Oviedo liquor store to offer liquor tasting machines with new license

A unique alcohol tasting experience may be on its way to Oviedo. Kenny’s Liquors in Riverside Landings, 1805 E. Broadway St. in Oviedo, asked Oviedo City Council to approve an upgrade to its liquor license to allow it to add on-premise tastings of premium spirits through what would be Oviedo’s first self-service alcohol pour systems.

The proposal, which approved a 4 COP Quota Class V Alcohol Permit Classification for the business on a 4-0 vote, would allow for two self-service machines, offering up to eight products at a time. They would charge for the samples, with prices varying per bottle, and limit the amount of each pour to about 1 ounce or less.

“We don’t intend to be a bar; it would be better to not give out 2 ounce pours,” Aayush Patel, owner of Kenny’s Liquors, said. 

The store would not operate as a bar because it would not provide seating. The tasting area is expected to be loaded next to the checkout counter of the business.

The company has a location in New Smyrna Beach that offers the tasting systems, with the pours set at either 1 ounce or half-an-ounce.

Kenny’s Liquors’ current Class II classification only allows for package sale of beer, wine and liquor. The new license would expand the offerings to consumption on the premises. Any business requesting a Class V license must be 1,000 feet from a school, which Kenny’s Liquors is. 

The 1,000-foot radius from Kenny’s Liquors (map via City of Oviedo)

While the city has not previously issued a Class V license, it would be able to permit up to 16 based on the allowable ratio of one per every 2,500 residents.

“I think it’s an interesting concept,” Councilmember Jeff Boddiford said. “It gets the customers to try certain beverages that they probably wouldn’t have tried before, before they purchase.”

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