Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) Announces 2023 Spring Bottle Lottery - Starting April 10

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) has announced the Spring 2023 Bottle Lottery for Blanton's, Elmer T. Lee, Michter's 20 Year Bourbon, Old Fitzgerald 19 Year Bourbon, Parker's Heritage, Weller Single Barrel, Willett 6 Year Bourbon, and Willett 8 Year Bourbon. Last year's Spring Bottle Lottery had 55,272 entries for 966 total bottles available (1.748% odds of winning). I would expect this year to have at least as many entries. 

The lottery starts 12:01 a.m. on April 10, 2023 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on April 17, 2023. As mentioned, this lottery is for the following: 

• Blanton's - $150 + tax
• Nose: Dark chocolate, caramel, with earthy undertones of walnut and hazelnut
• Taste: Warm vanilla, oak, toasted nuts, and a rich spiciness with hints of butterscotch or honey
• Finish: Powerful, dry, and warm
• Elmer T. Lee - $40.99 + tax
• Nose: Clove, vanilla, and old leather
• Taste: Balances fruit, honey, and vanilla with a light spiciness
• Finish: A long and warm finish
• Michter's 20 Year Bourbon - $1149.99 + tax (up $400 from last year)
• Nose: Intense notes of black cherry
• Taste: Rich molasses and honeysuckle, with notes of roasted pecans and toasted charred oak
• Old Fitzgerald 19 Year Bourbon - $239.99 + tax
• Nose: Pepper and baking spices
• Taste: Rich butterscotch, cocoa powder, and complex spices, along with dried fig notes
• Finish: Warm baking spices with milk chocolate and a pepper finish; finally, a hint of toasted oak
• Parker's Heritage 16th Edition - $174.99 + tax (down $100 from the 15th edition)
• Nose: Oak forward with hints of butterscotch and caramel
• Taste: Spiced notes mixed with sweetness and light oak tannins
• Finish: Long and warm with elements of dark chocolate, baking spices, and white pepper
• Weller Single Barrel - $49.99 + tax
• Nose: Cherry and mint, fading to vanilla
• Taste: Caramel and baking spices with hints of cocoa explode on the palate
• Finish: Cinnamon, coffee, and a hint of pepper
• Willett 6 Year Bourbon - $131 + tax
• Nose: Light and oaky aroma with dusty and funky undertones
• Taste: Earthy and smooth
• Finish: Sweet on the mid-palate
• Willett 8 Year Bourbon - $235.98 + tax
• Nose: Creamy, nutty almonds alongside vanilla, mint, and candied cinnamon
• Taste: Effervescent blend of sweet and spice
• Finish: Lingering finish from front to mid-palate

In comparison to last year's Spring Bottle Lottery: 

• Same: Michter's 20 Year Bourbon (price went up $400!) and Parker's Heritage 16th Edition (price dropped $100 from the 15th edition)
• New: Blanton's, Elmer T. Lee, Old Fitzgerald 19 Year Bourbon, Weller Single Barrel, Willett 6 Year Bourbon, and Willett 8 Year Bourbon
• Gone: Weller 12 Year, Old Fitzgerald 11, and Heaven Hill Heritage Collection

In order to enter, you'll need to provide the following:

• Ohio Driver’s License Number / Ohio Identification Card Number
• First Name
• Last Name
• Street Address
• Date of Birth
• Email Address
• Preferred OHLQ store location for purchasing the product if you win

All entries must be submitted online at the OHLQ lottery website and must be purchased at the Ohio Liquor location designated during submission. Entry is free. 

My Take

A few of these bottles are no-brainers to enter. Specifically the Blanton's, Elmer T. Lee, and Weller. The rest are open for debate. Willett is a very expensive bottle for something with only a 6 or 8 year age statement but they are hard to acquire. The one I'm definitely a hard-pass on is the 20 year Michter's. That price is more than I'm willing to pay for a single bottle of bourbon. 

What do you think? Drop a note in the comment box below.

Source: OHLQ