We try not to be snobby about booze. We've had our fair share of flavored vodka-based cocktails that taste pretty good and have definitely fallen victim to a wide array of lemon drop, Washington apple, and other shots. But Mark Phillips, the Phoenix resident behind Palcohol, took things too far. His powdered alcohol was recently approved by federal regulators -- which made the news -- and then the decision was reversed. That made the news, too. We have to admit that we're a little relieved.
See also: O.H.S.O. to Open Second Location in Scottsdale (Spoiler Alert: They'll Be Distilling Spirits)
While the proposed label says that "because Palcohol is powder, you can take it just about anywhere to enjoy a cocktail!" that's only assuming you're going with a very loose definition of cocktail.
Although CBS 5 reported that Palcohol could be seen at liquor stores as soon as this fall with the recent federal approval, the decision was reversed by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, citing that the approval was "in error," according to CNN Money.
The pouches would have come in vodka, rum, margarita, lemon drop, cosmopolitain, and mojito varieties, according to the Palcohol website.
Each pouch is equivalent to a shot of liquor, carrying up to 65 percent alcohol by volume if used as directed. Such proposed uses are stadium events and traveling, which just made every plane ride, concert, and football game you'll ever take officially unbearable.
However, an old iteration of the website admits there are ways to not use Palcohol as directed that will also get you blitzed.
"Let's talk about the elephant in the room . . . snorting Palcohol. Yes, you can snort it. And you'll get drunk almost instantly because the alcohol will be absorbed so quickly in your nose. Good idea? No. It will mess you up. Use Palcohol responsibly."
The current website warns agains snorting it in a decidedly more professional way, but we can't help but get the feeling that Palcohol is the new vodka tampon -- a fad and a vehicle to get folks drunk quick and nothing more. We'll still stick with our legit spirits and hope more local booze makers follow the path of Arizona Distilling Co. and less in the way of Palcohol.
In either case, there is no more information currently known about the next move for Palcohol. What a shame.
