Cocktail ingredients Utah update – April 2014

Tanqueray Taj will put your Gin & Midori to good use.

When Utahans walk into the Utah DABC State Liquor Stores this month they will find that the number of marked down items has dropped back into the “high average” range.  The number of items on SPA (Special Price Adjustment) dropped from around 440 last month to around 356 for April.  Cocktailians who need to stock their bars can still find some nice bargains.  There are some quality cocktail ingredients available this month, so dust off your wallet and your wallet and your shaker and get ready to mix some great cocktails.

There are a few Bourbons on SPA this month; let’s hope they are holding them in reserve for the Derby next month, always a big day for Bourbon.  In the 750ml size there three Single Barrel offerings marked down: Elijah Craig 12 Year (8% to $23), Knob Creek (6% to $33), and Basil Hayden 8 Year (7% to $39).  Sip it, or you can make a very good Manhattan, or perhaps even a Boulevardier.  The only Scotch Whisky marked down this month that you might want to pour into a cocktail like a Blood and Sand, is the Bowmore Legend Single Malt that has a small mark-down to $26.  Johnnie Walker 12 Year 1750 ml. is marked down 6% to $73.

Fortunately, the UDABC didn’t forget about you Tequila lovers.  There are 16 Tequilas (Platas, Añejos and Reposados) on SPA.  My favorites include Herradura Añejo.  This month Familia Camarena Silver and Reposado are both marked down 15% to $17.  It’s Margarita time!  The Rum deals are few and far between this month if you don’t count the “Spiced and Flavored” category.  Cruzan Dark is marked down 23% to $10, you might want to experiment with a Rum Old Fashioned. 

If you need some Dry Gin, Tanqueray Ten is marked down 9% to $29.  Try it in a Classic Martini.  Always reliable Beefeater is marked down $3 to $22 (try it in a Tom Collins).  If you like Vesper Martinis, Ketel One (it’s great with a lemon twist) is also on SPA for $22.  There are also deals on Belevedere and Skyy, as well as the usual multitude of flavored Vodkas that are better not mentioned.

There are a couple of Liqueurs marked down this month.  Amaretto Di Amore ($12) goes great in Mai Tais and is marked down around 14%.  Midori Melon Liqueur is marked down 10% to $19; try it in a Tanqueray Taj.

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.  See the following list “Suggested by the author” for information on how to use the Utah DABC website.  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.