Cocktail ingredients Utah update – January 2013

Bourbon is the only thing marked down that
you can make a Manhattan with this month.

When Utahans walk into the Utah DABC State Liquor Stores this month, they will know that Santa Claus has left the building.  Special Price Adjustments (SPAs) originate with the distributors of the products, not the UDABC (only Clearance item price reduction come from the UDABC).  Last month there were generous to holiday promotions.  This month those promotions are scarce.  The number of items on SPA drops from over 550 when Santa was around to a scant 200 this month.  Cocktailians in search of ingredients who didn’t stock up in December will wish they had.  If this post seems short, you now know why.

If you’re into Bourbons, Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey® (CS# 017086) is available for $23 12% off) and makes a great BLT, and there are a few other Bourbons marked down.  There is only one Scotch Whisky (a blend) marked down this month: Johnnie Walker® Red is marked down 12% to $23, so if you’re looking for something to put into your Bobby Burns give it a try.  As usual, the number of Rye Whiskies on SPA this month is low: zero.  If you need some liqueurs, Kahlua is marked down a little over 10% this month.

Tequila lovers may shed a tear at the lack of SPA tags on the Tequila shelves; if they look hard they will find three!  Your options for Tequila deals this month are a pair of Hornitos: the Reposado (11% to $24) and the Plata (12% to $22) are both marked down.  Regular readers will know that a good Silver (or Plata or Blanco) is an essential ingredient in the ever popular Margarita.  For those who love Vodka Martinis, bottles of Ketel One® are marked down 12% to $22.  There is also the usual large number of flavored Vodkas on SPA.

There isn’t much excitement in the Rum shelves this month.  Liter bottles of Bacardi Gold and Superior are both marked down around 16% to $16.  Cruzan White Rum is marked down 8% to $22 for a 1750ml bottle.  The forecast for next month is not much better than this month, so tighten up your belt and wait for March.