I can remember a time in Spain when refilling a branded whisky, gin or rum with a cheaper version was normal practice in bars. You could always tell, because the bottle on the shelf was grubby as hell, from being used and re-used for a long time. For those customers in the know, there was a genuine bottle kept under the counter for them.
Then, one day, it all changed. Bottles acquired a dosificador, that little plastic insert through which the licquor was poured. The dosificador was difficult to remove, putting an end to the sharp practice described above.
Now, Diageo, one of the biggest alcoholic drinks suppliers in the world, with brands like Johnny Walker Whisky, Tanqueray Gin and Bacardi Rum, have announced they are phasing out the little plastic gizmo for eco-friendly reasons. Apparently the company generates a ton of these plastic inserts per year.
[alcodisonline.es]
They actually announced their intentions at the start of 2025, but the initiative has been slow to get off the ground. Now, however, they are no longer distributing bottles with the dosificador fitted.
The question is: will unscrupulous bar owners start the old practice all over again?
We need to be vigilant!
© The Merry Tippler
Pictures:
alcodisonline.es,
Sources:
Diageo, Paul Whitelock, Wikipedia
Tags:
alcodisonline.es, Bacardi Rum, Diageo, dosificador, Johnny Walker Whisky, Paul Whitelock, Tanqueray Gin, Thye Merry Tippler, Wikipedia