BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Liquor tastings at the state’s growing number of distilleries could become a reality, if a northern Idaho lawmaker gets his way.
Rep. Jim Clark, a Hayden Republican, is carrying water for a constituent outside of Coeur d’Alene who is planning to open a gin distillery and wants to let visitors quaff samples of up to an ounce.
His proposal is modeled after a 2004 law that regulates wine tastings at retail outlets not licensed to sell wine by the drink, which he described as a smashing success.
Clark said his bill, introduced Wednesday in the House State Affairs Committee, is an economic development tool for distilled spirits entrepreneurs to expand their businesses — without promoting irresponsible booze consumption.
