The October 2014 Liquor Authority Advisory is directed to barrel programs provided by manufacturers to liquor stores (retailers – not barrel programs for retail customers).  The Liquor Authority authorizes this practice as long as (1) the service is available to all liquor stores on the same terms and (2) the price is the same as the equivalent number of bottles contained in the barrel (quantity discounts can be applied as they are to individual bottles and cases on the filed prices schedule).

There is an interesting provision: the liquor store retailer who ordered the barrel can’t be forced to purchase it, but the manufacturer can refuse future orders (“expressions of interest”) from that liquor store.