The Mystery Of Plastic Pieces In Alcohol Necks

what

The small plastic piece found in the necks of some alcohol bottles is called a speed pourer, or simply, a pourer. These pourers are used to regulate the flow of liquid and air, and to standardise the amount of alcohol poured per second. Colloquially referred to as a pourer, Bacardi refers to the piece as a Non-Refillable Fitment or NRF, as its primary purpose is to keep adulterants out and prevent illegal refilling.

Characteristics Values
Common Names Speed Pourers, Pourers, Stoppers, Batchers, Orifice Reducers, Diffusers
Technical Name Non-Refillable Fitment (NRF)
Functions Regulate liquid flow, equalize pressure, prevent air interaction, prevent refilling, measure alcohol

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Speed pourers

The plastic piece in the necks of alcohol bottles is called a speed pourer. It equalizes pressure to ensure an even flow and allow bartenders to pour accurate amounts of alcohol. It also prevents the "`glug glug' sound when pouring directly from the bottle, as it contains a tube that allows air to pass from outside the bottle to the inside.

There are various types of speed pourers available, including screened pourers, measured pourers, gold-plated pour spouts, and those designed to fit specific bottle types, such as Patrón bottles. Some pourers, like the Spill-Stop 220-50, feature a wider spout for faster liquor flow, making them ideal for fast-paced environments. The Spill-Stop 285-50 is another popular model, known for its consistent pour speed and the option of adding a collar to prevent leakage.

The Pour Boy® Pour Spout is another well-known speed pourer designed for busy bars and high-volume craft cocktail and coffee bars. Its durable design includes a smooth, calibrated flow rate for optimal speed and control, and it is available in eight colors to support efficient, color-coded setups.

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Orifice reducers

The plastic piece in the neck of alcohol bottles is called a "Non-Refillable Fitment" or "NRF". Its primary purpose is to keep adulterants out and prevent people from illegally refilling the bottle. However, colloquially, it is referred to as a "pourer" as it regulates the liquid flow. These pourers are also known as "speed pourers" as they speed up the pouring process by eliminating the need for shot glasses and preventing the "glug glug" of pouring directly from the bottle. They are extremely helpful for measuring alcohol and controlling the pour.

The plastic piece is also referred to as an "orifice reducer", as it is an injection-moulded piece that fits into the neck of the bottle to reduce the size of the opening and control the flow of liquid. It is also called a "stopper" in some places, especially in Mexican tequila bottles, to slow down the pouring speed and prevent spills. These stoppers are not designed for removal and need to be cut off carefully from the bottle.

Some people find these plastic inserts annoying as they make it difficult to pour the alcohol and also make refilling the bottle impossible. Due to these reasons, companies like Bacardi are removing them from their portfolios to cut down on plastic waste.

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Stoppers

The plastic piece in the neck of an alcohol bottle is commonly referred to as a “pourer” or a “speed pourer”. Its primary function is to regulate the flow of liquid and air, preventing the "glug glug" sound when pouring. These pourers also help bartenders accurately measure alcohol, with one second of pouring equalling 1/4 of an ounce.

Some people find these plastic pieces annoying, as they slow down the pouring speed and make it difficult to pour without spilling unless done in a specific way. Additionally, they make refilling the bottle impossible. These plastic stoppers are not designed for removal, but they can be carefully cut off with a knife or scissors.

While the term "pourer" is widely used, Bacardi refers to these pieces as "Non-Refillable Fitments" or "NRFs". The primary purpose of NRFs is to keep adulterants out and prevent illegal refilling of bottles.

Metal or plastic bottle stoppers can also be inserted into wine or liquor bottles to create a seal. These are particularly useful when the original bottle cannot be resealed. However, some stoppers may not form a tight seal, so it is important to store the bottle upright to avoid spills.

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Pourers

The plastic piece in the necks of alcohol bottles is called a "pourer", or more specifically, a "speed pourer". These pourers are used to equalize pressure and ensure an even flow of alcohol when pouring. They also allow bartenders to accurately measure the amount of alcohol they are pouring, with one second of pouring equalling 1/4 of an ounce. Speed pourers are also helpful for preventing the "glug glug" sound that occurs when pouring directly from a bottle. This is due to a tube in the speed pourer that allows air to pass from outside the bottle to the inside.

While the plastic piece is commonly referred to as a pourer, its technical name is a "Non-Refillable Fitment" or "NRF". The primary purpose of NRFs is to prevent adulterants from entering the bottle and to stop people from illegally refilling the bottle. However, they do also serve the function of regulating the flow of liquid.

Some people find these pourers annoying because they require a specific pouring technique, and they also make refilling the bottle impossible. In response to this, some companies such as Bacardi have started to remove NRFs from their bottles to improve the user experience and reduce plastic waste.

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Non-Refillable Fitments (NRFs)

The plastic piece in the necks of alcohol bottles is called a "Non-Refillable Fitment" or "NRF". These plastic pieces are designed to prevent adulterants from entering the bottle and to stop people from illegally refilling the bottle. They are also colloquially referred to as "pourers" or "speed pourers" as they regulate the flow of liquid coming out of the bottle. This ensures that the liquid is poured in a smooth, controlled manner and helps bartenders to accurately measure the amount of alcohol being poured. Speed pourers also equalize pressure, ensuring an even flow and preventing the "glug glug" sound when pouring directly from the bottle.

While these plastic pieces can be useful, some people find them annoying as they can slow down the pouring speed and make it necessary to pour the alcohol in a specific way. Additionally, the plastic used for these pourers contributes to waste. For example, Bacardi has recognized that removing NRFs from their portfolios in the US, Canada, Spain, and Portugal will cut approximately 140 tons of plastic waste per year. As a result, the company has started removing these plastic pourers from their bottles, with plans to eliminate them from all 1.75-liter rum bottles in the US and Canada by early next year. Despite this, Bacardi asserts that removing the NRFs will not negatively impact the drinking experience for consumers.

Frequently asked questions

Colloquially, the plastic pieces in the necks of alcohol bottles are referred to as “pourers” or “speed pourers”. Their technical name is "Non-Refillable Fitment" or "NRF".

The primary purpose of these plastic pieces is to keep adulterants out and prevent illegal refilling of the bottle. They also regulate the liquid coming out, equalize pressure for an even flow, and help bartenders accurately pour alcohol.

To remove the plastic piece, first, unscrew the bottle cap. Then, use a knife or scissors to cut the plastic tabs securing the stopper to the bottle. Finally, lift the stopper out of the bottle.

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