May 23, 2006

And all was thus then right in the great state of Alabama.

From the Birmingham Business Journal: Alabama's official state whiskey will return to shelves this week, new owner says

Alabama's official state spirit, as designated by the Legislature in 2004, is returning to shelves here soon, according to a Georgia company that now owns a majority stake in the whiskey maker. "Conecuh Ridge Alabama Style Whiskey," which is now known simply as Conecuh Ridge, has been unavailable here since then-owner Kenny May's arrest on charges of selling alcohol to a minor.

May, son of the legendary Alabama bootlegger Clyde May, pleaded guilty and his license to sell whiskey in Alabama was revoked by the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. He later moved out of state.

Abker Douglas & Associates, based in LaGrange, Ga., acquired a majority interest the whiskey maker in November 2005. The firm's president, Tom Abker, said Tuesday that May is no longer associated with the company and owns no stock in it.

After Kenny May pleaded guilty to several violations of the state's liquor laws, the state House of Representatives moved to undo the declaration of Conecuh Ridge as Alabama's "Official State Spirit." The state Senate never took up the reversal legislation, however, and Alabama remains the only state with an official whiskey.

Conecuh Ridge whiskey is made in Kentucky.

Only in Alabama, mind you, do you have an official state whiskey (that was unavailable for a time due to liquor law violations by its previous owner), produced in Kentucky, by a company based in Georgia.

Makes you wonder what the FBI would find if it did some freezer searches down in Mungummy.

Posted by Terry Oglesby at May 23, 2006 03:11 PM
Comments

You thinking maybe the missing brains?

Posted by: Larry Anderson at May 23, 2006 03:21 PM

No, I don't think we send anyone with brains or backbones down there.

Posted by: Terry Oglesby at May 23, 2006 03:32 PM

Then I must assume you ae talking about "gasp" corruption in Mungummery. Say it isn't so.

Of course, I really can't see anyone paying $100,000 for an Alabama state legislator. I would think a $1000 would get you anyone of them unless ALFA and AEA have driven up prices.

Posted by: Larry Anderson at May 23, 2006 03:56 PM

Well, as you know, the big problems is not in buying them, but in keeping them bought. Easily distracted by shiny things, you know.

Posted by: Terry Oglesby at May 23, 2006 04:14 PM