Monster update for the weeks of 6/22, 6/29, and 7/6

Contrary to popular belief, I haven't, in fact, disappeared from the face of the Earth. I did skate off to New Orleans last week for the fabulously over-the-top Tales of the Cocktail, where I met pretty much everyone who's anyone in the cocktail world. If you're one of the handful of my readers who wasn't there, check out the extensive coverage at the Tales Blog, which documents as much the experience of attending as the sessions themselves.

As I've missed two weeks of updates (sorry!), I combined all the catalog changes since June 22nd into one gigantic list, as follows:

Discontinued Products:

• Absolut Imp. Vodka - 100 Proof 375 ML (#07062, Closeout, $6.99)
• Barbayanni Ouzo 750 ML (#63048, SLO, $17.99)
• Brave Spirits Valor Vodka 750ML (#05720, One Time, $19.99)
• Cabo Wabo Anejo Tequila 750 ML (#09744, Closeout, $44.99)
• Cachaca Fazenda Mae de Ouro 1.0 L (#54497, SLO, $25.89)
• Canton Ginger Liqueur 750 ML (#66467, SLO, $41.49)
• Carmel 777 Brandy 750 ML (#64616, SLO, $28.39)
• Ch de Plassons Vsp Nv 750 ML (#81969, SLO, $18.79)
• Chatelle Napoleon Brandy 750 ML (#79234, SLO, $13.69)
• Cielo Anejo Tequila 750 ML (#51000, SLO, $72.49)
• Cielo Blanco Tequila 750 ML (#64161, SLO, $51.39)
• Cognac Tesseron Lot 29 750 ML (#65392, SLO, $289.09)
• Cognac Tesseron Lot 53 750 ML (#65705, SLO, $154.89)
• Cuba Libre Amber 21yr 750 ML (#64273, SLO, $99.99)
• DeKuyper Kirschwasser Brandy 750ML (#10865, Specialty, $12.49)
• DeKuyper Strawberry Liqueur 45pf 750 ML (#58368, SLO, $3.44)
• Dr McGillicuddy's Lemon Drop Schnapps 42 Proof 50ML (#09223, One Time, $0.99)
• Ezra Brooks Bourbon 750 ML (#63485, SLO, $15.99)
• Figoun 750 ML (#53809, SLO, $18.89)
• Glenmorangie Burgundy Wood Finish 750 ML (#68989, SLO, $62.19)
• Grappa di Argante Riserva 375 ML (#52121, SLO, $31.09)
• Jose Cuervo Citrico Tequila 750 ML (#05665, Closeout, $19.99)
• Jr Brillet Cognac Heritage 50 Yr 750 ML (#61652, SLO, $321.29)
• Jr Brillet Cognac Tres Vielle Res XO 750 ML (#61651, SLO, $188.89)
• Labiette Armagnac XO Gift Box Nv 750 ML (#81974, SLO, $51.79)
• Labiette Castille Grand Reserve Armagnac Signature N 750 ML (#81973, SLO, $27.99)
• Manquin Poire William In Wood Box 750 ML (#81972, SLO, $9.29)
• Mount Gay Eclipse Silver Rum 80 Proof 50ML (#07964, One Time, $0.99)
• Norois Calvados Pays D Ayge Nv 750 ML (#81967, SLO, $29.29)
• Norois Calvados XO Nv 750 ML (#81970, SLO, $40.09)
• Olifant Imp. Vodka 750 ML (#04371, Closeout, $8.99)
• Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year Old Bourbon 750ML (#10849, Specialty, $183.99)
• Planat Cognac VS 750 ML (#77391, SLO, $21.89)
• Salvador's Strawberry Margarita RTD 4/200ML (#05583, One Time, $5.99)
• Scapa Scotch 14yr 750 ML (#62823, SLO, $41.59)
• Seagrams Sweet Tea Vodka 750 ML (#53718, SLO, $13.49)
• Sweet Carolina Vodka Mint Tea 750 ML (#66278, SLO, $15.59)
• Tesseron Lot 53 750 ML (#67622, SLO, $147.09)
• Tesseron XO Lot 29 750 ML (#67621, SLO, $278.19)
• UV Vodka Orange 1.0 L (#69624, SLO, $12.79)
• Vox Appletini 2/750ML (#09304, Limit Dist, $23.99)
• Wild Turkey Am Spirit 15yr 101pf 750 ML (#63197, SLO, $96.79)

Very sad news here...the Mae de Ouro cachaca was discontinued. I heard a rumor (from another cachaca producer) that the Mae distillery is bankrupt and no longer operating. I guess I've got until the end of my half-empty bottle to find a new favorite cachaca.

The delisted "Canton Ginger Liqueur" is Domaine de Canton, I believe, which has been available in stores for the better part of a year (#10819, Regular, $29.99).

The Seagrams sweet tea vodka has been pulled temporarily as Capital hasn't been able to get any stock since they listed it. It should be back by the end of July.

Moved to Closeout:

• Korbel Cal. Brandy 750 ML (#08205, Closeout, $6.29)
• Macallan 12 Yr Single Malt Scotch 375 ML (#08218, Closeout, $16.19)
• Voyant Chai Cream Liqueur 750 ML (#06714, Closeout, $11.49)

A surprising number of brandies have been discontinued in the last year or so. I guess brandy just doesn't sell like it used to. No big deal to me, since I almost always use cognac in recipes which call for brandy.

Relisted:

• Anchor Genevieve Genever Gin 750 ML (#62311, SLO, $51.69)
• Black Maple Hill Small Batch Bourbon Limited Edit 750 ML (#57219, SLO, $46.99)
• Coconut Jack Rum with Dole Pineapple Juice Co Pack 1.75L (#05655, One Time, $19.99)
• Dolin Vermouth de Chambery Dry 375 ML (#64476, SLO, $10.49)
• Virginia Lightning Corn Wky 750 ML (#54090, SLO, $14.71)
• Zapata Gold Tequila 1.75 L (#08756, Closeout, $13.99)

Interesting to see the Genevieve back after getting delisted at the end of 2008. It has the distinction of being the only genever-style product available in Pennsylvania, but I can't recommend it for two reasons: first, it's an abusive, punchy genever that doesn't seem to work that well in classic Holland gin recipes; second, it's really overpriced--in other states it sells for less than $33.

I also must take this opportunity to recommend Dolin vermouth again. If you're a martini drinker, order the 375ML bottle of it just to try it out. Laird has no required minimum quantity for SLOs, and spending an extra $4 over the price of Martini+Rossi is a no-brainer. Try making your martini with three parts good gin, like Plymouth or Tanqueray #10, perhaps, to one part Dolin dry vermouth. You'll never go back. (As with any vermouth, keep the open bottle in the fridge sealed with a vacuum cork and toss it after a month.)

New Products:

• Angostura Rum Old Oak White 1.0 L (#72086, SLO, $16.39)
• Bols Black Raspberry Liqueur 750 ML (#71475, SLO, $10.29)
• Bols Creme de Banana Liqueur 750 ML (#71472, SLO, $10.29)
• Bols Creme de Cacao White Liqueur 750 ML (#71300, SLO, $10.29)
• Bols Creme de Cocao Brown Liqueur 750 ML (#71297, SLO, $10.29)
• Bols Melon Liqueur 1.0 L (#71269, SLO, $13.49)
• Bols Peach Schnapps Liqueur 750 ML (#71303, SLO, $10.29)
• Bols Pumpkin Smash Liqueur 1.0 L (#71292, SLO, $13.49)
• Bols Rootbeer Schnapps 1.0 L (#71277, SLO, $13.49)
• Bols Sour Apple Schnapps Liqueur 750 ML (#71484, SLO, $10.29)
• Boyd And Blair Potato Vodka 375 ML (#72222, SLO, $18.29)
• Brugal Rum Extra Viejo 1.0 L (#69692, SLO, $25.29)
• Bushmills Irish Whiskey 1.75 L (#06928, Regular, $28.99)
• Cabo Wabo Anejo Tequila 750 ML (#72055, SLO, $63.79)
• Chivas Regal Royal Salute Scotch 21yr 750 ML (#61121, SLO, $198.29)
• Conquistador White Tequila 1.0 L (#71526, SLO, $20.09)
• Crop Organic Vodka 750 ML (#70679, SLO, $28.19)
• Crop Organic Vodka Cucumber 750 ML (#70680, SLO, $28.19)
• Cuba Libre Amber 20yr 750 ML (#71825, SLO, $39.99)
• DeKuyper Tropical Pineapple Schnapps 750 ML (#71620, SLO, $11.39)
• Francoli Oak Aged Grappa 750 ML (#72131, SLO, $28.99)
• Fruit Lab Citry Liqueur 750 ML (#71789, SLO, $34.59)
• Fruit Lab Crism Liqueur 750 ML (#71794, SLO, $34.59)
• Fruit Lab Theia Liqueur 750 ML (#71795, SLO, $34.59)
• Goslings Black Seal Rum 1.0 L (#71787, SLO, $26.69)
• Jean Marc XO Vodka 750 ML (#71489, SLO, $60.29)
• Junior Johnsons Midnight Moon Lightning Lemonade 750 ML (#72218, SLO, $19.59)
• Lemon Hart Rum 750 ML (#69975, SLO, $16.29)
• Macallan 10 Yr Single Malt Scotch 750 ML (#05532, Regular, $29.99)
• Matraga Cachaca 750 ML (#72201, SLO, $23.19)
• Milagro Tequila Anjeo 750 ML (#71623, SLO, $94.19)
• Milagro Tequila Reposado 750 ML (#72026, SLO, $83.19)
• Milagro Tequila Silver 750 ML (#72027, SLO, $67.89)
• Murray McDavid Sgl Malt Bunnahabhain Port Cask 750 ML (#71649, SLO, $84.99)
• Murray McDavid Sgl Malt Highland Park Port Cask 750 ML (#71650, SLO, $122.99)
• Murray McDavid Sgl Mlt Auchroisk Guigal Syrah Cask 750 ML (#71646, SLO, $79.99)
• Murray McDavid Sm Dufftown Guigal St Jos Syrah 750 ML (#71651, SLO, $69.99)
• Murray McDavid Sm Glenmoray Madeira Cask Finis 750 ML (#71654, SLO, $79.99)
• Murray McDavid Sm Isle of Arran Refill Sherry 750 ML (#71655, SLO, $74.99)
• Murray McDavid Sm Macallan Ch Latour Cask Fini 750 ML (#71656, SLO, $91.99)
• Murray McDavid Sm Tobermory Ch Latour Cask Fin 750 ML (#71660, SLO, $74.99)
• O P Anderson Aquavit 750 ML (#70868, SLO, $23.99)
• Pinnacle Gin Grapefruit Juice Co Pack 80 Pf 375ML (#06281, One Time, $6.99)
• Pirates Choice Key Lime Rum 750 ML (#71797, SLO, $23.89)
• Pirates Choice Molasses Reef Rum 750 ML (#71804, SLO, $23.89)
• Sauza 100 Anos Blanco Tequila 750 ML (#71865, SLO, $21.19)
• Sauza 100 Anos Reposado Tequila 750 ML (#71877, SLO, $21.99)
• Seagrams Rum Citrus 750 ML (#72147, SLO, $13.49)
• Seagrams Rum Raspberry 750 ML (#72083, SLO, $13.49)
• Seagrams Sweet Tea Vodka 1.0 L (#71711, SLO, $14.09)
• Stolichnaya Vodka Cranberry 750 ML (#71423, SLO, $21.89)
• Trader Vic's Spiced Rum 70 Proof 50ML (#06317, One Time, $0.99)
• Trimbach Liqueur de Framboise 750 ML (#69909, SLO, $29.99)
• Ty Ku Asian Citrus Liquor 40 Proof 50ML (#06337, One Time, $1.99)
• Ty Ku Asian Citrus Liquor 40 Proof 750ML (#06314, One Time, $24.99)
• Vincent Van Gogh Pomegranate Flavored Vodka 50ML (#05775, One Time, $0.99)
• Wisers Deluxe Canadian Wky 1.75 L (#69964, SLO, $35.09)

Well. This is interesting. Southern listed the 80-proof Lemon Hart Demerara rum. They've carried the Lemon Hart 151 (#63719, SLO, $26.49) forever and used to carry the 80-proof some years ago, but now they have both of them again. What makes this interesting is the persistent on-again-off-again rumor that Lemon Hart has been discontinued, and nobody (including those at Pernod Ricard, who run the brand) has been able to give an official answer one way or the other. I've also heard from the PLCB special purchases section that Southern is out of stock on the Lemon Hart 151 but is expecting more in late July. Unless further information is forthcoming, I'd recommend buying any Lemon Hart you can, just in case.

It's good to see the Bols cordials coming back. They're a decent "backup" label when Marie Brizard doesn't have what you want, and they're about half the price. I'd like to see the distributor, probably Southern, bring back the orange curacao as that's the most useful for classic cocktails, but the rest of the flavors are generally considered reliable.

OP Anderson is only the second aquavit available here in PA, the other being the sporadically-available Aalborg (#06534, Limit Dist, $13.99). OP is a Swedish-style aquavit, so it has a lighter body to it, and it's my preferred aquavit to use in cocktails. Both Aalborg and OP are produced by Vin & Sprit AB of Sweden, and, unsurprisingly, Vin & Sprit is owned by Pernod Ricard.

Brugal Extra Viejo is a Dominican rum that's been produced for a few years but only imported in the US in 2009. I haven't tried it myself, but from what I've read, if you like Brugal Anejo (#04640, Regular, $17.99), paying a few more dollars for the Extra is worthwhile.

Finally, a note on the Milagro tequilas that were just listed--these listings are substantially more than the in-store listings for Milagro. That's because the new listings are for the "Select Barrel Reserve" range rather than the standard range available in stores. Unfortunately I couldn't find a description on on the Milagro website as to what makes the SBR products worth more than twice the price of the standard range.