Second Episode of Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services Podcast Highlights ‘Whiskey Barrel Picks’

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, August 21, 2024

Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) has released the second episode of its podcast series, Spirited Discussions: A Podcast by Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services. The series helps residents and businesses understand alcohol products, trends and policies in Montgomery County. The second episode, “Barrel Picks,” highlights the art and science of whiskey barrel picks.

A barrel pick is a private experience where a person or small group samples and selects a barrel of bourbon or whiskey from a distillery. The distillery then bottles and labels the barrel for the exclusive use of the person or group. These exclusive products have become popular among enthusiasts. ABS picks for its customers barrels from Baltimore-based Old Line Spirits and other local and national distilleries.

ABS Retail Operations Manager Jay Spiegel and co-founder of Old Line Spirits, Mark McLaughlin, join host Jocelyn Rawat in the podcast to examine what makes barrel picks special, including the types of barrels, distilling practices and the barrel’s proof. Guests discuss how ABS’s size and scope allow for an excellent selection of local and national barrel picks and how customers can sample these unique products.

“With each barrel pick, we are offering customers a distinctive experience,” said Operations Manager Spiegel. “ABS’s in-house experts consider market trends, customer feedback and a product’s allocations when determining which products to feature in our stores.”

ABS carries barrel picks from Baltimore-based Old Line Spirits and other local and national distilleries. Customers can view the product tasting schedule on the ABS website at montgomerycountymd.gov/abs/tastings.

Old Line Spirits is based in Baltimore and is a part of ABS’s local products program. Old Line Spirits is a veteran-owned business that produces a range of spirits with a focus on the emerging category of American single malt whiskey.

The Alcohol Beverage Services podcast is posted on the department’s website at montgomerycountymd.gov/abs/press-release and is available on several podcast platforms including Amazon, Apple and Spotify. Subscribe to the podcast by selecting the “follow” or “plus” button on your provider’s podcast platform.

Listeners are encouraged to email ideas and questions for future episodes to [email protected].

The first episode of the podcast series introduced listeners to ABS’s three main functions—wholesale operations, retail stores and licensing and regulation. Upcoming episodes will examine the control model for alcohol distribution, the underage compliance check program, and local craft beverage producers.

The Office of Broadband Programs in the County’s Department of Technology and Enterprise Business Services (TEBS) is providing technical support for the ABS podcast.

ABS is the alcohol wholesaler of beer, wine and spirits for Montgomery County and operates 27 retail stores throughout the County. In addition, ABS manages alcohol licensing, enforcement, and education for more than 1,000 businesses. Generating more than $35 million in net income annually, its profits are used to pay down County debt with a large portion deposited in the general fund to pay for resident services that otherwise would be funded by County tax dollars. Follow ABS on Facebook and X.

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Release ID: 24-374
Media Contact: Jocelyn Rawat 202-604-7289
Categories: ABS