Today Jim and I discuss many things. We take Whispering Angel down from the Top Shelf and talk about this great Provence Rose. We discuss stupid National Calendar days, The American Distilling Institute updated info. We talk some sports that are happening without fans and end it with discussing General Sales Meetings and how that will evolve.

We take down Templeton Rye from the Top Shelf today and explain that brand on the show. We talk about the alcohol business in the off premise channel and how price, size mix and sales have changed to new normals. We talk about the NFL draft as if it was some big deal to watch. We have back on the show Pam Dzierzanowski aka Pam D from California. She is President of Re Event Designs and she has some incredible ideas on virtual tastings and events. Such a positive person and we end the show with what i call some mild rants by Jimmy. Enjoy!

Special Guest: Pam Dzierzanowski.

Top Shelf Discussions today is still digital distancing as Jimmy is still calling in. We hope for better sound quality. We take Gentleman Jack down from the top shelf and discuss the mellower side of Jack. We talk to longtime restauranter Joe Covino owner of Covino’s Pasta and Pizza in NTX as he tells us how he and his place is doing during the Corona virus. Very uplifting story. We hit on Hand Sanitizers being made by distilleries and how business will be once this crisis ends. Jimmy rants on the reality of vanity and getting haircuts.

Special Guest: Joe Covino.

Today’s Podcast is really different from the others as i am at the home office and i have Jim doing it via phone call. We do a deep dive into the effects the Corona virus is having on the industry and how it is affecting everything right now. There is some good news out there that we share and we discuss the great things suppliers and distributors are doing as they step up to help beleaguered bartenders and restaurant staff. Heroic stuff. I talk about Margs for Life program in Texas and Jimmy hammers on some Skrewball whiskey.

Today’s show is a more (sober) and serious discussion on the impact of COVID-19 in the bev alcohol industry as it stands right now in Late March 2020. We talk to industry veterans hitting and impacting retail, Hospitality and the Wine business. We have key people discussing these areas as we have Orlando Spencer - Marketing and Purchasing Director for the Texas Chain Pinkie’s Liquor on the show to discuss impact at the retail level. We then touch on why some stores make you touch their POS systems so much - especially now- We also talk to Industry veteren and former VP of Event Marketing with The Patron Spirits Co. and now owner of her own company Re-EVENT Pam Dzieranowski on the current situation in the Hospitality industry, her positivity is infectious. We then end the show talking to Bryon Schreckengost of Ryder Estate Wines on the impact to the wine industry. Why do we have so many people on the show with tough last names to spell and pronounce? This is and was one of our best Discussions and more to come.

Special Guests: Bryon Schreckengost, Orlando Spencer, and Pam Dzierzanowski.

We take down Cointreau from the top shelf today and discuss its mixability and how clean and fresh it is. We touch on St. Paddy’s Day. In the mailbag is a strange letter from a Mr. Ding Dong and Jimmy answers it. He also rants about the use of handkerchiefs and that mess. Keith touches on old mens and womens names that are dying off and finally talk about the hotel industry.

We drink Deep Eddy Ruby Red Grapefruit Vodka today from the Top Shelf- delish- We have a special guest join us, he is Carey Stinson a Hospitality recruiter and friend. He talks about jobs that are available out there in the restaurant industry. We talk about some things in the mail bag and of course the word of the day. Jimmy’s vocabulary is rising. We talk a bit about Chinese food and why they ruin your tea and finish up talking a little March Madness.

Special Guest: Carey Stinson.

Top Shelf discussions discuss Correlaejo Silver Tequila today from the Top Shelf, We talk about the new ad from Skrewball whiskey and the never ending rudeness of people yelling into their cell phone on planes. We discuss Penury as the word of the day and its meaning. Jimmy is bothered why people wear Cowboy Hats and Boots and nobody else wears an outfit out in public for other professions. We have a couple pieces of mail to discuss and end the podcast talking about celebrity chefs or lack of them that are actually doing any cooking.

From The Top Shelf today we sample Angels Envy a bourbon finished in Port Wine Barrels. We check out an email question about screwcap vs corks and Jimmy finds a wine suitable for Possum dinner from the mailbag. We discuss lightbulbs and the confusion surrounding all of the changes. Bobcats are bothering Jimmy the most today. We end the show with discussions around supplier trips and Sales Routes.

The Top Shelf Brand today is 1010 Premium Chocolate Whiskey Liqueur. Hown a product with Scotch and Belgian Chocolate taste so good. This one works. We discuss the special holiday that is Valentine’s Day and Jimmy is beside himself over this Holiday. Tricked up or real? We discuss a word of the day to bolster Jimmy’s vocabulary and he has a retro rant. We end the show discussing the limits of General Sales Meetings.