Weekly Catalog Update for 3/16

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.