Weekly Catalog Update for 2/21

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)