys…

In today's dispatch, we're diving headfirst into:

• What does $29M get you in D.C.?

• Worthy Reads: Sampling some of the best from around the web

• Rewind: Some of our most popular Instagram posts from last week

• Cocktail: How about some tax relief?

What does $29 million get you in D.C.? 💸 

It's a dirty dance, money and politics. Never mind tax day is Monday. The booze industry's $29M in national lobbying might not match up to the drug pushers ($381M). Let's be honest, the Beer, Wine & Liquor industry isn’t even playing the same sport. But with a 34.6% increase since 2013, they're not going anywhere anytime soon. 

Giants like Diageo, Pernod Ricard, and Constellation Brands, along with powerful groups such as the DISCUS and the Wine Institute, pour vast sums into shaping national policies to their advantage – and potentially yours. Direct shipping of whiskey to your door? Lobbying. Reducing national tax rates on alcohol? Yep, Lobbying again.  

Despite a meager $29M spend, (top industries spend over $100M+), there is still reason to splash the cash. Studies show that for every dollar spent on lobbying, firms can see tax savings of $6 to $20. Just look at Pernod Ricard. In just 11 years, they went from spending a measly $0.37M to a whopping $3.28M on lobbying. A 9x increase! They know where to put their money to get what they want. 

But here's where it gets interesting. We see that distillers lead the pack in national lobbying expenditures, spending $12.7M in 2023, far outpacing associations ($10.3M) and breweries ($5.3M). The cause? The bourbon boom, acquisitions, and increased revenues by distilleries in the early 2010s, carrying into the 2020s. However, we’ve already seen signs of a slowing whiskey market. Spend in 2024 may decline for Beer, Wine & Liquor sector, just in time for another presidential cycle. 

The money flows like whiskey during legislative sessions and election seasons. It might not be as much as the big pharma or tech giants, but they know exactly where to focus their efforts. And its why so many distillers prioritize state legislature over national policies for ease of access and impact.  

As the industry keeps evolving, this back-and-forth between business, politics, and lobbying is only going to get more intense. With millions being thrown around by the big players, can public health and the little guys even compete? It's a harsh reality we've got to face. The long-term effects of all this lobbying on our laws and society, well, that's something we've got to keep a close eye on. It's not a pretty picture, but it's one we can't ignore. 

📰 Worthy Whiskey News (a.k.a. our favorite reads)

• After donating nearly $500k to National Parks Conservation Association, Yellowstone Bourbon launches getaway contest like no other.

• Bartenders submit their ultimate Old-Fashioned recipes. The winner was surprisingly inexpensive to make.

• $831.7M in economic impact from Texas distilleries who had over 2M visitors.

📸Rewind: A selection of our most popular IG Posts

• Does Irish Whiskey have you seeing green or red?

• Elijah Craig enters Chart Leaders

• Heading west for retail bottle hunt: Redwood Empire Rocket Top

• Uncle Nearest’s Rye vs. Bourbon - an interesting trend of price

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Cheers, Whiskey Decision

😫💰Tax Relief😫💰

All this talk about lobbying and with Tax Day looming. We thought this would be the perfect cocktail to celebrate or commiserate.
Courtesy of Cleveland Whiskey

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Bridge & Main® American Wheat Bourbon

• 1/2 oz Ancho Reyes Verde (Green Chili Liqueur)

• 1 oz Pineapple Juice

• 1 oz Lime Juice

• 1 oz Coconut Cream

• 1/2 oz Honey Syrup (1:1 honey & hot water)

• 1/4 Ripe Banana

• 1 oz Mango Puree

• 1/2 cup Frozen Pineapple Chunks

• Pumpkin Pie Spice & Sugar for rimming the glass

Directions:

• Rim a highball glass with pumpkin pie spice seasoning mixed with sugar and set aside.

• In a blender, add bourbon, pineapple juice, lime juice, coconut cream, Ancho Reyes Verde, honey syrup, banana, mango puree, pineapple chunks, and ice. Blend until smooth.

• Pour the mixture into the prepared highball glass.

• Garnish with pineapple and cherries on a pick. Kiss with fire

What a ride it's been this week, huh? Thanks for joining us on this journey through the world of good spirits at great prices.

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Thanks again for being here. Let's raise a glass to the week ahead.