September 2010 Archives

PLCB spirits catalog changes for the week of September 20th:

New in-store and online products:

• Bauchant Orange Liqueur France 40 Proof 750 ML (#030958, Online, $23.99)
• Chieftain's Single Malt Rare Bottlings Allt A'Bhainne 31 Year Old 86 Proof 750 ML (#030960, Online, $114.99)
• Jack Daniels Old No 7 Black Label w/ Pitcher 1.75 L (#003483, One Time, $42.99)
• The Yamazaki 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky Japan 86 Proof 750 ML (#030981, Online, $44.99)

Bauchant Orange is supposed to be an excellent orange liqueur, although I've not tried it. My liquor cabinet runneth over with orange liqueurs of various breeds, so Palm Bay will have to forgive me if I don't run out and buy some Bauchant.

Yamazaki 12yr is Suntory's entry-level single malt whiskey, and until not too long ago the only Japanese whiskey you could buy in the US. I like it, and if you've never tried Japanese whiskey before it's a great place to start. Not a bad price either; I don't see it for less than $41 anywhere on the east coast. If you like it, strongly consider SLOing a bottle of Yamazaki 18yr, which is mind-blowing.

Delisted SLO products:

• Maraska Kruskovac Pear Brandy 750 ML (#502431, SLO, $26.99)
• Wild Scotsman Royal Lochnagar Single Malt Scotch 750 ML (#055294, SLO, $89.99)

Reactivated SLO products:

• Scapa Scotch 16yr 750 ML (#062823, SLO, $45.29)

New SLO products:

• Auchentoshen Single Malt 12 Year 86 Proof 750 ML (#505953, SLO, $28.89)
• Auchentoshen Single Malt Scotch 21 Year 86proof 750 ML (#506203, SLO, $139.99)
• Avod Charbay Vodka 80 Proof 750 ML (#506146, SLO, $13.99)
• Boomsma Jonge Young Genever Gin 80 Proof 750 ML (#506027, SLO, $27.79)
• Laphroaig Cask Strength Scotch 10year 114.6pf 750 ML (#506216, SLO, $75.99)
• Leroux Blue Curacao 54 Proof 1 L (#506215, SLO, $14.39)
• Macallan 21year Fine Oak Scotch 86 Proof 750 ML (#506139, SLO, $216.79)
• Pink Vodka 80 Proof 750 ML (#506000, SLO, $23.79)
• Stolichnaya Wild Cherri Vodka 1 L (#506140, SLO, $23.89)

Boomsma Jonge is back, which means we once again have a decent, affordable genever available in PA. The price came down a buck, but the minimum SLO quantity went up to three units.

Hot on the heels of the Pittsburgh Whiskey Festival announcement, Philadelphia Magazine has put up their webpage for the 2010 Philadelphia Whiskey Festival, taking place on November 10th. Ticket prices are the same as Pittsburgh, $85 in advance, $95 at the door. They haven't posted the participating spirits yet.

The Pittsburgh Whiskey Festival will be held on November 12th this year. Tickets are $85 in advance, $95 at the door. A preliminary list of participating brands has been posted, and a mere 50% are actually whiskey. Presumably a lot more whiskeys are coming--the only American labels so far are Woodford and Hudson.

In order to eliminate clutter in the weekly updates, I've changed the format to separate the in-store and online-exclusive products from the SLO products. I also added some filters so that one-time and close-out products don't keep showing up when they hop in and out of the catalog; you'll only see them the first time they're listed and the first time they're put on close-out.

PLCB spirits catalog changes for the week of September 13th:

New in-store and online products:

• Citadelle Reserve Gin France 88 Proof 750 ML (#030987, Online, $35.99)
• Jack Daniel's 160th Birthday 750 ML (#003482, One Time, $29.99)
• Leyenda del Milagro Silver Select Barrel Reserve Tequila 80 Proof 750 ML (#030982, Online, $52.99)
• Murray McDavid Clynelish 12 Year Old 1995 Sherry Aged Madiera Finished Single Malt Scotch 92 Proof 750 ML (#030971, Online, $77.99)
• Pinnacle Cotton Candy 750 ML (#003764, Regular, $13.99)

Citadelle Reserve is an annually-released artisan gin that's aged in used Pierre Ferrand cognac barrels. The aging gives a light straw color to the spirit and a subtle nuance of oak to the aroma. It's a fantastic gin for stirred drinks, particularly martinis of course, or you could simply sip it over rocks. The entire state was only allocated 12 bottles, so I strongly recommend buying one immediately!

In-store products moved to closeout:

• Ryan's Cappuccino 34 Proof 750 ML (#007524, Regular, $8.99)

Delisted SLO products:

• Chum Churum Soju 375 ML (#070628, SLO, $5.19)
• DeKuyper Strawberry Liqueur 1 L (#054811, SLO, $14.09)
• Glenfiddich 21 Year Scotch 750 ML (#072291, SLO, $172.69)
• Pikesville Supreme 750 ML (#063973, SLO, $14.39)
• Riittenhouse Rye 750 ML (#042174, SLO, $20.39)
• Saan Soju 375 ML (#070629, SLO, $5.19)
• St George Absinthe Verte 750 ML (#057411, SLO, $81.29)
• Stranahans Colorado Whiskey 750 ML (#052688, SLO, $47.99)
• Van Gogh Black Cherry Vodka 750 ML (#068640, SLO, $21.39)
• Van Gogh Citron Vodka 750 ML (#068645, SLO, $21.39)

As expected Majestic pulled their older Pikesville Rye code, so the price is definitely $19 now. Less expectedly, the Rittenhouse Bonded code was pulled, probably because it's out of stock. I just finished my own bottle of Rittenhouse, so I hope it's available again soon.

Stranahan's and St George are both available in the online store for the same price or less, so no need for their SLO codes any more.

Reactivated SLO products:

• Suntory Hibiki Whiskey 750 ML (#500212, SLO, $67.89)

New SLO products:

• Ciroc Coconut Vodka 70 Proof 1 L (#505991, SLO, $32.99)
• Ciroc Red Berry Vodka 70 Proof 1 L (#505992, SLO, $32.99)
• Fragoli Liqueur with Whole Wild Strawberries 375 ML (#505925, SLO, $17.39)
• George Dickel Cascade Hollow Whiskey 80 Proof 1 L (#505993, SLO, $8.99)
• Jeramiah Weed Half and Half 25 Proof 1.75 L (#505996, SLO, $15.99)
• Jeramiah Weed Sweet Tea and Country Peach 750 ML (#505997, SLO, $14.99)
• Jose Cuervo Silver 80 Proof 1 L (#505990, SLO, $17.99)
• Popov Vodka 80 Proof 1.75 L (#505995, SLO, $10.99)
• Van Gogh Black Cherry Vodka 750 ML (#505986, SLO, $21.99)
• Van Gogh Citron Vodka 750 ML (#505988, SLO, $21.99)
• White Horse Scotch 80 Proof 1 L (#505994, SLO, $9.99)
• Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Hershey 750 ML (#059718, SLO, $50.89)

I believe the last item is a private bottling of Wild Turkey, possibly for Hershey Park. I assume it has a lot of chocolate on the nose, eh?

PLCB spirits catalog changes for the week of September 6th:

Discontinued Products:

• Absolut Pears Vodka Pear Flavored 1 L (#005628, One Time, $21.99)
• Caol Ila Scotch Single Malt 12 Years Old 86 Proof 750 ML (#009778, Closeout, $29.69)
• DeKuyper Hot Damn! Hot Cinnamon Schnapps 750 ML (#005380, Closeout, $7.49)
• Devonshire Irish Cream Liqueur 750 ML (#008996, Closeout, $7.99)
• Finlandia Wild Berries Fusion Vodka 750 ML (#005740, Closeout, $11.99)
• Fragoli Liqueur with Whole Wild Strawberries 750 ML (#505575, SLO, $17.59)
• Gaetano Vanilla Schnapps 750 ML (#006509, Closeout, $4.99)
• Hangar One Chipotle Chili Vodka 750 ML (#504253, SLO, $38.59)
• Mernaya Vodka On Milk 1 L (#005570, Closeout, $10.99)
• Old Overholt Straight Rye 80 Proof 750 ML (#006242, Closeout, $8.89)
• Pebble Beach 12 Yr Speyside Single Malt Scotch 750 ML (#009486, Closeout, $35.99)
• Purple Wave Vodka Grape Flavored 50 ML (#009934, One Time, $0.99)
• Sartori Limonciello Villa Marzia 750 ML (#067943, SLO, $25.79)
• Suntory Hibiki Whiskey 750 ML (#500212, SLO, $67.89)
• Tuthilltown Baby Bourbon 375 ML (#069076, SLO, $62.79)
• Tuthilltown Manhatten Rye 375 ML (#069014, SLO, $62.79)
• Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit 750 ML (#059718, SLO, $50.89)

Relisted:

• Dom Benedictine Liqueur 750 ML (#005501, Closeout, $19.99)
• Pearl Lococo Coconut Flavored Vodka 750 ML (#006302, One Time, $7.99)

New Products:

• Bacardi Rum Coco Puerto Rico 1 L (#004345, Closeout, $9.99)
• Ilegal Mezcal Anejo 80 Proof 750 ML (#505847, SLO, $117.59)
• Ilegal Mezcal Joven 80 Proof 750 ML (#505845, SLO, $55.99)
• Ilegal Mezcal Reposado 80 Proof 750 ML (#505846, SLO, $72.19)
• Mito Plum Liqueur 750 ML (#505836, SLO, $25.19)
• Pearl Vodka Caramel 70 Proof 750 ML (#505850, SLO, $14.79)
• Pearl Vodka Cucumber 70 Proof 750 ML (#505849, SLO, $14.79)
• Pikesville Rye 750 ML (#505889, SLO, $18.79)
• Ty Ku Soju 750 ML (#003346, Regular, $27.99)

Ilegal Mezcal has been a favorite around blogging circles since long before it was available in the US. (I'm not even gonna link anything, just Google for it.) It has a neat back story about the importer smugging the stuff into his Guatemalan tequila bar, hence the name, as well as his fight with the TTB over the name "Ilegal"--you can see the oddly-formatted final label on the TTB site. The mezcal itself is quite good, although much less smokey than you'd expect. It's a great introduction to mezcal for drinkers who are new to the category.

For some reason, Majestic entered a second listing for Pikesville Supreme Rye, this one $4 more than the existing one. I wouldn't be surprised if Heaven Hill was trying to push up the price on this rye like they did with Rittenhouse Bonded, which jumped from $12 to $20 last year.

PLCB spirits catalog changes for the week of August 30th:

Discontinued Products:

• Bacardi Big Apple P. R. Rum 750 ML (#004343, Closeout, $9.99)
• Chi-Chi's Pina Colada Cocktail 1.75 L (#008418, Closeout, $6.99)
• DeKuyper Tropical Mango Liqueur 50 ML (#006527, One Time, $0.99)
• Dr McGillicuddy's Lemon Drop Schnapps 42 Proof 50 ML (#009223, One Time, $0.99)
• Escorial Herbal 750 ML (#065335, SLO, $26.29)
• Hangar One Mandarin Blossom 80pf 750 ML (#505208, SLO, $40.89)
• Hangar One Vodka 750 ML (#056754, SLO, $40.79)
• Herradura Tequila Silver 1 L (#004315, One Time, $21.99)
• Prairie Organic Vodka 80 Proof 750 ML (#005343, Closeout, $14.09)
• Quintessential Imp. Dry Gin 750 ML (#005151, Closeout, $15.39)
• Scapa Single Malt Scotch Orkney Island Scotland 16 Year Old 80 Proof 750 ML (#010829, Luxury, $44.99)
• Stock Italian Dry Vermouth 1.5 L (#007374, Closeout, $4.99)
• Vincent Van Gogh Pomegranate Vodka 70 Proof 50 ML (#005775, One Time, $0.99)

Scapa 16yr sold out in the online store. It should be back when more stock is in.

Moved to Closeout:

• Seagrams Smooth Brazilian Rum 80 Proof 750 ML (#003030, Closeout, $12.99)
• Seagrams Smooth Brazilian Rum 80 Proof 1.75 L (#003028, Closeout, $22.99)

Seagram's Rum, despite being a decent product at a good price, sold poorly in the US and is being discontinued by many retailers and distributors. I don't have any confirmation that Pernod is dropping the product entirely, but it seems likely. If you're a rum fan, this might be your last chance to pick up a bottle or two.

Relisted:

• Ferrand Cognac Memoires 750 ML (#050702, SLO, $165.39)
• Hangar One Straight Vodka 750 ML (#504246, SLO, $38.59)
• Jacquin's 5 Star Brandy 1.75 L (#004474, Closeout, $10.99)
• Leroux Blue Curacao 750 ML (#051705, SLO, $11.79)

New Products:

• Bols Pumpkin Smash Liqueur 750 ML (#071292, SLO, $13.49)
• Bushmills Irish Whiskey 16 Yr Old 750 ML (#505810, SLO, $45.99)
• Chateau de St Aubin Armagnac Reserve de Richelieu 750 ML (#505590, SLO, $99.99)
• Dry Fly Gin 80 Proof 750 ML (#505791, SLO, $29.99)
• Dry Fly Vodka 80 Proof 750 ML (#505792, SLO, $29.99)
• Dulce Vida Tequila Blanco 80pf 750 ML (#505745, SLO, $41.69)
• Dulce Vida Tequila Reposado 80pf 750 ML (#505746, SLO, $46.99)
• Fragoli Liqueur with Whole Wild Strawberries 750 ML (#505575, SLO, $17.59)
• Glenlivet Single Malt Scotch Cc 1972 750 ML (#505474, SLO, $381.59)
• Hudson 4 Grain Bourbon Whisky 92 Proof 375 ML (#505807, SLO, $52.29)
• Hudson Baby Bourbon 92 Proof 375 ML (#505805, SLO, $52.29)
• Hudson Corn Whiskey 92 Proof 375 ML (#505802, SLO, $38.59)
• Hudson Manhattan Rye 92 Proof 375 ML (#505806, SLO, $52.29)
• Jagermeister Liqueur Flask Pack 375 ML (#003484, One Time, $10.99)
• Ketel One Oranje 1 L (#505487, SLO, $24.99)
• Koenig Distillery Plum Brandy 375 ML (#003492, Regular, $24.99)
• Landy Cognac VS 750 ML (#009339, Regular, $21.99)
• Landy Cognac XO 80 Proof 750 ML (#505823, SLO, $71.49)
• Nonino Grappa Vign Merlot 82 Proof 750 ML (#505468, SLO, $27.39)
• Parfait Amour Creme de Violette 750 ML (#505711, SLO, $37.89)
• Skyy 90 Vodka 90pf 750 ML (#505693, SLO, $18.29)
• Sobieski Karamel Flavored Vodka 70pf 750 ML (#505767, SLO, $12.59)
• Sobieski Vodka Raspberry 70pf 1 L (#505692, SLO, $12.59)
• Three Olives Vodka Passion Fruit Flavored 50 ML (#005287, One Time, $0.99)

Dulce Vida Tequila, a relatively unknown highland tequila, is available here now. Their blanco, bottled straight out of the still and "uncut" at 50% ABV, won Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition this year, so it's probably worth checking out.

Capital listed a few more of the Tuthilltown Hudson whiskeys for SLO, and we're probably going to see more promotion for them now that they're owned by William Grant. Note that the Four Grain Bourbon and Manhattan Rye are double-listed now, with the new listings $10 cheaper than the old listings. It's still an obscenely high price to charge for American whiskey in my opinion, but many people think they're worth the price.

Landy VS Cognac is rolling into stores in the next few weeks. As I've mentioned before Landy is Pierre Ferrand's value-priced label to compete for younger drinkers in the nightclub market. As it turns out, Landy VS is a great cognac to mix with, especially at $22.