May 2009 Archives

PLCB spirits catalog changes for the week of May 18th:

Discontinued Products:

• Absolut Vodka Los Angeles 750 ML (#50632, SLO, $21.69)
• Cabo Wabo Anejo Tequila 750 ML (#67224, SLO, $48.69)
• Cachaca 61 Brazilian Rum 1.00L (#05631, One Time, $12.99)
• Caol Ila 12 Yr 750 ML (#56505, SLO, $44.99)
• Captain Morgan's Parrot Bay Mango P. R. Rum 1.75 L (#09004, One Time, $18.99)
• Chevas Regal Royal Salute 750 ML (#52822, SLO, $190.39)
• Corralejo Tequila Anejo Red Glass 750 ML (#77374, SLO, $58.59)
• DeKuyper Pucker Sour Apple Schnapps - Pet 750 ML (#04195, Closeout, $6.99)
• DeKuyper Tropical Pineapple Schnapps 750 ML (#54928, SLO, $11.39)
• Glenlivet Single Malt 25yr 750 ML (#67604, SLO, $366.59)
• Hennessy Paradis 750 ML (#68990, SLO, $359.99)
• Jean Marc XO Vodka 750 ML (#67572, SLO, $63.39)
• Jim Beam Blk Str Brbn Square 375ML (#05946, Closeout, $6.99)
• Kahlua And Kahlua Hazelnut Co Pack 2/750ML (#05487, One Time, $19.99)
• Macallan Fine Oak 15yr 750 ML (#54010, SLO, $94.19)
• Mito No Kairakuen Shoehu Sake 750 ML (#70317, SLO, $21.99)
• Old New England Chocolate Egg Nog 750ML (#03872, Holiday, $4.49)
• Pearl Vodka Lo Coco Coconut 750 ML (#62946, SLO, $14.49)
• Presidente Brandy 750 ML (#61941, SLO, $16.09)
• Stroh 80 Rum 750 ML (#53807, SLO, $27.39)
• Stroh Obstler Apple Pear Brandy 750 ML (#78260, SLO, $23.89)
• Svedka Vodka 1.0 L (#59454, SLO, $13.99)

Lots of stuff getting delisted this week, from a variety of vendors. Nothing especially notable.

Relisted:

• Belvedere Imp. Polish Cytrus Vodka 750 ML (#09167, Closeout, $17.99)
• Corzo Reposado Tequila 750ML (#10814, Specialty, $49.99)
• Jacquins Vodka Lime 750 ML (#50377, SLO, $11.89)

New Products:

• Bacardi Raspberry Mojito Cocktail 30 Proof 1.75L (#05767, One Time, $19.99)
• Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year Old Bourbon 750ML (#10849, Specialty, $183.99)

Nice to see another high-end bourbon showing up in stores. The Van Winkle bourbons are well worth the money, but 23 years may be too much aging for some.

PLCB spirits catalog changes for the week of May 11th:

Discontinued Products:

• Jacquins Vodka Lime 750 ML (#50377, SLO, $11.89)
• Pitu Cachaca 750 ML (#69914, SLO, $15.99)
• Russian Standard Vodka 750 ML (#61931, SLO, $24.09)
• Siete Leguas Reposado Tequilla 750ML (#10816, Specialty, $47.99)
• Three Olives Espresso 750 ML (#61641, SLO, $17.69)
• Virginia Lightning Corn Wky 750 ML (#54090, SLO, $14.71)

Kind of weird to see Pitu disappear. They're probably just out of stock. You don't want that anyway, you want Mae de Ouro (#54497, SLO, $25.89). Yes, it really is that awesome. No, they're not paying me to say that.

Relisted:

• Appleton Extra 750 ML (#62499, SLO, $37.29)
• Appleton Reserve 750 ML (#68344, SLO, $27.09)
• Corzo Silver Tequila 750ML (#10813, Specialty, $44.99)
• Finlandia Lime 750 ML (#58903, SLO, $16.09)
• Siete Leguas Anejo Tequilla 750ML (#10817, Specialty, $50.99)
• Siete Leguas Blanco Tequilla 750ML (#10818, Specialty, $42.99)
• Villa Massa Imp. Limoncella Glass Gift W/Glasses 750 ML (#03911, Holiday, $22.99)

See? I told you the Appletons would be back. Incidentally, Capital supplies the two rums you must have for Mai Tais, according to the imminently authoritative Jeff "Beachbum" Berry and Matt "Rumdood" Robald: Appleton Extra and Clement VSOP (#51730, SLO, $38.59). Yeah, they have a six-bottle minimum, but it wouldn't hurt you to order three of each. Okay, at almost $40 a bottle, it might hurt. Check the SLO product list to see what else they carry that you might want to order. You can't go wrong with one of the Martin Miller gins, or maybe a Carpano vermouth or two.

New Products:

• 1800 Reposado Tequila Co-Pack W/Margarita Mix 750 ML (#09273, One Time, $25.99)
• DeKuyper Pucker Sour Apple Schnapps - Pet 750 ML (#04195, Closeout, $6.99)
• Granier Mon Pastis Liq 1.0 L (#60810, SLO, $26.99)
• Malibu Island Melon Rum 750 ML (#68125, SLO, $16.59)
• Marie Brizard Anisette 750ML (#10846, Specialty, $24.49)
• Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey Crock 750 ML (#67720, SLO, $38.09)

For the first time in years, a Brizard product is showing up in stores! But out of all the products they make, anisette excites me the least. C'mon, guys.

Oh, and the Tully crock? It's this thing. Not as cool as a crystal skull, but hey...

PLCB spirits catalog changes for the week of May 4th:

Discontinued Products:

• Burnetts Peach Vodka 2005 750 ML (#55132, SLO, $8.99)
• Cactus Jack Tequila Gold 1.75 L (#50672, SLO, $17.59)
• Cactus Jack Tequila Gold 1.0 L (#50666, SLO, $10.39)
• Cactus Jack Tequila White 1.0 L (#50675, SLO, $10.39)
• Crystal Head Vodka 750 ML (#58707, SLO, $52.29)
• Hennessy Cognac VS Flask 375ML (#08116, One Time, $15.99)
• Jacquin's Creme de Almond 750 ML (#04481, Closeout, $5.99)
• Jean-Marc XO Super Premium Imp. Vodka 750 ML (#05198, Closeout, $31.99)
• Polmos Luksus Vodka 750 ML (#50701, SLO, $18.79)
• Polmos Slivowitz 2003 750 ML (#50468, SLO, $18.79)
• Terrabianca Grappa La Bomba D Oro 2007 375 ML (#50360, SLO, $58.99)
• Windsor Can Supreme Wky 1.00L (#05495, One Time, $9.99)

Another Slivovitz disappears! Is there a plum shortage in Europe??

Relisted:

• Absolut Los Angeles Vodka 80 Proof 750ML (#07886, One Time, $20.99)
• Pernod Absinthe 750ML (#10840, Specialty, $69.99)

What does a "Los Angeles"-flavored vodka taste like? Is it smog-infused?

According to the Absolut website, Absolut Los Angeles is an "aromatic blend of Acai, Acerola, Pomegranate, and Blueberry," inspired by "the city's trendy, environmentally forward, and health-conscious ideals." The website also lists a few recipes, including a highball which pairs Absolut Los Angeles with a mixer that is neither trendy, environmentally forward, nor health-conscious: Coca-Cola. Apparently this was not lost on them, as they named the drink the Ironic Angel.

New Products:

• Bartenura Lemon Liqueur 375 ML (#67189, SLO, $20.69)
• Bruichladdich 16 Yr 750 ML (#67108, SLO, $109.99)
• Bruichladdich 18 Yr 1st Ed 750 ML (#67118, SLO, $136.99)
• Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum 100 Proof 1.00L (#06174, One Time, $19.99)
• John Barr Gold Scotch 80 Pf 1.75 L (#66648, SLO, $23.94)
• Nardini Mistra 1.0 L (#67125, SLO, $51.99)
• Phillips UV Citruv Vodka 70pf 750 ML (#59276, SLO, $11.59)
• Square One Vodka Botanical 750 ML (#65909, SLO, $35.69)
• Van Gogh Grape 1.0 L (#62606, SLO, $20.99)

Nardini Mistra is yet another anise liqueur. Even the distributor's sell sheet calls it "typical" and "quite sweet".

PLCB spirits catalog changes for the week of April 27th:

Discontinued Products:

• Absolut Los Angeles Vodka 80 Proof 750ML (#07886, One Time, $20.99)
• Benriach Curiositas Peated Speyside Malt 10 Yr 750 ML (#63936, SLO, $67.99)
• Coconut Jack Rum with Dole Pineapple Juice Co Pack 1.75L (#05655, One Time, $19.99)
• Corralejo Anejo Tequil 80 Pf 750 ML (#05049, Closeout, $31.99)
• El Diamante del Cielo Tequila Briefcase 750 ML (#50915, SLO, $68.39)
• Macieira Brandy Portugal 2006 1.0 L (#50263, SLO, $18.89)
• Pernod Absinthe 750ML (#10840, Specialty, $69.99)
• Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Sweet Mash 750ML (#08055, One Time, $89.99)

Moved to Closeout:

• Chalfonte V.S.O.P. Cognac 750 ML (#06285, Closeout, $22.49)
• Chartreuse Green Imp. Liqueur 750 ML (#00619, Closeout, $44.99)
• Felipe II Imp. Brandy 750 ML (#06911, Closeout, $15.99)
• Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur 375 ML (#08511, Closeout, $16.99)
• Grand Marnier Centcinquantenaire 750 ML (#03584, Closeout, $164.99)
• Jelinek Slivovitz Gold 750 ML (#09494, Closeout, $23.69)
• Kahlua Hazelnut Liqueur 750 ML (#09133, Closeout, $19.99)
• Liquore Strega 750 ML (#09612, Closeout, $29.99)
• Maraska Kruskovac Imp. Pear Liqueur 750 ML (#06489, Closeout, $22.99)
• Pearl Pomegranate Vodka 750 ML (#09588, Closeout, $19.99)
• Quintessential Imp. Dry Gin 750 ML (#05151, Closeout, $24.99)
• Speyburn Single Malt Scotch 10 Yrs. 750 ML (#04208, Closeout, $24.99)
• Stolichnaya Strasberi Strwbry. Flav. Imp. Vodka 750 ML (#08724, Closeout, $19.99)
• Stroh Obstler Fruit Brandy 750 ML (#07351, Closeout, $19.99)
• Villa Massa Liquorange Liqueur 750 ML (#09606, Closeout, $22.99)
• White Horse Scotch 750 ML (#04211, Closeout, $14.99)
• Wild Scotsman 15 Yr Vatted Malt Whisky 750 ML (#05779, Closeout, $79.99)
• Wild Turkey Rare Breed Brbn 750ML (#05423, Closeout, $34.99)

The results of this quarter's product review are in this week, and there have been some disappointing cuts—especially Chartreuse and Strega. (But realistically, who ever bought Chartreuse, besides cocktail enthusiasts and goths?)

Felipe II is a solid brandy for the price, and in Pennsylvania it was well-positioned for success after Fundador was delisted. I guess that didn't work out.

We've got two Slivovitz products in stores currently—Maraska Slivovitz (#06567, Regular, $23.99) looks safe for the moment, so hopefully the Jelinek Slivovitz isn't too big of a loss.

The Wild Scotsman Scotch has a bit of a local connection for us here in Pittsburgh, so it's sad to see it go. Wild Scotsman is owned and blended by a fellow named Jeff Topping, who claims to be the only American living in the US who blends his own scotch. Although Jeff lives in Cincinnati, his brother, Drew Topping, owns Piper's Pub which is a great restaurant and bar here in Pittsburgh. Aside from Sunday brunch, the big attraction at Piper's is their collection of scotches, which numbered over 90 last I checked. Anyway, the Wild Scotsman was priced rather high, especially for a new-to-market blended scotch, which probably led to poor sales. It would have a permanent place in my liquor cabinet if it were $20 less.

Relisted:

• Arrow Lime Vodka 750 ML (#61276, SLO, $11.09)
• Jacquin's Creme de Almond 750 ML (#04481, Closeout, $5.99)

New Products:

• El Diamante del Cielo Tequila 3 Btl Pkg 750 ML (#50915, SLO, $61.89)
• Highland Park 18 Yr Old Single Malt Scotch 750ML (#10863, Specialty, $99.99)
• Jim Beam Red Stag Bourbon 1.0 L (#55580, SLO, $23.69)
• Popov Cherry Vodka 750 ML (#64148, SLO, $8.29)
• Popov Grape Vodka 750 ML (#64625, SLO, $8.29)
• Popov Vodka 80 Proof 1.75L (#06156, One Time, $11.99)
• Remy Martin 1989 750 ML (#59405, SLO, $392.89)
• Tribuno Dry Vermouth 750 ML (#56856, SLO, $6.00)

Red Stag is a...unique new product from Jim Beam. It's cherry-flavored bourbon. Really. I would be skeptical, but if John Hansell likes it, it must be good.