Howdy, Blind Pigs!

It's time for the most celebrated of holiday traditions--the whiskey advent calendar! If you intend to participate PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE EMAIL CAREFULLY AND MAKE NOTES OF THE IMPORTANT DATES AND DETAILS. Yes, the email is kind of long, but this project has many moving parts, and it's important that all participants are on the same page.

In case you have never participated in the advent calendar before, here's how it works: a standard 750 ml bottle of whiskey contains 25 ounces. It just so happens that Christmas is on the 25th day of December, which is convenient. If 25 people each contribute a bottle of whiskey, each bottle can be divided into 25 one-ounce portions, parceled out in numbered sampler bottles, and shared as an advent calendar. Participants get a box with their sample bottles and then enjoy a pour of mystery whiskey each night of December leading up to Christmas. Each evening, an email will reveal the identity of the whiskey, the Blind Pig who contributed it, and any interesting notes that I can come up with.

Note that this event is limited, by necessity, to 25 participants. Once 25 people register, the event will be closed. In the past, people have procrastinated and then been left out. Don't be that person. If you want to participate, register ASAP.

When you sign up to participate, you agree to the following:

• You'll pay $25 for the advent calendar at the time of registration. This covers the cost of the sample bottles and other packing materials. Nobody makes a profit.
• Once 25 people register, a bottle survey will be sent to participants. You will fill it out promptly. The survey will ask you to identify three bottles of whiskey you'd like to contribute, and your order of preference. Choose bottles that you would be proud to share with friends. This is not the occasion to play a joke or introduce people to your great-uncle's moonshine. The only reason you won't be asked to contribute your first preference is if somebody else offers the exact same bottle. In that case, one member will be asked to contribute their second choice bottle instead. We have never had to go to the third choice, but it's there as a safety net.
• Once you're notified which of the bottles you offered will be part of the calendar, you'll drop off that bottle of whiskey at Jenn Northcutt's house by October 25th. 
• You will pick up your completed advent calendar box from Jenn Northcutt's house between November 9th and November 26th.

Payment is due at the time of registration. Registration will close on September 30. We need the time between registration and drop-off day to send the bottle survey, collect and communicate results from the bottle survey, and give people time to drop off bottles.

Thanks, Pigs.