Recently in PLCB Press Releases Category

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.

PLCB press release from today:



Harrisburg - The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board today alerted consumers to a
voluntary recall of the engraved stainless steel flask sold in E&J® VSOP holiday gift
packs at PA Wine & Spirits stores in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

According to information from the manufacturer, lab tests revealed brandy stored in
the flask under certain conditions may show elevated levels of lead, which can pose
a health risk.

"More than 13,000 of these gift packs were sold at our stores over the past five
years," said Patrick J. "PJ" Stapleton, Chairman of the PLCB. "We want to make
sure those customers who purchased them are aware of the recall and stop using
them immediately."

The affected flasks were sold in stores across the state from approximately October
through February from 2006 through 2010. The flasks are silver and rectangular in
shape with "E&J VSOP" etched on the front.

Consumers who may have purchased one of the impacted gift packs should call the
E&J Brandy consumer recall hotline at 1-866-959-8477 for information on how to
return the flask for a refund.

PLCB press release from today:

Harrisburg - Film and television star Dan Aykroyd will meet with fans and sign purchased bottles of his Crystal Head Vodka at the PA Wine & Spirits Stores in Shadyside from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 15.

"Dan Aykroyd is a powerhouse in Hollywood and in the wine and spirits business," said Patrick "P.J." Stapleton III, Chairman of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. "In 2008, Aykroyd created Crystal Head Vodka, a high-quality spirit made with a unique filtering process and that contains no additives or preservatives. We're happy to offer it to consumers in Pennsylvania."

Crystal Head Vodka is quadruple distilled in Newfoundland, Canada and is thrice filtered through charcoal and then Herkimer diamonds to attain its unique flavor.

Aykroyd has been involved with everything from the creation of the filtering process to the packaging of Crystal Head Vodka in its signature bottle. The bottle's shape is a tribute to ancient crystal skulls that mystics believe offer spiritual power and enlightenment. Crystal Head Vodka describes the bottle as a symbol of life.

Crystal Head Vodka sells for $49.99 for a 750 mL bottle. The 1.75 L bottle, which normally retails for $99.99, will be on sale for $89.99 through Jan. 2, 2011. Both sizes will be available for purchase at the store. The event tasting will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and is complimentary for those 21 and older.

The store is located at 5956 Penn Circle South, Pittsburgh, PA 15206.

PLCB press release from today:


Hip Hop Superstar Ludacris, Creator of Conjure Cognac, to Visit Philadelphia-Area Wine & Spirits Store Oct. 27

Will Autograph Purchased Bottles

Harrisburg - Christopher Bridges, aka Ludacris, will meet with fans and sign purchased bottles of his Conjure cognac at the PA Wine & Spirits Store at 119 West City Avenue, Bala Cynwyd, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 27.

"Christopher Bridges is a three-time Grammy award winner and the highest-selling Southern hip-hop solo artist of all time, with more than 15 million albums sold in the United States and 20 million sold worldwide. He's also making a name for himself in the cognac market," said PLCB Chairman Patrick J. "PJ" Stapleton. "Bridges helped develop Conjure cognac, he's promoting it and we are happy to partner with him to bring it to our consumers."

As a fan of fine cognac, Bridges wanted to create something that he enjoyed drinking but was also accessible to his fans. Bridges traveled to the Cognac region of France to learn how it was made. He partnered there with world-renowned Birkedal Hartmann to handcraft Conjure, a unique blend of ugni blanc grapes from a variety of Cognac regions.

Conjure sells for $32.99 for a 750 mL bottle and will be available for purchase at the store. The event tasting will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and is complimentary for those 21 and older.