You can buy this rare bourbon to support Datz’s Tampa and St. Petersburg staff

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Well, it’s finally happened. Datz Restaurant Group co-owner Suzanne Perry has put her rare bottle of 25-year-old Old Rip Van Winkle bourbon on the market.

The price tag? A whopping $20,000.

The bottle, No. 413 of 710 produced, according to a news release, has been in Perry’s vintage liquor collection for a few years. Proceeds from the sale will go toward keeping Datz team members from the South Tampa and downtown St. Petersburg locations employed as the restaurant navigates the coronavirus pandemic.

“Datz is a high-volume restaurant and we have great relationships with our distributors. Because of this we get access to high-end and rare bottles that we then can purchase and add to our collection," Perry told the Times in a statement. “The bottle has been on display and we have had customers ask us if (they) can buy it over the years, but we’ve never had any intention of selling it until now.”

The sought-after bourbon was distilled in the spring and fall of 1989, then bottled after 25 years of aging. And while $20,000 may sound like a lot, it’s very much in line with market price for this type of whiskey, if not a deal.

Interested buyers will find the bottle listed on Datz’s Tampa takeout menu, which means they can purchase it while grabbing Datchos or a Cheesy Todd to-go. Redeem 15 percent off with the promo code HERE4U to scoop up the spirit for just $17,000.

The money will be split among Datz staff, the release said, “for their dedication and hard work” and to “help maintain staff well-being during the upcoming weeks.”

Perry plans to continue sharing her booze stash with the public. The “Quarantine Connoisseur” section of the Datz takeout menu showcases other interesting liquors, including a honeysuckle vodka from Mississippi’s Cathead Distillery. Cocktail recipe ideas to complement those bottles are coming soon.

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