March 2009 Archives

PLCB spirits catalog changes for the week of March 23rd:

Discontinued Products:

• Dalmore 12 Yr Scotch 750ML (#07082, Closeout, $34.99)
• Dom Dupont Calvados Res 750 ML (#52978, SLO, $57.49)
• Dom Dupont Calvados Vieille Res 750 ML (#52345, SLO, $71.09)
• El Dorado Rum 12 Yr 750 ML (#54330, SLO, $29.99)
• El Dorado Rum 5 Yr 750 ML (#53139, SLO, $19.29)
• Finlandia Lime 750 ML (#58903, SLO, $16.09)
• Gilbeys Vodka Cherry 750 ML (#70638, SLO, $10.39)
• Hennessy VS Cognac with Flask 200ML (#03882, One Time, $10.49)
• Jacquin's Creme de Almond 750 ML (#04481, Closeout, $5.99)
• Pernod Absinthe 750ML (#10840, Specialty, $69.99)
• The Famous Grouse 18 Yr Malt Scotch 750 ML (#05960, Closeout, $33.99)

I guess the El Dorado rums proved unpopular. We're now back to where we were before, with no standard-proof Demerara rums available in the state.

The Pernod Absinthe is still available by SLO for $23 more. At that price, you should pass up the Pernod and go for any of the other five absinthes available in stores. In particular, Vieux Carré Absinthe (#05899, Regular, $54.99), made here in PA by Philadelphia Distilling, has received excellent reviews.

Relisted:

• Bushmills 16 Yr Malt Irish Wky 750 ML (#07714, Closeout, $45.99)
• DeKuyper Luscious Mixed Berry Medley Schnapps 750 ML (#07384, Closeout, $5.59)

New Products:

• Arrow Lime Vodka 750 ML (#61276, SLO, $11.09)
• DeKuyper Peach Pucker 750 ML (#58756, SLO, $11.59)
• Hangar One Vodka Chipolte 750 ML (#52069, SLO, $42.89)
• Irish Manor Irish Whiskey 750 ML (#61429, SLO, $11.79)
• Jacquins Vodka Lime 750 ML (#50377, SLO, $11.89)
• Katsaros Ouzo 750 ML (#52837, SLO, $15.99)
• Katsaros Tsipouro 750 ML (#52888, SLO, $21.89)
• Schladerer Edelkirsch 750 ML (#50463, SLO, $25.39)
• Svedka Raspberry Flavored Vodka 70 Proof 50ML (#05699, One Time, $0.99)
• TGIF Long Island Iced Tea 1.75 L (#54378, SLO, $14.99)
• Tierras Tequila Blanco 750 ML (#61356, SLO, $45.99)
• Veev Acai Liqueur 750 ML (#60693, SLO, $36.49)

I'm surprised Hangar One's newest flavored vodka is available here after reading Camper's post about how hard it is to get even for bars in Hangar One's back yard. They make some high-quality stuff, though, so if you're into making spicy cocktails you should probably consider getting a bottle of this.

I have to admit, seeing the Veev come up made me chuckle. They had a huge marketing blitz when it first came out a couple years ago and everyone got all excited about it, then it turned out it's actually not so interesting in cocktails. I've not heard anyone mention it in months. I guess they're coasting along on their claims of the health benefits of the açaí berry (pronounced ah-sah-EE), but I was under the impression that the public wised up to the quackery of "medicinal liquors" about 80 years ago...

PLCB spirits catalog changes for the week of March 16th:

Discontinued Products:

• Aberlour Single Malt 15yr 750 ML (#53149, SLO, $74.39)
• Absolut Vodka Mango 750 ML (#71008, SLO, $22.89)
• Batavia Arrack Van Oosten 750 ML (#70601, SLO, $29.69)
• Black Maple Hill Small Batch Bourbon Limited Edition 750 ML (#57219, SLO, $46.99)
• Blume Marillen Apricot E D V Brandy 375 ML (#70595, SLO, $25.79)
• Bols Banana Liqueur 1.0 L (#62312, SLO, $18.99)
• Bols Creme de Cacao Dark 750 ML (#54371, SLO, $13.39)
• Clear Creek Grappa 375 ML (#52167, SLO, $20.29)
• Clear Creek Kirchwasser 375 ML (#52128, SLO, $18.69)
• Cynar Aperitif 750 ML (#50266, SLO, $14.19)
• Don Gatti Limoncello 750 ML (#58327, SLO, $27.39)
• Herbs Cilantro Infused Vodka 750 ML (#51349, SLO, $26.29)
• Khortytsa Classic Vodka 1.0 L (#63966, SLO, $26.99)
• Khortytsa Honey Pepper Vodka 1.0 L (#62924, SLO, $26.99)
• Khortytsa Platinum Vodka 1.0 L (#63977, SLO, $26.99)
• Khortytsa Silver Cool Mint Vodka 1.0 L (#63294, SLO, $26.99)
• Macallan 25 Yr Scotch 750 ML (#01830, Closeout, $399.99)
• Margarita King Prem Cktl 750 ML (#53459, SLO, $17.79)
• Nux Alpina Walnut Liq 375 ML (#70594, SLO, $25.79)
• Pear Williams Purkhart E D V Brandy 375 ML (#70596, SLO, $25.79)
• Pear Williams Purkhart E D V Brandy 750 ML (#70597, SLO, $34.79)
• Rothman Winter Creme de Violette 750 ML (#70600, SLO, $25.69)
• Rothman Winter Orchard Pear Liqueur 750 ML (#70599, SLO, $25.69)
• Rothman Winter Orchard Apricot Liqueur 750 ML (#70598, SLO, $25.69)
• Schwartzhog Krauter Liqueur 73.4 Proof 750ML (#04533, Regular, $17.99)
• Skyy Vodka Passion Fruit Infused 750 ML (#58650, SLO, $15.59)
• St Elizabeth Allspice Dram 750 ML (#52782, SLO, $28.59)
• Svedka Raspberry Vodka 750 ML (#62919, SLO, $11.39)
• Svedka Vanilla Vodka 750 ML (#62920, SLO, $11.39)
• Velvet Falernum 750 ML (#52736, SLO, $17.39)
• Wasabe Vodka Sake Blend 1.0 L (#62592, SLO, $29.99)
• Zirbenz Stone Pine Liq 375 ML (#70586, SLO, $25.79)
• Zirbenz Stone Pine Liq 750 ML (#70593, SLO, $34.79)

So all the Haus Alpenz stuff disappeared. Keep reading...

Relisted:

• Boissiere Dry Vermouth 1 L (#11449, Specialty, $10.99)
• The Famous Grouse 18 Yr Malt Scotch 750 ML (#05960, Closeout, $33.99)

New Products:

• 44 Degrees North Cherry Vodka 750 ML (#53104, SLO, $22.89)
• Batavia Arrack Van Oosten 750 ML (#64448, SLO, $32.99)
• Blume Marillen Apricot Eau de Vie 750 ML (#64392, SLO, $35.99)
• Blume Marillen Apricot Eau de Vie 375 ML (#64391, SLO, $26.99)
• Carmel 777 Brandy 750 ML (#64616, SLO, $28.39)
• Cruzan Rum Est Light 1.0 L (#57389, SLO, $15.69)
• Cynar 1.0 L (#50349, SLO, $26.99)
• Dolin Vermouth de Chambery Blanc 750 ML (#64527, SLO, $14.99)
• Dolin Vermouth de Chambery Dry 750 ML (#64512, SLO, $14.99)
• Dolin Vermouth de Chambery Dry 375 ML (#64476, SLO, $10.49)
• Dolin Vermouth de Chambery Rouge 750 ML (#64532, SLO, $14.99)
• George Dickel 8 750 ML (#64246, SLO, $11.99)
• Haymans Old Tom Gin 750 ML (#64412, SLO, $24.99)
• Liberty Bell Liquor Peach Schnapps 1.0 L (#50357, SLO, $12.99)
• Liberty Bell Liquor Peppermint Schnapps 1.0 L (#50297, SLO, $12.99)
• Nux Alpina Walnut Liqueur 375 ML (#64361, SLO, $26.99)
• Pear Williams Purkhart Eau de Vie 750 ML (#64403, SLO, $35.99)
• Pear Williams Purkhart Eau de Vie 375 ML (#64396, SLO, $26.99)
• Pierre Ferrand Cognac Vint 750 ML (#50953, SLO, $200.39)
• Rothman Winter Liqueurs Creme de Violette 750 ML (#64407, SLO, $23.99)
• Rothman Winter Liqueurs Orchard Apricot 750 ML (#64404, SLO, $23.99)
• Rothman Winter Liqueurs Orchard Pear 750 ML (#64405, SLO, $23.99)
• Sauza Tequila Hornitos Plata 1.75 L (#56879, SLO, $50.09)
• Singleton of Glendullan 750 ML (#53854, SLO, $34.99)
• St Elizabeth Allspice Dram 750 ML (#64420, SLO, $30.49)
• The Scarlet Ibis Trinidad Rum 750 ML (#64422, SLO, $26.99)
• Tvarscki Vodka Grape 1.0 L (#57482, SLO, $9.79)
• UV Vodka Green Apple 750 ML (#58046, SLO, $11.59)
• UV Vodka Vanilla 750 ML (#58154, SLO, $11.59)
• Velvet Falernum 750 ML (#64415, SLO, $16.99)
• Wasabe Vodka Sake Infused 1.0 L (#53244, SLO, $31.29)
• Zirbenz Stone Pine Liqueur Of The Alps 750 ML (#64376, SLO, $26.99)

It's all back with new product codes! Why would this happen? It's a quirk of the PLCB catalog system—SLO product codes are tied to specific distributors. When a product moves from one distributor to another, it must be delisted by the old distributor and then entered as a new product by the new distributor. In this case, Haus Alpenz products were previously carried by MHW and now they're carried by Laird. So why do we care? Because MHW insisted on a minimum order size of 12 bottles for all SLOs. Laird doesn't have a minimum.

This is excellent news for us Pennsylvania cocktailians. Haus Alpenz, headed by Eric Seed, has won the hearts of mixologists across the country for reviving extinct ingredients such as Creme de Violette, Falernum, Allspice Dram and Batavia Arrack. Eric's products are widely considered to be of excellent quality and several are essential for making proper classic cocktails. Now that we can order these spirits a few at a time, they're finally within reach to home bartenders. (Incidentally, Laird also carries several other spirits that should be in any decent cocktail bar, such as Luxardo Maraschino (#62332, SLO, $30.99) and Laird's Bonded Apple Brandy (#68325, SLO, $17.99). They're well on their way to becoming my favorite distributor.)

As part of the change, the newest Haus Alpenz products are finally listed here as well: Hayman's Old Tom Gin, Scarlet Ibis Rum, and most significantly, Dolin vermouth. Eric's page about Dolin is well worth a read, but my recommendation is simply that these are the best dry and blanc vermouths you can buy in this state. (The award for best sweet vermouth goes to Carpano Antica (#51126, SLO, $36.19), but that's a story for a different post.) To be honest, Dolin is the vermouth that finally made me fall in love with the Martini. Two parts Citadelle Gin (#61495, SLO, $27.29), one part Dolin Dry, and a few drops of orange bitters make a smooth, mellow cocktail, far more satisfying than the usual cup of Tanqueray with a Martini & Rossi rinse.

My mouth is watering now. I'm off to make myself a drink.

By far the most popular search term to bring people to my li'l blog here is "bacardi dragon berry". Back in January, the PLCB added a new product "Bacardi Dragon Berry Strawberry Flav Rum 70 Proof" (#04108, Regular, $16.99) but Google finds little evidence of this product other than listing notes from PA and other control states.

The industrious folks over at bevlog found this product intriguing as well, and today they posted the TTB label application. It's Bacardi rum flavored with "strawberry infused with dragonfruit". Never heard of dragonfruit before? Bevlog hadn't either, so click the link to see what they found; it sounds like a new food trend in the making.

PLCB spirits catalog changes for the week of March 9th:

Discontinued Products:

• Arrow Raspberry Schnapps 750 ML (#05402, Closeout, $2.99)
• Belvedere Imp. Polish Cytrus Vodka 750 ML (#09167, Closeout, $17.99)
• DeKuyper Luscious Mixed Berry Medley Schnapps 750 ML (#07384, Closeout, $5.59)
• Early Times Wky 750ML (#04191, Closeout, $5.99)
• Grande Absente Original Absinthe 750 ML (#58985, SLO, $73.19)
• New Amsterdam Gin 80 Proof 50ML (#08266, One Time, $0.99)
• Popov Vodka 750ML (#05559, Closeout, $3.99)
• Rain Organics Honey Mango Melon Vodka 70 Proof 50ML (#08354, One Time, $0.99)
• Rain Organics Red Grape Hibiscus Vodka 70 Proof 50ML (#08363, One Time, $0.99)
• The Famous Grouse 18 Yr Malt Scotch 750 ML (#05960, Closeout, $33.99)
• Van Gogh Pomegranate 750 ML (#68627, SLO, $20.99)
• Wild Turkey Russells Res Rye 750 ML (#61480, SLO, $37.89)

Not much going on. Everything that came off SLO has been available in stores for a while.

Relisted:

• Bare Vodka 750 ML (#64228, SLO, $32.99)
• Poli Dist Po Moscato di Poli con Tubo 750 ML (#58933, SLO, $61.99)
• Tub Dry Gin 750ML (#10893, Specialty, $32.99)
• Van Gogh Gin 750 ML (#68650, SLO, $20.99)

New Products:

• Lotus Vodka Blue Energy 750 ML (#60671, SLO, $31.29)
• Lotus Vodka White Vitamins 750 ML (#60620, SLO, $31.29)
• Molinari Sambuca 750 ML (#59780, SLO, $30.09)
• Tvarscki Gin 1.0 L (#54454, SLO, $8.19)
• Vecchia Romagna Etichetta Nera Brandy 750 ML (#56904, SLO, $31.19)

Lotus is another entrant in the disturbing new product category of energy drink/liquor fusion. According to the Lotus website, Lotus Blue is "enhanced to perfection with Guarana Extract, Taurine and Caffeine," while Lotus White contains all that stuff and is further "blended with special ingredients." I guess this is for all you drinkers for whom mixing regular vodka with Red Bull is just too much work.

PLCB spirits catalog changes for the week of March 2nd:

Discontinued Products:

• Bols Pumpkin Smash 1.0 L (#64191, SLO, $22.09)
• Bushmills 16 Yr Malt Irish Wky 750 ML (#07714, Closeout, $45.99)
• Cherry Jack Rum 42 Proof 50ML (#07983, One Time, $0.99)
• Cruzan Rum Estate Diamond 750 ML (#55368, SLO, $19.99)
• DeKuyper Pucker Strawberry Passion 50 ML (#04179, One Time, $0.99)
• Dom Benedictine Liqueur 750 ML (#05501, Closeout, $19.99)
• Effen Imp. Vodka 750 ML (#05101, Closeout, $16.99)
• Finlandia Vodka 1.0 L (#55935, SLO, $17.99)
• Glenfiddich Single Malt 21yr 750 ML (#58331, SLO, $157.39)
• The Knot 750 ML (#67367, SLO, $29.19)
• Wisers Deluxe Canandian Whiskey 1.5 L (#68328, SLO, $35.59)

I was wondering what that Cruzan Estate Diamond was still doing in the catalog since it was discontinued a couple years ago, so I tried ordering a bottle. I guess this is my answer.

Relisted:

• Zubrowka Bison Grass Vodka 1.0 L (#51127, SLO, $10.29)

Nice to see this back. I wonder if we'll see the 750ML show up in stores again?

New Products:

• Effen Vodka 750 ML (#50202, SLO, $35.19)
• Governors Club Whiskey 1.0 L (#63826, SLO, $8.69)
• Highland Harvest Organic Scotch Whisky 750 ML (#69024, SLO, $46.99)
• Hound Dog Sweet Tea 1.0 L (#63856, SLO, $16.59)
• Iceberg Vodka 750 ML (#63909, SLO, $16.59)
• Michter Straight Rye 10 Year 750 ML (#50805, SLO, $101.69)
• Three Olive Green Apple 750 ML (#50207, SLO, $17.69)
• Tuttobello Limoncello 750 ML (#52973, SLO, $17.99)
• Tuttobello Sambuca Con Mosca 750 ML (#54436, SLO, $17.99)

Sweet tea vodka seems to be all the rage these days. Hound Dog is brought to you by Luxco, makers of such fine products as Everclear and Purple Passion. I'll say this again: buy yourself a bottle of Firefly (#09993, Regular, $18.99). It's awesome stuff.

PLCB spirits catalog changes for the week of February 23rd:

Discontinued Products:

• Aberfeldy 21 Yr Single Malt Whisky 750ML (#10810, Specialty, $169.99)
• Bottega Gianduia Imp. Chocolate Grappa 750 ML (#09098, One Time, $21.99)
• Corralejo Triple Distilled Tequila 750 ML (#65732, SLO, $20.79)
• Hangar One Vodka 750 ML (#09320, Closeout, $21.99)
• Jacquin's Lime Flav. Vodka 750 ML (#05492, Closeout, $4.99)
• Jefferson Bourbon 750 ML (#71877, SLO, $31.39)
• Pearl Vodka Plum 750 ML (#69988, SLO, $19.99)
• Popov Grape Flav Vodka 750ML (#05619, Closeout, $3.99)
• Seagram's Gin & Juice 750 ML (#04993, Closeout, $4.99)
• Sobieski Vodka 80 Proof 50ML (#08127, One Time, $0.99)
• Stolichnaya Blakberi Vodka 70 Proof 50ML (#07946, One Time, $0.99)
• Tub Dry Gin 750ML (#10893, Specialty, $32.99)

I wonder why the Tub Gin got pulled already; the online store listed three cases in stock a couple weeks ago. Hard to believe they sold out of it already.

Relisted:

• Clear Creek Kirschwasser 375ML (#10821, Specialty, $21.99)
• Dom Benedictine Liqueur 750 ML (#05501, Closeout, $19.99)
• George Dickel 750 ML (#68505, SLO, $19.99)
• Jacquins Kummel 750 ML (#56455, SLO, $14.39)

The Clear Creek Kirschwasser looks to be available only through the online store. For the price, I'd instead recommend Schladerer Kirschwasser (#57070, SLO, $36.29), which is pretty much the only kirsch real Germans drink.

New Products:

• Clear Creek Marc Gewurtz 375ML (#10824, Specialty, $21.99)
• El Jimador Blanco Tequila 1.0 L (#51664, SLO, $24.79)

Not much to see here. The "Marc Gewurtz" is Marc de Gewurztraminer Grappa, if you were wondering.