Acker Merrall Condit, a New York wine boutique and auction house, has agreed to pay a $100,000 fine after regulators accused the business of selling counterfeit bourbon. The penalty represents the maximum allowable sanction for marketing counterfeit Colonel EH Taylor Four Grain bourbon at a price of $1,000. News of the settlement surfaced through reports from the New York Post.
The case first emerged in 2021, but details were not disclosed by investigators until February 1, 2023. It was revealed that several store employees purchased counterfeit bourbon from a private collector, despite clear warnings that the product was not genuine. The sequence of events highlights gaps in inventory controls and the risks of sourcing from informal channels in the spirits market.
Legal counsel for John Capon, Kevin Dunow, told investigators that the owner accepted responsibility for the incident and vowed that it would not recur. Cambers in the supply chain and internal oversight processes appear to have played a role in the appearance of the counterfeit items, which ultimately led to regulatory action and heightened scrutiny of similar claims across the industry.
Founded more than two centuries ago, Acker Merrall Condit is frequently described in materials as one of America’s oldest and most respected liquor stores. The firm has built a reputation around rare bottles, high-dollar auctions, and a longstanding presence in New York’s specialty beverage scene. The recent enforcement action stands in contrast to the store’s storied history and raises questions about how traditional retailers balance collectability with provenance verification in an increasingly complex market.
Industry observers note that the counterfeit bourbon issue resonates beyond a single retailer. The episode occurs amid broader market pressures, including supply chain disruptions that have impacted the availability of bourbon in various regions, a phenomenon reported to affect consumers and retailers alike in different markets. While shortages have been discussed in places like New Zealand, the implications ripple through North American networks that rely on precise sourcing and authentication to maintain consumer trust.