Posted on 05/24/2013 4:55:38 AM PDT by Zakeet
Complete Headline: Scores of TGI Fridays in New Jersey 'busted for selling caramel-colored rubbing alcohol as top-shelf scotch' in statewide crackdown dubbed Operation Swill
At one bar, a mixture that included rubbing alcohol and caramel coloring was sold as scotch. In another, premium liquor bottles were refilled with water - and apparently not even clean water at that.
State officials provided those new details Thursday on raids they conducted a day earlier as part of a yearlong investigation dubbed Operation Swill.
Twenty-nine New Jersey bars and restaurants, including 13 TGI Fridays, were accused of substituting cheap booze - or worse - for top-shelf brands while charging premium prices.
As part of Operation Swill, investigators collected 1,000 open bottles of vodka, gin, rum, scotch, whiskey and tequila from the wells of the bars, state Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa said.
‘This alleged scheme is a dishonest ruse to increase profits and is a slap in the face of the consumer,’ Chiesa said.
[Snip]
The undercover inspectors tested vodka brands such as Grey Goose and Ketel One; scotch, such as Johnny Walker Black and Dewar’s; and Jose Cuervo Silver and Gold tequila.
Of 150 samples collected, 30 were not the brand as which they were being sold.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
It is understood that the cops and district attorneys will be testing the seized evidence for several years.
Second thing I wonder is who goes to TGI Friday's for their alcohol needs?
I love to sip Cuervo Tequilla. It’s not even the expensive stuff. I like the mix of sweet and spicy.
So one day I go into one of my local Kentucky bars and I see they have it so I order a shot. It was some sort of tequilla, but it was NOT remotely what I know this stuff tastes like. I figure this stuff goes on all the time. It’s why, since I left Seattle, I tend to just order beer when I’m in public and save the good stuff for when I have friends over at home.
One of these restaurants, Cucina Calandara, Fairfield, is run by the Calandra family, owners of the highest rated bakery, and also one of the top three pastry shops in NJ.
That Cake Boss guy on TV doesn’t even come close.
Surprised the Calandras were hit, they have kept up the highest standards for bread, cake and pastry in the NYC metro area.
Also a bit upset, but I don’t drink liquor at Italian restaurants.
My policy of sticking to bottom-shelf booze is vindicated!
I wonder what they used for beer?????
“At one bar, a mixture that included rubbing alcohol and caramel coloring was sold as scotch.”
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Sorry, but this story does not pass the smell test.
The bars may very well be watering down liquors, but with rubbing alcohol? They might use diluted PGA, vodka, or water, but surely not rubbing alcohol.
I simply don’t believe they were using rubbing alcohol. It makes no sense. Soemone has to know how to mix the sh**. A cheap replacement makes more sense or short shots.
Scores?
Young 20 somethings that wouldn't know good booze from swill.
This is one of the oldest tricks in the bar business. One way to tell if the bar is refilling premium bottles with the cheap stuff (or worse) is to take a look at the bottles behind tha bar: If you see torn, faded, or stained labels on popular premium brands, then there is a good chance that the bottles are being refilled with the generic stuff.
Another way to tell is to taste it. If a person can’t tell the difference between Jameson’s Irish Whiskey and Powers, then perhaps the person shouldn’t order the good stuff in the first place.
The second oldest trick inthe book is for the bartender to pour a “premium” drink below the bar out of the customer’s sight using the cheap stuff. This is a common practice in tourist type bars with a high turnover of non-repeat customers. If the drink doesn’t taste quite right, then ask for another in a clean glass and keep your eye on the bartender.
I'm afraid to find out...... 
That’s a photo of the Corona Brewery, if you believe the rumors....
“...who goes to TGI Friday’s for their alcohol needs?”
Who goes to TGI Fridays?
And another question...Is this limited to New Jersey? Or is this common in all 57 states...
Exactly: This story sucks.
Rubbing alcohol and caramel Coloring would have people in the hospital.
They could be using grain alcohol, you can purchase that in most liquor stores, it is about 170 proof, water that down and add caramel coloring and you have a drink. Not good one, but a drink,
Rubbing alcohol is deliberately poisoned by the government.
Once again, we hear about this only from a real news agency - one from overseas.
“...then perhaps the person shouldn’t order the good stuff in the first place.”
Jameson’s is good stuff? Bushmill’s, and especially Black Bush is far better than Jameson’s.
Its the AP, you can’t expect them to use words AND know what they mean.
I agree with your thoughts. Rubbing alcohol is denatured and poisonous; serving it would be akin to aggravated assault. If you’re going to purposely cheat and poison your customers you may as well go whole hog and buy methanol by the 55 gallon drum.
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