SPVAQ22021 - 34

Saluting the Knowledge of

ABC Store Team Members
Got a question? Just ask.
By Annie Tobey

A

BC stores contain shelves filled
with spirits from Absente
Absinthe to Zaya Rum--bottles
full of promise, full of delicious,
enticing flavors.
But even for those familiar with
distilled spirits, the mystery of
exploring something new might be
a bit intimidating. Even new-toyou flavors of your favorite brands
can be a puzzle. What can you do
with these gems once you get them
home? Will you enjoy them as
much as your go-to spirit?
The answers to these questions
are waiting for you at these same
stores! Just ask an ABC store
associate. These knowledgeable
employees have benefited from
tools provided by Virginia ABC.
This includes videos and a wide
range of product training. This
toolbox includes targeted training
opportunities on Virginia luxury
spirits, as well as targeted training
opportunities provided by Beam
Suntory Cruzan, Suaza, the Diageo
Bar Academy, Gallo University and
other spirit brokers and suppliers.
" We offer many different
training options, " says
Jennifer Burke, Director
of Retail Operations for
Virginia ABC. " However, our
employees learn the most from
working with our customers each
day. Our customers are always so

34 SPIRITED VIRGINIA

willing to share with our employees
their favorite spirits and recipes,
which we can then use to educate
other customers. As with any
specialty retail, your customer is
the best knowledge base you will
ever have. "
Team members have benefited
from their own experience, too, so
we reached out to stores around
the commonwealth. We asked
about favorite spirits, cocktails
recipes and food pairings. Team
members were full of great ideas,
and their answers demonstrate one
key finding:
If you have a question or
want to pick up something new
and tasty, just ask!
Here's a tasting of their
insightful answers.

GOING WITH THE GRAIN
For some Virginia ABC whiskey aficionados, picking a favorite is like
choosing a favorite child. Others
seem to have one " child " that they
happily announce allegiance to.
Samantha Parlati, Manager at
Store 351 in Amelia, is huge fan of
whiskey-rye, Scotch (particularly
Highland and Islay), and Irish.
And she's ready to tell
you about her favorite
brand of each:
" High West Double
Rye is a blend of two
different rye whiskeys
from the same distillery, both aged
at least two years. The younger rye
provides the kick of cinnamon,
clove and anise, while the older
rye mellows it out with a nice
SPVAQ22021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of SPVAQ22021
