Santa arrives early as Utah DABC rolls out sales for December 2012

A Rob Roy cocktail will put some blended Scotch to good use

When Utahans walk into the Utah DABC State Liquor Stores this month, they will expect to see Santa on the way out the door.  There are over 550 items on Special Price Adjustments (SPA) for the December holidays.  These deals are great for gifts (given or received), or for stocking your bar.  (Note: later in the month there will be a separate post on pre-New Year’s price adjustments (actually available all December) on sparkling wines.)  Need a Christmas gift for Dad (or Mom)? Don’t forget to look at the gift items that are often found on the top shelf of the Utah State Stores. These gift packages usually contain a bottle of liquor and items like glasses or a shaker for about the same price as the bottle without the gift. Some of them are pretty nice, others might be a little tacky.  Shop early in the month for a better selection and buy one for a lazy relative to give you for Christmas.

Let’s start with the Whiskeys: There are 50 Whiskeys on SPA this month, so it’s a great opportunity to stock up. 15 different Bourbons:  Most of the major brands are represented; try Buffalo Trace, or there are single barrel offerings from Blanton, Eagle Rare, and Evan Williams.  Four Irish that normally retail around $25 are available. Bulleit 95 Rye Whiskey is marked down for Christmas; my friends and I almost killed a whole bottle Saturday, so it’s time to stock up. Try it in a Rye cocktail like the Scofflaw Cocktail.  There are 21 Single Malt and Blended Scotches marked down, including Glenlivet French Oak 15 year.  This is your big chance to cheer up and impress the old man.

Now is your chance to stock up on your favorite Liqueurs or buy them as gifts.  Di Saronno Amaretto ($23) and a favorite for cocktails, Amaretto Di Amore ($11), are both marked down.  Godiva Chocolate Liqueur ($27) and Kahlua Coffee Liqueur ($17) are on SPA, along with a variety of Irish Cream Liqueurs (great gifts for light drinkers) and Liqueurs like Alize and Midori.  A favorite Triple Sec substitute: Gran Gala Orange Liqueur ($20) is on SPA, or feel free to go upscale with Grand Marnier ($37).  Surprisingly, there is a shortage of Rums on sale this month.  Appleton Estates VX Jamaica Rum is the best of the bunch; sadly there are no high-end premium Rums to put under your tree.

If your Mom is a Gin lover, you can make her happy this holiday season.  This month there is a variety of Gins marked down, most of the good ones between 10 and 15%.  Gins with price adjustments include offerings from Bombay Sapphire®, Tanqueray®, Beefeater®, and even the surprisingly good, bargain Gin: New Amsterdam for $12.  While you’re picking up a nice bottle of Gin, pick up a bottle of Campari® (on SPA this month) and try one of my favorite Gin cocktails, a Negroni.  You can look up all of the prices for yourself by clicking through to the “SPA Product List” to open a price book in PDF format that shows all of the markdowns for the current month; then search on “gin” or the product of your choice.  Oh, and there are 31 non-flavored Vodkas marked down this month too, if that’s your thing.

As to any other sale or clearance items, if you see anything at your local state store that other cocktailians might enjoy, post a response to this article.  You can check out what else is on sale (e.g. the wines etc.) by clicking through to the “SPA Product List” to open a price book in PDF format that shows all of the markdowns for the current month.