January 2010 Archives

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

Discontinued Products:

• Don Eduardo Anejo 750 ML (#072169, SLO, $59.59)
• Jim Beam Bourbon White Label 750 ML (#069794, SLO, $17.09)
• Michter Straight Rye 10 Year 750 ML (#050805, SLO, $101.69)
• Plantation Grande Res Barbados N/V 1.750 L (#053163, SLO, $39.99)
• Plantation Grande Reserve Barb 750 ML (#058519, SLO, $20.99)

The old bottling of Plantation Grande Reserve was replaced with a new code for the new bottling, below.

Moved to Closeout:

• Absolut Raspberri Vodka Raspberry Flavored 1.000 L (#009887, Closeout, $14.69)
• Absolut Vanilia Vodka Vanilla Flavored 1.000 L (#009055, Closeout, $14.69)
• Bacardi Big Apple P. R. Rum 1.750 L (#009842, Closeout, $17.69)
• Bacardi Big Apple P. R. Rum 375 ML (#004851, Closeout, $4.39)
• Banker's Club Dry Gin 375 ML (#004356, Closeout, $3.09)
• Bols Triple Sec 750 ML (#008041, Closeout, $4.59)
• Cabana Bay Wild Cherry Rum 750 ML (#007192, Closeout, $5.59)
• Calvert Dry Gin - PET 1.750 L (#005290, Closeout, $8.89)
• Castries Peanut Rum Cream 32 Proof 750 ML (#007002, Closeout, $18.69)
• Chateau Pomari Pomegranate Flavored Liqueur 750 ML (#007006, Closeout, $12.09)
• Chi-Chi's Mojito Cocktail 1.750 L (#007549, Closeout, $6.59)
• Cluny Scotch 1.750 L (#008208, Closeout, $11.19)
• Cocoribe Coconut Rum Liqueur 750 ML (#007603, Closeout, $5.59)
• Corby's Res Amer Blend Wky 750 ML (#005264, Closeout, $3.49)
• Cruzan Guava Rum 750 ML (#006183, Closeout, $7.59)
• Daily's Appletini Ready To Drink Chilled Cocktail 1.750 L (#009492, Closeout, $7.99)
• Dr. McGillicuddy's Imp. Mentholmint Schnapps 375 ML (#008992, Closeout, $4.39)
• Finlandia Grapefruit Vodka 70 Proof 750 ML (#006442, Closeout, $11.49)
• Froggy B Vodka 750 ML (#006474, Closeout, $10.19)
• Godiva Chocolate Liqueur 375 ML (#005850, Closeout, $10.29)
• Gordon's Dry Gin 1.000 L (#007456, Closeout, $6.89)
• Grey Goose Imp. L'Orange Vodka 1.750 L (#008022, Closeout, $37.29)
• Jacquin's Apricot Flav. Brandy 375 ML (#004980, Closeout, $2.89)
• Jose Cuervo Tequila Black 1.750 L (#009030, Closeout, $24.29)
• Kahlua Chocolate Latte 10pf 800 ML (#009809, Closeout, $3.69)
• Level Imp. Vodka 750 ML (#007042, Closeout, $18.69)
• Margaritaville Mango Margarita RTD 19.9 Proof 1.750 L (#004901, Closeout, $10.59)
• Olifant Imp. Vodka 1.750 L (#009149, Closeout, $17.09)
• Opal Nera Imp. Black Sambuca 750 ML (#004135, Closeout, $12.09)
• Passoa Imp. Passion Fruit Liqueur 750 ML (#004064, Closeout, $8.89)
• Prairie Organic Vodka 80 Proof 750 ML (#005343, Closeout, $14.09)
• Pravda Vodka 375 ML (#004321, Closeout, $8.99)
• Remy Red Red Berry Infusion Imp. Liqueur 750 ML (#005666, Closeout, $11.49)
• Rhum Clement Premiere Canne White Rum 750 ML (#009538, Closeout, $18.69)
• Seagram's VO Canadian Whiskey Gold 1.750 L (#004636, Closeout, $23.59)
• Siembra Azul Tequila Reposado 750 ML (#005579, Closeout, $24.49)
• Skyy Infusions Passion Fruit Vodka 70 Proof 750 ML (#005395, Closeout, $8.89)
• Smirnoff Citrus Twist Vodka 375 ML (#007086, Closeout, $4.39)
• Smirnoff Cranberry Twist Vodka 375 ML (#008814, Closeout, $4.39)
• Smirnoff Watermelon Twist Vodka 375 ML (#009140, Closeout, $4.39)
• Stolichnaya Blakberi Vodka 70 Proof 750 ML (#006886, Closeout, $12.79)
• Stolichnaya Blueberi Blueberry Flav. Imp. Vodka 1.750 L (#009816, Closeout, $22.29)
• Stolichnaya Citros Citrus Flav. Imp. Vodka 750 ML (#007063, Closeout, $12.79)
• Taaka Gin 1.750 L (#007032, Closeout, $6.09)
• Taaka Vodka 1.750 L (#007038, Closeout, $6.09)
• Tia Maria Coffee Liqueur 750 ML (#004555, Closeout, $14.09)
• Trago Tequila Silver 80 Proof 750 ML (#004671, Closeout, $34.89)
• Uvix Vodka 750 ML (#004674, Closeout, $17.99)
• Vat 69 Gold Scotch 1.750 L (#006738, Closeout, $11.89)
• Wild Turkey Russell Reserve Rye 6 Year 90 Proof 750 ML (#007174, Closeout, $16.69)
• Wild Turkey Straight Bourbon 101 Proof 1.000 L (#007883, Closeout, $14.69)

This quarter's close-out items have been posted. Much of the churn is cutting convenience sizes of products that will continue to be available in a standard 750 ML size, and I won't shed a tear over most of the spirits that are disappearing completely. The big exception is Castries Peanut Rum Creme, which, as far as cream liqueurs go, I can't recommend highly enough. I'm sure the $30 price tag is what did it in, but for the $19 close-out price, go get a bottle right now. It is delicious peanuty rummy dessert.

Relisted:

• Rittenhouse 23 Yr 750 ML (#068534, SLO, $179.99)

New Products:

• Admiral Berentzen Pear 750 ML (#500621, SLO, $18.79)
• Admiral Green Fairy Absinthe 750 ML (#500620, SLO, $69.99)
• Admiral Sheep Dip Whisky 750 ML (#500622, SLO, $44.99)
• Arrow Butterscotch Schnapps 750 ML (#500712, SLO, $7.49)
• Bruichladdich Organic 2003 750 ML (#500646, SLO, $79.99)
• Burnetts Cherry Vodka 750 ML (#500652, SLO, $10.19)
• Crusoe Rum 750 ML (#500595, SLO, $29.19)
• Dynasty XO 15 Year Brandy 1.750 L (#400087, SLO, $199.99)
• English Harbor 5 Yr Old Rum 750 ML (#500568, SLO, $31.99)
• Gabriel and Assoc Fin Bois Cognac 750 ML (#500683, SLO, $40.99)
• Gabriel and Assoc Grand Champ Cognac 750 ML (#500684, SLO, $97.89)
• Pierre Ferrand Cognac Vintage 1972 750 ML (#500669, SLO, $444.99)
• Plantation Grande Reserve Barbados Rum 5 Year Old 750 ML (#500662, SLO, $21.99)
• Plantation Rum 20th Anniversary 750 ML (#500569, SLO, $44.99)
• Wild Geese Clasic Blend Whisky 750 ML (#500649, SLO, $49.99)
• Wild Geese Limited Edition Whisky 750 ML (#500651, SLO, $89.99)
• Wild Geese Rare Irish Whiskey 750 ML (#500650, SLO, $59.99)

It looks like Admiral Imports is switching from Southern to Majestic in PA, but the Southern codes are still in there so if you're interested in getting some Berentzen Pear Liqueur without having to order twelve bottles, order it from Southern (#056828, SLO, $21.79) before their old stock runs out.

Crusoe Rum, from the makers of TRU organic gin and vodka, stands virtually alone in the organic rum category. The only other organic rum producer I'm aware of is Papagayo who makes a white rum (#068996, SLO, $26.99) and a spiced rum (#069009, SLO, $26.99). I'm surprised this category is as small as it is still, but as rum continues to grow in popularity, I'm sure the producers will catch on.

This happened at some point last week, so I'm a little late to the party, but I'm excited to say that the PLCB added a new field to their public product catalog: the SLO vendor code. I can't fully express what a relief it is to no longer have to acquire and track this data on my own.

Since it's not yet possible to search by vendor code on the PLCB website, I'll continue to provide a product list indexed by vendor on my SLO product page. It's a little unwieldy now that it has 1,400+ products listed, but it'll have to do for the time being.

On an unrelated note, I spoke with D'Andrea Imports, and they assure me that Jannamico Super Punch will continue to be available by SLO, and that if it disappeared from the system it's only a temporary thing.

The PLCB catalog database seems to have settled down enough that I can start posting updates again. This update is cumulative from the last update I posted, so you aren't missing anything.

PLCB spirits catalog changes for the weeks of January 4th and January 11th:

Discontinued Products:

• Arrow Blackberry Flav Brandy 1.000 L (#061882, SLO, $10.29)
• Balvenie 21yr Portwood 750 ML (#072360, SLO, $167.59)
• Bodegas Ruiz de Vinaspre Blanco 08 750 ML (#022937, Specialty, $15.99)
• Broker's London Dry Gin 750 ML (#040505, SLO, $19.99)
• Casa Noble Anejo Tequila 750 ML (#009891, Closeout, $24.99)
• Charmsoju Korean Wh Liquor 375 ML (#009175, Regular, $4.19)
• Clear Creek Apple In the Bottle Brandy 750 ML (#010860, Specialty, $40.99)
• Cuba Libre Amber 21yr 750 ML (#064273, SLO, $99.99)
• DeKuyper Peachtree Schnapps - PET 750 ML (#008663, Closeout, $6.99)
• Don Q Mojito Rum 750 ML (#042370, SLO, $14.49)
• E Dolce Amaretto Liqueur 750 ML (#004599, Closeout, $3.99)
• Gilbeys Vodka 750 ML (#070642, SLO, $7.99)
• Gilbeys Vodka Grape 750 ML (#070639, SLO, $10.39)
• Gilbeys Vodka Raspberry 750 ML (#070641, SLO, $10.39)
• Jannamico Super Punch 1.000 L (#057358, SLO, $26.99)
• Leroux Blue Curacao 750 ML (#051705, SLO, $8.59)
• Massenez Creme de Fraise de Bois 750 ML (#010857, Specialty, $26.99)
• O P Anderson Aquavit 750 ML (#070868, SLO, $23.99)
• Pisco Barsol Quebranta 750 ML (#070491, SLO, $21.09)
• Sauza 100 Anos Blanco Tequila 750 ML (#006271, One Time, $9.99)
• Skyy Vodka Raspberry Infused 1.000 L (#056139, SLO, $22.79)
• Siete Leguas Tequila Blanco 750 ML (#010818, Specialty, $42.99)
• Tuttobello Limoncello 750 ML (#052973, SLO, $17.99)
• Tuttobello Sambuca Con Mosca 750 ML (#054436, SLO, $17.99)
• UV Vodka Grape 1.000 L (#052861, SLO, $12.79)

Super Punch was delisted! The in-store code is still in the system, but it doesn't really seem to be stocked anywhere so that's probably on its way out too. How sad...now I have to horde my remaining bottles.

OP Anderson Aquavit and Barsol Pisco Quebranta were both delisted, hopefully only temporarily, but just in case I'll point out some decent alternatives: North Shore's Aquavit (#040334, SLO, $32.49) is a perfect aquavit for cocktails, and Don Cesar Pisco Italia (#065620, SLO, $36.99) is highly regarded among pisco aficionados. Both are rather more expensive though.

Relisted:

• Auchentoshen Classic Single Malt Scotch 80 Proof 750 ML (#005147, Closeout, $17.29)
• Boomsma Gin Jonge 750 ML (#051815, SLO, $28.89)
• Bushmills Irish Whiskey 16 Year Old Single Malt 750 ML (#007714, Closeout, $45.99)
• Bushmills Irish Whiskey Single Malt 10 Years Old 750 ML (#006858, Closeout, $23.99)
• Corralejo Tequila Anejo 80 Proof 750 ML (#005049, Closeout, $31.99)
• DeKuyper Pucker Grape Schnapps 750 ML (#008356, Closeout, $6.49)
• Effen Imp. Vodka 750 ML (#005101, Closeout, $16.99)
• Glenfiddich Special Res Sngl Malt Scotch 1.750 L (#006262, Closeout, $48.39)
• Glenmorangie New World Scotch 18 Year Old 750 ML (#001586, Closeout, $99.99)
• Liquore Strega 750 ML (#009612, Closeout, $18.69)
• Macallan 25 Yr Scotch 750 ML (#001830, Closeout, $399.99)
• Martell XO Cordon Supreme 750 ML (#002797, Closeout, $75.99)
• Pyrat XO Res Rum 750 ML (#062696, SLO, $30.29)
• Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year Old Bourbon 95.6 Proof 750 ML (#010849, Regular, $249.89)
• Skyy Passion Fruit Vodka Infusion 1.000 L (#067272, SLO, $22.79)
• Speyburn Single Malt Scotch 10 Years 750 ML (#004208, Closeout, $15.39)
• Seagram's Gin Apple Twisted 50 ML (#005372, One Time, $0.99)
• Torre Amer 750 ML (#051597, SLO, $19.34)
• Tuaca Liquore Italiano 375 ML (#004921, Closeout, $6.99)
• Three Olives Vodka with Three Olives Flavored Minis 1.750 L (#005787, One Time, $25.99)

Boomsma Jonge Genever is back after a 13-month absence. I've been wanting to try it and compare to the Bols Genever--more so now that it's available here again.

New Products:

• 4 Orange Premium Vodka 750 ML (#500475, SLO, $25.99)
• Angostura Old Oak White Rum 750 ML (#500151, SLO, $13.89)
• Arbor Mist Wine Blenders Blackberry Delight 1.500 L (#006061, Closeout, $6.99)
• Appleton Estate 30 Yr Rum 750 ML (#500321, SLO, $382.39)
• Balvenie 30 Year 750 ML (#500478, SLO, $838.39)
• Chateau Kefraya Arak 750 ML (#500368, SLO, $37.09)
• Don Q Coconut Rum 750 ML (#499928, SLO, $12.99)
• Don Q Cristal Rum 750 ML (#499916, SLO, $10.89)
• Dubonet Blanc 750 ML (#499917, SLO, $14.49)
• Four Roses Mariage Bourbon 750 ML (#500474, SLO, $82.79)
• Galliano Imp. Liqueur 375 ML (#004965, Closeout, $9.99)
• Hammer Gin 750 ML (#500525, SLO, $18.99)
• Kajmir Vanilla Brandy 750 ML (#500031, SLO, $24.89)
• Matraga Cachaca 750 ML (#071412, SLO, $24.09)
• Midleton Rare Vintage Irish Whiskey 750 ML (#500150, SLO, $140.89)
• Mt Gay Sugar Cane Dark Rum 750 ML (#500458, SLO, $20.79)
• Merito Brandy de Jerez 1.000 L (#500091, SLO, $21.19)
• Milagro Tequila Anejo 750 ML (#009779, Closeout, $29.99)
• Murray McDavid Caol Ila 8yr Ridge Zin Cask Finish 750 ML (#499951, SLO, $79.99)
• Murray McDavid Highland Park 17yr Banyuls Cask Finish 750 ML (#499953, SLO, $109.99)
• Murray McDavid Laphroaig 10yr Margaux Cask Finish 750 ML (#499952, SLO, $104.99)
• Old Overholt Rye 750 ML (#500162, SLO, $17.79)
• Rich and Rare Canadian Whiskey 1.750 L (#500601, SLO, $17.99)
• Sabra Gin Passover Only 750 ML (#073143, SLO, $8.99)
• Sabra Vodka Passover Only 750 ML (#073145, SLO, $8.99)
• Skyy Vodka Ginger Infusion 750 ML (#500513, SLO, $17.59)
• Stolichnaya Apple Vodka 1.000 L (#500495, SLO, $23.89)
• Stolichnaya Blackberry Vodka 1.000 L (#500491, SLO, $23.89)
• Stolichnaya Citrus Vodka 1.000 L (#500490, SLO, $23.89)
• Stolichnaya Cranberry Vodka 1.000 L (#500489, SLO, $23.89)
• Stolichnaya Strawberry Vodka 1.000 L (#500492, SLO, $23.89)
• Suntory Hibiki Whiskey 750 ML (#500212, SLO, $67.89)
• Stolichnaya Vodka Gold 1.000 L (#009439, One Time, $19.99)

Being a gin fanatic I went looking for information on Hammer Gin, which I'd never heard of before. The first page I found was for the marketing firm that designed the label, named "Kay Why Marketing". Me and my 12-year-old sense of humor spent the next twenty minutes coming up with slogans for them. ("Helping you introduce your big idea into a tight market"? Maybe I should email them.)

There are a few new rums listed, the big one being Appleton's 30-year expression, which is rather out of my price range, and Mount Gay "Sugar Cane Dark" which I can find no information about. Also, for some reason we have duplicate SLO codes for Don Q Cristal and Coconut rum. Hm.

Suntory's Hibiki whisky is available here now, after Suntory decided to finally start exporting the stuff a couple years ago. For decades the only Suntory whisky we could get here in the states was Yamazaki, which is good, but Hibiki is the one that's been winning award after award. (If you saw the movie "Lost in Translation", Hibiki was the whisky that Bill Murray's character was pimping.)

As of yesterday the official PLCB product catalog website appears to be working again. It looks like most if not all of the data is coming from a different database than it previously was, so many of the product names and other descriptive data have changed. (Don't get excited though; product price and status changes since last week look fairly routine. Only the descriptive fields have changed significantly.)

Unfortunately it seems that this new database has about the same or worse accuracy than the old database. Misspellings in product names are still frustratingly common. The "proof" column is filled in for less than two-thirds of the listed spirits now, and many of the values listed are incorrect. Two dozen vintage-dated spirits no longer have the vintage year listed.

I'll email my contacts at the PLCB to get some of these errors fixed, but, as always, exercise care when ordering expensive items for the first time.

If you head over to the official PLCB product catalog, you'll notice that they've spiffed up the search interface and there's a little more information on the results page than there used to be. You'll also notice that the SLO products have been temporarily removed from the public-facing database, so they've still got a few bugs to work out with the new backend.

Because of these problems, the product data I have looks rather suspect, and while I can correct the obvious problems by hand, I don't know what other errors are lurking. I've decided to suspend publication of catalog updates until I can trust the public product data again. Let's send the PLCB happy thoughts and maybe things will be fixed by next weekend!

It's our one-year anniversary! I posted the very first PLCB product update a year ago today.

In the coming year I'll continue to bring you product updates with my commentary, as well as new site features that I'll be unveiling in the next week or so. I hope all of you (all ten of you, that is) continue to find the blog helpful and interesting!

PLCB spirits catalog changes for the week of December 28th:

Discontinued Products:

• Bushmills 16 Yr Malt Irish Wky 750 ML (#07714, Closeout, $45.99)
• Corralejo Anejo Tequil 80 Pf 750 ML (#05049, Closeout, $31.99)
• DeKuyper Kirschwasser Brandy 750 ML (#01710, Closeout, $9.99)
• DeKuyper Pucker Berry Fusion 50 ML (#09290, One Time, $0.99)
• DeKuyper Pucker Grape Schnapps 750 ML (#08356, Closeout, $6.49)
• Liquore Strega 750 ML (#09612, Closeout, $18.69)
• Seagram's Apple Twisted Gin 50ML (#05372, One Time, $0.99)
• Tanqueray No. Ten Imp. Gin 1.75 L (#09089, Closeout, $35.99)
• Three Olives Vodka W/Three Olives Flavor Minis 1.75 L (#05787, One Time, $25.99)
• Tuaca Liquore Italiano 375 ML (#04921, Closeout, $6.99)

Moved to Closeout:

• Cabo Wabo Tequila Reposado 50 ML (#06365, Closeout, $5.99)

Relisted:

• Ciroc Red Berry Flavored Vodka 750ML (#03099, Regular, $31.99)
• Jacquin's Lime Flav. Vodka 750 ML (#05492, Closeout, $4.99)
• Stock Italian Dry Vermouth 1.00 L (#05320, Closeout, $3.99)
• Svedka Cherry Flavored Vodka 75 Proof 750ML (#08912, Regular, $13.99)
• Vox Imp. Raspberry Vodka 750 ML (#07089, Closeout, $14.69)

New Products:

• Absolut Boston Flavored Vodka Ltd Edition 1.00L (#03090, One Time, $23.99)
• Monte Alban Mezcal Con Gusano Tequila 375 ML (#06447, Closeout, $8.99)

Mmm, Monte Alban Mezcal. ("Con gusano" means "with worm". Your reward for finishing the bottle.) Lots of us had bad experiences with Monte Alban when we were younger and wrote off mezcal for good. This is a mistake--like swearing off rum after a bad experience with Bacardi. There is a world of delicious artisianal mezcal out there, with the Del Maguey line being the most widely known.

The different mezcals in the Del Maguey range are produced in different parts of Mexico which each have their own mezcal tradition, so they all end up being distinctly different. Chichicapa (#58559, SLO, $79.99) is light and delicate, while Minero (#58562, SLO, $79.99) is sweet and fruity. The most expensive, Pechuga (#58543, SLO, $202.99), has a peculiar ingredient: an entire raw chicken breast. As usual, Tiare has the story on Del Maguey. At the bar we use the Crema de Mezcal (#57928, SLO, $49.99), which is a liqueur with mezcal blended into it. It's sweet, rich, and smoky--the combination of which can be used to create mind-blowing cocktails.