PLCB Users Grouptag:plcbusersgroup.org,2009-01-03://12012-01-17T20:04:51ZUnofficial advice and product updates for Pennsylvania cocktail enthusiastsMovable Type 4.361Massive Catalog Update for weeks of 12/5, 12/12, 12/19, 12/26, 1/2 and 1/9tag:plcbusersgroup.org,2012://1.1622012-01-17T20:04:04Z2012-01-17T20:04:51ZYeah...it's been a while. I blame the new job, the holidays, bad weather, high unemployment, market conditions in the euro zone, etc. Mostly the new job and the holidays. To make up for it, if you're in the Pittsburgh area,...Nathan Lutchanskyhttp://plcbusersgroup.org/
Verde Mexican Kitchen when I'm behind the bar on Sundays and Wednesdays and I'll buy you your first cocktail.
Getting on to the updates, there are six weeks worth of products down here, so grab yourself a Miller High Life and read on:
New in-store and online products:
Big Peat Islay Blended 10 Year Old Scotch 750ML (#030472, Online, $63.99)
Chieftain's Braeval 14 Year Old Scotch Speyside 750ML (#030476, Online, $65.99)
Old Rip Van Winkle Family Rye 13 Year Old 750ML (#030744, Online, $59.99)
Peach Street Distiller's Oak Aged Peach Brandy 750ML (#030429, Online, $64.99)
Vinas de Oro Pisco Mosto Verde Italia 750ML (#030357, Online, $45.99)
Willett Pot Still Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon 750ML (#030489, Online, $38.99)
Woodford Reserve MC Aged Rye 750ML (#030457, Online, $89.99)
Lots of whiskey hitting the catalog lately. I like it. But before we talk about it, let's touch on Harlen D. Wheatley CLIX Vodka.
Bourbon fans will recognize Mr. Wheatley as the master distiller at Buffalo Trace. According to the BT press release, CLIX was the result of his personal quest to produce the "perfect" vodka by distilling 28,400 gallons of mash 159 times (hence the name) to produce only 332 gallons of distillate. After resting for 12 months in stainless steel, a mere 2,000 bottles were made available to distributors across the nation. Pennsylvania got 50 of 'em. This is, to be sure, a collector's item. Pick one up now and your Father's Day shopping will be done well in advance this year.
Another very special product that just arrived is Peach Street Distillers' Oak-Aged Peach Brandy. Sure, every low-end cordial manufacturer has a "peach brandy" made from minimally aged grape brandy treated with artificial flavoring agents. This stuff is made the way the colonists did it 200 years ago: bushels and bushels of fresh peaches are fermented and distilled, making an American-style eau-de-vie. True peach brandy had disappeared completely by Prohibition, and now Peach Street Distillers is one of only two distilleries to have revived the spirit. (The other is Old World Spirits in California.) Now it is once again possible to properly enjoy the 19th century cocktails that used peach brandy as a base, including the famous Fish House Punch.
I know you're itching to get to the whiskey, but Nardini Amaro deserves a few words here as well. There are a handful of amari that have been elevated to perhaps undeserved heights by the craft cocktail community--Averna and Cynar are the chief suspects--but old-school amaro drinkers would likely name Nardini and Nonino as the elemental examples of what amari should be. Nonino has been available in specialty stores for a while, but Nardini is newly available as an online-only item. Nardini displays perfect balance in every respect, in particular showing off the foundational amaro flavors of licorice, citrus peel and menthol. If you've only ever tried the trendy amari, it's time to learn the basics and pick up a bottle of Nardini.
Whew! Let's talk whiskey. Finger Lakes Distillery, in upstate New York near my alma mater, has been turning out "rustic" microdistilled spirits for a few years now. Their Glen Thunder white dog turned some heads when it came out in 2008, and their McKenzie Rye and Bourbon have been pointed to as great examples of how to produce small-cask-aged whiskeys. I have yet to try the "Maple Jack", but blending maple syrup with apple brandy sounds promising to me.
Woodford Reserve's annual Master's Collection release is a bit different this year: it's rye. Yes, you read that correctly--this is the first time Woodford has bottled a rye whiskey, and it's so very experimental that they aged it two different ways and put two 375 ML bottles in the retail package together so you can try them both. Chuck Cowdery has all the details, of course.
The Jefferson's Presidential Select Bourbon is Stitzel-Weller juice that McLain & Kyne, an independent bottler, came across and bottled under their Jefferson's brand. The early batches were legendary, the current ones merely excellent. If some kind soul gives you a PLCB gift certificate for Christmas, this is what to splurge on. (I suppose Jefferson's Presidential Select would also make a good Father's Day gift, but if you want to buy it for yourself instead, nobody's gonna hold that against you.)
The last whiskey I want to mention is the coveted Van Winkle 13yr Rye. Pennsylvania's entire allocation this year was--I kid you not--eleven bottles, and it took some negotiating to even get that much. It sold out in about a day. Once again, make sure you're following me on Twitter to find out about these limited products as soon as they hit the online store.
Buffalo Trace Distillery Single Oak Project 375ML (#030772, Online, $48.99)
Compass Box Spice Tree Scotch 750ML (#030571, Online, $62.99)
Eagle Rare Straight Bourbon Whiskey 17 Years Old 750ML (#006803, Online, $59.99)
Forty Creek Barrel Select Whisky Canada 750ML (#030966, Online, $21.99)
Hayman's Old Tom Gin England 750ML (#030565, Online, $26.99)
KAH Tequila Extra Anejo 750ML (#030544, Online, $195.99)
Leyenda Del Milagro Romance Tequila 1.0L (#030979, Online, $119.99)
Marie Brizard Anisette 750ML (#010846, Online, $24.49)
Massenez Poire Williams Prisoner Pear Eau de Vie 750ML (#030653, Online, $69.99)
Michter's 10 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon 750ML (#010934, Online, $81.49)
Powers 12 Year Old Reserve Irish Whiskey 750ML (#010916, Online, $34.99)
Siete Leguas Blanco Tequila 750ML (#010818, Online, $42.99)
The Lash Spiced Rum 750ML (#010902, Online, $29.99)
Tyrconnell 10 Year Old Irish Whiskey Madeira Cask 750ML (#010862, Online, $79.99)
Wemyss Smooth Gentleman 8 Yr Old Blended Scotch 750ML (#010576, Online, $21.99)
Whistle Pig 10 Year Old Rye Whiskey Vermont 750ML (#030668, Online, $69.99)
Yamazaki 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky Japan 750ML (#030981, Online, $44.99)
We got in the third release of the Single Oak Product. For some reason these aren't moving as fast as the first release. Maybe trying dozens of experimental whiskeys at $50 a pop isn't as exciting as we thought it would be.
In-store products moved to closeout:
10 Cane with Stirrings Mojito Kit 750 ML (#005777, One Time, $32.99)
1800 Essential Tequila Artists Collection 750 ML (#003086, One Time, $25.99)
1800 Margarita Ultimate 750 ML (#005632, One Time, $6.99)
1800 Reposado Tequila 1.75 L (#003158, One Time, $35.99)
Absolut Vodka - 2 Bottle Pack- 80pf-Absolut Citron 2 L (#003516, One Time, $35.99)
Admiral Nelson Spiced Rum Twin Pack - 2 - 1.00l 2 L (#003318, One Time, $16.99)
American Sweetheart Apple Blossom Martini Cocktail 750 ML (#009644, One Time, $10.99)
Belvedere Vodka 375 ML (#003088, One Time, $16.49)
Belvedere Vodka Gift Set W/Glass 750 ML (#003729, One Time, $30.99)
Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey 375 ML (#003274, One Time, $5.99)
Captain Morgan Lime Bite Rum 375 ML (#003275, One Time, $5.99)
Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum 1 L (#006174, One Time, $19.99)
Captain Morgan P.R. Spiced Rum PET 1.75 L (#006032, One Time, $24.99)
Captain Morgan Silver Spiced Rum 1 L (#003044, One Time, $17.99)
Coconut Jack Rum Co Pac with Pineapple Juice 1.75 L (#005655, One Time, $18.99)
Collezione Foglie del Mattino Grappa Pere Kirsch 200 ML (#000544, Regular, $44.99)
Combier Liqueur D'Orange 50 ML (#008348, One Time, $1.99)
Vincent Van Gogh Acai Blueberry Vodka 50 ML (#008102, One Time, $0.99)
Wild Turkey Tradition 14 Yr 750 ML (#003149, One Time, $63.99)
Windsor Canadian Whiskey Supreme 1 L (#005495, One Time, $9.99)
The PLCB has started moving one-time-buy items to close-out status, which is a new procedure for them. The status change should help encourage stores to clear out shelf space when these items run low, as one-time-buy items will, by definition, never get restocked.
You may notice that El Tesoro Platinum is listed above as a close-out item. Don't worry--this is actually a duplicate code that's getting delisted. The real code, 006646, is still available in specialty stores. And it's on sale for $5 off this month, too!
Wild Shot Mezcal Silver 750 ML (#512644, SLO, $52.19)
Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Hershey 750 ML (#059718, SLO, $50.89)
As usual, many of these delisted SLO items were pulled because the product is available in stores or online. Others are just out of stock and will return once the distributor has inventory again. And a few have simply moved from one distributor to another and have new codes listed below.
Toschi Lemoncello 64 Proof with 2 Shot Glasses 750 ML (#519226, SLO, $24.69)
Trader Vics Royal Amber Rum 1 L (#518895, SLO, $19.19)
Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey 1 L (#518365, SLO, $30.69)
Van Gogh Cool Peach Vodka 750 ML (#518242, SLO, $21.99)
Van Gogh Dark Chocolate Vodka 750 ML (#518243, SLO, $21.99)
Voli Vodka Espresso Vanilla 750 ML (#518794, SLO, $27.09)
The much-anticipated Bittermens Liqueurs have been listed with the PLCB in a timely fashion thanks to a happy coincidence--they're made under contract by Mazza Wines, one of the largest vineyards in Pennsylvania. They're not quite ready to start fulfilling orders to PA yet, and the pricing above may change, but all of that should happen within the next couple weeks. I'll keep you posted.
Compass Box's latest release, Great King St., was put on SLO at a very reasonable price. Whisky Advocate said, "After a series of esoteric and expensive releases, Compass Box has
decided to bring it all back to the people with a blend--and how!" They describe it as a mix of Spice Tree and Hedonism, which sounds pretty good to me.
At the other end of the spectrum, Beam's new Red Stag flavors, "Honey Tea" and "Spiced", are available by SLO. Will their new expressions push flavored whiskey sales even higher, or is this the sign that flavored whiskey has jumped the shark, preceding a steep decline into obscurity? (I'm looking at you, sweet tea vodka.)
Moving farther down the, uh, scale of respectability, we find NutLiquor. Peanut butter flavored vodka. Novel and perhaps even tasty, but did they need to go with the sophomoric brand name? And did they need to push the innuendo even further by bottling the stuff at 69 proof? I'm sure they have no regrets--their nationwide sales have been growing at a healthy clip.
Ahem. Getting back to the good stuff. Capital finally responded to the pleas of cocktail bars across the state and brought in Solerno from William-Grant, which was first released in the US in 2009. Solerno is a triple sec-style orange liqueur made in Italy from blood oranges which I would say tastes roughly 20% better than Cointreau. Considering Cointreau is pretty good, that's quite an endorsement. We use Solerno in our "Premiere Clase" Margarita at Verde, which gives the drink an outstanding orange flavor. There's only a two-bottle minimum on the code, so I would encourage you to order a bottle for yourself and one for a cocktail-oriented friend posthaste. ]]>
Weekly Catalog Update for 11/28tag:plcbusersgroup.org,2011://1.1612011-12-08T18:40:21Z2011-12-08T18:51:37ZPLCB spirits catalog changes for the week of November 28th: New in-store and online products: Canadian Club Classic 12 Year Old Canadian Whisky 750ML (#030417, Online, $19.99) Canadian Club Whisky 8 Year Old Sherry Cask 750ML (#030512, Online, $31.99) Gozio...Nathan Lutchanskyhttp://plcbusersgroup.org/ New in-store and online products:
Canadian Club Classic 12 Year Old Canadian Whisky 750ML (#030417, Online, $19.99)
Canadian Club Whisky 8 Year Old Sherry Cask 750ML (#030512, Online, $31.99)
KAH Tequila Extra Anejo 750ML (#030544, Online, $195.99)
New Amsterdam Vodka 200 ML (#004465, One Time, $3.99)
Vinas de Oro Pisco Puro Acholado Pisco 750ML (#030689, Online, $33.99)
Vinas de Oro Pisco Puro Torontel Pisco 750ML (#030769, Online, $33.99)
While pisco has yet to gain much traction with mainstream consumers, a new generation of producers and importers has been trying to elevate the category above the Pisco Sour/Pisco Punch box that it's been stuck in since the beginning of the modern cocktail renaissance. ClearGrape, a small San Francisco importer, has been one of the more vocal proponents of the stuff, even writing and publishing a photo-filled book about pisco.
ClearGrape's brand, Viñas de Oro, is a high-quality artisan spirit that thoroughly impressed me at Tales of the Cocktail this year. The torontel is an explosively floral puro (single varietal) pisco that I've been sipping in a Martini or even just mixed with Pelligrino--a suggestion from the importer. The acholado, a mix of varietals, is an excellent mixing pisco for the Pisco Sour, naturally, but it's also versatile enough to substitute for the white spirit in many existing cocktails. Ever had a Negroni made with pisco in place of gin? You'd be surprised...
After the KAH tequila line finally made it back into the state by SLO, the online store decided to pull in the Extra Añejo expression. This expression takes the intricate, hand-painted skull theme one step further by embedding hundreds of Swarovski crystals in the bottle.
Delisted SLO products:
Dartigalongue Armagnac 30 Year 1979 Vintage 750 ML (#504001, SLO, $144.99)
TGIF Blender Strawberry Shortcake 1.75 L (#518065, SLO, $14.99)
Amrut, the Indian whisky producer that catapulted to fame recently, just released their "Two Continent" single malt. As the name suggests, the whisky was first aged in India and then shipped to the UK for an additional three years of maturation. I was fortunate enough to get a taste of this a few weeks ago, and I was impressed by the additional complexity that resulted from aging in two vastly different climates. If I remember correctly, there's only a single case of this stuff allocated to Pennsylvania, so get your order in now.
Antiguo Tequila, produced as a separate label by Herradura, is finally available here. Brown-Forman is positioning it as a mid-range tequila between their El Jimador line and Herradura, somewhere in the mid-$20s. Interestingly, Antiguo has come and gone in other markets, apparently failing to catch on with the consumer. For more information about Antiguo's production, see this 2009 post on Alcademics. ]]>
Catalog Update for weeks of 10/31, 11/7, 11/14 and 11/21tag:plcbusersgroup.org,2011://1.1602011-11-30T22:58:40Z2011-11-30T23:02:20ZNathan Lutchanskyhttp://plcbusersgroup.org/
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:
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.
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.
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)
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. ]]>
Weekly Catalog Update for 10/24tag:plcbusersgroup.org,2011://1.1592011-10-31T12:26:13Z2011-10-31T12:32:22ZPLCB spirits catalog changes for the week of October 24th: New in-store and online products: High West Silver Whiskey OMG Pure Rye Utah 750ML (#030339, Online, $41.99) High West Whiskey Son of Bourye Utah 750ML (#030440, Online, $41.99) As far...Nathan Lutchanskyhttp://plcbusersgroup.org/ New in-store and online products:
High West Silver Whiskey OMG Pure Rye Utah 750ML (#030339, Online, $41.99)
High West Whiskey Son of Bourye Utah 750ML (#030440, Online, $41.99)
As far as I can tell, PA is the first market in the US to see these new products from High West, other than the on-site store at the distillery of course. The OMG silver rye is an attempt to replicate the distinctive "Old Monongahela" whiskey from Western PA in the early 19th century, and to my knowledge they're the only distillery trying to produce a whiskey of this style. I can't wait to see how the aged product turns out. "Son of Bourye," as the name implies, is a younger (and cheaper) version of their existing Bourye whiskey, an interesting blend of both bourbon and rye.
Products back in stock online:
2012 Luna Nueva Reposado Tequila 750ML (#030808, Online, $49.49)
Whistle Pig 10 Year Old Rye Whiskey Vermont 750ML (#030668, Online, $69.99)
Voli Vodka Orange Vanilla 750 ML (#517032, SLO, $27.09)
I learned recently that El Tequileño is made by a member of the Cuervo family, Jorge Salles Cuervo, which explains why El Tequileño tastes strikingly similar to Jose Cuervo Especial. That's not a complaint, necessary--it's certainly a much higher quality than Especial--but the family resemblance is uncanny. ]]>
Weekly Catalog Update for 10/17tag:plcbusersgroup.org,2011://1.1582011-10-23T14:15:49Z2011-10-23T14:18:59ZPLCB spirits catalog changes for the week of October 17th: New in-store and online products: Absolut San Francisco 750 ML (#004467, One Time, $19.99) Adult Chocolate Milk 750 ML (#004374, Regular, $17.99) Bacardi Oakheart 1.75 L (#004352, Regular, $24.99) Becherovka...Nathan Lutchanskyhttp://plcbusersgroup.org/ New in-store and online products:
Absolut San Francisco 750 ML (#004467, One Time, $19.99)
Adult Chocolate Milk 750 ML (#004374, Regular, $17.99)
Bacardi Oakheart 1.75 L (#004352, Regular, $24.99)
Stolichnaya Chocolat Razberi 750 ML (#004452, Regular, $17.99)
Yep, Adult Chocolate Milk. Tastes like a ready-to-drink bottled Mud Slide. Skip it.
Becherovka and Right Gin are now available in the online store. Becher could be fun for adding some fall spice flavors to your cocktails, and Right Gin is recommended for Plymouth drinkers.
For the more budget-conscious, Bellringer is a great choice for a high-proof mixing gin. Stevi at Two At The Most writes, "At first taste, this is a nice gin. It's got a full flavor profile; It
does not shy away from being a gin. It is 94.4 proof, and the high proof
burn is noticeable, but not intolerable."
As a result of the PLCB bringing Old Forester back onto store shelves, we are again receiving an annual allocation of the limited-release Old Forester Birthday Bourbon. Our allocation was fewer than 200 bottles, so you might want to order soon.
Products back in stock online:
L'Esprit de June Liqueur France 750ML (#030672, Online, $28.99)
Delisted SLO products:
Appleton Estate 30 Yr Rum 750 ML (#500321, SLO, $382.39)
Chartreuse Green VEP Wood Box 1 L (#062207, SLO, $132.79)
Whitetail Caramel Whiskey 750 ML (#506502, SLO, $20.79)
Four Roses Yellow Label and Corralejo Blanco are again available by SLO after being delisted earlier this year. Oddly enough, the Corralejo is much cheaper on SLO than it was on the shelf.
UV Vodka Sweet Treat 750 ML (#516945, SLO, $10.39)
"Sweet Treat"? Now you're just making stuff up. Enough with the dessert-flavored vodkas already! ]]>
Catalog Update for the weeks of 10/3 and 10/10tag:plcbusersgroup.org,2011://1.1572011-10-19T13:25:52Z2011-10-19T13:28:58ZPLCB spirits catalog changes for the weeks of October 3rd and 10th: New in-store and online products: Ardbeg Alligator Islay Scotch 750ML (#030514, Online, $94.99) Arnold Palmer Half and Half Cocktail Mix Non Alcoholic 1182 ML (#030300, Regular, $4.99) Casa...Nathan Lutchanskyhttp://plcbusersgroup.org/ New in-store and online products:
Arnold Palmer Half and Half Cocktail Mix Non Alcoholic 1182 ML (#030300, Regular, $4.99)
Casa Dragones Tequila Joven Sipping Tequila 750ML (#030545, Online, $249.99)
El Dorado 21 Year Old Special Reserve Rum 750ML (#030547, Online, $92.99)
Jannamico Super Punch 1.0L (#010803, Online, $27.99)
Jim Beam Small Batch Sampler 200 ML (#004225, Holiday, $17.99)
Nuvo Lemon Sorbet 750 ML (#003890, Regular, $24.99)
Pinnacle Marshmallow Vodka 750 ML (#004346, Regular, $14.99)
Royal Canadian Small Batch Canadian Whisky 750 ML (#003984, Regular, $19.99)
Smirnoff Whipped Cream 750 ML (#004370, Regular, $12.99)
El Dorado 21yr joined its younger sibling, the El Dorado 15yr, in the online store where it sold out almost immediately. Craig LaBan wrote some very complimentary words about these two rums, which have long deserved more public exposure.
Products back in stock online:
Neisson Agricole Blanc Rum Martinique 1.0L (#030986, Online, $30.99)
Park Vieille Fine Champagne 750 ML (#516587, SLO, $125.99)
Park Vieille Grande Champagne 750 ML (#516589, SLO, $139.99)
Ron Abuelo 7 Year Rum 750 ML (#516373, SLO, $28.49)
Scorpion Mezcal Anejo 1 Year 750 ML (#516771, SLO, $42.19)
Scorpion Mezcal Silver 750 ML (#516770, SLO, $32.99)
Southern Comfort Fiery Pepper 1 L (#516365, SLO, $20.79)
Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka 750 ML (#516767, SLO, $21.99)
Voli Vodka Raspberry Cocoa Fusion 750 ML (#516489, SLO, $27.09)
After Whyte & Mackay switched from Heaven Hill to Shaw-Ross as their US importers a few years ago, their products were virtually unavailable in PA. Finally, they've come around and worked with Southern to list the standard Isle of Jura and Dalmore expressions for SLO, but the timing seems to be rather unfortunate, as Whyte & Mackay recently announced they will be leaving Shaw-Ross and setting up their own import company to be known as Whyte & Mackay Americas. From January 1, 2012, Shaw-Ross will no longer represent or import Isle of Jura or Dalmore. Stock up while you can.
Martell VSOP is back after a long absence--it was delisted from stores back in June, 2010, and Southern and Pernod-Ricard never got around to putting it on SLO. The price is rather higher now, but it's been creeping up across the country, so $52 isn't particularly out of line.
Scorpion Mezcal got their Silver and 1-year Añejo relisted after MHW accidentally dropped the code twelve months ago. They just released a Tobala and an Extra Añejo as well, which will be listed for SLO any day now. ]]>
Catalog Update for the weeks of 9/19 and 9/26tag:plcbusersgroup.org,2011://1.1552011-10-04T18:20:00Z2011-10-04T18:41:38ZPLCB spirits catalog changes for the weeks of September 19th and 26th: New in-store and online products: Admiral Nelson Spiced Cherry Rum 1.75 L (#003916, Regular, $20.99) Bitter Truth Jerry Thomas' Own Decanter Bitters 200ML (#030521, Online, $15.99) Calypso Spiced...Nathan Lutchanskyhttp://plcbusersgroup.org/ New in-store and online products:
Admiral Nelson Spiced Cherry Rum 1.75 L (#003916, Regular, $20.99)
Bitter Truth Jerry Thomas' Own Decanter Bitters 200ML (#030521, Online, $15.99)
Calypso Spiced Rum 1.75 L (#003986, Regular, $21.99)
Cupcake Devil's Food Vodka 750 ML (#004016, Regular, $17.99)
Smirnoff Fluffed Marshmallow 750 ML (#004367, Regular, $12.99)
Southern Comfort Pepper 750 ML (#003767, Regular, $16.99)
The Bitter Truth Old Time Aromatic Bitters 200ML (#030428, Online, $15.99)
Thomas Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey 750ML (#009458, Online, $59.99)
UV Cake Flavored Vodka 750 ML (#004008, Regular, $9.99)
William Larue Weller Bourbon 750ML (#005480, Online, $59.99)
It's that time of year again! The 2011 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection has been released, and this year our allocation was increased substantially. To improve availability, everything the state received was placed in the online store. Now, instead of desperately checking the PLCB inventory system every morning and calling stores to see if the bottles you want have been "claimed" yet, you can simply click through the product codes above and order however much you want. (It looks like the William Larue Weller Bourbon has sold out already, though. If you follow my twitter feed, you would have known to place your order the moment it was posted in the online store.)
Also from Buffalo Trace, the second limited-edition whiskey in the Col. E.H. Taylor line is online. This one is a bottled-in-bond single barrel bourbon aged just shy of 12 years. (Note that the FWGS site still says this is the first "sour mash" release--this is incorrect.)
The Bitter Truth range of cocktail bitters, although relatively easy to find when it was first released, quickly became scarce after Domaine Select acquired the import rights in late 2009. Although the partnership was necessary to expand Bitter Truth's portfolio into spirits, it meant that their cocktail bitters were imported and distributed in the US as distilled spirits rather than as lightly-regulated "non-potable bitters", and consequently could only be purchased through spirits retailers. The PLCB is attempting to address this by pulling some of the Bitter Truth bitters into the online store, and this week the Jerry Thomas Decanter Bitters and Old Time Aromatic Bitters were added to the FWGS site. If those sell well, other Bitter Truth bitters are sure to follow.
I feel like such a sell-out lately--here I go again promoting a cream liqueur. 1921 Tequila Cream claims to be the only tequila cream liqueur blended and bottled in Mexico, and whether that's true or not, the results are delicious. Aromas and flavors of coffee, chocolate, hazelnut and cinnamon make this a stand-out cream liqueur worth the $31 price tag.
While we're on sweets, yet more dessert-flavored vodkas rolled in this week, including Cupcake Devil's Food Vodka and Smirnoff Fluffed Marshmallow Vodka. Take note: Cupcake "Original" Vodka, while it sounds like it should be flavored, is not. But it's a decent vodka at a decent price.
Southern Comfort released a new flavor, Fiery Pepper, made in partnership with and co-branded with Tabasco. It is substantially better than Southern Comfort's previous flavor attempt, SoCo Lime. If you like Southern Comfort and you like spicy drinks, you'll probably love this.
Products back in stock online:
Rothman and Winters Creme de Violette Liqueur 750ML (#030567, Online, $25.99)
Shine White Whiskey 750ML (#030640, Online, $24.99)
In-store products moved to closeout:
Bacardi Coco P. R. Rum 750 ML (#005294, Regular, $16.99)
Dr McGillicuddy's Black Licorice Schnapps 750 ML (#003213, Regular, $15.99)
Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch 1 L (#008262, One Time, $43.99)
Jacques Cardin Cognac VSOP 50 ML (#004102, One Time, $2.99)
Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon Operations Homefront 1 L (#005471, One Time, $15.99)
Sobieski Imported Polish Vodka 750 ML (#003093, One Time, $8.99)
Bacardi Coco was delisted as the manufacturer is refocusing their coconut-driven marketing on their new Rock Coconut flavor, which was released late last year.
Three Olives Grape Vodka 1 L (#042133, SLO, $19.99)
Avión moved from Capital to Southern as a result of Pernod-Ricard acquiring the global distribution rights to
Avión in August. New Southern codes are below.
Similarly, Death's Door moved from Majestic to Southern after the distillery entered into a national distribution agreement with Destilería Serrallés, makers of DonQ rum. Again, new codes are below.
Reactivated SLO products:
Appleton 21 Year Rum 750 ML (#503144, SLO, $124.49)
New SLO products:
Ardbeg Alligator Single Malt Scotch 750 ML (#516235, SLO, $94.99)
I know lots of cocktail folks have been anxiously awaiting the return of Karlsbader Becherovka since Pernod-Ricard pulled the brand in-house to re-launch it. While Pennsylvania wasn't a target market for the re-launch, after repeated requests, Pernod has finally made Becherovka available for purchase by SLO. Happily, the price is a few dollars lower than it used to be, and there's no minimum quantity for ordering.
Boyd & Blair, Pittsburgh's local vodka distillery, has taken heed of the calls from craft bartenders for a high quality, high proof grain neutral spirit for making infusions and bitters, and Boyd & Blair "Professional" 151-proof Vodka is now available by SLO. While the $50 price tag is a little startling, remember, you're basically buying two bottles of regular vodka condensed into one, with the resultant doubling of both production costs and Federal excise tax. If you're still not convinced, water down some Everclear to 80 proof and make a martini with it. Then try to tell me Boyd & Blair isn't worth the money.
The distinctive, hand-painted Kah Tequila has had a tumultuous life. After spending 2010 embroiled in a trademark infringement lawsuit with Globefill, the owners of Crystal Head Vodka, Kah was launched last winter with great fanfare, only to see demand far outstrip their production capabilities. When the PLCB tried to place Kah on store shelves in the spring, very little inventory ever arrived and they were forced to discontinue the listing some months later. Finally, the production issues have been sorted out, and Kah is available for SLO from Southern.
Right Gin is a sexy little Swedish-made gin that was introduced to the US back in 2007, then seemed to fizzle out. It's a great gin, styled to be more subtle as was the trend five years ago, and I'm happy to see it finally listed here. ]]>
Two-for-one tickets to the Pgh Whiskey Festivaltag:plcbusersgroup.org,2011://1.1562011-09-28T13:40:30Z2011-09-28T13:42:24ZThe Pittsburgh Whiskey Festival is selling two-packs of tickets for $100 for a limited time--it's effectively a 50% discount off the regular price of $100 per ticket. If you missed the 50% off Groupon, you'll want to jump on this...Nathan Lutchanskyhttp://plcbusersgroup.org/ Go to http://pittsburghwhiskeyfestival.com/ for a link to purchase. ]]>
Weekly Catalog Update for 9/12tag:plcbusersgroup.org,2011://1.1542011-09-17T15:00:37Z2011-09-17T15:40:19ZPLCB spirits catalog changes for the week of September 12th: New in-store and online products: Bastille Hand Crafted 1789 French Whiskey 750 ML (#003961, Regular, $29.99) Forty Creek Canadian Whiskey 750 ML (#003948, Regular, $23.99) The Black Grouse Scotch 750...Nathan Lutchanskyhttp://plcbusersgroup.org/ New in-store and online products:
Bastille Hand Crafted 1789 French Whiskey 750 ML (#003961, Regular, $29.99)
Forty Creek Canadian Whiskey 750 ML (#003948, Regular, $23.99)
The Black Grouse Scotch 750 ML (#003979, Regular, $28.99)
Yes, you read that right: French Whisky. (Judging by the bottle, France has decided to spell it without the "e".) Google finds very little information about this brand, but the website provides a few hints: "After the initial maturation, BASTILLE is finished in different styles of wooden cask which provide my whisky its delicate, harmonious and unique flavors." Added to the fact that the bottle calls it a "blended whisky", it sounds like this is bulk juice purchased from elsewhere (likely outside of France) then aged a bit longer at Bastille's facility before bottling.
There's no shame in this, of course, although it would be nicer if they were more up-front about the provenance of their whisky. It clearly doesn't hurt the end result, as BTI called it "a remarkably fruity, exotic and enigmatic whisky" and assigned it 94 points. Worth a try, no?
Forty Creek has made the jump from online-only to a regular listing, and deservedly so. It was long considered the only Canadian whisky worth drinking (before upstarts like Caribou Crossing came along) and unlike the whiskies from the big distillers, it includes an appreciable amount of rye in its mashbill. It's a refreshing departure from the usual bland, flavorless offerings from our neighbor to the north.
Black Grouse is a relatively new blend from Famous Grouse, which takes a
peatier tack than the original. It's intended to go head-to-head with
the smokier blended scotches like Johnnie Walker but at a lower price point.
Interestingly, the flavor doesn't even vaguely resemble Famous
Grouse--it seems to be an entirely different blend. If you're on a
budget but looking for a smoky dram, give it a try.
Delisted SLO products:
Schoenauer Apfelschnapps 1 L (#073436, SLO, $19.29)
Torres 20yr Hors D Age Brandy 750 ML (#501283, SLO, $62.79)
Reactivated SLO products:
Bols Pumpkin Smash Liqueur 750 ML (#071292, SLO, $13.49)
Macallan 21year Fine Oak Scotch 750 ML (#506139, SLO, $267.09)
Buffalo Trace has been working to revamp and expand the whiskeys coming out of the A. Smith Bowman Distillery in Virginia, which they bought back in 2003. Google them up before buying--they've received mixed reviews. ]]>
2011 Pgh/Philly Whiskey Festivalstag:plcbusersgroup.org,2011://1.1532011-09-15T23:02:48Z2011-09-15T23:11:04ZThis year the Pittsburgh Whiskey Festival will take place on November 18th from 6pm to 9pm, and the Philadelphia Whiskey Festival will take place on November 15th from 6:30pm to 9pm.There was a Groupon for 50% off the Pittsburgh festival,...Nathan Lutchanskyhttp://plcbusersgroup.org/
Pittsburgh Whiskey Festival will take place on November 18th from 6pm to 9pm, and the Philadelphia Whiskey Festival will take place on November 15th from 6:30pm to 9pm.
There was a Groupon for 50% off the Pittsburgh festival, but it sold out within a few hours. Regular-priced tickets for the Pittsburgh event are $100 and go on sale September 26th. Tickets to the Philly event are $85 in advance and are available now. ]]>
Weekly Catalog Update for 9/5tag:plcbusersgroup.org,2011://1.1522011-09-10T15:53:41Z2011-09-10T16:06:59ZIt's been a very quiet week in the catalog due to the holiday and the major flooding in Harrisburg. Not much to say, really.PLCB spirits catalog changes for the week of September 5th: New in-store and online products: Blackheart Spiced...Nathan Lutchanskyhttp://plcbusersgroup.org/ PLCB spirits catalog changes for the week of September 5th:
New in-store and online products:
Blackheart Spiced Rum 750 ML (#003903, Regular, $14.99)
Dr. McGillicuddy's Rootbeer Schnapps 750 ML (#003983, Regular, $15.99)
Jacquins Coconut Flavored Vodka 1 L (#003789, Regular, $10.99)
Jacquins Cotton Candy Flavored Vodka 1 L (#003786, Regular, $10.99)
Jacquins Strawberry Shortcake Flavored Vodka 1 L (#003793, Regular, $10.99)
Malibu Sea Breeze 1.75 L (#003971, Regular, $19.99)
DeKuyper Frosty Spearmint Schnapps 1 L (#071156, SLO, $13.89)
Reactivated SLO products:
Absolut Vodka Orient Applie 1 L (#514167, SLO, $24.39)
]]>
Weekly Catalog Update for 8/29tag:plcbusersgroup.org,2011://1.1512011-09-06T21:02:51Z2011-09-06T21:09:07ZPLCB spirits catalog changes for the week of August 29th: New in-store and online products: Arnold Palmer Half and Half Pomegranate Non Alcoholic 1182 ML (#030301, Regular, $4.99) Buffalo Trace Straight Rye Mash White Dog 375ML (#030502, Online, $15.99) Double...Nathan Lutchanskyhttp://plcbusersgroup.org/ New in-store and online products:
Arnold Palmer Half and Half Pomegranate Non Alcoholic 1182 ML (#030301, Regular, $4.99)
Buffalo Trace Straight Rye Mash White Dog 375ML (#030502, Online, $15.99)
Double Barrel 10 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky 750ML (#030837, Online, $63.99)
Double Cross Vodka 750 ML (#003943, Regular, $39.99)
Vice Pure Spirit Wine Cocktail Canada 750ML (#030427, Online, $38.99)
Whipped Jack Rum 750 ML (#004164, Regular, $10.99)
Nolet Silver Gin, made by the same distillery that makes Ketel One Vodka and a bunch of good genever that you can't get in the US, started to arrive in specialty spirits stores last week. At $50 it's a bit overpriced for my taste, but that's nothing compared to the Nolet Reserve Gin, which sells for nearly $700 per bottle. No, that is not a typo. No, the PLCB will not be stocking it.
RumChata is a cream liqueur that tastes similar to the traditional Mexican drink horchata, a sweetened mixture of rice, milk and cinnamon. It's showing up on a lot of back bars and cocktail menus in my area, so I guess it works well for mixing. I'll be picking up a bottle.
White Rock Distilleries has taken upon itself to adapt the whipped cream vodka trend to the flavored rum category. I guess "Whipped Jack" invokes the line's pirate theme well enough, no?
Wild Turkey Tradition 14 Year Old 750ML (#003149, Online, $63.99)
Many of these items have been drifting in and out of the online catalog due to some internal database issues, but they've all been confirmed to be in stock, so order away.
Delisted SLO products:
Bols Pumpkin Smash Liqueur 750 ML (#071292, SLO, $13.49)
Karlssons Gold Vodka 750 ML (#041508, SLO, $31.29)
Amrut Peated Single Malt Whisky 750 ML (#515495, SLO, $63.39)
Amrut Single Malt Whisky 750 ML (#515494, SLO, $49.69)
Glenglassaugh Highland Single Malt Scotch 26 Year 750 ML (#515500, SLO, $250.99)
Mauro Vergano Nebbiolo Chinato Non Vintage 500 ML (#515385, SLO, $57.09)
Mauro Vergano Vermouth Bianco Non Vintage 750 ML (#515386, SLO, $57.29)
Pinnacle Vodka Marshmallow 1 L (#515476, SLO, $15.59)
Still Waters Single Malt Vodka 750 ML (#515501, SLO, $39.19)
Amrut is a whisky maker in India, of all places. Historically, India has a horrible reputation for their "whisky" because it wasn't whisky at all--it was low-quality sugarcane spirit flavored with additives and then put in a fancy bottle labeled with the words "Scotch Whisky" and a Scottish-sounding brand name.
The Scotch Whisky Association, along with the rest of the world, thought this was a complete abomination and fought for decades to prevent Indian whisky from being labeled as Scotch outside of India. In response, the Indian producers suggested that everyone should be more open-minded about spirit category definitions, and dismissed the SWA's complaints as "pure protectionism." The issue was finally resolved earlier this year, when the Indian government agreed to protect the term "Scotch" and allow its use only on whiskies produced in Scotland.
Getting back to Amrut, for decades they produced typical sugarcane-based "whisky" but in the '80s began making some real malt whisky to blend into their sugarcane spirit as a flavoring agent. Eventually they decided they had enough aged malt that they could bottle it by itself, creating a true Indian single malt. This was first released in the UK in 2004 and was by all accounts a good whisky from the get-go, but years went by before anybody took it seriously.
Their big break came when Jim Murray named Amrut Fusion as the "Third Finest Whisky in the World" for 2010, and soon after, Amrut entered the US market with great fanfare.
Except for the cask-strength bottlings, the full US Amrut range is now available in Pennsylvania through Dreadnought Imports, a boutique distributor here in Pittsburgh. There is a six-bottle minimum for ordering, but this can be waived if you stop by Dreadnought's storefront on Penn Ave in the Strip and place your order in person. ]]>
Comments have been disabledtag:plcbusersgroup.org,2011://1.1502011-09-02T11:30:10Z2011-09-02T11:39:02ZOver the past few days, spammers have managed to post dozens of spam comments to this blog, evading all anti-spam measures that I've attempted, including captchas, IP address range blacklists, content filters, etc. I don't have the time to spend...Nathan Lutchanskyhttp://plcbusersgroup.org/ I apologize for removing this discussion forum, but the spammers have won.
If you have a question or comment about the blog, you may contact me by email at plcbusersgroup@gmail.com. ]]>
Catalog Update for the weeks of 8/15 and 8/22tag:plcbusersgroup.org,2011://1.1492011-08-29T15:26:42Z2011-08-29T15:34:50ZPLCB spirits catalog changes for the weeks of August 15th and August 22nd: New in-store and online products: Absolut Orient Apple 750 ML (#003966, Regular, $19.99) Art In the Age Rhuby 750 ML (#004166, Regular, $32.99) Bacardi Arctic Grape 750...Nathan Lutchanskyhttp://plcbusersgroup.org/ New in-store and online products:
Absolut Orient Apple 750 ML (#003966, Regular, $19.99)
Art In the Age Rhuby 750 ML (#004166, Regular, $32.99)
Bacardi Arctic Grape 750 ML (#003747, Regular, $16.99)
Bacardi Oakheart Spiced Rum 750 ML (#003749, Regular, $14.99)
Buchannans Scotch 750 ML (#003861, Regular, $29.99)
Buffalo Trace Wheat Mash White Dog 375ML (#030425, Online, $15.99)
Bulleit Rye Bourbon 750 ML (#003864, Regular, $25.99)
Chieftan's Mortlach 15 Year Old Sherry Cask 1995 750ML (#030792, Online, $87.99)
Collingwood Canadian Whiskey 750 ML (#003760, Regular, $25.99)
Coole Swan Irish Cream 750 ML (#003947, Regular, $27.99)
Courvoisier Rose 750 ML (#003906, Regular, $25.99)
Crown Royal Black 1.75 L (#003881, Regular, $59.99)
Cruzan Strawberry 750 ML (#003907, Regular, $12.99)
El Dorado Golden Rum Cream 750 ML (#003960, Regular, $18.99)
Weller Reserve Bourbon 750 ML (#003985, Regular, $19.99)
Wild Shot Silver Mezcal 750 ML (#003987, Regular, $39.99)
Bulleit Rye is in! Woohoo! This is a 95% rye from LDI that's been aged between four and seven years, and undoubtedly the best rye to ever come out of LDI. It's a bit more reserved than other ryes on the market--definitely less spicy--but no less enjoyable to drink. This is, perhaps, what (ri)1 should have been, both in character and price.
We have a several bourbons in as well. Once again we have a Weller wheated bourbon on the shelves--this one is the 90-proof version, though the 107-proof version is available online, as well as the white dog it was made from.
The annual Four Roses Limited Edition is online. If you haven't read about it yet, the 2011 L.E. is the first time they've released a whiskey made only with their "OBSQ" yeast. It has a huge flavor, dominated by dessert spices and oak.
Jim Beam Devil's Cut made it into the regular selection, of course, which is interesting mainly for the way it is produced--Beam uses a "proprietary process" to extract more whiskey from the casks it's aged in, giving the bourbon, well, more wood character.
Rounding out the list of new American whiskeys is Platte Valley Corn Whiskey. Don't expect much from the juice itself (it comes from McCormick) but the packaging is entertaining: it comes in a ceramic crock, the kind cartoon moonshiners carry in the hand opposite their muzzle-loading musket. Let's be honest...this is a step up from the recently-delisted Georgia Moon, right?
I picked up a bottle of Courvoisier Rose as soon as it hit stores, for tasting purposes only, of course. It's a "fun, stylish beverage," according to the sales literature, made by mixing cognac and red wine to produce something similar to Pineau des Charentes. Serve it chilled and it's okay, but for the exact same price you could pick up a real Pineau des Charentes which you'll find much more enjoyable.
One of my favorite cream liqueurs (don't laugh) was pulled into the regular selection. El Dorado Rum Cream is one of only two rum creams out there, to my knowledge, and undoubtedly the superior of the two. It's essentially a tropical version of Bailey's with lots of rich caramel and sugarcane notes. If you know somebody who likes cream liqueurs (or if you do yourself, I won't tell), buy them a bottle of this and they'll love you forever. While you're at it, pick up a bottle of Coole Swan Irish Cream as well. It's a lighter Irish cream, but I think a bit more complex than the standard fare.
A couple of Varnelli products arrived online. These have taken their sweet time getting into the US (we expected them to be available more than a year ago) but the craft community is rediscovering their enthusiasm for them. All of their amari are worth checking out, although which ones you prefer depend on your taste. Their Caffè Moka liqueur is delicious, and easily one of the best coffee liqueurs out there. It might even be worth the steep $45 price tag.
Art in the Age released Rhuby, their third liqueur after Root and Snap, which this time is flavored with rhubarb. I haven't tried it yet, but it sounds promising.
Products back in stock online:
Talisker 10 Year Single Malt Scotch 750ML (#009547, Online, $49.99)
Delisted SLO products:
4 Orange Premium Vodka 750 ML (#500475, SLO, $25.99)
Absolut Vodka Orient Applie 1 L (#514167, SLO, $24.39)
Absolut Vodka Special Edition La Green Way Project 750 ML (#514714, SLO, $24.49)
Boomsma Jonge Young Genever Gin 750 ML (#506027, SLO, $27.79)
You ever wonder why there are all these 50ML bottles listed for SLO, and who buys them? They're for "salesman samples"--legally, producers and distributors are required to buy their own product samples from the state at a 25% mark-up over retail. Just another example of how our liquor laws perpetuate Pennsylvania's horrible reputation in the wine and spirits industry. ]]>
Catalog Update for Weeks of 8/1 and 8/8tag:plcbusersgroup.org,2011://1.1482011-08-16T14:45:22Z2011-08-16T15:36:51ZTaking a break from my new roll as a political agitator, let's look at what's happened in the spirits catalog in the last two weeks.This update picks up after the August 1st special edition, so only changes from Tuesday through...Nathan Lutchanskyhttp://plcbusersgroup.org/ This update picks up after the August 1st special edition, so only changes from Tuesday through Friday of last week are shown below, as well as all changes from this week.
New in-store and online products:
2012 Luna Nueva Reposado Tequila 750ML (#030808, Online, $49.49)
Brinley Gold Shipwreck Spiced Rum 750 ML (#003921, Regular, $18.99)
Captain Morgan Lime Bite 1.75 L (#003866, Regular, $30.99)
Catdaddy Carolina Moonshine 750 ML (#003974, Regular, $21.99)
Qream Strawberry 750 ML (#003900, Regular, $27.99)
Brinley Gold is pretty good as far as flavored rums. The PLCB pulled in their new "Shipwreck Spiced" flavor, which is one of the best spiced rums out there.
Junior Johnson was famous for his driving skills, both as a backwoods bootlegger in the '50s and as a NASCAR driver in the early days of the sport. Piedmont Distillers hired him as their "brand rep" to market their faux-moonshine products, which I haven't been a fan of in the past, but their fruit-infused Midnight Moon is actually pretty good. They cram a bunch of fruit into a 32-oz mason jar, then pour a full 750 ML of spirit on top of it. The fruit flavors the spirit and makes it drinkable. I haven't had their cranberry flavor, but their strawberry and cherry flavors are rather tasty.
Hangar One Vodka and Citadelle Gin are back in the state after being delisted some years ago. Hangar One is a small distiller in Alameda which makes eaux-de-vie, vodka, absinthe, and a few liqueurs. Their vodka is what I use as my neutral mixer, when I'm just looking to add alcohol or cut an intensely-flavored base spirit. Citadelle Gin is made at the Pierre Ferrand Cognac house in France. It's got a huge mouthfeel to it, due to the use of cognac stills in its production, and the bouquet is a "Frenchified" London Dry. It's an excellent gin for the price--comparable to $30 gins on the market--and it comes in a beautiful bottle to boot.
Malibu Black is a higher-proof version of Malibu Coconut Rum which is...yes...colored black. Their market research found that people only drink regular Malibu during the day, so the Black is an attempt to appeal to the nightlife crowd. Seems a little misguided to me, but I'm sure it must have performed well with their focus groups.
The rumors are true! You can now buy bacon-flavored vodka in stores! (It's not very good though. Just soak a pound of cooked bacon in a bottle of vodka for a couple weeks and you're good to go.)
My Twitter updater got out-of-sync with the PLCB catalog and incorrectly posted a few in-store-only items as getting restocked online. The list above, however, is correct.
Yes, we did get our allocation of the BT Single Oak Project's second release. And yes, it's pretty much all gone now. (There may be 3-4 bottles left.) Follow my Twitter feed for up-to-the-minute notifications of when products hit the online store.
In-store products moved to closeout:
Antigua Cruz Silver Tequila 80pf 750 ML (#003476, Regular, $15.99)
Esprit Classique Orange Liqueur should not be confused with Esprit de June, a floral liqueur. Nor should it be confused with L'esprit d'Amour Orange Liqueur, or Courvoisier L'esprit Cognac.
Jefferson's 10yr Rye was released a couple months ago, and it's basically a cheaper version of WhistlePig. Both are sourced from Canadain whisky distilleries and are 100% rye, and supposedly the flavors are similar. But Jefferson's is half the price. ]]>