§462. Purveyor of spirits
1.
License.
An agency liquor store may obtain a purveyor of spirits license to conduct unlimited taste-testing events as provided in this section.
[PL 2025, c. 230, Pt. A, §7 (NEW).]
2.
License fee.
The fee for a purveyor of spirits license is $500.
[PL 2025, c. 230, Pt. A, §7 (NEW).]
3.
Eligibility.
An agency liquor store is eligible for a purveyor of spirits license if it meets the following criteria:
A.
The agency liquor store has in stock a minimum of 1,500 different product codes. For the purposes of this paragraph, "product code" has the same meaning as in section 461; and
[PL 2025, c. 230, Pt. A, §7 (NEW).]
B.
At least 50% of the agency liquor store sales are from the sale of liquor.
[PL 2025, c. 230, Pt. A, §7 (NEW).]
[PL 2025, c. 230, Pt. A, §7 (NEW).]
4.
Conditions for conducting taste-testing events.
The conditions under this subsection apply to taste-testing events under this section.
A.
Spirits may not be served to a person who has not yet attained 21 years of age.
[PL 2025, c. 230, Pt. A, §7 (NEW).]
B.
A person who is visibly intoxicated may not be served.
[PL 2025, c. 230, Pt. A, §7 (NEW).]
C.
Spirits served at a taste‑testing event under a purveyor of spirits license must be:
(1)
Provided by the agency liquor store;
(2)
Purchased at the retail price by a licensed sales representative participating in the taste‑testing event from existing stock available for purchase at the agency liquor store; or
(3)
Provided by a licensed sales representative participating in the taste-testing event or a spirits supplier, including those licensed under section 1355‑A, participating in the taste‑testing event and purchased in the State at the retail price. The purveyor of spirits shall maintain and make available to the bureau a record of transactions under this subparagraph.
[PL 2025, c. 230, Pt. A, §7 (NEW).]
D.
Spirits may be poured for the taste-testing event only by the owner or an employee of the agency liquor store, by a sales representative licensed under section 1502 or by the spirits supplier.
[PL 2025, c. 230, Pt. A, §7 (NEW).]
[PL 2025, c. 230, Pt. A, §7 (NEW).]
5.
Mixed drinks.
The purveyor of spirits licensee may provide mixed drinks containing spirits for a taste-testing event.
[PL 2025, c. 230, Pt. A, §7 (NEW).]
6.
Spirits containers used for taste-tasting events.
Spirits containers that have been opened for a taste‑testing event must be resealed and stored in an area not accessible by the public after the taste‑testing event.
[PL 2025, c. 230, Pt. A, §7 (NEW).]
7.
Rules.
The bureau may adopt rules to implement this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A.
[PL 2025, c. 230, Pt. A, §7 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2025, c. 230, Pt. A, §7 (NEW).