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Originally Posted by Grits
Good, because I'll not get that close to another bottle of gin. I don't care what names' on the label.
I'll tell you a liquor story from Kentucky, where they're known for their fine bourbons. And you could say it's about free enterprise, as well.
Every year, Keeneland runs the Maker's Mark Mile. It's huge doings, to all those folks around Lexington. In conjunction with the race, Keeneland has "signings" for Maker's Mark Gold Commemorative Edition numbered bottles.
Around 3 or 4 years ago, the Seattle Slew signing was scheduled with Karen and Mickey Taylor, and Jean Cruget beginning at a tick after daylight in the a.m. Well, folks lined up on the apron well before sunrise, lunatics that they are, and WAITED in the cold, in the dark. (I don't do that for anybody, much less the Taylor's.)
Because this was SLEW, you couldn't find a bottle of Maker's Mark within 50 miles of Lexington. Days before the signing, everyone was sold out. I drove to the country, straight up Paris Pike, couldn't find so much as one bottle and I had told someone I'd get them one.
I kept driving and finally stopped, one store owner told me, "damn, I wish I had some more, I could sell every single bottle I could get my hands on."
My wheels started turning and I got to thinking, I'm gonna help this man out. There's no racing today, Keeneland's dark. Hell, I don't have anything else going on, and its a gorgeous day.
So, I got in my car, and drove an hour west. Those folks living in Louisville, they could care less about anything going on in Lexington. They think they're much more Metropolitan than old blueblood Lexington. (And they are.)
Anyway, I motor on west, take the exit off the freeway and walk into one of Louisville's biggest liquor stores and, WHAT to my surprise!!!
Lord have mercy, I counted 52 of those Maker's Mark Gold bottles sittin' right there on and end counter, waitin' for Karen and Mickey Taylor. I opened my cellphone, called my new friend--the one that'd told me an hour earlier how bad he needed more of that whiskey--we struck a deal.
I bought every single bottle they had. They even loaded it in the trunk of my vehicle. Nice people too.
My friend, riding along with me for this short trip, she and I laughed ourselves senseless. The turn-around wasn't Derby time, 2:04 flat, or anything like that. It was more like 3 hours; still, it was one helluva trifecta that made a dark day a blast, and a three week vacation FREE. I made a killing. Can you imagine intelligent folks paying $50 for a bottle of booze? I know . . . I have too, but when you have so many and somebody needs 'em. Its a hoot.
My friend, she and I laughed ourselves senseless. Two southern women, together, when enterprising and helping others, can have more fun than drunk sailors on leave. LOLOLOL
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