It seemed like a good idea at the time

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

After a torrent of criticism, the Peruvian government has backed down from a plan to sponsor a special post-earthquake edition of the national liquor pisco, a much-beloved libation distilled from grapes.

Peruvian officials and distillers had previously unveiled with some fanfare the production of a limited-edition ‘Pisco 7.9,’ referring to the initial magnitude given to the Aug. 15 earthquake that devastated Peru. Hardest hit was the city of Pisco, a center of production of the namesake liquor.

The idea was to provide the commemorative bottles gratis to aid donors as a sign of gratitude. Not so fast.
Wasn’t this bad taste, many wondered, considering that the quake killed more than 500 people, injured more than 1,000 and left tens of thousands homeless?

‘Can you imagine the United States releasing a whisky called 9/11?’ asked one Pisco executive quoted in the daily La República.

No one seemed to recall any special bottlings linked to past tragedies -- not even a Lockerbie 103, after the Pan Am flight blown up in 1988 over whiskey-besotted Scotland.

The number of bottles of Pisco 7.9 ultimately produced, and who holds the now-coveted items, remains a mystery.

In the end, Pisco 7.9 became even more of a collector’s item than anyone ever imagined.

Posted by Patrick J. McDonnell in Lima, Peru

Photo: Pisco 7.9; Credit: AP