November 2011 Archives

My apologies for the long absence as of late. I got myself a job as cocktail & spirits director of Verde Mexican Kitchen & Cantina, a new restaurant in Pittsburgh that just opened a couple weeks ago, and the grueling hours needed to open a new joint left me no time to update the blog. But now I'm back in the game. Regular weekly updates will resume next week, and Pittsburgh area readers are invited to come down to Verde for a bite to eat and a drink. We have a huge selection of Tequila and Mezcal--one of the largest in the state--and I put together the cocktail menu myself. The food is excellent as well; our kitchen has thoroughly impressed me. Our menu is online and we just switched over to our regular operating hours this week. I hope to see you at my bar soon!

On to the PLCB catalog changes. This is a roll-up which covers all changes between October 31st and November 27th, so hang in there:

New in-store and online products:

• 2 Nite Vodka 1 L (#003988, Regular, $19.99)
• 99 Whipped Schnapps 750 ML (#004437, Regular, $15.99)
• Banks 5 Island Carribean Rum 750ML (#030422, Online, $28.99)
• Ciroc Peach Vodka 750 ML (#003877, Regular, $32.99)
• Copper Sky Vodka 750 ML (#003923, Regular, $16.99)
• Jefferson's Straight Rye Whiskey 10 Year Old 750ML (#030471, Online, $43.99)
• Johnnie Walker Double Black 750 ML (#004503, Holiday, $42.99)
• PA Dutch Pumpkin Cream 750 ML (#004190, Holiday, $8.49)
• Pappy Van Winkle's Whiskey 20 Years Old 750ML (#009532, Online, $89.99)
• Rock Town Arkansas Lightning Whsky Aging Gift Set 750ML (#030694, Online, $129.99)
• Rock Town Arkansas Young Bourbon Whiskey 375ML (#030697, Online, $24.99)
• Rock Town Distilllery Arkansas Lightning 375ML (#030853, Online, $14.99)
• Rocktown Distillery Brandon's Gin Arkansas 750ML (#030696, Online, $29.99)
• Skinnygirl White Cranberry Cosmo 750 ML (#004507, Regular, $14.99)
• Ty Ku Asian Citrus Liquor 750ML (#006314, Online, $24.99)
• Wild Geese Irish Soldiers and Heroes Irish Whisky 750ML (#030462, Online, $67.99)

One of the most interesting rums I've seen in a while, Banks 5 Island Rum, just hit the online store. This is a white rum made by blending together cane spirits from five regions with vastly different styles: Trinidad, Barbados, Jamaica, Guyana (no, not an island) and Indonesia, then filtering everything through charcoal to make a clear spirit. The result is fascinatingly complex, with notes of fruit, oak, citrus, spices, you name it.

The online store saw two exciting whiskey arrivals this month. The main event, of course, was the annual release of the Van Winkle whiskeys from Buffalo Trace. As with other allocated products, Pennsylvania's entire allotment went into the online store to ensure fair access to the whole state. This year we received the 10-year 107-proof, the 12-year Special Reserve, the Pappy 20-year and the Pappy 23-year. Most of them sold out within a few days. Remember, these are posted automatically to my Twitter feed, so you have no excuse for missing your opportunity to buy them.

We also received our first shipment of products from Rock Town Distillery for the online store. Rock Town is a new microdistiller in Arkansas, of all places, and they're turning out some pretty decent white and aged spirits. They also have an "age-your-own" kit that includes two bottles of white dog and a little oak cask (charred, of course) to try your hand at barreling whiskey. Just in time for Christmas!

Two whiskeys that people have been asking for were pulled in. Jefferson's 10-year-old Rye is a 100% rye whiskey sourced from an undisclosed distillery in Canada. Sound familiar? It's strikingly similar to Whistle Pig, the Canadian rye from Dave Pickerell that made quite a splash when it came out a couple years ago, but at a higher proof (50% ABV) and a much more affordable price point. John Hansell says, "It oozes spice (mint, cinnamon, hint of nutmeg) balanced by layers of sweetness (honeyed vanilla, caramel), with nutty toffee emerging on the finish." It's pretty tasty stuff.

Finally, the newest expression from the blended Scotch behemoth, Johnnie Walker, was listed as a holiday item. Double Black is their interpretation of the heavy-peat trend, and essentially adds more smoke to the regular Black Label. Perhaps a bit more sweetness too. If you're interested, don't hesitate in picking up a bottle--after this holiday season, Double Black will only be available from duty-free shops.

Products back in stock online:

• Ardbeg Alligator Islay Scotch 750ML (#030514, Online, $94.99)
• Buffalo Trace Distillery Single Oak Project 375ML (#030772, Online, $48.99)
• Connemara Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey 750ML (#010920, Online, $39.99)
• El Dorado 21 Year Old Special Reserve Rum 750ML (#030547, Online, $92.99)
• Faretti Biscotti Famosi Liqueur 750ML (#010828, Online, $29.99)
• Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year Old Bourbon 750ML (#010849, Online, $249.89)
• Van Winkle Special Reserve 10 Year Old Bourbon 750ML (#030591, Online, $34.99)
• Van Winkle Whiskey 12 Years Old Special Reserve 750ML (#009530, Online, $49.99)

Delisted SLO products:

• 2 Nite Vodka 1 L (#501521, SLO, $25.29)
• Absolut Peppar Vodka 50 ML (#054712, SLO, $2.19)
• Bambu Rum 50 ML (#058376, SLO, $1.99)
• Bambu Rum 375 ML (#058286, SLO, $12.99)
• Bastianich Vespa Grappa 750 ML (#067580, SLO, $65.19)
• Cocoribe Coconut Rum Liqueur 1 L (#514372, SLO, $10.39)
• Copper Fox Rye Whisky 750 ML (#507078, SLO, $46.89)
• Cruzan Number 9 Spiced Rum 50 ML (#515073, SLO, $1.79)
• Effen Vodka 375 ML (#508513, SLO, $15.19)
• Fidencio Mezcal Joven 750 ML (#502822, SLO, $42.69)
• Gilbeys Vodka Grape 750 ML (#070639, SLO, $8.39)
• Giokarinis Samos Ouzo 1 L (#055931, SLO, $23.99)
• Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix Single Malt Scotch Whiskey 750 ML (#511283, SLO, $104.69)
• Governors Club Whiskey 1 L (#063826, SLO, $8.99)
• Hangar One Raspberry Fraser River Vodka 750 ML (#504249, SLO, $32.29)
• Hiram Walker Triple Sec 1.75 L (#503011, SLO, $14.49)
• Leroux Creme de Banana 1 L (#503019, SLO, $9.19)
• Nonino Grappa Fragolino 375 ML (#051210, SLO, $77.69)
• Pinnacle Whipped Vodka 1 L (#511573, SLO, $15.59)
• Poli Dist Silver Tray Gift Set Arz Torc Tocai 375 ML (#065253, SLO, $101.99)
• Ron Barcelo Imperial Rum 750 ML (#504644, SLO, $49.69)
• Skyy 90 Vodka 90pf 750 ML (#505693, SLO, $37.29)
• Stolichnaya Vodka Cranberry 750 ML (#071423, SLO, $21.89)
• Tres Mujeres Reposado Anfora Tequila 750 ML (#511919, SLO, $32.99)
• UV Vodka Vanilla 1 L (#061600, SLO, $8.79)
• Wasmunds Single Malt Wsky 750 ML (#059067, SLO, $37.59)

Copper Fox Distillery switched from selling directly to the PLCB to using an in-state broker, with the typical accompanying increase in price to cover the broker's fees. The upshot is that all of their spirits are available in PA now.

Reactivated SLO products:

• Asbach Uralt Brandy 750 ML (#041689, SLO, $38.29)
• Bushmills 10 Yr 750 ML (#061823, SLO, $36.99)
• Flor de Cana Rum Gold 18 Year 750 ML (#507035, SLO, $56.49)
• Hudson 4 Grain Bourbon Whisky 375 ML (#505807, SLO, $52.29)
• Myers Platinum Rum 1 L (#056597, SLO, $9.99)
• Old Overholt Rye 750 ML (#500162, SLO, $17.89)
• Pampero Anniversario Rum 750 ML (#057658, SLO, $24.99)
• Pearl Vodka Plum Flavored 750 ML (#516608, SLO, $12.69)
• Pinnacle Le Double Espresso Vodka 1 L (#509851, SLO, $15.59)
• UV Vodka Cake Flavored 750 ML (#513910, SLO, $10.39)

Diageo has Pampero Anniversario in stock again. I understand they've had some trouble filling orders for it lately, so you might want to get yours in before it's gone again.

Old Overholt is again available by SLO for a few dollars cheaper than you can buy it for in stores. Don't ask me why...

New SLO products:

• Altesino Grappa di Brunello 1 L (#517488, SLO, $74.99)
• Bruichladdich Black Art 2 Single Malt Scotch 750 ML (#517490, SLO, $108.99)
• Bruichladdich Infinity 3rd Edition Single Malt Scotch 750 ML (#517491, SLO, $89.99)
• Bruichladdich Port Charlotte Pc An Turas Mor Single Malt Scotch 750 ML (#517492, SLO, $69.99)
• Bruichladdich Port Charlotte Pc6 Single Malt Scotch 750 ML (#517493, SLO, $107.89)
• Bruichladdich Port Charlotte Pc8 Ar Duthcas Single Malt Scotch 750 ML (#517494, SLO, $107.89)
• Bruichladdich the Laddie Ten Scotch 750 ML (#517455, SLO, $58.99)
• Bruichladdich the Organic Single Malt Scotch 750 ML (#517495, SLO, $68.99)
• Cocoribe Coconut Rum Liqueur 750 ML (#517101, SLO, $8.69)
• Copper Fox Rye Whisky 750 ML (#517214, SLO, $48.99)
• Cu' Chulainn Irish Whiskey 1 L (#517497, SLO, $36.99)
• El Mayor Ultra Age Anejo Tequila 750 ML (#517244, SLO, $125.49)
• Gozio Liquorice Ceramic Bottle 750 ML (#517301, SLO, $42.99)
• Hangar One Vodka Maine Blueberry 750 ML (#517617, SLO, $32.29)
• Hiram Walker Pomegranate Schnapps 750 ML (#517102, SLO, $12.19)
• Il Poggione Grappa di Brunello 750 ML (#517483, SLO, $84.29)
• IXA Tequila Silver 750 ML (#517412, SLO, $34.99)
• Kraken Spiced Rum 1 L (#517583, SLO, $25.99)
• Los Generales BAR Blanco Tequila 750 ML (#517466, SLO, $22.99)
• Los Generales BAR Reposado Tequila 750 ML (#517465, SLO, $25.99)
• Los Generales BAR Tequila Anejo 750 ML (#517496, SLO, $27.99)
• Marquez de Valencia Reposado Tequila 750 ML (#517171, SLO, $56.99)
• Pride and Clarke Amaretto 1 L (#517116, SLO, $7.49)
• Pride and Clarke Anisette 1 L (#517117, SLO, $7.99)
• Pride and Clarke Banana Liqueur 1 L (#517119, SLO, $7.49)
• Pride and Clarke Blue Curacao 1 L (#517126, SLO, $7.49)
• Pride and Clarke Butterscotch 1 L (#517118, SLO, $7.49)
• Pride and Clarke Coffee Liqueur 1 L (#517127, SLO, $8.99)
• Pride and Clarke Creme de Cacao 1 L (#517128, SLO, $8.49)
• Pride and Clarke Creme de Menthe 1 L (#517120, SLO, $7.49)
• Pride and Clarke Dark Rum 1 L (#517181, SLO, $9.99)
• Pride and Clarke London Dry Gin 1 L (#517180, SLO, $10.99)
• Pride and Clarke Melon 1 L (#517121, SLO, $7.49)
• Pride and Clarke Mocha Coffee 1 L (#517122, SLO, $7.99)
• Pride and Clarke Peach Schnapps 1 L (#517123, SLO, $7.49)
• Pride and Clarke Peppermint Schnapps 1 L (#517124, SLO, $7.49)
• Pride and Clarke Sour Apple 1 L (#517125, SLO, $7.49)
• Pride and Clarke Triple Sec 1 L (#517115, SLO, $6.99)
• Pride and Clarke White Rum 1 L (#517182, SLO, $9.99)
• Samaroli Evolution Blended Pure Malt Scotch Whiskey 750 ML (#517642, SLO, $234.99)
• Samaroli Glenburgie Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whiskey 750 ML (#517644, SLO, $169.19)
• Samaroli Laphroaig Single Malt Whiskey 750 ML (#517643, SLO, $175.99)
• Samaroli Tomintoul Single Malt Scotch Whiskey 750 ML (#517639, SLO, $340.09)
• Smirnoff Vodka Lime 1 L (#517342, SLO, $18.99)
• The Botanist Islay Dry Gin 750 ML (#517347, SLO, $39.99)
• Thraki Ouzo 750 ML (#517489, SLO, $15.99)
• Trimbach Poire William 750 ML (#517362, SLO, $51.89)
• Wasmund Rye Spirit 750 ML (#517216, SLO, $24.99)
• Wasmund Single Malt Spirit 750 ML (#517217, SLO, $24.99)
• Wasmund Single Malt Whisky 750 ML (#517215, SLO, $39.99)
• Wemyss Peat Chimney Blended Malt Scotch Whiskey 8 Years 750 ML (#517641, SLO, $33.49)
• Wemyss Smooth Gentleman Scotch Malt Whiskey 8 Year Old 750 ML (#517645, SLO, $33.49)
• Wemyss Spice King Blended Malt Scotch Whiskey 8 Year 750 ML (#517640, SLO, $33.49)

Domaine Select has started selling SLO items directly to the PLCB instead of going through Capital, their distributor for in-store items. The first items they listed are scotches from the independent bottlers Wemyss and Samaroli. Hopefully more of their portfolio will be added in time.