Kentucky Bourbon brand Buffalo Trace has issued a public warning to customers over an “increasing number” of fraudulent and counterfeit whiskies being sold online, after several consumers contacted them to the issue.
According to a release from Buffalo Trace, several fans of the Bourbon had contacted them to reveal that they had ordered bottles online and charged for the transaction, only to never receive the Bourbon.
Others appeared to have been sold counterfeit bottles that used plastic toppers rather than the metal toppers used on the real thing.
“We’ve had fans from across the U.S. contact us to tell us they’ve been duped. We’ve taken legal action to have the sites shut down and also sent notices to the social media companies asking them to take action, but unfortunately the situation persists,” said Mary Tortorice, general counsel, Sazerac Company. “In all but six states plus the district of Columbia, it is illegal to ship alcohol directly to consumers,” continued Tortorice. “One of the tip offs is if the website will process your order with shipment to your state, if you are located in one of the 44 states where shipping alcohol directly to your home is illegal. Another red flag is if the website is located in another country, as the majority of the scams we have seen have been located overseas.”
Buffalo Trace says that its Blanton’s and Double Eagle Very Rare expressions have been hit especially hard by scammers.
“[If] it looks too good to be true, it probably is,” Tortorice said.
“Fans are advised Buffalo Trace Distillery does not sell its whiskies online, and to check out any site very carefully for its legitimacy if it is legal to receive distilled spirits in your state. If you feel you have been duped, you can report the site to the Better Business Bureau, your State Attorneys General office and contact your credit card company about its fraud protection policies,” a release reads.
Earlier this year, some 1.7m litres of counterfeit booze including wine, beer, vodka and other alcoholic beverages were seized by authorities as part of a crackdown on food and drink fraud across Europe.
