March Mumblings & Musings
Jeez, sometimes there just isn't anything interesting to fill up a blog post about and you have to wait until a few things pile up. Normally I'd just do a distillery review, or some history piece, but time has been short and energy has been in even shorter supply. This is already a busy month, but here are the most interesting news items from the K&L Spirits department:
-Tonight is our single malt dinner with Signatory & Gordon MacPhail. That should be a blast and I am excited to see how La Boheme has integrated the whiskies into the food. I'll take some pictures and post them tomorrow.
-David OG and I are completing our purchases of two new barrels: one blend of Buffalo Trace and one Jefferson's Select 17 Year Old made by the now defunct Stitzel-Weller (the same whiskey in Pappy Van Winkle). I can't believe we're getting our own barrel of Pappy Van Winkle quality bourbon. Our customers are going to freak out.
-Davorin Kuchan from Belmont's Old World Distillery came by to see me today. He is now packaging his La Sorciere absinthes in half bottles which I think is a great idea. This will allow people to sample them first before committing the big bucks for the 750mls. Also, some people only need a bit for mixing cocktails (like myself) and a half bottle is much more affordable. While he was here I tasted the updated-Sarticious now called Blade Gin which is ready to go any day now (you're all going to love it) and a new zinfandel-based brandy aged 5 years in Bourbon cask. Delicious. Davorin is going to be someone to really watch and I can't wait to have a tasting with him.
-Speaking of Davorin, rumor is he is going to show up at the gin tasting with a special suprise to put all the other products to shame. You should really be going to this. Scroll down a few days for the info.
-David OG told me about a new amari from Turin, Italy that should be making its way to California very soon. He said he had it in a Negroni at a local LA bar after hours and that it was the best Negroni he'd ever had. I'm salivating.
-We got a new Pineau de Charentes Rubis into stock from Francois Peyrot. If that sounds like French to you, it is French. If you meant that sounds like French because you don't understand what it is, then let me explain. Pineau de Charentes is a French apperitif made from Cognac eau de vie and lightly fermented grape must. The new red version we brought in drinks like something between a tawney port and a rose wine. I think it's awesome and I can't wait to incorporate it into a French meal sometime soon.
-Tres Agaves tequilas are now in stock here in RWC. They are inexpensive, of high quality, and perfect for margaritas. If that glimpse of sunshine has you fiending for a blender and crushed ice already, this is the way to go.
-There are a bunch of new whiskies in stock that are getting rave reviews from customers: Springbank 9 Year Old Chateau d'Yquem cask, Bowmore 17 Year Old Cask Strength, and the 1990 Sheep Dip have been wildly popular. I'm getting emails every other day from people who are really happy to have made their acquaintance.
Am I forgetting anything? I don't know. I feel like there's even more to tell, but I'll save it for another post.
-David Driscoll