February 2011 Archives

PLCB spirits catalog changes for the week of February 21st:

New in-store and online products:

• Absolut Wild Tea Vodka 750 ML (#003607, Regular, $19.99)
• Avion Silver Tequila 750 ML (#003513, Regular, $47.99)
• Buffalo Trace Experimental Collection 1989 Whiskey 375 ML (#030602, Online, $48.99)
• Buffalo Trace Experimental Collection 1991 Whiskey 375 ML (#030604, Online, $48.99)
• Buffalo Trace Experimental Collection 1993 Whiskey 375 ML (#030603, Online, $48.99)
• Chartreuse Yellow Liqueur 750 ML (#030557, Limit Dist, $55.99)
• Cherry Jack Rum 1.75 L (#003669, Regular, $19.99)
• DeKuyper Kirschwasser Brandy 750 ML (#001710, Limit Dist, $14.99)
• Don Julio Reposado Tequila 750 ML (#003402, Regular, $49.99)
• Hayman's Old Tom Gin England 750 ML (#030565, Limit Dist, $26.99)
• Jose Cuervo Tradicional Silver Tequila 750 ML (#003420, Regular, $23.99)
• Navip Slivovitz Plum Brandy 750 ML (#030568, Limit Dist, $22.99)
• Old Forester Bourbon 750 ML (#003290, Regular, $18.99)
• Pineapple Coconut Jack Rum 750 ML (#003673, Regular, $10.99)
• Rothman and Winters Creme de Violette Liqueur Austria 750 ML (#030567, Limit Dist, $25.99)
• Smith and Cross Jamaican Rum 750 ML (#030566, Limit Dist, $28.99)
• Veev Acai Liqueur 750 ML (#030551, Limit Dist, $29.99)

This week's new arrivals should bring smiles to a few faces. Following its big brother Green Chartreuse, Yellow Chartreuse is now on shelves, for those who want a lighter (only 40%), sweeter, less aggressive Chartreuse experience. If you're a big fan of the green, it's worth picking up a bottle of the yellow to see how you like it.

Smith+Cross Jamaican Rum is another winner from Eric Seed's Haus Alpenz importing venture. It's a blend of two traditional Jamaican rum styles, both distilled in ancient pot stills on the island. The aroma is intensely deep and complex with lots of the funky pot-still character, and the flavor lives up to the promise, riding in on a bracing 57% ABV. This rum tastes old--not in the "aged" sense, as it's only aged up to three years--but it gives the distinct impression that our forefathers would have enjoyed this exact rum a century or more ago. Smith+Cross is one of my "must have" rums. There is no other rum like it.

Two of Haus Alpenz's other products hit shelves as well: Hayman's Old Tom Gin and Rothman & Winter Creme de Violette. Both of these were popular in cocktails 100 years ago, but they hadn't been available in the US for decades until Haus Alpenz started importing them. The creme de violette is, for some, a crucial ingredient in an Aviation; and many folks prefer making their Gin Fizzes and Tom Collins with Old Tom Gin.

Bourbon fans will be pleased to see Old Forester restored to shelves after being delisted several years ago. We also have access now to several Buffalo Trace Experimental bottlings. They're pricey, but these bottlings are an awesome look into BT's process.

New-to-store items (previously online-only):

• Delamain Pale and Dry XO Cognac 750 ML (#030990, Limit Dist, $79.99)
• Rhum Barbancourt Special Reserve 8 Year Old Haiti 750 ML (#030594, Limit Dist, $21.99)

Delamain XO, a widely-praised cognac from one of the lesser-known cognac houses, has made the jump from online-only to speciality stores. As has Barbancourt 8yr Rhum, about which I waxed poetic two weeks ago.

Delisted SLO products:

• Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey Crock 750 ML (#067720, SLO, $34.49)

This is, as far as I can tell, regular old Tullamore Dew in a ceramic jug. Why it was on SLO I have no idea.

Reactivated SLO products:

• Bushmills Irish Whiskey 16 Yr Old 750 ML (#505810, SLO, $45.99)
• Marie Brizzard Apry 750 ML (#065550, SLO, $18.49)

Apry is Brizard's apricot-flavored liqueur, which I always found a bit cloying and artificial. Instead I recommend Haus Alpenz's Rothman & Winter Orchard Apricot Liqueur, the only other apricot liqueur available in PA. (I swear Eric isn't paying me to promote his stuff!!)

New SLO products:

• Chateau du Tariquet 12 Yr Folle Blanche Bas Armagnac 750 ML (#510089, SLO, $78.99)
• Chateau du Tariquet 15 Yr Folle Blanche Bas Armagnac 750 ML (#510088, SLO, $84.99)
• Chateau du Tariquet 8 Yr Folle Blanche Bas Armagnac 750 ML (#510090, SLO, $65.99)
• Deaths Door Vodka 750 ML (#510195, SLO, $38.99)
• Jacques Cardin VSOP Apple Cognac 750 ML (#510154, SLO, $35.59)
• Liv Vodka Sorbetta Lemon Liqueur 375 ML (#510198, SLO, $23.99)
• Liv Vodka Sorbetta Lime Liqueur 375 ML (#510199, SLO, $23.99)
• Liv Vodka Sorbetta Orange Liqueur 375 ML (#510200, SLO, $23.99)
• Liv Vodka Sorbetta Raspberry Liqueur 375 ML (#510201, SLO, $23.99)
• Liv Vodka Sorbetta Strawberry Liqueur 375 ML (#510202, SLO, $23.99)
• Nonino Grappa Monovitigno Fragolino 375 ML (#510157, SLO, $161.49)
• Nonino Grappa Vigneti Merlot 375 ML (#510156, SLO, $44.79)
• Powers Reserve Irish Whiskey 12 Year 750 ML (#510155, SLO, $39.09)
• Ron Abuelo Anejo Rum 750 ML (#510197, SLO, $18.59)
• Sauza Gold Tequila Perrines Choice 1 L (#510209, SLO, $20.79)
• The Irishman the Original Clan Irish Whiskey 750 ML (#510192, SLO, $32.89)

PLCB spirits catalog changes for the week of February 14th:

New in-store and online products:

• Bacardi Rock Coconut 750 ML (#003235, Regular, $16.99)
• Chartreuse Green Liqueur 750 ML (#000619, Limit Dist, $55.99)
• Death's Door Distillery Gin Wisconsin 750 ML (#010926, Online, $31.99)
• Don Q Cristal Rum 750 ML (#003517, Regular, $11.99)
• El Tesoro Tequila Platinum 750 ML (#006646, Limit Dist, $39.99)
• Slane Castle Irish Whiskey 750 ML (#003306, Regular, $24.99)
• Springbank Single Malt 10 Year Old Scotch 750 ML (#010927, Limit Dist, $60.99)
• Three Olives Dude Lemon Lime Vodka 750 ML (#003610, Regular, $17.99)

Oh yeah. It's Chartreuse. Need I say more?

El Tesoro Platinum just hit specialty shelves too, and strangely enough it's listed under a different product code than the online stock. Fine with me, as this code has a slightly lower price.

New-to-store items (previously online-only):

• Scapa Single Malt Scotch Orkney Island Scotland 16 Year Old 750 ML (#010829, Limit Dist, $69.99)

Scapa 16yr turned out to be difficult to get our hands on. It was supposed to be cheaper, too, but by the time we finally got to order it, the price went up to $70. In that time, though, every other retailer had jacked up their prices, so our price is right in line with everyone else.

Anyway, this helps round out the PLCB's scotch selection a bit, by adding another island malt.

Delisted SLO products:

• Brugal Rum Extra Viejo 1.5 L (#509182, SLO, $31.29)
• Burnetts Expresso Vodka 1 L (#041886, SLO, $11.99)
• Bushmills Irish Whiskey 16 Yr Old 750 ML (#505810, SLO, $45.99)
• Forty Creek Whiskey 750 ML (#055354, SLO, $26.39)
• Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey 10 Yr 750 ML (#040433, SLO, $19.89)

New SLO products:

• Absolut Vodka 750 ML (#510041, SLO, $38.19)
• Agave Loco Pepper Cured Tequila Reposado 750 ML (#509811, SLO, $34.99)
• Balvenie 17 Year Madiera Cask 750 ML (#509909, SLO, $162.29)
• Brugal Rum Extra Viejo 1 L (#510080, SLO, $31.29)
• Burnett's Espresso Vodka 750 ML (#510028, SLO, $10.39)
• Chopin Rye Vodka 750 ML (#510000, SLO, $31.19)
• Crop Harvest Organic Cucumber Vodka 750 ML (#509716, SLO, $29.19)
• Don Julio Silver Tequila 375 ML (#509741, SLO, $24.99)
• Genever Diep 9 Apple Gin 750 ML (#509927, SLO, $38.09)
• Genever Diep 9 Chocolate Gin 750 ML (#509925, SLO, $38.09)
• Genever Diep 9 Passion Fruit Gin 750 ML (#509926, SLO, $38.09)
• Genever Diep 9 Peach Apricot Gin 750 ML (#509924, SLO, $38.09)
• Genever Diep 9 Red Currant Gin 750 ML (#509923, SLO, $38.09)
• Genever Diep 9 Vanilla Gin 750 ML (#509928, SLO, $38.09)
• Getreide Kummel 750 ML (#509632, SLO, $15.09)
• Glenfiddich 15 Year Distillers Reserve 750 ML (#509910, SLO, $78.49)
• Hammer and Sickle Vodka 750 ML (#509728, SLO, $42.69)
• Herradura Tequila Double Barrel Reposado Barrel Buy 750 ML (#509913, SLO, $43.89)
• Hiram Walker Cinnamon Schnapps 750 ML (#509592, SLO, $9.89)
• Hiram Walker Coffee Brandy 750 ML (#509683, SLO, $12.19)
• House of Spirits Pink Spruce Gin 750 ML (#510011, SLO, $34.19)
• House of Spirits Rogue Spirits Dark Rum 750 ML (#510010, SLO, $34.19)
• House of Spirits Rogue Spirits Dead Guy Whiskey 750 ML (#510014, SLO, $38.59)
• House of Spirits Rogue Spirits Hazelnut Spice Rum 750 ML (#510012, SLO, $34.19)
• House of Spirits Rogue Spirits Spruce Gin 750 ML (#510015, SLO, $34.19)
• House of Spirits Rogue Spirits White Rum 750 ML (#510013, SLO, $29.49)
• Il Tramonto Limoncello 750 ML (#509713, SLO, $20.79)
• Ketel One Citroen Vodka 375 ML (#509740, SLO, $14.99)
• Ketel One Oranje Vodka 375 ML (#509739, SLO, $14.99)
• Macallan Select Reserve 1946 52 Year 750 ML (#509911, SLO, $2725.19)
• Midleton Rare Irish Whiskey 750 ML (#509682, SLO, $141.09)
• Pepe Lopez Tequila Gold 750 ML (#509714, SLO, $10.29)
• Pepe Lopez Tequila Silver 750 ML (#509715, SLO, $10.29)
• Pinnacle Banana Vodka 70 Pf 750 ML (#509852, SLO, $15.59)
• Pinnacle Blueberry Vodka 1 L (#509996, SLO, $15.59)
• Pinnacle Butterscotch Vodka 750 ML (#509995, SLO, $15.59)
• Pinnacle Le Double Espresso Vodka 70 Pf 1 L (#509851, SLO, $15.59)
• Rhum Clement Premiere Canne 750 ML (#509912, SLO, $35.49)
• Sauza Presidente Conmemorative Tequila 750 ML (#510029, SLO, $23.89)
• Skyy Vodka Passionfruit Infused 750 ML (#509854, SLO, $17.59)
• Smirnoff Orange Vodka 1 L (#510048, SLO, $14.99)
• Smirnoff Raspberry Vodka 1 L (#510049, SLO, $14.99)
• Smirnoff Vanilla Vodka 1 L (#510050, SLO, $14.99)
• Stirrings Apple Liquor 750 ML (#510056, SLO, $9.99)
• Stirrings Espresso Liquor 750 ML (#510055, SLO, $9.99)
• Stirrings Ginger Liquor 750 ML (#510054, SLO, $9.99)
• Stirrings Peach Liquor 750 ML (#510053, SLO, $9.99)
• Stirrings Pomegranate Liquor 750 ML (#510052, SLO, $9.99)
• Stirrings Triple Sec Liquor 750 ML (#510051, SLO, $9.99)
• Three Olives Passion Fruit Vodka 750 ML (#510009, SLO, $18.69)
• Tvarscki Gin 750 ML (#509593, SLO, $19.59)
• UV Vodka Grape 750 ML (#509998, SLO, $11.09)

Several new brands got on board with the PLCB this week. Diep 9's flavored genever liqueurs, Rogue Spirits' full range, and Diageo's Stirrings liqueurs. Nothing I have any interest in, but it's good to see the PLCB's recent efforts in reaching out to producers have had an effect.

PLCB spirits catalog changes for the week of February 7th:

New in-store and online products:

• Belvedere Intense Unfiltered Vodka 750 ML (#003567, Regular, $34.99)
• Rhum Barbancourt Special Reserve 8 Year Old Haiti 750 ML (#030594, Online, $21.99)

I discussed Belvedere Intense Untiltered when it was put on SLO in November. It's basically Belvedere's latest attempt at making a vodka that tastes of anything.

Barbancourt 5-star 8-year-old Rhum (yes, confusing) is a Haitian rum produced in the French "agricole" style--distilled from fresh-pressed sugar cane juice instead of molasses like the rums from the former British colonies. Although there is some dispute over their production methods, the result is undeniably tasty, and a number of rum experts put it on their top-ten list. It's a great value at the $25 price it sells for most places, but we scored an even better deal at $22.

In-store products moved to closeout:

• Smirnoff Vodka Raspberry Twist 1 L (#004047, Outlet, $16.99)

New SLO products:

• Brugal Rum Blanco Especial 750 ML (#509181, SLO, $18.69)
• Brugal Rum Extra Viejo 1.5 L (#509182, SLO, $31.29)
• Canadian Club Whiskey 30 Year 1 L (#509539, SLO, $206.99)
• Redbreast Irish Whiskey 15 Year 750 ML (#509547, SLO, $92.69)
• Skyy Blood Orange Vodka Infusion 750 ML (#509397, SLO, $14.69)
• Skyy Dragonfruit Vodka Infusion 750 ML (#509396, SLO, $14.69)

Really, Southern? Really? Not only did you wait five months after release to bring us Redbreast 15yr, but you priced it almost $20 higher than everyone else? I realize it's a hot item, but I can't help but feel like you're taking advantage of us...

PLCB spirits catalog changes for the week of January 31st:

New in-store and online products:

• Old Raj Dry Gin Blue Label Scotland 750 ML (#030989, Online, $51.49)

Old Raj is a gin produced for WM Cadenhead, a grand old independent bottler now owned by the same company that owns the Springbank distillery. Cadenhead mostly bottles scotch and rum, but they also bottle a few gins, with Old Raj being their top-of-the-line. Interestingly, it's infused with saffron which gives it a distinctive yellow color. Old Raj is the only gin I can drink straight, and now that it's in the online store, I need to pick up a bottle for myself.

New-to-store items (previously online-only):

• Michter's US 1 Single Barrel Rye Kentucky 750 ML (#010932, Limit Dist, $44.99)

The online store sold out of Michter's Rye pretty quickly before Christmas, but now it's available in most specialty spirits stores. It's highly allocated, so if you're interested you want to buy it sooner rather than later.

Close-out to One Time:

• Eagle Straight Bourbon Whiskey Rare 17 Years Old 750 ML (#006803, One Time, $59.99)
• George T Stagg Straight Bourbon Whiskey 750 ML (#006804, One Time, $59.99)
• Pappy Van Winkle's Whiskey 20 Years Old Family Reserve 750 ML (#009532, One Time, $89.99)
• Sazerac Rye Straight Bourbon 18 Years Old 750 ML (#006816, One Time, $59.99)
• Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey 6 Years Old 750 ML (#009567, One Time, $25.99)
• Thomas Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey 750 ML (#009458, One Time, $59.99)
• Van Winkle Whiskey 12 Years Old Special Reserve 750 ML (#009530, One Time, $49.99)
• William Larue Weller Bourbon 750 ML (#005480, One Time, $59.99)

The PLCB switched the existing codes for these items over to "one time", which will hopefully reduce customer confusion for anyone who hasn't read my blog post on the subject.

Delisted SLO products:

• Avion Silver Tequila 750 ML (#507202, SLO, $47.89)
• Branca Menta Bitters 750 ML (#052617, SLO, $23.69)
• Brugal Rum Extra Viejo 1 L (#069692, SLO, $33.59)
• Brugal Rum Gold 1 L (#070630, SLO, $16.89)
• Herradura Silver 750 ML (#055458, SLO, $52.29)

Reactivated SLO products:

• Jewel of Russia Classic Vodka 1 L (#077316, SLO, $36.19)

New SLO products:

• Ardmore Single Malt Scotch 30 Year 750 ML (#508940, SLO, $261.89)
• Kru 82 Vodka 750 ML (#508997, SLO, $18.69)
• Willett's Family Pot Still Reserve 1.75 L (#509024, SLO, $90.59)

Bill Toland at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote an article about the recent delisting, which includes some comments from me. If you check in the sidebar of the article, there's a link to a PDF from the PLCB containing a list of all wine and spirits products to be delisted. It appears there are a handful of additional spirits items to be delisted that haven't made it to the official catalog yet, but nothing earth-shaking.

Most importantly, the PDF contains the not-yet-active close-out pricing--Martell Cordon Bleu for $64 and Cruzan Single Barrel for $18? Count me in!

Keep an eye out for these prices changes in the next few weeks.