Yeah...it's been a while. A lot has happened in the past month since I last updated. For one thing, the blog moved to a new host which should be faster and more reliable. Email or leave a comment if you notice any problems.
The main reason I haven't had time to post here lately is that, as of early August, I've been training as a craft bartender at Embury under Fred Sarkis, who I've mentioned here before. Fred is temporarily in town from Chicago and he's put his fantastic talents to work converting the first floor at Firehouse Lounge into Pittsburgh's only craft cocktail bar. I'm usually helping out on Friday and Saturday evenings, but the bar is open Wednesday and Thursday as well so come down and have a drink!
On to the product updates...
Discontinued Products:
Moved to Closeout:
Relisted:
New Products:
The Four Roses product line is finally available in the state again. The Four Roses distillery was owned by Seagram from WWII until Seagram was torn apart in the late 90s, at which point it was taken over jointly by Diageo and Pernod Ricard. At that point, the Four Roses brand wasn't very well marketed so the majority of their output was used to make Bulleit, a brand which Diageo had recently bought. In 2002, Kirin bought the distillery from Diageo and Pernod, but continued to produce Bulleit under contract to Diageo. Within the past few years, Diageo has started sourcing whiskey for Bulleit from other distilleries, so Four Roses now has the capacity to expand their own brand into new markets. It's worth trying--it's a more relaxed bourbon, without the aggressive characteristics that tend to drive away novice drinkers, but not so much that it's too "dumbed down" to be enjoyable. For the price, I definitely recommend it.
Strega is back, although by SLO only. It's $6 more expensive than it was in-store, which isn't too unreasonable.
Mount Gay Special Reserve is an aged white rum that Mount Gay made specifically for the US market. I haven't tried it myself but other folks think it's pretty solid and more flavorful than your typical white. I don't know how many more white rums I really need though.
The main reason I haven't had time to post here lately is that, as of early August, I've been training as a craft bartender at Embury under Fred Sarkis, who I've mentioned here before. Fred is temporarily in town from Chicago and he's put his fantastic talents to work converting the first floor at Firehouse Lounge into Pittsburgh's only craft cocktail bar. I'm usually helping out on Friday and Saturday evenings, but the bar is open Wednesday and Thursday as well so come down and have a drink!
On to the product updates...
Discontinued Products:
- Armadale Vodka 1.00 L (#06413, One Time, $15.99)
- Bare Vodka 750 ML (#64228, SLO, $32.99)
- Borsci Elixir 750 ML (#82972, SLO, $23.79)
- Burnett's Lime Vodka 750 ML (#40239, SLO, $8.99)
- Chauffe Coeur Rhum Brown 750 ML (#62078, SLO, $38.39)
- Cruzan Estate Diamond Rum 750 ML (#06560, One Time, $13.99)
- Crystal Head Vodka 750 ML (#58707, SLO, $52.29)
- DeKuyper Parfait Amour 750 ML (#55951, SLO, $14.59)
- DeKuyper White Creme de Menthe 750 ML (#61342, SLO, $11.99)
- El Mayor Anejo Tequila 750 ML (#06869, One Time, $29.99)
- El Mayor Reposado Tequila 750 ML (#06873, One Time, $14.99)
- Glenfiddich Trio 12yr, 15yr, 18yr 3/50 ML (#06403, One Time, $12.99)
- Jepson Brandy 750 ML (#59104, SLO, $38.89)
- Jim Beam 7 Yr Str Brbn 750ML (#06627, One Time, $15.99)
- Kraken Black Spiced Rum 94 Proof 750ML (#09825, One Time, $15.99)
- Mur Mcd Sgl Malt Caol Ila 14yr Sherry Cask Islay 750 ML (#57328, SLO, $103.99)
- Mur Mcd Sgl Malt Dufftown Guigal St Joseph Fi 750 ML (#57393, SLO, $79.99)
- Mur Mcd Sgl Malt Glen Spey 10yr Madeira Cask Highl 750 ML (#57452, SLO, $55.99)
- Pear Williams Pukhart Eau de Vie 750 ML (#64403, SLO, $35.99)
- Sauza 100 Anos Reposado Tequila 750 ML (#06264, One Time, $9.99)
- Scorpion Mezcal Anejo 3 Yr 750 ML (#53020, SLO, $51.59)
- Southern Comfort W/7 Oz. Lime Juice - 70 Proof 1.00 L (#05924, One Time, $17.99)
- Sv Supreme Russian Silk Vodka 750 ML (#40165, SLO, $10.29)
- Ultimat Vodka Cherry Flavored 750 ML (#60772, SLO, $61.99)
Moved to Closeout:
- Jacquin's Wild Cherry Flav. Vodka 750 ML (#04547, Closeout, $9.99)
- Laphroaig 15 Year Old Scotch 750 ML (#06378, Closeout, $57.99)
Relisted:
New Products:
- Admiral Nelson Vanilla Rum 1.0 L (#41301, SLO, $12.69)
- Beefeater 24 Gin 750ML (#03136, Limit Dist, $28.99)
- Burnetts Lime Vodka 750 ML (#40985, SLO, $9.49)
- Cruz del Sol Tequila 750 ML (#41315, SLO, $58.09)
- DeKuyper Creme de Almond 750 ML (#40916, SLO, $13.49)
- Evan William 1783 750 ML (#40821, SLO, $14.49)
- Felipe II Brandy 750 ML (#41302, SLO, $17.19)
- Finlandia Classic Imp. Vodka 1.00 L (#08721, Regular, $16.99)
- Four Roses Bourbon 750 ML (#41223, SLO, $19.79)
- Four Roses Bourbon Single Barrel 750 ML (#41225, SLO, $41.79)
- Four Roses Bourbon Small Batch 750 ML (#41224, SLO, $31.29)
- Gentleman Jack 1.0 L (#41100, SLO, $30.29)
- Liquore Strega 750 ML (#41454, SLO, $36.99)
- Malibu Passion Fruit Rum 750 ML (#41221, SLO, $20.59)
- Malibu Tropical Banana Rum 750 ML (#41222, SLO, $20.59)
- Mazza Chautauqua Cellars Apple Eau di Vie 375 ML (#40950, SLO, $34.89)
- Mazza Chautauqua Cellars Cherry Eau di Vie 375 ML (#40946, SLO, $34.89)
- Mazza Chautauqua Cellars Grappa Steuben 375 ML (#40835, SLO, $24.89)
- Mazza Chautauqua Cellars Grappa Vidal Blanc 375 ML (#40929, SLO, $24.89)
- Mazza Chautauqua Cellars Pear Eau di Vie 375 ML (#40948, SLO, $34.89)
- Mazza Chautauqua Cellars Plum Eau di Vie 375 ML (#40936, SLO, $34.89)
- Mt Gay Special Reserve Rum 750 ML (#41334, SLO, $20.79)
- Plantation Jamaican Rum 2000 750 ML (#41187, SLO, $41.99)
- Plantation Panama Rum 2000 750 ML (#41188, SLO, $41.99)
- Thatchers Organic Apple Spice Ginger Liqueur 750 ML (#41308, SLO, $20.79)
- Thatchers Organic Blueberry Liqueur 750 ML (#41304, SLO, $20.79)
- Thatchers Organic Cucumber Liqueur 750 ML (#41306, SLO, $20.79)
- Thatchers Organic Dark Chocolate Liqueur 750 ML (#41307, SLO, $20.79)
- Thatchers Organic Elderflower Liqueur 750 ML (#41305, SLO, $20.79)
- Thatchers Organic Pomegranate Liqueur 750 ML (#41303, SLO, $20.79)
- Tyrconnel Malt 750 ML (#40820, SLO, $30.99)
The Four Roses product line is finally available in the state again. The Four Roses distillery was owned by Seagram from WWII until Seagram was torn apart in the late 90s, at which point it was taken over jointly by Diageo and Pernod Ricard. At that point, the Four Roses brand wasn't very well marketed so the majority of their output was used to make Bulleit, a brand which Diageo had recently bought. In 2002, Kirin bought the distillery from Diageo and Pernod, but continued to produce Bulleit under contract to Diageo. Within the past few years, Diageo has started sourcing whiskey for Bulleit from other distilleries, so Four Roses now has the capacity to expand their own brand into new markets. It's worth trying--it's a more relaxed bourbon, without the aggressive characteristics that tend to drive away novice drinkers, but not so much that it's too "dumbed down" to be enjoyable. For the price, I definitely recommend it.
Strega is back, although by SLO only. It's $6 more expensive than it was in-store, which isn't too unreasonable.
Mount Gay Special Reserve is an aged white rum that Mount Gay made specifically for the US market. I haven't tried it myself but other folks think it's pretty solid and more flavorful than your typical white. I don't know how many more white rums I really need though.
