Distillery thefts will ‘continue to happen’

Following the recent spate of high-profile Bourbon heists, one whiskey consultant has argued theft is a regular occurrence at distilleries, which have become more lenient in their security measures.

Thefts at whiskey distilleries “has always happened and will continue to happen,” according to one consultant

Speaking with The Spirits Business, Donald Snyder, founder of distillery-focused consultancy group Whiskey Resources, security at distilleries has become more relaxed due to the growth of tourism.

“It’s a fact that bootlegging will happen at big distilleries,” he said. “It has always happened and it will continue to happen.

“After Prohibition security at distilleries was like Fort Knox. It was exceptionally strong. Measures have become a lot more relaxed over the past three years or so, but I think that’s starting to change.”

Snyder believes that the recent case against an accused Bourbon theft ring will act as a “call to action for other big distilleries”.

In May this year, nine people were charged with forming a criminal syndicate to steal and sell barrels and bottles of Bourbon from the Wild Turkey and Buffalo Trace distilleries.

The investigation first launched in 2013 when workers discovered 65 cases of highly coveted Pappy Van Winkle had been pilfered from Buffalo Trace – amounting to an estimated loss of US$26,000.

Authorities quickly deduced that that crime has most likely been committed as part of an “inside job”.

Eighteen months later five casks of Wild Turkey Bourbon were discovered in the backyard of Buffalp Trace worker Gilbert Curtsinger.

The 45-year-old was subsequently identified as the “ring leader” of the group, which is thought to have stolen more than US$100,000 worth of Bourbon over seven years.

Mark Searcy, who worked at the Buffalo Trace distillery, was among the list of those charged, while a Buffalo Trace security guard admitted to “turning a blind eye” to the thefts.

Snyder adds that it is “not possible” to estimate how much money has been lost in total through distillery thefts, he believes that security requirements will be ramped up at a federal level, particularly with the growth of craft distilleries.

“Thieves are going to realise the incredible value of some liquid sitting at craft distilleries, which are going to increase protective measures,” he claims.