Salt Lake City Thieves nab US$20,000 in stolen fine wine and spirits

Thieves who broke into a liquor store in Utah’s Salt Lake City racked up US$20k in stolen wine and spirits, including Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades, a 2005 Château Latour and Glenfiddich 30-year-old.

An investigation by the Salt Lake City Police Department began just after 4.15am on 4 November 2023, following reports of “suspicious circumstance” at the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services Utah State Wine Store.

Police learned that two masked individuals broke into the liquor store and tampered with its surveillance cameras. After doing so, officers said that the burglars broke into a locked display cabinet and stole liquor and wine valued at US$15,000 to US$20,000 (£12,000-£16,000).

The break-in also caused US$10,000 (£7,900) in damages, according to KUTV, where this story was first reported.

Among the stolen wines were a bottle of Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades Brut Gold Champagne (£290), 2010 and 2005 vintages of Château Latour, Louis Roederer Cristal and Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Brut.

Spirits taken by the thieves included a bottle of The Macallan from The Harmony Collection, Courvoisier L’Esprit Cognac and Juan in a Million Extra Anejo Tequila.

Police suspect that the robbers may try to resell the liquor. Utah has some of the most restrictive alcohol laws in the country. it is one of 17 control states across the US, meaning that the state has a monopoly over the wholesaling and retailing of some or all categories of alcoholic beverages.

Over half (55%) of Utah’s residents belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which advises against the consumption of alcohol.

Taverns, beer bars and some restaurants operate under a “beer only” licence which, along with grocery and convenience stores, can only sell beer with an ABV below 5%. Beer with an ABV higher than 5% is available in State Liquor Stores and Package Agencies and at clubs and restaurants licensed to sell liquor.

The Utah DABS (Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services) is assisting SLCPD in this investigation.

Below is a full list of the stolen products:

Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades
Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades Brut Gold Champagne
Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose,
Blair Athol 23-year whiskey
Château Lafite Rothschild (2016)
Château Latour (2005)
Château Latour (2010)
Château Margaux (2019)
Château Palmer (2016-2017)
Château Pichon Baron (2010-2015)
Convalmore 32-year scotch
Courvoisier L’Esprit cognac
Courvoisier XO cognac
Domaine Faiveley Echezeaux (2018)
Domaine Faiveley Mazis-Chambertin (2020)
Domaine Faiveley Mazis-ChambertinBatard-Montrachet (2020)
Domaine Faiveley Mazis-ChambertinBatard-Montrachet (2021)
Domaine Jacques Prieur Corton-Bressandes (2020)
Frapin Extra cognac, Hennessy X.O cognac
Glenfiddich 30-year-old scotch
Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Martha’s Vineyard (2016-2017)
Komos Extra Añejo Tequila
Krug Grande Cuvee 170th Edition
Louis Roederer Cristal (2014)
Louis Roederer Cristal (2015)
LOUIS XIII Cognac by Remy Martin
Massetino Toscana IGT (2020)
Number JUAN in a Million Extra Anejo Tequila
Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Family Estate (2020)
Tesseron Estate Pym-Rae Red (2017)
The Balvenie scotch (16-, 21-, and 30-year-old)
The Macallan The Harmony Collection Scotch
The Macallan 25-year scotch
The Macallan double cask 18-year scotch
Vérité Le Desir (2019), Vérité Le Desir La Muse (2019)
Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Brut