May 2011 Archives

PLCB spirits catalog changes for the week of May 16th:

New in-store and online products:

• Anchor Genevieve Gin 750 ML (#030662, Online, $34.99)
• Arak Razzouk Lebanon 750 ML (#030660, Online, $22.99)
• Remy Martin V 750 ML (#003612, Regular, $39.99)

Genevieve is a genever-style spirit made by Anchor Distilling, who also makes the popular Junipero Gin. Opinions on Genevieve are split, as its botanical flavors are extremely aggressive, but there are a number of cocktail enthusiasts who swear by the stuff. I'm not one of them; I prefer the more balanced Bols Genever.

Arak Razzouk is the first arak the PLCB has carried in recent memory. Arak is an anise-flavored spirit from the Middle East, usually consumed with water and ice as an aperitif.

Remy V is an interesting new product from Remy Martin. It is, in essence, a "white cognac", though they're not permitted to use that terminology. Instead of oak-aging grape eau-de-vie, Remy "rests" the eau-de-vie in copper pots for some months and then filters it, more in the style of grappa or pisco than cognac. The product is targeted at the "club cocktail" scene. Will it be able to claim a piece of the premium vodka market? At $40 a bottle, I'm not holding my breath.

Delisted SLO products:

• Americana Luxury Vodka 750 ML (#053146, SLO, $29.99)
• Americana Luxury Vodka 1 L (#053790, SLO, $31.99)
• Jewel of Russia Classic Vodka 1 L (#077316, SLO, $36.19)
• Jim Beam Devils Cut Bourbon 1 L (#512454, SLO, $31.29)
• Ransom Old Tom Gin 750 ML (#502796, SLO, $42.89)
• Rittenhouse Rye 25 Year 750 ML (#503464, SLO, $179.99)

Americana Vodka moved from Laird to Majestic. New codes are below.

Reactivated SLO products:

• Marie Brizzard Cassis Dijon 750 ML (#500920, SLO, $24.99)

New SLO products:

• Americana Vodka 750 ML (#512687, SLO, $22.99)
• Americana Vodka 1 L (#512688, SLO, $29.99)
• Brave Spirits At Ease Rum 750 ML (#512653, SLO, $21.09)
• Brave Spirits Standing Guard Gin 750 ML (#512652, SLO, $21.09)
• Cabo Wabo Tequila Uno 750 ML (#512729, SLO, $156.19)
• Crusoe Rum Spiced 750 ML (#512722, SLO, $29.39)
• Feckin Irish Whiskey 750 ML (#512706, SLO, $20.79)
• Landy Cognac Desir 20 Year Red 750 ML (#512658, SLO, $89.99)
• Lepanto Solera Gran Reserva Sherry Brandy de Jerez 750 ML (#512491, SLO, $55.99)
• Luxardo Triplum Triple Sec Orange Liqueur 1 L (#512704, SLO, $28.19)
• Pinnacle Cake Vodka 1 L (#512796, SLO, $15.59)
• Pinnacle Citrus Vodka 1 L (#512807, SLO, $15.59)
• Pinnacle Orange Vodka 1 L (#512806, SLO, $15.59)
• Pinnacle Raspberry Vodka 1 L (#512804, SLO, $15.59)
• Pinnacle Vanilla Vodka 1 L (#512805, SLO, $15.59)
• Soberano Solera Reserva 8 Years 750 ML (#512492, SLO, $22.09)
• Solara Chinchon Sweet Anisette 1 L (#512490, SLO, $34.49)
• Square One Vodka Basil 750 ML (#512728, SLO, $38.79)
• Wild Shot Mezcal Reposado 750 ML (#512645, SLO, $52.19)
• Wild Shot Mezcal Silver 750 ML (#512644, SLO, $52.19)

Landy Desir is a high-end cognac from Pierre Ferrand that comes in a sexy, sexy bottle. Check it out.

This week we can spot the first sign of life in a vast new trend: cake-flavored vodka. Expect to see more soon. Many, many more.

PLCB spirits catalog changes for the week of May 9th:

New in-store and online products:

• Comandon VS Cognac 750 ML (#003599, Regular, $30.99)
• E H Taylor Jr Old Fashioned Sour Mash Kentucky Straight Bourbon 750 ML (#030611, Online, $60.99)
• William Larue Weller Bourbon 107 Proof 750 ML (#030699, Online, $22.99)

Two exciting Buffalo Trace bourbons showed up in the online store. Old Fashioned Sour Mash Bourbon is the first release in the new Col. E.H. Taylor whiskey line, named after the "father of the modern Bourbon industry." This bottling was produced using the sour mash process that Taylor invented, with the intention of replicating the whiskey that Taylor himself made as closely as possible. [Update 5/17: Chuck Cowdery has a very detailed description of how this bourbon was made. Well worth a read.] John Hansell found it interesting and gave it 88 points. As icing on the cake, the PLCB secured a surprisingly low price of $61, much lower than the $75 - $100 that retailers in other parts of the country are charging.

The other BT whiskey that many bourbon drinkers have been longing for is Old Weller 107, which we were finally able to get our hands on. Being the only wheated bourbon with any real character, it was a noticeable hole in the PLCB's selection, but we had to wait a bit until BT could allocate us any. My understanding is that we should be able to get as much as we want from here on.

In addition to the new products above, Bols Genever is back in stock online. Six cases arrived this week, and another six are on their way. I know some of you have been waiting for that to show up again.

Delisted SLO products:

• Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 750 ML (#068985, SLO, $84.99)
• Elmer T Lee Single Barrel Bourbon 750 ML (#060058, SLO, $29.99)
• Jannamico Super Punch 1 L (#057358, SLO, $26.99)
• Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur 750 ML (#503137, SLO, $29.99)
• The Irishman Whiskey 750 ML (#502967, SLO, $32.59)

Elmer T Lee and Luxardo Maraschino are available in specialty stores.

Reactivated SLO products:

• Casa Noble Crystal 750 ML (#063994, SLO, $41.79)
• El Dorado Rum Cream Liqueur 750 ML (#051148, SLO, $20.79)
• National Original Vodka 750 ML (#506391, SLO, $12.99)

New SLO products:

• Berentzen Apple Schnapps 750 ML (#512435, SLO, $19.99)
• Burnetts Grape Flavored Vodka 750 ML (#512191, SLO, $9.99)
• Burnetts Lemon Flavored Vodka 750 ML (#512193, SLO, $9.99)
• Burnetts Sour Apple Flavored Vodka 750 ML (#512194, SLO, $9.99)
• Burnetts Watermelon Flavored Vodka 750 ML (#512195, SLO, $9.99)
• Cadenhead's Green Label Rum 750 ML (#512333, SLO, $79.99)
• Chateau du Busca Hors D'Age Armagnac 750 ML (#512493, SLO, $113.99)
• Chieftain's Rare Single Malt Scotch Ardmore 18 Year 750 ML (#512156, SLO, $98.49)
• Chieftain's Rare Single Malt Scotch Glendullen 11 Year 750 ML (#512157, SLO, $62.69)
• Chieftain's Rare Single Malt Scotch Isle of Jura Bourbon Barrel 14 Year 750 ML (#512158, SLO, $73.99)
• Chieftain's Rare Single Malt Scotch Mortlach Sherry Cask 15 Year 750 ML (#512160, SLO, $102.99)
• Chieftain's Rare Single Malt Scotch Strathisla 10 Year 750 ML (#512159, SLO, $61.99)
• Chieftain's Single Malt Teaninich 1982 28 Year 750 ML (#512161, SLO, $181.59)
• Courvoisier Erte Degustation Cognac 750 ML (#512342, SLO, $748.59)
• Courvoisier Erte Distillation Cognac 750 ML (#512340, SLO, $748.59)
• Courvoisier Erte L Esprit du Cognac 750 ML (#512343, SLO, $748.59)
• Courvoisier Erte La Part des Anges Cognac 750 ML (#512344, SLO, $748.59)
• Courvoisier Erte Vendanges Cognac 750 ML (#512339, SLO, $748.59)
• Courvoisier Erte Vieillissement Cognac 750 ML (#512341, SLO, $748.59)
• Courvoisier Erte Vigne Cognac 750 ML (#512338, SLO, $748.59)
• Courvoisier Imperial XO Cognac 750 ML (#512478, SLO, $141.29)
• Courvoisier Rose Cognac 1 L (#512460, SLO, $31.29)
• Cruzan Rum Strawberry 1 L (#512459, SLO, $15.49)
• D'Aristi Special Reserve Rum 10 Year 750 ML (#512334, SLO, $35.59)
• Distillerie des Moisans Passionne Liqueur 750 ML (#511935, SLO, $8.59)
• Don Q Rum Pasion 750 ML (#512461, SLO, $17.39)
• English Harbour 10 Year Old Antigua Rum 750 ML (#512331, SLO, $101.39)
• English Harbour 25 Year Old Antigua Rum 750 ML (#512332, SLO, $345.99)
• English Harbour 5 Year Old Antigua Rum 750 ML (#512330, SLO, $30.39)
• Glengyle Kilkerran Single Malt Scotch 750 ML (#512497, SLO, $63.99)
• Grand Fond Galion White Rum 1 L (#512337, SLO, $34.49)
• Heavy Water Vodka 750 ML (#512514, SLO, $36.99)
• Jim Beam Devils Cut Bourbon 1 L (#512454, SLO, $31.29)
• Luxardo Bitters 750 ML (#512494, SLO, $27.39)
• Luxardo Fernet 750 ML (#512495, SLO, $21.89)
• Malibu Black Coconut Rum 1 L (#512328, SLO, $20.79)
• Malibu Coconut Rum 375 ML (#512147, SLO, $8.69)
• Mangoustan's Rhum 750 ML (#512335, SLO, $30.39)
• National Pepparo Bitters Spice Infused Spirits 750 ML (#512151, SLO, $12.99)
• Pucker Vodka Cherry Tease 1 L (#512458, SLO, $20.79)
• Pucker Vodka Citrus Squeeze 1 L (#512457, SLO, $20.79)
• Pucker Vodka Grape Gone Wild 1 L (#512455, SLO, $20.79)
• Pucker Vodka Sour Apple Sass 1 L (#512456, SLO, $20.79)
• Saint Paul Dark Rum 1 L (#512336, SLO, $31.59)
• Springbank 15 Year Distillery Bottling Single Malt Whisky 750 ML (#512366, SLO, $113.99)
• Springbank 18 Year Distillery Bottling Single Malt Whisky 750 ML (#512368, SLO, $156.99)
• Springbank CV Single Malt Scotch 750 ML (#512367, SLO, $51.59)
• Springbank Hazelburn 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky 750 ML (#512372, SLO, $109.99)
• Springbank Hazelburn 8 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky 750 ML (#512371, SLO, $105.99)
• Springbank Longrow CV Peated Whiskey 750 ML (#512369, SLO, $74.29)
• Springbank Longrow Peated Whiskey 10 Year Old 750 ML (#512370, SLO, $113.99)
• Xtabentun D'Aristi Liqueur 750 ML (#512498, SLO, $22.89)

We have a huge number of new SLO listings this week, mostly due to Majestic bringing in the bulk of the remaining Preiss Imports products. This includes a number of new rums as well as the remaining Springbank/Hazelburn/Longrow expressions.

Also notable is the Berentzen Apfelschnapps, which is again available after being delisted a few months ago due to supply issues. It seems Admiral Imports has recovered from their financial difficulties and they promise that the Berentzen products will be in ready availability.

PLCB spirits catalog changes for the weeks of April 25th and May 2nd:

New in-store and online products:

• Los Amantes Mezcal Joven 750 ML (#003605, Regular, $49.99)
• Ransom Old Tom Gin 750 ML (#030661, Online, $35.99)

Following up on the arrival of Hayman's Old Tom Gin in the specialty stores a few months ago, the PLCB pulled Ransom Old Tom Gin into the online store. "Old Tom" is the style of gin that preceded the modern London Dry style that is ubiquitous today. It's difficult to pin down exactly what Old Tom is, though--accounts of the period suggest that the only defining characteristic of the style is that sugar was added to help cover up the poor-quality distillate. Of course, this means that modern producers have wide latitude for artistic interpretation, and Hayman's and Ransom are about as different as two spirits can get. Check out Jay Hepburn's Ransom Old Tom review, as well as his much more extensive explanation of the Old Tom style.

Delisted SLO products:

• Ardbeg Supernova Single Malt Scotch 750 ML (#504289, SLO, $119.99)
• Arrow Cherry Vodka 750 ML (#058941, SLO, $9.69)
• Casa Noble Crystal 750 ML (#063994, SLO, $41.79)
• Courvoisier Cognac L'Essence 84pf 750 ML (#507663, SLO, $2620.69)
• Dalmore Single Malt Scotch 12yr 750 ML (#063159, SLO, $44.79)
• El Dorado Rum Cream Liqueur 750 ML (#051148, SLO, $20.79)
• Four Roses Bourbon 750 ML (#041223, SLO, $20.89)
• Hendricks Gin 1 L (#042116, SLO, $30.99)
• Highland Park 15yr 750 ML (#052331, SLO, $77.39)
• Highland Park 18yr 750 ML (#054277, SLO, $126.89)
• Kalashnikov Russian Vodka 750 ML (#050072, SLO, $29.99)
• M P Roux Elisir 1 L (#063240, SLO, $35.39)
• Macallan 21year Fine Oak Scotch 750 ML (#506139, SLO, $216.79)
• Michael Collins Single Malt Irish Wky 750 ML (#059709, SLO, $34.69)
• National Bitters 750 ML (#506405, SLO, $13.89)
• National Classic Vodka 750 ML (#506391, SLO, $13.99)
• Natsionalnaya Bitters 750 ML (#502786, SLO, $12.79)
• Natsionalnaya Citron Flavored Vodka 750 ML (#502785, SLO, $12.89)
• Natsionalnaya Classic Vodka 750 ML (#502784, SLO, $12.89)
• Natsionalnaya Horseradish Vodka 750 ML (#502787, SLO, $12.89)
• Natsionalnaya Sweet Infusion Traditsiya Liquor 750 ML (#502781, SLO, $12.89)
• Pyrat Rum Cask 23 750 ML (#056466, SLO, $218.29)
• Skyy Passion Fruit Vodka Infusion 1 L (#067272, SLO, $20.89)
• Slane Castle Irish Whiskey 750 ML (#506564, SLO, $26.29)
• Ultimate Bloody Mary Vodka 750 ML (#506407, SLO, $18.99)
• Wild Turkey Rare Breed 750 ML (#042229, SLO, $45.89)

Many of these items have been added to stores over the last few months, so they no longer need to be available by SLO.

MP Roux Elisir has been in and out of the SLO catalog several times lately. I have to wonder if somebody keeps buying it all.

Reactivated SLO products:

• Four Roses 100th Anniversary Limited Edition Single Barrel 750 ML (#503274, SLO, $78.89)
• Three Olives Tomato Vodka 750 ML (#061729, SLO, $17.69)

New SLO products:

• Artez Poire Eau de Vie Pear William 750 ML (#511805, SLO, $59.99)
• Burnetts Orange Cream Vodka 750 ML (#511811, SLO, $10.29)
• Courvoisier Cognac Exclusif 750 ML (#511990, SLO, $41.69)
• Cruzan Rum Single Barrel 750 ML (#511989, SLO, $31.29)
• Dartigalongue Armagnac Hors D'Age 750 ML (#511804, SLO, $61.99)
• Dartigalongue Armagnac XO 750 ML (#511803, SLO, $55.49)
• DeKuyper Alabama Slammer 750 ML (#511987, SLO, $11.89)
• DeKuyper Kamikaze 750 ML (#511985, SLO, $11.89)
• DeKuyper Pomegranate Liqueur 750 ML (#511983, SLO, $11.89)
• DeKuyper Red Headed 750 ML (#511986, SLO, $11.89)
• DeKuyper Washington Apple 750 ML (#511984, SLO, $11.89)
• Delord Blanche Armagnac 750 ML (#511806, SLO, $39.69)
• Delord Floc de Gascogne Nv 750 ML (#511894, SLO, $25.09)
• Downslope Double Down Whiskey 750 ML (#511818, SLO, $39.99)
• Downslope Gold Rum 750 ML (#511816, SLO, $30.99)
• Downslope Grain Vodka 750 ML (#511813, SLO, $30.99)
• Downslope Pepper Vodka 750 ML (#511814, SLO, $32.99)
• Downslope White Rum 750 ML (#511815, SLO, $30.99)
• Downslope Wine Barrel Rum 750 ML (#511817, SLO, $32.99)
• Le Coq Dor Pineau des Charentes Non Vintage 750 ML (#511742, SLO, $25.99)
• Navan Cognac 750 ML (#511787, SLO, $34.99)
• Pigs Nose Blended Scotch Whiskey 5 Years 750 ML (#511898, SLO, $33.09)
• Roger Groult Ancestrale 50 Year Calvados 750 ML (#511807, SLO, $489.99)
• Sauza Extra Gold Tequila 1 L (#511899, SLO, $20.79)
• Sauza Plata Tres Generaciones Tequila 750 ML (#511988, SLO, $41.79)
• Sheeps Dip Vatted Malt Scotch Whiskey 750 ML (#511897, SLO, $45.19)
• Stolichnaya Russian Elit Vodka 750 ML (#511801, SLO, $72.69)
• Tres Mujeres Blanco Tequila Blanco 750 ML (#511917, SLO, $21.99)
• Tres Mujeres Reposado Anfora Tequila 750 ML (#511919, SLO, $32.99)
• Tres Mujeres Reposado Tequila 750 ML (#511918, SLO, $23.99)

Southern listed for SLO a number of their products that were delisted from the regular selection back in January, including Cruzan Single Barrel, Courvoisier Exclusif and Navan.